This morning I started to listen to this:

When John asked “are you listening to The Breeders?”, which of course made me listen to this:

Which in turn made me realize how good this song is (and how the opening of the Charlotte Gainsbourg song is a total copy of this Breeders song). And also how much fun the 90′s were – not that I want them back or anything. I’m perfectly happy with the present but boy did we drink a lot of beer, stay out super late and pretty much do whatever we want. Memories.

Just another confirmation that dogs are the best. This article was in The New York Times Magazine this weekend and is great on so many levels. I highly recommend reading it.

I’m really excited about our Valentine’s event “A Floral Affair” happening this weekend. The lovely and talented Amy Merrick will in-store creating floral arrangements from 12-7 Saturday the 11th, 1-6 Sunday the 12th and 12-7 on Tuesday the 14th (Valentine’s Day!).
A perfect idea for Valentine’s or just to spruce up your home, because who doesn’t need flowers around this time of year? We will be taking pre-orders as well as walk-ins all weekend long so let us know if you’d like to gift someone with flowers. Arrangements will start at $100 in addition to small bouquets for $25. We will also be delivering for $25 below 23rd Street. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at ladies@castorandpolluxstore.com.

On the left is a sample arrangement for the event. Beautiful, right?

Fell in love with this song many moons ago and could listen to it for days,  Antony’s voice is like magic to me.

And, then there’s his take on “Crazy In Love”. Wow.

This is the BEST coffee in the world, it’s from Coava Coffee  in Portland (I wish you could smell it, it’s heavenly). It’s on top of the beautiful new Kinfolk Magazine – beauty all around here at Castor & Pollux. We have some of the Kinfolks in stock right now which is surprising as they seem to be out of stock everywhere. Call if you would like one.

Reminds me of driving around listening to music really loud in the car with John. This video is weird (nothing happens) but the song by Bonnie Prince Billy is fantastic, especially crazy loud. Enjoy.

I visited Shino and Akane’s favorite housewares store in Tokyo, Daimonji, and left with the makings of a Japanese kitchen. Overwhelmed by all the gorgeous options, I fumbled my way around the store grabbing inappropriate (I was told) pieces. I picked soba cups to drink tea from (a big no-no), I chose a plate that would have no place at the table (wrong size), I grabbed a jet black serving bowl  (not good for showing off the food) until finally I gave up and asked them for help. They took me under their wings and pointed me in the direction of setting up my kitchen with the basics. It felt a little like I was Japanese,  a little like I was 20 years old and a lot like I was getting married. And then we were off to create my little kitchen that I would bring back to New York. It is made up of the following: two teacups—one for myself and one for John; the woman’s is always smaller and there is always a pair when buying anything for a couple, two rice bowls; same thing here, mine is smaller, John’s is larger, two miso soup bowls; the woman’s is always red and small and the man’s is always black and large, and a donabe for cooking up hotpots all winter. I couldn’t be more excited to add to this little collection over time as it’s surely one of my favorite things about traveling, bringing back mementos that remind you of your trip every time you use them. I can’t think of a better way to remember all the places you’ve visited. Now I’m off to make my first hot pot this evening!

Our new teacups with Beba in the background.

Visiting the Prada store in Tokyo is so inspiring. The building is designed by Herzog de Meuron and stands tall and proud in the small and elegant neighborhood of Aoyama and is graced with geometric windows flanked by thick molded concrete; it’s a beautiful shrine to modern architecture. Inside, the windows create magical light patterns across the floor depending on the time of day and everything is done to perfection–the racks are covered in fur, the floor is thick, luxurious (and spotless!) carpet, the sales staff  are beautiful and helpful. A lovely combination of grace and service inside makes the experience truly special.  Add it to your list of places to see while in Tokyo, you won’t be disappointed.

Alexis is an amazing friend with an outstanding sense of humor, sick style and an all around general awesomeness that draws you in like a magnet. I’ve known her for years–you might too–she was an integral part of Castor & Pollux years ago, and she continues to amaze and inspire me. She just started Worthwhisland, a limited edition art website, with her husband, Jason and when she’s not deciding what is fantastic in the art world she keeps herself busy baking like an angel, cooking like a madwoman, caring for her little Eewok, Oliver and being a fantastic friend.

Photo by John von Pamer

Favorite recipe?
Sausages and grapes — adapted from Molly Steven’s All About Braising and the blog, Orangette.

Last great book you read?
The Magic Mountain, Thomas Mann.

Winter drink of choice?
I like a Kentucky Nightcap from Ft. Defiance.

Animals-names and breeds?
Oliver. Half poodle, half ewok.

Do you exercise? What do you do, if so?
I want to be a calm yogi, but I’m a runner and a spaz. I need loud music, and the chance to get my ya-ya’s out.

Salty or sweet?
I like my sweets with a good dose of salt.

Who inspires you and why?
Woody Allen, Sophie Calle and Julia Child, because they are storytellers.

Pool or ocean?
Ocean.

Favorite city?
New York, because it is familiar; and Los Angeles because it is still vague.

Last great vacation?
Most recently, a wedding in Brunswick, Maine while we waited for Hurricane Irene.
But the greatest trip I ever took was my honeymoon in Japan.

Favorite tv show?
Downton Abbey.

Weirdest job you’ve ever had?
Fashion PR, because they called me “the vegetarian”. I eat meat, but apparently I seemed quite bohemian with a Brooklyn address.

Favorite restaurant?
Walter Foods, Fort Defiance, and Prime Meats are my choices for consistently excellent food, plus a kind and generous atmosphere. Also, Marea for fine dining, and Yakitori and/or Soba Totto for meals I never want to end.

Favorite object in your home?
A picture of my mother on her wedding day; An eggplant colored Staub cocotte from Kerrilynn; and my man, although he is not an object, he is certainly the reason to come home.

Favorite piece of clothing?
A Green Rodebjer jacket from Castor & Pollux in it’s first season in Manhattan. I wore it to shreds, and still won’t put it away. Also, all my Stella McCartney jackets make me feel like a composed and significantly taller version of myself and that feeling is worth more money than I paid for them.

Favorite blog or website?
Persephone’s sense of humor is so dead on in her blog. She is an explorer, and unafraid of adventures I would never dare to take.
Also Saipua , where Sarah Ryhanen’s honesty & flowers get me out of bed on crap days.

Something you’re scared of?
Losing my memory(ies).

Favorite record?
Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska.

Favorite popsong?
This is the Day, The The.

Your Ideal day?
A day spent at home with my husband and dog, preparing a feast for friends. Or driving the California coast near Big Sur.

Favorite gift you’ve ever received?
A trip to Joshua Tree, when life felt out of control.

Favorite flower?
Dahlias.

Favorite scent (perfume)?
Late nineties NYC subway rides ruined my ability to wear perfume (I’m looking at you, Marc Jacobs).
But when I do it’s Byredo Palermo – I can’t say no to musk or rose, so it’s a happy time for me when they join so beautifully.

Astrological sign?
Aquarius with Pisces rising.

What do you do for a living?
Co-Founder of Worthwhisland.

Where do you live?
Brooklyn: I look out at shipping containers, cruise ships, water & the battery tunnel.

Your lucky number?
321.

What piece of art would you buy if you had no budget?
I’d commission a Yayoi Kusama infinity room. Realistically, more Sadie Laska paintings.

Eating in Japan is next level.

The attention to detail lovingly applied to everything – packaging, shopping, transportation, you name it – truly shines when it comes to the food. From sushi (sublime) to yakitori (delicious) to izakawa (why is this not in New York?) to train station bento boxes (surprisingly good) to Japanese breakfast (perfect start to the day) to in-room kaiseke dinners (a once in a lifetime experience) to miso ramen (delicious) to ochazuke (food for the soul) to Japanese parfait (best dessert imaginable) it is all incredible. I wouldn’t even know how to choose a favorite from all the meals we had. I do know that there wasn’t one meal that I wouldn’t repeat in a heartbeat. I already miss the food. And all of the other stuff too. I’ll let you know more about the trip in the coming week, till then have a great weekend and konnichiwa.

Parfait from a sweets restaurant in Kyoto

Potatoes from a yakitori joint

Miso ramen, apparently a new trend in Japan

Japanese breakfast at The Peninsula