Shopping – Sue At Home

Batik Pillows from Etsy

August 24, 2013June 11, 2020 Sue Erneta

I’ve got a problem. It’s an obsession really. You see, I need new pillows for my living room couch and once I saw these beauties from Amber Interiors I couldn’t think of anything else.

They’re dark blue batik with hot pink stitching and that pretty much means they’ve got my name written all over them. But there’s a problem. Let’s take a closer a look at this pillow named Sally.

Do you see the problem? That’s right. She’s $195! Oh Amber, I love your shoppe but I do not have $600 to spend on three pillows. So, I did what any smart shopper (AKA poor shopper) would do: I went to etsy. It didn’t take much–just a quick “batik pillow” search–to find a couple great shops.

First I spied SiameseDreamDesign which has lots of batik pillows (and bonus: their prices are more in the $28 range)! There were lots that I liked and I highly considered these two. (Click pics for direct links.)

But I kept searching and finally hit the jackpot with OrientalTribe11. A little pricier (the 16×16 ones are $40 and the 20x20s are $60) but I felt like they were closer to the Amber ones that I so coveted. I bought these two but there are lots more like them:

Hmmm…that second one looks kinda similar to our old friend Sally. Let’s take a closer look.

Damn, I love Etsy.

And yes, I know I said I was buying three but I think I’m going to wait until I get the first two and then figure out what else I need. As excited as I am about my cheaper find, I still think Amber (interior designer and seller of the $195 pillows) is a genius so I’m going to follow her lead and make sure my pillows aren’t all too matchy. I mean, did you see this beautiful pillow pile when her place was featured on Style Me Pretty Living last week?

You’ve just got to check it out. Her whole place is a study in contrasts. It’s all crisp and clean with beautiful ethnic accessories.

Can I move in?

Stay tuned to see how the living room shapes up when my new pillows arrive! More on the living room here.)

All Amber Interiors home pictures via Style Me Pretty Living photographed by Bryce Covey.

Sue at Home

Decor, Home, Shopping

Haven’s Kitchen

July 19, 2013June 11, 2020 Sue Erneta

I first visited Haven’s Kitchen about a year ago for a Keri Levitt Communications event but, for whatever reason, I never wrote a post about it. Well…wait no more, dear readers. Here it is!

Haven’s Kitchen is (according to their website) a “recreational cooking school, specialty food shop, and event space” in Manhattan on West 17th Street. I love the place because their homemade granola is crack in a bag but the reason I wanted to share it with you is the fun decor. Let’s take a look. (Apologies in advance for the iphone pics.)

One step in the door and you’re greeted by lights in little jam jars.

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Next you’ll see industrial shelves with all of Haven’s yummy food products. (I’ll take this opportunity to mention that granola again. I promise, it’s worth the $11 you’ll pay for a 1 lb bag.)

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In the back is the kitchen where they host cooking classes. One of the most popular classes: Boozy Brunch.

There are so many cute things on the walls.

Now, let’s go upstairs to the event space. I love the art on the way up.

And the marble steps aren’t too bad either.

Isn’t the striped sofa in this little seating area just amazing?

And right next to that is this beautiful bar.

Oh, hello little pops of yellow.

The best has got to be this sweet this sentiment by the bathroom mirror.

Oh…and did I mention the granola? I know, I know. But believe me, if you try it, you’ll undrestand why I had to tell you about it three times. You’ll thank me. (Photo via havenskitchen.com)

Thanks to Keri and Jillian for introducing to this amazing place!

Sue at Home

Decor, Shopping

An Architectural Gem: Urban Outfitters in Westfield

January 2, 2013June 11, 2020 Sue Erneta

I live in an awesome town. I pinch myself quite often that I get to raise my kids here. In addition to the nice people, great schools and decent proximity to NYC, one of my favorite things about Westfield is the downtown shopping area. It’s filled with great stores ranging from Mom & Pop places like Brummer’s Chocolates (since 1904!) and Bovella’s Pastry Shoppe (they recently made Bruce Springsteen’s life size guitar-shaped birthday cake) to chains like Williams-Sonoma, Gap Kids, and Clare’s (obvs my girls’ favorite mecca of fine accessories!). Our town even won a Great American Main Street Award – the only town in New Jersey to have that honor.

Until recently, our own little flatiron-esque building was left unoccupied after a bank closed it’s doors over 4 years ago. It’s a beautiful building in the center of the shopping district and it really was a crime to have it sitting vacant for so long. But, good news! A week before Christmas, a new Urban Outfitters opened in that spot and I went to check it out.

Isn’t the building stunning?

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I was thrilled to see that the architect, Dennis Flynn (according to the Westfield Patch) maintained the original look of the bank, including the pillars and tall windows with security grates on them.

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Inside, there’s more of the original bank: Industrial beams mixed with detailed dentil molding and a spectacular ceiling medallion under a skylight.

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They put some drywall in but there is also a lot of exposed brick and details of the original structure. (I wonder if the clock was from the bank.)

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I read in The Alternative Press that the builders had to petition to have some of the windows lowered.

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A mix of materials.

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The thick, dark stairs are a great compliment to the lightness of the moldings.

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I loved the wood paneled room with a marble fireplace in the back, which houses a shoe area. Industrial pipes were added for shelving but the rest of the room is original. The Alternative Press referred to it as the President’s Room and I can just picture an old-school looking bank president presiding at a big oak desk in front of the fireplace. (I’m imagining a comb-0ver, aren’t you?)

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I was totally inspired by this cool display in the president’s room. These are the things that make my gears turn and have me wishing that I had a carpenter as a BFF.

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The checkout counter is simple and highlighted with industrial pendants. (That small door to the left leads to the president’s room.)

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I loved this magnet thing outside of the fitting room on the top balcony where the menswear is carried. (I’m calling it a “thing” because I don’t know what else to call it. Tool-that-tells-the-salespeople-how-many-items-you-brought-into-the-fitting-room? It’s certainly cooler than a plastic sign with a big 5 on it, right?)

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Our favorite feature of all was the original bank vault (which dates back to 1922). You can see it in the basement at the bottom of the stairs.

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Sale items are kept in the bank vault.

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A great view of the ceiling detail. And a cute kid.

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As for what’s carried at the store, it’s a classic Urban Outfitters with lots of clothes and accessories for men and women plus some gift items. (They even have classic records for sale!) I always find myself wishing that UO stores carried the home items that are on their website. As you know, I have lots of UO home stuff and I think it’s fun, colorful, and best of all, cheap! For some Urban Outfitters home items in my house, check out these links: UO dining room curtains, UO master bedroom curtains, UO master bedroom rug.

Happy shopping!

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Sue at Home

Family, Food, Shopping

Three Days in Kennebunkport, Maine

September 10, 2012 Sue Erneta

I’ve been sharing lots of pictures of the beautiful Tides Beach Club that we stayed at in Maine (here and here) but I’d like to take you off campus to show you some of the other charming things we loved about Kennebunkport, Maine. (If you’ve never been, plan a trip for next summer!)

We checked out this big fella and then ate his brothers for the next 3 days.

Our first stop was The Clam Shack where we had ended up having lunch everyday. The line was long and the food was pricey but it was totally worth it. Do they have the best lobster roll in Maine? I don’t know but I can tell you that lobster roll was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life. (Yes they do, according to the Travel Channel’s Food Wars!)

At The Clam Shack, the lobster roll isn’t your typical hot dog roll looking thing. It’s on a delicious buttery bakery roll and the lobster is just perfection. We loved the fried clam strips too (and the shrimp which we tried on day two) but nothing could beat that perfect lobster roll.

As for shopping in the harbor, it was mostly disappointing tourist traps with two big exceptions: Daytrip Society and their kid’s store, Daytrip Jr. They both carried such a smart assortment of quirky items that any tourist or local could love. (And lucky you, they have ecommerce, too!) I was particularly smitten with the kids store, pictured below. They had toys and games that I had never seen before and I had to pry myself out of there before I spent a fortune!

When we got back to our hotel, we decided to take a walk on the beautiful beach just across the street. The water was ice cold but Pablo braved it for one Nestea Plunge. He’s crazy!

Before dinner, we relaxed on the front porch of Tides and while I sipped a cocktail (or three), Pablo did a Fantasy Football draft. (Yes, I allowed my husband to do a draft while we were on vacation. Yes, I am the best wife on the planet.)

The next day, we took a drive around to look at some insanely beautiful houses (check out this listing if you have 4 million dollars). We took this picture near Ocean Avenue. I think it’s the only one we got together.

We drove by the Bush compound (ya know – cause you have to if you go to Kennebunkport or something like that) and marveled at it’s pretentiousness. I mean, they live on their own peninsula!

We also sampled the world’s greatest Bloody Mary at Earth at Hidden Pond. We spent a lot of time at the pool there. More on our delicious dinner at Earth tomorrow as well as lots of beautiful rustic decor ideas you can steal from Hidden Pond.

Pablo kept talking about how the fires smelled so great in Maine. Personally, I think it was just the idea of smelling a nice fresh fire in August. In the summer, you just forget how good that smells. But he swore it was the Maine firewood. So, when we saw this roadside firewood “shop” that operated on the honor system, we had to pick up a bundle. Check out the sign: “Camp Wood. $4.00 a bundle. Theives…” (yes it was spelled that way) “…smile for camera. I’m sorry honest people.” So, we put our money in the little cup and took a bunch.

On our way out of Maine, we did some antiquing on Route 1. We visited probably 10-12 shops so we were pretty exhausted by the end. I snapped this happy picture of Pablo as we entered our first store. (There would be no more happy pictures because he ended up listening to sports radio in the car while I endlessly hunted for treasures.) My favorite shops were the one pictured here, Antiques USA in Arundel (it was massive), Wells General Store Antiques in Wells (which had lots of 1950s diner stuff) and Columbary House in Cape Neddick where I ended up getting a cake plate with a glass dome for $35 and a blue and cream striped crock for my mom for $15.

I’m already dreaming of getting back there again. That lobster roll is calling me!

Sue at Home

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