Cool Stuff: Brooklyn Tableware from Fishs Eddy

My husband and I are both California natives, and have spent most of our lives here. But although Oakland is home now, Brooklyn will always hold a special place in our hearts. Our daughter born there, for one -- that's her below on the stoop of the apartment building where she entered the world. (Yes, she was born at home -- by accident. It's a long story.) And building snowmen in the schoolyard across the street and climbing onto the bus for the ride to playgroup in Park Slope are some of our son's very first memories. We also made several amazing and, I hope, lifelong friends during our stint in the brownstone-filled borough.

So when a pal reminded me yesterday of Fishs Eddy, the incredible New York dishware outlet that we used to frequent in our NYC days, I popped over to the company's website to see what was on offer, and was delighted to discover this line of whimsical Brooklyn-themed items.

Clockwise from top left: Glass, Square Plate, Tote, Mug, Small Tray, Cereal Bowl. Prices range from just $4 to about $14 per piece. Check out the entire collection right here.

P.S. If you find yourself in New York, don't pass up a chance to visit the flagship Fishs Eddy on Broadway at 19th. In addition to the company's own signature wares, you'll find a mindblowing collection of unique table- and servingware salvaged from hotels and restaurants across the country.

Bonus eBay Find of the Day: Block Chromatics Dishware

I was flipping through the latest issue of O at Home this weekend, and was immediately drawn to the colorful mugs and bowls shown in actress Jennifer Carpenter's cheerful L.A. kitchen. I'd never seen anything like them before, and turned immediately to the source notes in the back to see what they were.

Turns out they're part of a vintage tableware line called Chromatics from German manufacturer Block, and were purchased by Ms. Carpenter's decorator, Ariel Ashe, from Los Angeles' Lawson Fenning boutique (likely translation: $$$).

I thought I'd try my luck on eBay instead, and quickly turned up this set of seven Block Chromatics plates plus bowl. I love the graphic effect they create when stacked -- perfect for open shelves in the kitchen!

Current bid for the set: $17