Marry Me a Little

Amanda,

Une seule pour laquelle je suis fait. 

Je t'amais, je t'aime, et je t'aimerai

Will you marry me?

Damion

Amanda,

The one for whom I was made.

I have loved you, I love you, and I will always love you

Will you marry me?

Damion

Danny and I were eating a light dinner in Central Park a few weeks ago when we saw this plaquard on our bench.  Many benches in parks around the city have little dedications like this, but few are as charming as this one.  As we both let out a resounding "awwwwwww," I reached into my bag for the camera.  

All I can hope is that Damion won over his Amanda with this charming way of proposing.  Oh, and that he's a nice guy.  However, I feel like the kind of man who would do something this romantic would be a kind fella.  I picture them living in some beautiful apartment togeter, utterly happy.  Never mind that in my vision, they also look exactly like James Marsden and Amy Adams in Enchanted.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Photographer Feature: Ari Morales

No, these photographs were not taken by me.  They were taken of me!  

I needed some new and exciting headshots for my main career (acting) and had them done while Danny and I were on vacation in Austin last week.  The photographer is this wonderful guy named Ari Morales. His work is just stunning- I've been impressed at every turn.  I was so glad that he wanted to work with me.  

Please check out more of his work at http://www.arimorales.com/

Austin, Texas, USA

My Man

This is Daniel Garrison.  He is pretty much the best boyfriend ever.  What do I mean by that?  He's the kind of boyfriend who buys me roses for no particular reason whatsoever.  He dips me when we kiss sometimes because he feels like it.  Chairs at tables?  Pulls them out for me.  Doors?  Opens them for me.  Back rubs?  Gives me them.  Love?  Well, he seems to have an endless supply of it that he sends my way.  I will never know quite what I did to deserve him, but I will always be glad that I did it.  Just a few days ago I left New York to visit my parents.  On Wednesday, I'll be leaving here to go start my new job in New Jersey.  We won't be able to see one another every day like we are used to, and that kind of sucks, but we both have to pursue our careers.  Plus, I'll be back in Brooklyn in November. 

 

Hooray!

Austin, Texas, USA

Sundial

This sundial lives in one of my most favourite places in New York City- the Shakespeare Garden in Central Park.  Why is it my favourite?  The flowers are stunning, and everywhere.  The beds are completely filled in with different kinds of wildflowers and such.  

If you've been reading this blog for a little while now (by the way, thank you for that!  and hi!) you probably will have noticed that I adore flowers.  They are kind of a big deal to me.  Being among flowers immediately brightens my mood and my general outlook on life... as well as brightening the screen of my digital camera as I whip it out to take utterly necessary photographs of every flower I see.  So, for you all to be seeing a photograph of a statue instead of flowers from one of my favourite gardens, I must have liked it.  

Sundials are rather rad in general, but this one appealed to me specially.  The base is gorgeous, I just love the way that the different kinds of rocks are melded together in an almost mosaic-like fashion.  Cool stuff.  The top was striking as well, with tiny carvings all over it to help the passerby tell the time of day.  You can't really see them in this photograph, but I promise you that they are there. I hope you enjoy this photograph anyways :)

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

I Choose You!

PIKACHU!

Chinatown, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Acoustic

My boyfriend Danny likes to play guitar.  When he first moved to New York City, he wasn't able to take his guitar with him. For monthes, he agonized over whether to buy a new one or not.  Finally, I convinced him that he had to.  It would make him so unbelievably happy.  Eventually, he caved in and purchased one.  He doesn't play it all that often, but when he does, I love watching the sparkle in his eyes.  When he gets passionate about something like that, his eyes simply glow.  It's so beautiful.  He's so beautiful.

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Puppies

... I want one.  

These were in a window in Bay Ridge

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Dragonfruit

Chinatown is proably the best place in Manhattan to get produce.  It's fresh, it's cheap, and you can buy it on the street.  Not only that, but the choices are much more exotic.  Lychees, durian fruits and dragonfruits accompany the more regular strawberries, apples and oranges. 

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Lucky Cat

The window display of a herbal medicine store in Chinatown.  I love lucky cat motifs- so much that I actually own two.  One looks a lot like this, but not quite as large.  This one is actually about a foot tall.  

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Only Time

The majestic clock on top of the information booth in Grand Central Station.  The fate of thousands of commuters rests upon this clock every day.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

The Birds Above

Just a fun shadow shot I took in Astoria a few weeks ago when it was a bit overcast.  Please, enjoy!

Queens, New York City, New York, USA

The Thinker

There is a tiny little park between 26th and 27th streets between Broadway and 6th ave, where I used to eat lunch fairly often when I was in school nearby.  One day, I stopped there to relax while enjoying a little breakfast on the go.  This man was sitting just across a divide from me, staring off into space, pondering something.  He looked oddly serene as he sat.  

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Tulip Adoration

In Chelsea, there is one street that is just full of wholesale flower and plant vendors.  The street is lined with beautiful, brightly coloured plants of all kinds.  It's like walking through a botanical garden, but really, it's just 28th St.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Washington Mews

Washington Mews is probably the coolest street in New York City.  It is one of the oldest ones still in existence- the street is a jagged cobblestone, the buildings are almost all original from the 1700's.  Nifty.  Also, cars cannot drive down this street, so it is always full of pedestrians, puppies, pidgeons, and the lucky NYU students who live in the language houses on this block.  Most people who walk down this street don't actually live here, they just enjoy the cut through, or the lovely European atmosphere it evokes.  I have a feeling this guy likes the atmosphere.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Contact

An excellent contact juggler I came across one day in Union Square Park.  It's interesting, a lot of the street performers are places very frequently, but I have only seen this guy once.  I thought he was fantastic.  Occasionally, his clear ball would reflect his image in it, like it is doing in this photograph, which made the whole show even more interesting.  I hope he comes back sometime.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

In the Fountain

Washington Square Park is reminiscent of a lot of things for me, but mostly, I remember it before it got redone.  Granted, I do believe that it looks much nicer now, the memory of its former bedraggled charm is certainly a pleasant one.  I'd walk past the fountain on my way to class, or watch the rats run around it in circles at night.  Now, there don't seem to be any rats, which is definitely a good thing.  People seem to swim in it more than they used to as well.  This woman was not swimming, she was just sitting at the edge of the fountain with her feet in the water.  Her dress and her hat went so well with the grey of the fountain, I just had to snap a photograph.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Cavities

When I went to see the Yankees play at Yankee Stadium about a month and a half ago, this man was one of the many vendors traveling up and down the bleachers, selling snacks.  His ware was cotton candy.  His advertising scheme; "Cavities!!  Get your cavities here!!"

Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

The Fan

This is a photograph of my dad, Bob Buck, in Yankee Stadium.  He was super nice and took me to a Yankees game about a month and a half ago.  The entire time, he seemed so excited- my dad has been a pretty big Yankees fan for my entire life.  He grew up outside of New York City, and his dad worked in the Bronx, so I guess it was kind of necessary.  This has been instilled in me at least a little bit.  I check stats from time to time, and I thoroughly enjoy going to watch games.  This photo just made me happy, because he looks so genuinely happy.

Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Gotham

If there was ever a night for the batman symbol to be projected into the air, it was the night that I snapped this photograph.  The fog hung in the air so thickly, it felt like you were walking through honey.  I was covered in a sweat that I knew was mostly condensation.  The top of the Empire State Building was barely visible, and getting a clear photograph was nearly impossible due to the ridiculous amount of water in the air.  It was strangely exciting.  Also, did anyone else know that Gotham is NOT New York City??  On the DC Comics map, it is located somewhere between New York City and New Jersey, meaning that all of this time, Batman has been fighting in... like, Newark or something.  Which is so lame.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Just Beet It

Quite frankly, the main reason I decided to share this photograph... it was so that I could use that pun as the title.  That is all.  This is a pile of fresh beets in the Union Square Greenmarket.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Tart

Since it's my birthday, you get a present of some delectable looking sweets!  Taken in Grand Central Station.  Yummy.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Williamsburg

Just a little shot I took while walking over the Williamsburg Bridge not too long ago.  I like the colors and the composition... not too much else to say about this one other than that I love walking over this bridge at any time of day.  The views to the north and south are both exquisite.  If I ever need a reminder that I live in one of the coolest cities in the world, walking over this bridge does the trick.

New York City, New York, USA

Oh, by the way... it's my BIRTHDAY!!In celebration, please enjoy a silly photograph of my sister and me when we were kids.  I'm the older one.

Ghetto Gnomes

First of all, I feel that I must clarify that this was not taken in a ghetto.  This was taken in the Lower East Side, which is actually delightfully nice.  Especially if you are in your late twenties or older and want some chill nightlife.  Anyways, I named this photograph what I named it because, well, this is a gnome mural on the side of a building that has been tagged.  It's all a bit strange, but I like it in a bizarre sort of way.  

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

I'll Get You My Pretty

Many of the signposts, lamp posts... and other kinds of posts in the East Village are covered in elaborate mosaics.  These mosaics can be very random in color and pattern, but this one particularly impressed me with its Wizard of Oz content.  I really like the Wicked Witch of the West- and no, this is not be having seen Wicked and suddenly been enlightened by the mastery of Idina Menzel.  To be honest, I did see her in Wicked and I loved it, and probably (definitely) can sing the majority of the soundtrack from memory.  But, I had a thing for this character many years before she was even in Rent.  I saw The Wizard of Oz when I was a little kid, and I sympathized with the witch.  At every opportunity, I attempted to convince my family that she just had a terrible childhood, and was not really evil, but misunderstood. I was an odd kid.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Black Squirrel

Squirrels generally tend to be brown, grey, or a reddish kind of brown color.  In New York City, most of them are some sort of shade of grey.  However, in Tompkins Square Park, in Alphabet City, there are black squirrels.  Why?  I don't know.  Why are they only there?  I have absolutely no clue. I am certain, though, that they are pretty adorable.  They are a lot smaller than some of the other squirrels, and a tad bit more skittish.  What I mean by that, is that they are less likely to want to make friends with you by jumping on you and stealing your food.  So, when this one moved close enough to me for this shot, I was pretty thrilled.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Fourth Street

Seagulls are kind of odd animals, in my opinion.  They sometimes look so viscious, sometimes serene, sometimes completely dumb.  Just think about the seagulls in Finding Nemo, screaming "mine!  mine!!".  Hilarious  Why?  Because they sound and look so dumb.  But, stare into the eyes of a seagull, and they look malicious.  This one looked rather docile, alancing on a sign next to the street marker, one the beach.

Beach Haven, New Jersey, USA

Oh Lolly, Lolly

Lollipops are ust kind of joyous.  Reminders of summer days skipping around the backyard with one of these massive rainbow ones...

Beach Haven, New Jersey, USA

Chillin With My Gnomie

Lawn gnomes always make me smile.  When I was little, David the Gnome was one of my favourite TV shows, and ever since then, I have gotten a silly grin on my face every time I've seen one of these cute, squat little guys in someone's lawn.  So imagine my delight when I arrived at my grandparents' beach house to see that they had decorated their rocky yard and porch with some little gnomes!

Beach Haven, New Jersey, USA

Crumbling

Here's another older photograph, this time from Slovakia.  When I was in Bratislava, most of the old city had a wonderful elegance about it, and the outskirts of the city were generally comprised of Communist era block buildings.  Both parts were pretty and fascinating in their own right, but it was this street that took my breath away.  All of the buildings were crumbling, bullets were lodged in the walls, and it looked as if there had been no attempt whatsoever to rebuild anything.  A reminder of Bratislava's war-ridden past. 

Bratislava, Slovakia

Like this?  Take a look at Beautiful Disaster for some destroyed fashion, rather than a destroyed building.

Express Yourself

Loveliest wall art that I have ever seen.  It was on a little back alleyway near the castle, and was the only graffiti in English I saw on my trip to Slovakia.  Which makes sense, since a good number of people there did not speak English.  The couple of Slovakian phrases I taught myself on the plane turned out to come in handy more often than expected.  Anyways, this phrase, and the little heart, evoke so much hope.  Especially their placement on the crumbling wall.  It reminds me that even in times of turmoil, art can still make us feel better.  There is always something lovely in the world, and that something lovely might just be you.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Like this?  Indulge yourself in a little Fairy Tale.

Blossom

 

No, not the Powerpuff girl, but a flowering tree.  These are such a perfect indication that spring has sprung, and this tree in Paris proved no exception.  The pink was such a delicate shade, and the ground below was covered in petals.  Ah, delight.

Paris, France

Like this?  Take a look at some Dutch cherry blossoms in Spring.

Je Chuchote Votre Nom

I loved this statue in the Jardin du Luxembourg.  It was so evocative to me, I just kept thinking about what on earth the sculptor was trying to say, and came up with a million different answers and interpretations, which made me know that it was a good statue.  The woman could be asking for anything- life, love, a helping hand... it doesn't really matter.  I imagined the response to come out in a whisper.  Je chuchote votre nom, I whisper your name.

Paris, France

Like this?  Try taking a look at Contemplation.

Le Tour Eiffel

My night photography skills, at their best, would be graciously described as dodgy.  So, when this photograph turned out as well as it did, I was incredibly pleased.  The Eiffel Tower must be one of the most frequently photographed structures in the world.  I've seen images of it everywhere.  It's just so distinctive, and so indicative of France, and Paris specifically, that everyone who wants to appear classy by allying themselves with French culture seems to have images of it all over their home.  I am one of those people who loves the Eiffel Tower for everything it is, and stands for.  Je l'adore.

Paris, France

Like this?  Take a look at another famous Paris sight in Love is Just a Game.

Make a Wish

I realized that, given the number of photographs I had taken in Paris... I had posted very few.  So, I invite you to enjoy a couple more photos from my trip to good old Paris!  This one enchanted me so very much.  This little girl in the Jardin du Luxembourg was just gazing into the water, for a couple of minutes.  She seemed entranced by the subtle movements of the koi in the pond.  It's so easy to forget how fascinating the world was to us when we were children.  This is why, every once in a while, we must take a step back and remember that our world is lovely.  Lovelier than we think it is.

Paris, France

Like this?  Take a look at another little French girl in Le Fille et Son Scooter.

Purple Clusters

Purple was my favourite colour for a very long time.  Now I would say that it's probbly more of a burgundy red, but the shade has a special place in my heart.  So, when I see unusual looking flowers like this in a splendid gradient of purple and pink, I have to take some photographs of them.  This was the best of the lot, and my final photograph from New Canaan.

New Canaan, Connecticut, USA

Like this? Take a look at My High Horse for a sky that decided to appear purple.

Profiled Roses

Way too many of the posts on this blog are devoted to roses, really. If it ever starts to get obnoxious... please tell me.  I don't want to bore you.  I don't think that I could ever get bored with roses, however, which is why they keep popping up here.  All colors of roses make me happy: pink, red, orange, white black.  If there is a rose in my day, it is a great day.  Danny has taken to buying me a deep red rose when I've had a bad day, or sometimes just because, and I find it to be the most charming thing in the world.  He's so fantastic, I don't know what I've ever done to deserve his wonderfulness, or to view the beauty of a rose in bloom.  Our world is so lovely, it amazes me sometimes.  

New Canaan, Connecticut, USA

Like this?  Take a look at another pink rose in Pink Is Pretty.

Ooh Beads!

One of my favourite movies as a kid was Disney's Cinderella.  I watched it far too many times, and sang the songs from it constantly.  Driving my mother crazy was, in retrospect, apparently a preferred pastime of mine.  I digress.  In the film, Cinderella has many little friends who happen to be these charming mice.  The two main ones are named Jacques and Gus Gus.  Aw.  In one scene, the two of them find a bunch of pearls, and I cannot remember which one of them says it, but in a high, squeaky, shaky, excited mouse voice, whichever one it is screams "ooooooooh, beads!!"

I thought of that moment when I saw this lovely box full of beads in an antique store window.

New Canaan, Connecticut, USA

Like this? Take a look at A Little Something Special.

Watch for that Crime

I can guarantee you that when a burgler breaks into your house, it SHALL be through a perfectly square window.  This burglar shall also be male.  This is decidedly so.  His entire outfit shall consist of one black bodysuit.  Preferably, this bodysuit will have a turtleneck, and reach to his wrists and his ankles.  He may even sport some dashing white gloves.  But, the one thing that I do know for certain about this burglar- he will be FRENCH.  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, French.  This is signified by his classy little beret- which is of course, black to match his outfit.  If you see someone in your house who is not dressed in this exact way, or does not have a very obvious French accent, carry on.  They could not possibly be a burglar.

New Canaan, Connecticut, USA

Like this?  Take a look at When You Wish Upon a Star.

Victorian Wonderland

This is not the same victorian house from the previous post... it is one I found to be even more lovely.  There were hedges all around it, hiding it from the outside world but for one gate, that allowed entry.  Through this gate you can see the steps and the door of the house- all lovely shades of pale yellow, coral, and forest green.  I just feel as if I'm disappearing into Wonderland, just like Alice down the rabbit hole, as I stare at this photograph.  I wonder if you will feel the same way.

New Canaan, Connecticut, USA

Like this?  Try out World of Pure Imagination for another Alice in Wonderland-esque effect.

Veranda Cafe

This is the front porch of a gorgeous victorian house in New Canaan.  I really hope that they use this space- if I had this in my yard, I would be there ten hours a day, sipping green tea with just some William Shakespeare and Chopin to keep me company.  Preferably, I'd be wearing one of my many sundresses, a silk scarf, and Ray Ban sunglasses.  Oh, and pearls.  Simple pearls.  However, judging from the flower arrangement that occupies the majority of the table, I would assume that this is mostly just a decoration.

New Canaan, Connecticut, USA

Like this?  Take a look at Courtyard.

Daily Stroll

I encountered this elderly man in the centre of town.  He was walking very slowly, but didn't actually seem to be having a great deal of difficulty, despite his decision to utilize a cane.  Perhaps it was more of a prop, an indication of his personality and social status rather than an instrument to help him walk.  In any case, he was glancing around at everything, taking in the cloudy day, smiling to himself as he strolled.  I was thoroughly charmed.

New Canaan, Connecticut, USA

Like this?  Try looking at The Artist.

New England

Having lived in actual England, I can now understand why New England, in the United States, bears its name.  The architecture attempts to copy England, and it generally fails, but still looks rather lovely.  There is also an air of aristocracy about much of New England- like the class divisions present in English society exist in a similar structured manner here in the USA.  These divisions definitely do exist, but in New England, there seems to be a drive to show that they are old money, as it were.  Now, I don't mean that this is a bad thing at all.  As a matter of fact, I kind of like it.  I'm not a rich person at all, but seeing places filled with those who have lots of money and class is rather pleasant.  New Canaan seems to epitomize this rather well.

New Canaan, Connecticut, USA

Like this?  Try looking at In Bruges, I used a similar trick there...

Post Boxes

This was such a neat post office. I found myself having to pay my electricity bill, and entered the little old post office in the center of town.  No one else was there, which gave me ample time to look at the multiple different styles of old post boxes present in the building.  I just think they look lovely- they almost hark back to a time when the mail was delivered by horse.  Well, they aren't that old, but they sure look cool.

New Canaan, Connecticut, USA

Like this?  Take a look at Window Shopping.

Berries of Blue

I somehow keep finding myself taking photographs at the Union Square Greenmarket.  It's probably because I walk through it a few times a week, but it also might be because the place is just inspiring.  Union Square Park is lovely anyway, but fill it with fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods, meats, wines and flowers, and it becomes a place of magic that tourists never think of when they visit New York City.  This city is so comfy, I associate it with tiny coffee shops with thick velvet curtains, farmers markets. tiny theatres and parks full of flowers, rather than the hustle and bustle of the traffic in the Lincoln Tunnel, or the lights in Times Square.  I just wish that everyone who visited this city took the time to go other places than just the "tourist area" in central Manhattan... and maybe eat some blueberries.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a bite into some Budding Berries.

Tales from the Bard

I have this awesome collection of a bunch of Shakespeare's plays in a 1950's Pelican Shakespeare edition that I received from my Grammy when my grandparents were moving two years ago.  When I moved to Brooklyn, they came along with me, and I use them all the time for reference, some fun reading, or when I want to find a new monologue.  Not that I don't have a Complete Works of William Shakespeare, I do, but lugging around that beast of a volume is ridiculous if I own the individual copy of the play.  So, these get lots of love.  And they are rather pretty too!  I love the cover art so much.

Lock it Up

Who knew that a bike lock could look so lovely?  These things are all over the city, saving people's bicycles from being taken away, or taken apart while they go about their business.  I've never thought extensivesly about bike locks.  They are one of those more simplistic things that you use if you need to, and they rest of the time, mostly take for granted.  This one in Chelsea had the sun glinting off of it, and fashionable women walking past- it caught my attention.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at The Adventure.