New Yorker Cartoonist Matt Diffee is giving away free art! Every once in a while, you get to meet the people you admire in person. Sometimes they walk into your corner store, or share the elevator with you, and sometimes they respond to your fan letter. In the case of New Yorker cartoonist Matthew Diffee, it was the fan letter. I’ve loved New Yorker cartoons since I was a little kid, when my dad would explain them to me. (Today I have to figure them out for myself, sadly, but

West 79th Street Greenmarket Is Open Throughout the Winter Season Every winter, I feel grateful for all the farmers who continue to bring their fresh produce to the city’s greenmarkets throughout the season. On the coldest of days, you will find them outside, under their tents, probably stamping their feet and blowing on their hands to keep warm. I really don’t know how they do it, but I, for one appreciate them. And I thank them from the bottom of my soup pot. Weekend Market

Entering abcmkt, the new food, kitchen and tabletop market at ABC Carpet & Home (Photo courtesy of Ed Lefkowicz) Amidst the excitement and chaos of the holiday season last November, ABC Carpet & Home quietly launched abcmkt, a sanctuary of artisanal foods, splendid tableware and heirloom-quality kitchen tools. As you may have noticed by now, I am prone to using superlatives when I am excited about something. But please trust me when I say that spending time in abcmkt gives us

So, it’s almost 2AM. I finished a 13 hour work day (grueling but huge progress made, thanks for asking). I’m trying to ignore everyone talking about the heat because there’s not much I can do about it except take another shower.  I’m not sure what the weather has in store for us this weekend, and I know the heat can be very dangerous. So I thought I would do something different this week. I would love to hear from YOU which markets or market sellers you love and why. Please p

The silver snail shell ring pictured caught my eye this week at the Independent Designer Pop Shop (ID Pop Shop). This round, shiny beauty is a great work of creativity and craftsmanship, as are all Kimberlin’s designs. It reminds me of summer at the beach. Come meet Kimberlin and appreciate her designs in person at the ID Pop Shop in Chelsea Market through Sunday, August 19. And here are my Weekend Market Picks! Saturday, August 18, 2012 Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket: This mar

Who is this devil of a fellow?  He is Krampus.  Krampus visits naughty children over the holidays in Europe, while St. Nick is busy plying all the wussy good kids with shiny trains, fluffy bears and chocolate Santas. Geno Sartori at the Greenflea makes what might just be the most beautiful, colorful, detailed pop-up greeting cards available, using whimsical, vintage German ephemera.  His handmade cards feature intricate pop-up flowers, sweet cherubs, and even brides and groom