If ever there was a treat ripe for a makeover, it was the popsicle. Outdated flavors in neon hues made them decidedly retro, but not in a good way (think artificial flavors and colors, and high fructose corn syrup). They were slated to a life of mediocrity until now...

Behold People's Pops. All-natural ice pops (and shaved ice) made from local, sustainably-grown fruits and herbs. The company whips out unorthodox flavors that light up your taste buds---like blackberry and jasmine, watermelon, cucumber and hyssop (wondering what hyssop is?), and rhubarb and spice. But these are pops for the people, so there's something for everyone. Not a foodie? That's okay. There are more traditional flavors just for you like "straight-up raspberry" and organic lemon.

The dynamic trio behind People's Pops are Nathalie Jordi and her partners, David Carrell and Joel Horowitz. What began as a one-time act of benevolence to support a friend's summer market became a catalyst for an ice pop revolution.

Read a bit of their blog, and you'll want them to be your next Facebook friends. They traverse the world of entrepreneurdom with wit, humor, and a sterling attitude despite getting caught up in a mini-legal drama with Unilever (who knew the term 'popsicle' was trademarked?) and breaking down (often) in their company van. They're certainly the underdogs of the ice pop world, so you can't help but root for them. The fact that their pops are so GOOD doesn't hurt either...

People's Pops
Chelsea Market - Arcade
425 W. 25th Street
NY, NY 10001
people@peoplespops.com
Open 10 AM to 8 PM
About $3.00-$3.50 a pop
You can also find them at Brooklyn Flea on the weekends or check out their Twitter feed for updated locations.
  
**Not in or around New York? Whip up your own Blueberries-and-Cream pops (recipe via Tasting Table).**
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I wish I was crafty. Not in the devious, cunning type of way, but someone who could whip out a quilt, make some really killer homemade jam (without poisoning anyone), and knit a scarf that isn't wider on one side than it is on the other. Oh and I'd like to learn letterpress. I love letterpress...

But I'm not and that's okay. There are plenty of people craftier than I, and I'm glad to support them. Which is why I'll be heading to L.A. for the 2nd Annual Renegade Craft Fair on July 24th and 25th. From handmade soaps to stationery, purses to dog collars, jewelry to ceramics, and everything in between, you'll find it here. I checked out the event's website and was amazed and inspired (though a tad bit jealous) of the artists' creativity and talent. But I got over it and you will too, once you see that [insert object] that you just can 't live without. For me, it's the plant pals. Don't ask.

If you can't make it to the L.A. event, have no fear! There's a Renegade Craft Fair in almost every major city across the U.S., and if you (sadly) can't make it to any of those, you can always shop 24/7 at renegadehandmade.com or drop by their brick and mortar store in The Windy City.

Renegade Handmade
1942 W. Division Street
Chicago, IL
773-227-2726
Open 11 am - 7 pm everyday
info@renegadehandmade.com

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Image via renegadehandmade.com

Remember my friend, Artistic Aimee?  Well she's at it again, living that life only most of us dream of.  In late March she took off for Ireland, and in an email update she wrote, "I don't know a soul there, which is kind of wonderful and exciting." You've got to hand it to her for her A+ attitude.

Though she's in the midst of a residency at Flaxart Studios in Belfast, she's already planning her next adventure.  This time she'll be stateside, teaching Korean papermaking in August at the Morgan Conservatory, a papermaking center in Cleveland, Ohio.

I tell you about this for two reasons:

1) The conservatory has a limited budget and staff, and Aimee's actually donating her time and labor to teach the class so future students can learn Eastern papermaking (which if you haven't guessed, is an endangered art). You can pledge support (starting at just $11) to help cover her travel and lodging expenses, and in exchange she'll send you a piece of her artwork.

2) To remind you that her lifestyle is a choice (I have to remind myself of this, too).

Aimee Lee
www.aimeelee.net
moonaimee.blogspot.com
contact@aimelee.net
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Flip through any Pottery Barn-like catalog, and you'll find wall colors like "Nantucket Breeze" and "Sandy Beaches." Colors that are nice, you know, like that person your mother wants to set you up with. Unoffensive? Yes. Slightly boring? Mmm-hmm.

If you're ready for something to adorn your walls that is totally dramatic, original and cool, check out Kerri Ferrara's mural art. I met Kerri almost ten years ago through a friend (now husband) when we all lived in Brooklyn. 

I knew Kerri was an artist, but didn't know much about her work until recently when I received an email about one of the murals she painted in the home of interior designer, Thom Lindsley, which was showcased in Time Out New York, Issue 758. I fell in love with her work immediately.  It's completely urban, edgy and chic. It's unique, too, and totally identifiable, like a Pucci print or a Frank Gehry building.

For more on Kerri and all her fabulousness, visit her website and "Outfit of the Day" blog (wouldn't you know she's got a flair for fashion, too).

Kferrara Design
Phone: 917. 375.1715
Kerri@kferraradesign.com

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*Artwork via Kferrara Design.
 

How to describe the seemingly inseparable comedic duo of Rhett and Link?  They're like a good peanut butter and banana sandwich---kind of nutty, slightly odd and totally addictive.

I must confess that I have a little crush on Link, so I may be biased as far as their talent is concerned. What can I say? I've always been attracted to funny, nerdy, lanky types.

I happened upon Rhett and Link a few years back amid tax season. Yes, tax season, but let me explain. The pair entered TurboTax's rap contest (who knew Intuit's marketing department had a sense of humor?), and I was looking for ways to procrastinate. Sadly, they took second place, but not a bad finish. 

So if you're in need of a good laugh after you see your return (or lack thereof), check out their entry. Just be prepared to "waste" a few hours on Youtube.

Rhett and Link
PO Box 1842
Fuquay Varina, NC 27526
www.rhettandlink.com
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Great advice from someone who has done just that.

Growing up together, I never thought Aimee would become an artist. Sure, she had the interest and talent, but she also excelled in math, science, English and music, among other things. I foresaw a career in medicine or perhaps a PhD in psychology.

But Aimee is more adventurous than most.  Not in the sense that she's going to bungee jump off the Eiffel Tower anytime soon (although I hear she's taken up trapeze), but she doesn't adhere to the tenets of mainstream society, and I find that brave. She lives closer to the fringe, valuing relationships, old and new, and experiences over cars and clothes. She travels incessantly, so I never know exactly where she is (last we spoke, she'd just returned from a year-long papermaking stint in Korea thanks to a Fulbright Scholarship, and was heading to upstate New York followed by a trip to Miami for an art installation).

Am I a little jealous?  Definitely, but Aimee's work, spirit and lifestyle are inspiring.

A self-professed "interdisciplinary artist working across performance, installation, and book arts media, interested in personal storytelling," Aimee's work is hard to describe because it encompasses so many disciplines and artistic mediums.  Part philosopher, anthropologist, musician and historian, her work is unique and interesting on a number of levels. 

Aimee Lee
www.aimeelee.net
moonaimee.blogspot.com
contact@aimelee.net
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I admit that I am slightly biased when it comes to Spencer Day.  After all, he sang at our wedding. His musical gift was apparent back then, but having heard him in concert more recently, I was blown away by a new depth to his voice and his presence on stage. What a showman!

But there's something else about Spencer Day that makes him so appealing. Sure, he's easy on the eyes and multi-talented (he's a "vocalist-songwriter-pianist"), but I think it's that he comes across as contemplative and intelligent.

His musical style is not true to any one standard---it's kind of jazzy with some folk, pop and classical elements, too. If you asked me to compare him to other musicians, I'd say he's an amalgamation of Jamie Cullum, Harry Connick, Jr., and Jason Mraz.

One of my favorite songs is "Last Train to New Jersey" from his CD, Movie of your Life.  Makes me smile every time I hear it; maybe because I still feel like a bit of New Yorker, but I think you'll be able to relate no matter where you hail from.

Spencer Day
www.spencerday.com
His newest album, Vagabond, was released September 2009 (I love every song on it)
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