Today I haggled a Jew for a Sidewalk Sandwich Board! (There's something I never thought I'd say!)

And here it is....

It's going to be witty remark a day! There's no stopping me now! 

This remark is dual purpose - apart from me behaving like an old bag from time to time, it also refers to our vintage collection which is made out of up-cycled postal sacks and vintage grain sacks, some of which are over 100 years old. 

'Have A Nice Day!"

*Warning - Rant Ahead*

Ok, I have officially got 'Have A Nice Day' fatigue! Americans use it as a conversation closer without even thinking, no matter the situation. They even say it in the evening - how can I have a nice day if the day is almost over? I've actually started being a bit cheeky by saying 'You have a super nice day too' or 'I'll try but it looks like it's gona be a bad one today!' Hehe! 

Ok, rant over, just needed to get that off my chest!  

On a completely different topic entirely, the more observant among you may have noticed that I have  added my Instagram feed to the right-hand side of my blog. My Instagram name is cliftongal01 so feel free to follow me! If you are a 'From Cider Country To The Big Apple' fan then you can subscribe via email (on the RHS too) in order to receive an update when I post a new blog so you don't have to check in all the time and find that I've been spending too much time at the Bait and Tackle and not enough blogging! :) 


It's hot, hot, here again today. Off to the office/store/workshop in a mo, after my Rice Crispies! (I've discovered a gluten free version out here!). I got a bit creative yesterday and did some screen printing as we are making dust bags for the Anglo Bag that's featured in Oprah Magazine. 

TTFN x

Abs, Orpah and MoMA

So yesterday I planned a day of gallery/museum visits...but did I make it to a gallery/museum...not one! 

Let me tell you what happened...

First of all I got off the bus about the 3 stops to early had to walk for a while to get to the subway. After wasting about 30 mins, I got on the subway and made my way straight to MoMA (Mueseum of Modern Art) which currently has a exhbit called 'The Rain Room, which is gettting lots of press so I wanted to see it for myself. I qued for about 15mins to buy my ticket (I pretended to be a student, but didn't pull it off!) then once I paid for my full price adult ticket, the lady deicded to tell me that there was a 5 hour wait for the Rain Room!! I couldn't beleive it! I said I wasn't going to waste my day queing and asked for my money back! Lol! With a filthy look but no speech she returned me my money I wandered to 5th for some retail therapy. I was also on the hunt for the lastest issue of Oprah as Kempton & Co are in the August Issue!!!

Look who I pumped into on 5th...

One for the girls! ;)

After this 'photo opportunity' I had a wonder around Abercormbie but nothing took my fancy (apart from the obvious!). On a practical note I did actually want to buy some light weight clothes as its super hot here. I decided to head to a few high street clothes shops but got a bit side tracked and found myself in Henri Bendal and ended up buying an NYC bracelet by Alex and Ani. 

Next it was time for lunch as it was starting to get on a bit. I bought a lovely salad to takeway and sat right out side the Rockfeller Centre in the sunshine. 

I had planned to make my way to another Museum in Soho, in the afternoon but after I'd finished lunch I wanted to find some wifi to contact my Enlgish peeps; so where might I happen to find wifi but in a cocktail bar...

After several texts, emails, Facetime natters and a couple of cocktails I deicded it was too late to head to the Museum, but the shops were still open so I had a wander around 5th & 6th Ave. I also checked out a few news stands but still no sign of Oprah. 

Later on I caught the subway to the East Village to meet my firend Catherine for supper...and look what I found on the way to the platform....

I was so excited, I showed everyone on the train! lol! 'The Lambskin Anglo Bag 'could change your life'! Woo! 

I reached the East Village without getting lost, (very pleased with myself as I even had to swtich trains!). We ended up having supper at a funky Mexican Restaurant. 

Upon arrving home  I came back into wifi signal a noticed that I'd had a text from Caitlin, so it was a change of shirt, a spriz of Chanel and back out to the B&T (Bait & Tackle; now I'm a 'local' I'm allowed to abriveate it! The barman said so!). 

Wiltshire, Plymouth & Key Limes Pies

This morning I donned my new, awesome birthday prezzie, The Wiltshire Bag, and set off to explore Carroll Gardens.  

The Wiltshire Bag 

A friend suggested that I checked out the Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain and I'm glad I made the visit! 

Don't you just love perspective. 

I'd just like to add that I haven't increased the saturation on this photo, it really was this vivid!

Getting creative with today's Snapple!

Back in Red Hook.... 

(Bottom left hand corner....)

I took lots more pics but I fear you may be getting photography fatigue, so I will leave you with just one last photo in order to confirm that my gin supplies have been replenished! Phew! 

A gin close to home. 

Cheers and goodnight.

x

Behind the Scenes & Screens

Yesterday morning I attended a photo shoot for some of our latest bags. It was a great experience and, as I didn't break anything or get in the way, I'm hoping to be invited back to assist the photographer on future shoots.  :)

The Anglo Tote: This won't be the last you'll see of this bag, watch this space...

The Postal Bodmin Tote (yes, as in Bodmin, Cornwall). 

On the topic of handbags...I'm representing Kempton & Co at the Independent Designer Handbag Awards this evening! Very exciting!  I'll fill you in on all the action at the event in the morning.

Ciao! 

x 

Snapple

I'm fast becoming somewhat addicted to Snapple! Its so delicious and refreshing! I've now discovered Snapple 'Half and Half' which is half lemonade and half iced tea. Its a shame they haven't got an alcoholic version! Hehe! Time for experimenting with Snapple cocktails me thinks. 

I've also discovered that there is an interesting fact under each screw top lid. I've decided to start collecting the lids so I can share them with you. 

Here's yesterdays Snapple fact:

Even more exciting is that the Snapple factory is in Red Hook! I'm not sure where though,  I'll try and find it next time I go exploring. 

Today I'm off to the store for another day surrounded by beautiful bags! There's still lots to learn but I'm loving it and meeting lots of people along the way. Yesterday I was experimenting with the branding iron and ended up making some 'Red Hook' bracelets to sell in the store. I will follow up with a photo so you can see my handy work. 

It's blowing a hooley here today but its Memorial Day weekend so hopefully it will bring some visitors to the 'hood'. That's unless they've all gone away to the Hamptons....which coinsidently is where I'm going tomorrow! ;)