Charming River Town, Frenchtown

In my recent post, Book Launch Buddies, I mentioned visiting Frenchtown, NJ and, hon, I have to tell you about this charming river town. It’s the kind of town I love and where Hubby gets hives–meaning he’s allergic to my ability to window shop in every adorable store!

After joining my writer friends at The Book Garden, I was walking through town when I spotted a familiar store, Lord Ivy.  So, that’s where it moved! The store, which had been in Summit for many years, was one of my favorite places to find lovely gifts, fun accessories and pretty tops. If I had time when I got off of work, I’d stop in to see what was new. (shout out to owner, Inge!)

I hope to visit again with my daughters or girlfriends. Hubby can come, too, as long as he finds something else to do while we take in the town.

The Borough of Frenchtown, comprising just over 1 square mile, was settled over 200 years ago. Variously known as the village of “Sunbeam”, “Sherrod’s Ferry” and other names through Revolutionary War days, it finally came to be known locally as “Frenchtown” in reference to a French-speaking Swiss immigrant who settled here in the late 1700’s. M. Mallet-Prevost left French military service before being called to the guillontine during the French Revolution. He bought a large tract of land from a local Irish landowner and settled down to a somewhat quieter life in west Hunterdon County.

Frenchtown, N.J. is a quaint little town at the western end of New Jersey’s State Highway 12, which cuts across beautiful, rural Hunterdon County on the Delaware River. The well-known River Bridge at Frenchtown crosses the Delaware to Uhlerstown and Tinicum in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The first train came to Frenchtown February 4, 1853. Frenchtown was served by the railroad for just about one hundred years. The former train station is now a cafe. The old railroad right of way is now a hiking/biking path.

Photo Sources: Love Frenchtown, Huffington Post

Greenwich Village

Kaleidoscope image of my daughter.

It feels like Spring today!

It was an unusually warm day when I took my daughter and two friends to Greenwich Village to visit the Museum of Illusions. I passed the museum on a Saturday and, hon, there was a line down the block to get in! So glad we went on a weekday.

We also stopped by a decorative rubber stamp and paper arts shop, The Ink Pad, where we gawked at walls of stamps and stencils, rows of ink, and counters topped with cool, crafty things. (I bought a textured foam pad to try with my Ceramics.)

We had a yummy lunch at Tavern on Jane. As we discussed appetizers, a man in the restaurant proclaimed that the Tavern was known for its wings. I asked if he was the owner, (he was) so we ordered them.

When we passed a shabby chic shop (say that three times fast!) called Soapology, we had to go in. We didn’t have time to formulate custom scents, but we all walked out with lovely, naturally scented soaps.

How could we resist dessert at  Aux Merveilleux, a beautiful French bakery, or pâtisserie, specializing in Frédéric Vaucamps’ meringues and brioche? Magnifique!

Meringues at Aux Merveilleux.

Killer Heels: The Art of the High-Heeled Shoe

Teen Daughter at exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum.
Exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum.
Prada's Flame wedge sandals, 2012
Prada’s Flame wedge sandals, 2012

Do you live near New York? Do you love metaphors in material? Are you a fashionista? A shoe-aholic?

If so, I highly recommend the Brooklyn Museum’s exhibit “Killer Heels:  The Art of the High-Heeled Shoe.” Interestingly, curator Lisa Small didn’t arrange the shoes chronologically but, rather, in categories. In doing so, visitors learn historical contexts for modern inspiration. (exhibit runs until February 15)

As a writer, I didn’t just see shoes; I saw characters. One grimaced as she rubbed her bound feet. One strutted down the runway in her silver, architectural heels. One cantered alongside Mr. Tumnus in Narnia. And me? I stomped atop Horse Shoes, hand-on-hips, then swished my black velvet cape rimmed in red as I turned my back on the Demons and galloped into the forest where the fairies and elves awaited my return.

(Please excuse the poor photo quality. Shoes were behind glass in dark rooms.)

Jean Paul Gaultier (French) Nude Tattoo Boots, 2012, leather, plastic, metal
Jean Paul Gaultier (French), Nude Tattoo Boots, 2012, leather, plastic, metal
Manchu Woman's Shoe (Chinese), Qing Dynasty 19th century, cotton, embroidered satin-weave silk
Manchu Woman’s Shoe (Chinese), Qing Dynasty 19th century, cotton, embroidered satin-weave silk
Prada (Italian) Fuoco Silk and Lizard Platform, 2013
Prada (Italian), Fuoco Silk and Lizard Platform, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winde Rienstra (Dutch), Shutter Heel, 2013, Laser cut PerSpex (Plexiglas), screws, elastic, wooden beads
Winde Rienstra (Dutch), Shutter Heel, 2013, Laser cut PerSpex (Plexiglas), screws, elastic, wooden beads
Shoise, Matilda Maroti and Petra Hogstrom (Swedish) 2013, "Mother of Pearl:
Shoise, Matilda Maroti and Petra Hogstrom (Swedish) 2013, “Mother of Pearl:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zaha Hadid X United (Iraqi) "Nova", 2013, chromed vinyl rubber, kid napa leather, fiberglass
Zaha Hadid X United (Iraqi), Nova, 2013, chromed vinyl rubber, kid napa leather, fiberglass
Christian Louboutin (French) 2011-2012, "Deja Vu", patent leather, suede, ornamental eyes
Christian Louboutin (French), Deja Vu, 2011-12, patent leather, suede, ornamental eyes
George Sakier (American), 1930's-1940's,  "Glass"
George Sakier (American), 1930’s-1940’s, Glass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dolce & Gabbana boots (Italian)
Dolce & Gabbana boots (Italian)
Sputniko! (Japanese/British) 2012, "Healing Fukushima"
Sputniko! (Japanese/British), 2012, Healing Fukushima

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shoes for Women's Bound Feet (Chinese) 19th century Qing Dynasty, embroidered satin, wood, paper
Shoes for Women’s Bound Feet (Chinese) 19th century Qing Dynasty, embroidered satin, wood, paper
Christian Louboutin (French) 2011-2012, "Puck", goatskin, leather
Christian Louboutin (French), 2011-12, Puck, goatskin, leather

 

 

 

 

 

 

Masayakushino (Japanese) 2013, "Stairway to Heaven", goatskin, baby lamb, crow feather
Masayakushino (Japanese), 2013, Stairway to Heaven, goatskin, baby lamb, crow feather
Iris Schiefertein (German) 2006, "Horse Shoes 3", horse fur, horse hoof, wood, zipper
Iris Schieferstein (German), 2006, Horse Shoes 3, horse fur, horse hoof, wood, zipper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Horse Shoes 3"
“Horse Shoes 3”

 

 

Day Trippers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hon, have you seen the exhibit? What did you think? Which shoe on display here is your favorite? 

Summer Blooms

I love the way the Swallowtail's wings curve ever so slightly towards the Cone Flower.
I love the way the Swallowtail’s wings curve ever so slightly towards the Cone Flower.

Happy First Day of Summer!

I’ve used up all my “Bmore Energy” throwing a huge party.  Last weekend, we welcomed guests from as far as Colorado, New Mexico and Nashville to help us celebrate a family milestone.  It was beautiful!  It was wonderful!  I’m exhausted!

Planning a weekend of festivities for over 200 guests took all of my time, so my blog simmered on the back burner.  My house is in clean-up mode and my energy needs to be recharged.  Tomorrow’s plans?  A hike to clear my mind.  After that?  DIY decorating blog posts.

In the meantime, here are some photos to welcome summer.  I took them at Ringwood Manor State Park.

When I say I have "Hot Pink Hope," I'm thinking of this Zinnia's color!
When I say I have “Hot Pink Hope,” I’m thinking of this Zinnia’s color!

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Two Swallowtails flitted around the flowers.  I was so excited to capture both feeding at once.
Two Swallowtails feed at the same time. The angle of their wings seem to form one continuous line.  Exquisite!

 

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Teen Daughter and fellow photographer.  We were snap happy in the gorgeous gardens.
Teen Daughter and fellow photographer. We were snap happy in the gorgeous gardens.

Happy Summer, hon!