Otto & Beba & iPhone

We were out in Sagaponack this past weekend. Otto and Beba had quite a photo shoot with Rob Pruitt of art and iPhone photo fame. God knows, my iPhone photos never look like this but he gave me some tips that I am now attempting to use. But seriously, can you believe how pretty this picture is of the doggies? They literally couldn't move off the couch from running all day. Sure does the body and mind some good being in the country. We're off to Portland next week and they are headed for more fresh air upstate. Oh, the life of a dog.

Live from the Pitchfork Festival

Rebecca Gates snapped a pic of this guy rockin'
the Castor & Pollux logo hoodie at
the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago.

It reminded us of another picture we received.
This is Ft. Greene in June. Same guy?


If you see anyone wearing a logo hoodie please send us a picture.
Love,
C&P

SUMMER WALLET GIVEAWAY!

"The wallet makes me feel like a lady." -Louise

"I took mine on vacation with me and it was great, it fit a passport and everything I needed. I love it!" -Heidi

"I love my wallet for its timelessness and effortless organization. Even when I'm totally disorganized, my wallet holds its own." -Alexis

"I'm on my second wallet from Castor & Pollux. I bought them both at the Brooklyn store (does that mean its time again for a new one?!) I love my wallet first because its such a chic little package, so streamline and collected. You'd never know the mountain of receipts and business cards, notes, plastic, pocket change and cash it conceals and organizes so brilliantly. And i love seeing other women around town with them. the conversation always leads back to Castor & Pollux and of course to love of the wallet!" -Cindy

SO HERE'S THE DEAL...

This is our first summer wallet giveaway! Since we have so many friends and customers that have benefited from the wonders of the wallet we decided to open it up to a larger audience. Simply explain why you want a C&P wallet and tell us how it will enhance your life in the comment section of the blog (or come by the store) and we will pick the most creative, interesting answer. That person will win a wallet! (I've even been known to barter wallets for Stumptown coffee so anything is possible here; just get creative and have fun with it.) Above are a few examples of the wallet working it's magic so you can see for yourself why people love them so much. I really wish all areas of my life were as organized as the wallet. Something to hope for, right? All submissions need to be received by end of day Sunday, August 30th Saturday August 15th. We will announce the lucky winner on Tuesday September 1st that day so come up with some fun answers! Have fun!

Welcome to the third installment of the Ladies of Castor & Pollux. Please meet Cindy DiPrima!

I first met Cindy many years ago when we were both working at Martha Stewart. The hallways there were overflowing with craft projects, antiques and caffeinated RISD students. Despite the many distractions, I always noticed Cindy and admired her style and verve. A few years later, we went on a “friend date.” We had so much in common -- from clothing to homes to food and culture -- that we continued talking well into the night. A couple bottles of wine later it was confirmed: We were friends! She is currently in the process of starting her own business, and we like that around here at Castor & Pollux. The new business will be related to her current career in prop styling. I can only imagine how wonderful it will be.

You can see her work at www.cindydiprima.com and get a glimpse into her beautiful way of seeing the world. I promise, you won’t be let down. She’s truly inspiring.

_________

The Ladies of Castor & Pollux
Lady no. 3
Cindy DiPrima

Photo by John von Pamer

Favorite recipe?
Bourbon chicken liver pate by Paul Grimes at Gourmet. It's so easy and so delicious. Or the chocolate whiskey ice cream from the River Café. Or when I’m feeling virtuous, the spicy skin saver juice from Pure Food and Wine’s "Raw" cookbook.

Last great book you read?
Hill, Napolean. Think and Grow Rich.

Summer drink of choice?
Bombay and tonic or Chateau Porcieux Rose.

Animals, names and breeds?
We don’t have any pets.

Do you exercise? What do you do, if so?
Yoga.

Salty or sweet?
Both. Together.

Who inspires you and why?
My sister-in-law, Dana, because she is the best mother I could ever imagine (aside from my own!) and she gets more done in a day than I ever knew was possible.

Pool or ocean?
Both.

Favorite city?
I’ve never been to Buenos Aires so I’ll have to go with Paris. And I love Portland, Oregon.

Last great vacation?
Traveling with my boyfriend through Provence, staying with our amazing friends, the d’Espagnets, in their 18th century castle. Horses, chickens, an above-ground pool and drives to the Cote d’Azure.

Favorite tv show?
Rachel Maddow.

Weirdest job you've ever had?
The one I have now is up there.

Favorite restaurant?
I’m a sucker for Sant Ambroeus.

Favorite object in your home?
A pair of very old Chinese porcelain horses, or a painting of trees by my great-grandfather Otto Bacher.

Favorite piece of clothing?
Right now it’s an off white Mayle dress with cut-out lace from last summer, or a Risto Bimbolowski peach dress from Castor & Pollux. Everything should fit me that well.

Favorite blog or website?
I love Heidi Swanson’s 101 Cookbooks. And of course the Castor and Pollux Blog!

Something you're scared of?
The 1-click button on Amazon.

Favorite record?
Some Girls.

Favorite pop song?
Estelle’s American Boy or anything featuring Snoop.

Your Ideal day?
Sleeping late, good coffee, grueling yoga or a tennis match with my boyfriend, swimming, reading, sun and dinner outside with loved ones.

Favorite gift you've ever received?
A French porcelain vase from my old assistant. It looks like a little fence and holds just a few flowers. It wasn’t meant to be for sale, but she convinced the owner to sell it so she could give it to me for my birthday. I keep it on the mantle and I love it. Thank you, Whitney!

Favorite flower?
Garden roses.

Astrological sign?
Virgo.

What do you do for a living?
Stylist. Interiors and Still Life.

Where do you live?
West 16th Street near Union Square. We just moved in and I’m in love. It's huge and the fireplace works!

Your lucky number?
Today I’m feeling 16.

What piece of art would you buy if you had no budget?
A Franz Kline or a Sargeant.

Pretty, pretty Alexandre!

I'm already planning some outfits around this piece. What a beauty. The part that you can't see is the bottom hem has a gorgeous beaded ribbon that runs the perimeter and gives it a gorgeous luxe weight that falls beautifully around the waist. I can't wait for FALL!!!!!

The Ladies of Castor & Pollux - Lady no. 2

Welcome to the second installment of The Ladies of Castor & Pollux! This post features Wini McBride. I met Wini when Castor & Pollux first opened in Brooklyn. New York was quite different then. John and I had just moved to Prospect Heights from DUMBO, which at the time was mostly empty (one bar, two diners... if we ran out of anything essential at night, we walked 15 minutes up the hill to Brooklyn Heights to get it). There was quite a community in DUMBO back then and we missed it greatly when we first got to Prospect Heights. Meeting Wini was a great introduction to the new neighborhood.

Right after C&P opened, Wini's husband, db, walked into to the store, had a look around and bought her a huge overstuffed comforter. It was literally our first large sale! Wini was a staple on the Prospect Heights scene(!) back then because her first child, Max, had colic. She walked and walked and walked... passing by often enough to say hi and for me to learn her story. She grew up in an Irish Catholic section of the Bronx to recent Irish immigrants. She has excellent stories about her teenage years in the Bronx, sneaking out to Studio 54, and then living in the city hanging out at The Mudd Club and Area. Talk about New York being different!

She owns and runs McBride Beauty, a pure and natural line of beauty products inspired by her mother's Irish home recipes and remedies. I particularly like the Cucumber & Aloe Soothing Body Lotion. Meet Wini:

_________

The Ladies of Castor & Pollux
Lady no. 2
Wini McBride of McBride Beauty

Photo by John von Pamer
_________

Favorite recipe?
Marlon’s Frittata.
Last great book you read?
Dunne, Dominick. People Like Us.

Summer drink of choice?
White wine.

Animals-names and breeds?
I want doggies when my kids get a bit older.

Do you exercise? What do you do, if so?
I should but not really. I do walk a lot, some swimming and
trying, trying to get my head around machines.

Salty or sweet?
Not really feeling either these days.

Who inspires you and why?
My mom. She was so generous and kind. Even though
the last few years of her life were very
difficult (due to illness), she never stopped smiling.

Pool or ocean?
Pool. The ocean has crazy things living in it.

Favorite city?
New York.

Last great vacation?
Can’t remember that far back.

Favorite tv show?
Curb your Enthusiasm, MythBusters, and some bad reality TV.

Weirdest job you've ever had?
Fish fry girl at Howard Johnson's. I smelt like
clams all the time. And since it was
all you can eat, people were such greedy pigs.

Favorite restaurant?
Currently, Minetta Tavern.

Favorite object in your home?
The Pink lamps in my bedroom from my
friend Sara. And my Aya Takano
print that my husband, db, bought me.

Favorite piece of clothing?
"Support Your Local Hells Angel’s" T-shirt from the
'70s that I “borrowed” from db. When
I wear it, I feel like my old Bronx bad-ass self.

Favorite blog or website?
I can’t get my head around blogs or the computer.
I still use a wall calendar.

Something you're scared of?
Driving.
Favorite record?
It changes all the time but Mary J. Blige is
and will always be my #1.
All my hubby’s deep house mixes get me going.

Favorite popsong?
Soul to Soul's Keep on Moving still gives me chills.

Your Ideal day?
Sleeping till 10:00, spa treatments, sit by the pool, early dinner
with my hubby, then sleep again.

Favorite gift you've ever received?
My two kids.

Favorite flower?
Anything fluffy and big, pink/yellow/white.

Astrological sign?
Scorpio.

What do you do for a living?
I own a skincare company called McBride Beauty.

Where do you live?
Brooklyn.

Your lucky number?
27.
What piece of art would you buy if you had no budget?
More Jose Parla please.