This blog is officially going on hiatus for a few weeks. It’s time for a much needed break from the staring at my monitor all day long!
Archive for February, 2010
en vacanesFebruary 24th, 2010This blog is officially going on hiatus for a few weeks. It’s time for a much needed break from the staring at my monitor all day long! |
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lights…camera…February 23rd, 2010The real truth about this blog that all of the shots that end up on here are the result of sheer luck and a bit of Photoshop magic. In the interest of improving technique and getting the right shot more quickly… I spent the day with Aurora Oronato shooting on manual and exploring the wonders [...] |
The real truth about this blog that all of the shots that end up on here are the result of sheer luck and a bit of Photoshop magic. In the interest of improving technique and getting the right shot more quickly… I spent the day with Aurora Oronato shooting on manual and exploring the wonders of lighting. It was an amazing day of learning new things and being a bit overwhelmed. In the end, I need to spend more time thinking and revising my work while I’m behind the camera. Luckily, there should be plenty of time to practice while we’re on vacation!
First shot is of Savannah, who braved a lot of chilly, whipping wind in downtown New Milford. 
Melissa was our afternoon model. Aurora brought a lot of lighting gear I’ve never worked with before. A softbox, a heavy huge battery that looks like it could power a car, reflectors… It was amazing to take control of the light instead of feeling frustrated that it’s an uncontrollable factor in a shot. Since I don’t own all this equipment, I doubt my photos will be taking on this kind of effect any time soon, but it was fascinating to see it behind the scenes. I loved trying something new and can hardly believe these photos came from my D50 with a 35mm lens.
And those eyelashes! Girls- they are real… I am so jealous.
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konichiwaFebruary 22nd, 2010A trip to Japan? Not yet! President’s Day weekend, our first stop was the Mohr McPherson showroom in the South End of Boston. Our home still needs a lot of decorating help. There is a nicecollection of Asian furniture and wares (and it’s not all from Japan). We also took a quick peek at the [...] |
A trip to Japan? Not yet! President’s Day weekend, our first stop was the Mohr McPherson showroom in the South End of Boston. Our home still needs a lot of decorating help. There is a nicecollection of Asian furniture and wares (and it’s not all from Japan). We also took a quick peek at the clearance center in Alewife which has some low prices, but not nearly as impressive a selection our layout. We couldn’t decide on anything. MM isn’t an impulse shopping kind of place. We do have a few pieces in mind… We’ll have to start by measuring up our living room.
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polar bear in our frigidaireFebruary 20th, 2010I remember my mom reading me this Shel Silverstein poem. “There’s a Polar Bear In our Frigidaire– He likes it ’cause it’s cold in there.” Does anyone else remember it? As a young kid, I didn’t know what a Frigidaire was, I just assumed it was another name for a refrigerator! I had no idea it was a brand name. By [...] |
I remember my mom reading me this Shel Silverstein poem. “There’s a Polar Bear In our Frigidaire– He likes it ’cause it’s cold in there.” Does anyone else remember it? As a young kid, I didn’t know what a Frigidaire was, I just assumed it was another name for a refrigerator! I had no idea it was a brand name. By now, you’re probably wondering what’s in this photo. It’s a fridge door and the lines of its design remind me of an mid-century automobile. We’ve got the stainless steel french-door model that’s currently in vogue, but it doesn’t have quite the same style as this Frigidaire! Yesterday, I read that Em and Pete are getting rid of this very energy-sucking beast in their basement. When I took the photo last September, I have to admit I wasn’t sure if it was still functioning! RIP Frigidaire!
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craigie on main in cambridgeFebruary 19th, 2010If you want to dine at a fine restaurant the Saturday before Valentine’s Day, you’d better line up your reservation well in advance! We didn’t jump into action early enough… so when I tried to get a table at Oleana, there was nothing available at a reasonable hour. I did ask some locals for their recommendations, not that [...] |
If you want to dine at a fine restaurant the Saturday before Valentine’s Day, you’d better line up your reservation well in advance! We didn’t jump into action early enough… so when I tried to get a table at Oleana, there was nothing available at a reasonable hour. I did ask some locals for their recommendations, not that any were an easy reservation. We settled on tasty dinner at french/cambodian Elephant Walk on Beacon Street, just walking distance from Hotel Commonwealth where we were staying. The restaurant was completely filled, but the kitchen and staff didn’t have any problem keeping up with V day demand. It was impressive to see the whole place run so smoothly on a busy night.
With our revised game plan, we zeroed in on Sunday brunch at Craigie on MainCambridge. It was a delicious meal (and I generally don’t like brunch), with great service. They even take their cocktails quite seriously! If you happen to see a sugar-coated donut on the menu, I would order it. It was right up there with a malasada from Leonard’s (Honolulu) or a Downyflake donut (Nantucket). Below is Brent’s burger with crispy shoestring potatoes!Here are Boston/Cambridge recommendations we received:
Oleana, Craigie on Main, Blue Room, Ten Tables, Myer + Chang, Upstairs on the Square, Tangerino (ask for the tent), L’Espalier, Aquitaine, Mistral, Rialto, & Eastern Standard. Clearly we need to get back to Boston!
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neptune oyster in the north endFebruary 18th, 2010As soon as we decided to visit Brent in Boston, I quickly made plans with Miranda. She and D had never met and I knew she would lead us to good food! She suggested Neptune Oyster in the North End. This teeny spot doesn’t take reservations (probably doesn’t need to, as I’m sure it’s always [...] |
As soon as we decided to visit Brent in Boston, I quickly made plans with Miranda. She and D had never met and I knew she would lead us to good food! She suggested Neptune Oyster in the North End. This teeny spot doesn’t take reservations (probably doesn’t need to, as I’m sure it’s always filled to the gills will people willing to wait) and the dining room is about as cramped as the roads in the North End. I guess that’s all a part of the experience… just squeeze on in, if you’re lucky enough to get a seat. We got the last spots at the bar and had a great view of the oysters being shucked. I try not to let the camera take over a meal, but Miranda politely offered to let me photograph before anyone picked up a fork! Without further ado, here’s our lunch from last Saturday:
Thanks Miranda! Please come visit us and we’ll return the favor!
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hearts and rosesFebruary 14th, 2010Lots of love to my valentine, D. He knows the only thing I want on Feb 14 is a homemade card. And for 4 years, they’ve also been edible messages of love! This year he enlisted the help of Roy, who works the sushi counter at Whole Foods in Milford. D knows my favorite treat is [...] |
Lots of love to my valentine, D. He knows the only thing I want on Feb 14 is a homemade card. And for 4 years, they’ve also been edible messages of love! This year he enlisted the help of Roy, who works the sushi counter at Whole Foods in Milford. D knows my favorite treat is an inari sushi (deep fried tofu pockets filled with rice), so he turned them into sushi hearts and added a few sashimi salmon roses. It was the perfect snack for two.
We’re just back from Boston where we had a great time catching up with Miranda, touring Brent’s neighborhood and eating at loads of fabulous restaurants. More soon.
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how you like me now?February 12th, 2010As I mentioned in a previous post, I didn’t see a SINGLE commercial during the Super Bowl this year! The next day, most of the blogs I follow were buzzing about Google’s ad, with its charming Parisian love story. Like any American who thinks of the City of Lights as a hopelessly romantic place, I was enveloped in a warm and fuzzy feeling [...] |
As I mentioned in a previous post, I didn’t see a SINGLE commercial during the Super Bowl this year! The next day, most of the blogs I follow were buzzing about Google’s ad, with its charming Parisian love story. Like any American who thinks of the City of Lights as a hopelessly romantic place, I was enveloped in a warm and fuzzy feeling after seeing it online. BUT…when I read that Google edited out some of their search results -et voilà- the magic was gone.
I glimpsed a truncated version of the KIA Sorrento ad on TV last night and though I can’t declare it the best (not that anyone cares what I think was the best Super Bowl ad), I will say it’s a favorite of mine! With its killer soundtrack, this ad is certainly a timely homage to last year’s every-man movie, The Hangover! What a fresh sight to see these edgy shenanigans juxtaposed with the innocence of a child’s stuffed animals and toys. I love how KIA ties their SUV with a state of mind… and a fun-loving one at that.
A departure from the expected… indeed.
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snow dayFebruary 10th, 2010These photos are for Doug and Sip who are busy drinking ginger-infused smoothies & cutting fresh flowers before arrival of house guests. They’re also probably feeling pretty darn smug since they’re vacationing on the warm and sunny island of Vieques! For the geographically challenged, that’s an isle right next to Puerto Rico. I’ve spent the day snowbound at home, so at [...] |
These photos are for Doug and Sip who are busy drinking ginger-infused smoothies & cutting fresh flowers before arrival of house guests. They’re also probably feeling pretty darn smug since they’re vacationing on the warm and sunny island of Vieques! For the geographically challenged, that’s an isle right next to Puerto Rico. I’ve spent the day snowbound at home, so at lunch I grabbed the G1o and we went for a walk around the neighborhood.
My favorite building in Morningside. It’s the red carriage house and you can’t miss it as you drive to our house.
This was a two-part storm, with the afternoon bringing the second round of snow.
Not a good day to be a sea bird. The freezing cold wind was whipping on Morningside Drive!
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win an inspired journey from tauckFebruary 9th, 2010Who knew? Both The New Yorker magazine and Tauck tours got their start back in 1925! Tauck is still a family-owned, Connecticut company known for their premium guided adventure tours. I’ve seen them out in the field operating from fine hotels like the Princeville in Kauai. To celebrate their 85 years, the Tauck Trip of Lifetime offers you a chance to win a travel to one of eight featured destinations, like the [...] |
Who knew? Both The New Yorker magazine and Tauck tours got their start back in 1925! Tauck is still a family-owned, Connecticut company known for their premium guided adventure tours. I’ve seen them out in the field operating from fine hotels like the Princeville in Kauai. To celebrate their 85 years, the Tauck Trip of Lifetime offers you a chance to win a travel to one of eight featured destinations, like the Canadian Rockies (below). If you’re not into the great wide outdoors, there are plenty of other amazing options. If I won, I’d have to go with Australia, though Norway’s high on my list and Japan is high up D’s! Day dreaming begins now! You have until March 8, 2010 to enter. Looks like a snow day tomorrow? We’ll see if mother natures drops that thunderstorm and blizzard-like conditions on top of Connecticut.