Plant a Tree in NYC!

It's planting season and New York needs you for this great project:

Have you heard of Million Trees NYC? It's an ambitious program that aims to have New York City's residents plant one million new trees within the five boroughs over the next ten years.  

We all wish we lived in a lush tree-lined street right?  Well, it is now possible to help transform the urban scape and green your neighborhood!

  Trees can be planted on private properties such as front and backyards, commercial properties and community gardens.  

You can get training to learn how to do it or just join a team of well-trained gardeners and be part of this sustainable project.

So if you are an enthusiastic, energetic, and environmentally–minded New Yorker, get dirty this spring and plant a tree for your city! 

And get your kids involved. It's such a fun thing to do as a family.

Care, donate, educate, all details are here.

 

 

 

 

Spring is Coming

April is just around the corner but April showers have already begun!

We all know Spring is the season for renewal and with patience we'll all be frolicking through blooming gardens and taking cat naps on freshly grown grass.

In anticipation for our favorite season of the year, we have lots of new Spring items here at Commune.

April is the month to start planning and preparing for your garden!

Whether you grow your own plants and vegetables, or reap the culinary benefits off of those who do, we can all appreciate Spring harvest.  

New ‘Dandelion Wishes’ and ‘Extra Special Delivery’ journals from Chronicle Books are a charming way to remember all your special days.

Smorgasburg

Last weekend finally felt like a breath of Spring here in New York and lots of folks were out and about. This month is the last month that the Williamsburg Brooklyn Flea is held indoors before heading to the lovely waterfront for Spring and Summer weekends (can't wait!). 

The Smorgasburg indoor food market is such a fantastic place for gathering with friends,  filled with rich flavors, it has become a weekend destination for comfort food and tastes from all around the world.  You can feel the passion behind every food stand. It is a great Brooklyn experience if you are just visiting and always a great place to go back and mingle for us locals.

Such a great sense of community.

 

Egoyomi: Japanese Picture Calendars

Here at Commune, we're ecstatic that our owner Aki is expecting a baby girl next month in March!

As her maternity leave begins next Sunday, we have been very busy accommodating her clients' appointments before she goes on her break. Her weekend schedule is often fully booked a week before with a number of requests to be on the waiting list. Despite the frenzy, we are looking forward to her due date and counting down the days.

Did you know during the Edo period in Japan, people referred to image based calendars to understand what month it was? These rather creative calendars were called Egoyomi ("picture-calendar") and designed for those who were illiterate with "hidden" element. During this period, each month was either 29 or 30 days and distinguished as "small months" (Sho no tsuki) or "large months" (Dai no tsuki). Every 2 or 3 years, a thirteenth month called Uru-zuki was included to incorporate leap year.

Can you believe that this late Edo Ee ja nai ka parade theme picture is actually a calendar? The "large months" are represented as men and "small months" as women with a child as the leap year month. The clothes also distinguished its respective month. Can you guess which one is January?

How about this one Momotaro-themed one? The character pertains to the Year of the Dog and again has the hidden element to represent the months. Can you identify where?

Tada! Here the large months (大 - dai) are concealed on his shoulder. Very clever.

  

Not all calendars however were so tricky. Take this one from 1840, the Year of the Rat. This one lays out each month with two rat characters as a story narrative for the year.

We can only imagine how real people used these calendars long ago in Japan, it would certainly be difficult to schedule appointments this way! Although these are absolutely fascinating, we prefer sticking to the good 'ol numerical calendars. See more of these Egoyomi calendars here!

The Year of the Horse

We have just entered a new year in the Chinese calendar.  

As always, the festivities are fascinating and grand here in New York City and around the world.  

Such a beautiful burst of energy and light with colorful Dragon dances and a festival of lanterns in the darkest night of the month.  

This year, we are welcoming the wooden horse.
Years of the wooden horse are associated with warfare. Astrologers are predicting tumult and conflicts.  So be prepared, hang on to your harness and be ready for the ride!

Happy Chinese new year dear readers!

(Do you know your Chinese sign? find out in the chart below)

Heart beat

We are exactly one month away form Valentine's day. 

We obviously love this holiday here at Commune and always celebrate it with the cutest window displays.  If you are feeling crafty this year and wanted to express your love to someone special, here are some cool ideas on how to Do It Yourself!

Otherwise, don't worry.  There will be plenty of items and gifts here at the store for you to choose from and make this year one to remember!

♡ Have fun and keep on Loving! ♡

 

 

Happy Holidays !

Make sure to come check out our Winter Wonderland window this season!

And if you are late shoppers, we still have plenty of great gifts in stock for your last minute shopping stop.  We've got you covered!

We hope everyone will celebrate the joy of the Holidays with good company, great food and drinks. We wish you all lots of happiness and prosperity in the New Year.   

Cheers!

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Please note our opening/closing hours during the holidays:

Dec 24th - Open 11am-8pm

Dec 25th - Closed

Dec 29th - Open 11am-8pm
Dec 30st - Jan 2nd - Closed

We will reopen on Friday Jan 3rd at our regular hours,
Tues through Sat 11am-8pm

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