White Star Lines - Pier 54 in NYC

by Liz Heather in

There's nothing cooler to me than seeing remnants of old, old New York. 

Pier 54

This is Pier 54, it's located south of 14th Street at the West Side Highway. It was owned by White Star Lines (and frequently used Cunard ships) and this is where the RMS Carpathia docked to unload the survivors of the Titanic.

If you look closely at the main beam, you can still see overlapping lettering identifying it as both a Cunard and White Star Line pier (the companies merged in 1934):

Is it not cool as hell that this is still standing and VISIBLE after 102 years?! 'Cause I think that's insane and amazing. I don't know why I have such a fixation with Titanic-related stuff. I remember hearing about it when I was a kid and just thinking that it was such a crazy story. And then I found out that I had a great-uncle who worked in steerage on the ship, so that (of course) only made me more intrigued by the whole event. Anyway, it's so neat that this beam is still standing. 

Just to show you, this is what the building at the end of the pier looked like right before it was demolished in 1991: 

Pier 54, in 1991

Obviously it'd be way cooler if THIS had somehow been restored and not torn down, but that's in the past now. It really looks like it was a beautiful building.

Astoria Greenmarkets

by Liz Heather in ,

These are my two favourite markets to go to in Queens (Astoria, specifically).

Does it seem crazy that they run until November? It that a normal market-ending time? I'm not complaining, but that seems too great to be true. 

Anyway, no big lectures here. You're either into supporting local farmers or y'aint. And most of the year - I don't really care to, to be honest. But if you cook a lot, then it makes sense to take advantage of the crazy fresh stuff at these kinds of markets during at least the summer months. 

A Pop-Up Ring Box

by Liz Heather in

Presentation is everything. LOOK AT THIS RING BOX.

Should a box cost $90? Well, if a phone can cost $500 and be socially acceptable, then yes - an expensive, fancy box like this is completely normal.

It was designed by packaging designer Andrew Zo for the company Clifton, and it's described as "a slimline engagement ring box that slides into your pocket with less resistance than a wallet. When you open the Clifton, the ring doesn’t just appear. It pirouettes into position thanks to a pop-up mechanism intended to present the ring like a blooming flower."

Ummmm, this is incredible? And even if you're not proud of giving whatever ring is inside - anybody should and better be wowed by this damn box. (And as a small sidenote: anyone who has ever complained about the details on a ring/GIFT that someone else has given you, you can go right to hell. It's the gesture that's kind! Not the damn object!)

I wish one of my hobbies somehow included giving rings to people 'cause I would be all over this box. Man. So cool.

Birthday Deals!

by Liz Heather in ,

I don't know why more places don't upsell the fact that they's got BIRTHDAY DEALS. We all want those deals. Give us those deals, damnit.

I just found this list of places that offers you something on your big day, it's a mostly American list so let me post a more Canadian friendly one over here. 

Obviously, I'm not telling you to take advantage of ALL the things offered since we're all trying to live some kind of healthy life. I'm just letting you know that if you want free ice cream on your birthday, you're entitled to it.

Sidenote: Happy Birthday to my insanely great brother, Robbie. He's one of the best men in my life and I'm crazy lucky to know him. Really, my brothers are easily the best in the business. You should be jealous maybe. LOVE YOU.

Robbie!