Monday, October 1, 2012

Lulu & Me Gastrobar:Manhattan-9/27/12-20:21

This sign has nothing to do with the rest of the look of the restaurant or the food- which is a mixture of small and large dishes from many cuisines- but it certainly is appealing.

Museo del Barrio:Manhattan-9/27/12-15:02

Once I focused on one of the accent tiles that dot the walls of this restroom, I realized how much they look like peebles in the water. They are not three dimensional even though they look like it here.

SFoglio:Manhattan-9/27/12- 14:53

Serene, yes?I adore this restaurant. It is small,friendly and has amazing imaginative Italian food.Can be hard to get into, but so worth it.

Pain Quotidien:Manhattan-9/27/12- 9:27

I have eaten here many times, but never used the restroom until today.Really find these illustrative signs charming.

Beacon Theater:Manhattan-9/26/12-

I figured why show the rather ordinary restroom at the theater when I could give you a glimpse of the starts of the concert I was attending here. In case you cannot tell, they are David Byrne and St. Vincent. Quite a show and quite a venue. If you have never been, I would look up their schedule and find something to see there soon.

Citrus:Manhattan-9/26/12- 19:55

Pleasant self-promotion here. Pleasant asian/latin fusion cuisine as well.

Marion Boesky:Manhattan- 9/26/12- 15:52

This is not a private bathroom, but rather one in a townhouse that serves as an art gallery. The current exhibit is by Lucie Fontaine who is not a real person, but a collaboration between two artists. This sink collection is composed and the "Employees Must Wash Their Hands" sign, which is pictured here and appears to be in Japanese, is actually a piece of art. Go figure!

Botegga:Manhattan- 9/26/12- 13:07

Hard to tell, but tis shelf is made of metal...I thought maybe zinc, nbut looking at this shot, it seems to have too much color for that. When I exited, I noticed that the floor tiles seemed to be made of the same material. By the way, lovely Italian food, lightly prepared and great decaf cappuccino.

Metro North- 9/26/12- 11:34

Man...I barely wash my hands in this water. Does anyone really think someone might DRINK it?

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Essence:Old Saybrook,CT- 9/25/12- 12:58



So much to do around here. Please note Interior Inspirations 2012 the weekend of October 26-28 to benefit Child and Family Agency.
Another great haircut by Celeste.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Real Art Ways:Hartford,CT- 9/23/12- 14:44

Fun idea to have a different RAW poster on each stall.Saw Sleepwalk With Me.Had some good moments and certainly shows how unfunny the life of a stand up comic can be.

Vito's By The Park:Hartford, CT- 9/23/12- 13:26



Strange mishmash of furnighings here. Delightful lunch with my son- he had Caesar salad and steamed mussels and I had a beet,pistachio and goat cheese salad on arugula- outside in the sunshine. Had to share with the fall bees, but there was enough to go around.It proved a perfect place to meet to pass back his dog who I have watched for the past 10 days. Two hours for him to drive and 45 minutes for me, plus a free lunch.Seems totally fair to me.

Scott's Farm:Essex, CT- 9/22/12- 20:14



I feel sorry for anyone who has never been to a Dinner on The Farm.The white tents with flags that make it seem like you have arrived in Camelot and the food which makes you feel like you are at a days long banquest. Always meet new people at the long farm tables and learn something about farming, community and generosity from everyone involved.

I-Park:East Haddam, CT- 9/22/12- 11:51



Looks like one of the former artists left her face cleanser. I have no idea what the Japanese label says. Do you?

Metro North- 9/21/12- 16:59

Really? Danger? 480 Volts. Who do they think is going to be sticking anything in the heat grate? Couldn't we just get a soap and clean running water?

New Museum:Manhattan, NY- 9/21/12- 14:37

Suprisingly for an institution which displays such challenging art, the restroom was exceedingly bland. I thought my leggings would be the most interesting shot.

Lure:Manhattan,NY- 9/21/12- 13:26

Dark shot, I know. Thought this double door entrance, rather like going into a restaurant kitchen, was unusual. Lure, as in the kind used to catch fish, is a subterranian fish place- imaginative menu and quite good- which feels like an ocean liner dining room with big port hole windows revealing the legs of street level pedestrians rather than passing aquatic life.If only we could get rid of the loud music which accompanies most dining experiences these days.I don't mind a good movie soundtrack, though sometimes even they are needlessly intrusive,but don't like feeling like I am living with one.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Private Home:Essex,CT- 9/19/12- 16:26



This bathroom is so snug there is not even an inch between the sink and the arc of the door. I liked the two blue drawings of trains that were done by a family member. I even liked meeting Jim Crawford, our district's candidate for state senate.I am not inclined to go to political events,but was happy I did.Even signed up to make calls and help get out the vote.

Coffee's Market:Old Lyme,CT- 9/17/12- 13:31

How pathetic is it to have to stop and pee 3 miles into a bike ride having done so before leaving the house? Thankfully I made it the next 22 without having to stop.I like the country theme here. Very fitting.

Mobile Station:Guilford,CT- 9/16/12- 16:35

I have it on good authority that this station consistently has the lowest prices along the shoreline.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Private Home:New Canaan,CT- 9/16/12-



So, my son is getting married to this wonderful woman and her sister-in-law gave a wedding shower for her. Full of slender, smiling, vodka punch guzzling lovlies. The day was glorious and it was a great time for all. You should have seen her blush when the gift box with black lace lingerie was opened.

Private Home:Lyme,CT- 9/15/12- 16:02



Not your average powder room. This belongs to a wonderful decorator. Very charming.

Art Space:New Haven,CT- 9/14/12- 12:23

Now this is what I call a fun restroom. Like the curly cue toilet rool holder as well.

Antiques Store(no name):East Haddam,CT-9/13/12- 15:17



I promise this was at the back of the building and there was no one inside or anywhere around. I stopped to look at a bird bath and seized the moment.

Wadsworth Atheneum:Hartford,CT- 9/13/12- 12:04

Comfortable and smartly self-promotional. I was treated to lunch with the director in a private diningroom.  We did have to take the saran wrap off the plates and serve ourselves drinks and dessert, so I could not claim that it was overly extravagant. You should see the china that a board member commissioned Tiffany's to make for the museum in the '80s.
Gorgeous!!

Corinthian Yacht Club:Essex,CT- 9/12/12- 13:13

Nothing unusual about the message, but you have to love the messanger.

Six Main:Chester,CT- 9/11/12- 20:56

Following the thread of extra toilet paper, here is a strange way to solve the problem I think. My second visit to this recently opened vegetarian restaurant. Loved my first meal there. Not so keen about this one. I did run into someone yesterday who was raving about her lunch there recently. Maybe I ordered the wrong dishes this time. I will certainly be back.

Wesleyan:Middletown,CT- 9/11/12- 19:37

How spartan can you get...and the bare bulb was, of course, an environmentally correct one. Actually, I love the exhibitions and programming that the Center for the Arts offers at the college. This afternoon I was there for the opening of an exhibition called "Performance Now" curated by RoseLee Goldberg- who was there and spoke briefly- the founder of the Performa biennial of visual art performance in NYC in 2005. That is almost the least of her accomplishments. The exhibition is in the Zihlka gallery into December. You should go.

Monday, September 17, 2012

DMV:Old Saybrook,CT- 9/11/12- 16:04

Glad our tax dollars are going to instructive signage. Now I finally know the correct way to rinse my hands. I thought this was how you got a drink when you didn't have a cup. Silly me!
Two trips and two hours of my day and I now have a car which is registered in my name and has my vanity plate on it. Not bad.

Tissa's:Old Saybrook,Ct- 9/11/12- 14:02

I love lunching at this Moroccan restaurant, but may have to find a new locale. Really... how can yo uhave a restaurant without a public restroom? Needless to say, I ignored the sign this day.

Bean and Leaf:New London, CT- 9/10/12- 12:59

Kind of an unusual way to offer extra toilet paper.  Too bad the restroom wasn't cleaner. This still seems to be a popular hang out for students and artists. Happily it was a lovely day and we were able to sit outside and soak up some late summer heat.

I-Park:Haddam Neck,CT- 9/9/12- 14:29



The artists at this month long retreat just get better and better and the works they leave behind are starting to fill up the campus, including the restrooms.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Dr. Roberts:Middletown, CT- 9/7/12- 16:00



Well this is one way to deal with an unwanted bathtub if you have an office in an old house. Had my ear vacuumed as a consequence of an ear infection I had two months ago. How many brain cells do you think you lose having this done? Probably more than 2 gin and tonics!

Mud:Manhattan, NY- 9/7/12- 10:35

I love this!! Never mind that inner courtyard diners just on the other side of the stain glass window could hear every drop if they cared to listen. Note the stacking of the toilet paper and the vase of tight flower buds in the jelly jar. Didn't even care that the sink was so old the stains will never come out. This is my kind of New York find. Looked like a tiny coffee bar from the street, but as one wound down the woodlined walls past the tiny open kitchen, there were four tables inside and a surprise covered inner courtyard with 8 tables. The breakfast was fab as well.

Richard Rogers Theater:Manhattan, NY- 9/7/12- 21:39

This theater has been renovated. Don't know if they added the angels, but they were adorning several walls and totally adorable. Plus there are so many toilets, the line moved steadily and I was in and out before intermission was half over. Good thinkj as my seat was two flights up. Thought I would be too high to appreciate The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, but not at all. Had a great view of the entire stage and could hear every word that the talented cast and sublime Audra MacDonald sang.

Latanzi:Manhattan, NY- 9/6/12- 19:42

I am becoming a bit obsessed with how extra rolls of toilet paper are stacked. This seems practical, yet elegant given the marble shelf and the Italian tiles. This is my brother's go to restaurant before the theater. Dinner was fine, but the lemon ice, served in a frozen lemon rind, was awesome.

Whitney Museum:Manhattan, NY- 9/6/12- 15:11

This could be a contemporary art work don't you think? It could also be a new fangled eye test. Nope. Just the restrooms sign in the basement of the museum. When I was there, a mother of two young children who insisted on being in separate stalls, managed to remain even tempered as she encouraged each one to be patient as they each clammered for her attention. Their business was accomplished without any diasters. I was amazed.

USOpen:Flushing Meadows, NY- 9/5/12- 20:16

Red is the hot color this year in restrooms as well as clothing it seems. How lucky am I to be back at the Open to see Andy Roddick's last career match which he lost to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in 4 action packed sets. Thank you to my brother who was away on a business trip and gifted me his box seat. My group of 4 kept thinking we would leave after the end of the next set, but by the time it came, the match was too close to call. Worth getting to bed at 1am.

Ashlawn Farm:Old Lyme, CT- 9/1/12- 10:12



I am so lucky to live near this great farm which roasts its own coffee beans and is open 6 days a week to serve them. Also they host a great farmer's market on Saturdays from June to October. This year they are the site of the CT Farmland Trust fundraiser. Only downside is having to use the port a potty, but better than nothing when you are drinking coffee or, as I do, their sinfully delicious Captainchino which has "only 80 calories, but tastes like 300".

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

US Open:Flushing, NY- 8/28/12- 10:58

Love going to the Open. This year my friends and I left extra early so we were in the gates and ready to watch tennis at 11am rather than arriving late and needing to eat lunch immediately. Think the restroom could have been tidier considering the hour. Watched lots of great stars crush their first round oponents and went to our usual haunt, Mojitos, for yummy Cuban food, though passed on the pitcher of drinks this year due to the excessive heat. It helped that we hired a driver to make the long journey less tiring. Will never drive ourselves again.

William Hand Double Cabin Express Cruiser:CT River- 8/27/12- 20:18



It is hard to see how adorable this little head is. A long time since I spent an evening on the river and never on such a charming boat. Funnily enough I had kayaked by her a few days beforehand, not realizing who owned her, and was full of admiration. As relaxing as the ride up to Seldon Creek was, the ride back with an almost full moon playing hide and seek with the layers of scudding clouds was a real treat.

River Dog Yoga:Old Saybrook, CT- 8/25/12- 7:58



Such a treat to do yoga with my soon to be daughter-in-law. What can I say other than Namaste?

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Maple&Main Gallery:Chester, CT- 8/26/12- 11:12

Couldn't resist printing both of these signs. So many directives and so little time when you are in a rush to go.As you can see, I did not manage the correct door lock procedure. I was sparing with the t.p.

CT Tennis Center at Yale:New Haven,CT- 8/24/12- 11:24

Every time I go to this tennis tournament, which is now called the New Haven Open, it is blisteringly hot. I try to find the least heavy- read fried- thing to eat and to drinl lots of water, which leaves me perspiring freely in my seat in the sun. Usually it is worth it to see top players in a small venue. This year I managed to snag a fan from The First Niagra tent which helped a bit. Saw a great first set between Kirilenko and Wozniacki, only to have the latter retire, leaving us having spent $80 for one set of tennis. Saving her tweaked knee for the USOpen I guess. So what do you think of the pattern of water on the floor between the stalls? Kind of disgusting eh?

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Social Security Office:New London,CT- 8/23/12- 15:22



Lost my soicial security card eons ago and now, if you want to renew your driver's license so that it will get you through airport security, you have to have all kinds of proof of identity. So off I went to get a new card. It was actually a painless prcedure in a clean, cool office with only a 15 minute wait. Hello DMV... it can be done!

CT River Artisans:Chester,CT- 8/22/12- 15:02



An artistic toilet paper arrangement befitting this gallery's array of local talent. Finally they have moved into the center of town where they are more visible and get much more foot traffic.

Florence Griswold Museum:Old Lyme,CT- 8/21/12- 15:49

I have some of my grandmother's fans. This one must have belonged to Miss Florence. A fan was a must accessory for all women back in the days before air-conditioning.early. It was fun to have out of town guests to whom I could show off this gem of a museum. The house seems now to be just waiting for all the guests to return from a day en plein air and one expects Miss Florence herself to come bustling through the kitchen doors at any moment. In fact, Anna Lathrop of Gourmet Galley is the one doing an excellent job of feeding guests at Cafe Flo on the veranda overlooking the Lieutenant River.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Private Home:Lyme, CT- 8/19/12- 20:14

Love a bathroom that is packed with art. These gems are all about 6 by 8 inches

Middlesex Clinic:Essex, CT- 8/19/12- 11:27

Could be a new Damien Hirst art work if this was taken at a museum or gallery, but it is just a wall of extra supplies at the clinic.Notice the progression of the purple gloves from tightly packed to partially out to spilling forth. I promise I did not stage this.