4.24.08 // NEW YORK CITY // SoHo / Chinatown

{an english rose | chris nicholls}

The softness of the gray background plays perfectly with ultra feminine details . . .

{British-born father of three Chris Nicholls includes Elle, M.A.C. and The New York City Ballet as some of his clients.}

A more avant-garde photographic series displaying Nicholls' exceptional talent and range follows.

{white sands - new mexico}

Positively mesmerized by the serene, sculptural quality of the White Sands - New Mexico series by Chris Nicholls . . .

The images, infused with a nostalgic feel and quiet elegance, remind me very much of Henry Clarke's beautiful, beautiful work.

{images uploaded by duckiefaced}

{wistful + longing}

Another web of links, another beautiful discovery -- wistful, longing shots of Paris, on nordljus, an incredible food blog with beautiful, nostalgia-laden photography and delicious recipes that may inspire even me to take up cooking . . .

{Happily discovered through this blog.}

Bicycle Chic & Tough Times… Bicycles for CHEAP

I’ve shopped the bike swaps, craigslist to score when my prior bicycle(s) where stolen and coincidently I was super low on funds and couldn’t afford to replace my high ticket bicycle right away.

Perhaps this following scenario has been your experience too. You’re new to bicycling, you walk into your local bicycle shop, get your heart set on a beauty only to discover you have to go into a payment plan to possess her. So while you’re waiting to afford your heart’s desire, or waiting for a delivery from Europe and delivery is x amount of weeks…what to do? Invest into a rusty true love. My rusty true love is a 40’s Japanese Jet Wind I got for $25.00 (craigslist). Just a beautiful backup bicycle for me.

Any women out there who would love to bicycle but suffer zero extra cash problems? Are you a potential chic bicyclist on foot and bussing it (or worse yet, still driving short distances like to the corner store)? Don’t want to buy a used bicycle? No matter how cheap…because you’re thinking bicycle repairs can cost a lot and you just don’t want the headache. Two ways to get help…check for a bicycle program that offers / donates free bicycles. Second option; repair services like Bike Station and Street Level Cycles. Both will teach you how to do your own repairs! Check your own city and see if these type programs are offered where you live. (Let me know and I will list the programs in your city).

{random inspiration}

1. Turquoise chandelier in a Union Street Office by San Francisco based Massucco Warner Miller

2. Irina in Electric Feathers dress by New York-based Leana Zuniga
{via glamchic; The New York Times; photo: KT Auleta/Phillips de Pury & Company}

3. Mother's Day gift ideas, beautifully shot with sweet peas at The New York Times {Thanks, Mark!}
{Photo: Eugene Gologursky for The New York Times}

4. Hand-forged branch table in gold leaf finish from Candace Barnes Antiques

College Ave - Afternoon

Sandal Weather is here.

4.23.08 // BOSTON // LAB / Enormous Room

{day}

The Spring/Summer 2008 collection by Day Birger et Mikkelsen is so playful and the photography so fun and fresh that it's no wonder the company's manifesto to is to "put a bit of party in every DAY dressing, for work or play. . ."

How Far Is It ? Walk Score Tool

Use this Walk Score Tool next time you're want to see how far it is to bicycle to where you want to go. How rideable or walkable is your neighborhood? This makes a big difference. You may be surprised just how many places are under a mile to bicycle and get yourself to.

Janet Bicycle Girl - Toronto Events

I just received this: Fashionable goings on in Toronto…. Janet has a whole calendar of events including CineCycle Movie Nights, Vintage Bicycle Photography Exhibits and her own Open Studios featuring her Bicycle themed art work.

Nice Valet @ Earth Day

She was retrieving her Bicycle from Valet Service @ Earth Day, a service provided by BFBC. She offered me some of her fair trade organic chocolate and then she was off.

The Art of Bicycling…Art Rides!

There are some great Art Rides to go out and enjoy. Join what’s called a ‘crawl’, only on this one you ride your bicycle going from one art gallery to the next. Have fun, let your self be all chic and ‘arty’ when picking out what to wear for the evening. I’ve seen some amazing ‘looks’ that people have sported for these (usually) monthly occasions. Plus… less I forget to mention it, imagine the intriguing art you may well find your self discovering. I also included music rides as well.

Art

Art Murmur-Oakland

Spoke(n) Art-LA

WichitaArt Ride –ArtoftheBicycle

DowntownArtRide-LA

Music

Cycle Punk –Manahattan (1 time event-- New York's Bike Punk band night of punk bands celebrating the opening weekend of Bike Month NYC.)

Rock 'n Roll 'n Ride-LA ( explore the many musical roots of Los Angeles through a bike ride around Silverlake’s musical venues and sites. Come out dressed as your fave rock star, hear some great local DJ and BANDS)

Slow Rides

Where are some of the best and most leisurely bicycling routes? Places where speed is definitely not a requirement. A ride, where you’re inspired to promenade about dressed in your pretty, floaty dress (which makes you feel so ultra feminine wearing it!), then stop and settle down …spread out a nice picnic lunch.

So, I’m starting a list. Please feel free to send along any faves you have.

San Francisco

Stow Lake & Strawberry Hill --Golden Gate Park (any day you like)

Car Free Sundays – Golden Gate Park (*note* ‘Lindy in the Park’ dancing on Sundays as well… for all you ‘vintage’ loving girls)

{vintage portraits}

An artist once requested that I sit for a portrait, and although I graciously declined, it has been great fun being swept up in the beautiful world of vintage portraits - searching for the perfect one, and following the discoveries of others . . .

{via a beautiful living}

{portraits with a neoclassical twist at JDG}

{portrait of woman from Santa Barbara at paris hotel boutique}

{via a beautiful living}

{Shoot Factory via absolutely beautiful things}

{photography by Roger Davies; O at Home Spring 2008}

Completely inspired by this collection of portraits of varying sizes and frames --flanked by a pair tufted fuchsia chairs, it is an arrangement of pure sophistication.

{links to this post:}
the gallery effect; a great loss; a great find; vintage lady portraits

{images: 1 - flickr; 3 - JDG; 4 + 7 - Paris Hotel Boutique Journal}