Opting out of YellowBook delivery

This week I finally threw several Yellow Books in the recycling bin. They'd been stacked in our bookshelf collecting dust for who knows how long becoming the worst eye sore on the first floor.

As soon as I heard that "thud" sound when they hit the bottom of the bin, I was surprised at my lack of satisfaction after getting rid of these directories. It's probably because I know that another set would arrive in the mail any day now -- just in time to piss me off again. But some things in life just suck, right? So I assumed that receiving pointless mail that no one needs anymore and that's bad for the environment is just one of them.

Wrong.

In comes, Clay Johnson, blogger at InfoVegan.com ---

"The Yellow Page Integrated Media Association is the trade association of yellow-page makers. They actually run a little known website called yellowpagesoptout.com. Launched in 2009, you just plug in your zip code and find the opt-out pages for your local phone book providers. I did it here in DC, and was able to opt out, online from both of the big yellow book providers in just minutes."

Brilliant!

I checked out the site and low and behold its a simple opt-out form requiring your name, address and a few other details. Then I ran into a speed bump. D.C. wasn't listed as a state in the drop down menu. Huh? So I call 1-800-YBYELLOW, give the nice lady on the phone my information and BAM! I'm done. No more Yellow Books ever again!

Hurry, do it yourself regardless of whether you live in an apartment or a house. It saves you from clutter and the city some money.

PS: Thanks Clay!

Celine Spring 2010

Rarely do I make a point of posting about fashion I don't like. What's the point? There's so much else out there that is gorgeous, unique and never-been-done-before that should be talked about. No need to dwell on the negative.

Today is an exception.

Because I'm an avid follower of all that designer Phoebe Philo touches, I must mention my disappointment with her Spring 2010 collection for Celine. The show, overall, received good reviews (see here, here and here). Known for her minimalist look, which I adore, was maintained this season but this time around Philo left us with tops, trousers and dresses that hid a woman's figure, or in many cases, shaped it into 90 degree angles. Lacking curves to begin with, many of the models looked even more like very lean rectangles gliding across the runway.

Now, I prefer paired down and simple but I don't like looking like a box. No thanks. I had those years as a year-round swimmer, complete with the huge shoulders. Structure is good but turning a woman's shape into a geometric shape is not.

(Via Style.com)

Brooklyn bar scene

In the not too distant future, we're heading up to the Big Apple. I can't wait. It's been a year or two since I was last in the city and this time I'm finally heading to Brooklyn, which I've not perused before.

My Brooklyn-based pal, whom we'll see that weekend, is an amazing, stupendous, unbelievable resource for good ideas of places to eat, drink and be merry in her borough. Her favorite place is Carroll Gardens' Brooklyn Social, which led me to Henry Public (same owner). Just look at this bar (see pic #2). I love bars that look or are old and slightly decrepit-looking. Don't know why except that they feel cozier. Eater reports that Henry Public "has an antiquey vibe, with framed old letters and documents on the walls, old books in the bookshelves, and a collection of paraphernalia evoking an earlier age. Also: fireplace." YES. Awesome. Love working fireplaces.

And for a place that reminds me a bit of D.C.'s own Red Derby and New Orleans' d.b.a., Williamsburg has Spuyten Duyvil. According to New York Magazine, "In a neighborhood where $2 PBR rules the day, it's built an almost cult-like following around obscure imported microbrews." Yumm. Sign me up...and please, please establish one of these fabulous pubs in D.C. We could always use more. Always.

(Top photo of Brooklyn Social, 2nd of Henry Public & 3rd of Sputyen Duyvil)

City livin'

It's always an adventure riding D.C.'s buses. I'm a big fan.

(via Matt.Dunn)

Etsy headquarters

I've bought art, holiday gift-wrapping and my wedding invitations from designers I've found on Etsy...and everything was very, very affordable. There's the obvious personal touch to everything about interacting with Etsy folks and that clearly comes through in these pictures of their headquarters in San Francisco.

If there's a company in D.C. that matches Etsy's creative punch in their office decor, please email me! I'd love to feature them here. It's almost a given that SF would have cool office spaces like this, but I don't think most folks would think D.C. does. I'd like to prove that theory wrong.

(Photos via Apartment Therapy)

Bike shelf

Isn't this genius? If you live in a small place and you've got one, let alone two or three bikes, forget trying to keep them out of sight and out of mind when you're not riding them.

Question is -- where the hell do you put them when you've got guests over or you want to tidy up?

Chris Brigham, from Knife & Saw, has the answer here. It's gorgeous and so functional.

On the road again

We spent 48 hours in New Hampshire last weekend, just in time to catch the leaves changing color from green to yellow to red. Thankfully, we had a bit of time to drive north along the New Hampshire coastline into southern Maine.

I know I'm a broken record on this matter but trips like these make me think that one day I might say goodbye to the city. It's less about wanting something quiet and simple and more about wanting to be surrounded by the great outdoors. Simply put, less concrete and more grass.

Alas, I'm not quite there yet. In the meantime, road trips like this past one give me the dose of "green" that I need every now and then.

(Photo by Bert Teunissen at 20x200)

That bob looks good on you

Chic.

(via Oh, Hello There)

Comet in Columbia Heights

The Comet at 18th & Columbia Rd NW used to have kick ass crabcake sandwiches. On a hot summer afternoon, I'd walk up from my apartment at 18th & Wyoming, stop off for a sandwich, chips and a lemonade, sit in the park and people watch. It was one of those early routines I developed when I first moved to the city and for whatever reason it made me feel a part of this place. Buying lunch at a local shop, sitting in my neighborhood park...those things made me feel a sense of community.

Years have passed since that first summer in D.C., but I still don't live very far from the Comet, although it was sadly replaced with a shoe store. I'm still on the lookout for that next great local sandwich shop.

(via Kinorama)

Scarves galore

How ingenius! Scarves in four different sizes, made with the same cloth but in an assortment of fantastic colors. My vote is for rust and fushia in "giant" size.

(via unruly things)