Gardening Indoors

Spring is truly in the air and this time of year makes me think about gardening!  Being a city dweller makes gardening a bit challenging, but don’t let the lack of space, lighting or inability to find appropriate products stop you from bringing the outdoors in!

In addition to their to natural beauty, household plants are natural air-purifiers.   They create a healthier environment by absorbing chemicals from building materials, furniture and detergents as well as filter allergens in the air.

 Here are some interesting facts:

• Houseplants can remove 87% of air toxins in 24 hours by absorbing them and giving off oxygen.
• Houseplants raise humidity levels for a more oxygen-rich environment.
• Gardening has been proven by the American Horticultural Association to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, promote healing and reduce depression.
• Houseplants offer a variety of textures, colors and scents to accessorize any room in a home.

So are you ready to get started on your indoor garden?  Here is some inspiration to help you!

Wall Herb Garden

Hanging Coffee Cup Garden

Hanging Basket Garden

One Pot Garden

Vertical Garden From a Shoe Rack

Indoor Tulips

Lily Pond in a Vase

Post by:  Rekha Krishnamurthi, www.divineny.com | ETSY Shop:  DivineNYCo

Loving the Earth - Celebrating Earth Day 2015

Wednesday, April 22, 2015 will mark the 45th anniversary of Earth Day.  Are you ready?

                                                       Dog Tag Necklace by DesignsbySky on Etsy

Earth Day, while just one day, should not be limited to the one day; it should be reflected in our daily actions. 45 years later, Earth Day should really be Earth Awareness 365 days. 

Humans are the only creatures on the planet that do not use their intelligence to halt the proliferation of waste and destruction around us.  Okay, that's a wee bit harsh. There are some humans, many humans in fact, who are doing their best to stop the killing of animals, removing trash off of streets, beaches, water sources and play grounds, composting, dumpster diving and growing gardens, etc. I'm one of those people. And I can't tell you how many times I've had a person say to me, "your recycling makes up for my lack of recycling." I always shake my head at that.  No, unfortunately, it does not. While I may not buy lots of things, and attempt to recycle as much as I can, that doesn't make up for what keeps being generated. I'm making a small dent in a larger problem.

That's where all of you come in! As we prepare for Earth Day, I'd like to make suggestions events and things you can do to brush up on your earth awareness and celebrate Earth Day. Yes, we're talking about recycling and other thought provoking and action inducing activities, but that's part of the fun of getting out and seeing all that you can do to help tackle this important issue. 

To start, here are some movies, documentaries, that you might be interested in; I doubt you'll want to watch more than once, but maybe you can screen it at your apartment with friends and family, or recommend them to friends and family.  Either way,I hope you'll help bring Earth awareness to your life and those you love every day of the year, not just April 22 every year.

Films to Consider:

"Addicted to Plastic", 2008 - Available on Netflix

A really interesting film on plastic and the role it plays in our lives. It's also a great educational film about the history of plastic. I find the guy who created the film fascinating - anyone willing to spend two years learning about anything makes me excited!

"Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch", 2013 - Available on Netflix

I recently watched this film and was sickened by the conditions of the animals after ingesting plastic because they confuse it with food. I know this seems like a lot of movies about plastic, but our culture needs to open their eyes about the use of plastic and what the convenience of it is doing to the rest of the organisms that call Earth home.

"Food, Inc", 2008 - Available on Netflix

You may have seen this movie already. It was sort of a big deal when it came out. But this movie is still my trusted go to when discussing the food industry and it's impact on the environment.  Everything we eat is wrapped in packaging that may be just as unhealthy as the products themselves. You can not discuss environmental issues without discussing food and this movie makes the case.

"Trashed", 2012 - Available on Netflix DVD, http://www.trashedfilm.com/

Jeremy Irons narrates this amazing documentary that explores the amount of trash currently circulating the planet. He also gives us a window into the effects our trash has on our bodies. It's a really interesting film.

"Waste Land", 2010 - Available on Netflix

A film about art and changing the lives of trash pickers in one of the largest landfills in Brazil. This is not a story per se about environmentalism, but it shows the lives of people one would not think about when they think of Brazil. It's a beautiful story of hope and eye opening at the same time.

Now, what do you do after you watch these films?

Maybe, you'll decrease your plastic use, or will limit your trash creation? Maybe, you'll consider recycling more, or composting your food scraps? Maybe, you'll look into ways that your City is providing alternative trash collections?

Since we're a NY area focused blog, I'd like to suggest that you check out the Earth Day Union Square event on Sunday, April 19, 2015 from 12-7PM.  Live music and kid activities will be available as well as representatives from environmental organizations and non-profits talking about their work and how you can become involved.

Alternatively, you can use Earth Month (yeah, lets just call April Earth month!), as a time to clean out your apartment/home and recycle as much as you can. Throughout the month, NYC is offering shredding, clothing drops, "Stop N Swaps" and electronics and harmful waste recycling.

NYC SAFE Disposal Events - Safely dispose of electronics and other potentially harmful household products like batteries, paint, pesticides and medicine at the NYC Department of Sanitation's NYC SAFE events this Spring. Only NYC residential waste will be accepted (no business or institutional waste permitted). Learn more and find the full schedule at www.nyc.gov/safedisposal.

Staten Island - Saturday, April 11, 10am-4pm
Midland Beach Parking Lot, Father Capodanno Blvd & Hunter Ave
(cars approach from Midland Ave)

Brooklyn - Sunday, April 19, 10am-4pm
MCU Park, Surf Ave Parking Lot
(cars approach from Surf Ave & W21 St)

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Electronics Recycling with the Lower East Side Ecology Center - Responsibly recycle unwanted or broken electronics (no appliances such as microwaves or refrigerators). Learn more and get the full spring schedule.

Saturday, April 11 - Chelsea
Sunday, April 12 - Upper West Side
Saturday, April 18 - Fort Greene
Sunday, April 19 - Bay Ridge
Sunday, April 19 - Cobble Hill
Saturday, April 25 - Flatbush
Saturday, April 25 - University Heights
Sunday, April 26 - Park Slope
Sunday, April 26 -

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NYPD Document Shredding & E-Waste Collection- College Point - Join the NYPD's Crime Prevention Section to shred your documents containing your personal/sensitive information, free!  Bring old computers, laptops, printers, LED/LCD screens (not tube screen), keyboards, mice, cables, cell phones and tablets to recycle.  All working devices received will include free data destruction services. 

Sunday, April 12, 10am-1pm
College Point Retail Center (main parking lot across from Target)
134-15 20th Ave, Queens (flier)

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April Stop 'N' Swap® Schedule - Bring clean, reusable, portable items such as clothing, housewares, games, books, & toys that you no longer need, and take home something new-to-you, free. You don't have to bring something to take something. No furniture or large items, please.  Learn more.

Saturday, April 18 - Glendale
12pm-3pm, The Shops at Atlas Park, 80-00 Cooper Ave, Queens (map)  

Sunday, April 19 - Chinatown
12pm-3pm, Two Bridges, 82 Rutgers Slip, Manhattan (map)

Thursday, April 23 - Brooklyn Borough Hall
12pm-3pm, 209 Joralemon Street (map)  
*Commuter drop-off available from 8am-12pm at the Greenmarket

Saturday, April 25 - Westchester Square
12pm-3pm, 2551 Westchester Ave, Bronx (map)

Sunday, April 26 - Forest Hills
12pm-3pm, Central Queens Y, 67-09 108th St, Queens (map)  

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Chinatown Earth Day Clothing Collection* - Clothing and textiles represent nearly 6% of NYC's waste. GrowNYC's Office of Recycling Outreach and Education will be partnering up with Chinatown Partnership and the Chinatown Business Improvement District (BID) for a one-day-only pop-up clothing collection at the  2015 Earth Day Chinatown Goes Green!  Bring clean and dry clothing, paired shoes, linens, handbags, belts, and other reusable textiles and we'll keep them out of the landfill. (No scraps, rugs, carpeting, pillows, comforters, or luggage.)

Sunday, April 19, 10am-4pm
Kimlau Square, Park Row, Manhattan (map)
*If you're unable to make this event, the Union Square Farmers Market has a clothing collection tent on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday every week. They usually leave by 4pm and they can provide you a receipt for tax benefits!

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AND there's always composting, but I'll save composting for my next post. This is already long enough! 

If you're not a NY City resident, I highly recommend you go to your City or Town's website (or call your Mayor's office) and see what they offer. If they don't offer anything, maybe you can see about helping start a program that tackles environmental issues? If they do have programming already, maybe you can join and become part of your community?

Watching documentaries, no matter how educational and enlightening, does not do much unless you follow up with action. Hopefully, this helps put you on a path you're comfortable with and will lead you to becoming part of the solution this Earth Day. (Month and Year! (every year!))

Happy celebrating Earth Day fellow earthlings.

Sara of  S2 Stationery & Design
 

Live A Healthier Life

In honor of World Health Day, we’ve found healthy snacks, workout shirts and yoga mats that you can purchase from your fellow local New Yorkers.

If you need a little inspiration for your workout (and really, who doesn’t?), then you might just find it on this yoga mat. Girl Candy Shop personalizes yoga mats that give you a boost while you’re in hot yoga and are ready to pass out.

This workout shirt by Etsy Shop FNF Apparel had me laughing out loud. FNF also has shirts to keep you going like “Train Insane or Remain the Same” and “Don’t Quit.”

Iron Couture offers this “Strong IS Beautiful” necklace and I absolutely love it. It is so simple, yet the message is strong and obviously, the dumbbell that comes with it is adorable.

Many people buy jewelry, bags, clothing and art from Etsy, but did you know that you can also buy food? Delicious food at that! Outside of Poland, you know that the best pierogies can be found right here in New York. Vegan Lotus has added a healthy twist to a New York favorite with organic tofu, spinach, vegan cheese and no chemicals or preservatives. Did I mention it’s vegan? So no guilt added.

By Kate Davey Love Notes By Kate

Etsy Easter Excitement!

And just like that spring has sprung and Easter is here! Hopefully you've completed finished spring cleaning and your ready to get outside and enjoy some warmer weather with family and friends! But before you head out, take a look at some of the great options on Etsy to brighten up your home for Easter! 

Philly based Xenotees has these great Best Bunnies Pillowcases. Adorable for both couples and kids, it's a simple way to make the holiday extra special. 

Gold foil and home decor are a top trend right now and these egg candles from Less Candles hit the nail on the head. Modern and chic they are a beautiful year round accessory perfect for groupings on top of stacked books or in a lacquered tray. 

Cute, fluffy AND temporary! These vinyl bunny decals from New York City based Empire City Studios are not only a whimsical choice for a nursery but could be used throughout your home to add some unexpected surprises for the kids during their indoor Easter egg hunt. There simple peel and stick application makes them the perfect temporary decor solution.  

And if it's more of a conversational piece you are after the rabbit egg warmers from MIXXXIT are sure to get some attention. Hand felted with 100% wool they are cute and unique items are sure to bring a smile to guests faces. 

These great Easter home decor ideas are only the start of the amazing selection on Etsy. Have your own favorites? Please share in the comments section below, we would love to see them! 

Happy Easter!

~Amberlee Isabella | www.amberleeisabellahome.com

[Art in the City] Thoughts on Audubon's Aviary: The Final Flight

As an artist. I always try to keep a sharp eye out for inspiration and actively reflect on works that motivate me to take my own creative practice to the next level. For this reason, I love living in New York City—the unparalleled access to art from various times and places through the city’s various museums, galleries, markets, and even the streets makes New York an artist’s paradise. At times however, the amount of choice tends to be a bit overwhelming, and one has to learn how to pace themselves when taking in art… otherwise it becomes a cacophony of images, and the experience of beauty becomes lost in the hustle and bustle of day to day life. I like to think Annie Lamont put forth the best strategy to deal with this sense of being overwhelmed by the creative process; one just has to take it “bird by bird.”

I hope this monthly feature will help highlight some of the best exhibitions the current art scene in the city and inspires you to seek out these gems of the art world for yourself.

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Speaking of birds, this post highlights “Audubon’s Aviary: The Final Flight” which is currently on view at the New-York Historical Society. The swan song of a set of three exhibitions, this show features the large-scale, original watercolors Audubon painted in preparation for the lithograph prints that compose the “Birds of America,” a series self-published from 1826-1838. This exhibition presents the watercolors in the same order he shipped them to his engraver, Robert Havell Jr in London, and then onward to his  subscribers in sets of five: two larges, and three small. In addition to the paintings, an original copy of the double-elephant folio book (measuring 40” tall, and 27” wide, the largest paper size during Audubon’s time) is displayed prominently under a glass case, and is turned to a new page on a weekly basis. It is one of only 120 surviving copies of the completed work, and portrays Audubon’s birds in epic, true to life form, just like the paintings that surround it.  

The book was open to the Black-Billed magpie the day of my visit

When one enters the exhibition, it feels like stepping into a cabinet of curiosities: the bright blue walls, hinting of a cloudless sky, filled with paintings of owls, hawks, woodpeckers, ducks, loons, pelicans...poised to take off or skitter away at a moment’s notice, as they would appear in the wild.

Audubon’s eye for detail and mastery for capturing the liveliness of every species comes through in every painting. Audubon fleshed out every feather, beak and talon with unparalleled meticulousness and elegance. In the field, Audubon wrote down many observations in his sketchbook of the bird’s personality and thought carefully on how to reflect those characteristics in his paintings. Many times, he would draft multiple versions of a particular bird until he captured its pose and character flawlessly. Occasionally, the field notes and pencil lines from the drafting stages appear as elements in the composition of the final paintings, encapsulating the process and paying homage to the art of science. To look closely at nature, as viewed from the eyes of a master illustrator, makes viewing the work in person so incredible. Audubon laid down a visual groundwork for those who wanted to explore the richness and depth of birdwatching in the future. He provides an invitation for us to participate in the preservation of nature through observation and experience. As Einstein once said, "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."

The delicate sensibility of how Audubon placed the birds on the page also shines through in each work, whether against the creamy white negative space of the paper or an intricately painted depiction of its habitat. The best examples of this sensibility arises in the illustrations of tall, lanky birds like the American Flamingo and the Great Egret, depicted in gracefully posed positions to fit the dimensions of the paper, without taking away from their personality. Perhaps his years drawing portraits to support his family, informed his ability to capture the individuality of each species with such carefully thought out composition.

Towards the end of the series, Audubon artfully combined multiple species of birds into a single painting because he wanted to complete his magnum opus on time, and on budget. These wonderful mash-ups pair well with the audio guide that plays recordings of the bird calls, helping bring the viewer one step closer to true to life experience of these birds. These audio guides are available for free, right next to the magnifying glasses, at the entrance of the exhibition.

One could easily spend hours pouring over every painstaking detail of these birds, which leads me to believe Audubon also inadvertently ended up encapsulating the possibilities of America, as embodied by  the natural landscape. After visiting this show, I gained a greater appreciation for the amazing diversity and splendor for the natural world that everyone should experience as often as they possibly could.

“Audubon’s Aviary: The Final Flight (Part III of the Complete Flock)” runs through May 10 at the New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, at 77th Street; 212-873-3400, nyhistory.org.

By Vanessa Lee resetreality.etsy.com