BYW Road Trip Continued

Remember how I told you that the Blogging Your Way NYC Road Trip workshop was so inspiring that my head was spinning. Well, I wasn't joking. I told you that the only photos I took were the few polaroids I shared but I completely forgot that actually did take a few photos. I thought you might like to see some shots of the light studio and of Holly in action.









The studio was so gorgeous, look at this amazing light!  

Recent Garden Harvest

My garden has been slow to produce. Yesterday it yielded to gourd shaped pickling cucumbers and one very pretty jalapeno pepper. Did you know that when pickles grow they start out with sharp little spikes all over them? I do now, ouch.

Related Posts:
Uninvited Garden Guests

From the Garden

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From the Garden

Unfortunately my garden does not get as much sunlight as it should so this lonely radish was the only one I was able to harvest from the crop. I still have hope for the cucumber and squash plants, they are growing nicely and have many flowers. The tiny radish wasn't enough to enjoy in a salad but it did make a nice photo subject.

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Step Outside

The rain has finally let up, the sun is shining, it's a pleasant Spring day, and I'd rather...

Step outside and enjoy your day.

Photo Credit: Michelle Verdugo

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Meet My Newest Appendage

The camera is an Olympus omG SLR that belonged to my grandfather. I've actually had it in my possession since college when I took a black and white photography course. The new addition is the 50mm 1.8 zukio lens. I'm very excited to carry the camera with my new lens every where I go. It's currently loaded with Fuji Superia Reala 100 color film so I'm off to go shooting. I'll be sharing what I capture soon.

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I've Just Been [Framed]

I just discovered [FRAMED] and I'm totally hooked. [FRAMED] is a free, weekly video series that takes you behind the scenes with local, national, and internationally recognized photographers. The show gives you an insight into the photographers creative process, favorite equipment, post processing techniques, studio space - you name it, they cover it. In addition to the photographers featured, the host also includes interviews with the hair and make up teams; wardrobe and prop stylists; and models. You gain a real appreciation for the artist's entire process.

I really enjoyed Episode 3 about Ryan Muirhead (he's a riot) and don't miss this week's episode with Lisa Warninger including stylist Chelsea Fuss. I have only seen the first four episodes so far but I'm thoroughly inspired. Just placed a film order and I can't wait to start shooting again.

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What Happened to Spring?

Last Friday it was at least 75 degrees in the northeast and then Monday morning I woke up to snow. Not cool Spring. I am not a fan of the crazy temperature fluctuations that Spring likes to tease us with. The first warm day makes me want to wear white pants and wedges that expose my toes. Instead I wore corduroy pants and a ski jacket to work today. I'll be a lot happier about Spring some time in mid-May. Until then I have these photographs that I took (with film & a non-digital SLR camera - crazy right?) around my neighborhood last Spring to gaze at longingly.

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Lisa Lindøe

It's snowing in the northeast right now and scheduled to do so through the night. I'm stressed and grumpy because I have a flight schedule tomorrow morning to beautiful Park City, Utah and I'm worried about what this might do to my travel plans. I need all of you to cross your fingers for me that I will arrive at my destination without major incident. And while you are crossing those fingers let's enjoy some beautiful portraits by photographer Norwegian Lisa Lindøe. Perhaps they will help sooth my frazzled nerves.

Wish me luck! Maybe you keep those toes crossed too.

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Perhaps an Equine Portrait?

I am on the hunt for something special to fill this space. I'd like whatever I hang here make a graphic impact. Hanging landscape I think what I choose should be at least 16"x24" which leaves plenty of room for a large frame, but a vertical hanging photograph, print, or art piece would look great even larger than that.

My first thought when deciding what I'd like to hang here was a beautiful photograph of a horse. I've never owned a horse and I've only been riding a handful of times but I've always loved horses. They make great portrait subjects with their expressive eyes and I love how photographs of them are often warm toned and monochromatic.

1 - equinoxphoto 2 - equinoxphoto 3 - f2images

I did a thorough etsy search and found some great possibilities. I haven't contacted all of the sellers yet to see how large the photographs can be printed but I thought you would like to see some of my favorites.

1 - spydphotography 2 - scrappygirl2u 3 - dorndorf

I ran these past Nick and he is on board with the equines, preferably the close up face shots. What do you think, any favorites?

1 - eireannneilis 2 - beccahaydu 3 - dorndorf

I have more non-horse related options to share so stay tuned!

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This Post is NOT Christmas Related

It's been really Christmas heavy here on Design Evolution for the past few weeks. I have Christmas on the brain with all of the shopping, decorating, and preparation that is required so it's been difficult for me to write about anything else.

This is actually a post about nothing. I just wanted to share these two pages from the most recent Urban Outfitters catalog. I love it so much I tore them out so I can hang them on my wall.

That is all. Carry on.

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Before there was the Sartorialist...

...There was Ansel Adams the street photographer. In my mind Ansel Adams was a landscape photographer. I am familiar, as I'm sure most of you are, with his vast portfolio of the Sierra Nevadas. I visited Yosemite in August and was awestruck seeing some of the iconic locations that Adams photographed in person. Ansel Adams as a street photographer is new to me and I enjoyed finding this collection of street scenes from around 1939 in the L.A. area.


See more photographs and read the entire story on NPR.org

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Happy Weekend!

I've been having a hard time getting back into the swing of things after my fantastic vacation. Getting my body used to EST again is taking longer than I thought. At least I slept until 5 am today, that's a lot better than 3 am. I've also been in a bit of a funk following my return. Northern New Jersey is just a little less fabulous than Milos, Greece. I just have to keep reminding myself that one day I'll have my own little home there and will be able to spend more than 2 weeks on the island. Though it is not something that will happen in the next few years, it something to dream about and plan for.

This weekend I'm planning a few activities that will help remind me that I really do love living in the neighborhood that I do. First stop will be the farmers market to pick last goodies that summer has to offer and stare at all of the beautiful stone fruits (allergies, poo). A trip to Target might also be in order. There are no Targets in Greece, tragic.

littlebrownpen

aussie1962

What do you have planned for the weekend? Why not plan a few activities close to home that remind you of the simple pleasures?

Update: Well buggers, I neglected to check the weather forecast before making my weekend plans. At least the rainy weather will keep me inside and force me to finish up my flooring project. Though trips to Home Depot in the rain might not be so fun.

-Michelle

My First Guest Post

I'm working on a guest post for one of my favorite bloggers ever. It hardly needs to be said that I was super excited when she asked me to participate. I'll let you know more details soon.

Through the Looking Glass

Thought I would share a few shots I've taken with my new camera. I have yet to figure out how to use even half of the functions. It will certainly be fun to learn. The world of DSLR is totally new to me. I keep forgetting that I can't just twist a dial near the lens to adjust the aperture or f-stop.

moss and lichen covered stone

fading tulips

old street sign

lovely dogwood tree

I'm off to find some new subjects to capture.

Spotted: Period Light Fixtures

If you follow me on Twitter you probably heard me squealing with delight upon the arrival of my new camera.  It's not often now that I leave the house with my new camera especially on my daily dog walks.  It's funny, when you have a camera on your arm you seem to notice small details that you may have previously overlooked.  On one of my recent walks I noticed some of the many great period light fixtures on the buildings around town.

     


I will definitely be keeping these pictures in my inspiration files for future my future home.  I'd love to have a similar period fixture at my front door.  I've been shopping around Rejuvenation and School House Electric but don't see lights quite like any that are pictured above.  If you can suggest somewhere else I might want to try searching I would really appreciate it.  Especially if they carry anything like the lights in the last photo, how fabulous are they?

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Happy Weekend Everyone!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend planned? How will you be spending this Memorial Day? I'm headed here as soon as I get out of work this evening and I can't wait:

Darn, I just lost the link to this photo. I didn't take it but aren't those seagulls adorable?

Since Monday is a holiday and everyone will be off spending time with their friends and family I've decided to make it a blog holiday too. I'll return on Tuesday hopefully fully rejuvenated from my time at the shore. See you then!

P.S. I won't be posting my new blog finds today because I have a lot of running around to do. Check back Saturday or Sunday I may decide to post some while I'm lounging on my beach chair.

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Finally Welcoming Spring

I'm generally apprehensive about getting excited for the start of Spring. Spring is such a tease. Taunting us one day with a delightfully sunny and warm day only to turn on us the next. One morning I leave my home with only a light cardigan and the next it's back to the winter coat because it's windy, cold, and dumping buckets of rain on my me. I'm slowly warming up to Spring (since she's slowly warming up to me) and decided to welcome her with a sweet little gift. A sweet little gift to myself of course.

Amy, from the etsy shop the bline, creates darling wearable works of art out of polymer clay. This lovely ring arrived at my door several days ago and I've been wearing it ever since. It's like a little reminder that warmer days and blooming front yards gardens will be here before I know it. In fact I stumbled upon these early birds of Spring just the other day. Welcome Spring.

The Color of the Moment

ith all of the twitter chat lately about the love of the color mustard along with the positive reactions to the use of it for interiors I just can't get the color out of my head. What can I say, I couldn't help myself. I had to order these adorable shoes:

I am aware that Pantone named Mimosa the Color of the Year and perhaps I am subconsciously swayed but their announcement. I choose to think not. I've been a yellow lover for some time now but the good thing about it being named the color of the year is how much more available it becomes. Maybe not so good for my wallet.

Update: Wow, if that's what my floors really looked like I wouldn't be itching to rip them out.

Sending you a bit more love

I came across so many sweet photographs I thought I should include some in one more post.

Sweet kitty love - LoveCats2006

Atlantys

Love is in the air - Betie Bet

A wall in Paris with the words I love You written in over 300 languages - Simple Dolphin

And lastly, A kiss - tubo zeta

Photo Credits: All photos from flickr, credit under each photo

Happy Love Day

Love in photographs. Happy Valentine's Day from me to you. Enjoy.

- Michelle

♥ Lela ♥

A message of love discovered by Littopillo

Still in Love? I Think So - Henný G

janoid

Salva [Om Qui Voyage]

Love and Coffee - Gelchy

Photo Credits: All photos from flickr, credit under each photo