the statue of liberty

On my first weekend in NYC, I lived like a tourist. Lynn and Makensie flew out here with me, and the three of us wandered aimlessly, walked the Brooklyn Bridge and shopped. We even went to the Statue of Liberty, which, incidentally, turned 125 exactly one month ago today!

Here's the three of us on the ferry to the Statue. From left: Lynn, Makensie, me.

I was so glad to finally see the Statue of Liberty up close. It is such an American treasure. The folds of her fabric are striking, and the image is so iconic that it's wild to see it up close and from every angle. We were there late in the day, and I was so happy I took this picture:


Here are a few more beautiful photos of this gorgeous statue.

circa 1905, via ck/ck

circa 1935, via ck/ck

her construction in Paris, 1886, via ck/ck

world of video

I don't know about you, but I've noticed the demise of a lot of movie rental shops in recent times. I can only guess it's the combined impact of Netflix, Redbox and other internet streaming tools that have made it difficult for these shops to survive, especially in this economy. So a few weeks ago, I was all in the mood to watch a movie and I didn't have anything in from Netflix that I hadn't watched and the nearest Redbox was a half a mile away (that's far when you live in Manhattan) and I thought— maybe, just maybe, there's actually a movie rental shop in my neighborhood. I Googled it and found a super shop called World of Video. (It's such a straightforward title that it sounds ironic and hipster.)

via Total Film Gallery

via Listal

World of Video is located a convenient 5-minute walk from my front door (awesome) and boasts more than 30,000 titles (wow), including a collection of silent films. Because of the vastness of the collection, it's a natural place to go when you're looking for something obscure, which, in fact, I was. I was looking for one of my absolute favorite movies, The Out-of-Towners remake from 1999 with Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn. For some reason, this movie seems to be so difficult to find. Netflix doesn't even have it in stock! (Say wha?!) I walked in, and the friendly staff at World of Video pulled it off the shelf within seconds. Admittedly, they did rib me when I said it was one of my favorites and asked me if I've seen the original. (I'll be honest, I haven't.) The guys behind the counter are serious movie watchers. There is a poster for each staff member on the front of the counter that has their names and their top 10 favorite movies. They recommend titles and I hear they have specialties. (Here's an article about the store.)

The only problem is that it's pricey— $5 for a one-night rental. You can buy an annual membership (first year, just less than $22) that comes with a few free rentals and then rentals are $4.75. Or you can buy rentals in bulk for cheaper. Even at these prices, it doesn't feel like a rip-off, since they are a specialty shop in a business that's changing, and they're paying West Village rent.

All in all, 4 stars. Enjoy :)

photo by Shanti Knight, Los Angeles, California, August 2007

sipping jetstreams

Oh, the feelings this quote awakens...

"Travel keeps you young. It does this by simply putting you in situations that make you feel like a child again. Magically lost in a moment of discovery. Beautifully confused. It could be the first time you awaken to the 5:00 a.m. call to prayer from the local mosque on Morocco's far Atlantic shore, the first time you feel the weight of the Egyptian sun on your shoulders, the first time you paddle out over the shallow reefs of the Caribbean, or the first time you realize that people living in squalor can achieve happiness as easily as those living in mansions. These are life's opportunities to shed the hustle of modernity, to join the moment and stop sprinting towards some prefabricated goal. Your heart races. Your metabolism shifts into a lower gear. Everything is new again. You're Sipping Jetstreams."

sources for quote and images unknown

happy friday!

via The Steward

I hope I someday get to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I find Christ the Redeemer so haunting and beautiful.

romantic rainy-day wedding portrait

beautiful photos merging past and present in the always-romantic Paris

the economy explained in 135 seconds

legalized gay marriage in New York

happy friday!

ready for adventure! via The Steward


It's my final weekend in Japan. Wait, what? I've been working-working-working and spent today in Kyoto, but still managed to find some exciting tidbits from around the webs...


gorgeous custom leather luggage tags
I got this fun mug for my papa for his birthday last month! (Canon, of course.)

inpsiring travel quotes (sets 1 and 2)
my friend Chelsea Sanders is selling her sweet little house in Bloomington, Indiana. If you're looking to move, you should most definitely check it out.

a fascinating breakdown of the recent events in the Middle East

101 revolutionary ways to be healthy
a report on food in Turkey and global meat consumption makes  a case for quality and conscious eating (I unfortunately picked up the habit again this winter after being 4 years clean... now I'm working on weaning myself back off!)
great news for Representative Gabrielle Giffords!
please please please do what you can from wherever you are to help in the search for Lauren Spierer (visit findlauren.com) (And congratulations to the Indiana Daily Student on the great feedback they're getting for their on-the-ground reporting)

Also, today is a very special day for birthdays! Leah, Katie and Karina, you June beauties add warmth to my life! xoxo

riding that silver rail

trippy!

camping

It's been way too long! I crave a campfire, a canoe, stars above and warm bodies surrounding me. I've found myself daydreaming about plaid shirts and good fleeces and tents and canteens. Last week, my friend Liz recommended SierraTradingPost.com for overstocks on outdoor gear, which is hugely tempting considering the outrageous prices often attached to decent gear. I've visited it a few times, but I still have some adventures to save up for in the meantime...

Also, this gypsy tent is not enough and a little too much all at once, don't you think? I want to replicate it in my yard. And I could do that without overstock discounts!

via Scotch and Scones

dive in

Oh, the ocean. Summer.

Photo by Stephan Zirwes courtesy of My Modern Metropolis

via Corey Fishes

via Zoe Claudia

Purchase a print of this photo by Laura Bell at 20x200

Image by Ibai Acevedo courtesy of My Modern Met

Image by Ibai Acevedo courtesy of My Modern Met

Image by Ibai Acevedo courtesy of My Modern Met

via Slumber Designs

happy friday!

via Birneviselin

Feeling groovy. Plus lots of creative love from the interwebs...


wallpaper (scroll to the bottom) for dog lovers

consolation for creative types, when your work disappoints you


gorgeous photos of misty London


the ziplock-bag glass jar


it's how you say it


a darling polaroid with "Uncle Karl"


sometimes, the perfect conversation transition


making a case for stress


thoughts on soap


live for each day (I love the photo, too)


for people who like wine and bikes

the travel bug

You know, I'd really like to start pinning where I've been on a world map at some point after I settle down a little. (This year alone I'll likely have four residences. Fun, but not an ideal lifestyle for having lots of stuff.) I hope one day my map can resemble this one. I'm on my way. Next stop: Osaka, Japan!

by Kat Simoes via Flickr

Photo by Ibai Acevedo via My Modern Met

via The Steward

via A Cup of Jo

P.S. If you've yet to see this, you simply must check out Krisatomic's "I Want to Go to There." Mesmerizing and ridiculously inspiring photos from around the world. (Also, a welcome 30 Rock reference.)

coachella fashion

If it weren't for Little 500, I would really have loved to have beeen in Indio, California last weekend, kicking it at Coachella Music and Arts Festival. Michele went last year and had a great time celeb-spotting and hearing great tunes. It looks like such a laid-back, good-time chill-fest.Plus the line-up included Ms. Lauryn Hill, Yelle, Kanye West, Ratatat and the Strokes. (Fun fact: Wiz Khalifa performed here for Little 500 on Friday and then went to California for Coachella on Sunday. So it's safe to assume at least a little Hoosier dirt got to Indio.)

Some of my top outfits:

Peachy button-up linen dress with a little lace on top. Add a black fedora and grab your boyfriend. Let's go!

Isabel Lucas, via Zimbio

Simple, straight to the point. An easy-going little white dress, black sandals that won't fly off, and a medallion necklace. Ready!
Alexa Chung, via People

I swoon. It's completely perfect, top to bottom. Minimal hair and makeup tricks— just beach hair and a great tan. White tank with a ruggedly printed American flag + pristine white shorts, folded up so the pockets hang out. Bracelets on both wrists balance it and the functional brown leather hiking shoes finish. Just enough clean, just enough dirty. Doesn't she look pretty? Doesn't she just look ready to have a good time? Nobody will have to wait for this girl to fix her makeup. She's already out the door.
Kate Bosworth, via People

If it weren't Coachella this would be overkill, but given the situation, it's just right. Crochet top? Check. Feather earring? Check. Stonewashed denim? Check. Bare feet? Check.

Get her super sexy and completely rad leg garter here

Vanessa Hudgens, via People

I love the simplicity of this. Short hair, a functional bag, and a long, goes-with-everything knit dress. She's elegant and chill all at the same time.

Amira, via Vogue

Not to play favorites, but I'm particularly in love with the look on the left— a dainty corset with roughed-up jean shorts? It's a little Golden Hawn and a little saloon. Tell me, what's not to love?
Andrea Florescu and Kelly Thiebaud, via Elle

It's edgy, it's outrageous, it's positively perfect.
Kimberly Pariente, via Elle

happy friday!

Photo by Shanti Knight


Have a fantastic weekend! Here are some of the cooler things I found on the internet this week...

Totes wish I could be in London on the 29th! If I were, I'd be doing this.

Ah, Savannah! (via Jamie Beck)

Janis Joplin's take on music.

The new J. Crew blog.

Symbolic mid-day revitalization.

I saw Lil Wayne live this week. Here's the story of how an Indiana college town got on his tour.


For art people.


Being disagreeable.


Everybody loves a mud puddle.