Bright Lights, Big City

As long as I can remember, I have felt a pull between two opposites- a love for the countryside and a love for the city. While I am completely at peace in the country, there is something about big cities that makes my pulse race in the most exhilarating way.

Helena Palazzi Photography

The traffic. The noise. The people. The lights. The buildings. All of these things and more capture a piece of my heart.

Martin Rusch

I love staring out a window many stories in the air, taking in building upon building with skyscrapers lined up as far as the eye can see.

Helena Palazzi Photography

Especially at night. When light and darkness meet halfway.

Troy House Photography

For the next few days I will be in and around New York City, and my heart is filled with happiness. I have a weekend filled with not only the excitement of the city, but also the company of family and friends, ones who it has been too long since I've last seen.

Midweek, I move on to Massachusetts to spend time with some more close friends who I also haven't seen in far too many years, and I most likely will be MIA for a little over the next week; I hope during that time you have many moments of sweet bliss, as I intend to enjoy many of the same.

Going to the Dogs

I've mentioned before how head over heels E and I are for our two dogs, so it might not be surprising we both desired to have them be part of our wedding celebration. While we weren't able to make it happen, I still love seeing when couples do include a furry, four-legged family member in their big day!

Christophe Photo


Carrie, Brock & Sailor- Echard Wheeler Photography


L: Paloma Images. R: Jonathan & Becca- Ryan Phillips Photography.


Paloma Images


L: KT Merry via Style Me Pretty. R: Lauren & Chris- Laura Novak Photography.


tm photography

Joyful, Joyful

When I was little, I loved the summer nights when my family would head out to hear the local symphony play at an outdoor theater. We would arrive with a blanket and a picnic basket and settle in to listening to the orchestra play while eating our dinner outside in beautiful weather.

Tec Petaja via Once Wed


Simply Bloom Photography via Green Weddings Shoes via C Star Events


Roland Bello Photography


Lorenzo Agius


Thayer Allyson Gowdy

I still think camping out on a blanket while listening to good music, savoring delicious food, and relishing the company of family and friends is a fantastic way to spend a night, and as the weather is not yet too hot, humid, and muggy here in Houston, I am looking forward to enjoying just such an evening tonight. Whatever your plans, I hope your weekend is full of things you take joy in too!

Routing for a Hometown Girl

I'm sure many of you have been following the adventures of former Houston-turned Kuala Lumpur resident Courtney, of In(side) the Loop, as she's jumped headfirst into exploring life in a new country and on a new continent over the course of the last year.

Earlier this spring, Courtney posted stunning photos of her 3 week journey to India and Nepal. Each breathtaking, revealing and beautifully composed. Now Courtney has been recognized for one of those photos as she was named a Top 40 Individual Finalist in the KL Photo Awards 2010, out of over 1650 entries received from 38 different countries!

Courtney Barton

While the judges have made their decisions, the People's Choice award is now being counted. You can vote for your favorite entry once per computer (and once per smart phone!) until May 16th.

Regardless of the outcome, I am very happy for and proud of my sweet blogging friend, a woman who is every bit as warm and genuine in person as she seems online!

The Teal Deal

There are certain colors that command attention whether they're used in large or small doses, and teal is one of those shades that makes a big impact on a space no matter how much or how little it is used in a room.

Ditte Isager


Jim Franco Photography

Jean-Louis Deniot


Lonny magazine


Homes & Gardens


Angie Hranowsky Design Studio

While I may fall more along the lines of teal in moderation when considering my own space, I do love the boldness of selecting this hue as a wall color as seen in the first two rooms. What are your thoughts on living with teal? If you were to select this color would you use a lot or a little?

I'm the Wanderer

The Wheatfield

Today, you'll find I've wandered over to La Dolce Vita to share my 10 Things I Can't Live Without as part of an ongoing series; I was very flattered when the truly genuine and sweet Paloma asked me to participate, and if you don't already read her beautiful blog be sure to spend some time looking through it as her posts are always full of gorgeous interiors and inspiring words.

Swayed

So, Suede returned to the big time, selling out the Royal Albert Hall. Mat had got me a photopass; I was never the world's biggest fan but to see them all up stage and loving it was great. I got a few ok pictures.








Aw, Mat.

In other exciting news, the ICA got themselves out of the mire long enough to put the best night on I've been to for a while. Luckily for me, they hired me to take pictures of the whole day; it was an event based around the work and thoughts of Cosey Fanni Tutti; in the daytime was Cosey Club, a series of talks, lectures, presentations and performances inspired by her.







In the evening at Cosey Club there were bands and DJs; Eve Black/Eve White, Fixmer/McCarthy, Richard Clouston and Andrew Wetherall.







However, though they weren't headlining, the real greatness of the night was to see Factory Floor play again. They're nice people, always put on a good show, and I'm always happy with the pictures I get.








I had a good time, thought the clocks went forward and I found myself flagging a bit towards the end. Elsewhen, I've shot two reasonable portraits for Le Cool this week. First up, Phil Wood who runs the Roxy Bar and Screen in Borough.



Later that day, Sebastian Horsley, an artist and general gadabout, who was quite fun to take pictures of.



Aside from these things, the most exciting thing to happen this week was to receive an initial email from Tate Modern about possibly taking some pictures there as their in-house performance photographer; it would be big news for me, but after the initial excitement has worn down, memories of other greatnesses that never quite happen surfaced; perhaps it would be interesting to someone to see how these things work, in terms of getting work, so I'll chart the progress as it happens.