August 2010
1 post
Aug 18th
26 notes
July 2010
5 posts
4 tags
SixItemsOrLess.com featured on NYT
Thirty days ago, I explained my ‘uniform’ challenge for the next month. The experiment ended yesterday - thank god, but proved to be very interesting. More interestingly, today the NYT chronicled the experiment and founder (who’s a great friend & coworker) Heidi Hackemer.  Check it out.
Jul 21st
4 tags
Jul 21st
26 notes
Jul 15th
2 notes
7 tags
Jul 15th
22 notes
4 tags
CO BKYARD
Heading to Telluride, CO for a good friend’s wedding. Be back on Tuesday.
Jul 8th
1 note
June 2010
32 posts
5 tags
VEG. UPDATE: ONE TOMATO
Greg’s tomato plant has now produced the start of one tomato. Get ready for a salsa party…in September. 
Jun 29th
2 notes
4 tags
Jun 28th
22 notes
4 tags
COOPER HEWITT BKYARD
While not as ‘intimate’ (read: small) as the bklyn bkyard, the Cooper Hewitt’s garden is still amazing (read: largest private garden in Manhattan). And you can take advantage of it too - for free on Fridays this summer. Explains Budget travel: Sophistication is the name of the game at Cocktails@Cooper-Hewitt, a weekly party in the museum’s garden, the largest private...
Jun 28th
10 notes
4 tags
Jun 28th
27 notes
3 tags
SATORIAL CHALLENGE - MY NEW 'UNIFORM'
Over drinks, a fellow coworker struck up a conversation about her daily ‘uniform’ with friends a few weeks ago. Born of this conversation was the experiment Six Items or Less challenging people to wear only six items (or less) for a month. Since Heidi, said coworker, closely works and sits near me, I happily agreed to participate, along with 90 others from around the globe. You can...
Jun 25th
3 notes
4 tags
Jun 23rd
15 notes
Jun 21st
21 notes
6 tags
Jun 18th
3 tags
WEDNESDAY ENVY
A recent article in NY Mag highlights outdoor spaces around the city. A few stand outs. Another Bklyn Bkyard: California Inspired Garden: One-man Green Market:
Jun 16th
5 tags
BKYARD HELP (VIA UNPLGGD)
The experts at Unplggd (a blog by AT) have asked what help people would like with their outdoor spaces. Log your questions and hang-tight for some answers…
Jun 16th
1 note
4 tags
Jun 16th
6 tags
TUESDAY DINNER (AND SUBSEQUENT FIRE PARTY)
First day back from MN: work, joey walk, gym, dinner: And then this happened, and we got some house guests. Impromptu Tuesday night party.  Successful day.
Jun 16th
1 note
Jun 15th
2 notes
4 tags
AT 35,000 FEET - NO BKYARD IN SITE
The last four days were a success. We dug out 25-years worth of junk from the depths of the basement to the crevices of the attic; and then some. Between trips from the basement to the garage, I was able to appreciate the open space, rich greenery and a few relaxing areas of my childhood house; while draining a few whiskey-7’s.  And despite my complaining, I had a blast (sore back and...
Jun 14th
3 tags
BKYARD BLOG [MIDWEST EDITION]
Spending the weekend with the family in Minnesota. Might even feature some of Debbie’s work (assisted by Big Dan, of course). Stay tuned…
Jun 10th
4 tags
Jun 10th
13 notes
4 tags
JOEY FEATURED AGAIN
Joey’s GPOYW of the week. What a stud.
Jun 9th
1 note
6 tags
Jun 9th
3 notes
6 tags
Jun 8th
3 notes
Jun 7th
14 notes
7 tags
SUNDAY HARVEST
Used Greg’s lettuce (and Jason’s skillz) to make some Sunday night fare (including not-pictured brats which were excellent): l (Photo by Greg Thomas)
Jun 7th
Jun 7th
6 notes
Jun 6th
31 notes
3 tags
BKLYN BKYARD ON APARTMENT THERAPY
Rounding out the week with an afternoon surprise; Bklyn Bkyard was highlighted on Apartment Therapy. This is humbling considering the skilled group of outdoor blogs we were listed alongside: 66 Square Feet Brooklyn Farm Brooklyn Roof Garden A Way to Garden Mapleton Brooklyn Flatbush Gardener NYC Garden Garden Bytes Manhattan Rooftop Project Show them some love.
Jun 4th
3 notes
5 tags
BKYARD PARTY
First BBQ and party of the summer. Tomorrow. Come.
Jun 4th
18 notes
5 tags
TWO WEEKS TOO LATE
Just read this article on how to create an outdoor table out of recycled wood pallets. If I had only known about this two weeks ago when I built this. For those building this weekend, here’s a downloadable .pdf of instructions.  
Jun 3rd
16 notes
3 tags
NY MAG: GO OUTSIDE
The current Real Estate section of NY Mag has a feature on bkyard porn. The apartments range from $449k - $15.95M; which is unique because most NYC real estate sections only feature high-end, expensive properties. The lead image is the $15 million one - of course. However, the studio for $449k isn’t that bad considering how much outdoor space you get. The downside, no light in the front...
Jun 3rd
4 tags
Jun 3rd
42 notes
4 tags
Jun 2nd
17 notes
5 tags
Jun 2nd
3 notes
6 tags
LAID-BACK MEMORIAL DAY
A few shots of a great day… All photo credits go to the talented Sasithon Pooviriyakul. She put together a series which is much better than the ones I grabbed above. 
Jun 1st
17 notes
3 tags
LAST WEEK
Last week work owned my life ruining any chances of new posts. This week, that’ll change.
Jun 1st
May 2010
22 posts
8 tags
BUSY WKND
The bkyard is in full swing. Building, grilling, planting, drinking, relaxing and drinking occurred over the weekend.  More to come on each project later…
May 24th
2 notes
6 tags
BKYARD CODES
In addition to being a venue on foursquare, the bkyard may now need a captcha code by this dude: Are you human? from GDFB.tv on Vimeo.
May 20th
5 tags
BKYARD VISITORS (TAKE NOTE)
For all past, present and future bkyard visitors - feel free to bring one of these as gifts. Fo real. These bamboo/aluminum/canvas collapsable chairs are made by a Japanese company called Snow Peak. They generally focus on lightweight, durable camping gear but have some great stuff for bkyards. If badass chairs aren’t your style, just pick-up some of these.
May 19th
4 notes
7 tags
TABLE (AKA RECYCLED 'TRASH')
Similar to the piano, the table in the bkyard was* also recycled. *Note - past tense is due to the fact that the ‘indoor’ table disintegrated this past winter ‘outside’. Live and learn. The table story actually starts in December 2008 at Dave & Jason’s 40th Annual Holiday party. On the early morning walk back to apartment, we stumbled upon a table put out for...
May 19th
1 note
12 tags
THE PIANO [AKA RECYCLED 'TRASH']
A few years ago, in the early days of the bkyard, I had no money. And of the little money I did have, I could not afford to pay the price of outdoor luxuries (furniture, lights, planters, etc).  My solve came from the sea of ‘donations’ left on the streets of Brooklyn. For anyone who lives in the city - and Brooklyn especially - you know the treasure trove of items that are left out...
May 18th
3 notes
4 tags
WEEKEND BKYARD MEALS
The bkyard activity was minimal this past weekend because I was bobbing in the Hudson. While not in the bkyard, I was able to grab some food at two solid outdoor spaces at night: Lot 2 South Slope, Brooklyn Friday night (to the far left are tables outside the front entrance) Robin Des Bois Carroll Gardens Saturday night (image does not do it justice)
May 17th
1 note
6 tags
May 17th
6 tags
May 17th
8 tags
FRIDAY NOTES
Afternoon office dwellers and those lucky enough not to work in an office. A few notes for today: 1. Outside - right now: 2. Given #1, this is what I’d like to make this weekend: Here’s some recipes for chimichurri: Chimichurri Sauce by Epicurious Asado Argentina (sounds authentic,meh?) Reluctant Gourmet (wild card) 3. This weekend, I’ll exersise the definition of...
May 14th
7 notes
May 13th
3 notes
5 tags
VEGETABLE THURSDAY
Announcement: Greg’s vegetables have sprouted. $5 to the person who can name this vegetable (except for this guy).
May 13th
6 tags
I'M NOT CRAZY (..?)
My roommates enjoy making fun of my ‘lighting’ obsession at our parties. Food, music, AND lighting all contribute to the vibe of a party. Any restauranteur or hotelier will raise their hand in support. I apply the same math to our bkyard. Pretty cut and dry.  Today, I read an article in the Times about ….outdoor lighting. Light “can make a big difference,”...
May 13th
3 notes