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.

Aboveway

 New York City as viewed from the 9th St-Smith aboveground subway platform.  One of the wonderful advantages of living in not Manhattan, is that many of the subway lines run above ground.  Riding the train above ground is about ten million times more pleasant- sunshine comes in through the windows instead of terrible flourescent light casting green shadows on everything, making each person on the train look jaundiced.  Besides the light, are the views.  For example, riding the J train over the Williamsburg Bridge is a joy all in itself.  This platform, for the G and the F trains, is one of those with an amazing view, just after coming out from underground.

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at Overhead for a  Paris Cityscape.

Music to a Woman's Ears

SALE.  It's fascinating how much joy that one word can ilicit.  I know that when I see it, my heart begins to pound, my palms get sweaty, my eyes get bigger, and a feeling of excitement courses through my veins until I can lay hands on a new piece of lovely clothing.  So that might be a slight exaggeration, but it's kind of intriguing how slight that exaggeration really is.  As a mostly reformed shopaholic, I actually adore the word sale, and all that it is connected to.  New stuff, mostly.  I like buying new stuff.  And I really do like the process of buying it, not just the owning of it.  Taking the new skirt home is nice, but digging through racks and racks to see if you can find that special something, then laying eyes, on the one print or fabric that catches your eye or your fingertips, taking it to the fitting room... bliss.  Utter bliss.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Try taking a look at All You Need Is Love for another photograph that might evoke joy.

Peaches

I love walking through the Union Square Greenmarket.  The food always looks so delectable, even at the end of a day of sitting out in the sunshine, when they are cleaning up.  Every once in a while I will indulge in some of the beautiful fresh produce, but more often, I just take it all in, which is what I happened to be doing the day that I took this photograph.  I realized that it is not just chalkboard signs that I love- I love all handwritten signs.  It is the human handwriting that makes one feel so comfortable, that connection to the understanding of another person as expressed through their physical motion and a writing utensil rather than a machine, a printer. Immediately, it's more relatable, it makes us feel relaxed, and promotes fun.  The barista behind the coffee bar, or the guy working at the farm stand seems more like a person than an entity divided by the worker/ buyer relationship.  We eat some peaches, and all is well in the world.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at another Union Square Greenmarket fruit photograph, Gala.

Return to Ongweoweh

It sounds like the title for a teen fantasy novel, with a full story about how a young girl travels to a faraway land populated by magical and grotesque creatures, but really, it was the writing on a crate sitting in a trash pile in Greenwich Village.  I'm just wondering what it actually means, if Ongweoweh is a town, or if that's a misspelling- in any case, the crate was sitting in the trash, so unless Ongweoweh is a garbage compactor... it probably will not be returned there.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at Back Alley of Comfort.

Milk & Cookies

And Ice Cream Sandwiches!  Wow, it was really hot on the day that I took this photograph, and ice cream sandwiches sounded like the best idea ever to my brain.  My waistline and wallet thought otherwise, however, and I went without.  I did not go without a photograph of this excellent chalkboard street sign though.  That would have not been okay.  I love chalkboard ads- they are so endearing in so many ways.  A coffee shop with the choices written on a chalkboard has so much more character than one with everthing just typed out.  It seems so French to me, I'm not sure why, but I have it in my mind that the French use chalk boards a lot more than we do.  Maybe they just have nicer handwriting on their chalkboards.  I don't know. I like these ones that I saw in the East Village.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Try out Fairy Tale.

On Film

A digital shot taken of my darling film camera, given to me by my wonderful friend Kacie.  It was sitting in my room, on my side table, on top of a scarf I have, that I bought in Paris about three years ago.  The scarf is covered in different Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec lithographs, so it's mosty shades, of green, mustard yellow, peacock blue, and red.  I loved how this offset the camera.

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a gander at Photobook.

Smart

Smart Cars are fabulous.  At least, I think so.  I don't really like cars- and in an urban situation, I cannot figure out for the life of me why on earth you  would ever want to drive one.  Public transportation in New York is generally pretty great, and a million times cheaper and faster than driving a car.  It is so incredibly easy, environmentally friendly and cheap, that I feel like if it was implemented everywhere, our world would be an even lovelier place than it already is.  Not that I have anything against driving a Hummer, or an SUV or anything.  My boyfriend used to drive a truck, my dad has a truck, and my mom uses a small SUV.  A lot of places, you need a car.  And I can understand loving the feeling of driving a big car on the road.  But, in a city, I think that, if you must drive, a Smart Car makes total sense.  

What doesn't make sense is that this Smart Car was... in the middle of Madison Square Park. Umm...

Like this?  Take a look at The Little Ship for a slightly more miniature means of transportation.

Cha Togar M' Fhearg Gun Dìoladh

Cha Togar M' Fhearg Gun Dìoladh (Gaelic)

Nemo me impune lacesset (Latin)

Wha daur meddle wi' me (Scots)

No one attacks me with impunity

This is the motto of the Scottish Order of the Thistle, the Scottish chivalric order.  This particular painting was in Edinburgh Castle, in the private chambers that once belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots, in a time when Gaelic, Scots, and English would have been spoken.  Latin was still considered to be a language of old orders, and of oaths.  French would actually have been spoken in this castle as well.  In any case, I love the unicorns, I love the phrase, I love the painting, and I love Scotland.

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Like this?  Take a look at For Scotland!

Hello Kitty

I generally hate Times Square.  Keeping a smile on my face is difficult in that area.  The tourists swarm and walk slower than molasses drips in winter.  I understand why- I walk all day long to get where I need to be, but most people in the world drive these car things to get places, and don't ever have to actually use their feet, so they are a bit out of shape.  And, many people don't encounter tall buildings or glaring neon lights on an every day basis either.  Hence, they walk slowly taking everything in.  This is wonderful for them, but when I have somewhere that I need to be, and a massive group of fanny-pack bedecked people in front of me are walking at the pace of a snail, I get perturbed.  However, I adore Hello Kitty.  There's this little girl in me somewhere, who still wants to cling onto pink, frilly, sparkly things and giggle at a sleepover while wearing bunny slippers.  That little girl comes out sometimes, especially when I come into contact with something Hello Kitty.  It may be immature, but I find it fun to allow myself a miniature freak-out every once in a while when I spy a Hello Kitty purse, cupcake, or toy.  So imagine my inexplicable joy when I saw a street performer dressed up as Hello Kitty in Times Square.  Suddenly, the entire experience of being int hat area seemed magical... and I felt like a tourist.  In a good way.  Now to go get my visor and my crocs...

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at Child's Play.

Just for clarification, that was a joke about the visor and crocs.

Petit Four

Can you tell that I'm on a diet?  The only things I'm posting photographs of are desserts. Yikes.  This diet is apparently frying my brain.  But, I must.  I finish school in just a few weeks, and if I want to be competitive auditioning, I have to be in great shape.  Not that I advocate being anorexic- I don't.  I don't at all.  That's not a good thing.  However, being physically fit and able to do the kind of strenuous things a person must as an actor is a delightfully good thing.  Oh, by the way, dear readers, my main career is that I'm an actor.  Who currently just loves staring at desserts, like these ones, also from Little Italy.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at Sneaky.  I think you'll enjoy it.

Nom nom

I posted this photograph, taken in Little Italy on the same night as the previous two, on my facebook page, and my younger sister Julianna, who has a much better design eye than eye I do, and far superior photography skills to match it, commented on it.

And I quote, "om nom nom nom nom nom"

I took that to mean that I had done something right.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at some more Cookies.

Vinny's

I love street vendors.  I think that they are generally fantastic.  Food off of a cart just has a certain appeal- you watch them toss your falafel on the hot plate, or pull that pretzel out of the murky water, or pour some hot sauce on your mango slices and your day gets significantly better.  But, when that street food is candy, life is just fantastic.  This seems to be a trend in New York City now- dessert and candy trucks and carts seem to be popping up everywhere.  Ice cream, particularly Mr. Softee has been around forever, but now it's cupcakes and waffles, and, here at Vinny's in Little Italy, cotton candy and nougat!  I actually bought myself a cannoli from another outdoor dessert stand.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?   Sink your teeth into Candied.

Little Italy

Blurry, yes.  But I think that it really captures the feel of Little Italy around 11PM on a Saturday night, which is when this shot was taken.  Chinatown seems to die down after dinner time, but Little Italy rages on into the hours after midnight.  Even at 11PM hosts were trying to get us to come and sit down in their restaurants, raving about their cannolis or tiramisu.  

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at Love is Just a Game.

Sneakers

When she came to visit, my friend Bianca was wearing these excellent sneakers.  I am not a big sneaker person, and by that, I mean that if you catch me wearing sneakers anywhere other than the gym, you have seen a rare sight.  However, I love them on other people, and she has that flair to pull off ones with lots of bright colours, like these.  We were on one of the balconies at South Street Seaport, she was sitting on a chair and I was sitting on the ground, and I couldn't help but take this shot.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at Fool for some silly fun.

Model: Bianca Di Maio

Twilight

No, sorry, this has nothing to do with that vampire thing.  This is just a photograph of the Brooklyn Bridge and a boat and a cityscape near the end of sunset.  I hope you like it :)

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at another shot of the bridge in Brooklyn.

A Splash of Orange

I love flowers, if you hadn't been able to tell.  Half of the photographs on this blog are of flowers.  And, why not?  If we're talking about the lovely things in this world, it is hard to ignore them.  Manmade loveliness is wonderful, but if you want to discuss natural beauty, the flower is where it's at.  Colours like this happen without any person trying to create them.  How wonderful is that?  

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at Pink is Pretty.

Tired

South Street Seaport is a really fun place.  I've been shunning it for the past few years as a tourist trap, but when a few visiting friends wanted to go down there and have a look around, I was forced.  I was so glad that I was.  The boats docked there are so lovely, and the view of the Brooklyn Bridge from the balconies of the mall is just exquisite.  More on that to come.  This is the side of one of the ships,  strung with... car tires.  I have no idea why, but I thought that it looked rather nice.

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Like this?  Take a look at For the Long Haul.

Across the Pond

It feels so odd to think that I have been back from the UK for two and a half monthes now.  I was only there for four!  I started this blog to chronicle my travels there, and I had no idea that I'd still be keeping it up now.  If you check my oldest entries, they are more like a journal, telling "what I did today in London" with a smattering of some photographs to demonstrate what I had seen in images as well as words.  Then, I posted a photograph and no description.  Slowly, I've been writing more and more.  How far this has come!  Now, I really enjoy working on this blog.  Even more than that, I take at least ten photographs a day, look at other peoples work, read photography books... I feel that I'm getting better.  Which is why it is so fun for me now to go back to some of my older albums and  choose what I think are the best photographs.  They aren't the ones I would have chosen three months ago, for certain.   I hope you are enjoying this blog as much as I am. :)

Hampstead, London, England, UK

Like this?  Try out Landscape.

Peeping

I love these flowers peeping through the brick wall.   They seem so sneaky, in a silly way.  The wall is so thick, yet they have managed to finagle their way through to the sunlight and sidewalk on the other side of this yard.  As if they just needed to say "hello!" to the passersby, to remind them that life is lovely.  Lovelier than we think it is.

Hampstead, London, England, UK

Like this?  Try out In Bruges.

Wilting

I love flowers when they're like this- those few days when the brilliance of the flower in full bloom is still delightfully evident, but the process of wilting has begun.  When the edges of the flower begin to discolor, but the center is still radiant.  This decay of beauty is lovely to me.  It reminds me of the ephemeral quality of the flower, which for some reason, I find comforting.  I can't quite describe it, but I like it.  And, I hope that you do too.

Hampstead, London, England, UK

Like this?  Try out So in Love.

The Leaves in the Trees

I love lying on the ground in a park, staring up through the trees.  When I was a little girl, I could do this in my own backyard.  Now that I seem to be a city mouse rather than a country one, I must go to parks to enjoy this privilege.  It's especially nice when the sky is a bit cloudy, so that the trees form shadows, like they do here.  

Cheers to life's little pleasures!

Hampstead, London, England, UK

Like this? Take a look at Across the Field.

And it Was all Yellow

These flowers were all over England and Scotland in the spring.  The first place I remember really noticing them was in Edinburgh in April, but then I noticed them popping up in London as May began to bloom.  They grow on bushes that look spiny, but actually don't feel prickly at all.  From far away, clusters of them just look like a wash of yellow.  Yellow has never been one of my favourite colors, but I cannot deny that it exudes a sort of endearing happiness.  

Hampstead, London, England, UK

Does this make you happy?  Take a look at Bouquet.

Northcote House

This was just one of the many houses in the Hampstead area near the Heath.  Many of them seemed to have names, but this one had a charming name and a really cool sign.  So, it got a photograph on my blog.  Hooray!

Hampstead, London, England, UK

Like this?  Take a look at Pastels.

The Corner

At one entrance to Hampstead Heath, there is a beautiful old mansion, made of brick.  Apparently, at many of the entrances to the park there are old mansions, but this is the entrance from which I chose to enter, and I found this building to be particularly beautiful.  It threatened rain the entire day that I was at the Heath.  I kept fearing that I would have to bolt out of the park and find the nearest bus, that could take me remotely near where I lived in London.  However, by some beautiful twist of fate, it rained for about twenty minutes before I arrived, stopped, and held off until I got home.  I was so happy.  I had walked around a fairy tale park for hours under a cloudy sky.  What could be more magical?

Hampstead, London, England, UK

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Quaint and English

Another beautiful and quaint front yard in Hampstead.  My favourite part is the flowers over the door.  A lot of buildings in the East Village in New York City seem to do this too, and I think it makes a place look so much like a home, rather than just another city building.  

Hampstead, London, England, UK

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Charming

I was searching back through some of my photographs, and remembered an entire album that I had taken in Hampstead Heath, back in London.  I've only posted a few photographs from that day, but I took over five hundred.  Unfortunately, the photo quality on these is a little bit blurry due to the broken-ish state of my camera the day these were taken.  I like them enough to want to share them with you despite this fact, and I hope that they are enjoyable regardless. 

Here is someone's lovely front yard full of pale, pink tulips. 

Hampstead, London, England, UK

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