At this point of social distancing, it is only normal for us to start feeling a little bit frustrated and forlorn. To keep from falling into that abyss, having a creative outlet is a doable lifesaver.
The Queens Museum's Executive Director, Sally Tallant has made the perfect book for staying at home. Tate: Create: Things to Make and Do is filled with projects from different artists using easy-to-source, everyday items. Pick an activity to get you started, either by yourself or with people at home with you to get your feet wet. You will find that finding your creative groove will help at these times to keep you grounded and ready for when this is all over. (Oh, and our copies are signed by Sally! :* )
Take a peek at Tate: Create here.
If there are young children at home, it is also the best time to introduce the world of creativity to them with 100 First Words for Little Artists. It is an adorable word primer for kids. Forget apple and dog. Little artists are ready for CMYK, caricature, and ceramics. With terms from across the spectrum of visual arts, this is a must-have collection of words every budding artist needs in their vocabulary (even at the age of 2). Packed with fun illustrations and 100 words, spend a nice afternoon going through the book with your little artist and see all the possibilities from young eyes.
See 100 First Words for Little Artists here.
Being a Queens girl, I have always found the Queens Museum as the perfect setting to find the creative strings I need to weave through everyday life. During this New York State on Pause, we want to do everything we can to get our beloved borough back and stand with our community as it had stood for and with us. A portion of our proceeds will be donated to Fuel the Frontlines, a joint initiative by the Queens Night Market and the Queens Economic Development Corporation that provides home-cooked meals by small business food vendors for workers across the borough's nine acute-care hospitals battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Be safe and healthy, everyone! We can do this. We are New Yorkers after all.
]]>Inspired by video games, Japanese animated films and computer graphic effects in movies such as, 'Jurassic Park' and 'Toy Story,' they became known for giving life and personality to emotionally appealing characters using three-dimensional software.
Not long after that, they acquired big projects for MTV Europe, Sony Music, Nintendo and Procter & Gamble, among others. They made such an impact that their clientele just kept growing.
In 2004, they decided to send a special gag Christmas video clip email attachment (this was before social media was the norm) to customers and friends. The clip was about two cheeky, gossipy coffee cups that scold each other in front of the sweet Christmas tree and just annoy each other a la Grumpy Old Men. The clip got shared several thousand times and FIFTYEIGHT 3D received so many requests for more movies about the adventures of the cups.
They then decided, "Why not make real cups, like those from the movie. Just made of porcelain." And the rest, as we say, is history.
We met Marc and Max and they are every bit as adorable as the cups they've given life to!
These adorable cups have flown in from Germany and are now available at theaugusttree.com. We're so happy!! :) See the entire line here.
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We have also added categories on price range, to make shopping less stressful.
Still stumped? We are available while you shop on live chat. Just ask away. We can lead you to a few options as you let us know more about your recipient. We can also tell you about any of the products in the shop. We will also gift wrap, at your request, when you chat with us or leave a note in your shopping cart.
So come on, step into the shop and have a browse. Feel like you are walking into your favorite gift shop with someone within reach that can help you in any way we can. :)
Counting the days for Spring to be here officially on my fingers! Yay! We can't wait. Giddy with excitement about our new collections for Spring! Let me give you a hint - it's the season for sweet mints, adventures outside and being happy. Listen to Panama Wedding's All of the People with us as we countdown for the season of welcoming sunshine and color!
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(image from Pantone)
Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute said that "while 2014's color of the year, Radiant Orchid, encouraged creativity and innovation, Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability."
Oooooh. We're loving the color more and more. <3
(On the left, image from Pantone. On the right, Jeanne doll)
"Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors."
(On the left, image from Pantone. On the right, Kragenschal)
We love the context of this welcoming shade - warm and delicious, rich and robust, like the feel of coffee and chocolate. It feels a lot like the shop. :)
Walnut Sunglasses, Honey Flight,
Wine-infused Body Butters ;) , S'well Bottle in Teak (available in January))
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My niece got so excited and is taking along a few friends for the picnic:
Looks like we are having a berry-themed tea picnic today. I have put nice chocolatey tea in the bottle and taking along cinnamon-raisin bread from Soberdough that we made this morning. These are what childhood memories are made of! Have a nice Sunday, everyone! <3
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After the filling Thanksgiving dinner, isn't it lovely to have a nice cup of tea with family and friends? The Bee Raw Honey Flight I brought was a hit. It was fun trying the four different honey-flavors with cheese and tea. It attracts friendly conversation as would when flowers bloom, the bee will come. (Ahahahaha, I just couldn't resist.) And, as how these lovely conversations usually go, they jump from how you are, to what was on NPR yesterday, move to the coolest shoes I ever saw, to what movie you are seeing next, and end with how we are going to change and save the world together. With the honey flight in front of us, we focused on the bees.
Did you know that bees are responsible for pollinating one in every three bites of food we consume? And sadly, because of pesticides, parasites and malnutrition, they are dying off!! It is a global crisis. This condition, known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), has resulted in bee mortality rates of 33% over the last five years.
Can you imagine a world without strawberries? Almonds? Broccoli? Ahhhhhhh!
There are two reasons why we carry Bee Raw products at the shop. First, it's really, really great honey. Really. Honey as it should be. Our second reason is The Bee Raw Save the Bees Fund.
The Bee Raw Save the Bees Fund supports institutions, associations and organizations that perform underfunded, but critical, research and education focusing on bee health, biology and nutrition.They also support places and programs that help to sustain a healthy planet, including botanic gardens which create pollinator-friendly environments. Bee Raw donates 1% of profits to the Save the Bees Fund.
Let us save the bees together. Supporting Bee Raw products is a step. Then, let us take it a step further.
There are three no-fail ways to save the bees. You can-
Plant Flowers. Bees are suffering from malnutrition, and planting bee-friendly flowers gives them a place to nourish themselves and their hive.
Sign Pledge. Pesticides contribute to the alarming death rate of honeybee colonies.Sign a pledge to cultivate a pesticide-free garden.
Donate. Save the Bees Fund raises money for research to fully understand Colony Collapse Disorder.
We are thankful for the bees. Let's help keep them from disappearing. :)
Have you seen the Bee Raw Honey Flight Gift Sets in the shop? There are four tubes filled with different kinds of honey, sealed with beeswax, with a pretty wooden block stand. When I first saw it, I thought it would look really great on my coffee table. And then, I got to taste the honey. And. They. Were. All. Sooooo. Good.
You know how you think coffee is just coffee? And then, you taste really good coffee and then you suddenly realize that there are so many different kinds of coffee. And then, you're suddenly on a quest to find that perfect coffee that you like best - the one that speaks of who you are? Hmmm. Maybe you feel like this with wine? Or tea?
Bee Raw Honey does that to you. But with honey. I think it's because it is not just about how it tastes, but how you feel when you taste it. It could remind you of a backyard tea party with lifelong friends, or your grandmother stroking your forehead or laying down under a tree.
For me, the wildflower varietal takes me back to 12-year-old me, living with a host family far, far away, having a very long breakfast in the backyard, amidst laughter and friendship that would last a lifetime. The honey flights are like happy memories in a tube for me. Ahahaha.
I do have both fruit and wildflower varietals on my dining table for breakfast. They look pretty and you get to have honey moods and pick which honey you would like to take for the day. They also make my smile last a little longer when I start my day. It's a nice tradition to start with your breakfast and tea folks, don't you think? :)
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The shop concept of The August Tree has been a long time coming. With the help of good friends and cousins, gallons of coffee, heaps of french fries and good vibes all around, we have finally set up shop!
We hope that you find The August Tree to be your friend - we are excited to share with you what we find here in New York and what we think you would like. Do let us know too, what you like. We would love to hear from you!
We like the idea that the world seems a little smaller - that a lovely berry bag from Germany with an English toy car inside, is the perfect gift to send from New York to Manila, to a friend you haven't seen in years but you talk to everyday, as if you live next door. So, visit often okay? Let's be good friends. :)
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