esprit de l'escalier

Hello!

Hello! I forsee me taking a lot of photos in my bathroom mirror, as long as I'm living in this apartment. I like my bathroom. You know what else I like? The new Feist album, which you can stream here. I also like this group shot in my bathroom mirror. (Both of these are shot with some of the Impossible Project's new film.)

Things I found interesting today

Here are some I things I found and enjoyed today...

I love Laura Berger's work, it's whimsical and fun. This card is super duper cute.

Mindy Kaling continues to be awesome with this article.

After a two-year hiatus, Ryan Adams is coming out with a new album, and it's streaming on NPR Music.

The Sunbelt has now been harder hit by the recession than the Rustbelt (hey - and we don't have water issues!).

My friend Sam was in the newspaper!

Fête en Blanc

"Pack a picnic. Wear white. Feast with friends."

That's how the Columbus Fête en Blanc was described - a pop-up picnic where the location would be kept secret until a couple of hours before the event. Even before I realized my friends were behind it, I was in. My friends Genevieve, Shawnie Kelley, and Mandy Jones and others, organized this event Friday, which was inspired by similar dinners in Paris and New York. It took place in the Columbus Commons, under a red and white striped tent, with the Randys playing music, picnicking, dancing, and sparklers. At the end of the night, we all packed up and disappeared, without leaving a trace. It was a ton of fun. Bravo to the organizers! I cannot wait until next year!

Amazing photos by Simon Yao can be seen on Facebook.

Oh, and some post-Fête photoboothing in a neighborhood bar, for good measure.

Rainy Friday music

Today is the first day of fall and it feels it. It's cold, rainy, and a bit dreary. In spite of that, I enjoyed my walk in to work, snug in my jean jacket and scarf. (Coffee and an orange brioche from Pistacia Vera, my favorite sweets spot, helped.) I'm hoping the rain clears up for an event tonight, as the Weather Channel promises. In the meanwhile as I work, I've been listening to M. Ward's album The Transfiguration of Vincent. His low-fi sound is a perfect for this weather.

Enjoy your weekend!

Last wedding of the summer

I went to three very unique weddings this summer, ending with my dear friend Stacey's this weekend, up at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I spent the weekend dividing my time between her and her husband Ben's friends and family, and my friends Amanda and Mike who live nearby and put me up. It was all great fun. I love Stacey and Ben's families, made a couple of new friends from Ben's friends, and got to catch up with some old college friends. I love weddings where I leave feeling like I have more love than I went in to them. Thanks for including me in such a wonderful weekend.

Since Stacey and I have always bonded over music, I thought I'd share an EP I've been listening to this week from a band from LA called Little Brutes. Enjoy! (Also, I might be a little in love with the website Bandcamp.)

Home sick

Yesterday my throat was a little sore. I kept thinking (hoping) that I was a little hoarse from the fun I had at my friend Stacey's wedding the night before. As the day went on, and I kept sneezing, reality set in a bit. I was getting a cold. This morning I woke up with a full-fledged chest cold and the inability to speak. I decided to take a sick day. I'm holed up with Frank at my parents' house, taking it easy, drinking lots of tea. I hope you are all doing better than me. And that I can talk again soon. I have so many photos to share, if I can ever find the time to scan them!

Granville on a Saturday morning

I somehow got myself to Granville last night, after a late night with co-workers and friends. (I found myself out at karaoke after going home, because, hey, it was on the way to my parents'.) I am happy I made it here, because on summer Saturday mornings, there is no place I'd rather be than Granville.

I love the slice of small town life Saturday mornings bring. This late summer one is a bit different than most, as the main drag in town is being cordoned off for the Bluesfest that will start later in the day. I walked downtown to visit the bank, and headed to the Catholic church just outside of the center of the village, where the farmers' market is today, nodding hello to the people I passed. There I ran into friends and neighbors, and bought some end of summer goodies for a party I'm throwing tonight. I also couldn't resist a large bouquet of sunflowers.

Now I'm sitting in our three season room, listening to the cicadas sing, and watching birds at the feeder. Further off in the yard, I can see a parade of gold finches dive in and out of the dried up echinecea, searching for seeds. I feel lucky. Plus the day looks to be a beautiful one. I plan on spending it in the kitchen, cooking and baking. I hope you have a pleasant one, too.

Beautiful friends

I like to joke with my friends that I am only friends with pretty people. I think it's usually pretty true. These are two of my all-time favorite portraits (especially on polaroid!) that I've ever made. Shot the day of Esther's wedding. She's the kick-ass bride. Below her is Beth, who is wearing a necklace that says, "Well-behaved women seldom make history." (She would like you to know that Laurel Thatcher Ulrich said that.) I've got a matching one. Thanks, Es, for the necklaces. And thank you both for being excellent. I am happy to lend a hand, and take your photograph, any time.

A dinner party in August

I am slowly catching up getting photos scanned and shared. These are from a dinner party some friends had in August. I love this family. I love their love of food, parties, and friends, and how I always feel welcome in their home. Plus, there are always pretty things (and people) to photograph. These photos are in no particular order.

Golden curls

I took a half day at work today. I decided I just couldn't work a full day, knowing that at the end of it was a 3 hour drive and a visit with this kiddo and his awesome family. I decided I needed hugs and kisses quicker.

Can you blame me?

Before I leave on my adventure with Ben and Elaine and extended family, I thought I'd share some tunes. I've been listening to Tyler Lyle's album The Golden Age & the Silver Girl A LOT the last two days as I've gone about my work. You can stream it here, and download it for $6. Check it out. I especially love the song, "California". I do love break-up songs. (Thanks Heather Brown, for continually pointing me to good music.)