tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86302899319033098562024-03-05T00:48:51.134-08:00LolafalkLOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-44634079288261746672011-04-12T15:06:00.000-07:002011-04-12T19:13:21.832-07:00One Designer's Zen is Another Designer's...Root CanalI design and produce my own line of handbags, hence I refer to myself as a "designer." Which would lead one to believe I got involved in this whole crazy biz because I like to design stuff. Yeah...umm...not quite the truth. In fact - the very <span style="font-style: italic;">antithesis</span> of the truth. I <span style="font-style: italic;">hate</span> the design process, and by <span style="font-style: italic;">hate </span>I mean I would quite literally rather deal with getting a root canal than sit down with my sketch book and start dreaming up new bag-tastic concepts.<br /><br />The root cause of this post is that I've just emerged from the black hole of the design process, and am now happily ensconced my very favorite part of what I do - production! Making sh*t! Gettin' 'er done! (that last one is for my Texas friends.)<br /><br />I l<span style="font-style: italic;">ooooooooooove</span> picking out fun fabrics, the whole mixing and matching and (bleeping) stuff up artistically to make the colorful little creations that are the very reason why I leap out of bed every day and can't get to my sewing machine fast enough. This is where I'm at now - cranking out the tangible stuff that I can look at and say "<span style="font-style: italic;">yes</span>, dammit...I freaking made that crazy bag."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So it is in my resurrection from this dark tunnel that I offer a sneak peek at some of the fun little items I've been eeking out over the past few weeks, doing that annoying task of (<span style="font-style: italic;">bleah</span>, shudder) designing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78NMtfw2lzu5WqapMhU91p7jgg0lTXKL80Npqv8n0WQIWIbK9iChXmhcAhGS-nTCm9GnaWdiud1qB9c25cAdzOWRBQlAJct1qAWR9X0nWz0o-83Gve1OuNUev5pUIXF-QxVTN5emtTFE/s1600/IMG_0099.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 326px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78NMtfw2lzu5WqapMhU91p7jgg0lTXKL80Npqv8n0WQIWIbK9iChXmhcAhGS-nTCm9GnaWdiud1qB9c25cAdzOWRBQlAJct1qAWR9X0nWz0o-83Gve1OuNUev5pUIXF-QxVTN5emtTFE/s400/IMG_0099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584068790294135314" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LolaFalkDesigns?section_id=7964055">Card Holders...</a><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW8KaMu9d364BA2N5n50r3Lz-6bEvctH-sMgoMfZBCfQ8pG9M3COhSLadWQMPO7K4XtZG9ME-ReNCF-gijXIAOiamU3qGOr38HC4zusbPc3I9GsrVxuxQ5bmf4JCy0OtfJ1tfxOrDp_c/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW8KaMu9d364BA2N5n50r3Lz-6bEvctH-sMgoMfZBCfQ8pG9M3COhSLadWQMPO7K4XtZG9ME-ReNCF-gijXIAOiamU3qGOr38HC4zusbPc3I9GsrVxuxQ5bmf4JCy0OtfJ1tfxOrDp_c/s400/IMG_0108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584068944658469682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9hfcdE7r875_qWMgj2altCJ_JfSKzpv2KqGPDqMKeIIo-eHNsAaJoeT3QRAZgu8uEL0AhSjHT0TxXbCeKGT2X01GiuT5IR9PPbFrEJE_02uaAWPVS5mj8JT7rr5gZudJfc5jgtmpUzA/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9hfcdE7r875_qWMgj2altCJ_JfSKzpv2KqGPDqMKeIIo-eHNsAaJoeT3QRAZgu8uEL0AhSjHT0TxXbCeKGT2X01GiuT5IR9PPbFrEJE_02uaAWPVS5mj8JT7rr5gZudJfc5jgtmpUzA/s400/IMG_0113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584069037944542610" border="0" /></a>...with little "finger straps" to keep them at the ready.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PmZGfXTGe89oKS4_YDHNlp76_hkRBxNLcHJjyaHfkwcyU420VOEp1EfRPqv3kIIkrH5t6542gy030zjfDGffEDFhSFKk-F7JKAJ6QxKmXImEq0iAq7i5zJIOx95Dy4-28j1rlxA79FQ/s1600/IMG_0237.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PmZGfXTGe89oKS4_YDHNlp76_hkRBxNLcHJjyaHfkwcyU420VOEp1EfRPqv3kIIkrH5t6542gy030zjfDGffEDFhSFKk-F7JKAJ6QxKmXImEq0iAq7i5zJIOx95Dy4-28j1rlxA79FQ/s400/IMG_0237.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594882428148724066" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LolaFalkDesigns?section_id=6362976">Smart Phone/iPhone Sleeves with...</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qGyHI4Ph4HukTpQdtkiGIF4O7IN8kSTy6yPw7cCYRjvMJzrzkOel3wI5cjratemEuu8uHkGxEruiUremxffZ8GF3-xpqUXWY7zlFUhK4AaSbxTsWOqsCxZjS392I99oXwohjSCepVF4/s1600/IMG_0287.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qGyHI4Ph4HukTpQdtkiGIF4O7IN8kSTy6yPw7cCYRjvMJzrzkOel3wI5cjratemEuu8uHkGxEruiUremxffZ8GF3-xpqUXWY7zlFUhK4AaSbxTsWOqsCxZjS392I99oXwohjSCepVF4/s400/IMG_0287.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594882722763146738" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_JWp74eh7pCWahmVF9J_5HqiPHW7kO9ScHR8ZFsSRCROnBTKJuKIUDtFI0owVJ1DCbk8cayh8cCx2dNDHPMrnSw653JnZ2H1oP2aQ69aTFPi_QdpSubkfZdN-PWkAyjTIDsgEJnw7wo/s1600/IMG_0307.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_JWp74eh7pCWahmVF9J_5HqiPHW7kO9ScHR8ZFsSRCROnBTKJuKIUDtFI0owVJ1DCbk8cayh8cCx2dNDHPMrnSw653JnZ2H1oP2aQ69aTFPi_QdpSubkfZdN-PWkAyjTIDsgEJnw7wo/s400/IMG_0307.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594883555910794962" border="0" /></a>you guessed it - "hand straps" to keep your phone handy as well.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And yes, my inspiration is heavily influenced by my tendency to set down and forget both my business cards and phone wherever I go.<br /></div></div>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-2760011980732603662011-04-10T19:55:00.000-07:002011-04-12T18:55:54.401-07:00I'm OKGood poetry (or is this prose?) apparently comes out of heartache. I wrote this almost a year ago and just found it again. Damn.<br /><br />So I'm posting it for anyone who needs to read it and feel that they're OK too.<br /><br />(BTW...I'm OK now.)<br /><br /> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal">This isn’t working.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal">We love each other but we’re not in love.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal">This past week a relationship lifecycle.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal">"Hmmm…maybe" is how you feel about this relationship.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal">Thought we had a breakthrough on Monday, thought telling you what I did meant that we were solid again, tight, fresh and committed.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal">My expectations were sky high.<span style=""> </span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal">I want you to be enthusiastic about being with me.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal">I want you to want to do things with just me.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal">I’m going to be OK.</p>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-15242666362562166192011-03-02T07:59:00.001-08:002011-03-02T08:07:47.503-08:00Red Wall, The AftermathAs promised in my previous post, here are the before and after shots of my new red wall. It took about 2 solid days to prep, paint and get everything back in order (yeah...I don't waste time).<br /><br />Soooo worth the time and labor...puts a big smile on my face every time I walk in the door.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ro_QrYqyZUzHXSqcD6w7cwsYExGPBQhtC9Oa4eWqeK_ONLXlnZXAt4GgM3u7F-CXwIb1FUjLkfcgfYNvpOH4mt7PFWEmndgjIiqUiQbyxBIZpPmtw1_uedW17ZLGKJV_wHrykgGPWIg/s1600/IMG_0114.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ro_QrYqyZUzHXSqcD6w7cwsYExGPBQhtC9Oa4eWqeK_ONLXlnZXAt4GgM3u7F-CXwIb1FUjLkfcgfYNvpOH4mt7PFWEmndgjIiqUiQbyxBIZpPmtw1_uedW17ZLGKJV_wHrykgGPWIg/s400/IMG_0114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579513284208621138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Before (= <span style="font-style: italic;">boring</span>)</span>...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSq7nbUX6ddB_Vp2Ek-L9Zl49PC6SxXLb5DYocYxI0ATeM3EdW0TIKBBA-ZYNG8A_rBW41kLhrHwuXxHCMIrOtRrpqVxBu3wbfSimWqpY8nY84AooRVzdgazmbiJhm9N2cny4JHC5M4cQ/s1600/IMG_0115.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSq7nbUX6ddB_Vp2Ek-L9Zl49PC6SxXLb5DYocYxI0ATeM3EdW0TIKBBA-ZYNG8A_rBW41kLhrHwuXxHCMIrOtRrpqVxBu3wbfSimWqpY8nY84AooRVzdgazmbiJhm9N2cny4JHC5M4cQ/s400/IMG_0115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579513444567951202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">mid-paint and...<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidj5Bg8QiZC7a4P0e9dCg9AcSeJ5iHnBCMArIxDbmw6oQX3Zh5ckxRK_GVPU6Z1GVbNgHYNuF0CALqQX2yjaKU3PckyPRWqUKxb3fZLAKcoYkJkIoeA2IQkIFI6HCET-WmE4J5km0lNec/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidj5Bg8QiZC7a4P0e9dCg9AcSeJ5iHnBCMArIxDbmw6oQX3Zh5ckxRK_GVPU6Z1GVbNgHYNuF0CALqQX2yjaKU3PckyPRWqUKxb3fZLAKcoYkJkIoeA2IQkIFI6HCET-WmE4J5km0lNec/s400/IMG_0126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579513369354867890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">...et voilà! Glorious red.<br /></span></div>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-32169715025302406792011-02-25T07:23:00.000-08:002011-02-25T07:55:48.548-08:00All Signs Point To...Red WallI believe in signs a bit too much, but I like to think that I'm one of those types that is always on the lookout for signs...and therefore they appear to guide my life. Case in point - I've been seriously mulling over the idea of painting yet another red wall in my current apartment. However, not sure if I want to deal with the hassles of painting (set up, clean up, fumes, dry time, scattered dropcloths, kicking over the paint can as I do half the time). But wanting this "color pick-me-up" sooo bad...decisions, decisions...then I woke up this morning and saw this luscious red awesomeness created by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RiverGirlsStudio">RiverGirlsStudio</a>, featuring my red leather <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67571999/leather-shoulder-bag-the-luella">Luella shoulder bag</a> (bottom center). <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVPni2gWbL380vAhPWB5usbD37c-rJbrLk47QDUKSxGNbXW2L-pVAHlA5ZkdasSnFOBDdsMMzVGNqHZd43VMtYUmNIR69ZIQhrZtmbf9jjARBLWKU5pCgBAA7-Gl2azNxFnGgyz7mhtc/s1600/Picture+2.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVPni2gWbL380vAhPWB5usbD37c-rJbrLk47QDUKSxGNbXW2L-pVAHlA5ZkdasSnFOBDdsMMzVGNqHZd43VMtYUmNIR69ZIQhrZtmbf9jjARBLWKU5pCgBAA7-Gl2azNxFnGgyz7mhtc/s400/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577654415093748658" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d67043273ea8eef7e398d62/spring-cherry-picking?ref=pr_treasury">Click here</a> for the full-page view.<br /></div><br />So of course you know what that means...heading out to Home Depot for my Behr cranapple. Will post pics of the results later.LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-49048242330924410692010-12-19T20:38:00.001-08:002010-12-31T18:44:53.759-08:00No Time to Dwell...2011 Awaits.In homage to another passing year, some like to recap the highs and lows of said previous year and then dissect how they'll take what they learned and make the upcoming new year even better. Great if it works for you...as for me, rehashing the past year for the umpteenth time is gonna push me over the brink.<br /><br />For a rehash of my previous year click <a href="http://lolafalk.blogspot.com/2010/03/brooklyn-first-month.html">here</a>, <a href="http://lolafalk.blogspot.com/2010/05/resurfacing.html">here</a>, <a href="http://lolafalk.blogspot.com/2010/07/walking-heals-heavy-heart.html">here</a> and <a href="http://lolafalk.blogspot.com/2010/11/giving-thanks-lessons-learned-yadda.html">here</a>. I'm over it though, 2010 was <span style="font-style: italic;">awesome</span>, yes...but it's OVER. Time to start a fresh sheet of paper and write the next chapter. So here is a list of 2011 goals for the first 3 months, to get them out there and make my lazy butt accountable:<br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Giving Back</span>: I talk the talk but want to walk the walk. My dearest cause? Boosting the self-esteem of tween and teenage girls...cuz it <span style="font-style: italic;">kills </span>me to see an 11, 12 or 13 year old girl go from thinking she's nothing short of perfect to suddenly feeling like she'll never be good/smart/pretty/skinny enough due to how most females are portrayed on TV, in magazines, or the likeliest culprit...the curse of adolescent angst that every girl has to go through. And <span style="font-style: italic;">yes</span> - I'm thinking of the boy who told me when I was 12 that if my nose wasn't so big I might be pretty. Of course, now I can't imagine life without my quirky nose and wouldn't change a thing. However...I don't want these girls to have to wait until they're at the ripe ol' age of thirty-something to get right with themselves and their bodies. I want to heed these bad feelings off at the pass and don't want to wait until I have my own pre-teen daughter to do so. So this year, I want to start working with <a href="http://www.girleffect.org/question">this cause</a> and <a href="http://www.girlsquest.org/prog.mentor.overview.html">this cause</a>.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Meet my husband</span>: Gross...yes - I just said that. But why the hell not? I'm putting it out there. Oh, and by the way - it'll be at <a href="http://www.tealoungeny.com/about">Tea Lounge</a> in Park Slope. Why there? At this point in my life I've learned not to question my intuition. It just is.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Start making my own clothing:</span> Bored and irritated with the of the lack of options out there, given that what I want only exists in my head anyway (hey, that's how I got started with<a href="http://lolafalk.com/"> the whole handbag thing</a>). Once I have my 1-year anniversary of living in NYC (Feb 1) I'll start looking for classes to take at FIT - since I'll qualify for in-state tuition rates. Huzzah!<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lead or teach something:</span> A sewing class, a running/exercise group, a Spanish conversation group...something. I forever have shied away from being a leader or teacher, but somehow I know there lurks one within me.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Choose my words carefully:</span> Not because I tend to put my foot in my mouth...more so I tend to blather on and on...when I can get my point across in fewer words. I've been told this point-blank by several well-meaning friends, so it's on the list of 2011 improvements.<br /></li></ol>And with that final goal - I'm <span style="font-style: italic;">done</span> (no extra blather). Happy New Year - here's to an AWESOME 2011 for all of us!LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-78915240523916999392010-12-03T07:30:00.000-08:002010-12-03T07:54:23.002-08:00#reverb: One Moment<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JjJd8pMSq2V-qlm3z8jG0jbYwwpCT8syFHfk-miDyemCNiKVp3Ns9g6ZfcOifXlfn4V5g3OT-YdUsp0qgDmRQuSkealmskmMaJzszMYhGvN-0cwnMeBsJNVpXE9DRW8qUxBCh6IQi08/s1600/Moment+Sept+14.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JjJd8pMSq2V-qlm3z8jG0jbYwwpCT8syFHfk-miDyemCNiKVp3Ns9g6ZfcOifXlfn4V5g3OT-YdUsp0qgDmRQuSkealmskmMaJzszMYhGvN-0cwnMeBsJNVpXE9DRW8qUxBCh6IQi08/s400/Moment+Sept+14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546484469371469362" border="0" /></a><em>This post is part of a daily writing project called #reverb10. Find out more & join in this creative exercise <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br /></em><strong style="font-weight: normal;">Today's prompt: <em>Moment</em>. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).<br /><br />Ah, this is easy. Sept 14, Tuesday. Leaving the office for the last time - the <span style="font-style: italic;">last time</span> - and walking to the subway. Overcast sky, slight wind against my skin as I walked down 14th Street towards 9th Avenue, about 70 degrees. Passing Milk Studios. Listening to iPod, to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNdqoQWz34E">this song</a>. And the moment occurred precisely 2 minutes into the song. Crescendo bridge. Breeze in my hair, against my skin. Smell of exhaust from passing cabs and buses. Horns honking, idle chatter of passersby. White t-shirt, grey pencil skirt from the Gap, brown funky mary jane Fly shoes. Unable to keep the grin from my face. Scowling faces of passersby who were presumably headed back to the very place I left. Being acutely aware of how weightless, at peace, giggly I felt...and having no recollection of the stress and frustration that place brought me. 3+ years in the making, and it was finally happening. Like stepping from one dimension into another...clouds parted, sun streaming through...one chapter closed and - so officially - one started anew. The blissfully happy chapter that I'm living right now.<br /></strong>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-51232981253939869352010-12-01T07:19:00.000-08:002010-12-01T07:48:17.925-08:00#reverb: One WordGuts.<br /><br />Kind of a gross word, but if I had to sum up my 2010 in one word it would be that. <span style="font-style: italic;">Guts</span>. When I think back to some of the things I've done this year, I can't believe I had the guts to do them - pack up a U-haul van and drive 4 dangerously icy days with my then-beau from Dallas to NYC in January; moving here while unemployed; quitting a secure day job to pursue my business full-time; ending the comfort and familiarity of a 3+ year relationship with the person I partially moved to NYC to be with.<br /><br />In the moments of making these decisions there were some things I knew for sure, but for the most part each instance felt like jumping off a high cliff with no certainty of landing safely. The one thing that resonated with each decision was a Buddhist proverb that always pops into my head when dealing with the unknown:<br /><br />"If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking."<br /><br />And so I walk...and when I'm feeling not quite as strong as I'd like to feel, I just think of the one word that sums up this year: <span style="font-style: italic;">guts.</span><br /><br />And as for 2011? Haha, let's see...I think the most accurate word would be...<span style="font-style: italic;">determination</span>. It's kind of a blah word, but I get goosebumps when I think about what it means for me in the coming year. Focused determination to take my business to the next level, to get out of my creative comfort zone, to take more chances, get to know more people, get <span style="font-style: italic;">out there</span>...now that the hurdle of getting settled in NYC has passed, the heartache of a broken relationship is fading, the fear of being trapped in a nightmare day job is no longer relevant...it's time to get laser focused on moving things to the next level.<br /><br /><em>This post is part of a daily writing project called #reverb10. Find out more & join in this creative exercise <a href="http://www.reverb10.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</em>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-71483439071451479252010-11-24T21:04:00.000-08:002010-11-24T21:57:39.807-08:00Giving Thanks, Lessons Learned, Yadda YaddaFor turkey day 2010, here it be - what I'm grateful for, and some of what I've learned:<br /><ol><li>For moving to NYC this year and living in Brooklyn. Every day is a "pinch me" day, I couldn't have fantasized a better life here. I fall in love with <a href="http://lolafalk.blogspot.com/2010/07/walking-heals-heavy-heart.html">my neighborhood</a> every single day...it is <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> perfect.<br /></li><li>For quitting a soul-sucking day job to do what I love - make <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LolaFalkDesigns">cool, eclectic little bags</a> that people genuinely like...and want to buy! Another "pinch me."</li><li>For finding yoga this year...and getting many fortunate opportunities to take classes with some excellent NYC teachers. Yoga <span style="font-style: italic;">heals</span> - physically, mentally, emotionally...take it from someone who knows.</li><li>For unexpected derailments of plans and goals...it's a good lesson to be taught - make plans, set goals...but be fully aware that every day brings the unexpected. Learn to not take the good for granted and understand that the so-called "bad" is - 9 times out of 10 - actually <span style="font-style: italic;">good</span> for you.</li><li>Getting my heart broken. Yeah, it's easy to be thankful now that the worst of it is over...but I grew <span style="font-style: italic;">so much</span> because of it.<br /></li><li>Working (for extra $$) at one of the funnest, coolest, most positive and uplifting places ever. I won't mention the company's name in my personal blog, but if you're dying to know what this utopia is that I speak of, check out my <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/lolafalk">linked in profile</a>.</li><li>Running. Well, exercise in general, but specifically running this year because through it, I made new friends, found a cool place to work and pushed myself to new levels of fitness (12 mile runs 3x a week!) that I didn't think I'd ever accomplish.</li><li>The pilot light being lit in my oven (after almost 6 months of living in my apartment without it lit). Now I can make <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Biscotti-Toscani/Detail.aspx">biscotti</a>...which is on the agenda for Thanksgiving Day activities tomorrow.</li><li>Sewing. Nothing - <span style="font-style: italic;">nothing</span> - turns my frown upside down like sewing does. I'm getting all dreamy-eyed right now just thinking about it.</li><li>...</li></ol>I'm stumped on 10 - so maybe I'll just save it for my end of the year recap. I have a feeling I'll have a lot more to add to this list by then...<br /><br />Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! :)LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-22884326469570594632010-11-09T17:40:00.000-08:002010-11-09T18:35:48.941-08:00The Early Handbag DaysWas digging though some old pics in my iPhoto gallery today and came across these. I<span style="font-style: italic;"> love</span> finding pics that remind me of my early days of handbag-making bliss. From day one of sitting at the sewing machine, I knew doing this was in my blood...and nearly 3 years later I still eat, sleep and breathe it...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhMa8Ksp4YxkKoM-py7ylo5PxjdrNOaoNXlYLDLVSy04ERthhp0Pb_WmoAQc0a6vSYIxzOfG7KYlmbIDVMsEefwrMFSU3urMSd-bEKQaC84pjDPq8Ah4kdoh7WfO5Cc6qGgrtRIRBD3w/s1600/IMG_2907.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhMa8Ksp4YxkKoM-py7ylo5PxjdrNOaoNXlYLDLVSy04ERthhp0Pb_WmoAQc0a6vSYIxzOfG7KYlmbIDVMsEefwrMFSU3urMSd-bEKQaC84pjDPq8Ah4kdoh7WfO5Cc6qGgrtRIRBD3w/s400/IMG_2907.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537734583590355330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I would do this all day, every day if I could. Well, now I pretty much do anyway...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0gK_u4ZN00v-OGJU2fiRz2W5IHNGItXuwlrZS0fj-Ri_xqFU4ohPHVMqPe09y_Uu3JcB5kG5hPmEb1wBoX5AdSKMihsXpVN-VrD9dHy99vctr9QAcUNyfm9sYS9TnYKMhejNL9K40cg/s1600/Untitled.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0gK_u4ZN00v-OGJU2fiRz2W5IHNGItXuwlrZS0fj-Ri_xqFU4ohPHVMqPe09y_Uu3JcB5kG5hPmEb1wBoX5AdSKMihsXpVN-VrD9dHy99vctr9QAcUNyfm9sYS9TnYKMhejNL9K40cg/s400/Untitled.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537740307329921026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">On the left, the original Lolafalk label! I still have one pinned to the corkboard above my sewing machine. To the right - a more polished take as my line has evolved. Stitching in the label is ALWAYS the best part of making my bags.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NnLPhIDQrBA_67C-aEGcsVzDR1a6yCgniGIvuejz5RmEMrQCeQHmOxAZrZ4FruariR3ju-ghGtx0s0K1v2UzTXYDRWtAV8UqkpeRLdScnanJC0Mx5_ffALAWgSDZj14zXI1ylaMLL-s/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NnLPhIDQrBA_67C-aEGcsVzDR1a6yCgniGIvuejz5RmEMrQCeQHmOxAZrZ4FruariR3ju-ghGtx0s0K1v2UzTXYDRWtAV8UqkpeRLdScnanJC0Mx5_ffALAWgSDZj14zXI1ylaMLL-s/s400/IMG_1269.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537735471245041266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">One of my first sales...a dear friend bought this for his wife. I never packaged an order so carefully...<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlodoLuhzElMZKoxR7IdnKMxA7Jcu2weSrHLA2TcivMqhESqkGAwa8j8fy4KhqBIJtVgBEcAbBRkmfRKibvPmFn4o1Zg3ySDiL8fh4PzL97SiKiPYBeH9x_6P00Qtc0nkt-wqpxLIO6lM/s1600/IMG_1420.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlodoLuhzElMZKoxR7IdnKMxA7Jcu2weSrHLA2TcivMqhESqkGAwa8j8fy4KhqBIJtVgBEcAbBRkmfRKibvPmFn4o1Zg3ySDiL8fh4PzL97SiKiPYBeH9x_6P00Qtc0nkt-wqpxLIO6lM/s400/IMG_1420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537735868925758610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">My first photo shoot! I'll always love small bags like these...even if most other people didn't seem to take a shine to them. These were my little "cupcake" bags.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-UEhHE69j6xdzZyTwyPqT0vCZ7dtlogfnmJrKPkZ6KOj1Vo1TiLQjl7eVKPiV4NLZUv6k1T_NBiddow5Smq4Err2iLjAbbd1yabcPbEYFHv1P8AeyQxr7x7ai9JNoXO_bBJfBuyIKJU/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-UEhHE69j6xdzZyTwyPqT0vCZ7dtlogfnmJrKPkZ6KOj1Vo1TiLQjl7eVKPiV4NLZUv6k1T_NBiddow5Smq4Err2iLjAbbd1yabcPbEYFHv1P8AeyQxr7x7ai9JNoXO_bBJfBuyIKJU/s400/IMG_1708.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537736267298533346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">My first indie market - Urban Street Bazaar in Dallas. Even if most of my sales were from friends, it will always be my "best show."</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1A_OcIocG5Mm_jWYSDl4VyRoULn45MZU3GEnsK7L7YfLyNCN6OAS1FMMU7Xv6c5vuMhMRjdQsU20MDKrlh0vgkjp33y7_o9CH5J0823Hegm4dlYcaEfsbC0h8buOdf_Kx57AFD6nSLM/s1600/Untitled.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1A_OcIocG5Mm_jWYSDl4VyRoULn45MZU3GEnsK7L7YfLyNCN6OAS1FMMU7Xv6c5vuMhMRjdQsU20MDKrlh0vgkjp33y7_o9CH5J0823Hegm4dlYcaEfsbC0h8buOdf_Kx57AFD6nSLM/s400/Untitled.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537737720901174450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The design may have improved...but the quirkiness lives on.<br /></span></div>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-6466972885060270322010-08-25T15:14:00.001-07:002010-09-30T19:18:30.846-07:00The Year of the 360<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCuxEsLpPl6qdUTuXkSFOyKnPeqReNWo75nt-pMM000IrBjWgavHxlDiqzJc3qRm9Z00pQy6Vz1x817OdR80g7efgAwSnwIyKSvaqNgT9gb3GeofF_SiPdLP_o_DpD4Uz3Sq-EOUGJ2M/s1600/360-icon.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 46px; height: 37px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCuxEsLpPl6qdUTuXkSFOyKnPeqReNWo75nt-pMM000IrBjWgavHxlDiqzJc3qRm9Z00pQy6Vz1x817OdR80g7efgAwSnwIyKSvaqNgT9gb3GeofF_SiPdLP_o_DpD4Uz3Sq-EOUGJ2M/s400/360-icon.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522889876634508818" border="0" /></a>As in 360 degrees. And by 360 degrees I really mean 180 degrees, because the impulse is to always say the former, for whatever reason - I make no apologies for my nonsensical tendencies. And really, what this all means is that this has been the year of deliciously delightful, epically painful and ridiculously redeeming topsy-turvey changes in so many areas of my life. Let's review 2010 by the month, shall we...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">January: </span> Tying up my loose ends in Dallas, figuring out the deets of Uhaul vans and furniture storage in NYC and making a mad scramble to find a Brooklyn roomshare with someone I've never met before. Seatbelt buckled and ready for liftoff.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">February: </span> Leave my lovely life in Dallas for big adventures in the Big Apple; unemployed, struggling to get my handbag business off the ground, happy to be closing the long distance gap on a 3+year relationship with my beau. We'll finally be together!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">March:</span> Hard times in the big city. Unemployment stinks. Rooming with strangers stinks even more. But more determined than ever to make this work...<a href="http://lolafalk.blogspot.com/2010/03/brooklyn-first-month.html">Brooklyn is <span style="font-style: italic;">home</span></a><a href="http://lolafalk.blogspot.com/2010/03/brooklyn-first-month.html">.</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">April:</span> Do a few local markets for my bags, find a few local retailers willing to start carrying my stuff. Land a wholesale gig in <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sean-Matthew-Foreman/87238954189#%21/photo.php?pid=4997341&fbid=442386919118&id=747979118">Paris</a>! Try to forge a studio space out of a 9x6 ft space that is also my bedroom, storage and dining area (when my roommate's bf is visiting)...but I kind of like the challenge.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">May:</span> Work has been found, albeit in the very industry I've been working in for the past 8 years and struggling to get myself out of...but hell, I'm just happy to have the funds to <a href="http://lolafalk.blogspot.com/2010/05/resurfacing.html">get out of rooming with strangers</a> and start to feel "settled" in Brooklyn.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">June:</span> The beau is no more. Nothing more to say about that.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">July:</span> Doing local markets for my bags throughout NYC, reaction is positive. In the meantime, the day job becomes increasingly stressful and starts turning me into a negative, sullen version of myself that frankly, I just don't like being around. I imagine how other people must feel around me and decide that something must be done. The question is what...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">August: </span> Decide my mental and physical health trump a fat salary. Give my 2 weeks to the day job. Decide to take a position in the retail industry and give my bag biz a full-time go. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lolafalk/5040766792/">Never felt lighter</a>, happier or more "right" in my life.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">September:</span> Enjoy the fact that my schedule is completely erratic, I am pinching pennies, and every moment of every day is spent doing something that I would absolutely choose to do.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And here, today</span> - the last day of September - I sit and reflect, and am amazed at all that has transpired in the past 9 months. Every day feels like an adventure of my own making, be it big or small...I never know who I'm going to meet, what new opportunity will present itself, or what new crazy idea will pop into my head that <span style="font-style: italic;">must</span> be acted upon - and finding the courage to do so gets easier with each passing day. What I do know is that my life is now all about the 360 (i.e. 180) degree spin, 2010 will be a year that I'll never forget, and that I can't wait to see what the coming days, months and years are going to bring for me.<br /><br />Hopefully...for those of you who are on the fence about doing something that seems scary but will change your life for the better - this post will be the nudge that you need to find the courage to just bleeping do it. Life's too short to not be living it to the fullest.LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-9067417674833725792010-08-12T17:05:00.000-07:002010-08-12T18:10:40.290-07:00Goal Setting...Or At Least Attempting To<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVdORKLUwu84CEN0xq94TVEmc6IoD7tPHzUZnUUVKCL5bJngvAsdKTtysKPLOjfFDurbC5bGy7c0N52Pz4a7uA9Qfv72qGAXWGjriNpkfJ2rvPUv2nhfBs0d_YVX7Zy7KWq3Q7otCNqo/s1600/Picture+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVdORKLUwu84CEN0xq94TVEmc6IoD7tPHzUZnUUVKCL5bJngvAsdKTtysKPLOjfFDurbC5bGy7c0N52Pz4a7uA9Qfv72qGAXWGjriNpkfJ2rvPUv2nhfBs0d_YVX7Zy7KWq3Q7otCNqo/s400/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504686071024356754" border="0" /></a><br />One of my very favorite bloggers, Elsie from <a href="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/">A Beautiful Mess</a>, has kicked off a goal-setting challenge for her readers and I have to say I am ready to try anything at this point. Ambition and drive have never been issues for me, but the practical application of setting goals has never been my cup of tea. There is just something about it that feels like...homework, chores, doing taxes...anything and everything you put off because it is just so much boring <span style="font-style: italic;">work</span>. But of course, it's the work that brings the payoff, whether it's success with a business venture or just getting your lazy arse into better shape. I could do with some goal setting, particularly in the realm of getting myself better acclimated to life here in NYC, getting my biz further along and setting myself free from anchors of the past that still linger.<br /><br />I like <a href="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/08/4-simple-goals-before-2011.html">Elsie's plan</a> because it's simple - simple goals that are less results oriented and more about the journey, more about increasing the beauty in your life. That being said, it doesn't mean that I won't try to weasel out of being accountable for mine. So I am putting mine out here in plain view - to be accountable to both my readers as well as hopefully be inspired by anyone else who wants to share their goals for the remainder of the year here.<br /><br />As a side note: I highly recommend checking out <a href="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Elsie's blog</a>. It's funny, her style and personality are a shade different than mine (a bit of <a href="http://cuteoverload.com/">cuteness overload</a>, if you know what I mean) but I actually mean that in the nicest way - I almost wish I could be like that. I find myself adoring her unabashed openness, and I'd be lying if I didn't say <a href="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/08/our-engagement-story-.html">her engagement story</a> crushed me with how sweet it was.<br /><br />So here are my 4 goals for the rest of this year:<br /><ol><li>At least every 2 weeks, reach out to someone who lives in NYC who I haven't touched base with since moving here - or a new acquaintance who I think I would jive with - to do something (grab lunch, coffee, a drink, an art exhibit, gelato, fill-in-the-blank social activity). At least <span style="font-style: italic;">one</span> person.</li><li>At least once a week, do a group-related activity that relates to health/exercise (running club, yoga, pilates). I've got the exercise goal down pat, but want to start doing it with a group (as opposed to always going it alone. No need to be an exercise loner!)<br /></li><li>Get my next phase/season of product photography done for <a href="http://www.lolafalk.com/">Lolafalk</a> (and I think I've found the perfect new photographer to do so!)</li><li>Start cooking more at home - and specifically, working my way through the Spanish cookbook that my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas 2 years ago. Of course, this starts with finding someone to help me light the pilot light for my oven...</li></ol>So here we are for now - I am fully accountable and have nowhere to hide. Feel free to share your goals here - I'd love to hear what you'd like to accomplish through the rest of this year! Make it fun and attainable - and let the rewards be in achieving the goals themselves. (Chocolate is always a good reward too).LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-30140658598450553222010-07-04T14:30:00.000-07:002010-07-04T15:07:01.287-07:00Walking Heals a Heavy HeartOr at least it's what I'm finding to be true over these past couple weeks as I feel my way through the demise of a three and a half year relationship. It was amicable, and for all the right reasons...but that doesn't mean there aren't still days when I feel like I've been punched in the stomach and had the wind knocked out of me. Even when you know it was the right thing to do, it's still hard to let go of the warm and familiar and cozy that you just got used to having around.<br /><br />But there has been a lot of good from it, mainly my newfound passion for walking around Brooklyn and exploring the awesomeness that surrounds me. It is the ultimate remedy to that stomach-punch feeling, and reminds me of all the promise and potential and <span style="font-style: italic;">life</span> that is right outside my door, and how blissed-out happy I am to be here. Brooklyn is healing my heart.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Wjs8nC5HnxZN1pUkgS0LUNlA6Oe-vXeXQzbjLGMPvXPak5xLs8pt4MXDbDD3AR1D5z4uYmF-AEDRm2V2LAWxoZeh_Pp4xJ8tnTaM-8HT0_0KbW8cOJ2o5za_rpwHpmXqKB7XLsyI9sc/s1600/IMG_9107.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Wjs8nC5HnxZN1pUkgS0LUNlA6Oe-vXeXQzbjLGMPvXPak5xLs8pt4MXDbDD3AR1D5z4uYmF-AEDRm2V2LAWxoZeh_Pp4xJ8tnTaM-8HT0_0KbW8cOJ2o5za_rpwHpmXqKB7XLsyI9sc/s400/IMG_9107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490171274977075266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A shot of Lady Liberty in the distance, taken on the 4th of July.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1C0Sjf1gHs39ehYuZ0bLd9Tk8kwD1v8Q49yhfYbBzVPnvu2u5c3CN0GrHVlSJzLQXd9Y66fqNvFD_gv2hPTm6Xu6FNiFDWvbwHxhWcaW4zcCUmZefjSk2JqESiqNI48h0MXoLRnWbDU/s1600/IMG_9103.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1C0Sjf1gHs39ehYuZ0bLd9Tk8kwD1v8Q49yhfYbBzVPnvu2u5c3CN0GrHVlSJzLQXd9Y66fqNvFD_gv2hPTm6Xu6FNiFDWvbwHxhWcaW4zcCUmZefjSk2JqESiqNI48h0MXoLRnWbDU/s400/IMG_9103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490171170898879314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Peeking through the trees to see the lower Manhattan skyline. I love these glimpses of the city that can be seen as you stroll through the streets of Brooklyn Heights.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXTq_XWxYd5e2hTYuv4iY5uNl2BXwRGLIT2n003SaeGuZJOB8MMffnK8trPLI8xOhTF3J_yscCCvTRCyrG3YDaNs7ho4D2aIsbq9TtSHrBZX1iCLaKypwsHB8Jdhu8uRaVH-qLjwsjZU/s1600/IMG_9104.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXTq_XWxYd5e2hTYuv4iY5uNl2BXwRGLIT2n003SaeGuZJOB8MMffnK8trPLI8xOhTF3J_yscCCvTRCyrG3YDaNs7ho4D2aIsbq9TtSHrBZX1iCLaKypwsHB8Jdhu8uRaVH-qLjwsjZU/s400/IMG_9104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490171558033722882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This ice cream truck is always here...a Brooklyn Promenade staple.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7alwuz92wVxC_AazaAifBDtDENkI2pZKleNRUkcZjhTQ1Agokr5UkUPzK5R9Ehc8PvsKn8TiZYCslShWj6u22z8d6Ip9QGggb_BSa_PFT9FptpSsKmBbDQhb0bKSaHhe5lc7yxCZhgo/s1600/IMG_9110.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7alwuz92wVxC_AazaAifBDtDENkI2pZKleNRUkcZjhTQ1Agokr5UkUPzK5R9Ehc8PvsKn8TiZYCslShWj6u22z8d6Ip9QGggb_BSa_PFT9FptpSsKmBbDQhb0bKSaHhe5lc7yxCZhgo/s400/IMG_9110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490171018862773346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I love this pop of color on an otherwise neutral-colored street. I might need to coordinate a handbag photo shoot over here sometime...</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhCC5xTlCaL6bQddH7itcJwc6wY7WUp7SgtN4S9st5hgcwJg_mRb1mQjpap9iOqKU9bCwR3l9otQLlp3_hbEMWMiY_Nrs1-xidGSqiWVa9XWXAOcE5qSQz3IXUrVjGDZDJUhHG56vgts/s1600/IMG_9117.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhCC5xTlCaL6bQddH7itcJwc6wY7WUp7SgtN4S9st5hgcwJg_mRb1mQjpap9iOqKU9bCwR3l9otQLlp3_hbEMWMiY_Nrs1-xidGSqiWVa9XWXAOcE5qSQz3IXUrVjGDZDJUhHG56vgts/s400/IMG_9117.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490170904642896754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">So true, so true. </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMm19LiUBQX9o8xpgaBrL8gLfRismeO9nE-dFncmMbsB2epvn5xPFSaDbLbOQzmQhaKvdxFEvyvvpqxmpEHNe0h7cPVA0vbTxOgkAzOxX_h_zlrU1UsFdF4qmn3Dy8RvPYThi7zZjFISI/s1600/IMG_9114.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMm19LiUBQX9o8xpgaBrL8gLfRismeO9nE-dFncmMbsB2epvn5xPFSaDbLbOQzmQhaKvdxFEvyvvpqxmpEHNe0h7cPVA0vbTxOgkAzOxX_h_zlrU1UsFdF4qmn3Dy8RvPYThi7zZjFISI/s400/IMG_9114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490170819851962770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">An alley-turned-secret garden pathway - a neat little discovery on my wanderings.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRg_3E5_mTqktWR60Pr6qfCo_kiJu34t6fvxNLLAYKxhW-7yR3gdVcUXPierzAURLctn_o2KlOIJEnsTLxVqIXJ1U9TRwIHNnhdT0Ee0IfHmEKc0yo027GrastzJq7zbO7Okd3mF1ow5A/s1600/IMG_9113.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRg_3E5_mTqktWR60Pr6qfCo_kiJu34t6fvxNLLAYKxhW-7yR3gdVcUXPierzAURLctn_o2KlOIJEnsTLxVqIXJ1U9TRwIHNnhdT0Ee0IfHmEKc0yo027GrastzJq7zbO7Okd3mF1ow5A/s400/IMG_9113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490170698400103810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">When I see a cool door I can't resist snapping a pic...</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vjFu3nXf6lnOHtue7xh6oxJy6UF6auv0QDqzvArI0ZDbFkPUzix9BbwXJr5TmZYCH9iP5ax4q5fLNeiFG2Fd6qIudVqod2qNjddr6Y96IF_IJErh5dPD-Iog25yTFXVqcHQfXlCiHRQ/s1600/IMG_9118.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vjFu3nXf6lnOHtue7xh6oxJy6UF6auv0QDqzvArI0ZDbFkPUzix9BbwXJr5TmZYCH9iP5ax4q5fLNeiFG2Fd6qIudVqod2qNjddr6Y96IF_IJErh5dPD-Iog25yTFXVqcHQfXlCiHRQ/s400/IMG_9118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490170569707761074" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDch85_Sb4YEjjR8UZcPWIX2wPG6z4WXeIddDX9JhPaJ35C41jWojXgU1GGSpyCHpHxXp-XY2yGipv8duIm4FgTwS6Vm0MBixArBU9PxCk7SNPzBF13I2kWHmQbEgIxbKe6tAEcD76bA/s1600/IMG_9119.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDch85_Sb4YEjjR8UZcPWIX2wPG6z4WXeIddDX9JhPaJ35C41jWojXgU1GGSpyCHpHxXp-XY2yGipv8duIm4FgTwS6Vm0MBixArBU9PxCk7SNPzBF13I2kWHmQbEgIxbKe6tAEcD76bA/s400/IMG_9119.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490174757542470898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A couple views of downtown BK Heights.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And so, my heart feels a bit lighter. Expect more "healing" pics in the weeks to come.<br /></div></div>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-69611625201091545752010-06-27T16:22:00.000-07:002010-06-27T17:21:16.943-07:00Under The BridgeExploring my current favorite 'hood in Brooklyn on a hazy, humid afternoon. Behold: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DUMBO,_Brooklyn">DUMBO</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7T58k61iO3Vzb2cSP6kV04DpiFnSAWL4GfWq27iSGGbp4oDsV-wIixf9ZLgcT8do9oxYYCFYP-x0BrvzBL7uGx4aXwpE0QzBwQpB-AMaFKsKfIW3AqJZiiXEHI0yIzopqmNAoAMW1LAw/s1600/IMG_9014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7T58k61iO3Vzb2cSP6kV04DpiFnSAWL4GfWq27iSGGbp4oDsV-wIixf9ZLgcT8do9oxYYCFYP-x0BrvzBL7uGx4aXwpE0QzBwQpB-AMaFKsKfIW3AqJZiiXEHI0yIzopqmNAoAMW1LAw/s400/IMG_9014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487603653600304594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A peek at mid-town Manhattan, en route to my destination.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDnjGrwrIY4BjNEoXS7WNVni35PPHikBzmGetIlzGdIRdd5deIC4iPI29YtDfyuGvCA84W3nXBma4JGCyohFOEsRXdPsW4on0QHvbjm1l18S4DtTRpgLnIDHJb6-BXK24LPj5C8vnb3c/s1600/IMG_9015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDnjGrwrIY4BjNEoXS7WNVni35PPHikBzmGetIlzGdIRdd5deIC4iPI29YtDfyuGvCA84W3nXBma4JGCyohFOEsRXdPsW4on0QHvbjm1l18S4DtTRpgLnIDHJb6-BXK24LPj5C8vnb3c/s400/IMG_9015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487603527592967330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Lady Liberty in the distance.</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoro0dCzOp0LCbmW3WoHCf92kbXXzK6ozzZSbt6bRP3xjSZgfhUez8ONstxvXY3fgcIhZuHwdtOUy-a3L0eXg2t5F96EL1ydxf112FSh3Cy4lOQeRyTvNOsoAfelvz72aFzt3HscGMEI/s1600/IMG_9016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoro0dCzOp0LCbmW3WoHCf92kbXXzK6ozzZSbt6bRP3xjSZgfhUez8ONstxvXY3fgcIhZuHwdtOUy-a3L0eXg2t5F96EL1ydxf112FSh3Cy4lOQeRyTvNOsoAfelvz72aFzt3HscGMEI/s400/IMG_9016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487603248171047794" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGdvNfBOpy84tdHNeqkaGR9kl_jZzkSTbGnC_CE9KN_vbWYA3rece8E6yCTYBNcRzqxnh6rpWJCv7h6Fjt4UjEgPiAGGJps_ZrSh6X8EpWpDF59K-8VV8beqHtsYHdrbBAYfioenzzYw/s1600/IMG_9017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGdvNfBOpy84tdHNeqkaGR9kl_jZzkSTbGnC_CE9KN_vbWYA3rece8E6yCTYBNcRzqxnh6rpWJCv7h6Fjt4UjEgPiAGGJps_ZrSh6X8EpWpDF59K-8VV8beqHtsYHdrbBAYfioenzzYw/s400/IMG_9017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487603095815046002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">My first glimpse of the Brooklyn Bridge as I near the heart of DUMBO.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflFlblhJe5dlPjfdL7bzBW6Wc1gLBds1hP32wcCB9-QW6k6QZFTuuwgk5PFLKpSOGBDR27xWopBOVGZJr1qifNgflIWKBlsSjS4zyKaLqcE3VjHURlgD3v5ZBBTqldHea00tH-DSntrg/s1600/IMG_9018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflFlblhJe5dlPjfdL7bzBW6Wc1gLBds1hP32wcCB9-QW6k6QZFTuuwgk5PFLKpSOGBDR27xWopBOVGZJr1qifNgflIWKBlsSjS4zyKaLqcE3VjHURlgD3v5ZBBTqldHea00tH-DSntrg/s400/IMG_9018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487603009560369906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Under the BK Bridge, glimpsing the Manhattan Bridge.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8QivfFCpGv3a_6wBD-edlNGVzl-UAlXQm1rwp2SboCT14kTswzsc3xdgM8oC4YCU6L_FejHFafoBvrCoiScV3C-ZfQhOLGWRJvP2Iaar6WV9tqs6GeybKbqTTqbB7q7Vu8pfoCLtRMc/s1600/IMG_9019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8QivfFCpGv3a_6wBD-edlNGVzl-UAlXQm1rwp2SboCT14kTswzsc3xdgM8oC4YCU6L_FejHFafoBvrCoiScV3C-ZfQhOLGWRJvP2Iaar6WV9tqs6GeybKbqTTqbB7q7Vu8pfoCLtRMc/s400/IMG_9019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487602888599504770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">BK Bridge. I'll never tire of these views, hence the many pics of it below.<br /><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkLxKaFSFvmPAPpMdQhOnzaurBcPkn92KwhMpjY-w5BTweSqJAY55CSicaee7kqSppaJcPdHwbKV0uTMOr6P8830VFDi-7vpMn_nI1rkBABJA6Kn-Q8HILT0_OpYf5GD9uxoZM8u71BQ/s1600/IMG_9020.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkLxKaFSFvmPAPpMdQhOnzaurBcPkn92KwhMpjY-w5BTweSqJAY55CSicaee7kqSppaJcPdHwbKV0uTMOr6P8830VFDi-7vpMn_nI1rkBABJA6Kn-Q8HILT0_OpYf5GD9uxoZM8u71BQ/s400/IMG_9020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487602776735756322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBkXu-c5MpZX895gUNGnHKbr2LcnbD48t81wOzG_VHbB7liyIhMP33u_wuZu21exD-PsInHuTQhcVsNX-RuqUDku1T7KmRbmavkjAja4qCpsR6wxABZwxeca4Y4ZBbyPFiy1J94-LXHk/s1600/IMG_9021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBkXu-c5MpZX895gUNGnHKbr2LcnbD48t81wOzG_VHbB7liyIhMP33u_wuZu21exD-PsInHuTQhcVsNX-RuqUDku1T7KmRbmavkjAja4qCpsR6wxABZwxeca4Y4ZBbyPFiy1J94-LXHk/s400/IMG_9021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487602636434126658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLphk1N2G2pzNdrjnN7fYq7o1OxaK5ZgyLYKzUIrznL1-pqCZEU4JT9SIyu8TCjozm9xX0DoCFzW1q8iIH21PfOtPCTOUI0EochoFlatcXqsxK6Rl1pMh2TosYe61qzCQZJbd8Uj8N2kU/s1600/IMG_9022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLphk1N2G2pzNdrjnN7fYq7o1OxaK5ZgyLYKzUIrznL1-pqCZEU4JT9SIyu8TCjozm9xX0DoCFzW1q8iIH21PfOtPCTOUI0EochoFlatcXqsxK6Rl1pMh2TosYe61qzCQZJbd8Uj8N2kU/s400/IMG_9022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487602439948730930" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF-nMpF2iGszIlL8jE5Fbbqp7-Hr-9C9qYsp67ZdaWj2mYkq8_aO6lde2dsaHC5wsrMuG7RnCWdmm5AvBVMXWIDFhp-Bc4-CziSImE6fLwAC4qdoE7zoAjnfiumcMRpjCjJOtPr_uyZA/s1600/IMG_9023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF-nMpF2iGszIlL8jE5Fbbqp7-Hr-9C9qYsp67ZdaWj2mYkq8_aO6lde2dsaHC5wsrMuG7RnCWdmm5AvBVMXWIDFhp-Bc4-CziSImE6fLwAC4qdoE7zoAjnfiumcMRpjCjJOtPr_uyZA/s400/IMG_9023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487602333184864802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The Watchtower Building...where presumably "they" are always watching you (<a href="http://dumbonyc.com/2009/03/26/the-watchtower-moving-some-operations-from-brooklyn/">the Jehovahs, me thinks</a>).</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim425t1-4RRaKHcAcIugk38YVwXmiKNnFUnMDUEaq7bpIQA7J9ue4DaII0uZpDitTMuVCo9DtM_zeyuLhBDih-iHEqRLUMhowzPkkxW0YzHJtkbO_Eb7e_f8rCnuuz80n-DuXhZXwHq_M/s1600/IMG_9025.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim425t1-4RRaKHcAcIugk38YVwXmiKNnFUnMDUEaq7bpIQA7J9ue4DaII0uZpDitTMuVCo9DtM_zeyuLhBDih-iHEqRLUMhowzPkkxW0YzHJtkbO_Eb7e_f8rCnuuz80n-DuXhZXwHq_M/s400/IMG_9025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487602230079030994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Another view of the Manhattan Bridge.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANsTgJXMqrI1IeB-r_LGf9sO0s7PASt6Ib-eJr9vDuNMxUl9pt4heSqyfXc9o9ircfi807eR88oIVGho-M2W4Y4en8BP_T4tGQr_2TwaxNcGZg-GPIm-6ioeIsLUbuRLE649ZRL37H08/s1600/IMG_9026.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANsTgJXMqrI1IeB-r_LGf9sO0s7PASt6Ib-eJr9vDuNMxUl9pt4heSqyfXc9o9ircfi807eR88oIVGho-M2W4Y4en8BP_T4tGQr_2TwaxNcGZg-GPIm-6ioeIsLUbuRLE649ZRL37H08/s400/IMG_9026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487602126029716642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Lots of old warehouses down here...converted into über-expensive lofts, as DUMBO is the new "it" spot to live in BK. Not quite sure what the appeal is when you have subway trains - with their deafening mechanical grinding sounds - going over the bridge every 5 minutes.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UyEmLhERmF2J8SEsV4MwEeICxLNKrHRuYAu2yDabe3-UA0xtyHrclTXsnepsspmXG43ndHjjxdb1nlPYVjoAbfH60qNJqrCjEyqoTDwigipkXI2ujQYSBqKDQgBkhX6ZgMgjrNzYNfw/s1600/IMG_9028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UyEmLhERmF2J8SEsV4MwEeICxLNKrHRuYAu2yDabe3-UA0xtyHrclTXsnepsspmXG43ndHjjxdb1nlPYVjoAbfH60qNJqrCjEyqoTDwigipkXI2ujQYSBqKDQgBkhX6ZgMgjrNzYNfw/s400/IMG_9028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487602024656629986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">An adorable carousel found in one of the warehouse buildings as I passed on the street - many a café</span><span style="font-size:85%;">, gallery or kiddie carousel can be found as you traverse the somewhat desolate (yet oddly comfortable and familiar) streets of DUMBO. </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHTg52CJJN0nxsh4HFxOxxsvChc4JmZHPAdNhiXoDu8au_dXQKPnU3vPyZM-Zw1CZZOgQiL8WExk0yHHNMqWI20YUhiryY3yHs5-UI5UMEe0lDhnERATPGv2n59x-ZchcS_XO87e23c4/s1600/IMG_9029.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHTg52CJJN0nxsh4HFxOxxsvChc4JmZHPAdNhiXoDu8au_dXQKPnU3vPyZM-Zw1CZZOgQiL8WExk0yHHNMqWI20YUhiryY3yHs5-UI5UMEe0lDhnERATPGv2n59x-ZchcS_XO87e23c4/s400/IMG_9029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487601938096252466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Yummy chocolates and ice cream treats to be found at this renown chocolatier<span style="font-style: italic;">.</span></span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPy-WfJ_Fv1u92zVDfAM2cEamCyTAqrzOmblYAC6POnWMavI2USgSUoyyL-U5PQ8SuNSKq3xalLoYkCYoxHWUA4ap1kA2U37jKe5O30YdTUaGn6Ylrc9bhLby_tF1N90q09RXOin-zWQ/s1600/IMG_9030.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPy-WfJ_Fv1u92zVDfAM2cEamCyTAqrzOmblYAC6POnWMavI2USgSUoyyL-U5PQ8SuNSKq3xalLoYkCYoxHWUA4ap1kA2U37jKe5O30YdTUaGn6Ylrc9bhLby_tF1N90q09RXOin-zWQ/s400/IMG_9030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487601788271621170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWDW-L5djEo_kKNzz1muDIvn79QFfvhyeWeJw8lwuba9IJDSQDJgf2HXmsDsUAyJhyphenhypheniy-vvJcUo_vxXNieGnyTItuG7m0MQZNAyRd6HS569YMtaKFB_ez2XdWX3ees7KImAymauk_NX4/s1600/IMG_9031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWDW-L5djEo_kKNzz1muDIvn79QFfvhyeWeJw8lwuba9IJDSQDJgf2HXmsDsUAyJhyphenhypheniy-vvJcUo_vxXNieGnyTItuG7m0MQZNAyRd6HS569YMtaKFB_ez2XdWX3ees7KImAymauk_NX4/s400/IMG_9031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487601691426454354" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8j_tjfHsog21aCSOukD_0Eb4LrDlrK5VvarTUfOzHgtsihywbNjRJt9fzRyN-JNhNqTeeYDuRFai67JATatIk-pV2tyeSsDsaDf33dm6od905CX4nevgD7mYpKu79qKcYsx_ucSZA5QU/s1600/IMG_9032.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8j_tjfHsog21aCSOukD_0Eb4LrDlrK5VvarTUfOzHgtsihywbNjRJt9fzRyN-JNhNqTeeYDuRFai67JATatIk-pV2tyeSsDsaDf33dm6od905CX4nevgD7mYpKu79qKcYsx_ucSZA5QU/s400/IMG_9032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487601583485601378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The "feel" of DUMBO...</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZsRCwi1wS6gCicD2yopRLBbDFgP9ZCENgvgzzSLwYm58NwsNXWWoepTMAXszWjbhLgoJm9_6GLqTXwFAAccMbGfSwrBoXRJZuULBq5ybiAiUZn7fzFD3EWbkz493Nndm_b4gLkDVm28/s1600/IMG_9033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZsRCwi1wS6gCicD2yopRLBbDFgP9ZCENgvgzzSLwYm58NwsNXWWoepTMAXszWjbhLgoJm9_6GLqTXwFAAccMbGfSwrBoXRJZuULBq5ybiAiUZn7fzFD3EWbkz493Nndm_b4gLkDVm28/s400/IMG_9033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487601483740678914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">...cont'd...</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_w2b3q6OCBWlwodYLLMdhMgFtE3uvXQrzQKyZHLTBqnHruL2bhS7Xx5rIXOHe3p61O6CoKvIO3t_pWScJGtfjHGLDfMbICKT1RibalJ1s0AaQeA_KF7wojffVk5HcxTYcoYrN2mDbLw/s1600/IMG_9034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_w2b3q6OCBWlwodYLLMdhMgFtE3uvXQrzQKyZHLTBqnHruL2bhS7Xx5rIXOHe3p61O6CoKvIO3t_pWScJGtfjHGLDfMbICKT1RibalJ1s0AaQeA_KF7wojffVk5HcxTYcoYrN2mDbLw/s400/IMG_9034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487601376752689858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">...very "under the bridge"...</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaMNxj1oXSu0dehUzcbqhBJkLQU1rnWBk711url_S6YBWmaVTAoKf5zUvYcJoi1nyYuSQ0zhX47x6upxVY2deo0MjpvfGC10RXM0wrn5oSOi7B6TCL4Lo3_-jG17yi92V7KvT5XI7uYs/s1600/IMG_9037.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaMNxj1oXSu0dehUzcbqhBJkLQU1rnWBk711url_S6YBWmaVTAoKf5zUvYcJoi1nyYuSQ0zhX47x6upxVY2deo0MjpvfGC10RXM0wrn5oSOi7B6TCL4Lo3_-jG17yi92V7KvT5XI7uYs/s400/IMG_9037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487601184586318658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">...with some ultramodern storefronts mixed in...</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnM3Q83WSKGJ6mQjTzANwXCHaQR6zohJg5DfopQesxQrslh0oGUcMX51HQc0mGi_r8WTx822n3ovdBFeVm-2SnXpPBoz9pQKPWOWYVTVfHSj3ARNuzUZQ-b3Ao6Ig2XCXgVMSm4vGeWso/s1600/IMG_9038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnM3Q83WSKGJ6mQjTzANwXCHaQR6zohJg5DfopQesxQrslh0oGUcMX51HQc0mGi_r8WTx822n3ovdBFeVm-2SnXpPBoz9pQKPWOWYVTVfHSj3ARNuzUZQ-b3Ao6Ig2XCXgVMSm4vGeWso/s400/IMG_9038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487601086015917538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">...and some funkadelic graffiti art...of a robotic futuristic angel-devel baby...</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpStoWs354xkYG2z-ZxTAxswe3EXmY9YMTES6wqXf8LbjpFk8ihi2LHXgjOQ8OIyqcIHVpBigYwhRpH-YRC_qPdta2U7RFdW_aahI62A1ioTv6IFTWjruOPuh2wdeGqRASZaPKx-5Ni_c/s1600/IMG_9039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpStoWs354xkYG2z-ZxTAxswe3EXmY9YMTES6wqXf8LbjpFk8ihi2LHXgjOQ8OIyqcIHVpBigYwhRpH-YRC_qPdta2U7RFdW_aahI62A1ioTv6IFTWjruOPuh2wdeGqRASZaPKx-5Ni_c/s400/IMG_9039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487600973896443794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">...these are everywhere in BK - seeing them everywhere really signifies the essence of living in NY to me, cuz I've never seen 'em anywhere else in the world...</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlC3juG3GKiFCZhJODgp__5Mio14RRL3cyvPoVOZq6kc_BQlSg31pVou4nzV2Roau9YYNf-g9rfkFx07OUr2h1URsZq7PlThm9_Oh8Mfgr8gR7D4jXs2XsMx0D2qWTOWX8W0AlB558c8/s1600/IMG_9042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlC3juG3GKiFCZhJODgp__5Mio14RRL3cyvPoVOZq6kc_BQlSg31pVou4nzV2Roau9YYNf-g9rfkFx07OUr2h1URsZq7PlThm9_Oh8Mfgr8gR7D4jXs2XsMx0D2qWTOWX8W0AlB558c8/s400/IMG_9042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487600873027407698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">...and some random floral adornments to a street sign post. </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtZN8tzPW5TaII1AaTnj2NtnLM8JoTn4uFHJGEK1VC-BeuN_3O2REMs3SadMRb4w4SAP4ph3mgz1NgqPR4eIBRNlNSPZp72_xwnlSLkVKe9spKDI4JgYzenK9u9OalBDarEFeyAkpgN0/s1600/IMG_9043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtZN8tzPW5TaII1AaTnj2NtnLM8JoTn4uFHJGEK1VC-BeuN_3O2REMs3SadMRb4w4SAP4ph3mgz1NgqPR4eIBRNlNSPZp72_xwnlSLkVKe9spKDI4JgYzenK9u9OalBDarEFeyAkpgN0/s400/IMG_9043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487600786834237378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Technically "under the bridge." The BK Bridge, that is.</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZFAJNYZkDZGbm3KJLLBeoUJ0CulKTQ_ioLNfSpRjeZkdyi1MoMCR_jHTKnQXrmtRDfd7QyGm7licb1pokHh1tgKLUo7TnVxZ4r0lpq3qEhxuAzGi_aqfd1H1ZIyA3ITKcIrEznvk1Ws/s1600/IMG_9044.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZFAJNYZkDZGbm3KJLLBeoUJ0CulKTQ_ioLNfSpRjeZkdyi1MoMCR_jHTKnQXrmtRDfd7QyGm7licb1pokHh1tgKLUo7TnVxZ4r0lpq3qEhxuAzGi_aqfd1H1ZIyA3ITKcIrEznvk1Ws/s400/IMG_9044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487600680185435666" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVKqzrYyz2_sPEwWZmK1V-H9sk5K29qFtt2vKtNVOKHqU_Lvz6uwrCBBsGmQuEzSTeuARmroh7fvvmHOaTrqzSwROLWW7HHjLHLPyOk5tt4Hor7d-caTmjH0nTbLwVr4IPbowueiGKXw/s1600/IMG_9045.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVKqzrYyz2_sPEwWZmK1V-H9sk5K29qFtt2vKtNVOKHqU_Lvz6uwrCBBsGmQuEzSTeuARmroh7fvvmHOaTrqzSwROLWW7HHjLHLPyOk5tt4Hor7d-caTmjH0nTbLwVr4IPbowueiGKXw/s400/IMG_9045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487600582120915522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Some hazy views from the park beneath the bridge.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUlui4L6UjujCsPln690zW-z5xYFVl4k02oG4lp862Oye66pWVoPMnZ-aEEMIoDMeXjJzLmEhfAAmSuvaZzsvnaew-Rh-Igtwagxc-ybqTLhkIgg0IqdjrRNd6DQ0Iqh6KeQCKnvBN_E/s1600/IMG_9046.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUlui4L6UjujCsPln690zW-z5xYFVl4k02oG4lp862Oye66pWVoPMnZ-aEEMIoDMeXjJzLmEhfAAmSuvaZzsvnaew-Rh-Igtwagxc-ybqTLhkIgg0IqdjrRNd6DQ0Iqh6KeQCKnvBN_E/s400/IMG_9046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487600513921167170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">And a little, tiny snippet of beach space.</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk2w6buSAauXcSjapgrjYl64dk1Ydm0x41u5P_IQjGoAY4KYMsY7s65bZPReefg8iT4wizY1o1G4Rsk9zi-1xV9xeYxpa0faoDGMzbPzH1Hy_YldAUPKHwTDwc9lIyE5YEp4JkmHJgHQ/s1600/IMG_9047.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk2w6buSAauXcSjapgrjYl64dk1Ydm0x41u5P_IQjGoAY4KYMsY7s65bZPReefg8iT4wizY1o1G4Rsk9zi-1xV9xeYxpa0faoDGMzbPzH1Hy_YldAUPKHwTDwc9lIyE5YEp4JkmHJgHQ/s400/IMG_9047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487600423970641330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLduHK_I04GDdgQk3j6rsYcLoJJoaJ1p__WUBq3TCC5XJuFp3bhM81au51LY_2YJ870UU01CykoPp5R4EUr3ChYgW9ZRJh9ddLeVY9cFdeMB-KLBjoqrLUpbYGXFd6QqH-ps2chGmrsyI/s1600/IMG_9048.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLduHK_I04GDdgQk3j6rsYcLoJJoaJ1p__WUBq3TCC5XJuFp3bhM81au51LY_2YJ870UU01CykoPp5R4EUr3ChYgW9ZRJh9ddLeVY9cFdeMB-KLBjoqrLUpbYGXFd6QqH-ps2chGmrsyI/s400/IMG_9048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487600340262751090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mH6TqsVLuq4xqw96YcBY-BWOiEJHFcmjuaGw053skhZUjQ_JtzmtMnoEZ7jsQ3nyaSlLJMI54rClmTjdpeECkwA32PNsMoIiBEApTSz7HpqJSNRDFYn25yy0MaOH6Rb3MZJn-DZGbnY/s1600/IMG_9049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mH6TqsVLuq4xqw96YcBY-BWOiEJHFcmjuaGw053skhZUjQ_JtzmtMnoEZ7jsQ3nyaSlLJMI54rClmTjdpeECkwA32PNsMoIiBEApTSz7HpqJSNRDFYn25yy0MaOH6Rb3MZJn-DZGbnY/s400/IMG_9049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487600240806919106" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AJNULErLm9RaPrhv2ww8UCaNAzvsty8SGk73imbAeINVzacHkbNFXclTi0R2X8g4tofNRuJqXjqqBWtxO7ppytj9aHfNadGPkQpqTeh26bgwLYf4wZkkoeG-OQuRg7Uqb50wnjNY3S8/s1600/IMG_9050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AJNULErLm9RaPrhv2ww8UCaNAzvsty8SGk73imbAeINVzacHkbNFXclTi0R2X8g4tofNRuJqXjqqBWtxO7ppytj9aHfNadGPkQpqTeh26bgwLYf4wZkkoeG-OQuRg7Uqb50wnjNY3S8/s400/IMG_9050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487600156675173618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Interesting foliage that caught my eye. Wish I knew what these were...</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMDFwBZYIvR6hDhj6Jj_PNtUNZrLMg5wDG_t3v87CZMNm0Kyhqu72Q2TwPbY3yftExbuo-0hEyIHwwL8ei5V0RqR0RMLsVyWofadrXa3JEgKKW3Nvc4XGbMiIYzNhpx6-xTmfGHduXxs/s1600/IMG_9053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMDFwBZYIvR6hDhj6Jj_PNtUNZrLMg5wDG_t3v87CZMNm0Kyhqu72Q2TwPbY3yftExbuo-0hEyIHwwL8ei5V0RqR0RMLsVyWofadrXa3JEgKKW3Nvc4XGbMiIYzNhpx6-xTmfGHduXxs/s400/IMG_9053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487600059012354514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhUveiJKtTAaymU-9mG48J-WJt7Lm-gNidxLU8fR0Lim_teXqQE8VF3RDUvIFlcevbYfqZRsztw_v0gPzFZfjYQpZjTvBweqFWZQbn5ZB3jMON76hG9o971E-YsauHMsXmznhQE7522U/s1600/IMG_9054.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhUveiJKtTAaymU-9mG48J-WJt7Lm-gNidxLU8fR0Lim_teXqQE8VF3RDUvIFlcevbYfqZRsztw_v0gPzFZfjYQpZjTvBweqFWZQbn5ZB3jMON76hG9o971E-YsauHMsXmznhQE7522U/s400/IMG_9054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487599975112167042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fkpD8B1U8wQJ0nlmI1rBjd_JNlRai0Pw5LYZCJLfR6S5I9ZbOS23R-ntxK26IMgja2dpBFg89_HtmfgcxFlrk_1Ua4e3gorJVdr-BuTVJVrlHpZFh92I3gA66ZkfagxJtpammQ4tstU/s1600/IMG_9055.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fkpD8B1U8wQJ0nlmI1rBjd_JNlRai0Pw5LYZCJLfR6S5I9ZbOS23R-ntxK26IMgja2dpBFg89_HtmfgcxFlrk_1Ua4e3gorJVdr-BuTVJVrlHpZFh92I3gA66ZkfagxJtpammQ4tstU/s400/IMG_9055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487599885912882930" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjlXspTkMy9fMB165RJOACe4YbImwSvJbcb0JjJBUSnWKmzXHyUhKproZNVAXtPofYU0jXTobsJwguOU98d9YMhNltAm55GFLP0EXccpcxtNYloegX4cx4WTsgKoCt05o7rVi6uc4dNU/s1600/IMG_9056.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjlXspTkMy9fMB165RJOACe4YbImwSvJbcb0JjJBUSnWKmzXHyUhKproZNVAXtPofYU0jXTobsJwguOU98d9YMhNltAm55GFLP0EXccpcxtNYloegX4cx4WTsgKoCt05o7rVi6uc4dNU/s400/IMG_9056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487599798985115522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Neato vintage car, snapped on my way home. </span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIvvxoZNlQj-lehXR9H9gemKq_5fVXkkCx3yJ6NKbJ0LawkqIEHTyAl7_u6-q-YDazLqvkx5KV9m85JyRTy4lbMs__o-hqXpyyJwqWJR6PH7dkBCvLvFWBBAhB487ckLLt0bbMBucwSo/s1600/IMG_9057.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIvvxoZNlQj-lehXR9H9gemKq_5fVXkkCx3yJ6NKbJ0LawkqIEHTyAl7_u6-q-YDazLqvkx5KV9m85JyRTy4lbMs__o-hqXpyyJwqWJR6PH7dkBCvLvFWBBAhB487ckLLt0bbMBucwSo/s400/IMG_9057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487599693444766034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWgWFkd6PRFG-9jC0Xt0ZjXxxoD2cSnZHga235d5_Nmh84wNvsjkK8T0n0C-2MK3Luqx9DDkufB0z1N4hfmeaDHaL1Qj9FpMD-KPz3qGIZqrtHX1R3XKW6QHRF6xCfVyT1rxB5MWC7cc/s1600/IMG_9058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWgWFkd6PRFG-9jC0Xt0ZjXxxoD2cSnZHga235d5_Nmh84wNvsjkK8T0n0C-2MK3Luqx9DDkufB0z1N4hfmeaDHaL1Qj9FpMD-KPz3qGIZqrtHX1R3XKW6QHRF6xCfVyT1rxB5MWC7cc/s400/IMG_9058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487599583001709458" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLinMA_hz3ELEbNZg8_VackrOtSOZMKZdomW3xCPC-QfJ8eYVWrMj-I0JbpB6c-xkAlZlRTJEtRD5nFfYimg_jonsz6oyHekgiWxCVbB3sOzQbPi74mheJgo6QqQ4W5MZc3NCpbrvDgY/s1600/IMG_9059.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLinMA_hz3ELEbNZg8_VackrOtSOZMKZdomW3xCPC-QfJ8eYVWrMj-I0JbpB6c-xkAlZlRTJEtRD5nFfYimg_jonsz6oyHekgiWxCVbB3sOzQbPi74mheJgo6QqQ4W5MZc3NCpbrvDgY/s400/IMG_9059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487599492015731234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Snapped a pic on my way back home - I want to remember this quirky-cool indie theater that I just newly discovered to catch some flicks that are more up my alley.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKUHB5XO__J474nrdkd5GC2HWpa7P3YzsZZglX9PiKrYn2oGb2NXphs8YMRLViV98QoGm09SyNgbf37M7BNDQfTuJAw2y-JKGHwI5V9iE2JSA0FntYHFwFQL5Xz4DKUi-BTX5n7T4rKM/s1600/IMG_9060.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKUHB5XO__J474nrdkd5GC2HWpa7P3YzsZZglX9PiKrYn2oGb2NXphs8YMRLViV98QoGm09SyNgbf37M7BNDQfTuJAw2y-JKGHwI5V9iE2JSA0FntYHFwFQL5Xz4DKUi-BTX5n7T4rKM/s400/IMG_9060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487599354180690226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Theater cross-streets (for my reference).</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewj2a6g2m7r4euRZfBDdghHOiWxXSZEPZFzP-74V3IxnImOi1x9x5d77_-k-w956dgZFCpi8hM0JE24jLVxnWMaU45CwjS39rX_5icKxfBQLmxg8vD2LmrV4K-Af0-_eZJ0-y8aJq9sE/s1600/IMG_9061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewj2a6g2m7r4euRZfBDdghHOiWxXSZEPZFzP-74V3IxnImOi1x9x5d77_-k-w956dgZFCpi8hM0JE24jLVxnWMaU45CwjS39rX_5icKxfBQLmxg8vD2LmrV4K-Af0-_eZJ0-y8aJq9sE/s400/IMG_9061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487599241658415986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">En route to home, before picking up a bottle of wine and getting ready to relax after my DUMBO adventures. Hope you enjoyed the pics! </span><br /></div>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-2583423650459966772010-06-23T17:21:00.000-07:002010-06-27T10:53:33.939-07:00Chapter FourWhen I first moved to Brooklyn from Dallas, I viewed this change as starting a new chapter in my life - "the Brooklyn chapter" - and had posted about it <a href="http://lolafalk.blogspot.com/2010/02/starting-next-chapter.html">here</a>. But as time has gone by (nearly 5 months!) I'm beginning to realize it was more like starting a new book, with new chapters being written every month, shaping the experience of being here and how my life has so drastically changed in such a short period of time. From the actual move, to getting <a href="http://lolafalk.com/">the biz</a> established here, to getting a "day job" that pays the bills and isn't <span style="font-style: italic;">completely</span> unbearable, to temporary living arrangements with quirky roommates, to getting my own <span style="font-style: italic;">blissfully</span> beautiful digs (thanks day job!), to making new friends, to the most recent development...being back on my own. Not quite ready to elaborate on what that means just yet...only know that it was for the best and in the meantime I am sewing as though my life depended on it and listening nonstop to <a href="http://www.americanmary.com/">this band</a>, specifically <a href="http://s0.ilike.com/play#The+National:Conversation+16:166061858:m39550247">this song</a>, off of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/High-Violet-National/dp/B003BKF696">this album</a>. Deliciously melancholic yet hopeful...perfect for my current state!<br /><br />So chapter four...I eagerly await to see how you'll unfold. Nothing has been as I expected, but it's all been beautiful, and moving here has been the best decision I've made in a long time. I'm grateful for all of the reasons that brought me here, even if some of those reasons no longer exist.<br /><br />And in the meantime...snippets of the blur that is the current chapter of my life:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFum8eMErXL0GZMY4vicVGEIfHpzoJEj3JCTKzZrZ12E0Xt9SdV0qz9nTodxuliWFRaDokXyLQ0kpS0xD7Jz8NTOUlZ3b6g7oiO3ryGIu2RH1XrEYyxCHyQeT75bx-s1SaRSJL9b9YVxo/s1600/IMG_8961.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFum8eMErXL0GZMY4vicVGEIfHpzoJEj3JCTKzZrZ12E0Xt9SdV0qz9nTodxuliWFRaDokXyLQ0kpS0xD7Jz8NTOUlZ3b6g7oiO3ryGIu2RH1XrEYyxCHyQeT75bx-s1SaRSJL9b9YVxo/s400/IMG_8961.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486497258231156994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Brooklyn Heights...my lovely-beyond-words new neighborhood.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-AXpMq1lPcdcC2tdLuJgCiNt2ieb07wN1fufBpd-S4OukKPKV39Tt6_g8BNlJEuOxwapGWHvTO_gv5XbiIouY39ceHUTKUGSga8JyYt5TkOH96p1yLhnK-5U3q0FqHDUenaZB-F6Wvw/s1600/IMG_8960.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-AXpMq1lPcdcC2tdLuJgCiNt2ieb07wN1fufBpd-S4OukKPKV39Tt6_g8BNlJEuOxwapGWHvTO_gv5XbiIouY39ceHUTKUGSga8JyYt5TkOH96p1yLhnK-5U3q0FqHDUenaZB-F6Wvw/s400/IMG_8960.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486501064305735218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Making skirts for new furniture...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM32uO_-pBFiaOGnROhQ76L8fByA7KTY5NBhohyKuhYi3ROeiED10LONsP6bKa3nVFNmkiAK-ohcMsLGWfTxBZdduC-l1_eZoYv6CnIG3qLSD7WJqIeFjuNwaa_snqoRV9ogn2KIaVuHY/s1600/IMG_9013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM32uO_-pBFiaOGnROhQ76L8fByA7KTY5NBhohyKuhYi3ROeiED10LONsP6bKa3nVFNmkiAK-ohcMsLGWfTxBZdduC-l1_eZoYv6CnIG3qLSD7WJqIeFjuNwaa_snqoRV9ogn2KIaVuHY/s400/IMG_9013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487463564560275330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">...and for myself</span><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig67w7nGhXPWYBp_bBvXGQU0u2ue-64SiVimYm11zOZui8qd7nrGCmxdEGFerTBwPBKAFOA4hIpYnzvkLGipjLU2HS6e0EGLCI1X8NEruWt4tFHo4SnREkhQ138OFm6_citZtOp0MP9nI/s1600/IMG_8497.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig67w7nGhXPWYBp_bBvXGQU0u2ue-64SiVimYm11zOZui8qd7nrGCmxdEGFerTBwPBKAFOA4hIpYnzvkLGipjLU2HS6e0EGLCI1X8NEruWt4tFHo4SnREkhQ138OFm6_citZtOp0MP9nI/s400/IMG_8497.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486501788636310946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Taking pictures of cool doors around the city...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgva4nihFTN0iLSmYKthGSArMr0AvArKN8ze2cSjBjb42DIPiqw089ihhTJXTXkpPOnClKt1bS3ZvuYuw_pcb-R17MRllhpWxl6L2FJ66RL2BxNTnCoPvubbE24U7zRy_ExLCeIfFdVC-o/s1600/IMG_8445.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgva4nihFTN0iLSmYKthGSArMr0AvArKN8ze2cSjBjb42DIPiqw089ihhTJXTXkpPOnClKt1bS3ZvuYuw_pcb-R17MRllhpWxl6L2FJ66RL2BxNTnCoPvubbE24U7zRy_ExLCeIfFdVC-o/s400/IMG_8445.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486502604999289506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZujaCegvS_BX7f2CzQSqOFHZ5dfHwVXKBpUGpkXeV-lh2MUEz5u9oGozSXqDEySqlTjqUgiOz3isc75Tzfq-Awh9GM097FphnZnAKkINMjfVEi-b1z35VxzJacx6bItYEv9fKu0cFxvo/s1600/IMG_8471.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZujaCegvS_BX7f2CzQSqOFHZ5dfHwVXKBpUGpkXeV-lh2MUEz5u9oGozSXqDEySqlTjqUgiOz3isc75Tzfq-Awh9GM097FphnZnAKkINMjfVEi-b1z35VxzJacx6bItYEv9fKu0cFxvo/s400/IMG_8471.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486502840793270898" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM13DEwLitaYindxqP9kW03nwXDgg8Gv6pjSb3Xi03kVfaHw40CkZGPsXpu4M4XSKjpvVIaZsd6yyJqufLnVHfMeu1clwjsxurm2paXzFX-V3hY1YkmBsORWS2JwiEq4YF_MdbWoU2aBs/s1600/IMG_8447.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM13DEwLitaYindxqP9kW03nwXDgg8Gv6pjSb3Xi03kVfaHw40CkZGPsXpu4M4XSKjpvVIaZsd6yyJqufLnVHfMeu1clwjsxurm2paXzFX-V3hY1YkmBsORWS2JwiEq4YF_MdbWoU2aBs/s400/IMG_8447.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486517284455584402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dDk4-xtcjakWI-FG9EBbE6Y1VPyjXZ3oKLtrrUx4YdYptANArOO3z43MbizyFKQ3cfnKrtm669ieXXV3QZjE6NEHMNNkAD-_rarjUjKavzKEkHrRDwd-3Vxm1kKtb1jt7ZwFm-33CMs/s1600/IMG_8448.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dDk4-xtcjakWI-FG9EBbE6Y1VPyjXZ3oKLtrrUx4YdYptANArOO3z43MbizyFKQ3cfnKrtm669ieXXV3QZjE6NEHMNNkAD-_rarjUjKavzKEkHrRDwd-3Vxm1kKtb1jt7ZwFm-33CMs/s400/IMG_8448.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486518264757035234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">...and odd wooden carvings of bears doing yoga.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YQ6h7SZ4KDpMeC1qUlIoVS3tLZz2874Qq6s-WHGdP_6eiiH-DwKF9P_DlkapHgWlwQdHv2pb2uJd75CQXCwmjWca3n-_WQ1kEiqEfVuDQJ7kve42T9Z1itfJYUABCMR9NLuw1kgJ1tA/s1600/IMG_8983.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YQ6h7SZ4KDpMeC1qUlIoVS3tLZz2874Qq6s-WHGdP_6eiiH-DwKF9P_DlkapHgWlwQdHv2pb2uJd75CQXCwmjWca3n-_WQ1kEiqEfVuDQJ7kve42T9Z1itfJYUABCMR9NLuw1kgJ1tA/s400/IMG_8983.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486866359450562290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Making new logo tags...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeQiOAXl5ViC2Tl3M8yGZ_hT8B98PXe0wxExPz_YkvD1wkbnKXh-8vSa3Bf0bXFA_fJsRtffhyVNk59tkDyhDs-3Z2oXS_-S2DZDyOddAWS7u3CLSH9XW-D2kUdBsWalcu5TO_3xizmE/s1600/IMG_8743.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeQiOAXl5ViC2Tl3M8yGZ_hT8B98PXe0wxExPz_YkvD1wkbnKXh-8vSa3Bf0bXFA_fJsRtffhyVNk59tkDyhDs-3Z2oXS_-S2DZDyOddAWS7u3CLSH9XW-D2kUdBsWalcu5TO_3xizmE/s400/IMG_8743.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486865740492551362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">...and hitting the trunk show circuit (Spring Crafts in Chelsea here).</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And in the meantime, just remembering to breath...to not look back...and to know that everything happens for a reason.<br /></div><br /></div>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-88579871010734606302010-05-14T12:29:00.000-07:002010-05-23T17:06:01.174-07:00ResurfacingI feel like I've been sucked into the vortex of helter-skelter, warp-speed New York City living...I've only been here 4 months, but have already lived through about 4 year's worth of experiences. Of course, that's what happens when you move from one location extreme (laid-back, easy livin' Dallas) to another (fast and furious, lean and mean NYC). In the last 4 months I have:<br /><ul><li>Lived in 2 different apartments - one with a roach-infested kitchen and peanut-butter-stealing roommate; the other a quirkily-cool 3rd floor walk-up with a super-cool Japanese gal - we leave our shoes outside the door <span style="font-size:100%;">à la</span> Japanese culture. <span style="font-style: italic;">Love it</span>.<br /></li><li>Landed a few wholesale accounts in local boutiques, which so far have all been pretty successful. Yes!<br /></li><li>Learned to hail a cab, navigate the erratic weekend transit schedule and properly insult drivers who try to run me over when crossing the street</li><li>Eliminated all shoes in my wardrobe that aren't flats. Heels bite (literally and figuratively) with all the walking required here<br /></li><li>Managed to squeak by in a city with one of the highest costs of living while unemployed...</li><li>...and just landed a "day job" that will pay the bills (unfortunately, the handbag gig doesn't do that...<span style="font-style: italic;">yet</span>)</li></ul>And next weekend...I move into my very own apartment/studio space in one of the coolest 'hoods in Brooklyn. More adventures abound! And words cannot express how bleeping <span style="font-style: italic;">good</span> it will feel to stretch and kick and dance and sing and sew...all in my VERY OWN space. Not someone else's....MY OWN. Yes, I am a bit territorial...but ever so grateful that it only took 4 months to get to this point in a brand new city. Pinch me...I can't believe this is all happening...LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-30109577015253681372010-04-22T19:24:00.000-07:002010-04-22T20:11:29.920-07:00Kicking (or Punching) the Damn Door Down...Dammit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCe7tGmBrMnLw6m95iPvMEojEFVSRjkIWYdXmh7_Hq2uUafR7L3gGhJbhqASCBAJ3CJWDEtKLGQN6qtNt2Nhbl_qQWFkfI-V9EstMuYh8VYg4_isi5CaQnmjT_QhVduJOjzZ8vsXjZKM/s1600/1f539564d82c7ee526f50eabe577468ffba09b0b_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCe7tGmBrMnLw6m95iPvMEojEFVSRjkIWYdXmh7_Hq2uUafR7L3gGhJbhqASCBAJ3CJWDEtKLGQN6qtNt2Nhbl_qQWFkfI-V9EstMuYh8VYg4_isi5CaQnmjT_QhVduJOjzZ8vsXjZKM/s400/1f539564d82c7ee526f50eabe577468ffba09b0b_m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463161058328596786" border="0" /></a>Inspired by some of the stories I've seen on one of my favorite blogs (<a href="http://www.scoutiegirl.com/2010/04/share-your-door-kicking-story.html">Scoutie Girl</a>), I'm sharing my very own "kicking down the damn door" story regarding how Lolafalk has come to be. I don't know that I have a specific door-kicking moment, a straw that broke the camel's back, a tipping point that suddenly turned my business from hobby to well...a <span style="font-style: italic;">business</span>. For me, I think it's something more along the lines of facing door-kicking (or punching - I'm better at punching) challenges every day: screwing up the courage to approach local boutiques about carrying my line; talking to customers face-to-face at markets and trunk shows and trusting that the words I use to describe my brand and what it means to me come across as genuine and authentic; <span style="font-style: italic;">believing</span> that because I feel so strongly about this being what I'm meant to do that somehow it will all work out.<br /><br />No physical presence or obstacle is actually in front of me, obstructing my path or holding me back. No oppression from society, culture, laws or authority is preventing me from being all I can be. I am an intelligent, free, strong and driven woman who can do whatever she wants...but there is always that critical voice within, that nagging doubt, that lack of courage and confidence trying to take hold. I'm no different than anyone else in having to face this...but I make the choice to not let it hold me back, and it's a daily choice. A daily struggle...a daily door to kick down. Or sometimes punch in, or karate chop...but by whatever means I choose, I'm proud to say I always come out on top.LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-85721635523738662462010-03-28T18:10:00.000-07:002010-03-28T18:23:01.117-07:00Moving Yet AgainNot from my beloved Brooklyn, mind you. Just neighborhood hopping on over to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carroll_Gardens">Carroll Gardens</a> later this week, one of my very favorite areas of Brooklyn. Yay!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsx4QW5v0xRpDLLlrvyZr1fgis-Z-hPfpOSqRwPCUAXe04FHSywiC4RHoGZPVQVPK-pvigFaDll4weDTa8gD5-e2j-_i2iYG-tp1axzShGVY3e7vkbRJmluGUTw_vJdBLdWkL0WA8NlbE/s1600/IMG_8493.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsx4QW5v0xRpDLLlrvyZr1fgis-Z-hPfpOSqRwPCUAXe04FHSywiC4RHoGZPVQVPK-pvigFaDll4weDTa8gD5-e2j-_i2iYG-tp1axzShGVY3e7vkbRJmluGUTw_vJdBLdWkL0WA8NlbE/s400/IMG_8493.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453857613931936498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Peeking down Smith Street, one of the main drags.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8WYpgYq-sPb7AGClacyD0H5f2gjgQyKk_trQoYl5O3CXtXnLHgiV3WixEPbAGEu77yI_xo_MXnO3sGEewx946ZqMA2_N3SqwFoPI6bw__yzFFRzWewN4j4pGNUI8bSrfztQWcMXsVzQ/s1600/IMG_8494.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8WYpgYq-sPb7AGClacyD0H5f2gjgQyKk_trQoYl5O3CXtXnLHgiV3WixEPbAGEu77yI_xo_MXnO3sGEewx946ZqMA2_N3SqwFoPI6bw__yzFFRzWewN4j4pGNUI8bSrfztQWcMXsVzQ/s400/IMG_8494.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453857904856462194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A view of downtown BK, from Smith Street.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtF6q1vcameIN6hugk1J1Qt8xt43ujcWH1ZpBQ4EKta7UPwZhoSkVNP-Vcb97wEm7MhLK6pgoEN4SmXL5_12UOvWsK0D4_hP6mlxGMySE-WkTRJfI7GluwZTI2kQhotSRt90sh83Pt-yY/s1600/IMG_8495.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtF6q1vcameIN6hugk1J1Qt8xt43ujcWH1ZpBQ4EKta7UPwZhoSkVNP-Vcb97wEm7MhLK6pgoEN4SmXL5_12UOvWsK0D4_hP6mlxGMySE-WkTRJfI7GluwZTI2kQhotSRt90sh83Pt-yY/s400/IMG_8495.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453858018457314178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Aj3RSwYNXa7N3SLAGOEVrwkWjdfr2iJ6M13lOy5jdDkWVcXNU7EryD5L0ls4sQDM8sI3JkKhNcPeAqb9V-JnVjsJ-CXHnsasvlQcxxEBaFZ3TaQBUctgQf771UnfPX-W7d0jsRWXw3k/s1600/IMG_8483.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Aj3RSwYNXa7N3SLAGOEVrwkWjdfr2iJ6M13lOy5jdDkWVcXNU7EryD5L0ls4sQDM8sI3JkKhNcPeAqb9V-JnVjsJ-CXHnsasvlQcxxEBaFZ3TaQBUctgQf771UnfPX-W7d0jsRWXw3k/s400/IMG_8483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453858195857459874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Out and about, exploring the 'hood.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzBE5aYVyC8K6KtqMkUD4MKLDMnOoPKLWIRtml1fw5GbdFVoDwf5CPIy1q45_yuTqA8aN67rf2CWjkQH_NDWe7WM1UiTVCHJeA4SIyOR0i0_bBNbKlCXWAP7HMGcJFApcMLJ4Dv3HrxA/s1600/IMG_8482.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzBE5aYVyC8K6KtqMkUD4MKLDMnOoPKLWIRtml1fw5GbdFVoDwf5CPIy1q45_yuTqA8aN67rf2CWjkQH_NDWe7WM1UiTVCHJeA4SIyOR0i0_bBNbKlCXWAP7HMGcJFApcMLJ4Dv3HrxA/s400/IMG_8482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453858311833784098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A close-up of D's ice cream from the pic above this one. Soooooo deliciously divine. Dark chocolate ice cream from one of the local joints. I opted instead for a white-chocolate-pecan-cherry cookie...not quite up to par with the ice cream, hence not worthy of a pic.<br /></span></div>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-90900913506968451332010-03-20T07:27:00.000-07:002010-03-22T21:07:24.957-07:00Inspiration Borne of...Laziness?I've been thinking a lot lately about what inspired me to start my business, as I get asked this question quite a bit and feel I owe people a better explanation beyond simply saying I have an affiliation for all things "subtly eclectic and understatedly quirky." I love this phrase as a tagline, it has a contradictory nature that reflects the contradictory fabric combinations I use when designing my bags. However, I can't help but feel it's a bit elusive. Maybe once people see my shop it sort of clicks ("ah, yes indeed...this <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> subtly eclectic and understatedly quirky!"), or maybe (and more likely) they don't give it a second thought. Regardless, I want to be as authentic as possible when it comes to answering this question about my inspiration. What on earth made a marketing account manager who didn't even know how to hem pants 2 years ago suddenly decide to sit down behind a sewing machine and start making bags? In a nutshell: laziness.<br /><br />Yes, I am lazy. Quite possibly one of the hardest working lazy people you'll ever meet (yet another contradiction) but lazy nonetheless. How so? And more importantly - how does a declaration of laziness relate to this post? Here's the deal: for as long as I can remember, I've never had question or doubt about my personal style or the clothes I want to wear to attain what I might deem my signature "look". It's easy, it's effortless...I know what I like and haven't changed it much in over 10 years. However, there are 2 problems with this (well, problems in the creative sense):<br /><br />(1) I only want to wear the same basics (t-shirt, skirts, trousers) every day, every occasion. <span style="font-style: italic;">Lazy </span><span>(and boring)</span><span style="font-style: italic;">.</span><br />(2) I only want to wear solids pretty much every day, every occasion. Again...<span style="font-style: italic;">lazy. </span><span>(*yawn*</span>)<br /><br />Submitted as evidence (and no judgment on how much I buy from Forever 21 - we all shop there; at least I fess up to it):<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpo0RHbemaZFiZO6ZE_EIdrNs5nE3YSfjrrvdfMCmgPdwys0JhUrlAXekpi0eVp6trNzOmDImFkoLFOyEZQjPDqLVhrzKGBHY1fSxIWfSxbsbjD-PtRI2BrbPUa2OUw13gU4nB7ys7rt8/s1600-h/Basics+Two.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 378px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpo0RHbemaZFiZO6ZE_EIdrNs5nE3YSfjrrvdfMCmgPdwys0JhUrlAXekpi0eVp6trNzOmDImFkoLFOyEZQjPDqLVhrzKGBHY1fSxIWfSxbsbjD-PtRI2BrbPUa2OUw13gU4nB7ys7rt8/s400/Basics+Two.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450931620750027378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">June 2006<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CqkZYQBVAM1ujlFFbME97UCgz-pf928c_fajiA477oE4iy2mHALqNh7Ppl9TX-Qzn3BMnBAS0UV_tJaKuBVd40JAAqrAR8xAioKQoOyaq_gzmdqe366BzZtd9op9MpSJquuxUe6VA6c/s1600-h/Basics+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CqkZYQBVAM1ujlFFbME97UCgz-pf928c_fajiA477oE4iy2mHALqNh7Ppl9TX-Qzn3BMnBAS0UV_tJaKuBVd40JAAqrAR8xAioKQoOyaq_gzmdqe366BzZtd9op9MpSJquuxUe6VA6c/s400/Basics+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450931078328239794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">July 2007</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNCLjm5WH4qm438_Nx4-nqWxW0z_5M6Twd2jInIHRBa-L0PrzW7HLfqhCZiXli6bKjNnlpSmUyYsypfLulZroRzGJW2C9E8I1SzctUcslw5isYRB_Hrgt6-z2VpzsRFDRNrHRr9u3eVg/s1600-h/Basics+Five.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNCLjm5WH4qm438_Nx4-nqWxW0z_5M6Twd2jInIHRBa-L0PrzW7HLfqhCZiXli6bKjNnlpSmUyYsypfLulZroRzGJW2C9E8I1SzctUcslw5isYRB_Hrgt6-z2VpzsRFDRNrHRr9u3eVg/s400/Basics+Five.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450935183811765458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">July 2008</span> <span style="font-size:85%;">(and appearing to be up to no good in this pic)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8IIU6zgj0kXxyrPu8IYvtReCPFWwEgd7qatnbl5PVdYD_pJ_jnJ_UIO-leF5f0okg3wm4pIM7xmbn5MUSxvnkvKshtEYrfN5Qiu25PknNHuMPlOKMFiTvVeXUmmxod1hbt8xZREu7XQ/s1600-h/Basics+One.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8IIU6zgj0kXxyrPu8IYvtReCPFWwEgd7qatnbl5PVdYD_pJ_jnJ_UIO-leF5f0okg3wm4pIM7xmbn5MUSxvnkvKshtEYrfN5Qiu25PknNHuMPlOKMFiTvVeXUmmxod1hbt8xZREu7XQ/s400/Basics+One.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450931944674489282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">January 2009</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5C0Vv7XApkiYoAMkHHp9dchs-65xIMpSzG7lwXlD2GlKweQoN-cHRLSd5Q_wZcBrJTdyWrO4-9xx3yod-uLumrkAh6ieSOtAQ9bZxdDrN91NWnR-h02TqF3t2wtJr4EiCRKa0DOCZP3s/s1600-h/Basics+Four.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 356px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5C0Vv7XApkiYoAMkHHp9dchs-65xIMpSzG7lwXlD2GlKweQoN-cHRLSd5Q_wZcBrJTdyWrO4-9xx3yod-uLumrkAh6ieSOtAQ9bZxdDrN91NWnR-h02TqF3t2wtJr4EiCRKa0DOCZP3s/s400/Basics+Four.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450931880166687506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">July 2009</span><br /><br /></div>Staying true to these rules has allowed me to build a wardrobe that has a timelessness to it...but it doesn't offer that much variety (no crazy patterns, textures, cuts, hems, folds, pleats). I like basic shapes in basic colors. I buy in bulk, and I buy the same brands - t-shirts (Forever 21) skirts (American Apparel and Gap) jeans (Level 99) and the occasional splurge piece that amps things up a bit when the occasion calls.<br /><br />So when it comes to adding some spiff to my look, I lean (like most women) heavily on shoes, bags and accessories. And herein comes the answer to the question, the conclusion to this long-winded blog post. My wardrobe "basics" are like my blank canvas, waiting for splashes of color to be thrown against them in a sort of <a href="http://www.nationalgalleries.org/media_collection/6/GMA%202198.jpg">Jackson Pollock</a> meets <a href="http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3ATA%3AE%3Aex4561&page_number=14&template_id=1&sort_order=1">Ellsworth Kelly</a> kind of way - an explosion of colors but isolated to one specific eye-catching area. I wanted - needed - the kind of bags-as-accessories that fulfilled this need of being the "splashes" against the blank canvas of my wardrobe basics. B.H.B. ("Before Handbag Biz") I either couldn't find them...or I couldn't afford them. So because I was too lazy to get out of my wardrobe basics rut, I instead decided to go whole-hog and produce the very thing I needed to give me that certain <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span class="extiw">je ne sais quoi</span></span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ__qQpm4E_DXJaGmnZ2-8r4Ji0YCbBQZpLEDbCeCjRkEvvjLYc0mqa8suTxA8RXllKkCOPT2L1WwRhNroNI3gZpbGnLcj5vYD1cPTBjDmhxogmAca4j5q4qfZ4QOC7lNPJ9WssnPnd4/s1600-h/IMG_0111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ__qQpm4E_DXJaGmnZ2-8r4Ji0YCbBQZpLEDbCeCjRkEvvjLYc0mqa8suTxA8RXllKkCOPT2L1WwRhNroNI3gZpbGnLcj5vYD1cPTBjDmhxogmAca4j5q4qfZ4QOC7lNPJ9WssnPnd4/s400/IMG_0111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450735236907100130" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Being an art major in college (well, for one semester at least) definitely had some impact on my "blank canvas" sense of personal style.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">And there you have it. Hopefully this is a bit more insight into the madness behind the method.</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-72442185555646344942010-03-06T17:18:00.000-08:002010-03-06T17:50:17.949-08:00Of $19 Haircuts...and Other NY AdventuresMoving to New York has me embarking on all sorts of new adventures, and deciding to get a $19 haircut from a student at the Aveda Institute in lower Manhattan was just the latest and greatest. I can't say that I was entirely trepidatious about trying this out; unemployment has got me doing all sorts of things I never would have done before and quite frankly, I feel all the better for the experience in living a more budget-centric lifestyle. Regarding the Institute, the students are all closely supervised, but even with that caveat, they are all pretty cool and confident with their mad scissor skills. At least I can attest to this regarding the lovely gal who was at the helm with my locks - <a href="http://www.myspace.com/Cristina.R.Stylist">Cristina</a> - who was <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> attentive, <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> in tune to the gibberish I spoke to her about wanting my hair to have "points" (you know, <span style="font-style: italic;">points</span>?) and not be "blunt and square" on the ends. She just <span style="font-style: italic;">got</span> me - which is why I will definitely be back to see her again at the Institute come the next time my hair needs more "points" - and when she graduates in May I'll have to follow her to whichever hair studio is lucky enough to snatch her up as a stylist. <span style="font-style: italic;">Un mil gracias</span>, Cristina...for making me cute and spunky again.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZtpKkb3SQT92tS6yqymD6u4L_3_GgMO_SjAMVNz6wbQhfs09kaDtQ525vHVd7j_sZ8qEH39hOvZhYwbB0SFVxIDGxKwDFCHXSv3NwIVEDG1trXjTghmvUG4uEaO6kSb5gDfYwEiKgMQ/s1600-h/BeforeHaircut.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZtpKkb3SQT92tS6yqymD6u4L_3_GgMO_SjAMVNz6wbQhfs09kaDtQ525vHVd7j_sZ8qEH39hOvZhYwbB0SFVxIDGxKwDFCHXSv3NwIVEDG1trXjTghmvUG4uEaO6kSb5gDfYwEiKgMQ/s400/BeforeHaircut.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445701563642937458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Before (ugh, yes...this was the before, no exaggeration). And...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzTrm_LolDjjfMxrp_fqnHTDVs8g2puWtOagWJQVptgPjQPQmfTwU_qOWrIYgIYmPamDI4LIIYLHKdgt6dbtLV-9j7GfMUUlddUeBwQyQotxy5JWrW6UQg2v8SyE9qkMq1lw0uoyPqPc/s1600-h/Aveda+Haircut.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzTrm_LolDjjfMxrp_fqnHTDVs8g2puWtOagWJQVptgPjQPQmfTwU_qOWrIYgIYmPamDI4LIIYLHKdgt6dbtLV-9j7GfMUUlddUeBwQyQotxy5JWrW6UQg2v8SyE9qkMq1lw0uoyPqPc/s400/Aveda+Haircut.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445701868035819650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">After! Yes!!!!</span><br /><br /></div>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-35662935857251962492010-03-02T11:54:00.000-08:002010-03-02T15:26:13.319-08:00Brooklyn: The First Month<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W_LfNPoX3dE4z6BVZDQ6yLd81WB-mfts8_xG1XCYAQgsTcWkJHxUslTO7fA3TFSClLpc8Qk5ERnE8A1pmPy-TZiA_w3BM287bGTuEl45NSBxiKcV3TJE64FsSCCl5Sg8Yjiquf-rNaE/s1600-h/IMG_8143.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W_LfNPoX3dE4z6BVZDQ6yLd81WB-mfts8_xG1XCYAQgsTcWkJHxUslTO7fA3TFSClLpc8Qk5ERnE8A1pmPy-TZiA_w3BM287bGTuEl45NSBxiKcV3TJE64FsSCCl5Sg8Yjiquf-rNaE/s400/IMG_8143.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444181245527066402" border="0" /></a>Yesterday marked my 1-month anniversary of living in Brooklyn, and though I've barely scratched the surface of experiencing all that NYC has to offer, I can't help but feel I've lived a sort of a mini-lifetime at warp speed in these past 4 weeks. There is the obvious adjustment that occurs when moving from a considerably more laid-back city like Dallas to a considerably more fast-paced metropolis like New York, but for a routine-and-ritual-centric gal like me, I'm talking about those little everyday things that add up to some drastic changes, slowing becoming my new routines and rituals - both the expected and unexpected surprises that New York delivers to its novice inhabitants - the good, the bad and the ugly. I've had the privilege of experiencing it all this past month...and I'm happy to say that I've loved every minute of it.<br /><br />I may be in the middle of most tumultuous period of my life yet - currently unemployed, struggling to transition into the fashion industry, trying to establish some credibility for my handbag business in the über-competitive NY fashion market...but never feeling so driven to succeed in my life. And if I had to choose one word to describe how living in Brooklyn feels amidst this chaotic upheaval in my life, it would simply be... <span style="font-style: italic;">home</span>.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq66OJykY7L4wJW5qNVo_RqwfHQkL9i188V0BwgEP9lyCSLnqscpG0BFJU34EeYjGzrYVxqfYNWIM-nZzTp_zOzxUQ8nHqOFQartU6dxm48ha2vulTix4cFbJNvxT0AhIzw8kzuVj9Q0s/s1600-h/IMG_8090.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq66OJykY7L4wJW5qNVo_RqwfHQkL9i188V0BwgEP9lyCSLnqscpG0BFJU34EeYjGzrYVxqfYNWIM-nZzTp_zOzxUQ8nHqOFQartU6dxm48ha2vulTix4cFbJNvxT0AhIzw8kzuVj9Q0s/s400/IMG_8090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444130675819771762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The first of 3 "blizzards" that took place here in February. After 5 years in Dallas with nary a dusting of snow, this was such a delight to see walking out of my apartment in the morning. Having grown up in Michigan, 4-season weather is in my blood.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CtWSjXRWjqh1btBnyNQKldtONYf-8-aymxEYBohF7hlihs2xMgaOu1ojjrda2pipWfHWzg66wqwr6vmOicjv1VOCKkYiM_e5-_rGZacUX60nzLFdqwjQpOnrKbIa-wt2Fe008Wh-A3Y/s1600-h/IMG_8187.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CtWSjXRWjqh1btBnyNQKldtONYf-8-aymxEYBohF7hlihs2xMgaOu1ojjrda2pipWfHWzg66wqwr6vmOicjv1VOCKkYiM_e5-_rGZacUX60nzLFdqwjQpOnrKbIa-wt2Fe008Wh-A3Y/s400/IMG_8187.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444130752284286626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Of course, 12 inches of snow (and subsequent days of slushy 3-inch puddles of water all over the city) is unbearable without the proper footwear. My lifesavers...my "wellies"...</span><span style="font-size:85%;">and the first item of clothing/shoes purchased in NY that made me feel more like a New Yorker. These are definitely a staple here.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmdo82l51s114T4Hmo5y8gcVAwwk6q5b3piE4BKoQmEBlw3fwTRrBVH4srh9yvV0oW9_ebSW-_Q7CuMnUBRHn4BYkCZ5f6_t15NJ14g8bPuJ4LpaACNHzvbnKYKbUXVfxZOgReFjJMl0/s1600-h/IMG_8096.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmdo82l51s114T4Hmo5y8gcVAwwk6q5b3piE4BKoQmEBlw3fwTRrBVH4srh9yvV0oW9_ebSW-_Q7CuMnUBRHn4BYkCZ5f6_t15NJ14g8bPuJ4LpaACNHzvbnKYKbUXVfxZOgReFjJMl0/s400/IMG_8096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444131125678449218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Ahhh...back to cooking with my favorite guy, albeit in the scary kitchen of the apartment in which I'm currently renting a room (fortunately, a short term living situation). </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnGiTxJcGWgUJiJ3RzRq_H70kjN_zPy6V_sxrmof7T7_UgY4iqUi590Q1x4qicGG7w2ncvQHRBlrPBkyv2GfdThZA74Vl59Z3L9dKaaJMsvwVeUThtPIs9boR5IsADhaBih8TkWRZLLk/s1600-h/IMG_8117.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnGiTxJcGWgUJiJ3RzRq_H70kjN_zPy6V_sxrmof7T7_UgY4iqUi590Q1x4qicGG7w2ncvQHRBlrPBkyv2GfdThZA74Vl59Z3L9dKaaJMsvwVeUThtPIs9boR5IsADhaBih8TkWRZLLk/s400/IMG_8117.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444131368549529282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Scary kitchen or not, we still were able to prevail with a ridiculously divine Valentine's dinner of crab linguine, buttery garlic French bread...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQQisqyUI5u2YsxoKXElmz4PrKAHC2uM6BW1MTSmG0AYjQHiUYp1EfClWggFWhzCQTvBXDYQICb8zSjkQXzgp-AgLT99D3JqFUCBfXwGnPRzDmBFFZ5zUvP2E9NYAT7xToIkT671oIKA/s1600-h/IMG_8118.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQQisqyUI5u2YsxoKXElmz4PrKAHC2uM6BW1MTSmG0AYjQHiUYp1EfClWggFWhzCQTvBXDYQICb8zSjkQXzgp-AgLT99D3JqFUCBfXwGnPRzDmBFFZ5zUvP2E9NYAT7xToIkT671oIKA/s400/IMG_8118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444131428260068018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">...followed by a decadent flourless chocolate cake, topped with crème fraiche and blueberries.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0idOMP6ok3zp8t-Y0G-0Huc93aM9BTdITf_srx1oEI6foP4u4rdL6gI2u7Xt5ThNKXh3OBJTX-6K2Z4FyUT0pdDSEj3GZTjgQfp42NmvX5KRcmth5JD6IbRxP8DAYkz2eG-6M3eEkDA/s1600-h/IMG_8131.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0idOMP6ok3zp8t-Y0G-0Huc93aM9BTdITf_srx1oEI6foP4u4rdL6gI2u7Xt5ThNKXh3OBJTX-6K2Z4FyUT0pdDSEj3GZTjgQfp42NmvX5KRcmth5JD6IbRxP8DAYkz2eG-6M3eEkDA/s400/IMG_8131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444131615432713714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Strolling the streets</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DUMBO,_Brooklyn">DUMBO</a> (you can barely see</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> the outline of the Brooklyn Bridge in the background). I love the subtle, slightly different vibe of each neighborhood in B</span><span style="font-size:85%;">rooklyn (well, the neighborhoods that I'm not afraid to venture into, at least).</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDE_2pWy9qfTLCPF-WXmi1uR_k3b1G-z21Z7tw6NQIXYZct4zkLAYgqgv_bVC1IjqGCI0lnqM76jWh5kikpfOgRFXTUngu0TtYkO9WBjGX2kTMig1pVrjKX9kYECtaf0XBj8J1K8o02bE/s1600-h/IMG_8140.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDE_2pWy9qfTLCPF-WXmi1uR_k3b1G-z21Z7tw6NQIXYZct4zkLAYgqgv_bVC1IjqGCI0lnqM76jWh5kikpfOgRFXTUngu0TtYkO9WBjGX2kTMig1pVrjKX9kYECtaf0XBj8J1K8o02bE/s400/IMG_8140.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444131681709935490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The infamous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimaldi%27s_Pizzeria">Grimaldi's Pizza</a>...there's almost always a quarter mile-long line snaking out the door around dinner time. That day it was about 32 degrees out...and the line was still there.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik24bhU3XZuTv7YtV9euKfIHV6w34BJ_PjjET5kzdxxG28Udkxd7l51kGSS12rPwlMRwLpQd5d80Pk1yNBSG60EJEgeWvt4b2-Tm5NH6Ge7xMhyWn_3nZ_qnSMegBx41IcC5OQ8oJqi1U/s1600-h/IMG_8159.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik24bhU3XZuTv7YtV9euKfIHV6w34BJ_PjjET5kzdxxG28Udkxd7l51kGSS12rPwlMRwLpQd5d80Pk1yNBSG60EJEgeWvt4b2-Tm5NH6Ge7xMhyWn_3nZ_qnSMegBx41IcC5OQ8oJqi1U/s400/IMG_8159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444131868345158930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A quick pic sitting at the Brooklyn Promenade. Freezing our buns off...but happy.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIK24wLuv8DRdHfeEFb-9aKp-NOWtmX6qOiUbU3yHlkaOw43bCzWNUUsrfsj2JyzH-yh6k9fYBFRpM8SuJGKaUJiNkolChJVPKFvDilWd9nTPLI2khiE-1VqSBx-4I5xEe2vf-q0KKsQ/s1600-h/IMG_8166.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIK24wLuv8DRdHfeEFb-9aKp-NOWtmX6qOiUbU3yHlkaOw43bCzWNUUsrfsj2JyzH-yh6k9fYBFRpM8SuJGKaUJiNkolChJVPKFvDilWd9nTPLI2khiE-1VqSBx-4I5xEe2vf-q0KKsQ/s400/IMG_8166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444131953978745506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This is iconic Brooklyn to me...the Brownstone. Pretty ones in Brooklyn Heights here, slightly less pretty ones where I'm at in Prospect Heights...but I'll take them any day over the cookie-cutter, ultra-modern, blah boring suburban apartment complexes that pop up like weeds in most other cities.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUQLnldL7SaSOwnCd6r8SkYnADA5gcaMMEkZQJScDZh5Fj3AZloB2XzT0UFIFsIjWu8rO4l7WPQ3D7tuc9Gk83iflqGCzAPlAIPV0-sn68rO5qoaDXvh57CqV9E6uQVxBkZx6tjaEI_E/s1600-h/IMG_8165.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUQLnldL7SaSOwnCd6r8SkYnADA5gcaMMEkZQJScDZh5Fj3AZloB2XzT0UFIFsIjWu8rO4l7WPQ3D7tuc9Gk83iflqGCzAPlAIPV0-sn68rO5qoaDXvh57CqV9E6uQVxBkZx6tjaEI_E/s400/IMG_8165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444132011078628978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Between Brooklyn and NYC...so many great doors. I'm planning a future blog post dedicated solely to images of them.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZA27XWJND8Bh-xROpAeO6rs1BIWnsbDohYj3xviP2GYdczWpQ_trKCJjm5-jblhJ6JLOx7fXURyYjyuXkW2edl9apQysDg_84AfdPVGEApp_P2oY1wKELxf5_MpUPk6KHCfN-HWlJUs/s1600-h/IMG_8180.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZA27XWJND8Bh-xROpAeO6rs1BIWnsbDohYj3xviP2GYdczWpQ_trKCJjm5-jblhJ6JLOx7fXURyYjyuXkW2edl9apQysDg_84AfdPVGEApp_P2oY1wKELxf5_MpUPk6KHCfN-HWlJUs/s400/IMG_8180.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444132348417102626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This has followed me through many different living spaces and sewing studios over the past few years. Everyone has (or <span style="font-style: italic;">should</span> have) a motto or saying that gets them through the day...this is mine, currently pinned to the bare wall above my sewing machine.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNTKBdgmgq4HUyl2pmdZ7AaJakm01-gL4rSog2P69Be9VZCYOlNclsCV_14PnsW_Tj7VUq2CiR1SDcLwKWTv0DkvGYU2rJRw4R_IuYcgOfllSXIGCy1aZSvhzsRM_XogKsBgq1bklUqo/s1600-h/IMG_8181.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNTKBdgmgq4HUyl2pmdZ7AaJakm01-gL4rSog2P69Be9VZCYOlNclsCV_14PnsW_Tj7VUq2CiR1SDcLwKWTv0DkvGYU2rJRw4R_IuYcgOfllSXIGCy1aZSvhzsRM_XogKsBgq1bklUqo/s400/IMG_8181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444146486944002770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">My temp sewing space...about 70% of the 100 square foot space I have as a rental room. And yes, it is downright lilliputian. I just tell myself that when I "make it big," this will be part of the story of my humble beginnings, hehe.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-N5w7zatQUtYn2dogbi2TQfGwNM0sX6wdRXbirZpNAqsxZ4RPdMpCZc_d5OK27k2Pgeb9h3Z0Xtt25Vy1ypsBBwysLFHKroKTMHMZlpsJEPCj_blDhCoG4efA5LOyH9l1MqGScGStXE/s1600-h/IMG_8182.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-N5w7zatQUtYn2dogbi2TQfGwNM0sX6wdRXbirZpNAqsxZ4RPdMpCZc_d5OK27k2Pgeb9h3Z0Xtt25Vy1ypsBBwysLFHKroKTMHMZlpsJEPCj_blDhCoG4efA5LOyH9l1MqGScGStXE/s400/IMG_8182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444132422116743666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Itty-bitty! Although I'm sure there are other people in NYC who could put me to shame with a smaller room.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0A4j39KdIOK2xgFAaGCndTjikoqLqDiRPGKTVwvhtYYUKMO3rxtmtKSgXia0OPGpcpho0uOnBuk-oy2eZD1yFGiDO5kqwdxAelz224qXnN7uWwryOPGIhjj7KMtjSEWeeoFbcecn-Ag/s1600-h/IMG_8186.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0A4j39KdIOK2xgFAaGCndTjikoqLqDiRPGKTVwvhtYYUKMO3rxtmtKSgXia0OPGpcpho0uOnBuk-oy2eZD1yFGiDO5kqwdxAelz224qXnN7uWwryOPGIhjj7KMtjSEWeeoFbcecn-Ag/s400/IMG_8186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444132499728700178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">One of my newly adopted treats...Swedish black licorice bites from Chelsea Market filled with...umm...that's a good question. Squishy pink and white fluffy stuff, I guess. So addictive, these may very well replace Jelly Belly's as my sugar drug of choice.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA64eZLHxKEaFVDuBZxaQ8XmZziy5puJtq6dKRiZYJWz1xdaNt8LDwFwoJypDmkezSGCMXgxl-vm35wOhzSpNme_4QzhShJY3whzpDs2xZ2w72sUNWEWfpj5g5yZl6nlVyHvIPyhaPAk/s1600-h/IMG_8169.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA64eZLHxKEaFVDuBZxaQ8XmZziy5puJtq6dKRiZYJWz1xdaNt8LDwFwoJypDmkezSGCMXgxl-vm35wOhzSpNme_4QzhShJY3whzpDs2xZ2w72sUNWEWfpj5g5yZl6nlVyHvIPyhaPAk/s400/IMG_8169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444132118762027858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Did a stint at the Brooklyn Flea this past weekend; no celeb sitings but still tons of fun. Definitely a great way to get my feel wet in the NY retail market.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPb854ixsR-CbHGCT-0es-8u6GWZIqXQ7G2qWOZ9mQtv84KihNudvYCNRnGsO_QieibcPv8pnU8EntmhqLntJ8FjKNjP89gNt1xkQzsvcX0MfcWnmikDPJ47L3YCgSYSBEJPz9U0sGE4/s1600-h/IMG_8173.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 370px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPb854ixsR-CbHGCT-0es-8u6GWZIqXQ7G2qWOZ9mQtv84KihNudvYCNRnGsO_QieibcPv8pnU8EntmhqLntJ8FjKNjP89gNt1xkQzsvcX0MfcWnmikDPJ47L3YCgSYSBEJPz9U0sGE4/s400/IMG_8173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444132251822967586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Such a delightful surprise...a red velvet birthday cupcake delivered to my booth at the Flea from the best guy in the world. So rich and decadent, it took us a couple days to work our way through it. Seriously to-die-for cream cheese frosting and a dense, moist cake in the most brilliant shade of crimson. I love punk-rock-yet-refined looking food.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBhkIYG9siLWqTdLaFF7CwUgmDN6DJigVNWKltKS7ScLNplY52VhbNdFVcPJt7ZlIYNm4wlykwfUL8SblvtsGBT6HOg2MXnnMc8y5DzUy3zwnwqqJj_iTaRcT8p8jqHCYOs3UkNBNl58/s1600-h/IMG_8191.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBhkIYG9siLWqTdLaFF7CwUgmDN6DJigVNWKltKS7ScLNplY52VhbNdFVcPJt7ZlIYNm4wlykwfUL8SblvtsGBT6HOg2MXnnMc8y5DzUy3zwnwqqJj_iTaRcT8p8jqHCYOs3UkNBNl58/s400/IMG_8191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444132601218056930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Another delightful surprise...an unexpected birthday gift from a talented new Brooklyn friend who makes handbags as well! You can check out her charming, chic bags at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sansmap">Sans Map</a>. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORJ0r2he_7S7J9WQHJQOHsHE2Q02BI-iGsSmtuy6cdgx9oNTCoqz_54duzFpNNFRP6IQID5Eo-g_h5O3bPt5rAgK0hQM4NbUHW9tmTjct1DNf5ahR8MlOwEpYl3NpZ4xGWYOF8X8htQw/s1600-h/IMG_8192.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORJ0r2he_7S7J9WQHJQOHsHE2Q02BI-iGsSmtuy6cdgx9oNTCoqz_54duzFpNNFRP6IQID5Eo-g_h5O3bPt5rAgK0hQM4NbUHW9tmTjct1DNf5ahR8MlOwEpYl3NpZ4xGWYOF8X8htQw/s400/IMG_8192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444132662588972482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">And the lovely, delicate necklace that I've had my eye on for quite some time...secretly purchased for my birthday by someone who shall only be referred to as Mr. Red Velvet Cupcake.</span> <span style="font-size:85%;">I've said it before and I'll say it again...he's a keeper.</span><br /><br /></div>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-22973398223287839502010-02-05T08:16:00.000-08:002010-02-05T21:02:19.824-08:00Starting the Next ChapterWell, I made it to Brooklyn - <span style="font-style: italic;">finally</span> - after feeling like all I've been doing is talking about it incessantly for the past 6 months. And I knew it was going to be a big adjustment, and that there would be unexpected things that I would have no way of preparing myself for...but you want to know the biggest shock of making this drastic change in location, climate and lifestyle? I keep waiting for those symptoms that naturally occur when your life gets uprooted and turned on its head (i.e. sadness, maybe a bit of depression, maybe a longing to be back in Dallas). And yes I feel stress - primarily because I'm job hunting - but the biggest shock is that the overall general sensation that rests on me every day since I've been here is....complete and utter happiness. There is no way I would have done any of this different, from the initial plan hatched last July up to hauling the last heavy box out of the U-haul and up the stairs to my new Brooklyn digs just a few short days ago. Maybe it was just the universe lining up for me, or maybe I'm just getting better equipped to deal with the curveballs of life as I get older. Whatever it is, I just feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be at this precise time in my life. And I can't wait to see what NY has in store for me...LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-28392611830002686542010-01-18T19:39:00.000-08:002010-01-19T18:08:08.534-08:00Waxing Nostalgic on D (the city)As my time in Dallas grows smaller I'm starting to get these twinges of sadness for the places and routines that, over the past 5 1/2 years, have shaped the memories of what will be known as the "Big D" chapter of my life. Most of these sentimental twinges are influenced by the past 3 years since D (the boyfriend) has been a part of my world, and while I have a bit of sadness for leaving the places and routines of D (the city) behind, the fact that my leaving for NYC will end the "long-distance" chapter of my relationship with D (the boyfriend) is helping to ease my pain. My heart is so very light right now...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4BMiPs42d-4UXbHGASIp9Yec0PZlXjahIxFb-P5qwNhwjKMCp7ydd4ZbX_R8PKDNraca8aM6NflRVkD7pT6s9tiWeBq_Fo8juFykxQ_KcmYofBAgnOuPUDMNBT_NHd-0NQMIM6vtVVo/s1600-h/IMG_7900.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4BMiPs42d-4UXbHGASIp9Yec0PZlXjahIxFb-P5qwNhwjKMCp7ydd4ZbX_R8PKDNraca8aM6NflRVkD7pT6s9tiWeBq_Fo8juFykxQ_KcmYofBAgnOuPUDMNBT_NHd-0NQMIM6vtVVo/s400/IMG_7900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428308466005895538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A final trip to White Rock Lake, our "walking" place.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiustEhdixAzIbH7Uw7nxJoPvh4FM5wvEyBeoAqtMAe4_e2Etkqx0y-NnODdULjAIrZqsLv26Gh3GqRvEq4pI6tjFhrGGZvZiU2wH-D8TFIxyeECkQ5YP3hoouIY4Km_uD-oDdLUSlKK0o/s1600-h/IMG_7902.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiustEhdixAzIbH7Uw7nxJoPvh4FM5wvEyBeoAqtMAe4_e2Etkqx0y-NnODdULjAIrZqsLv26Gh3GqRvEq4pI6tjFhrGGZvZiU2wH-D8TFIxyeECkQ5YP3hoouIY4Km_uD-oDdLUSlKK0o/s400/IMG_7902.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428308640991846594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-RVE-ius_3vth7_t8p9leI8-9uknWLRQy7VxRTyhJEtnds8z2muS1MCwkUTzEThfS1x8YFaJ9MdapQ1I43MEpM7NYDGZrgZd4yufl97h9Xi2rwVGvxQkkpImjPJFootv5kDmIWCjhUc/s1600-h/IMG_7904.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-RVE-ius_3vth7_t8p9leI8-9uknWLRQy7VxRTyhJEtnds8z2muS1MCwkUTzEThfS1x8YFaJ9MdapQ1I43MEpM7NYDGZrgZd4yufl97h9Xi2rwVGvxQkkpImjPJFootv5kDmIWCjhUc/s400/IMG_7904.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428308730374354738" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGDIoDr3WUV-8SfN0Nw8jusvIz6dCJORewPeOsXux8bciXpSgFUDrCw1Io9BG3ZrXYLDeMUVLXQ07hleARtoxVakLUoxI1b7qUZeE9w6OII8VhV_GxnjSSF6S03_e-8rFbANdK3sXqxM/s1600-h/IMG_7905.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGDIoDr3WUV-8SfN0Nw8jusvIz6dCJORewPeOsXux8bciXpSgFUDrCw1Io9BG3ZrXYLDeMUVLXQ07hleARtoxVakLUoxI1b7qUZeE9w6OII8VhV_GxnjSSF6S03_e-8rFbANdK3sXqxM/s400/IMG_7905.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428308841333946082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Taking pics of little "tombstone" rocks.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGYPZUtsNt81vHbwgM5yTtKpmbND7GfOZpXc8HzbpA9CYXqNhGMlmBPElaMKoTQaWMN7nx7CVx1XW15bYkqgyN3p4FRHs-dZCLNGKgoAPlgI6_wVxUYUw1cYJekMePqp6WYz1TSeO9MQ/s1600-h/IMG_7912.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGYPZUtsNt81vHbwgM5yTtKpmbND7GfOZpXc8HzbpA9CYXqNhGMlmBPElaMKoTQaWMN7nx7CVx1XW15bYkqgyN3p4FRHs-dZCLNGKgoAPlgI6_wVxUYUw1cYJekMePqp6WYz1TSeO9MQ/s400/IMG_7912.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428309064132632978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5wdCDbg95MA3T-pilMHjBQJzMKjUPMHbfNkSLfkRmokdLJVp6fJ8S9kMIec7yQfcogcAQ-YbXFC5mehTpkGu7IHMEzDsjp1B6RTpBO510Z0HfkIMGMgIxyzXDuKBJWMylmXkFgEM4zU/s1600-h/IMG_7911.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5wdCDbg95MA3T-pilMHjBQJzMKjUPMHbfNkSLfkRmokdLJVp6fJ8S9kMIec7yQfcogcAQ-YbXFC5mehTpkGu7IHMEzDsjp1B6RTpBO510Z0HfkIMGMgIxyzXDuKBJWMylmXkFgEM4zU/s400/IMG_7911.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428308957307630882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNy9WltivEFcrbhZRBPapy9NaadEXGKf1RolLQ0P8nIokhCSgnJqDj8d_oOjEBVzsGfvuLulZ6q2YC-5Y0v_TRY_0I5EPWis4sX85bU9QNgkSJmJKTH9DZSVUlmdkv9O6YHsPe4MhMZec/s1600-h/IMG_7917.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNy9WltivEFcrbhZRBPapy9NaadEXGKf1RolLQ0P8nIokhCSgnJqDj8d_oOjEBVzsGfvuLulZ6q2YC-5Y0v_TRY_0I5EPWis4sX85bU9QNgkSJmJKTH9DZSVUlmdkv9O6YHsPe4MhMZec/s400/IMG_7917.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428309170641867666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJyV78NGgj3lG1XPepN9IKRt3PiLZFeALqQIFz9ZxY6bghA6zQQ-r8zUwZ8edeBJ4h98ch5Jm-3EPyajGgjZ3Vd833pDEkj6WCDnVqfzDnBK8Y1luQv-e0XBTPWX8XMrXJGtqlO1YNqE/s1600-h/IMG_7919.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJyV78NGgj3lG1XPepN9IKRt3PiLZFeALqQIFz9ZxY6bghA6zQQ-r8zUwZ8edeBJ4h98ch5Jm-3EPyajGgjZ3Vd833pDEkj6WCDnVqfzDnBK8Y1luQv-e0XBTPWX8XMrXJGtqlO1YNqE/s400/IMG_7919.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428309268982157538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">"Our" coffeehouse - specifically because they have killer vegan cookies. Despite the fact that neither one of us is vegan, it is still our #1 reason for coming here. Yes, the cookies are <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> good.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaitLhezscFp6T2GueZ5zuRp5ZziRXcVMJ7Gk8b7MWlXkc5TBCVBmqXc2zxUDoc1Y15rambM-Q-7Cjn7-R0lM7iXNkQz7EeTgcskoGSleMXajIsQtSFc-GCRpfSelfk30G8floLc5PF4Y/s1600-h/IMG_7920.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaitLhezscFp6T2GueZ5zuRp5ZziRXcVMJ7Gk8b7MWlXkc5TBCVBmqXc2zxUDoc1Y15rambM-Q-7Cjn7-R0lM7iXNkQz7EeTgcskoGSleMXajIsQtSFc-GCRpfSelfk30G8floLc5PF4Y/s400/IMG_7920.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428309356302628098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVEx7Oja3KYxshlQhLd8nUavrdH7yx4oEGmioIl9prwFvKeFAF0YDdDzhZ4qL-J5wxLdnjM7wMcmEsDE1QpkNYCF4vauZCH0n3gbfL7nqy4HIT5AiUWIefWb6S-JUbgzqfmLY4ARCC20/s1600-h/IMG_7926.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVEx7Oja3KYxshlQhLd8nUavrdH7yx4oEGmioIl9prwFvKeFAF0YDdDzhZ4qL-J5wxLdnjM7wMcmEsDE1QpkNYCF4vauZCH0n3gbfL7nqy4HIT5AiUWIefWb6S-JUbgzqfmLY4ARCC20/s400/IMG_7926.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428309513533533506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Good eats here too - chicken salad with salt & vinegar chips. Simple and delicious.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYo-AG9hp6whwj00GbLmDMXfDjEwWxhj5w_UOdKQF_jNrPEHQvhPVXKc1oNj-QJ944cpOrG33wbgUezkx0RL2gnPQXCWoLHdT0YEfT5aqS_4pO0o3D3FIc2AVy5BUn3nPmHu159KsIfWE/s1600-h/IMG_7927.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYo-AG9hp6whwj00GbLmDMXfDjEwWxhj5w_UOdKQF_jNrPEHQvhPVXKc1oNj-QJ944cpOrG33wbgUezkx0RL2gnPQXCWoLHdT0YEfT5aqS_4pO0o3D3FIc2AVy5BUn3nPmHu159KsIfWE/s400/IMG_7927.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428312290755575122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WPEdhmD9CnSw5bChundukR8asJ_Lp-BXCphGWiBJJ4FI-d-wZe6UyNaKjMk_kzssUDJi2eACTGZdCBRdbaFuVXZLNhFBku4XnJygwhtVbWFoWx-t69O8vrevj2CU1xu82N0JbL5Q8n4/s1600-h/IMG_7930.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WPEdhmD9CnSw5bChundukR8asJ_Lp-BXCphGWiBJJ4FI-d-wZe6UyNaKjMk_kzssUDJi2eACTGZdCBRdbaFuVXZLNhFBku4XnJygwhtVbWFoWx-t69O8vrevj2CU1xu82N0JbL5Q8n4/s400/IMG_7930.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428309796574247522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Later that day, to Whole Foods for whole wheat pizza crust - the foundation of our fig-fire roasted tomato-proscuitto-feta-basil culinary masterpiece.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMF5nDJzis1PK1BD2ECW2qhr9h3GiXpVy4cwUXXNzN5womC4Gkltlat_QyPMuPRnRqfG_NrU27ZHqzql9BNSbyKjwg7LcVXSoAOIZl5lqUHhfUV4DxqKklYW-Is2Cg5ACqHPqeCZcZQY/s1600-h/IMG_7936.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMF5nDJzis1PK1BD2ECW2qhr9h3GiXpVy4cwUXXNzN5womC4Gkltlat_QyPMuPRnRqfG_NrU27ZHqzql9BNSbyKjwg7LcVXSoAOIZl5lqUHhfUV4DxqKklYW-Is2Cg5ACqHPqeCZcZQY/s400/IMG_7936.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428311995854255570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Master chefs. </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPTo-k98LA_AhDHE5D6ZTggdqyGFaMvr8ae6QPcUVNF88d_oMb-NJ0-8yZPUr0fA_-HztQlYCgo5LkRGJBp82EtuNEZ_CdDKL6ezvJ-ydIJd8HCB7JIXW6eKUz5FjS9ps0tlObK90phY/s1600-h/IMG_7898.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPTo-k98LA_AhDHE5D6ZTggdqyGFaMvr8ae6QPcUVNF88d_oMb-NJ0-8yZPUr0fA_-HztQlYCgo5LkRGJBp82EtuNEZ_CdDKL6ezvJ-ydIJd8HCB7JIXW6eKUz5FjS9ps0tlObK90phY/s400/IMG_7898.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428306551411933842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">More to come....<br /></span></div>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-34813778322135511612010-01-11T18:37:00.000-08:002010-01-11T19:01:45.913-08:00The Beauty of This MomentThis is a quote from some song I really love, I can hear the particular lyric in my head but I'll be dammed if I can remember the name of the song or the artist. Whatever...the point of this is, here in these last few weeks as my time in Dallas grows smaller, I'm simultaneously stressed out with the last minute tidbits of moving the last 5.5 years of my life from a state that celebrates the "bigger is better" aesthetic to a place where $2K/month <span style="font-style: italic;">might</span> get you a 400 square foot apartment, if you're lucky. And I have never been so excited in my life.<br /><br />While this move has been a long sought-after goal, it's the coming together of so many elements - independently - that are truly like an aligning of the stars. The right time...the right place...the right opportunity...the right career...the right guy...all mixed together with my uncontainable sense of constantly needing to "rock the boat" and keep myself on my toes...only this time on steriods. (The situation, not me.)<br /><br />Flying out to NYC in 2 days for "business" matters...back to Dallas for one last tying up of all loose ends...then loading up the U-haul and heading on out come January 28th...I can't believe it's really happening. The beauty of this moment...(bleep)...why the hell can't I remember the name of this stupid song?LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-29821655506868397882009-12-03T16:17:00.000-08:002009-12-09T20:06:21.787-08:00My Xmas Wish ListIn light of a recent Refinery 29 blog post on <a href="http://www.refinery29.com/gifts/our_guide_to_fashions_most_obs.php">fashion's most obscen</a><a href="http://www.refinery29.com/gifts/our_guide_to_fashions_most_obs.php">ely expensive gifts</a>, that got me thinking...I've been good this year. My expectations are reasonable, yet I still keep my expectations low as this is definitely going to be a "budget" holiday season for me. Considering a move to Brooklyn in January, a temporary (but highly enjoyable) gap between full-time "day job" work as I transition to my new destination, and simply the expenses of everyday life...yeah, I'll be doing quite a bit more "fantasy" shopping vs reality shopping. So to those of you on my gift-receiving list, prepare for the year of handmade DIY goodness (I promise to be creative this year, no handbags allowed). And in the meantime, I can still "fantasy" shop for myself...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ncaqp4kagXj3j-cBNJXO-KZhdCADfpO3tMApF6FPc648EBgRQdORx3oaWu8XBE41baOY0plICf_f9jd2YrUGkvzEV6oIx1qyjERw-or8d2obSBYaF73E_VAUYjoZnTb2f6uTvwTMyiY/s1600-h/Picture+4.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ncaqp4kagXj3j-cBNJXO-KZhdCADfpO3tMApF6FPc648EBgRQdORx3oaWu8XBE41baOY0plICf_f9jd2YrUGkvzEV6oIx1qyjERw-or8d2obSBYaF73E_VAUYjoZnTb2f6uTvwTMyiY/s400/Picture+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411175481006623714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">En</span><span style="font-size:85%;">tire John Galliano Spring 2010 collection (<a href="http://www.johngalliano.com/">click here fo</a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.johngalliano.com/">r more</a> - gotta love <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g5YNPzr8NM">the runwa</a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g5YNPzr8NM">y music</a>)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAzFK2zBmpZud37O1I0lg5Vpb43azFN6QA5Xl_MSNIJlTKG355-JQchXvWsBnzilQCOYKJutW8DgUuOrjZs3Zytro5rF4z7YdDU7oYqC3Md1HYBY7WpQyl-tr4rVo90s72NP0IxDqgH8/s1600-h/Picture+5.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAzFK2zBmpZud37O1I0lg5Vpb43azFN6QA5Xl_MSNIJlTKG355-JQchXvWsBnzilQCOYKJutW8DgUuOrjZs3Zytro5rF4z7YdDU7oYqC3Md1HYBY7WpQyl-tr4rVo90s72NP0IxDqgH8/s400/Picture+5.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413451175948506082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdPTnfWykR90acRR9ezYSPgFqj7m5jeQpgHeSOB6yqyHIjivVWH4yB_JpsHcDBvDv8ywe-cEMk8JFmtI6DAL6thxHqsj4bxnbSYym-U-UIPSHn0RQNJ7jmQ-GMD-XGyAMl26ufmhp8sg/s1600-h/Picture+3.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdPTnfWykR90acRR9ezYSPgFqj7m5jeQpgHeSOB6yqyHIjivVWH4yB_JpsHcDBvDv8ywe-cEMk8JFmtI6DAL6thxHqsj4bxnbSYym-U-UIPSHn0RQNJ7jmQ-GMD-XGyAMl26ufmhp8sg/s400/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413451273331313202" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I want <a href="http://www.thecherryblossomgirl.com/shoes/"><span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> of her shoes</a> (im</span><span style="font-size:85%;">age</span><span style="font-size:85%;">s via <a href="http://www.thecherryblossomgirl.com/">The Cherry Blosso</a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.thecherryblossomgirl.com/">m Girl</a>)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmhTZbtSWaKk1iqbanUBloDaFzabRIrg7QjAGXWQCDZnl6WUWk4DZdb9WDr-BewHJxlUvZlTUaq2CSyjJ_7PMBCfdvVsYWjIrwzV_kucBzDDjqYGkRKPv8w8AWbRc3T5HKRVsk_n-nZg/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmhTZbtSWaKk1iqbanUBloDaFzabRIrg7QjAGXWQCDZnl6WUWk4DZdb9WDr-BewHJxlUvZlTUaq2CSyjJ_7PMBCfdvVsYWjIrwzV_kucBzDDjqYGkRKPv8w8AWbRc3T5HKRVsk_n-nZg/s400/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411590294673293330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This bolero is just a little too much <span style="font-style: italic;">something</span>...it's plastic-coated p</span><span style="font-size:85%;">olyester...and</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> the gal wearing it in the pic is named Pixie. What th</span><span style="font-size:85%;">e hell, throw it in my shopping cart. (De</span><span style="font-size:85%;">signer: <a href="http://shop.notjustalabel.com/womenswear/1742">Ka</a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://shop.notjustalabel.com/womenswear/1742">y De</a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://shop.notjustalabel.com/womenswear/1742">smond</a>)<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ySHWL8xsT0DuoRXWyBpOmEhPAt9pWOS8pOOAC0PJDdxv6l1f2UUiesQpFJ53TcxVgJCUuQnatbpd923L4crh6gs-bxnXLke1dkG73gb8DwOTtw7VsO2hmvakbWvdYPggaulYJE3N6ac/s1600-h/wedding+band.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ySHWL8xsT0DuoRXWyBpOmEhPAt9pWOS8pOOAC0PJDdxv6l1f2UUiesQpFJ53TcxVgJCUuQnatbpd923L4crh6gs-bxnXLke1dkG73gb8DwOTtw7VsO2hmvakbWvdYPggaulYJE3N6ac/s400/wedding+band.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413022936979447442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">No wedding bells in the near future for me (as D breathes a sigh of relief) - but there is something about this </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35494091">Titanium and Bois de Rose Wedding Band by Zoe and Doyle</a> that just resonates. I thi</span><span style="font-size:85%;">nk it's a gro</span><span style="font-size:85%;">om's ring...but those little trifling details are irrelevant to me. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xecPuGKfHYaKmVvmH7ObVJ8EzzdmTjdg-hvK7dArbti-p4DojgWocwQwMEIoQSUJGudJbaQD_l06CgJYK0B0yDOhIsifU9w1VcD2NctIxqA2NukTFHfQ7zn1oLjBtBzqhJLAU9GYJN8/s1600-h/necklace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xecPuGKfHYaKmVvmH7ObVJ8EzzdmTjdg-hvK7dArbti-p4DojgWocwQwMEIoQSUJGudJbaQD_l06CgJYK0B0yDOhIsifU9w1VcD2NctIxqA2NukTFHfQ7zn1oLjBtBzqhJLAU9GYJN8/s400/necklace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413452313305455074" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemn9gFuDJUtmUkJibWcxL3IQlCyw7GbYsjk95VSHRsggVyYJsfWY6Nh-1q0i7ZmNvFZiBGjuwcGpMaXyRch7EXyWvI_KI1vWHSt2cRNCOtJzZ4JPdzA0GL8Rrn7w-04niqGIADey00_Q/s1600-h/necklace2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemn9gFuDJUtmUkJibWcxL3IQlCyw7GbYsjk95VSHRsggVyYJsfWY6Nh-1q0i7ZmNvFZiBGjuwcGpMaXyRch7EXyWvI_KI1vWHSt2cRNCOtJzZ4JPdzA0GL8Rrn7w-04niqGIADey00_Q/s400/necklace2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413452387345403714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A fab statement necklace with a nod t</span><span style="font-size:85%;">o <a href="http://beatcrave.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Lady-Gaga-Music-Video-Bad-Romance.jpg">Lady Gaga's "Bad </a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://beatcrave.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Lady-Gaga-Music-Video-Bad-Romance.jpg">Romance."</a> Which has incessantly been playing in m</span><span style="font-size:85%;">y head going on 3 weeks n</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ow. (Necklac</span><span style="font-size:85%;">e by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31164789">This Ilk</a>)</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4J8HAtfeGXY5HNXXbxdnipls3G4FZLMhtEWYZb7k7AhfFndplmfnQZ-LtJTKfUTUiAcoSgvkbYzkdSW_MyZzfp0mZg4S943or3diOZS9mbt0lKVuDRXJBu4uATmKSh0rVo_CSXPPX8c/s1600-h/Picture+18.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 425px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4J8HAtfeGXY5HNXXbxdnipls3G4FZLMhtEWYZb7k7AhfFndplmfnQZ-LtJTKfUTUiAcoSgvkbYzkdSW_MyZzfp0mZg4S943or3diOZS9mbt0lKVuDRXJBu4uATmKSh0rVo_CSXPPX8c/s400/Picture+18.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413449921474294578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Green metallic mini skirt from <a href="http://www.rodarte.net/">Rodarte</a>. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Mmm...yeah, on second thought...the whole wrinkle-tastic getup. These guys are amazing.</span><br /></div>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8630289931903309856.post-38697775710336642122009-11-20T17:51:00.001-08:002009-11-23T09:34:41.446-08:00Living the MomentTrying hard not to wish away the time right now, because there is so much delicious change going on, it's one of those rare, cataclysmic times in my life where I feel like I'm shedding a skin and evolving into the next chapter of my life. And I want to be so fantastically aware of every single second of what is happening (even the scary moments) because through the highs and lows of making such a drastic change - uprooting everything I've come to know over the past 5 years and starting the next phase in Brooklyn with D and my business - there is a deep calm that can only come from moving one's life in a direction that feels as natural as breathing. And I've had that feeling since day one of making the decision to move out there 5 months ago. Gotta live these moments, live every single millisecond if you can remember to - they only come along a few times in life.<br /><br />So to tie me over (and keep me in the moment) I like to ponder over images like these below - they're all from periods in my life that, when I look back, I wish I'd lived <span style="font-style: italic;">just a little more</span> in the moments that I was in these places or doing these things. A good way of reminding me to Be Here Now:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzHiBQF-in2UCDU5hA7lyQsWKNeQu6rmwOq5DOzHYVr7UbuXubhGuhfGCCz6HZeqy1Elg6_5yOj0phr67-E0YV5l8l3rAF_L-mE4DOShp2mk3UE2QKIPJzm5eJd3IgMpKOuGj4uUm4D0/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzHiBQF-in2UCDU5hA7lyQsWKNeQu6rmwOq5DOzHYVr7UbuXubhGuhfGCCz6HZeqy1Elg6_5yOj0phr67-E0YV5l8l3rAF_L-mE4DOShp2mk3UE2QKIPJzm5eJd3IgMpKOuGj4uUm4D0/s400/IMG_0109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406436774179574866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Red wall from my very first Dallas apartment. There is just something <span style="font-style: italic;">so </span>immensely satisfying about a red wall, it always made me smile when I'd walk in the room.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvP1Jh_1n9T-VbmXuTwXbcf2r9r7-5biX__lSiF4wNuMc_BiUe7ANHWUhB7B92cOc11OidO_lH0XwVRYNSsluDSmynZdi09pwRBB5ejwyovf8o6EDY92_QUgvnl95S4ZfjJEdC5uKppQE/s1600/IMG_0627.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvP1Jh_1n9T-VbmXuTwXbcf2r9r7-5biX__lSiF4wNuMc_BiUe7ANHWUhB7B92cOc11OidO_lH0XwVRYNSsluDSmynZdi09pwRBB5ejwyovf8o6EDY92_QUgvnl95S4ZfjJEdC5uKppQE/s400/IMG_0627.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406436888463003634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Birthday cookies I baked for my 30th. That was a magic birthday.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhoR9jMPOIwNFNa6nvvBswygCOh5QxHA5YoQ5u9bhic1nliKSNNuzORbcTsWAkYfURXPXb_xokrMhDv6d-ZN1cvt1VCpGo5v1Na-5PPJFmaPiNfBH6Mh0BKczqp0JKLbabQZRAXOcar4/s1600/IMG_1077.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhoR9jMPOIwNFNa6nvvBswygCOh5QxHA5YoQ5u9bhic1nliKSNNuzORbcTsWAkYfURXPXb_xokrMhDv6d-ZN1cvt1VCpGo5v1Na-5PPJFmaPiNfBH6Mh0BKczqp0JKLbabQZRAXOcar4/s400/IMG_1077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406437263380947346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Coffee table I made with leftover pieces of a bed frame and quirky Ikea legs. Before I discovered sewing and handbags, I knew I wanted to make things; doing these types of DIY projects was helping me get closer to the answer...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFq2_ZSU5WbcEvolclu5W12exJ9b-E0l6Zj9a-DqZnfF36POR5q66DPXXzW5oWd5q_YJkZuWCxZNZ3LNHJGrU1jCG3ieqJK3rYHfFDQptrLlSCfC7FnwMwhN-ZgTrbNRpcHJS9Rmx_oU/s1600/IMG_1170.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFq2_ZSU5WbcEvolclu5W12exJ9b-E0l6Zj9a-DqZnfF36POR5q66DPXXzW5oWd5q_YJkZuWCxZNZ3LNHJGrU1jCG3ieqJK3rYHfFDQptrLlSCfC7FnwMwhN-ZgTrbNRpcHJS9Rmx_oU/s400/IMG_1170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406438415524653474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">More red <span style="font-style: italic;">objets d'art</span>. The red ladder that has followed D and me through several apartments, the chest of drawers he spray painted with Rust-Oleum for me as a surprise, since he knows my love of bright colors and shiny objects.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNIn14YpMFNJv254SWXF9Uio4xeC7RKPsoMrLIgo5iq7gtAob8q0BkboA5gNWES5GpGv8nVGOrwp1M6UIl01szYOb6-14Vjktxy2vNMNX5MIxtEH33HxO3vE7-II4oo9dgTfjFdgRQQw/s1600/IMG_1252.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNIn14YpMFNJv254SWXF9Uio4xeC7RKPsoMrLIgo5iq7gtAob8q0BkboA5gNWES5GpGv8nVGOrwp1M6UIl01szYOb6-14Vjktxy2vNMNX5MIxtEH33HxO3vE7-II4oo9dgTfjFdgRQQw/s400/IMG_1252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406439097996302434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Walk</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ing at White Rock with D, he found a...well, not quite sure what it is. Baby tomato? I remember he was leaving again the next day for NY, and I wanted a photo that would remind me of how perfect the day had been...so I took a pic of our little "tomato". And I can still remember the perfect bliss of that day when I see this photo. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbmWLsGQpO9CrWWzgEm1xBX_iIv0e_KiRscbhO9qsZczQGUeZghMOfghlm63Wjov981rabXL_HjIaZsxTdh2ZFVqsaKPIiXdeTfY2YUdC_4QyOqHihTV_X1DP-pq_H3GAUIBmboqGc34/s1600/IMG_1251.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbmWLsGQpO9CrWWzgEm1xBX_iIv0e_KiRscbhO9qsZczQGUeZghMOfghlm63Wjov981rabXL_HjIaZsxTdh2ZFVqsaKPIiXdeTfY2YUdC_4QyOqHihTV_X1DP-pq_H3GAUIBmboqGc34/s400/IMG_1251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406439323945172674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Biscotti involves so much labor and time to make. But one of the most immensely pleasing things for me to bake (and I'm good at it!)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpT3XrPn9qISwbqkvpSFxXHl19KzyK_Wsns5g290JKyz1UG-SoR_4IiGWwGKXsMfZWuAyhp1jHMGzmfms2iBpGlx4vNtNvTh92-LLoXG_uO0M8KaNhy-12Xip5oImXnzp65gjqajaCVNY/s1600/IMG_2021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpT3XrPn9qISwbqkvpSFxXHl19KzyK_Wsns5g290JKyz1UG-SoR_4IiGWwGKXsMfZWuAyhp1jHMGzmfms2iBpGlx4vNtNvTh92-LLoXG_uO0M8KaNhy-12Xip5oImXnzp65gjqajaCVNY/s400/IMG_2021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406439904484563842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">My green Passat - we were destined to find each other. According to the manual, it rolled off the assembly line same day as my birthday, and was from Michigan. I miss this car.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGGwboCX8NOmgS4X_1NE_6-9qC9ULP7Ypo4min2MwwoI4VNfiRB_dhBfs2A_R0578xRXpnrcfop6SbhYj1lDLPp5XzX7u7HP1fjCNae5biyCVf2GbFv4g3e8ZGSdnrn10pWwq3UH_rV0/s1600/IMG_4096.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGGwboCX8NOmgS4X_1NE_6-9qC9ULP7Ypo4min2MwwoI4VNfiRB_dhBfs2A_R0578xRXpnrcfop6SbhYj1lDLPp5XzX7u7HP1fjCNae5biyCVf2GbFv4g3e8ZGSdnrn10pWwq3UH_rV0/s400/IMG_4096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406440420764648978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLd5i2PmLI57UqZPu8YRY2fTA2gVZpjQBpEluHtFZxq2jiqMn-WXQVUHEqt69QyM5Gh_tiNdF0MsDkjudE8hkblvOk1Da2CdB2fKhobBo2PeNmXSWDy78RgkwgNCLZXJs-SPxKX8gYCio/s1600/IMG_4099.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLd5i2PmLI57UqZPu8YRY2fTA2gVZpjQBpEluHtFZxq2jiqMn-WXQVUHEqt69QyM5Gh_tiNdF0MsDkjudE8hkblvOk1Da2CdB2fKhobBo2PeNmXSWDy78RgkwgNCLZXJs-SPxKX8gYCio/s400/IMG_4099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406801614117004322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">New Year's Eve last year - walking with D at White Rock, fluffy hair, 70 degrees out...</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTezxcbGeL7-eeGDpRCB7tQVHGyQ4-kZE9gR_6YphjDHmjoWyTu2qsvtxZDxZTcLga21UoZ8lpxVU7D-v8t6mKKzKMfm0WcIFb9bI8QClcxJJhAMKYzUPwzYYB8XTrJHEpgws8OJrhN84/s1600/IMG_4225.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTezxcbGeL7-eeGDpRCB7tQVHGyQ4-kZE9gR_6YphjDHmjoWyTu2qsvtxZDxZTcLga21UoZ8lpxVU7D-v8t6mKKzKMfm0WcIFb9bI8QClcxJJhAMKYzUPwzYYB8XTrJHEpgws8OJrhN84/s400/IMG_4225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406440670243319362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">...followed 2 days later by this.</span> <span style="font-size:85%;"> Texas, I'll miss your violent weather mood swings.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwDjVkq2n2HbKpHG9Vj2iNNG8jtdhlNzQmd4D5-XCRNnu15qI4EyxdEcNjMHo-lA-I5XVnHRS7Sr3GKqPf4gb-bnZqTe87qBNbjwqPFnsjG3tI1Htkvy2uVrze2TGDoNGaJkYLi2-gJg/s1600/IMG_5702.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwDjVkq2n2HbKpHG9Vj2iNNG8jtdhlNzQmd4D5-XCRNnu15qI4EyxdEcNjMHo-lA-I5XVnHRS7Sr3GKqPf4gb-bnZqTe87qBNbjwqPFnsjG3tI1Htkvy2uVrze2TGDoNGaJkYLi2-gJg/s400/IMG_5702.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406441337830468802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm always "in the moment" when figs are involved.</span><br /></div>LOLAFALKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15864453692460572810noreply@blogger.com5