hello there, mr. cunningham

Last weekend, Pamela, Katherine, LeeAnne and I met in the park for our annual Central Park "photo shoot." I have more pictures from that to share later, but I wanted to share these pictures first.

As background, my friends turned this year's shoot into a pre-birthday surprise for me and they brought balloons, confetti and gifted me with this wonderful rainbow umbrella. Turns out, these things made amazing props for our little photo-taking jaunt in the park.

So amazing, in fact, that Bill Cunningham even snapped a few pics of us. Mr. Cunningham is a fashion & lifestyle photographer for the NYTimes and is known for always wearing his blue jacket and khaki pants and riding through the city on his bike to snap photos. A few years ago, the documentary "Bill Cunningham New York" came out telling about his life and work. (I've yet to see it, but it's now on my Netflix queue.) If you look closely in all of these pictures you can see him snapping away - and smiling! - in the bottom right corner, standing on the bridge. How adorable!

We're all crossing our fingers for a brief cameo in his Sunday video or photography piece...

hello, october

It's October again. And New York City sure is beautiful this time of year. Somehow I seem to forget that every year, but I've quickly remembered.  Oh my, it's wonderful. Fall is here at last!

[photo taken at the Bodega on 73rd and Columbus.]

weekend 2 update

I decided that no matter how behind I am, I am determined the post pictures from the last several weekends. Not only does it allow me to look at the pictures again, it also makes me feel like the weekends weren't actually that long ago.

My little Rose petals came to visit the first weekend of October! We counted, and in the three and a half years I've lived here, Rose has been to visit four times! And I still think that's four times too little. We had such a fun and relaxing weekend...and we didn't even leave my neighborhood. We spent a lot of time in Central Park and walking, thanks to the gorgeous, perfect weather. I think RL's feet were happy to be back in Alabama, though.

Alice's Tea Cup for my favorite brunch spot.

Saturday night picnic in the park: perfect! Chirping Chicken entree + Levain dessert.

Sunday Central Park relaxation.

Sunday night dinner at Carmine's. I can't think of anything better!

[you can check out RL's recap of the weekend right here. Of course, she posted hers in a timely manner so you may have already seen it!]

Thanks again Rose for coming to visit!! I'm excitedly waiting for the next time!

fall

This is what I love to look at on fall weekend days.

5th year

I've lived in New York for just short of 3 1/2 years. However, I moved here for the first time in the summer of 2007 and started then what has continued as a serious tradition. In October of 2007, I came back to NYC to visit Pamela and LA (who were stationed here permanently by that time, since they had already graduated college) and we did a spontaneous and impromptu Central Park photo shoot during our day in the park. The leaves were changing and the park was absolutely glorious. And every year since then, the three of us have marked a date on our calendars weeks ahead to make sure this fall tradition doesn't die out. 

What seems like an event that just started last year has reached a milestone. Today is the 5th Annual Fall Central Park Photo Shoot! I'm headed out now to carry on the tradition (with Katherine joining this year!) and will be back with some wonderful fall photos.

2007

2008

2009

2010

it's fall y'all

With temperatures yesterday in the high 50's and just barely 60's today, I think it's safe to say that fall has arrived! Usually I don't greet this season with much joy (I'm too busy mourning the loss of summer) but this year I am quite thrilled. I'm excited about the crisp, cooler weather and all of the fun activities that come along with the season!

[beautiful plaid image found here.]

fall is coming!

We've had two mornings in a row now with temperatures of 65 degrees. Heavenly! And the new fall JCrew catalog came in the mail last week. If those two things don't bring the smell of fall, I don't think anything will.

And for the first time ever, I am even mildly excited about the new season being upon us.