Visual Inspiration

I find that there are so many images being thrown at me on a daily basis that it takes something really spectacular and striking to stop me in my tracks. These are a few of the websites I find myself returning to again and again for inspiration, and to remind myself what I think is beautiful and important when it comes to taking pictures.

The Polaroid Kidd
F-Stop
3191
Giacomo Brunelli
PostSecret
The Sartorialist
Smosch

Square America
I could look through this site for hours upon hours. I love old photographs so much. It doesn’t matter if they’re pictures of family members or complete strangers, I can get completely drawn in. I think they tell a story in a way that more recent pictures don’t. And there’s something magical about those small, fuzzy black and white prints.

Insanity

This year we hosted Thanksgiving at our house and had some of my mom’s family over. It was a beautiful day and I consumed a vast amount of food. We baked six pies, mashed 18 potatoes, roasted vegetables, baked biscuits, made vegetarian gravy and many other things. For just six people. As my Aunt Clare said, “We must have been insane.”

A short narrative through pictures

Tour: The Flea Market

After nearly two years of working on Sunday mornings my schedule has changed. What does this mean? Well, aside from the obvious benefit of finally being able to enjoy a relaxed weekend morning (sleeping in, brunch, etc.) I’m now free to explore the weekly flea market!

The flea market takes place at the drive in movie range and it’s HUGE. Of course I don’t really have a lot of market experience to compare it with, but there is so much stuff there that it’s very easy to be overwhelmed. There are many things… many crappy things, but also some really neat stuff. Wander around for long enough and you will find everything from junky toys to (seemingly) brand new laptops. It all depends on which dealers are there at any given week. I always keep an eye out for old cameras. This past week there were a multitude of bicycles!

Check out the funky banana seat on this baby. I also spotted 3, (count ‘em, 3!) tandem bikes. Pretty cool.

Badminton anyone?

Is it an antique comb of torture? A hardware item? A gardening tool? You just never know. Or perhaps you do! If so, please enlighten me.

Vroom vroom.

It’s like a sherbet lamp collection! How cheery.

Aren’t these great? Perfect for flowers.

Ahhh, tiny men! Is that the Indian in the cupboard?

Last week I was lucky enough to spend some time in North Hampton with a friend. Going to NoHo is always a treat for the eyes; unfortunately I didn’t bring my camera with me. It’s nice to escape the small town doldrums for a more exciting and colorful place and it’s great to be provided with a bit of wardrobe inspiration. NoHo is where the funky dressers are at ya’ll. I always leave there not sure if I want to be an earthy bohemian type, or give in completely to my indie hipster inclinations. Ah well, perhaps I will be able to find a balance. In the meantime my wallet is still recovering from this little trip. I made some lovely purchases, such as this scarf.

I fell in love with these cards but almost didn’t get them because I was trying to be good with money…. but come on, they are too great. Having lovely cards or stationary always inspires me to actually keep in touch with friends through old fashioned snail mail.

This purse is awesome, okay? Awesome. It has hedgehogs on it! Hedgehogs! I’m in love with it.

Taste! Organic

Yesterday I went to Taste! Organic. It takes place at someone’s beautifully picturesque home and this is the third time I’ve gone, although the first time I have not gone to stilt. The vegetables are stunning and lots of homemade goods are up for sale…. but the real reason I love to go there is the food. Seriously, their fingerling potatoes with sea salt and organic ketchup are to die for. Thoughts of the apple crisp with FRESH whipped cream they have there keep me sane through the long winter months. This food is drool worthy - dream worthy even. Alas, I arrived too late this year to partake of the heavenly potatoes, but I’m hoping I’ll be able to buy some for myself at the Farmer’s Market next week. And I did at least snag some of the aforementioned apple crisp. I forgot to take a picture of it, but I did snap some pictures of other things. Such as these pumpkins.

Regular pumpkins… or magical carriage pumpkins? Hmmm.

Nifty little yellow tomatoes and black soybeans.

A stunning felt creation.

While I was at Taste! my mom was busy at home, canning peaches. So, so pretty.

Some Goals for Fall 2007

Read more and write more. I used to read over 100 books a year, easy. Now that number has dwindled and I feel rather sad about it. Reading is still important to me, it’s my escape, my inspiration, one of my greatest passions, but I just don’t have as much time as I used to. I also like to think that perhaps I am more selective with my choices. I used to grab twenty books off the shelves at random, now I really take my time choosing what I want to spend my time reading. Books have always inspired me to write on my own. Unfortunately, stories tend to appear in my head and stay there without me ever writing them down. This should change! Much as it freaks me out, I would someday like to share my writing with other people. But first I need to, you know, actually finish something.

Fix up my bike. Last year I spotted a bike at the dump and took it home with the intention of fixing it up and painting it some wild color. So far all I’ve done is give it a good wash and tried to asses what needs to be done. Hopefully I’ll get it finished before winter comes. Pictures to be posted soon!

Learn how to silk-screen. I’ve wanted to do this for ages but each time I look at instructions I get terribly confused and chicken out. I think this time I will enlist my father to help me make the frame.

Finish making my purses and find places to sell them.

Take a Japanese class.

Take a dance or movement class.

For Supper On Sunday Night

No Knife Spaghetti is a staple in our summer menu. Fresh tomatoes and basil with mozzarella cheese, garlic and various herbs and spices. So good. And so pretty.

Looking slovenly while you cook is no fun. I have two aprons with beautiful prints that really inspire me to cook. Here is one of them.

Beginnings

So, here I am, about to venture into this expansive world of blogging. I feel so lost and small, somebody hold my hand! Having been a Livejournal girl for about five years now this is a big step for me, and I’m not entirely sure how it will turn out. But I think having a blog might allow me to be a bit more creative with what I post, and it’s always nice to have a fresh start. It’s exciting to think of what this blog might someday be filled with…. so perhaps I should start by outlining a few of the things I would like to see appearing here in times yet to come.

1. I have recently become aware of wardrobe remix and am utterly captivated by the idea. Over the summer I have become rather obsessed with fashion blogs and have experienced an upsurge in style motivation…. until I am faced with picking out my clothes in the morning. Morning is not a good time for me, and I usually fall back on my old and faithful clothes instead of trying something daring. I think wardrobe remix would be good for changing that. After all why would I bother taking a picture of myself in something boring? Motivation ahoy!

2. I like to take pictures of my culinary attempts. Undoubtedly I will be sharing some of them here. In fact, I already have a few ready for my next post.

3.I would love to be able to post pictures of my many varied and exciting travel adventures… as soon as I have them. I am keeping my fingers crossed. May there be pictures of rolling English hillsides appearing here soon! I shall be posed by the side of a dilapidated castle in a becoming overcoat and patterned tights…. perhaps a beret. My expression shall reflect my suitably English thoughts about literary characters that lived on windy moors. But not Heathcliff. Because I am Not A Wuthering Heights Fan. To gallivant through the towns and across the beaches and fields of New Zealand is my dearest wish.

4.I have a love for lists. Lists of things I want, things I’ve read, things I’m listening to. Expect to see some of these lists cropping up here.

What else? Who knows….