Life, Lately

I had my last day of photography class on Saturday…kind of sad! On the plus side I’ll get to sleep in on Saturdays again, instead of trekking to 46th street in the snow (not exaggerating, it rained or snowed EVERY SINGLE time we had class). While I do still have a TON to learn, I’m shooting pretty much exclusively in manual now which is an awesome improvement from where I started. I took the above picture of the 59th Street Bridge on Saturday on my way back from class, while it was, of course, snowing (eventually I did regain feeling in my fingers). When I’m not in the mood for frostbite, I’ve been practicing in my apartment.

Finally made it to a place I’ve been dying to try for brunch – Maison Kayser on the Upper East side, with my fab new friend Alexis (hi Alexis! :). The decor was charming and very Parisian, the food was excellent, and the waiters wore cute striped shirts. I can’t wait to go back to try their croissants and extensive bread selection. 

I’ve been trying a lot of different juices as an alternative to my usual breakfast (aka nothing). The Blueprint cashew milk is INSANELY yummy. I’m obsessed with it. The one on the left in the first picture was my first foray into actual green juice. I wouldn’t say it was delicious or anything, but it wasn’t terrible. Then the beet juice just kind of tastes like fruit juice, but it’s obviously healthier because it doesn’t have added sugar and chemicals. 
On a nice, non-freezing day a little while back I walked around Chelsea and passed by Billy’s Bakery. It’s super charming, but since I was crazy stuffed from lunch I only peeked in the windows. Hi mini cupcakes!

Maison 140 is one of my favorite stores to browse in Chelsea (how could anyone resist that striped awning?) Everything is French-inspired or imported from France, and I’ve gotten my favorite hot pink candlesticks from there, as well as this soap which is amazing (cherry blossoms…mmm). BUT I’m not shopping so I didn’t go in!
Passed by some charming townhouses. I loved this ivy-covered one…
 And this branch covered beauty. So romantic. 

LOVED this book. And it’s clear from the enthusiastic comments on this Instagram post that I’m not the only one. I raced through it and really didn’t want it to end – definitely one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. 

Inslee Haynes makes the most incredibly gorgeous calendars. Each month is a different illustrated print that you can frame or hang up, and it’s a delightful surprise to change it and see what pretty picture is up next. I realized that the old years that I have of her calendars are too pretty to let languish inside my drawer, so I decided to re-use my oldest one. Above is January 2012, and look how pretty it is! And since it’s been a year since I’ve seen it, every month will still be a surprise (which is half the fun of this calendar). And do I care that the actual calendar part is not 2014? Nope. 

all photographs by me

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  1. Your photography is great!! I need to take a class, stat. The one you took looks awesome…too bad it's not in DC 🙁 Also, I ordered a print from Inslee last week and cannot waitt to hang it up on my non-existent gallery wall. She's the best!

    Published 1.27.14 · Reply
  2. I got a DSLR for Christmas (yay!!) and want to learn how to use it so it doesn't just collect dust on my shelf! How did you like your photography class – would you reccomend it? Did you take photography 1?

    xo
    Katie
    untilfurthernoticeblog.blogspot.com

    Published 1.27.14 · Reply
  3. I just got a DSLR camerca for chirtstmas (yay!!) and want to learn how to use it so it doesn't collect dust on my shelf! Did you like your photography class – would you reccomend it? Did you take photography 1?

    I so want to take a class in central park over the summer!

    xo
    Katie

    untilfurthernoticeblog.blogspot.com

    Published 1.27.14 · Reply
    • Yay, so great that you got a DSLR! I think taking a class is a great idea. I read my instruction manual when I first got the camera and did my best to figure it out on my own, but the class made all the difference. You really get the basics and get a handle on how the camera works. I took Photography I and I definitely recommend it. One thing I would recommend is to take it in spring! They had us go outside and take pics for a portion of every class, and it would have been much more pleasant if the weather were nice. And I'm with you, I think it would be so fabulous to take a class in Central Park over the summer! Let me know what you wind up doing!

      Published 1.28.14 · Reply
  4. Leslie wrote:

    Love the idea of re-using a calendar! Your pictures are great; they make me want to take a photography class!

    Published 1.27.14 · Reply
  5. Dana wrote:

    Love the bridge pic!!

    Published 1.27.14 · Reply
  6. Hunter wrote:

    I love all of your images! It is so cool that you took a photography class!

    Hunter
    Prep on a Budget

    Published 1.27.14 · Reply
  7. I absolutely LOVE the photo of the Queensboro Bridge!!! GORGEOUS!

    So sorry we couldn't meet up last week–I couldn't stay out very late because I have to get up so early for my teaching job. But let's get together soon! Any chance you'd want to go to the Ann Taylor Loft event tonight?! It's from 7-9 at the Flatiron building, and Sam from La Petite Pear is hosting! Would LOVE to see you, girl!

    xoxo!!

    <3

    Kelly
    kellyinthecity.com

    Published 1.27.14 · Reply
  8. You can tell that you took a photography class — your photos are gorgeous! The one of the bridge is insanely beautiful. One of these days, I'll invest in a camera that's not my iPhone!

    I've been dappling in raw juices for the past several months… even though I've found some green juices that I really like, nothing will ever beat Blueprint's Cashew Milk. It's like a milkshake that I don't feel guilty about! Cha-ching!

    Published 1.27.14 · Reply
  9. Holly wrote:

    As always, such great pictures! I love the top one especially 🙂

    Published 1.27.14 · Reply
  10. Your photos are great… I want to take photography lessons as well… May I ask what kind of camera you use? I like that you gave an old, useless calendar a second life…

    Have a great week!!!

    xoxo Violeta, your Shoegal Out In The World

    http://www.shoegaloutintheworld.com

    Published 1.28.14 · Reply
    • Thank you so much Violeta! I'm using a Canon EOS Rebel T3i with a 50 mm 1.8 lens (I didn't buy the kit lens). It's a great starter camera and a great lens! I definitely recommend taking lessons in some capacity just to learn the basics, it really helped me! Hope that helps 🙂

      Published 1.28.14 · Reply
  11. Thank you so much Sarah! Hope you're staying warm up there!

    Published 1.28.14 · Reply
  12. alexis wrote:

    Heya Girl! Great fun on Sunday morning! (like how 12:30 PM is my version of "morning? HA!) Love the bridge shot, very haunting and mysterious with the fog and grey sky! I can't believe I forgot to talk juicing with you. I got a Vitamix about a year ago and it's my favorite thing in the whole world! I'll remember to share some recipes next time. Have a great week! xo Alexis

    Published 1.28.14 · Reply
    • Haha I'm with you…brunch should never start before noon! We need to share some juice recipes for sure, I'm dying to get a Vitamix (my blender sucks). Hope you're having a good week too, talk to you soon!

      Published 1.30.14 · Reply
  13. Thank you Chantelle! You're so sweet. Yes, I totally agree…after taking Photo I I'm absolutely dying to get a zoom lens, but I need to save up. This is such an expensive hobby! I get tripped up in low light too, in which case I think a tripod would be helpful. I was thinking of getting one of those gorilla pods (like a tabletop tripod). And I should definitely learn to use the flash!

    Published 1.30.14 · Reply