via pinhole press

I have been looking through my pictures from my week in California since the minute I got home. Some of them are awesome, some a bit embarrassing, but all of them are wonderful memories. Thus I decided to give my mom another present and create a pinhole press photo book for her. I heard about them from A Cup of Jo and have been dying for the right occasion to create one — I can’t think of a better one than this!

This week has kicked my need for some fall sprucing (similar to spring cleaning) into full gear. The change in temperature sets off my need for things to be organized, tidy, warm and cozy — it’s only a matter of time when New Yorkers going into hibernation for the winter. I love these Juniper book covers as a way to liven up my bookshelves while also adding an element of cohesion to my rather odd collection of titles.

the edge of vision

I’m not sure where I initially stumbled upon photos by Mary Ellen Bartley but her new collection Standing Open is gorgeous and leaves me staring and my mind wandering. It’s a simple concept with flawless execution that creates an image that you can’t take your eyes off of. I also love that each piece is titled with the title of the book that is photographed.

I love all the posters and screen prints from Ork Posters, but obviously I am partial to the Manhattan one. It’s crazy to see on paper just how sectioned off and pieced together this island is but still how the whole thing feels like home to some and huge to others. There’s no place like home!

Warning: Gratuitous self-promotion ahead……….

I was never the biggest Michael Jackson fan. Crazy, I know! I do have a few favorite songs (Man in the Mirror being my all time favorite) but he just always kind of weirded me. That was until I met NY-based portrait photographer Henry Leutwyler and started working with him on his NYC show at Foley Gallery.

In 2009 Henry went out to California to shoot the glove for Vanity Fair. He decided to return on his own to photograph all the strange and infamous treasures that MJ was putting up for auction to support himself (this was before he signed his final tour deal). He’s since had a book published of this work, by Steidl, and showed at a gallery in LA.

The show runs from Thursday, February 24th through April 2nd. There is an opening reception for the public Thursday night (this coming Thursday) from 6-8pm.

Check out more photos of the show here.

My birthday is officially over, as sad as it is to say. But I am somewhat blissfully unaware because I have spent the last two days playing with my brand new camera. I wanted something to replace my old point and shoot that broke a few weeks back. I decided that having something small enough to fit in a purse wasn’t really an issue anymore so I asked for an easy, amateur SRL. As soon as I get all the settings where I want them I will start posting my beautiful masterpieces!

I downloaded CameraBag on my MacBook and I am really excited to start playing around with it (the picture above is from Sedona, Arizona). I don’t have an iPhone so I’ve been unable to use the beloved Hipstamatic app, but I have been craving it’s different filters since I got my very own Holga for Hanukkah. Between CameraBag and Photoshop’s filters I will definitely be able to do some great things with my photos! And just in time for Unravelling!

Mimi Jung, founder of Brook&Lyn, just launched her newest Surrounded collections. All of her stuff is meticulously made and beautifully designed and I just love the look of the more ornate pieces with a really simple tight jersey dress. I’ll definitely be adding a few pieces to my holiday/birthday lists. Also while you’re over at the Brook&Lyn site, check out the fabulous vintage accessories, they’re incredibly inexpensive but elegant and timeless!