The Big Shots of Social

We love a good infographic, and this Mashable post is a great showcase of the social media who’s who among brands. Two takeaways? Victoria’s Secret is one of the most popular brands across all networks, the secret is out. Also, Pinterest seems to skew towards more high-end luxury items. What do you notice?

Legendary Giveback

Our favorite soft drink of the South, Cheerwine, announced yesterday that they will be partnering with the Avett Brothers to present the Legendary Giveback concert, an evening that will raise awareness and funds for a number of nonprofit organizations this fall. The two southern icons are teaming up for one night, in one town in the Southeast, to bring their fans together and raise awareness of the causes in need.  We can’t wait to hear more details when they are released later this summer!

We Love Us Some Brooklyn!

Yes, we know it’s white-hot, but we still can’t help and grin like maniacs when we’re flying in Chile on Lan Airlines, perusing their in-flight magazine and notice the headline: Hot Shopping in Brooklyn. Yes! Coverage on the DeKalb Market which is a community of salvaged shipping containers where you can buy everything from homemade goods to sweet mini cupcakes. Want to learn to garden? You can do that here, as well. It’s smart, it’s cool, it’s Brooklyn.

Get Your Blankets Ready!

What is better than a movie in the park? Grab your loved ones and a blanket because Bryant Park just released this summers movie schedule. Check it out here.

Lowline is Highbrow

A duo of urban planners has launched a campaign to build an underground park beneath Manhattan’s Lower East side in an abandoned trolley terminal. Using technology they invented, the masterminds behind the Delancey Underground will transmit sunlight into the cavernous space to allow vegetation to grow. The plans also include innovative architectural elements used to create a space that mirrors the result of what was achieved by the immensely popular High Line park on Manhattan’s west side.

RIP MCA

Adam “MCA” Yauch of the Beastie Boys passed away last week, and we’re all pretty sad. He was a brilliant musician, an innovator, a campaigner for social justice and the best kind of rebel.  The Beastie Boys were New York icons, a living embodiment of the restless, hard-charging creative mania that is the pulse of this city, but who never took themselves too seriously. Yauch was an inspiration to us all, showcasing that if you worked tirelessly, had fun, created with everything you had and weren’t bound by convention, you could do things your way and get great results. That’s something that we try to do every day.

RIP MCA, 1964-2012

Please and Thank You

Clearly, we’re very interested in what’s happening in hotels these days to set themselves apart. First, we posted about a hotel with an animal psychic in Portland. Now, we’re reading about a hotel in London that offers dinner etiquette lessons for children. Called “Petite Etiquette,” London’s Kensington Hotel is providing free four-hour long classes targeted at children between five and ten years old, teaching kids a variety of easy to learn tricks. Manners expert Jean Broke-Smith is the instructor and she offers guidance on manners including posture, how to hold a knife and fork properly, and the importance of “please” and “thank you.”