NonSociety – Live Differently. Julia Allison Prolific Emailer

Following My Lifecast: Here's a glimpse into my life. Scroll to the right to view chronologically, and click 'earlier' to see more.

Posts tagged with recs (RSS)

Jun 02, 10 2:45pm
This afternoon, my mom & I are going to visit a woman whom I consider to be an artistic genius, Andrea, the founder of couture invitation shoppe Hannah Handmade.  My mom is getting my brother’s rehearsal dinner invites from her, and she’s raved about her studio for months now. I’ve seen her creations in person and they are exquisite.  They’re like the Jackie O meets Lady Gaga of invitations.  (The class of the former with the creativity of the latter!)

This afternoon, my mom & I are going to visit a woman whom I consider to be an artistic genius, Andrea, the founder of couture invitation shoppe Hannah Handmade.  My mom is getting my brother’s rehearsal dinner invites from her, and she’s raved about her studio for months now.

I’ve seen her creations in person and they are exquisite.  They’re like the Jackie O meets Lady Gaga of invitations.  (The class of the former with the creativity of the latter!)

May 31, 10 4:21pm
The new pink beach bike from BeachBikes.com I realllllly really want to get for my parents’ place in Chicago, so I can go riding up and down the lakefront. They have three bikes in the garage, but none of them are comfortable.  Ugh, mountain bikes.  Yuck.

The new pink beach bike from BeachBikes.com I realllllly really want to get for my parents’ place in Chicago, so I can go riding up and down the lakefront.

They have three bikes in the garage, but none of them are comfortable.  Ugh, mountain bikes.  Yuck.

May 09, 10 4:56am
I am IN LOVE with my new silver cupcake necklace, sent to me by a reader Anna S, the adorable and talented designer of Lucid New York. (In fact, I’m wearing it right now!) It’s delicate and girly - and unlike the Tiffany’s heart necklace I usually wear - most girls don’t have one. Yet!

I am IN LOVE with my new silver cupcake necklace, sent to me by a reader Anna S, the adorable and talented designer of Lucid New York. (In fact, I’m wearing it right now!) It’s delicate and girly - and unlike the Tiffany’s heart necklace I usually wear - most girls don’t have one.

Yet!

May 09, 10 4:06am
Speaking of fabulous design … Kern + Lead are the designers for Blueprint Cleanse, and I think they’re beyond brilliant.

Speaking of fabulous design … Kern + Lead are the designers for Blueprint Cleanse, and I think they’re beyond brilliant.

May 09, 10 3:44am

I just got Apartment Therapy’s “Big Book of Small Spaces,” which is gorgeous and inspiring.  Having lived in a 240 square foot studio for the past three years, I’m particularly interested in this subject ;) and the author, Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, didn’t let me down.

In fact, as I turned the pages in bed the other night, I happened upon a series of photos (above) that just blew my mind … the BRILLIANT designer, Kelly Giesen, had designed my dream apartment - white girly classic meets shabby chic - for herself!  It took all of my willpower not to march uptown and demand that she come live in the Pink Palace and I live in her Angel Heaven Home, but instead I plan to have her design whatever apartment I live in next.  She doesn’t know this yet, though.  :)

May 05, 10 8:53pm

NonSociety Recommends: Acupuncturist Nicholas Steadman

I’ve been meaning to post about my experience with licensed acupuncturist Nicholas Steadman ever since I started seeing him in the summer of 2009 (Full disclosure: he graciously provided me with a free trial of his services).

I went to him originally to combat my stress and insomnia issues - plus, I was simply curious about acupuncture in general.  I had heard people talk about it (sometimes positively, sometimes negatively), but I wanted to come to my own conclusions.

In case you missed it the first time around, check out my web show on the subject, as well the video where Nicholas answers some reader FAQs.

The most common question: Did it hurt?  No, definitely not.  At times it felt tingly and a bit achy, but it never hurt.

The second most common question: Did it work?  Obviously this is subjective (and there’s no real way for me to quantify how much), but I believe it did.  Although I have no idea HOW it works, it calmed me down significantly without fail … in fact, after the hour long session ended, I felt like I undergone some sort of massage.  Without the whole massage part ;)  I also had an easier time sleeping and more able to face the little inconveniences of life without freaking out.  Problems seemed more surmountable.

For those of you who won’t consider needles, no matter how thin, Nicholas is one of New York City’s first practitioners licensed to treat with a “cold laser” - that means there is absolutely no puncture of the skin (I’ve tried this too, and it seems to be just as effective, and much easier on hard to reach places like the back of the head and neck).

If you’ve been meaning to try acupuncture, I highly recommend the Steadman Clinic:

57 W 57th Street, Suite 1003
New York, NY 10019
646-509-8963

May 03, 10 5:45pm
WANT! It might surprise you (it surprises me!) but I’m sort of a “less is more” kind of girl when it comes to accessories for Lilly.  I don’t want ten crappy leashes - I’d rather spend a little bit (or a lot of bits) more on one that I really love.  For the past two years, I’ve walked her with a rhinestone studded pink leather leash and collar, which I bought for about $70 from a pet store in Chelsea.  Frankly, that’s too long for a leash that gets used every day, and it’s getting grody.  (Yes, I just used the word “grody.”) I’ve been looking around for a new set for some time, but wasn’t able to find what I wanted … until last week, when Meghan & I walked into Doggy Style NYC, an adorable - but expensive - puppy boutique in Soho.  There I spotted a new lavender leash and collar (with tiny little badass studs on it), which I promptly purchased, despite the hefty price tag - over $100 for the set (oy).  Amortized over the course of two years, which is how long I plan to use it, it seems more reasonable. Of course, along with the new leash & collar, I need a new ID to clip on it.  Although Lilly’s old tags were from Petco, I’m not too fond of them.  They’re flimsy, and if I have to look at them every day, I’d rather have something special. So I googled “dog tag,” and after sifting through various military sites (ha), stumbled across these gorgeous be-rhinestone’d babies at The Sassy Pup.  You can choose either a heart, star or bone and customize it with any color of gem you want.  Plus, it leaves up to four lines for personalization, so you can print your dog’s name, along with your phone, email, and address. I haven’t ordered one yet, but I will soon!

WANT!

It might surprise you (it surprises me!) but I’m sort of a “less is more” kind of girl when it comes to accessories for Lilly.  I don’t want ten crappy leashes - I’d rather spend a little bit (or a lot of bits) more on one that I really love.  For the past two years, I’ve walked her with a rhinestone studded pink leather leash and collar, which I bought for about $70 from a pet store in Chelsea.  Frankly, that’s too long for a leash that gets used every day, and it’s getting grody.  (Yes, I just used the word “grody.”)

I’ve been looking around for a new set for some time, but wasn’t able to find what I wanted … until last week, when Meghan & I walked into Doggy Style NYC, an adorable - but expensive - puppy boutique in Soho.  There I spotted a new lavender leash and collar (with tiny little badass studs on it), which I promptly purchased, despite the hefty price tag - over $100 for the set (oy).  Amortized over the course of two years, which is how long I plan to use it, it seems more reasonable.

Of course, along with the new leash & collar, I need a new ID to clip on it.  Although Lilly’s old tags were from Petco, I’m not too fond of them.  They’re flimsy, and if I have to look at them every day, I’d rather have something special.

So I googled “dog tag,” and after sifting through various military sites (ha), stumbled across these gorgeous be-rhinestone’d babies at The Sassy Pup.  You can choose either a heart, star or bone and customize it with any color of gem you want.  Plus, it leaves up to four lines for personalization, so you can print your dog’s name, along with your phone, email, and address.

I haven’t ordered one yet, but I will soon!

May 03, 10 5:22pm
Beachbikes.com I know I coveted a cute bicycle for years before I found BeachBikes.com - which is owned by the adorable Dustin Gyger, an East Coast refugee who escaped to the sand and sun of California to start his dream business: custom cruisers for all. My custom built cruiser - which Beachbikes generously gave to me - lives on my balcony during the winter (and is a bit rusted as a result - er … oops?), but the weather is finally nice enough to start taking it for rides around the city. I can’t recommend his bikes enough.  You can order them anywhere in the country and the prices are totally reasonable.  I even got a pink one for Megan on her birthday last year! Anyway - if you’ve been looking for a place to get a really cute bike, definitely try out Beachbikes.  :)

Beachbikes.com

I know I coveted a cute bicycle for years before I found BeachBikes.com - which is owned by the adorable Dustin Gyger, an East Coast refugee who escaped to the sand and sun of California to start his dream business: custom cruisers for all.

My custom built cruiser - which Beachbikes generously gave to me - lives on my balcony during the winter (and is a bit rusted as a result - er … oops?), but the weather is finally nice enough to start taking it for rides around the city.

I can’t recommend his bikes enough.  You can order them anywhere in the country and the prices are totally reasonable.  I even got a pink one for Megan on her birthday last year!

Anyway - if you’ve been looking for a place to get a really cute bike, definitely try out Beachbikes.  :)

May 03, 10 5:13pm
There’s something about a colorful cruiser that just screams “SUMMER IS HERE! GET ON YOUR BIZZZIKE!”  Or … okay, maybe not the second part. (On location at Beachbikes.com’s headquarters in LA)

There’s something about a colorful cruiser that just screams “SUMMER IS HERE! GET ON YOUR BIZZZIKE!”  Or … okay, maybe not the second part.

(On location at Beachbikes.com’s headquarters in LA)

May 03, 10 5:12pm
Last summer, in LA, checking out my custom built pink & white heart-seat bicycle from Beachbikes.com, with Dustin, the founder and owner of the now five-year-old company.

Last summer, in LA, checking out my custom built pink & white heart-seat bicycle from Beachbikes.com, with Dustin, the founder and owner of the now five-year-old company.

Apr 09, 10 4:12am
THE GOOGLE SEARCH STORY APP IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is, in my opinion, hands down THE MOST EXCITING CREATIVE STORYTELLING TOOL to be developed in the last year. I cannot, CANNOT, CANNOT wait create a “search story” … or 17 of them. If you make any really great ones, please email them to me!!

THE GOOGLE SEARCH STORY APP IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is, in my opinion, hands down THE MOST EXCITING CREATIVE STORYTELLING TOOL to be developed in the last year.

I cannot, CANNOT, CANNOT wait create a “search story” … or 17 of them.

If you make any really great ones, please email them to me!!

Mar 21, 10 6:36am
DJ Recommendation! So, ya’ll if you want one of the sickest DJs out there, try my new friend Derek “DJ Tanner” Giddon, who did a remarkable job at my birthday bash a few weeks back. As I said in my Thank You Wrap Up Post: To DJ Tanner, who took my pleas of “Dear God, please please please don’t play embarrassing music like Kei$ha in front of my parents” and turned the place into one of the best oldies-classic-rock-with-a-twist dance parties I’ve ever heard, you are officially my DJ hero.  (Yeah, I went there. I made that pun. I’m owning it.)  Even had my parents NOT been there, I loved the way he spun - everyone wanted to sing along.  That’s the mark of an amazing DJ. I want this kid to spin at every party I have for the rest of time.  :)

DJ Recommendation!

So, ya’ll if you want one of the sickest DJs out there, try my new friend Derek “DJ Tanner” Giddon, who did a remarkable job at my birthday bash a few weeks back.

As I said in my Thank You Wrap Up Post:

To DJ Tanner, who took my pleas of “Dear God, please please please don’t play embarrassing music like Kei$ha in front of my parents” and turned the place into one of the best oldies-classic-rock-with-a-twist dance parties I’ve ever heard, you are officially my DJ hero.  (Yeah, I went there. I made that pun. I’m owning it.)  Even had my parents NOT been there, I loved the way he spun - everyone wanted to sing along.  That’s the mark of an amazing DJ.

I want this kid to spin at every party I have for the rest of time.  :)

Mar 20, 10 5:47pm
Fortune meringues at the West Village confection Sweetie Pie! Highly adorable, highly recommended mid-shopping girls’ day out indulgence-stop.

Fortune meringues at the West Village confection Sweetie Pie!

Highly adorable, highly recommended mid-shopping girls’ day out indulgence-stop.

Mar 19, 10 3:24pm
Makeup Artist Recommendation: Allyson Joyner If you’re ever out in LA and in dire need of a makeup artist, I cannot recommend Allyson enough.  I met her on the set of the World of Wonder pilot I shot a few weeks back in LA, and then specially requested her for the Reveille pilot I shot two weeks ago.  Not only is she adorable, but she’s one of the best artists (along with Maria Maio here in New York) with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working. The photo above was taken at the beginning of the day for the second pilot, out in Universal City, CA. (Pink cardigan is Aqua by Bloomingdale’s.)

Makeup Artist Recommendation: Allyson Joyner

If you’re ever out in LA and in dire need of a makeup artist, I cannot recommend Allyson enough.  I met her on the set of the World of Wonder pilot I shot a few weeks back in LA, and then specially requested her for the Reveille pilot I shot two weeks ago.  Not only is she adorable, but she’s one of the best artists (along with Maria Maio here in New York) with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working.

The photo above was taken at the beginning of the day for the second pilot, out in Universal City, CA.

(Pink cardigan is Aqua by Bloomingdale’s.)