re-surface design light

Love these lights from Brooklyn based design shop, re-surface.  They design and produce really interesting lighting and interior decor objects.  This is my favourite- the MOST light.

via re-surface

 

via supermarket

serious cake talent: nine cakes

It is not very often that some serious cake talent emerges. 

I first read about Nine Cakes in Brooklyn on blog, Inspired Bride.  I was so captivated by the cake shots that I saw, I had to do some digging to find out the story behind these super sophisticated, confectionary structures.  Two years ago, Betsy Thorleifson, baker and owner of Nine Cakes started out doing cupcakes at the Brooklyn Indie Market.  Their spot on the TODAY show gave Betsy and Nine Cakes the visibility it needed and was picked up by the taste makers of the online world a la Daily Candy, Wedded Bits and Martha Stewart Weddings. I think the rest is history when you have exposure like that. 

The other interesting fact that made me smile is that Nine Cakes is located in Red Hook, where my other favourite bakery is located, Baked Bakery (I blogged about Baked here.)  What is up with that?  A serious baking talent cluster is emerging in Red Hook.

Not only will you be in complete and utter awe of the designs coming from Betsy’s bakery, what is equally impressive is her innovative flavour combinations in the cakes that change seasonally.   For example for spring there are lemon lavender, chocolate raspberry rosewater, chocolate earl grey and chocolate caramel fleur du sel cake combinations.  I like her strategy, change the flavours everymonth and keep customers coming back for more.   I really think the pictures speak for themselves.  It’s too bad that her desserts are limited to the tri-state area.

via Nine Cakes Flickr

via Nine Cake on Flickr

via Nine Cakes on Flickr

via Nine Cakes on Flickr

via Nine Cakes on Flickr

via Nine Cakes on Flickr

via Nine Cakes on Flickr

lorena barrezueta bakeware

I love to bake.  That is no surprise to those of you who know me.  I have a cookbook collection that has been growing larger by the year, that I will one day take with me when I move out of my mother’s house.  What I don’t have is a set of bakeware to call my own.  Over the past couple years of taking baking lessons, I have picked up a cake pan here or a loaf tin there and love the non-stick, metal bakeware.  However, I would not say that this functional bakeware is at all pretty. 

Wait till you see Lorena Barrezueta ‘s colourful, bold, Gourmet Collection.  You’ll want one of everything.  I sure do!

Artist Note:  Lorena Barrezueta is a New York (Brooklyn) based artist who earned a BFA in Product Design from the Parsons School of Design.   Lorena’s porcelain dishware are cast from aluminum takeout containers and can be purchased online from the Curiosity Shoppe here.

via funky finds

via luxist

via design alphabet

via olive bunny

baked

I am obsessed with Baked.

I paid the bakery a visit this past weekend en route to the Butter by Nadia sample sale all the way out in Red Hook, Brooklyn.  While I walked away dressless from the sample sale, boy was it worth the Ikea water taxi across the river for a cookie and a look around the charming industrial/residential area that is Red Hook.  I had the most scrumptuous ginger molasses chocolate chip cookie that I have ever tasted in my life.  This was a serious cookie.  Moist, flavourful, a balance between soft and chewy in the middle and crispy on the edges.  I liked the cookie so much, I even spent $30 on the Baked bakery cookbook, thereby making it one expensive cookie!  Well worth it. I’m just kidding.

If you are in New York and you are feeling a bit adventurous, get yourself down to Pier 11 by Wall Street, take the Ikea water taxi (a lovely 10 minute ride on the water where you get to listen to top 40 music and read Where magazine!) and then walk over to Baked.  You won’t regret this trek I promise!  From what I understand from digging around a bit (here) about the bakery, the owners also opened a baked in Charleston and there are some great pictures here.

via coolhunting.com

via austin chronicle

via lottie and doof

Hand written letterpress

Linda & Harriet Letterpress (via the sprague lab)

I feel like a lot of cool letterpress work comes out of Brooklyn.  Every time I look for new and different examples of letterpress, I end up back in New York!  Here is another great example of the talent coming out of Brooklyn: Linda & Harriet.   I was drawn to this company’s stationery for its very cool handwritten letter press card.  I think it looks pretty impressive and I am happy to have stumbled across the find on the Sprague Lab blog. 

Here is a quick look at some of the other letterpress designs from Linda & Harriet

Thumb Greeting Thank You Hearts (via Linda & Harriet)

Look at these orange pigs!

Orange Piggies Note Cards (via Linda & Harriet)

Save the Date Card (via Linda & Harriet)