Maine Week: Around Portland

We had one full day in Portland, primarily because after we checked out of Chebeague, and took the ferry back to the mainland, we had a 6pm reservation at Fore Street Restaurant.  It's so good, it's reason enough to go to Portland. I think it's like the Zuni of the East Coast. If you're going to be in the area, call and make a booking, even if it isn't the day or time you want--and then several days before they often call you up and can give you the timing you need.

 The chefs have a small room where they can choose whatever came straight from the farms that day.

Just a 10 minute drive north of Portland is a magical walk on Mackworth Island, where you can see fairy houses, and make your own too.

Better Late Than Never

I've been sick all week, and completely forgot to post about my husband's William Brown Project event TODAY at Partners and Spade . If you happen to be reading this, and are going to be in the lower part of Manhattan today, do stop by and say hello. He'll be selling his own red wine vinegar, lard from our pigs, and champagne sabreing kits. (12-6pm)

Amsterdam Moments

We were in Amsterdam for five days in 2007, and here were our favorite things we did when we were there. Since it was just Clara and myself, we spent way less time exploring, because it was just harder not having Matt there to help (she was still in a stroller then), and it was cold. So, this is by no means a guide to Amsterdam--it just happens to be what we did, and liked.

1. Kinderkook Cafe

2. Rembrandt Museum

3. Vondelpark (6 play areas)

4. Laura Dolls (vintage kids dress-up that is way cool and not expensive--we got Borsalino hats there for 5 euros, and they're still in the dress-up box)

5. Keet in Huis (maybe the coolest ever kids design shop, in a cool area--walk around there and explore the 3-4 stores all next to each other. Sissy Boy is one of them, and they have great little restaurant, and a nice edit of housewares.

6. Renting a bike and tooling around (just watch out for the tram tracks--we almost bit it with the bike tire getting caught in one)

7. Buying a Miffy in the land of Miffy

8. The Nine Streets area

9. Apple pie at Zeezicht

10. Hema, the Target of Amsterdam, had super cool+basic kids clothes.

11. Noordermarkt: a Saturday organic farmers market (there's a bathroom in the church right next to the market)

(Keet in Huis store)

(Inside the Lloyd Hotel)

(Laura Dolls, above and below)

A couple of good sites to check out before you go: Babyccino Kids Amsterdam, 21st Century Amsterdam, and also try this book I just posted about.

Amsterdam Tips

I just came across this post on Cool Hunting, about this new book on cool hidden boutiques in Amsterdam. Since I have a group of friends going to Amsterdam for a show, I'm in the market for them, collecting ideas. 

Sullivan County: Nest Store

One of my favorite stores in New York just happens to be in Sullivan County, in the perfectly sleepy town of Narrowburg, which is right on the Delaware River. Nest is owned by Anna Bern, a former art director who used to work at W and Vogue, and now lives full-time in Sullivan County. Lucky for us! She provides us with a fun place to drop into when we've been housebound for too long. Her taste is impeccable--from her housewares and kids clothes, to the jewelry and leather goods she brings back from Brazil. Nothing feels out of place and too international for the small town shop though--she has just the right edit. And across the street, go to the lookout point, and point the telescope into the trees. You'll probably see an eagle or two.

London: Papillon Shoes

This was so not a shopping trip for us. First of all, we still have a box of shoes from the Cookie closet giveaway,  and second, we are just trying to be more careful. (I'd rather spend on food and wine and travel.) But after seeing all the amazing children's shoes that our friend's daughter had from Papillon, and hearing their very reasonable prices, I decided we had to check it out, and could possibly buy one pair. Besides the shoes being very cute, I loved that the woman running the store had some kind of certification that she was authorized to fit shoes properly. They also have lots of the shoes now in women's sizes. We bought a lovely pair of tall black boots (just for Clara) for the fall.

London: Lamb's Conduit Street

We had a couple of hours on our last day in London, and asked our friend Paul what his favorite street in London, right now. Lamb's Conduit in the Bloomsbury neighborhood was his first choice, so off we went. We stopped in at Oliver Spencer, a really lovely store that carries men's and women's clothing, all of it great. Then we had a quick lunch at the Spanish restaurant on the corner, Cigala , and a perfect macchiato at The Espresso Room (Paul said this is probably the best espresso in London). This area is a block away from the Coram Fields Park , which I had high hopes for, since its website looks great. From the site, it appears to be a country farm in the middle of the city, but instead it's a bit sad, with a couple of bunny rabbits in hutches, and some chickens and goats in gloomy pens. But it is a big open space nonetheless, with a large playground area, so it's just good to know it's there, if you find yourself in this neighborhood. I am linking to a neighborhood report done by Monocle Magazine, because I think it will give you a nice sense of the area. 

lunch at Cigala--Clara loved those potatoes...

London: Cheshire Street

After we had lunch at St John Bread and Wine, we drove around the East End of London. One of the places I really wanted to visit on this trip is a shop called Labour and Wait. A friend had told me about it, and it seemed like the English version of Manufactum, a store in Munich that I am pretty much obsessed with. It was really small, but had a very nice edit of things. Also on that street (Cheshire) were a couple of other cute shops. It's definitely a street to check out, as is the area around Calvert Street (I really liked the look of this cafe called Leila ), and around the new-ish Terence Conran hotel called the Boundary.

(above four pictures from Labour and Wait)

(Above two pictures from Mar Mar, right next to Labour and Wait, a very cute shop with a more whimsical, French-y vibe)

(Above three pictures from Shelf, also on Cheshire Street--great notebooks and clever kid gifts like an old-school camper)

(Above two pictures from Leila's Cafe and Shop on Calvert St.)