LYRA MAG.

PART 1 Ilex Studio, Kobo  At the latest NY NOW (formerly NY Gift Show) innovative design tradeshow...SURTEX (artist designs for license), and the NY stationary/paper goods show... a wide variety of items destined for retail stores and consumers-to accent -furnish homes (or wardrobes), and add to one's wellness-quality of life (ie. indie beauty and CBD products-right alongside scented candles/scents and crafty kids' items)-heavily leaned towards hand crafted, creative, uniqueness -truly conjuring up a true sense of place individuals crave. Whether aiming for small boutiques in tourist or home locales, wedding registries, online sites, or even mass market retailers...exhibitors 'get' that now buyers mix and match their possessions and spend coinage on products that will contribute to 'experiences-emotional harmony (not to be to wishy washy here). Attributes like production-sustainability+traceability, limited editions, individually made, Fair Trade, and origi...

Smart Designs for Coffee Lovers Premium Presses/ Eco Containers...in transit or at home. OUR LATEST OBSESSION-for tabletop, home decor-or life on the road=the beautiful functional designs by NY based  SOMA. SOMA's newest design-the  BREW BOTTLE ($40) is a portable durable double walled glass coffee/tea  12 oz container-tricked out with a patent pending strainer- press (stainless steel)- capped up with a slide opened screw top. Chic and the prefect way to make perfect pour over or cold brew-or loose tea. Choices in colors available.  Comes apart for easy cleaning too. WIN WIN This company's stunning 10 cup water pitcher-made from recycled/sustainable materials including bamboo handle-uses a degradable (eventually) coconut shell based filter .  Sold at Crate & Barrel with water filters sold separately-or by   yearly subscription  it's popular on wedding registries and makes a great house gift! SOMA  is s  ...

Craft cocktails are trendy-and brings out the arty craftiness of bartenders-both amateur and pros. Yet-since we live in a world of there's an app for everything-so  of course there is a gadget for everything too. Going the K-cup world way of sips-the shiny new machine  Drinksworks ™ drinkmaker (by the same company, Keuring) -has a similar drop in pod system-embedded with alcohol +flavors needed-for fav cocktails like Margaritas (Paradise collection), Gin and Tonic (Simply Refreshing Collection + Old Fashioned (Classic collection), wine (Wandering Vine collection), ciders- and even a collab with name brand brewery-for insta-beer too-Becks,  Stella Artois etc. (Brews collection). With a touch of the button ease-mastering making booze goes automatic. Note-the water tank-is chilled to 37F degrees but is automatically adjusted- chilled correctly- depending on the pod recipe chosen-as is the drinks' size. Because there is alcohol involved-the bemusing/confu...

Last week-in a dental practice's waiting room ...the  pre-appointment gripes were about   allergies .  With sniffles/sneezes/inhaler dosages evident  ... the day's pollen count was 'voted'  THE quality of life misery winner of the day (week-month) surpassing dentist anxiety (mass transit-street parking)  complaints . That's something. FYI: The other obstacles of regular breathing includes smog (alert days), smoke (from outside fires and indoor cooking productions), odors, VOCs (volatile organic compounds-think that new paint / carpet smell ), really unhealthy mold spores (visible -to-microscopic), dust, bacteria-viruses and furry pet dander. AND furry pets can suffer from seasonal allergies too! SOLUTION (and a game changer): If  a LEEDS certified abode or a major home/apartment retrofit are budget busters -an affordable room size HEPA air purifier strategically placed- can greatly alleviate the aforementioned irritants o...

R elax anywhere... Part 3 Insta-calming-pure essential oils-aromatherapy-is one of the easiest and most effective ways to chill out in a fast paced life. Easiest way -especially when not at home is to sprinkle 2-3 drops of a soothing USDA Certified Organic essential oils - on a lightbulb or in a bath (with muscle soothing Epsom salts). Calmers include lavender (our pick for soaks=non-irritating for the skin)-or aromatic fruity orange, sweet mandarin, spice-y frankincense, florals geranium, rose and cleansing spearmint. Find travel sizes of essential oils (10ml, 20ml,30ml)- pretty much anywhere one can shop-online or brick+mortar outlets. Inexpensive too. Our pick- the single essential USDA Organic oils from Wyndmere Naturals. On the road help and just beautiful to look at...  Minnie Park 's limited edition candle infused with calming lavender essential oil and pieces of clarifying amethyst stones. Light one to make any not home -impersonal room, more cozy AT HO...

Sure...why not rent a $1800/night Air BnB (or $30,000 month furnished ) -stunningly restored 4 bedroom/2.5 bath-3 terraces(!!!)  former Synagogue-to make some observations  about rental/home insurance. Chip Wade explained the Dwellbeing app-a digitalized check-list of home maintenance/safety to do's. Not 'Big Brother' -we were assured. We asked what was a wish for item in this tricked out kitchen section of the townhouse...and we totally agree-refrigerators and freezers at table top or bar height- ("undercounter appliances")with materials of choice-counter tops-something we scoured for and only found on commercial supply sites at pricey levels. Tip U Line . Perfect for urban dwellers who can get same day delivery, or walk for groceries, dine out and/or live alone and don't need spacious refrigerators! Our hosts-the congenial married couple- Chip Wade of HGTV acclaim -and plenty of other ventures...including digital and a multi-tasking furniture coll...

We've never had trouble clocking in 9-10 hours sleep a day/night (naps included). via GIPHY UNTIL (a) rare trip with a traveling companion who (b) insisted on Air BnB accommodations-a first for us. Result (c) possibly a one and done-  based on the scratchy cheap sheets, overly scented (allergic) laundry detergent and the too soft of a mattress. 

D&DB (Decoration and Design Building)-the midtown NYC trade destination hosts:  THE POWER OF STORYTELLING: People:Progress:Product The DDB Fall Market-last week-hosted inspiring panels -heralding the visually/verbally talented hard-working industry individuals and wonderful wares displayed in open product showrooms. No surprise-  hundreds  of interior decorators and architecture professionals attended- eager to share/learn... timely tips centered around the theme of "DESIGN IS A STORY" aka what a home environment says about its occupant(s)---and how to translate personalities and spatial requirements into a welcoming place to live. via GIPHY No doubt, all of the fast paced talks (plus Q+As) with the top professionals, hosted by editors of top magazines (including Elle Decor, Domino, Metropolis, Home&Design, Architectural Digest...) were superbly informative. We suspect however- that design icon, Martha Stewart -was  the biggest STAR present-a particip...

  #ddbspringmarket17 Decoration & Design Building 979 3rd Ave (Between 58 th  & 59 th  Streets) New York, NY 10022 SINCE every home is one's castle-we checked out the stunning offerings located in the showrooms of one of NY Design world's most celebrated destination- the Decoration & Design Building during NYC's design week...with an event theme of  Art X Design .. Specifically  the all day event included experts and luminaries from the vast Art industry and invited attendees to enrich their art acumen through the curated selection of esteemed resources that comprised the comprehensive Market program;  3 Keynotes, 14 In-Showroom Programs, 3 Cocktail Receptions, 2 Special Events,  and  58 Open Houses . In addition, most showrooms were introducing new and exciting collections. Textured beauties crafted by hand- inspired by a glam St. Petersburg soirée "White Nights" at Catherine's Palace-designed  by Larry ...

The  single serving/pod  brewing machine is a must for back to school and back to work---proof being that practically everyone we know already has one from Keurig- somewhere where they spend time ---the rest have a machines by some other brand. It ended up -though- -we stuck with our grind and brew coffee output- it just taste better (higher quality coffee)…and stronger, even though we could adjust the cup serving size. Fortunately and recently, a plethora of K-Cups selections are NOW available -as if the pods went off patent ( or something )…and tea drinkers, hot chocolate fans…and even picky caffeine inhibiters are now a lot happier-with a lot more choices. Melita® -one of premier-and first European high end coffee brands- and accessories that dominate the filter world of kitchen cabinets everywhere - has joined the K-Cup parade with terrific results-we've been inhaling, just about the dark, full bodied Café de Europa single serve size -Vienna Roast-100% Arabica...

Happy attendees of a media preview NYC… Why cleaning products would ever be taken for gifts---is easily answered when the fabulously packaged The Good Home cleaning products are the offerings. Why pet lovers would especially appreciate ---toxicity of ingredients in the things we use to scrub away the dirt---is super harmful to our furry friends. Residues left on floor can be ingested---and even 'nature' monikered products, scented with essential oils= can be harmful…!!!! Which is why The Good Home-launched an eco-friendly 100% pet friendly home cleaning trio-Eco Pet Stain and Odor Removal $15, All Purpose Cleaner and Floor soap $18, and Laundry Detergent $20---is a good giver to animal lovers-and also works for little and big people. NYC cute dogs are good size for apartments and laps color blocking is on trend-for-fur where it belongs(!!!)-and fashion in glass containers-that are practically as nice to look at as perfume flacons-refill...