Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Exotic Costumes and Some Colors


This rather splendid get up was spotted on 8th Avenue around 15th Street where the wearer vanished down into the subway.
 I never saw his face.

Is he sending very mixed messages?

I admired the amazing attire of this artist at ABC Carpet. She was happy to have her photo taken --but could I buy her a cold drink? I did.
I don't actually live at ABC Carpet -- or only part of the time. My excuse is that it's on the way to the Green Market which, since it sells organic produce etc, counts as morally pure.....
 
This young person, dressed for the season, was as interested as I was.....
 

Would I want to live in a house where patterns abound? No. Are they splendid to look at? Obviously. Anthropologie, West Broadway and Spring Streets.

What a color for a floor! What toasty warm scarves. C.P Shades, Grand Street,Soho.



25 comments:

  1. Hello Elizabeth,

    Hoping that you had lots and lots of layers on if you were walking around yesterday. That wind was fierce!

    Very good to see all those colors and patterns. xo

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  2. i love new york. i was there once 32 years ago. since then i have read the new yorker magazine every week, yup, for 32 years. if and when i get back, look out. love your.

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  3. The African artist has tons of neck rings, and arm and leg bracelets ... I don't recall all the details but the practice of neck rings has been either discouraged or abandoned for younger women.

    Historically, rings were progressively added as a girl aged. Their purpose was to make women more attractive and beautiful - having an elongated neck was the goal and in some societies they also signified marriage and status. However, neck rings tend to weaken neck muscles, especially as the user ages. I believe the practice is continued in some groups because it is an attraction for tourists.

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  4. E - Sometimes it does seem like you are a daily visitor to ABC! Do you buy things, or just soak up the atmosphere? (Perhaps you can convince them to pay you in merchandise -- as you provide such good advertising!)

    I would like one of those silken scarves for Xmas.

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  5. Frances:Yes it was agonizingly cold yesterday. Better today.Went shopping with a chum on Sunday - snowflakes.
    Margie: Yes, I'm addicted to the New Yorker too.
    Bee: No I don't buy things or else only little cheap necklaces and tree ornaments. Like Liberty's in London - more of a visual treat than a purchasing opportunity.
    Would it be fun to be a buyer for them?
    Bill: Yes, tourists must love the costumes. Michael Fairchild a photographer who is often in Africa says it's customary to pay people to take pictures - as it should be, I think - except no one would pay me...

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  6. Yes, the colors and patterns at Anthropologie are wonderful, but I agree with you, in my house, no. Look happily but don't buy.

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  7. Nice images from the city I would love to visit one day before I die.

    Greetings from London.

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  8. ABC looks fun. But those neck rings sure don't. We actually have an Anthropologie here and I adore it. Fun pix, as always, Elizabeth.

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  9. I WANT one of those scarves! It is quite a drive to the "big city" and with weather and fuel prices I have not been for a while. Here we have Walmart and Kmart and they both sell the same stuff. Bleeech. Thanks for the peek into some REAL shopping venues.

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  10. wow! - maybe santa went on a diet from the looks of the first image - don't know what ABC Carpet is, but is sure houses some interesting people - and the Anthro shot is yummy - I love how they mix things up....

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  11. Oh! How astonishing to see a Ndebele in New York - but then there are so many astonishing things to see in that city.

    I've always want to paint a wall with Ndebele designs, but My Liege rather baulked at that idea. He's probably right - they do look perfect just where they are...on Ndebele houses!

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  12. There is no shortage of color in NYC. And colorful characters as well. I miss it sometimes. Your pictures are fabulous.

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  13. Oh I'd love one of those scarves for Christmas!

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  14. I love your photos,keep them coming, you take me to a place so different from here!

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  15. Lovely wanderings .. we used to have a CP Shades uptown but its gone .. maybe it, like Fishs Eddy, will be back one day

    :-Daryl

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  16. Lovely pictures especially the little girl who seems so interested and I want those scarfs aargh ....I am a scarf addict

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  17. these warm, colorful sights light up this otherwise harsh season :-)
    thats what i love about the severity of the winter here - it always drives the feeling that you are so alive.. and makes you appreciate these pictures from daily life...

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  18. Top looks like a great Halloween costume.

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  19. what fabulous shots Elizabeth! - so love going urban with you - while here in the woods the wind is singing - well I will admit that those patterns are enticing...

    xox - eb.

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  20. I loved the top picture - Santa hat with the Skeleton Coat....only in ny.

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  21. See, this blog makes me very nostalgic for New York. Though by about October or so I decided that I'm staying in Boston once I graduate (in three years, thanks to APs, which makes college life just a tad scary). I've finally found a city that I could legitimately live in...though that might change once I actually have to pay for it.

    Hopefully I can make it into the city sometime over Christmas break. Four weeks off sounds attractive now but will probably be torture once New Year's is over.

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  22. love your colors in todays photos Elizabeth. You have a great eye for what is interesting.

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  23. Now that's a first one...a skeleton Santa, well, at least he's creative..Love the African woman, is she from the Masai tribe which has long rings around their necks. So stunning!! Seems like New York has so much to offer and I am so wishing I could be there :D

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  24. Aaaah. Seeing the Ndebele lady has made me slightly homesick. I love Ndebele designs and paintings. Actually, I think I'll try my hand at painting some.

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I look forward to hearing from you!