Thread and Paper

Meet Thread and Paper, a Brooklyn-based brand founded by my friend and colleague. Emily Yurkevicz. Understated downtown style meets old school craftsmanship in her collection of bags, scarves an jewelry, all handmade by Emily herself.

What I personally love is the brand's simplicity and versatility. As someone who travels often, I am always looking for easy pieces that will work in any time of day or in any country. Thread and Paper's classic two-toned tote has been with me all over the world and is still kicking.

This week, in honor of the upcoming holiday season, Emily offers 25% off her wares. Click here to browse, and read on for a brief interview and some fun process shots.

GFG: From where do you draw your inspiration? 

EY: I really love different materials and usually that's where an idea starts. Simple shapes and a mix of materials. I do a lot of brainstorming and problem solving on the Q train during my morning commute with headphones. 

GFG: Describe your design process. 

EY: I have a sketchbook that I use to quickly get ideas out. It's not the most beautiful thing, but it makes sense to me. I am an impatient sketcher though, so I usually jump to making a prototype right away, which can be a great and rewarding thing or it can be incredibly frustrating. That being said, I think the best way to learn is by trying something. Every time I make or remake an item it's a little bit different, a little bit improved. Nothing is ever done. 

GFG: What do you see as the future of Thread and Paper? 

EY: I have no idea. There are a number of things that I think would be fun to do or try but I am pretty much open to wherever this venture takes me. While it is not the most relaxing thing to have a full time job and then Thread & Paper on top of that, there is also a creative freedom that comes with a steady paycheck. I can do what I want and make what I want and see how it goes. 

Renegade

Today I'm excited to spend the afternoon at Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn with my mom and sister, shopping off my hangover. Happy weekend!

Evidence

As wary as I am of superlatives like "uplifting" and "dazzling," these are the words that come to mind when trying to describe choreographer and artistic director, Ronald K. Brown's "Evidence." I had the pleasure of seeing the company perform last night at the newly opened Bric House in Brooklyn. Evidence, which was founded in 1985, offers a soulful, high energy blend of traditional African dance and contemporary choreography. The show's Stevie Wonder-dominated soundtrack helped to make the performance accessible, but the dancers' strength and individuality are what made it truly dynamic.

Outtakes from Harbor Island, part II

As the weather in NYC grows colder (and sadly, colder and colder), my thoughts turn once again to Harbor Island. As a part II to this extraordinary trip, I wanted to share pics of the guesthouse where we stayed on Hibiscus Hill, the secluded compound of designers, David Flint Wood and India Hicks. I love how their spaces are clean and modern while still conveying a sense of worldliness, intimacy and island charm.

One of the designer guesthouses on Hibiscus Hill. Our timing was technically off season, which meant we had the whole place to ourselves! 

The chic yet casual dining room

A chest of drawers covered in old maps (a great idea that T and I are planning to steal!)

The living room separating the bedrooms on the second floor

The second story porch, which is off of the living room shown above

A well curated vignette, replete with telescope for star gazing

Who doesn't love a four poster bed?

The gate behind the house leading to the private beach

My only question is - when can we go back?

Outtakes from Harbor Island, part I

A few weeks ago, my BF, a Nassau native, and I, had the chance to visit Harbor Island, a cay off of Eleuthera, one of the many islands of the Bahamas. A sleepy paradise stretching 3 miles long by half a mile wide and populated by less than 2,000 locals, it was truly a respite from the hustle of NYC.

The tiny plane that took us the 15 minute ride from Nassau to Eleuthera

The boat from mainland Eleuthera to Harbor Island

Patterns of foam in the boat's wake

Fresh conch salad and a mixed drink of lemonade, whiskey, and a splash of fruit punch

A glimpse of the ocean over someone's yard

A local church

A local graveyard

Sun setting over the dock

Harbor Island's main street - note the golf carts, the standard mode of transportation

Magical light on the perfect little house

Finally, the sun slips away, leaving me to wonder if it was all a dream...

When my boyfriend told me he'd gotten us tickets to a magic show on Friday night, I was skeptical. I imagined, among other cliches, a mustachioed man in a top hat conjuring a dove from a handkerchief. 

As I came to find out, Nothing to Hide, directed by Neil Patrick Harris and featuring up-and-coming magicians Derek DelGaudio & Helder Guimarães, blows stereotype out of the water.

The hour-long performance sparkles with well timed humor, glimmers of philosophical inquiry, plenty of heckling/audience participation, and of course, magic. As an official non-expert, I can say that the show was an exploration of sleight of hand, the focus being the almighty deck of cards, 52 possibilities to "blow your mind-hole," as they so gracefully put it.  

Afterward, my friends and I spent a dumbfounded subway ride trying to dissect just one of the show's many conundrums. But truthfully, I am happy to be ignorant of the magic behind the magic. Whether you're someone who needs to figure it out, or someone who can accept the mystery as it is (there are two types, so say the magicians), you will be entertained, and at the end of the day, that's all that counts.