Views of New York

Lexington and 53rd Street

Prince and Lafayette

Obsessed with these "finger-painted" views of New York by Jorge Colombo. Don't you love how the lights just glow? I almost feel like I am taking an evening cab ride through the city.



Images via 20x200

Chill in the air

It's been awful chilly lately. Not cold enough to snow, unfortunately-- I don't think that will ever happen here, in the basin of "perpetually sunny" Los Angeles-- but brisk enough to say "Brrr" when you walk outside. (Or simply squeal, if you're like me.)

This past weekend, while walking through a local outdoor mall, making a feeble attempt at starting my holiday shopping, temperatures got so low that I actually bought myself a new (and somewhat pricey) jacket at American Eagle. It's an olive green trench with a belt at the waist and pretty darn adorable if I do say so myself. It was totally an impulse purchase but, in my defense, I had been eyeing a jacket just like it. And I got 20 percent off. So there. :)

Anyway, this week the weather has been warming up, making that jacket virtually unnecessary come noontime, but in the mornings it is still nice and cool. And the nights still get a bit frigid and blustery. Perfect scarf-and-mittens weather. (I picked up a cute pair of soft, red gloves this weekend, too.)

I didn't exactly plan to spend this post regaling you with details about my weather forecast. More importantly I wanted to share the beautiful photograph above. It entered my email inbox the other day, courtesy my favorite "cheap" art website, 20x200. Shot by Joseph O. Holmes, it is called "The Sledding Hill (Dusk)." This is one in a series of photographs he has taken at Brooklyn's Prospect Park. Don't you just love the way the light peeks through the skeleton trees and reflects off the snow, creating this warm, gorgeous glow? I may be a California girl, but I'd love to go there. Now. (And have a snowball fight.)

So, let's make small talk, shall we? How's the weather where you are? Any snow?

Stay warm,



P.S. Holmes also shot two of my other 20x200 faves, also set in his hometown of New York City. I posted about them here. (I love this one, too)

Happy Friday + Happy Feet

Who knew new shoes could make a gal so darn happy?

Well, I guess Miss Carrie Bradshaw knew.

Yep, she had her priorities in order, and shoes (almost always) were at the top of the list.

When it came to saving money for rent or buying a new pair of shoes, shoes won, hands down.

When prepping to take Mr. Big out on the town for his last night in New York, what did Carrie have to have? Shoes. (Pink, ruffly and gorgeous shoes, if you recall. Hello, lover. That is, until Miranda's water broke.)

And even when getting mugged in the city what did Carrie want to save most of all? Her shoes. (Though she was still left barefoot in a back alley.)

So while they say a diamond is a girl's best friend, shoes come in at a very close second. They always fit and they always look good. What's not to love?

Now, while Carrie's shoe fetish focused on high-end designer heels with hefty price tags-- Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo-- I say there's no reason a girl can't get that same high from slipping on a pair of cute, cheap shoes. That's why I was absolutely giddy last Sunday when I bought three new pairs of shoes for the price of one pair I was contemplating purchasing online the night before. The math makes sense: three is much better than one. (Thank you, Target!)

I found an opportunity to wear my new footwear every chance I could get this week.

For my dad's birthday dinner last Saturday I donned my comfy and casual black flats with shiny detailing. For playing catch up with Abby on Sunday I slipped into my tawny, faux suede wedges that have a low heel height that is perfect for a Amazon woman tall girl like me. And to go to the office on Wednesday, I tied on my tan oxfords, which I paired with my new Ruche dress.

I swear, I had a spring in my step this week. And it was all thanks to my new shoes.

Carrie Bradshaw was definitely on to something.




P.S. Happy Friday! I'm going to be heading out soon to check out a summertime Jazz & Blues Concert Series (that I've wanted to go to for awhile now but never have been to) and celebrate the end of the week with a glass of wine. And you know I'm going to wear one of my new shoes! :) What's on your agenda? Whatever you do, I hope you have a wonderful time!

Sweet Melody + One Crazy Adventure

Happy Thursday friends! Oh, how I love Thursdays!

Just wanted to share two things with you today. First, this sweet tune by Nashville newcomers The Band Perry called "If I Die Young." I have literally had this song in my head on repeat for days. It's so bad I consider listening to other music just to get it out of my head! But then I think, hmm, this is a pretty good song to have in my head after all... :)

I love the lyrics-- melancholy as they are, they speak of contentment with one's life and are surprisingly encouraging-- and I love the sibling trio's voices harmonizing together. The music video, below for your viewing pleasure, is gorgeous, too. Plus, isn't the lead singer Kimberly so cute? I want her hair!




Second, one of my Facebook friends posted a link that I simply couldn't not share with you. Get this, a Texas family consisting of 2 parents and 3 kids are going to pile into 1 van for 12 months for a "Year Long Adventure" through 48 states! How incredible, huh?

After dreaming of visiting far off places across this great nation some day, the Dad decided a few months ago that some day could be today, right now! And mom was on board! The fam is going to be documenting their travels over at their new blog, Year Long Adventure. Right now all that is up is a fun Q&A-style FAQs post but the first leg of their trip starts tomorrow so I'll definitely be checking back in to see what this crazy bunch is up to. (You should too!)

I seriously admire their willingness to drop everything, pack up and pursue their dreams. I know much planning had to have gone into this big adventure but I see it as ... brave. Yeah, courageous. Because so many times in life we want to chase our passions but we don't because of fear of the unknown, fear of change. It's easy to come up with an excuse not to, you know? And I think there might be some people who disagree with this family taking their kids out of school for a cross-country road trip but I agree with the parents-- it will be the educational experience of a lifetime!

So, let's dream big for a second. If you could go anywhere, do anything, tomorrow, where would you go and what would you do?

My answer is easy: I'd catch a flight to New York City, bask in the bright city lights, rub elbows with natives in Times Square, visit the MoMA and go to the top of the Empire State Building to get a bird's eye view of the bustling metropolis below. And do everything on this list! (Yes, I'm ambitious.) Oh, and don't forget grabbing a vanilla cupcake at Magnolia Bakery and hopping on a Sex and the City bus tour! Yep, I'm that touristy!

Your turn. Go!



P.S. Ok, one more thing! Another one of my friends shared this quote on Facebook today and I "liked" it. Both literally and as in the button.

"There is only one cause of unhappiness: the false beliefs you have in your head, beliefs so widespread, so commonly held, that it never occurs to you to question them."

Who knew FB could be so thought provoking?

Art lust

West Forty-third Street (Yellow Cabs) 

West Nineteenth Street (Yellow Dress) 

I am in lust with these images captured by Brooklyn-based photographer Joseph O. Holmes. They are stunning and gorgeous, of course, but I also love how yellow (my favorite color) is the focus in each. If I had my way, I would hang both of these photos on my white apartment walls (along with this beautiful snapshot of the Brooklyn Bridge-- a Ciao, Chessa! print I won recently in an Unbeweavable giveaway!) and convince myself that I was living in the city. A girl can dream, right?

Cue me singing Jay-Z and Alicia Key's song "Empire State of Mind"...

In New York,

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of

There's nothing you can't do

Now you're in New York

These streets will make you feel brand new

Big lights will inspire you

Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York

Don't you love that song? Sorry, I digress. Back to art.

While one glimpse at these photos was enough to make me fall head over heels, reading the stroke of serendipity that led to the creation of each image is what stole my heart completely. I'll let Holmes explain:

As I gradually become better at taking photographs, I'm learning the subtle art of twisting the elements of cliche into something archetypal, the hackneyed into something original. At the same time, I'm honing the skills needed to control the process—manipulating depth of field, light, motion, framing, timing—until using the camera becomes almost instinctual. Sometimes, I start to believe that controlling the process is mastering the art.

But then something happens to remind me that control is always at the whim and mercy of larger forces. I look through the viewfinder one day and all the yellow taxis appear out of nowhere to line up in a tidy curve, and I shake my head and thank the muses and the gods of chaos and chance. One day the woman in the yellow dress steps into my frame to humble me and remind me that all I can do is accept the gift when it's offered.

Isn't that lovely? How nature conspires and the stars align? How beauty can be found in everyday moments if only you take a moment to look?

A side note: These images can be purchased on 20x200, a wonderful online gallery that makes art accessible to everyone. (I have to thank Melanie of You are my fave for turning me onto this site today.) Fabulous works of art can be yours for just 20 bucks! Unfortunately, the two above have already sold out at that price but they are still available in larger versions for a bit more.

I also found a golf-inspired photo that I am thinking about getting the boy for Christmas to perhaps hang in his office. Have I ever told you that he is a head golf professional at a local country club? Well, he is. Click here to take a peek (but if you are the boy in question do not, I repeat, do not, click the link! :)

So, what's your relationship with art? Have you fallen in lust with any art or artists lately? Do you have much of a collection or are you still working on it? (I fall into the latter category.) And what is your favorite medium or aesthetic? (Mine's photography, if you couldn't already guess.)




P.S. Today is my brother's birthday! He's 23 and I can hardly believe he is that old. As you know, I am 24, so we are not that far apart in age, about a year and a half. Like the good sister I am, a bought him a video game he doesn't need (Assassin's Creed II, if you really want to know) and I am hoping to make some Rice Krispie treats too. Obviously, he doesn't read this blog!

Here's a rare pic of us together at a wedding in 2008:

Happy birthday, Patrick!

top images via 20x200 

I remember...

I remember my mom driving me to school Sept. 11, 2001, and hearing on the radio that two planes had crashed into the World Trade Center. I didn’t even know what the Twin Towers were back then.

I remember sitting in my history class, in shock and horror as I watched the images play over and over on TV. When the towers fell, my stomach dropped. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, that someone could do something so horrible to innocent people. And I wondered what was next.

I remember crying for the people who died, for the people who survived, for the people who witnessed the tragedy first hand—those who rushed in and those who stood by in the smoke and debris, feeling utterly helpless. Having lost my brother just four months before, I knew exactly how it felt to lose someone you loved so suddenly and tragically.

I remember seeing the country pull together in the aftermath and being amazed by how much patriotism and kindness can grow out of such pain. I never saw so many flags in my life. They were on every car window and outside every home.

I remember today that freedom isn’t free. I am grateful for the men and women unselfishly serving in the U.S. military and risking their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect those freedoms that we too often take for granted. Their sacrifice, and their families’ sacrifice, does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

###

Tonight, I attended the 4th annual Freedom Walk at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. I was covering the event for the paper. It was so wonderful to see that, even after eight years, people do still care and they do remember. And that they continue to support the troops, no matter what they think of the war. It was also amazing to see that of the hundreds who came out to walk, many of those were kids who were just toddlers when 9/11 hit. In talking to them, I was happy to see that even though they did not understand the magnitude of the tragedy when it happened, they understand it now. Their parents and teachers have done a good job teaching them and because of it, they realize the significance of the day and that it is not something to be forgotten.

Even though time heals, you never forget.

Hello, fabulous

I am so excited. The sequel to Sex and the City: The Movie has begun filming! Shooting for "Part Deux" started this week on the streets of Manhattan and so far the fashion doesn't disappoint. Check out SPJ, aka Carrie Bradshaw, rocking a white Halston dress, a gold Chanel clutch and ah-mazing Louboutin "Pigalle" pumps that I would kill to have in my closet. Also battling for my undying affection is that sparkly, chunky necklace.

This outfit is summery and chic at the same time and looks so comfortable—now if only I could afford it! It seems the recession has not stopped Carrie one bit from looking oh-so-fabulous.

Later, Carrie slipped into a shimmering blue dress with funky accessories: orange framed sunglasses and fun T-strap heels (that I read are also Louboutin).

In another scene, Carrie channeled the 80s wearing an off-the-shoulder, inside-out sweatshirt—a al Flashdance—white skinny jeans and Converse. This isn't my favorite look but I am glad that this second installment of SATC on the big screen is going to give fans like myself a glimpse into when Carrie first arrived in the Big Apple. I love a good backstory, even if it does come with frizzy hair!

The only sad part is... the movie won't be released until May 28 of next year! 2010 people! So many months (nine, to be exact) to wait to see all my fabulous and funny friends back together but I know it will be worth it. At least we have these pics (and these) to tide us over.

In other fashion news, I am totally coveting these tweed flower pumps by White House Black Market. 

They are 88 bucks but the catalog I recently drooled over has a $20 coupon for purchases over $80. So really, they are $68! Still, I don't know if I should shell out the money since I am not too sure they go with much of my wardrobe. And the 4 inch heels would make me an Amazon woman. But wouldn't they be cute to wear with fall dresses and tights?

Top image via omg! on Yahoo!

Image 2 + 3 via The Fashion Time Magazine via Just Jared

Tweed Flower pumps image via White House Black Market (cropped)

P.S. I know the last post was a bit of a downer, so hopefully this was more cheery!

All dolled up and nowhere to go

Starting Tuesday, I am officially on vacation. A paid vacation. That's a first for this working girl. And not-so-surprisingly, my "boss," my editor that is, practically had to force me to take one. See, I have this feeling that the paper might die without me. Which is not the case. But my editor might die without me. Ha! That might be a little true, but I'm sure he'll manage. (Plus, I have to write three stories before I go...)

All that being said, I have a bit of a problem: I don't know what I am going to do while on said vacation! Oh, how I would love to jet set off to some tropical island and sip lava flows poolside. Oh, how I would love to immerse myself in the buzzing energy of New York City, to which I have never been in all my 24 years. But alas, my finances don't quite allow for either of these fantasy vay-cays to become a reality for me next week. Heck, my bank account doesn't allow for me to do much more than sit at home and read a book next week! But as someone who works from home, staying home on my vacation is really not an option. Well, it's a sad option at best.

That's where you come in. I need your best ideas of what I should do next week. I've got six days, a limited budget and no time to plan. But I need your help or else all I will be able to blog about next week is me doing . . . nothing.

Thanks in advance! And happy weekend!

Image via ffffound, by buradori

Travel Envy

I saw this adorable travel book on Made Sweet yesterday (I first spotted it on You are my fave) and it made me totally jealous! Partly because Made Sweet's Michelle must have the coolest/nicest friend in the world to have made her the book just for her trip to New York. The homemade scrapbook-style notebook contained suggestions for what to do in the Big Apple once she got there and even pockets full of cash to do it!

But the main reason behind my envy is I am just simply dying to go to New York. I have never been and I would do anything to go and live out my Sex and the City/ Friends fantasies.

See the whole book here. Click here to see more green-eyed-monster-inducing photos from her NYC trip.

So have any of you been to NYC? How was your experience? Is it as fabulous as the movies and TV make it out to be? What is your favorite thing to do there?

Or, do you dream of going to another city? Which one and why?

I will take all this advice and store it in my "travel book"-- my brain-- for when I finally board that plane to anywhere-but-here land.