The Night is Passing

I'm sharing a couple pics from photographer, Erwin Olaf; who has such an interesting eye along with my favorite NY girl look - Leigh Lezark. Also check out his Paradise Portraits - they are amazing - in that kind of way where you just want to stare. Enjoy!

Bun in the Oven

Here are a few photos from Saturday in Jersey. April's belly is growing! I decided to use my Nikon D-40... still learning. Shooting in digital for some reason is so new to me and so different. It certainly is cheaper though so maybe I'll just have to get used to it.

Hug It Out Weekend

Friday equaled watching my friend in her Actors Showcase followed by dessert and a quiet night in. Saturday equaled another photo opp with my friend’s pregnant belly – she is getting bigger! Followed by lunch in Jersey, trying to understand the world of digital photography, shopping the AA Factory Sale and catching up on Entourage… Sunday equaled summer finally arriving in NYC and enjoying the day in the park getting some sun and catching up on my reading then eating ice cream and settling into the AC after a hot Sunday outside.

Friday Thoughts

Music For the Day

A friend recently recommended I check out The Airborne Toxic Event and they were just perfect for a day such as today - my work breezed by somewhere between that peppy and mellow hum all day long. Check out a couple of there songs!

and one more song here.

We're All a Little Mad (hatter) Here

Upon opening my inbox this morning, I found the first (that I've seen) images from the upcoming Tim Burton remake of Alice in Wonderland. And aren't we all excited! I know I am.

Look here for more details and image credits.

"I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!"
~ Alice

Keep in Mind

This guy is one of my favorite NY people. Though now, finding his artwork on the streets of NYC is mostly only when I only see it at festivals or at his store downtown. Check him out if you can. De La Vega, he makes you think.

photos taken on 5th Ave, NYC, June 2009

A Little Lowcountry Love

Here are a few snapshots that I took from my recent visit home. All pictures taken with a Nikon FG on 400 speed 35 mm film.

The Weekend Was

...just a simple weekend. Movies on Friday night with some food before and chillin at a friends apartment after. Saturday was an attempt to shop but the rain was too annoying so I napped instead. Saturday night was a bottle of wine and some magazine reading. Sunday was a great day to sleep in followed by a lazy rooftop brunch with a champagne flight. Sunday night was another movie and a bar with friends for a little recap of karaoke.

Just A Little Teen Spirit

Last night a friend and I went to see LMFAO at Blender Theatre in Gramercy. Walking into the venue, I think was the first time I have ever felt my age... everyone was under 20... school's out and the summer fun has begun and the teenagers were in full force for a night out... there was a little underage drinking going on and a little smoking here and there... and I am sure a few other drugs were floating around somewhere. Also note that American Apparel has made at least 60% profits from every girl in there. It was like walking into the actual store. They were entertaining to watch at least and it brought me back to the days of going to concerts in the summer when I was 16 - just the best feeling in the world! Only now, we get to have a wristband with no questioning of fake ID - cheers to growing up.

Belly Shots

I finally got some of the pics back from the attempts to take a few belly pictures of my friend's pregnant belly! I love having friends that will let me practice on them. Here are a few of my fav from the day. We shot on my roof and then walked around the West Village for some yummie food and ice cream. Thanks April!

Feel Good Music - Dance My Ass Off

fun music discovery of the day just to brighten the day

Just One of Those Days...

image {1- MM ID 67233 ~ 2- weheartit}

You My New Obsession

Currently obsessed with AA clothing. They have the best dresses! I always used to think their ads were annoying and the clothes too pricey vs. the quality but honestly I want almost every item to be spilling out of my closet now. Love them.

"Oh, I can't get you out my mind
Everything you do is feelin right
Remember that way you caught my eye?
I remember that way you was walkin by
Ooh girl, watch out now
You looked at me, turned around and smiled
Gave me eyes, my heart went wild
Hypnotized, this love starts now
And how do I know you're real?"

~ LMFAO

Just A Weekend

Friday was watching the hockey game with friends and a couple drinks in. Then headed uptown to Broadway and 145th – yes a couple of white girls enjoyed a Friday night uptown even though I honestly could’ve skipped it. The décor was like a cheesy prom but they had a body paint artist walking around and I was in glitter heaven. Got a design on my face – simple and fun. After a little dancing and a lot of loud bachata music we headed to midtown for some drinks with friends. Had some late night pizza eats, a taxi home and in bed by sun up. As much as I love sleeping in - I couldn’t sleep so I was awake by 10am and went to see Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. Easy viewing for a Saturday morning but then had me thinking – do we know all along who we’re really meant to be with? Is there really only one person that is meant for you? That one person completely gets you? It’s nice in theory i.e. the happy-ending love story of a movie but I think each person is meant to be in that moment and what they mean to you in that moment is what matters. Back to the day to day. Saturday afternoon was an attempt to check out the Big Apple BBQ Block Party with some friends and with the amount of people there – that lasted all of 2 minutes and we settled on Outback. Yep – there is an Outback in the city. Happy full belly’s and a couple drinks in and off to the first bar and then the next bar and then another bar and then time to call it a night. An early night. Slept in all day Sunday – felt so great. I have these thick curtains that keep my room cozy and with the AC on and snuggled under my warm grey comforter – I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday. Sunday night I saw Away We Go and I must say if you see one movie this summer – this is a great movie. Then wine and cheese to catch up with a friend after the movie and so it was, just another weekend.

Easy Sunday

Sunday's are my favorite day of the week and a glass of wine always gives it that kinda easy Sunday feeling. I took the picture above when visiting St. Thomas, USVI on my Dad's porch and it reminds me of that feeling you get waking up to the sounds of waves crashing on the rocks below and the 7am sunrise that is the best alarm clock ever - even on a Sunday. Hope you have an easy Sunday.

"Love was easy - Just layin on a riverbank all night counting stars - Love was easy - As that feeling in the backseat of my car, even in the dark - Love was easy - When we didn't make it so hard"

- Jason Aldean

Wear Anything, Anywhere

On my visit home last weekend - I found a box that had many of the postcards I used to pick up here and there. Here are couple of my favorite...

Marilyn Monroe, Hollywood, 1952. Photograph by Philippe Halsman

copyright Flying Fish, Inglewood

50 years ago - In a Moment

50 years ago my grandparents were married - I believe this photo was taken a few months before their wedding. They were married in June. This year would've been their 50 years together. I still remember the way my Grandmother would dress every morning with her pearls and makeup and she always looked pulled together without fail; even if we were just playing outside in the yard. I love this picture of them together and still I would wear this outfit today - she had style and grace. Some things I love about my Granddad: his jokes, the letters he sends me - somehow he always knows exactly which card to get that isn't too "hallmark" and knows exactly what to write inside and when I visit him, I get to wake up to the smell of my favorite cheese grits and bacon (even though I don't eat the bacon - sometimes nothing beats waking up to that smell). Hope you all have happy thoughts of your Grandparents!

Monday Funday

Go blow some bubbles and have a Monday Fun Day! I know I'm enjoying my day.

image {imgspark.com}

Weekend Down South

Headed home to SC – after many flight delays - I finally touch down in Savannah. Walking out of the airport and taking in the scents of the Low Country, it almost feels like heaven. Hugs from Mom and off to find the much needed drink – I love traveling but there is such a thing as being in an airport too long for just a short trip. A random discovery for a Friday was Smitty’s off 1-95 located in the Clean-Stay motel (no joke). It was karaoke night and you can imagine how unsurprised I was to walk in and hear a duet of “Ocean Front Property”. Sothern Comfort was listed as my drink of choice for the night. Sleeping at my Mom’s house is like a dream – you hear nothing but maybe the frogs or if a deer rustles by. Saturday we spent the day in Bluffton – the real old Bluffton, downtown. After 2 tries of finding a place to eat – we settled on Mexican and Margaritas. The first place was closed for the weekend and the second was completely empty except for the employees all crowded in the kitchen admiring one of the employee’s new born baby. Welcome to the South. A little shopping and window shopping ended the afternoon. Saturday night was for the drive-in – we saw The Hangover and I very much recommend it for some great laughs. Oh, how I miss the drive-in summer nights. Sunday was a lazy day of sleeping in because it was raining (and my Mom has a tin roof – sometimes I think she lives in a fish camp) but then enjoying the afternoon looking through old photos, drinking champagne and snacking on various cheeses and tofu nuggets. Quick drive back to Savannah and I’m ready to fly home refreshed. Life is so good.

Head Shots and Fun Shots

Finally getting around to posting some of my first tryings to take some head shots. I think they still slightly need to be edited but just thought I'd post a couple to show anyway. And of course - I had to take a couple fun shots too! The transfer from negative to disc; however, didn't turn out as great this time (i.e. see the lines through the photo, not meant to be there) - need to rescan. I think I need to start going to a more professional photo shop for developing. Next time. I'm learning each day.

Hillary Hamilton

Sucker Fridays

Happy the week has come to an end and I'm flying south tonight. Can't wait to be where the thick sea air sticks to my skin and I will grin and grin. We always feel so happy that Friday is here but still we have to work the whole day through so really its not such a Happy Friday until 5pm rolls around. I'm actually more of a sucker for Thursdays... how about you?

image {we heart it}

I keep on coming back

Just wanted to share a little new music that I discovered today. Hope you all enjoy as much as I do!


Check out more of Esser here.

Perfectly Punk

"I'm a culture vulture, and I just want to experience it all."

- Debbie Harry

image {imgspark.com}

New Faces and New Places

A night out this week called for some drinks with a good friend. We heard about this place 123 Burger Shot Beer; totally sounding like a dive bar, we decided to check it out. Walking down 10th Ave, I have to note that it is such a random street. It's too far to have a steady stream of happening places but then randomly there's a great restaurant or a cute patio cafe. Tucked into one of the buildings we find 123 Burger Shot Beer - amazed to find that it wasn't a dive bar at all rather a nice, clean, young bar/restaurant. They even had a small outdoor seating area in the back. We sat at the bar for a couple hours and decided since it being a Monday, let's stick to beer rather than get trashed by trying the selection of their many $2 shots. On to the beer list - Newcastle Brown on draft? $3? All the time - not just for happy hour? I think I found my new favorite bar! And I must say beer was served in some darn cold and frosty mugs. I was impressed. We also tried some food - the little that they offer but what can you expect when nothing is over $5 (I think unless you get the wings). We tried the waffle fries - yummy and they have some BBQ sauce that is ridiculously great. My friend got the $1 burgers which are a minimum order of 3 sliders. Not much on the menu for veggies unless it was fried. I tried the fried cheese ravioli - which was good but would've rather had a veggie slider. My only immediate suggested improvement would be to add a veggie slider - they are easy to make and actually pretty cost efficient in a kitchen with limited menu options yet it would add that much more to their selection. And to top it all off the service was quick and with a smile. I'm definitely going back and I hope you find yourself stumbling that way soon too.

Random Top Ten of the Moment

1 - Jason Aldean – She’s Country
2 - Zac Brown Band – Chicken Fried
3 - LMFAO – La La La
4 - Katy Perry – Waking up in Vegas
5 - Bouncing Souls – Fight to Live
6 - Peaches – F**k the Pain Away
7 - 3OH!3 – Don’t Trust Me
8 - Lime – Babe, We’re Gonna Love Tonight
9 - N&K vs. Denis the Menace Feat Alex Prince – Cruising
10 - O.A.R – Fool in the Rain (cover)

Summer Lovin

Even though its only Tuesday I'm thinking this is where I'd like to find myself today...

waking up to the morning sea air

image {1-3 image spark}

"I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand ~ Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand ~ Life is good today. Life is good today."

-Zac Brown Band

A Perfect Day in Bed

I would give up any Monday in the office to spend a day in bed like this.

Also Julien's Auctions always has a summer sale and next month there are a few Monroe items up for grabs. Check it out. Amazing how someone can continue to be such a classic icon of fashion; often though, when not wearing much at all but she truly is.

image: {1&2 - NY Daily News}

A little bit of Weekend

This weekend I must say was slightly more slow-paced and relaxing than usual. Just what I wanted… Friday was a bus ride over to Hoboken, NJ to hang with a friend but back to the city around 12ish to chill at my apt with some wine. Saturday I slept in even through the warm, sunny day that it was outside but I still I relished in the cozy feelings from the warmth of my comfy bed. I had a late lunch with a friend at one of my current dining obsessions – Lime Jungle on 9th Ave. Then back to my apt and stayed in for the night and I finally started going through some old magazines to tear out my favorite shots for inspiration. I could seriously start a vintage magazine shop. Sunday I was up and ready to photograph my friend so she could have some belly shots for her scrapbook (she’s preggers). I will try to post some after I see how they turn out. That was a new angle for me to shoot. I tried playing with my new camera a bit but need to develop the film now so I can see what I did right… or wrong. Lunch in the West Village with a few friends was yummy-delish and shopping for my latest AA dress came after. Can’t wait to wear it out! Then to top off my weekend – I saw Drag Me to Hell – and I must say I was dragged to see it but it’s a must see for anyone who likes that old-school Gross-Gore and Jumpy-Horror all mixed in one. Night of the Living Dead anyone?