SUSANNA SALK'S ROOM FOR CHILDREN

Interiors editor and author Susanna Salk is one busy gal.   With her contributing duties to 1stdibs, ivillage, & regular segments on the Today show - you would think that would keep a wife and mother of two overwhelmed.   You would be wrong.   Susanna Salk is a creative dynamo that proves the adage, a rolling stone gathers no moss!  Salk has more projects on her plate on a slow day than most have when swamped!  

Always one to be on trend and ahead of the curve, Salk has just released her latest book Room for Children by Rizzoli.    New Yorkers know that there is a definite urban baby boom happening!   For the first time in recent memory, couples are deciding not to move to the suburbs once they are planning a family.   With the expanse of city parks and family friendly spaces, it makes sense families are staying urban.   City apartments bring a whole different set of challenges than suburban homes when decorating. The book gives a million great suggestions for decorating kids rooms so that it can engage your child's imagination, while still fitting in with the overall theme of your home.   Room for Children gives you the perfect solution regardless of the size of the space you are working with.little bg GARDEN NYMPH

Bergdorf Goodman hosted a book signing for Susanna's latest book in the newly renovated little bg department!  Housed on the 7th floor, little bg is dazzling with everything your little prince or princess could want.

Of course, it was a packed house.  The super stylish moms of New York society turned out in force.  Susanna was super chic in a gorgeous J. Crew Couture dress and dazzling Michael Dawkins Sterling cuff.

SALK SIGNS COPIES OF HER LATEST - ROOM FOR CHILDREN AT BGOne of the most refreshing things about Susanna is her lack of pretension.  She simply doesn't have the time for it!  I ran into her a week prior at the Ferragamo Fall preview event.  Even running from one photo shoot to another, Salk was style on the go!  Ferragamo's fall collection is chock full of amazing accessories.  Click Ferragamo to see the exotic bag Susanna had her eye on! 

Room for Children is the perfect gift for anyone expecting or for the coffee table of anyone with children..

Click KIDS ROOM to buy one now.  Also click on Susanna Salk above to visit her website and blog.

VESELKA - UKRAINIAN RAINBOW IN NYC

The Veselka in the East Village of New York City has been a staple in the neighborhood for over 55 years.   What started as a small little counter has grown into a full scale restaurant open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   Known for the best Borscht and Pierogis West of the Ukraine, Veselka is the go to restaurant  for anyone looking for home cooked favorites on Sunday  for brunch or on any night you have a craving.  

The charm of Veselka ( Rainbow in Ukrainian) is the feeling that you are in Eastern Europe.   Family run, and authentically staffed with many of the waiters and waitresses new to America from the Ukraine, the feeling this setting creates is impossible to fake.   

Much of the original success of the Veselka stems from Eastern European immigrants living in the East village that were looking for a little bit of home in these delicious, authentic recipes.   Add to that everyone who has or had a grandmother from the region, that grew up eating Ukrainian soul food.   Then add to that anyone with a grandmother from Central Europe who cooked similar dishes.  I myself am in this bunch.   My Paternal grandmother was Hungarian.   The youngest of 9, my grandmother was born in America but grew up with a strong link to Hungary from her older siblings and parents.   While she never learned the Hungarian language, happily the recipes were passed down.      Visits to my grandmothers house meant eating Hungarian delicacies such as stuffed cabbage, Haluska (pasta & cabbage), beet salad, & sweet little pastries  to name a few.   Ukrainian dishes are not exactly the same as Hungarian, but it is close enough to put a smile on my face. 

My story is not unique and thousands flock to the Veselka every week to remind them of a little bit of home cooking just like Mom or Grandma used to do.   I recently surprised my parents and took them to the Veselka for lunch on their anniversary.   My father was really pleased to try the stuffed cabbage that reminded me so much of his mother.   While the recipe is slightly different, he loved it!  

Now for the first time, the Veselka is sharing their famous recipes in a beautifully photographed cookbook.    The book gives you a chance to experiment with the recipes that might not have survived to your branch of the family tree.   It also is just a great coffee table book for those who would never cook, but appreciate the wonderful photography that can conjure up nostalgic feelings of a time gone by.  The book and the restaurant both have this effect.   I know I think of my grandmother every time I visit.    

To order the book now, click - VESELKA COOKBOOK

BOOKED IN CONNECTICUT - DARREN WINSTON

Looking for hard to find Ephemera from the 1950's?  Have no idea what Ephemera is?  Ok, I couldn't resist.   It's rare you see that word - especially in print, promoting a new book store.  (for the record - Ephemera is defined as "printed material that is not intended to be retained or preserved).    DARREN WINSTON METICULOUS SHELVES

However, Darren Winston is not your typical book collector - and his new shop in Sharon, Connecticut is not your typical book shop.   Having said that, maybe it should be.   In this day and age, your first book source (if you still read books and not nooks!) is probably Amazon - or some other internet source.   If all book shops were as interesting and chock full of hard to find - finds - you might still have a corner shop in your neighborhood.DARREN WINSTON BOOKSELLER - CONNECTICUT

Darren Winston has an eclectic eye and a knack for finding hard to find and out of print titles.  Looking for a first edition of " a Charlie Brown Christmas" - Winston has it.    Curious to see what teenage girls were reading in the 1950'S?  Winston has some pristine vintage paperbacks  and pamphlets ( Ephemera).   There are historical books of all types - from biographies on Political leaders - to local folklore about towns that helped to shape this great country.  Of course, all the classics are there as well.

DARREN WINSTON - FUN TO SHOPMr. Winston has developed an extensive network of sources for all types of books since he started his business in 1995.   If there is a book you are looking for, chances are Mr. Winston will find it and send it to you, wherever you are.

DARREN WINSTON BOOKSELLER - 81 Main Street, Sharon, Conn. 06069  860-364-1890 / darrenwinston@gmail.com