Next weekend, I'll be heading down to NYC to check out the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. Fellow blogger Scrappy Girl has been gracious enough to offer me her sofa (you may be surprised to hear that, though glamorous, blogging is not a "big money fast" venture). Rest assured, I will be taking boat loads of photos to share with you. In the run up to ICFF, I will be looking at some of the things that will be taking place.

For the third year, modern marketplace "designboom will host a group exhibition of international design professionals from around the world." Designers from North and South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East will be in attendance. You will have a chance not only to see some great avant-garde international works, you'll also have to chance to meet and talk to the designers themselves. Even better, you can buy design souvenirs™ and limited edition pieces directly from the designers themselves.

Two of my favorites are the Cassette Wallet (above) by Marcella Foschi (Italy) and the Booh Salt & Pepper Shakers (right) by Aleverson Ecker, Henrique J. Serbena and R. Luiz Pellanda Jr. of Holaria Cerâmica Contemporânea (brazil).