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Year: 2009

The New Ethan Allen

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We were pleasantly surprised to see the new Ethan Allen catalogue and some of the sharp, modern pieces in it. Two of our favorites, shown here: The Xanadu bench, $439, made of brushed nickel. Choose any fabric for the seat (this white cotton would look great in a bathroom). The Paris Grid series of framed prints are $269 each. These antique-inspired giclées were created by enlarging and rescaling a Paris map from the 1850s. They’re 23 inches wide by 19 inches high and would look great hung en masse. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?

—Jan Parr 

Obama’s spending spree

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Barack Obama’s presidential campaign collected more cash than any other candidate in U.S. history—an eye-popping $742 million. It spent all but $30 million of it. But where did it all go? Here’s an accounting.

Weekend Photos: Crocodile

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Save some dough, get some dough: Order a drink at the new Wicker Park nightspot Crocodile (1540 N. Milwaukee Ave.), and your server will offer you a free 9-inch Margherita pizza. Now that’s an economy-minded special you can sink your teeth into. We checked out the space—most recently home to Thyme Cafe and Cinnabar before that—this weekend, and found folks noshing on…

Gastro Tourism

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During my recent travels abroad, I was obsessed with the otherness of products in foreign supermarkets. While freely opening myself to new cultures everywhere else, I couldn’t shake my deep-seated Ugly American tendencies in grocery stores, and got so carried away taking pictures and snickering that a security guard in Hanoi escorted me and my camera out the door. Here, at long last, is my complete gallery of snapshots.

Dear Valentine

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Dear Valentine (and those of you who might think that all special deliveries are created equal). I know you always mean well. You believe the promise of the florist on the other end of the line, assuring you with kisses on top, that your lovely sentiment will be delivered with love and care in swoopy-goopy script along with the bursting assortment of fresh blooms you’ve ordered. Sorry—not always so. I had my first “I am sure this isn’t what she ordered” moment in college when my Valentine was dear sweet Mom. A wilted mess arrived at 9:03 p.m. just as I was letting the day of love fade into oblivion. I quickly called the number on the card and assured them that if my mom could take a peek at what had just crawled to the door, that I was crystal clear she’d probably want her money back. I’m lucky to have had my share of floral deliveries that have made the grade (I heart a hand-tied bouquet, loose bunch of flowers I can arrange or selection of mixed whites). I think I am a florist’s worst nightmare. On the giving and receiving end. I’ve never told a single sender about my escapades, but often wonder if I am on some blacklist for my blooming bad behavior. Is it a right to get what you think is right? Or do you simply get what you get and don’t get upset? That said, I just received the most refreshing and promising press release from Jayson Home & Garden. While the shop is probably best known for delivering a new sofa or garden bench about town, its floral is always chic. Its Valentine arrangement ideas make me swoon. Not just for the artful mix—hot pink orchids in a black glass vase, a tight bouquet tucked in an onyx box—but for the “I want to keep it” containers. Many are under $100, delivery included. Dear Valentine, I’ve cc’d you here, in case you are still braving arrangements for the 14th. Happy Valentine’s Day.

—Barri Leiner