thriftily shopping

muji products from the MoMA store- recycled thread socks; i give my friend deb a set every year. beautifully designed tape dispenser ($2.00) and tape ($1.25;) tiny key ring sketchbooks/notebooks ($1.00.)

funny syringe ball point pens i bought at a "one peso" store in mexico.  three for a dollar.

from chinatown dollar stores- miffy erasers (50 cents each) and classic aluminium pencil sharpeners with replaceable blades (6 for a dollar.) nice stuff, not pricey; who doesn't love things for writing and drawing?

the charming vintage wrapping paper is from sideshow at the visionary art museum in baltimore, on post christmas sale for 25 cents a sheet.

antique miniature jacknife necklace from evolution now.

an afternoon at MoMA

 

the tokyo avant garde show.

balthus' first masterpiece the street.

helicopter. who takes pictures at MoMA without getting one of this exquisite aluminum, steel and acrylic dragonfly?!

maison harlem

i'm liking our new local restaurant maison harlem more and more! it's convivial and unpretentious for a place that's already attracting celebrities. a few weeks ago we stopped by for a drink and whoopi goldberg was waking in just ahead of us. the food is good. french bistro.  moroccan merguez sausage included as a fitting harlem nod to africa. i love it that one can hang out at the bar and drink coffee in the afternoon, diner style.  you can get your own refill from a pot by the door, though the bartender is perfectly happy to walk around the bar and get it for you.  you don't have to order whole plates- they'll just make you a couple of eggs if you you want- no problem. if you get a glass of wine they casually fill it up to the top- no oenophile affect here.  very relaxed marriage of chic foodie elegance and casual neighborhood hangout.  more pics here.

wreaths etc in annapolis

the shiplap house wreath has oysters on it!

oysters in the chesapeake are becoming a thing of the past. link. when we were kids huge wooden sail boats came to the city dock to unload bushels of oysters and sell them on the spot under the eaves of the collapsing 19th century market house.  now the market is restored but empty, and the city dock is full of huge white fiberglass motor boats.

maryland

galesville christmas tree.

a residence in baltimore.

evolution now antique padlock necklace.

presents.

water taxi, annapolis.

christmas!