Every once in a while, I come across an artist whose work both amazes and delights me – and this time, that artist is Werner Bronkhorst. A former furniture designer, Bronkhorst began experimenting with leftover plaster, layering it onto canvases before painting tiny, detailed figures within the textured surfaces. While plaster art isn’t new to me, his work flips the focus. Instead of emphasizing broad, sculptural textures like most plaster pieces, Bronkhorst invites you to zoom in. Each composition features miniature scenes – tennis players mid-swing, swimmers mid-stroke, skiers in motion – rendered with astonishing precision despite their tiny scale. I’m continually captivated by how he sculpts with colored plaster, and then again by the steady hand and thoughtful details he brings to each tiny figure.
Photo: Max Burkhalter
Is there anything better than a ice cream store that doubles as a candy shop? I think not. Glace’s new flagship store is the latest completed project by Brooklyn-based design studio Faber/Hughes. One side serves hot chocolate and frozen desserts, while the other is a pick & mix selection of sweets. The entire shop is a modern day Willy Wonka factory – if Wonka himself had a thing for matte plaster walls, walnut cabinetry, and candy-colored marble offcuts. If you love sweets and have a penchant for design, Glace Candy on Madison Avenue is a must-stop.
As a newly minted dog owner, I’ve been curious to see what’s changed in the pet accessories world since I last had a pup. While I usually take viral “must-haves” with a grain of salt, I think we can all agree on the basics: a collar, leash, treat pouch, and poop bag holder. Sunny Tails nails the essentials, especially with their thoughtfully designed 4-in-1 Convertible Hands-Free Cloud Leash. Made from waterproof, durable materials, this clever leash can be worn crossbody, around the waist, used as a classic hand-held leash, or shortened into a traffic handle for extra control. I love that this adjustable design makes it easy to go from leisurely podcast walks to more hands-on training sessions. While I’m always a sucker for a monochrome moment, I can’t resist the Bauhaus-inspired color palette I have in my cart. Bonus: Sunny Tails just launched at Nordstrom so you can get your dog essentials that much quicker!
I’ve been a loyal Apple user for almost two decades through iPods, MacBooks, and multiple iPhone upgrades, but recently, I made the switch to Microsoft Surface. Curiosity, an opportunity to check out a 50th Anniversary Exclusive of the Surface Laptop 7th Edition, and the desire to experiment with new workflows got the best of me. While the Apple ecosystem is famously seamless, I’ve found that the Surface brings its own set of unexpected perks, especially when paired with Microsoft’s new AI-driven Co-Pilot tools. From smart task assistance in Word and Outlook to real-time brainstorming support in OneNote, it’s like having a helpful digital coworker built in. The hardware itself has also been a pleasant surprise: sleek, lightweight, and genuinely enjoyable to write on. Yes, there’s been a learning curve (those hot keys are wired into my muscle memory), but these days I find myself reaching for the Surface over my MacBook when I really want to focus and get things done – which, honestly, is most days.
I’m always on the hunt for new ways to introduce my kids to art. We’ve painted abstract shapes inspired by Kandinsky and assembled tissue paper gardens to explore layering. For my next lesson, I’m taking a page from Marc David’s playbook – or rather, sketchbook. I love how his colorful compositions are both abstract yet familiar. He recently transformed simple dot stickers into floral creations that feel joyful and imaginative. I love how this exercise is simple yet leaves room for creativity. I plan on setting up right alongside my kids, dotting away together and seeing what blooms emerge.
