Past Trips In Black & White

n e w   y o r k   c i t y

a u t u m n  /  t w e n t y   t w e l v e

p a r i s, f r a n c e

w i n t e r  /   t w e n t  y   e l e v e n

s e a t t l e 

s u m m e r  /  t w e n t y  t w e l v e

n e w   y o r k   c i t y

s p r i n g  /  t w e n t y  t e n

I haven't posted any of my own photos on here lately since the main camera I shoot with is currently being repaired. So, this post is simply a series of past vacation photographs I shot in color and edited in black and white in adobe photoshop cs5. 

There is a sort of progression apparent throughout the years I've been playing around with photography and editing. Shooting more thoughtfully composed photographs has transitioned for me and I feel like I'm beginning to hone in on and develop a more specific aesthetic, and there is no doubt in my mind that this aesthetic will continue to evolve organically as I further my studies and step out of the comfort zones I tend to confine myself to. Keep an eye out for future photo experiments and projects!

FOOD, 127 Prince

As many foodies as there are now a days, and restaurants that serve up farm and market fresh seasonal dishes, it wasn't always that way. FOOD, a Soho restaurant ran by struggling artists including Gordon Matta-Clark, opened in the early 1970's at 127 Prince and is now nothing more than a distant memory. Although FOOD's menu resembled many found in the same area today, an eaterie of its kind back then was almost unheard of—that is, a place serving up locally grown, organic and forged seasonal dishes, etc. 

Although the seemingly mundane tasks and prep work that take place in a kitchen may not strike you as something worthy of documentation, it's neat to see how things of this sort went down decades ago. I personally find the lack of editing photos and video to be much more intriguing and refreshing. 

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learn more about FOOD: 
-watch the 40 min. documentary
-read the soho memory project

New York City

November 2012 in New York, NY.

Favorite eats:
Le Gamin, open-face brie baguette with caramelized onions
Five Leaves, kale salad and the beet root ricotta ravioli
Insomnia Cookies, serving up warm cookies until 3am, go for the snicker doodle
Murray's Cheese Shop, seasonal cheeses such as River's Edge Chevre, Up in Smoke and whole walnut preserves by Harvest Song

Favorite bar:
No Name Bar, great dj and atmosphere, laid back attire, not overly expensive

Favorite shops:
Seven Wonders Vintage, a small, carefully curated vintage shop
Eastern District, fresh baguettes, Grady's Cold Brew, a wide variety of cheeses, beers and specialty food items
The One Well, locally made artesian goods, loved the card selection

Student Debt Refusal Pledge

I've been having a semi-difficult time keeping up with this blog since schools been keeping me pretty busy. While on the topic of school, I found a recent article I'd like to share with you that I'm sure any college student or graduate would appreciate.

OWS Education Activists Launch Student Debt Refusal Pledge 

In the wake of massive walkouts at colleges in New York on November 17 and statewide protests in the University of California system, student debt has come to the fore as a major animating issue for the Occupy movement. Young people face record student debt at a time when the employment rate among those under 24 is at its lowest since the 1970s. 

Today, the Education and Empowerment working group at Occupy Wall Street announced their next step in the fight against the burden of student loans: a debt refusal pledge. 

Students and faculty, dressed in caps and gowns, performed a bit of street theater under the now-famous red sculpture at Liberty Plaza, handing out debt bills instead of diplomas and draping chains around their necks. Then, Professor Andrew Ross of NYU addressed the crowd through the People's Mic, saying "Since the first days of the Occupy Wall Street movement, the agony of student debt has been a constant refrain. We've heard truly harrowing personal testimony about the suffering and humiliation of people who believe that their debt will be unpayable in their lifetime." 

"Education is not like buying a car or a flatscreen TV," Ross continued, "Education is a right and a public good."  

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

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more breakfast ideas:

-lemon ricotta pancakes with a blueberry sauce, from two peas & their pod.

-blackberry topped ricotta pancakes, from annie's eats.

-orange in chicago is a gem of a brunch spot, and you have to try the frushi.
-this blog, simply breakfast by jen causey.
-buckwheat porridge for the more health conscious folk.
-if you're nyc bound, re-visit this post of mine.

(photo & recipe source)

Notable Photographer // Shannen Norman

jenny + chad | engaged

annie + dave | wedding

I saw a post by A Cup Of Jo featuring Shannen Norman and fell in love with her photography. Shannen is based in California & New York City and specializes in weddings and engagement photography. Check out her photography blog to browse through all of her unique and whimsical photographs. 

I find it's refreshing how they're not too over done, and how you can get a sense of the couple and their unique personality through the photographs. And you can find a few more under the cut.

A Once in a Lifetime Shot

The MTA shut down Grand Central Termainal today ahead of Hurricane Irene, allowing Metro-North Railroad Press Secretary Marjorie Andres to snap this rare photo of the world's largest train station all-but-deserted in the middle of the day.

(source: thedailywh.at)

Tragic Girls with Dusty Dresses

KT Smail is a Scottis illustrator who holds an art degree in illustration from Edinburgh College of Art. She currently resides in New York City, where she continues to draw tragic girls with broken hearts, faraway lovers and dusty dresses.

I'm not sure what this says about me, but I love art with underlining themes of emotional sadness and distress. I can identify myself, as I am a someone who tends to feel everything very deeply.

(source) 

Cupcake Delivery

(photo source)

My cousin Niki turned 25 a few months ago and I'm not sure about her, but I know I'm dreading turning 25 this year. I don't want a party or gifts (well, maybe a gift or two wouldn't be the worst). In my opinion, the best gifts to receive are the edible kind, which  was how I got this gift idea.

A gift of this sort may not be ideal for anyone since it depends on your geographic location, but lucky for me (and her), Niki lives in NYC! I vividly recall her and I shopping along Bleeker Street last summer, and making a stop at the infamous Magnolia Bakery for a mid-day treat. We each picked out a decadent cupcake and couldn't help but devour them shortly after we shot a few photos. :)

This year I wanted to make her birthday special by sending a few delicious cupcakes straight to her door. I originally wanted to go through Magnolia Bakery, but unfortunately they didn't have a location in Brooklyn. Though I did find an alternate route that was closer to her neighborhood called Crumbs! They makes cupcake gifting so simple + fun with many flavors to choose from!

On their website you'll find an option that allows you to create your own six pack. They provide a number of pictures and details describing their unique cupcake selection--from peanut butter cup, to cappuccino, to blackbottom cheesecake brownie, there's lots to scroll through. After making your selections, they even provide the option to add a birthday card. Simply specify how you'd like them to personalize the card and voila!

If this isn't for you, check out more of my gift ideas, here!