If You Build It, Will They Come?

I guess they think the answer is a big "YES" judging by all the towers going up in Long Island City...

Read more »

Mr. Vino Has Arrived

Forest Hills' newest wine shop is now open on 71st/Continental....

Read more »

Summer Storm

Some pics I shot last eve as the intense thunderstorm moved over northern Manhattan. These were taken in Hell's Kitchen looking up Ninth Avenue...

Read more »

Some delicious eyecandy from 3 beautiful blogs

It was design blogs that inspired me in the first place to start blogging, but between running my web design business, and running Decorology, I never have time to peruse my favorite blogs the way I once did. Therefore I decided to make myself make time by publishing occasional posts featuring images from other awesome design blogs. Enjoy!

{featured in no particular order}

Images below from  "Live Creating Yourself."

so pretty

the charming The Marion Housebook had this delicious eyecandy

 

The two bedrooms above are so simple and peaceful

On Pure Style Home  I was loving these...

gorgeous

Read more »

Do The Metropolitan Avenue Time Warp...

... And beam back to a quaint time when store signs tout "Sick Room Supplies," there is still a Carvel, and yes, there is even a Sizzler! Remember those?

Oh, and the employees and patrons of the aforementioned Sizzler have apparently never, ever seen something called a "Gay Person." After all, it is a Sizzler.

Oh, and one more thing. If you are gay and actually feel, well, hungry, as gay people sometimes do, and want to eat at the aforementioned Sizzler, you apparently first risk being beaten by one of the restaurant's employees, and then for dessert, might be set upon by the other SIzzler patrons, who, it seems, well, have never, ever seen a gay person either!

At least, that is, according to this account in The Daily News:

Queens woman, gay rights group sues Sizzler over alleged homophobic bias attack by manager

Hmmm, so maybe that's why the Forest Hills Sizzler is the last one open on the East Coast, I think, except for a few scattered across Florida. It's tough to maintain that hyperdrive time warp bubble around a restaurant the size of a Sizzler. Tough, and damn expensive too! ...  In this time of NASA budget cuts and all.

Read more »

Impressive Newcomers

La Boulangerie

I spent about an hour this afternoon sitting in La Boulangerie, chatting away with a friend while sipping an iced coffee. I have to tell you, that place was doing some impressively brisk business. People didn't stop coming in. What a great addition to Forest Hills it is. It was such a comfortable place to while away an hour or so with good conversation and a good coffee. And, by the way, the shelves were brimming with bread. And, they had something like 3 or 4 bakers in the back baking away... If you've been disappointed by this place being out of stuff when you visit, it looks like they are ramping up big-time. So I would highly recommend another visit.

Emily's Sugar Rush

Then, I stopped in Emily's Sugar Rush a block or so away on Austin. This candy store is now overflowing with stuff. Wow have they boosted the offerings there! I can't imagine that a candy-lover would leave Emily's without finding something to satisfy their sweet tooth.



So there they are - two really great new businesses that have just recently set up shop on or just near Austin St.



And with Brownies & Cream set to open in a few weeks, it looks like the fun places just keep on opening here in Forest Hills. It's a great time to be a FoHi'er!

Read more »

Zopiclone causes amnesia

So what’s with this post title? Have you ever experience amnesia before? Amnesia is a condition in which your memory is lost, like a short-term memory. In Singapore, we usually mock our friends by calling them STM when they forgotten something, and clear enough, STM stands for ‘short-term- memory’.

For the past couple of years, I’ve been tormented by insomnia, and it was only until recently where I decided to visit a psychiatrist. And on my last visit, the psychiatrist prescribes ‘Zopiclone’; a hypnotic pill that helps you to sleep.

Zopiclone (7.5mg)

Zopiclone, or some call it Z-pills is considered a mild sleeping pill if compared to the rest of the hypnotic drugs in the psychological-world.

I’ve been taking it for a month now. When you take Zopiclone, it will temporary cause some alterations to your taste buds. It literally makes a glass of plain water taste bitter & metallic! And I got to say that it is not a very pleasant taste.

Frankly speaking, by taking one of these Zopiclone pills aren’t really strong enough to like knock me off to bed. But it does makes me feel a little tired, drowsy, weak limps and lazy; but all in the smallest details.

I myself will put it in this way; it does help but it doesn’t help much at all, it only made me feel more frustrated than ever, because it makes you feel like getting some sleep but still unable to fall asleep. You get what I’m trying to say?

What I really wanted for was something that could make me sleep and actually ABLE TO MAKE ME SLEEP! Not too complicated I hope? Regardless of my doctor’s instruction of only 1 pill per bedtime - or if I could, even better still, none at all - I usually took 2 of them a few hours before the time I think I would be sleepy enough to fall asleep.

Then came one night, I was so frustratingly desperate to get some sleep, I decided to pop 3 of these cheeky little bastards at once and guess what…?

WTF?

It happened last Saturday.

It was nearly 3 AM in the morning when I slapped myself with 3 Zopiclone pills at once! I remembered the timing because I looked at the time right after I took the pills.

3 AM in the morning.

I was in the dining room using my laptop; surfing the internet, Hotmail, Facebook, YouTube, etc…

Time passes real quick, I took a glance at the corner of my laptop screen, and realised that it is already 4.46 AM!

4:46 AM - You know, I am sure that I wasn’t sleepy or even tired yet when I looked at the time, but guess what? The next thing I knew… I found myself lying on my bed and the bright afternoon sun was shining through my bedroom windows! I was quite confused.

Have you watched those TV dramas where the lady actor goes into a bar, and then someone spiked her drink and woke up the next day totally not knowing who or how she got raped? - All the while I didn’t believe in this crap and thought that it was bullshit. How could someone not remembering a single thing just the night before? But now I do believe.


Amnesia, like how some people called it, loss of memory. Yes I experienced pure amnesia that night! It was really weird! I couldn’t recall anything at all! In fact, the last thing I remember was the 4:46 AM time. Other than that, I couldn’t remember what I did before I landed on my bed! And the funny thing is that I left my dining room lights on, laptop not shut down and with my spectacle neatly placed beside it!

I just couldn’t believe it; I couldn’t even remember the slightest of details! It is not like being drunk, because even if you are very drunk, you will somehow still be able to remember something certain details like how you got home, how you took off your shoes, how you fell asleep on your bed… Etc… Though blurry but it is still there.

I’ve got very drunk before in the past. Actually I’ve been through worse than drunk and I could still remember some details like those I mentioned above. But this amnesia I had, it’s like… the period after 4.46AM until the time I found myself on bed never existed!!

I’m not joking. It’s really that intense. I couldn’t believe it myself either and I actually felt quite fascinated by it! And therefore, I decided to try it again the next night…

At 1 AM, I took 3 of these Zopiclones pills again. But this time, I will note down how I’m feeling at the interval of every 30 minutes. Here, this is how I noted it down…

1 AM – I’m feeling fine.
1.30 AM – Still feeling the same.

And that’s it, amnesia again. I found myself waking up from my bed with the dining room lights and laptop still switched on and my specs were placed neatly beside it. The last thing I remembered was the time I am looking at: 1.44 AM



This will be the end of my story.

My conclusion is: Amnesia is scary but at the same time fascinating. But I probably wouldn’t try it again unless there is someone around to watch over me.

Read more »

Brownies & Cream Sign

The sign is up for this new brownies place on Austin that is expected to open mid-August...

Read more »

Reveal 1 - our new apartment

So last week boyfriend and I looked far and wide for an apartment in DC, because he's starting his masters program at GWU in the fall. We searched in multiple DC neighborhoods - Georgetown, The Hill around Eastern Market, Dupont Circle, Foggy BOttom, Shaw, Cleavland Park, Glover Park, etc. We also scoped out Arlington and Alexandria in Virginia, and Silver Spring and Bethesda in Maryland. While there were areas of DC we really liked - we couldn't get the space we needed with our budget. I work from home and therefore require more space than if I left the house for an office each day. We also really fell in love with old town Alexandria, but the only thing we could find in our budget was a good 20 min walk from old town. In the end, we decided on an awesome Bethesda apartment. I'm from Maryland but had actually never been to Bethesda, and was really impressed. Where our apartment is situated is only a 7 minute walk from the subway, and we can walk to shops and restaurants. In DC we just didn't have the budget to live close to shops and the subway.

We also have around 750 sq ft and 2 huge closets! That's unheard of in NYC and Brooklyn where I was living before. Anyway, I have to decide on paint choices. We want to keep the colors somewhat neutral because unless colors are "extreme," we aren't required to repaint when we move out.

I took some pics of the place and did some photoshop magic to show you the 2 colors we are thinking of. I'm really loving gray lately - so I'm thinking gray for the bedroom, and a nice, creamy light aqua for the large living/dining space.

So, these 4 pics are the bedroom

These are the living room - which includes a dining nook

Let me know what you think? Has anyone painted a room gray? I've been seeing it a lot, and I'm really liking it.

Read more »

Home office for two? How to make the space work

So my boyfriend and I will be moving into our new apartment in Bethesda, MD in a week. I still have a ton to do - pick out paint colors, paint, pack, etc. I work from home, and he will be spending a lot of time studying when he starts his masters program at GWU the end of August. We have a large living room, and a medium-sized bedroom, so we've been trying to plan out how to create workspace that works for the both of us. I know I will want my desk in the living room, and we can either set up a home office for two in the living room, or he can set up his desk in a nook in the bedroom. We're not sure which route we will take, but in my search for inspiration I found some great 2-person home offices.

Check 'em out below:

This set up is a great idea..though it will inspire footsie in times of peace and kicking in times of war...
via Unclutterer

Really like this one too...seems the key is staying uncluttered!
via Curbly

two desks situated in an L position...I like this home office but I don't think we could work this configuration in our space

via Apartment Therapy

One of my all-time fav offices.  If we had the space I'd love to do something like this
via ?

This couple created a workspace in the bay window of their bedroom with a piece of Ikea counter top. This is great but I can't work from the bedroom. The idea could really be done anywhere, though.
via Flickr

This 2fer looks like it's an ikea desk with a small set of malm ikea drawers for storage to divide the desk space.  Also one of the monitors is mounted on the wall to save space.
via Picasa

So pretty.  I need a tad more surface space on my desk though, and one of those hopelessly ugly office chairs... There's a DIY for this desk here.

I adore this home office/guest bedroom/playroom all-in-one
via Young House Love

 
Another pretty option.  This desk is fashioned from a closet door.
via Utopia Invitations

Has anyone every had a 2 person home office? Any tips for me - did it work for you or no?
Thanks guys! I'll be sharing some pics of the new apartment soon!

Read more »

3 Top Tips when using Flooring Rugs

Rugs are a great way to bring a new lease of life to a tired looking room. However, before you make your selection you should consider these three tips, as rugs can be used in many different ways in a home or office.

1. Placement:
You'll need to think about where you place flooring rugs if you want to avoid trips and falls at home or in the office. Irrespective of which room you place a rug try not to have the corner in the middle of a door opening as this can lead to a potential tripping hazard. It is a good idea to use rugs in high traffic areas just so long as the larger part of the rug is in the doorway.

via Nesting Newbies

2. Sitting Areas:
You can create an inviting sitting area in a room simply by placing a sofa and chairs around a rug. Pale or light colours, with a low-key design offer a more intimate space in which people can sit and talk. Circular or hexagonal shaped rugs are also ideal for cosy seating areas. By placing the front feet of chairs and sofa onto the edge of the rug, not only will you be reducing any potential trip hazards, you'll also provide sufficient rug surface for people to have both feet on the rug itself. This will help to make people feel more at home and at ease. You could also place a flooring rug under a coffee table to create a central focal point in the seating area.

via Anthology

via Maison Marigold

3. Open Areas:
One of the most fashionable ways to use flooring rugs is to place them in areas which have no furniture, such as in front of the fire-place or in the middle of a room. Placing rugs in open areas can help add a new dimension to a room more especially if they are a contrasting colour to the flooring; they can provide a different texture which will give a room more personality and help ground a colour scheme.

via Casa Diez


UK Flooring Direct have an advice centre where more information on where to place rugs and the styles which are best suited to heavy traffic areas for homes and offices can be found.

*disclosure: this is a sponsored post from UK Flooring Direct

Read more »

To Lose a Hand for Brownies

So upon walking past the soon-to-be brownie place, Brownies & Cream (sp?), late today on Austin I noticed that there were a bunch of promotional cards stuck to the window of the place -- but behind the roll down gate! I stood there for a few seconds, imagining myself trying to squeeze my hand through the gate in an attempt to obtain one of the cards. After all, from what I could make out they had very tantalizing full-color photos on them of the brownies this place will soon dole out to hungry Forest Hillers. "What a find!" I thought to myself, thinking I would race back home, scan the cards and post immediately to Edge of the City! But then I also imagined myself standing there with my hand stuck in the gate, screaming for help like a fool and realized that, yes, while I do indeed love getting scoops for my blog, I am not willing to risk public humiliation... or the future use of my hand.



But I may try again tomorrow when the gate is up!



(Or, Mr. and Mrs. Brownie people, you can email a photo of your card to edgeofthecity@gmail.com and I promise to post it in the space right below!)

Read more »

I Dare Say...

... that it looks like something is coming into this long empty space, also on Austin down near Ascan. Not sure what just yet...

Read more »

Two awesome shows back-to-back tonight! Design Star and awesome HGTV new-comers the Novogratz!

So - I have a confession to make - I don't really watch much HGTV, but that's only because I don't really watch much TV.   I'm not a TV person, and it is really hard for me to commit to a tv-watching schedule. Luckily, we just got DVR, and two new shows have caught my fancy. One is this season of "Design Star" (I hadn't heard of the show until this season), and the first two episodes I loved, and the other is "Home by Novogratz." I know of the Novogratz via Six by Design and their awesome book, "Downtown Chic" - which I reviewed here.

So when I heard they had a new show airing on HGTV I figured I'd give it a shot, and I really like it so far. The duo's solutions are great for people who love to try DIY projects, shop at flea markets, and find it really important that their home reflects them, not the most recent issue of the top-of-the-line home and interiors glossy.

I have for you a sneak peak at what you'll catch on tonight's "Home by Novogratz," where the couple livens up a rather dull family beach condo into a colorful and whimsical get-away. What's really exciting about tonight is the Novogratz are also guest starring on "Design Star" and then their new episode airs directly after that! So be sure to have the tube on HGTV at 9 for "Design Star", and/or 10 for "Home by Novogratz"

These images below are from their first episode, where the Novogratz team created this awesome surfer-girl home for two sisters.

You can read more about the show on HGTV.

Read more »