a lovely evening

new digs

2011-06-23T10:36:00.000-04:00

I'm back! But I'll be over here from now on. Yup, I have a brand new blog and that's where I'll be from now on. I hope you'll follow me over there because I have a LOT of great stories to share from my trip, as well as all of the regular ole stuff I'm usually rambling about. There will be much more photography and a little less randomness. It's going to be rad. You should come.

away i go

2011-06-11T10:37:00.006-04:00

Tomorrow I'm flying here...

And Friday we're driving here.

I'll be back in a little over a week with stories and pics from our adventures. See you then turkeys!

*Las Vegas photo via here and Joshua Tree photo via here.

vista

2011-06-08T09:29:00.005-04:00

I spent the day with my mom on my birthday (which was last month but I just remembered to blog about it. I did the same thing last year. I'm losing my mind). Anyway. After a most delicious lunch on the patio at Il Bambino (and two very large glasses of Chianti), we walked to one of my favorite places in Astoria/LIC: Socrates Sculpture Park. The current exhibition, Vista, is described as:

Vista will explore the ways that methods of viewing and observation determine the assessment and evaluation of an object or scene. The works in the exhibition will employ visual alignment, perspective, and the framing of a site-line or point of view to dictate perception. The show will re-examine themes and ideas that were initially laid out in the Park's 2002 show View and is being curated in response to a reemergence of these topics in current artmaking practices. The Park's location along the East River provides a spectacular view of Manhattan that is the backdrop for all the exhibitions presented at the Park. This show will take particular stock in the Park's location and the outlook that it affords of urban greenspace, iconic cityscape, river and open sky.

So I photographed my view through one of the installations. Neat, right? If you've never been to Socrates, I highly recommend it. The view of Manhattan and the East River are incredible, and the exhibits are thought-provoking and contemplative.

almond biscotti

2011-06-07T11:04:00.000-04:00

Mmmmm. Biscotti. One of my all time favorite treats. I love it with coffee for breakfast or dessert. It's so versatile. I've wanted to make it for a while, but was patiently awaiting the arrival of my new (and quite possibly favorite) cookbook, Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunch Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cookies by Alice Medrich. Do any of you own it? Because you should. How can you not like a cookbook that is solely devoted to cookies? Literally every last recipe sounds heavenly.

Almond Biscotti from Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunch Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cookies

Ingredients

2 c unbleached all-purpose flour
1 c sugar
1 1/4 t baking powder
1/8 t salt
3 large eggs
2 T amaretto liqueur or 2 T rum with 1 t almond extract
1 t pure vanilla extract
1 c whole almonds, toasted, and coarsely chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and mix together thoroughly. In a separate larger bowl, whisk the eggs, amaretto, and vanilla until well blended. Stir in the flour mixture and then the almonds. The dough will be thick and sticky. Scrape dough onto the cookie sheet. We your hands and form the dough into a long flat loaf about 12 inches by 4 inches.

Bake for about 50 minutes, until firm and dry. Rotate the pan half way through to ensure even baking. Set the pan on a cooling rack for 15 minutes and leave the oven on. Transfer the loaf to a cutting board (removing the parchment paper) and cut the loaf into slices 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide. Transfer the slices to the unlined baking sheet at least 1/2 inch apart. Toast for 40-50 minutes, until golden brown, rotating the pan half way through to ensure even baking.

Enjoy with coffee or alone. YUM.

iavarone bros.

2011-06-06T12:23:00.006-04:00

Edible Queens contacted me to be the photographer on a story about Iavarone Bros. I was thrilled since Iavarone Bros. is legendary in New York City. They sell their own brand sausages, sauces, and cheeses, as well as numerous European brands. And they have the best subs ever. EVER.

Check out the story!

one language totes

2011-06-03T10:07:00.007-04:00

I love canvas totes. LOVE. I almost died when I saw these fun versions by One Language. Aren't they cool?!

*Images via Shopbop.com.

on photography

2011-06-01T23:59:00.009-04:00

I usually don't use this space to rant, but this particular topic has been chapping my hide for sometime.

While the advent of digital photography has made documenting life available to the masses, it has also spawned the mindset of if you have a digital camera or (gasp) camera phone and can take a decent picture on Automatic, then you can call yourself a photographer. Now I fully support individuals in their creative pursuits, but that is not what I'm referring to here. I'm referring to the people who come up to me and act as if their son's birthday party photos are the same as my professional photographs. It's that mindset that has changed the value of photography as a skilled art form and that angers me. It angers me because I work really really hard to make my photographs. I study and analyze and obsess over them (probably to my detriment). To me, photography isn't simply snapping a decent picture with your camera set to Automatic. It's about seeing. It's about knowing how to use your camera in any situation. It's about capturing a moment. It's about making art. It's about finding a new take on an ordinary situation. And that takes patience and skill and talent and most importantly, a unique eye. So this malarkey about photography being something anyone can do really. chaps. my. hide.

Sooooo. Now that I got that out of the way, here is what I was originally planning to write about.

I study photography as much as I participate in photography. I can spend hours looking at and thinking about one image, wondering why the photographer chose that specific point of view and what was left out. Aside from the technical aspect of photography, for me the hardest part of photography is what to keep in the frame and what to leave out. Below are a few books I've been reading and studying the last few months. I highly recommend all of them, for those who are interested.

Annie Leibovitz At Work by Annie Leibovitz. I've mentioned before how much of an influence Annie Leibovitz had on me. She was the first professional photographer I took note of when I was younger. While I appreciate all of her work, it's really her early work from the late 60s and 70s that fascinates me. I love that this book tells a story behind each set of images, especially those taken on the 1975 Rolling Stones tour. Dude. Can you imagine?

Photo-wisdom by Lewis Blackwell. Every few months my friend, Sean, and I get together and talk non-stop about photography. He's the one person in my life who is as passionate about the art as I am. So when he recommended this book, I didn't hesitate. Similar to Annie's book, the photographers featured tell about their influences, inspirations, adventures, and so on. It's a fantastic compilation.

Richard Avedon: Portraits by Richard Avedon. What appear to be simple portraits against white backdrops are in truth raw, complicated, intimate snippets of his subjects. He is a master.

Dennis Hopper: Photographs 1961-1967 by Tony Shafrazi. A few weeks ago I watched The Cool School, a documentary about the L.A. art movement that began in the late 1950s. It was fascinating and further fueled my obsession with Dennis Hopper's lesser known career as an artist and photographer. His work ranges from quietly honest photographs of anonymity to sophisticated portraits from behind the scenes of 1960s Hollywood. His range is incredible.

a vintage jumper

2011-05-25T22:50:00.005-04:00

That jumper? My sister wore it as a baby. Four years later, I wore it. Over thirty years later, my sweet little niece is wearing it, too.

I think she likes it.

pink toes

2011-05-24T09:04:00.000-04:00

the birthday giveaway winner is....

2011-05-23T09:35:00.007-04:00

Congrats, Amelia!

Thank you all so so much for participating. I loved reading your reasons behind choosing your favorites. It means so much to me that my work inspires you.

AND as a special thank you to those who entered, you will receive 30% off your total purchase in my shop until Friday, May 27th! A pretty sweet deal, my friends.

pickles & a bar

2011-05-20T09:30:00.009-04:00

One serendipitous evening last summer, Vivek and I stumbled upon Sweet Afton and McClure's Pickles and our lives changed forever. Sweet Afton is the best thing to happen to Astoria. Ever. Not only is it rustic, cozy, friendly, and serves Ommegang Witte on tap, but they serve Fried McClure's Pickles. FRIED PICKLES you guys. They are hands down the best creation EVER. Sliced pickles coated with a puffy, chewy dough, fried, and served with a smokey mayo for dipping. TO. DIE. FOR.

Sweet Afton quickly became our favorite bar and their fried pickles our weakness. So when I saw a jar of McClure's at Whole Foods the other day, I couldn't resist. Turns out they're just as good straight out of the jar.

p.s.
Today is the last day for the photo giveaway. What are you waiting for? Get your name on the list!

lunch, lately.

2011-05-18T10:44:00.004-04:00

I've been eating variations of this salad for the three weeks (yes, I'm one of those people). But really, it's that good, you guys. You must try.

birthday giveaway

2011-05-17T16:59:00.007-04:00

Life has gotten in the way of blogging as of late, hence my absence. BUT. I have a little pressie for one of my lucky readers. My birthday was last Wednesday (yay for 33!!) so I thought it would be fun to give someone else a present. One lucky reader will win any 8x10 photograph of their choice from my shop. Thats right, turkeys. A lovely little photograph of your choice.

To enter, leave a comment below telling me which photo you'd like and why. That's it! AND if you become a fan on Facebook, I'll throw your name in the pool TWICE. How's that for odds?

Be sure to leave your name and email so I can contact you. Let the games begin!

***The contest is now closed. Thanks for participating!!!***

the lensbaby...

2011-05-09T15:51:00.007-04:00

is life altering. I photographed with it along the West Side Highway and a train station upstate and I'm officially obsessed. The possibilities are endless.

More here.

mamas.

2011-05-08T07:17:00.007-04:00

my mom and theresa

Mom, thank you for being the mother that you are. You're the perfect mom for me.

Theresa, you're a natural. I'm so proud of you.

Happy Mother's Day!

chloe | one month

2011-05-04T22:52:00.003-04:00

She steals my heart.

together again

2011-05-03T09:08:00.007-04:00

(Back in the day. Me and Amber in Vegas on St. Patrick's Day circa 2003. We stole the giant 70's glasses and Las Vegas visor from an unsuspecting guy and decided to wear them for the remainder of the evening (this was WAY before giant 70's glasses came roaring back into style). We thought we were hilarious. Obviously.)

Next month I'm headed to Vegas to visit my best gal. I AM SO EXCITED. We're planning a road trip to Joshua Tree as a last hurrah before her little cutie arrives in the Fall. Neither of us have been, but we've decided it's the best place to get back in touch with our inner hippie (suppressed since high school), scour vintage shops, listen to live music, and forget about being adults for a few days. (In case you're wondering why we're leaving Vegas to have fun, we went to UNLV together so Vegas is kinda old hat to us.) There are very few people that I have as much fun with and even though this trip will be tamer than previous ones, it will most definitely still be an adventure.

tribeca film festival

2011-05-02T10:01:00.004-04:00

I had the privilege of photographing the Family Festival at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. It was a blast! I found myself laughing at the funny little dances the kids did in the FlipBook booth, secretly wanting to get my face painted, and singing along to The Garden Song. When I was little this local hippie/folk duo put on concerts at our town's high school. My mom would take me and my sister to every concert and we'd sing along to that song. I thought they had written it until I Googled it just now. Um, embarrassing. Apparently every children's show in the 70's played it.

But I digress. It didn't feel like work at all and reaffirmed how much I love being a photographer.

You can see my published photos on the Tribeca Film Festival's website here. So cool!

lunch

2011-04-27T15:22:00.007-04:00

Spring hits and all I want to eat are salads. Until September. I've posted several salad recipes here, here, and here, as well as a guest post on The Haystack Needle. Can't get enough.

This one is absolutely delicious. I know I say that about all of them, but it is.

Colorful Spring Salad

Ingredients

Baby spinach
Red bell pepper
Yellow bell pepper
String beans
Avocado
White beans
Fresh mozzarella
Fresh lemon juice
Olive oil
Fresh ground pepper

Directions

Simply throw as much of each ingredient as you'd like in a bowl, add lemon juice, olive oil, and ground pepper to taste. I used dried white beans that I cooked and seasoned, but canned work just as well.

Yum. Delish and filling.

ready to rock

2011-04-20T23:58:00.002-04:00

My business website is live!!! Woo hoo!!!

www.mercieghimire.com

I designed it myself and I am really happy with the outcome. Definitely have a look. I'd love to know what you think. And if you need a photographer, shoot me an email! I would LOVE to hear from you!

And since I can't have a post without a picture, I thought it only appropriate to include a picture of myself with a camera. That's me testing out my vintage Canon AV-1 last summer.

pigeon toe ceramics

2011-04-19T23:59:00.002-04:00

Whoa. In. Love. Pigeon Toe Ceramics has such a cool collection of goods. Their storefront and studio is located in Portland, OR (of course - everything cool is in Portland) but luckily us non-Portlanders can still hoard some of the goodies from their online shop. Like...

Gorgeous, right? If we had anything other than gnarly city pigeons outside our window, I would love one of these Jetsonesque bird houses.

And there is so much more. Go now. It's the perfect place to pick up a few early Mother's Day gifts.

*All photos by Pigeon Toe Ceramics.

breakfast & a newish table

2011-04-15T12:39:00.013-04:00

This is one of my favorite breakfasts: Chobani Honey yogurt, fresh blackberries, and Not Sweet Vanilla Galaxy Granola. I love granola but am slightly horrified by how much fat is in it, especially since I eat way more than the "serving size." So when I found this low-fat option at Whole Foods, I thought I'd try it. Admittedly, it's not the most flavorful granola, but it adds crunch and sustenance. And of course, coffee. Another Whole Foods find. It's a light roast from Costa Rica with notes of honey and chocolate. Tis amazing. And you grind it yourself so it's super fresh. With a splash of organic milk, it's heavenly. And addicting...

And how about that fancy black table? Fab, right? Years ago I bought a round wood (oak, perhaps?) table off of Craig's List for 35 bucks. I hated the color of wood, and frankly, the table itself, but it was built well and it actually fit in our small kitchen. After years of complaining and procrastinating, I finally painted it last weekend. It was super easy and only cost $20 for painting supplies. I LOVE IT. Black was the perfect choice, too. Now I have a new backdrop for my food photos. Sweet! I got a little carried away and painted the shelf in the kitchen too, which also looks fabulous. I started to say that I wanted to paint the other larger shelf in the kitchen, but Vivek put the kibosh on that idea. Apparently I have no limits.

Have a lovely weekend all!

how about...

2011-04-15T11:43:00.003-04:00

Onnnnnne more picture of the peanut just because she is so. damn. cute.

9 months

2011-04-14T11:31:00.001-04:00

Apologies for posting Theresa's 9 month maternity photos after Chloe's arrival, but I since I took them two days before Theresa's water broke I didn't have the chance to post them. Amazing timing, right? Can you imagine if we missed her 9 month pics?!

So her she is at 38 weeks.

I still can't believe the little nugget is here. It seems like Theresa and I were just discussing the idea of monthly maternity pictures. It's amazing how quickly time passes.

In case you missed any, here are months 8, 7, 6, 5, and 4.

joining the party early

2011-04-13T10:39:00.004-04:00

She's here!! My niece arrived two weeks early. Of course I am biased, but she is the cutest little peanut I've ever laid eyes on.

Chloe Mann Janaitis
Born April 6th at 4:29 am
7 lbs 7 oz 19 in

Congratulations Theresa and Bram! I love you both and can't wait to watch this new adventure unfold.

style envy | paris fashion week

2011-04-08T07:22:00.004-04:00

And finally, my faves.

Vibrant clutches.

Oversized wild plastic sunglasses.

Patterned blouses with jeweled necklaces.

Mix and match wrist adornments.

Dark eyes, nude lips, sleek hair.

*Photographs by Tommy Ton for Style.com.

style envy | paris fashion week | go with the flow

2011-04-07T06:51:00.005-04:00

*Photographs by Tommy Ton for Style.com.

style envy | paris fashion week | stand out nails

2011-04-06T07:30:00.000-04:00

Neons and metallics were everywhere. Looooooove.

*Photographs by Tommy Ton for Style.com.

style envy | paris fashion week | in stride

2011-04-05T11:02:00.000-04:00

*Photographs by Tommy Ton for Style.com.

style envy | paris fashion week | shoes

2011-04-05T06:57:00.000-04:00

Um, wow.

*Photographs by Tommy Ton for Style.com.

style envy | paris fashion week | bold color

2011-04-04T06:59:00.003-04:00

This week is dedicated to my love of (obsession with?) fashion. I've always been more interested in what people on the street were wearing then what the magazines were showing. It's much more personal and expressive. So this week you'll see the fashions of those attending the shows and trust me, you won't be disappointed.

First up, bold colors. Lots and lots of bold colors.

*Photographs by Tommy Ton for Style.com.

on the outside

2011-03-31T11:49:00.002-04:00

Taken with a Polaroid SX70 on PX 100 silver shade film.

shortbread cookies with date & almond tapenade

2011-03-30T17:22:00.002-04:00

The stars finally aligned: A huge sale at Macy's, an unused Macy's gift card, and a fine argument on my part that we do indeed have room for another electronic appliance in our kitchen. We bought a food processor. !!!!!! I promised myself that as soon as we bought one, I could justify buying pestos, tapenades & spreads, which I have pined over since discovering it last year. Every recipe sounds incredible and super easy. A must buy, in my opinion. And it's on sale.

For my first go around with the food processor, I decided to make one of the sweeter tapenades. I found a shortbread recipe on 101 Cookbooks - everything Heidi makes is divine - and used the shortbread as a base to slather on the date & almond tapenade. Kind of similar to Linzer Cookies, which I love. The result is heavenly.

Date & Almond Tapenade from pestos, tapenades & spreads

Ingredients

1 c pitted dates
1/2 c unsalted almonds
1 T balsamic vinegar
2 T canola oil
2 t fresh lemon juice
1-3 T water

makes about 1 cup

Directions

Throw dates, almonds, vinegar, oil, and lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor and mix until ingredients start to bind together. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until a coarse paste forms. And that's it. Spread over fresh bread and top with cheese or, as I did, over the most delectable shortbread cookie of all time.

those cookies

2011-03-22T13:52:00.011-04:00

Every Christmas when we were little, Aunt Patty would make a variety of cookies for dessert. Tucked between Russian Tea Cakes, Peanut Butter Thumbprints, and the occasional red or green wrapped Hershey's Kiss, were these cookies with coconut, chocolate chips, and a thick buttery graham cracker crust. In my eight-year-old mind, they were the culinary equivalent of chocolate souffle and Aunt Patty was a genius. I looooooved them. For some reason, no one knew the name of them so my sister and I referred to them as those cookies.

Years later when I was away at college, my mom found the recipe for those cookies. !!!!!!! The name? Magic Bars. Quite possibly the most appropriate name ever bestowed upon a dessert.

Magic Bars

Ingredients

8 T butter
1 1/2 c graham cracker crumbs
14 oz can condensed milk
2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/3 c flaked coconut
1 c chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Crush graham crackers. In a 13" x 9" baking dish, melt butter in oven. Once melted, layer the rest of the ingredients evenly: graham crackers, condensed milk, walnuts, chocolate chips, and coconut. Press down firmly with a fork. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Eat.

Ummm, you're welcome.

new prints in my shop

2011-03-22T11:48:00.004-04:00

Don't follow me on Facebook? Then you probably don't know that I added a few limited edition food photographs to my shop. So go now and check them out!

super moon

2011-03-21T09:51:00.006-04:00

Did you see the moon over the weekend? Although not as big from where I was standing (my fire escape) as it was in other places, it was still gorgeous. It was closest on Saturday, but the cloud cover on Friday made it much more dramatic and picturesque.

Friday

Saturday

more sideways thinking

2011-03-19T11:59:00.002-04:00

I went to the park again yesterday to practice my new rule breaking mindset. Here are some of the results.

All photos were taken digitally with my Nikon D700 using a 105mm lens. All photos are straight from my camera; no alterations were made in Lightroom.

thinking sideways

2011-03-18T09:29:00.016-04:00

I am extremely hard on myself so it is rare that really love one of my photographs. Perhaps it will compel me to always better myself; or perhaps it is to my detriment. Whatever the case, I felt that I needed to evolve my way of seeing. I researched books on the subject and decided on Freeman Patterson's Photography and the Art of Seeing. It was published in 1985 and I think it's out of print at this point (I bought a used copy), but the art of seeing is timeless. I can't recommend this book enough for photographers of all levels. A paragraph on the first page summarizes the book perfectly:

"Letting go of self is an essential precondition to real seeing. When you let go of yourself, you abandon any preconceptions about the subject matter that might cramp you into photographing in a certain, predetermined way. As long as you are worried about whether or not you will be able to make good pictures, or are concerned about enjoying yourself, you are unlikely either to make the best photographs you can or to experience the joy of photography to the fullest. But when you let go, new conceptions arise from your direct experience of the subject matter, and new ideas and feelings will guide you as you make pictures."

What really draws me to this book is how Mr. Patterson's statements apply to life in general and to letting go of preconceived notions of yourself and others. I love that.

But back to photography... One of Mr. Patterson's key ideas is "thinking sideways." I often get caught up in capturing what I think is the perfect image, so this idea of thinking about what you shouldn't photograph resonated with me. Yesterday I went to the park and set out to "break" my own rules of photography. Here are some of the results.

Update: I forgot to mention that all photos were taken digitally with my Nikon D700, using either a 105mm or 16-35mm lens. All photos are straight from my camera; no alterations were made in Lightroom.

etsy love: orange is the sun

2011-03-17T05:15:00.001-04:00

Compleeeeeetely obsessed with these bracelets from etsy shop orange is the sun. The funky buttons and color combos are perfection. I need one, or even two...

*Images by orange is the sun.

macaroni & cheese with sauteed shallots and onion

2011-03-16T08:29:00.006-04:00

Macaroni and cheese is one of my all time favorite dishes. Nothing makes me happier than pasta smothered in cheese.

I've tried other macaroni & cheese recipes, but they've all been too heavy (and that's saying a lot considering my affinity for cheese). I found this recipe in The Illustrated Quick Cook and added sauteed shallots and onion in white wine and butter. The result is a decadently rich flavor without any heaviness. Tis divine.

Macaroni & Cheese with sauteed shallots and onion
Adapted from The Illustrated Quick Cook

Ingredients

2 T unsalted butter
1 T all-purpose flour
1 1/4 c organic whole milk
1 1/2 c shredded sharp white cheddar
12 oz mezze penne
1 small shallot
1/2 small yellow onion
Splash of white wine
Sea salt & fresh ground pepper
Fresh parsley

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Chop shallot and onion into small pieces. Melt 1 T of butter in a small pot over medium heat. Once melted, add shallot and onion. Saute until slightly soft and add a splash of white wine. Let the wine burn off a bit. Season with salt and pepper and put aside.

Melt remaining tablespoon of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, remove from heat, and stir in flour with wooden spoon until well blended. Return to heat and gradually add milk, whisking constantly until the sauce begins to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the cheese until melted. Add onion mixture and add salt and pepper to taste.

Meanwhile, cook pasta as package directs. Drain, reserving a small amount (1/2 cup or so) of the cooking water. Return pasta to the pot and toss with reserved cooking water. Mix in the cheese sauce and blend well. Transfer into a baking dish, I used an 8 inch square dish, top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese, and bake for 10-15 minutes or until bubbly-hot.

Garnish with fresh parsley. Mangia!

shower gift part deux

2011-03-14T11:40:00.000-04:00

And now for the second part of Baby J's gift and my labor of love.

I knew I wanted to knit something super special and unique that Baby J would have forever so I scoured the mecca of creative projects: Purl Bee. (Have you been? It's life changing. Seriously.) I fell in love with the Log Cabin Baby Blanket. The only snag was that up until that point I had only knit scarves and neck warmers. But really, how difficult could a baby blanket be? Not difficult at all!! according to the sales associate at Purl Soho. Awesome! So I bought 12 skeins of Alchemy Temple yarn - hand painted, washable, and so so soft - and got to work.

That was last October. A week later I abandoned the project for two months for fear of going out of my mind. It was not easy and the instructions made absolutely no sense to me. I literally started the first block of color over at least 12 times. If it didn't look perfect (I have a complex) I would rip out the stitches and start over. And not just for the first color, but for ANY color that didn't look perfect. Ugggghhh.

When Christmas rolled around I started to panic. I had only knit four color blocks and had a little over three months to finish. So I picked it up again and shockingly everything fell into place. I was was knitting like a champ. So the moral of this long-winded story? Absolutely take on difficult projects that leave you teetering on the brink of insanity.

Alas, I finished it the day before the shower.

(My mom's carpet is the exact same color as the grayish/brown yarn. Random, right?)

I think it's kinda awesome.

shower gift part one

2011-03-14T08:57:00.006-04:00

The shower was a wild success. The company was wonderful, the food delish, and Theresa received so many awesome and thoughtful gifts. I'll fill you in on the details and such, but first the gifts since I've been dying to tell you about them.

My first gift: mini bean bags.

I got the idea for these little guys from a shop in the city and decided to make them myself. I sewed tiny squares of fabric together, filled them with dried split peas, and voila! Little toys for Baby J to squeeze, toss, and gnaw-slash-drool on. And as it turns out, quite entertaining for adults as well...

I got a little carried away photographing them. I just couldn't help myself.

sew, knit, repeat.

2011-03-09T09:49:00.008-05:00

Several months ago I decided it would be awesome!! to make all of the baby gifts AND decorations for Theresa's baby shower this Saturday. I started everything two days ago.

I spent the last two days knitting, measuring, cutting, sewing, and laboring over color/pattern combos. Our apartment was literally covered in fabric pieces, lint bits from cutting said fabric (OMG they get EVERYWHERE!!!), yarn, string, coffee cups... Nightmare. After copious amounts of coffee and The Velvet Underground, I finished everything last night. Except for the knitting project. That's what the train ride is for, right?

BUT. I have lots of super cute projects to share with you next week. See you then!

8 months

2011-03-06T15:06:00.003-05:00

Theresa is now 34 weeks pregnant. Eeeep! It's getting SO CLOSE! We hung out in Baby J's room this weekend for her 8 month pictures. Isn't her room awesome?! I'll do a full post once they're finished decorating. So for now, pictures of the lovely mama to be.

I love this one. It's how I always picture my sister.

You can see more here.

little lucas

2011-03-04T11:12:00.008-05:00

Remember the favors I made for my friend, Erin's, baby shower last summer? This is her little guy, Lucas. Could he be any cuter?! He was laughing the entire time I was photographing him.

This is my fave. He was looking up at his mama when I took it. So so cute.

super rad chair

2011-03-03T11:22:00.004-05:00

Right?! Love it.

*Photo by PM Custom.

spring flowers

2011-03-01T09:11:00.004-05:00

On this beautiful first day of March and my first day working at home, I am looking at the gorgeous flowers my former coworkers in London sent me. Thanks everyone. They are absolutely lovely.

eeeeeekk!!

2011-02-28T21:18:00.003-05:00

A stock agency accepted my photographs! One job ends and a new one is already beginning. Wow. I can't believe it.

end of an era

2011-02-27T10:42:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow is my last day at work. After that, things will be really really different... But in an amazing oh-my-god-I'm-doing-what-I-love way. Woo hoo!!

7 months

2011-02-13T21:44:00.006-05:00

I love these.

jumping in

2011-02-07T17:58:00.002-05:00

Fall in love or fall in hate.
Get inspired or be depressed.
Ace a test or flunk a class.
Make babies or make art.
Speak the truth or lie and cheat.
Dance on tables or sit in the corner.
Life is divine chaos. Embrace it.
Forgive yourself. Breathe.
And enjoy the ride...

-Solbeam

I quit my job today.

I am actually going to pursue my dream of being a photographer. As in, Oh yes, I make my living as a photographer. F--k yeah.

Because if I didn't, I'd never be able to say I lived my life without regrets. It's going to be a hell of a ride...

*Photo by Nuno Santos.

etsy love: upper metal class

2011-02-04T07:04:00.006-05:00

I have been on the hunt for a unique pair of every day earrings for years. Years. That sounds a bit ridiculous, but tis true. While trolling Etsy the other week, I stumbled upon Upper Metal Class. Um, it's awesome. Check out these rad necklaces.

AND I found TWO perfect pairs of earrings. I bought both.

Love.

*All images via Upper Metal Class.

cold soba with carrots & black sesame seeds

2011-01-29T12:33:00.007-05:00

I LOVE cold soba. Love love love. I have been scouring the internet for a suitable recipe for months now. I wasn't able to find one that sounded perfect, so I pulled elements from these two recipes: Nigella's Soba Noodles with Sesame Seeds and Molly's Soba with Peanut-Citrus Sauce. To my utter delight (and surprise), the outcome was brilliant. Twill be a new staple in the Ghimire household.

I kinda threw everything in, tasting and adjusting as I went, so use the below as a guide. And if you don't like spicy food, go easy on the chili garlic sauce. It adds amazing flavor so definitely add at least one spoonful.

Cold Soba with Carrots & Black Sesame Seeds

Ingredients

1/2 - 3/4 lb. soba noodles
1 large carrot, sliced thin (we used our new veggie slicer. f-king life changing.)
1/3 cup black sesame seeds
6-7 t soy sauce
3 t honey
2-3 t sesame seed oil
4 scallions
juice of one lime
1-3 spoonfuls of chili garlic sauce (depending on spice preference)

Directions

First, make the sauce. In a large bowl, mix sesame seeds, soy sauce, honey, sesame seed oil, lime juice, and chili garlic sauce. Mix well.

Meanwhile, boil water in a large pot. When the water is boiling, add the soba noodles. Reduce heat and cook at a gentle simmer until noodles are al dente. They cook fast, so be careful. Drain noodles in a colander and immediately wash them in cool water. Keep the water running and using your hands, pick up small handfuls and separate them between your fingers, taking care to rinse each noodle. According to Molly, "washing" the noodles helps remove any starchy residues and keeps the noodles from clumping.

Drain any excess water from the noodles and then mix them in the bowl of sauce. Gently toss the noodles until they are evenly coated. Add the carrots and scallions and mix again. Next time I may add red peppers or English cucumbers.

We had ours with a side of sauteed Bok Choy. YUM.

blueberry almond buckwheat scones

2011-01-26T07:38:00.003-05:00

Top 'o the mornin' to ya! It's snowing again (uuuggghhh) which is the perfect excuse to eat homemade scones while snuggled up on the couch watching DVDs of Mad Men. (Unfortunately I will have to wait until I get home from work to do that. Lame.) I'm officially obsessed with making scones after discovering this amazing recipe, which I made for Christmas brunch. This recipe is a twist from Molly's Buckwheat Bundt Cake with Blueberries that I made this summer (which you MUST try). So so good.

Blueberry Almond Buckwheat Scones

Ingredients

1/4 c buckwheat flour
1 c plus 4 T unbleached flour
1/4 c sugar
1 3/4 t baking powder
1 c heavy cream
3/4 c dried blueberries
1/2 c chopped almonds
pinch of salt

Directions

Heat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with two layers of parchment paper. Apparently this protects the bottoms from browning before the tops are done. Brilliant!

Mix flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in almonds. Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour the cream into it. Push the dry ingredients into the well with a rubber spatula until just mixed. Mix in the blueberries (I find it easiest to use my hands at this point). Transfer dough onto a lightly flours surface. Press into a circle, about an inch thick. Cut into 8 equal-size wedges. Place the wedges 1 inch apart on baking sheet. If you'd like, brush the tops with a bit of extra cream and a sprinkling of sugar. Bake until just browned on the top, about 15 minutes.

Enjoy with your morning coffee and a clementine. Yum.

clementines

2011-01-23T06:03:00.001-05:00

peels

2011-01-22T10:29:00.000-05:00

etsy love: petit collage

2011-01-21T17:44:00.007-05:00

Sooooo... I kind of feel like Baby J is half mine. And yes, I don't know how it feels to be expecting parents, but I am convinced I am only slightly less excited than they are. I spend my free time scouring the internet for adorable mobiles, stalking ittikid's website for sales (could their stuff be ANY cuter?!), and say a silent prayer every day that she'll love me as much as I already love her.

So whilst scouring this evening, I came across petit collage and had a mini heart attack. Lorena Siminovich, the genius behind this shop, can do no wrong. Look.

Bamboo mobiles!

The cutest owl letterpress note cards ever!

Little animals printed on wood!

And there is SO MUCH MORE!! Go now. You will love.

*Images via petit collage.

thumbprints

2011-01-19T06:54:00.001-05:00

I found a recipe for Cranberry Thumbprints in the November issue of Sunset magazine the other day (yes, I'm that behind in my magazines). The article was about using leftovers from Thanksgiving, hence the cranberry sauce. Since it's way past Thanksgiving and I loath cranberry sauce, I used chocolate chips. Any filling will do though.

Chocolate Chip Thumbprints

Ingredients

1 c unsalted butter
3/4 c packed light brown sugar
1 t vanilla extract
3/4 t cinnamon
3/4 c pecan pieces
pinch of salt
chocolate chips

Makes 25 cookies

Directions

Using a hand beater, mix butter and light brown sugar together in a large bowl until smooth. Add flour, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Mix on low speed until blended. Stir in pecans. Form dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and place on a greased baking sheet. Use your thumb to press a well into the center of each cookie. Place a few chocolate chips in each well. Bake cookies until light golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely on baking sheet.

Enjoy!

escarole & white bean soup with orzo

2011-01-17T12:26:00.005-05:00

I spent what was intended to be a very productive three-day weekend on the couch with a heinous cold. I finally ventured out of the apartment this morning determined to make myself soup. My mom makes the most amazing escarole and white bean soup, which sounded perfect. I decided to wing it and make my own version, adding orzo for extra sustenance. The end result? Perfection.

Escarole & White Bean soup with Orzo

Ingredients

8 c low sodium organic chicken broth
6 c roughly chopped escarole
1 c orzo
1 can Northern white beans
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 T olive oil
Fresh ground pepper
Locatelli

Makes 4 main course servings

Directions

In a medium soup pot, bring 8 cups of chicken broth to a boil.

Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Add oil. When oil is hot, add minced garlic. Saute until just brown and add escarole. Lower heat to medium-low. Let escarole cook down a bit and then add beans, including liquid. Cook on low heat.

Once the broth is boiling, add the orzo. Let simmer for about 8 minutes and then pour into escarole and bean mix. Bring everything to a boil. Add pepper and Locatelli to taste. Personally, I like a lot of Locatelli as I think it makes the soup. But it's up to you. I don't add any salt since the broth, beans, and cheese already have a salt, but you can add if you like.

I'm on my second bowl as I write this. Delish.

more snow

2011-01-12T17:42:00.003-05:00

And it's wicked cold out. Sweet.

6 months

2011-01-09T22:31:00.000-05:00

Jingle jingle. Theresa is now six months pregnant. AND I got to feel Baby J kick! Ah! Here's a few belly shots of the lovely soon-to-be mama at their house.

By the big Christmas tree...

And the mini. So cute.

You can see more pics here.

nylon mag

2011-01-06T20:28:00.003-05:00

Whoa. Has anyone seen the December/January issue of Nylon? It's perfection. And Melodie McDaniel's photos of Mila Kunis are off. the. hook. I can't stop looking at them. Can someone please get me a photography gig at Nylon? Seriously.

i love handmade cards

2011-01-04T17:56:00.005-05:00

My sister made this little note card as a thank you note for the baby gift we gave to her. Isn't her illustration super cute? Love. I think she should sell them, don't you?

happy happy

2010-12-30T22:05:00.003-05:00

To my dear readers: Cheers to a new year filled with much love, happiness, laughter, inspiration, and new experiences. Thank you all for coming back day after day. You guys are awesome and I'm so grateful for your support.

We're headed to Philly to ring in the new year with friends, one being a dear friend of mine from middle school. I can't wait.

Love to you all! See you in 2011!

*Photograph by Amy Geliebter.

cesha's sauce

2010-12-21T19:36:00.004-05:00

My grandmother, Cesha, is a hell of a cook. And her sauce is legendary in my family. It is simple in appearance - smooth and seedless - but has a robust flavor. It is perfect in lasagna, atop a bowl of meatballs, or as Vivek prefers, by the spoonful. It took me several failed attempts to master it. I have tweaked a few things along the way and although I don't think mine will ever taste as good as Cesha's, I think this version is pretty close.

Be sure to use the best ingredients you can afford; especially the tomatoes. The ladies in my family swear by Cora, but I can't find them in my neighborhood so I use Sclafani.

Cesha's Sauce

Ingredients

1/4 c olive oil
4 cloves of garlic, peeled
2 cans of whole peeled Roma tomatoes
1/2 medium yellow onion
1 forkful of capers plus 1 spoonful of the juice
4-5 fresh basil leaves (or a sprinkle of dried)
Splash of sweet vermouth
Fresh ground pepper

Serves 4 - 6

Directions

In a medium pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Toss in garlic cloves and cook until browned. Remove garlic and set aside. Turn off heat and remove pot from burner. Let the oil cool completely, then put the food mill on top of the pot and mill tomatoes until you can't squeeze any more juice out of them. Remove food mill and turn heat on high. Using a garlic press, press garlic cloves into sauce. Add onion (whole, not chopped), capers, caper juice, basil, and vermouth. Add pepper to taste. I don't use any salt as the tomatoes and capers are salty on their own. Bring sauce to a boil, then let simmer uncovered for 1 hour. Sauce will reduce and thicken. Pour over your favorite pasta (I had Gnocchi this time) and top with lots of freshly grated cheese.

Mangia!

short boy

2010-12-20T20:00:00.000-05:00

May I present our tree.

The short boy. He's juuuust about four feet. Wicked cute, right?

marshmallow world

2010-12-19T21:38:00.005-05:00

I thought I'd start Christmas week off with my ALL TIME favorite Christmas song. I never knew there was a video until Vivek found this on YouTube. I almost died. If this doesn't make you smile there is something wrong with you.

I love the cigarette in Dean's hand. How many drinks do you think he's had?

siblings

2010-12-14T18:16:00.006-05:00

I had the pleasure of photographing my dear friends last month. Jeseka, Allen, and Eldin are three of my favorite people. They are funny, kind, generous, good people. Jeseka, my friend and former partner-in-crime at Conde Nast, asked if I would take a few pictures of them before Eldin flees New York City for Las Vegas. Um, absolutely. Eldin and I traveled to Malaysia together with Habitat for Humanity (which bonds you for LIFE), so I kinda felt like my little brother was leaving me too.

They were such hams in front of the camera and took me out for beers and wings after. They know how to woo me.

This is my fave.

Aw, love you guys.

indie gift guide

2010-12-06T06:35:00.004-05:00

The Nightwood Holiday Fair was super cool, guys. I met so many supremely talented artists and designers, some of which are listed below. If you missed it last weekend, don't fret. We'll be there again this weekend from 12-6! Be sure to stop by!!

It's holiday time! I haven't started my shopping yet, which is very unlike me. However, time seems to have gotten away from me recently (hence the lack of blog posts, oops). As I did last year, I am determined to support independent designers as much as possible. Especially now that I'm one of them. Here are my faves this year.

Mixed bag
Cactus & Quail

I love everything Jamie does. The girl has serious talent. So you are sure to find something awesome from her newly launched shop Cactus & Quail. I scooped up one of her lovely bamboo bird ornaments (we're slowly building our ornament collection). Cute, no? AND she has tons of other gorgeous items to boot.

Art
DRIFT(ED)

I met Anne-Claire of DRIFT(ED) at the Nightwood Holiday Fair last weekend (where we were both vendors). Not only is she incredibly sweet, but her work is just beautiful. Her ink and water pieces are one of a kind. I had to pick one up for me-self.

For Him
C. Chauchat

Spruce up your frumpy brother/dad/bf/husband's look with a rad handmade tie or better yet, bowtie, by C. Chauchat. You can buy online OR pick one up at Nightwood this weekend. Cause they'll be there too.

Jewels
Iwona Ludyga Designs

Yet ANOTHER talented designer from Nightwood. (Do I sound like a broken record yet?) But seriously, Iwona is incredible and so nice. She makes jewerly, knits (like a machine!), and designs clothing. Wow. And I'm officially obsessed with all of her jewelry. I may or may not have bought a pair of earrings for myself over the weekend. I don't usually lavish myself with gifts around the holidays, which I realize it's beginning to sound like. Errr...

Sweet Treats
Whimsy & Spice

When in doubt, buy 'em food. I highly recommend sweet treats from Whimsy & Spice. Their Honey & Lavender shortbread cookies are TO DIE FOR. And someone needs to try the homemade espresso marshmallows.

So much awesomeness from so many talented independent designers. Happy shopping!

*All images are from the corresponding designer's websites.

nightwood holiday market

2010-12-01T06:53:00.004-05:00

First, thank you SO MUCH for all of your sweet comments here, on Facebook, Twitter, and via email. AND to Jen for her sweet post about my shop! They mean so much to me and I am so so grateful for your support. Keep 'em coming. I am greedy.

Now for another piece of great news. GUYS! I'm going to be selling my prints at Nightwood's Holiday Fair this weekend and next at their Brooklyn pop-up shop! This is a first for me and I couldn't be more excited-slash-shitting-my-pants. There are are some fabulous artists and designers lined up. AND I heard there is going to be Mexican street food. Dude. Could it get ANY better??

Come by and support independent artists and designers! I'd love to meet some of my readers!

it's here it's here it's here!

2010-11-29T06:01:00.009-05:00

My photography print shop! This has been in the works for a while and I am so excited that it's finally ready to share with all of you. The shop will feature limited edition signed prints from film, digital, and instant images I've taken along the way. I hope you love it. And I really hope that someone other than my mom buys something. (No offense, mama.) Oh, and if you like what you see, pass my shop link along to friends and family!

http://mercieghimirephotography.bigcartel.com

Go now!

5 months

2010-11-26T18:03:00.001-05:00

Gobble gobble. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It's my absolute favorite holiday. We go to my sister and brother-in-law's house every year to whoop it up. We had an awesome time as always. And look! Here she is five months prego! Yay!! Isn't the little turkey super cute? Theresa traced her hand and made it into a turkey. Awwww.

rad trivets

2010-11-22T21:25:00.005-05:00

Here's a little crafty awesomeness for Monday. I went upstate over the weekend for my grandmother's 88th birthday. Happy Birthday Cesha!! I also saw my great Aunt Ginny, who is still rockin' it at 90. She gave me trivets she made with her loom back in the 80's (along with her pickle recipe). Aren't they awesome?!

The ladies in my family rock. I can't wait to use them.

I haven't been around because...

2010-11-19T11:31:00.003-05:00

SOMETHING BIG IS IN THE WORKS! I've been working my tail off and will hopefully be able to share it with you next week! YAY!!

(and no, it has nothing to do with bowling.)

Have a lovely lovely weekend!!

photobooths never get old

2010-11-15T19:33:00.004-05:00

They just don't. These are two of like twenty from a wedding last month at Bryant Park Grill (sooooo beautiful). Yeah, we're those people.

Sweet and sober.

Sweaty and not so sober.

If you're getting married, get one of these. They're so f-king fun.

back to 35mm film

2010-11-15T17:38:00.003-05:00

My brother-in-law had a 30-year-old Canon AV-1 along with FIVE PRISTINE lenses sitting in a mildewy box in their basement. DUDE. I can definitely take that off your hands, thankyouverymuch. It's on loan (permanently?!) to moi so I brought it along on our trip to Storm King last month. Aside from some crud on the body and a rusted back hatch that must be pried open with a quarter, everything else seemed fine. After waiting with baited breath for the filmed to get developed, I am super excited to report that IT WORKS. What up.

I love the beautiful graininess of film. Love love love it.

orange-currant scones

2010-11-12T00:00:00.006-05:00

I had brunch at Rice in DUMBO last month. They served the most delectable warm currant scones with lemon curd. Yuuuuuummm. I could have eaten the entire plate. So when they popped into my head yesterday I had to make them immediately. I trolled the internet for Rice's recipe to no avail. Luckily I found a delicious substitute: Zuni Cafe's Orange-Currant Scones. Although I found the recipe on Williams-Sonoma's website, it turns out Zuni Cafe has a cookbook. Hmmm. That may need to make it's way into my cookbook collection... I love cookbooks. And scones. I really really love scones.

Zuni Cafe's Orange-Currant Scones

Ingredients

2 c all-purpose flour
1/4 c sugar
3 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
8 T cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 c currants
1 egg
1/2 c heavy cream
zest of 1 orange

Makes 8 scones

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add butter until pea-size crumbs form. Stir in the currants.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, cream, and orange zest until blended. Add to the flour mixture.

Using a fork, stir to form large, moist clumps of dough. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and press together with your hands until the dough comes together. Roll out the dough (I just used my hands), flouring as needed, into a 10-inch round about 3/4 of an inch thick. Cut into 8 equal-size wedges. Place the wedges 1 inch apart on baking sheet.

Bake until the scones are golden, about 25 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes on a cooling rack. We ate them for dinner last night with a dollop of lemon curd. YUM.

in our backyards

2010-11-11T07:59:00.000-05:00

Founded in 2008, ioby (in our backyards) is a nonprofit organization based in Brooklyn. It connects donors and volunteers to environmental projects in their neighborhoods to inspire new environmental knowledge and action in New York City. In their words:

ioby offers a reminder that the 'environment' is not just the Amazon rainforest or the Arctic glaciers, and that tangible environmental work is urgently needed right here on the streets and sidewalks of New York City.

Cool, right? They're hosting a charity event TONIGHT.

If you live in New York City, you should definitely check it out. Tickets are $65. What does that include you ask? FREE beer from Brooklyn Brewery, FREE whiskey cocktails, chow from Dirt Candy, plus raffles and prizes.

Good cause, good booze, good food. Dude, it's a no brainer.

*Artwork by okfine studio.

words of advice

2010-11-10T16:24:00.015-05:00

"I believe that – if you are serious about a life of writing, or indeed about any creative form of expression – that you should take on this work like a holy calling."

—Elizabeth Gilbert

walls notebook

2010-11-09T20:14:00.006-05:00

This was supposed to be our wedding guest book. Cool, right? I bought it online like 10 months before our wedding. I was super stoked about it. Oooh, people can doodle and write witty comments on rad photographs that I wish I had taken! Oh, and here is an array of Sharpies to further encourage creativity, guys! It's going to be awesome!

I forgot to put it out. I found it a month after our wedding in a box filled with our leftover centerpieces.

It STILL chaps my hide thinking about it...

once mini. now gigantic.

2010-11-08T06:03:00.011-05:00

Remember this 2 inch x 4 inch Instax I took?

It's now a 3 feet x 5 feet C-Print in our living room.

F-king awesome, right?! It took me years to decide what photograph of mine to enlarge. But when I took this photo a couple months ago, I knew immediately it was the one. It's unbelievable how much bigger our apartment feels now. I wanted the entire piece to be seamless. Mounting it on plexiglass allows you to focus on just the image. Plus I love the reflections on the plexiglass.

My first photograph enlarged and framed. I love it.

Update: Whoa, influx of people from Jamie's post! I'm so glad you like it and since a lot of you asked, here's the deal. Graphic Lab in Manhattan worked with us to get exactly what we wanted. They did an awesome job (as you can see). We gave them the dimensions and they did a high-res scan of the photo. They provided a proof and the resolution was spot on. We asked them to glue the photo on 1/4" thick gator board and then glue 1/8" plexiglass on top of that. There is no frame. To hang, there is a long beveled block on the back of the artwork (about 1" thick) and a matching block which you drill into the wall. The artwork is lowered onto the wall block to hang. The piece weighs about 40 pounds. I hope that answers your questions! Many thanks to Jamie for posting about it!

voted

2010-11-02T23:58:00.004-04:00

My mom volunteered at the local polls when we were little. I remember her telling me how fortunate we are that we're given the opportunity to make a difference. She instilled in me the belief that my opinion matters.
I never forgot that.

I turned 18 in 1996 and voted in my first presidential election the same year. It was a turning point in my young adult life and to this day, I still feel an incredible sense of hope, excitement, and pride when I walk into the polling room.

I hope you voted today.

4 months

2010-11-01T06:28:00.002-04:00

My sister, Theresa, is four months pregnant! YAY!!! I'm going to be an aunt!!! Oh my god, I don't think I've ever been this excited. Okay, perhaps when I got married, but this is a close second. I love little cuties. It's nearly impossible to resist spending gobs of money on onesies, wooden toys, hooded ducky towels, sock monkeys...

Anyway. Theresa agreed to let me snap pictures of her belly over the next several months. She gets to keep the pics and I get to practice my portraiture. Win win. Here are some of my faves from our first session yesterday.

Aw, isn't she beautiful? Lots more belly shots to come...

happy halloween

2010-10-31T17:36:00.002-04:00

We helped my sister and brother-in-law carve their pumpkins last night. So fun. Have a happy one!

lost

2010-10-27T20:46:00.005-04:00

Taken with a Polaroid SX-70 on PX 70 Color Shade film.

butter lettuce, pear, and toasted pecan salad

2010-10-26T11:28:00.008-04:00

Okay, this is the best salad I have ever concocted. EVER. The Butter lettuce is light, making it a perfect first course. The toasted pecans, pears, and manchego are just the right mix of sweet and nutty. Truly divine.

Ingredients

1 head of Butter lettuce
1/2 c pecans, toasted & chopped
3/4 of a pear, peeled & diced
Olive Oil
Champagne Vinegar
Pepper

Yields two first course servings.

Directions

Toast pecans in toaster oven (or oven) at 300 for 5-7 minutes. Turn frequently so they don't burn. In a large bowl, add in torn pieces of lettuce, pecans, and pears. Toss with fresh ground pepper, olive oil, and champagne vinegar to taste. Personally, I prefer to add more oil than vinegar, but it's up to you. As I've said before, use the best olive oil you can get. It makes all the difference. Top with freshly grated manchego. Delish. I was licking my bowl.

Update: Oops. I forgot to mention that it's best to use an overly ripe pear as the juices add flavor to the dressing.

keith's life

2010-10-25T13:33:00.007-04:00

I just read the Times review about Life and am dying to read it. The lives of rock stars are fascinating, aren't they? Especially badass rockers from the 60s and 70s. Um, did anyone witness the sheer brilliance that was Keith blowing a cigarette out of his mouth while on stage jamming away in Shine a Light? Holy sh*t. It was awwwesome. We replayed it at least 10 times. Perhaps the only good part of the film, unfortunately.

I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of it.

anniversary weekend: storm king & balthazar

2010-10-22T07:41:00.006-04:00

Sunday we drove an hour north of the city to Storm King, a 500 acre sculpture park in New York's Hudson Valley. It houses works by Richard Serra, Roy Lichtenstein, Maya Lin, and David von Schlegell, to name a few. I've never seen anything like it before.

The weather was beautiful and the foliage was amazing. I was very excited. Clearly.

A few of the exhibit highlights, in my opinion.

And a few of us.

Isn't it beautiful there?? I highly recommend going in the fall. The vibrant foliage is quite a contrast against the sculptures.

Later that night we had an incredible dinner at Balthazar. Fresh oysters, steak frites, wine... We were too busy oohing and ahhing over the food to take any pictures though.

And that was a our anniversary weekend. So lovely. Happy anny, lovey!

anniversary weekend: the whitney & central park

2010-10-20T11:30:00.002-04:00

After a most delicious breakfast, we made our way to the Whitney. The wind was whipping and there was a distinct fall chill in the air. As we turned down 73rd Street, the sun tucked behind the clouds, the wind whipped and it felt like we were in a different city. Gothic buildings with spidery vines crawling upwards and a Bates Motel sign blinking eerily. It reminded me of the days leading up to Halloween as a child.

The Lee Friedlander: America By Car exhibit at the Whitney was extraordinary. The nearly 200 photographs capture his time spent driving through almost every state in the U.S. As I studied each of the photographs, I was struck by how intentional his composition was. At first glance, the photographs appear to be just a snapshot from a car window. But a closer look reveals the precise framing and composition of each part of the image. It is simply fascinating to see what he chose to include in each part of the image. (No photos were allowed in the exhibit, but I did take a couple of the lobby.)

After the museum, we wandered around Central Park for a while. Walking to the top of Belvedere Castle.

Past The Met, where we caught a glimpse of Big Bambu.

And then headed home for cocktails and dinner.

More anniversary weekend adventures to come...

anniversary weekend: let's start with breakfast...

2010-10-19T17:42:00.006-04:00

Our anniversary weekend started out pretty much how it ended: with food. Burg's French Toast from A Homemade Life, to be exact. I never thought it possible to make restaurant worthy french toast in my own kitchen - my standards are pretty high after living down the street from Mama's in San Francisco - but this little nugget proved me wrong. WOW. Made with Challah, it's deliciously rich and has the perfect combination of crispy outside and moist inside. Topped with bananas and lots of pure maple syrup it's mind bogglingly good.

After we recovered from our food comas, we headed to the Whitney and Central Park. More on that to come...

one

2010-10-17T05:54:00.009-04:00

one year ago today i married the man who still has that adorable smirk, giant head, and child-like zest for life. and yes, when the first time i saw this picture i pretty much died and knew i had to marry him.

nobo,

your humor and enthusiasm for life are infectious. i am so excited to spend the rest of my days with you. i love you a thousand times over.

xo,
nobi

still

2010-10-15T10:34:00.005-04:00

Taken with a Polaroid SX-70 on PX 100 Silver Shade film.

movement

2010-10-12T20:55:00.005-04:00

Taken with PX 70 Color Shade film from the Impossible Project.

Last bits of green...

2010-10-11T18:20:00.002-04:00

For Monday (which I'm very very stoked is over). Two more days and then I'm on holiday. Woo hoo!!

nutty chocolate coconut cookies

2010-10-06T14:28:00.007-04:00

From my new favorite blog, Mae Bird. I am not one to make cookies without including lots of butter and white sugar, so a vegan/natural cookie recipe was completely foreign to me (Sucanat? Coconut Flour?). In fact, a couple years ago I'd declare you insane if you thought I'd bake an entire batch vegan cookies. But not anymore. In the last year or so, I've become quite the experimental cook. Now my motto is, f**k it, I'll try anything. A much better approach, if you ask me.

So I decided to give Mae Bird's Nutty Chocolate Coconut Cookies a whirl. Um, they're amazing. They aren't super sweet nor do they have the consistency of a traditional cookie, but I think that's what makes them so unique and delicious. Vivek said they reminded him of the sweets he grew up eating in Nepal. (And then proceeded to inhale six.) I think they are America's answer to Britain's biscuit. Dense, but still light, they are excellent paired with a cup of tea or coffee.

Nutty Chocolate Coconut Cookies by Mae Bird

Ingredients

1/2 c almond butter
1/4 c Sucanat (or natural brown sugar)
1/4 c honey
3 T coconut oil
1 c unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 c chopped raw walnuts
1/2 c dark chocolate chips
1/2 c coconut flour
Dash of salt

Makes about 15 cookies

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine everything EXCEPT the coconut flour. Really mix it together with your hands otherwise it's hard to get the coconut oil to meld into everything else. (Since I've never used coconut oil, I had no idea it was a solid. Random.) Once everything is good and mixed, add the coconut flour and mix well.

Roll dough into one inch balls. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until tops are golden brown.

Eat. Seriously guys, these are addicting. I made them last night and there are two left. To. Die. For.

A few things to note... My cookies didn't form into a typical cookie shape. They looked more like Russian Teacake Cookies (which I love)... Next time I'll cook them for about 10-12 minutes since my oven temperature tends to be on the warmer side. Seeing that this was my first time baking this type of recipe, I didn't know how to gauge things... The bottoms burned right away (which I also noticed on Mae Bird's site). Vivek suggested putting a baking sheet (with edges) up side down and then placing the baking sheet with your cookies on top of that. Hopefully that will solve the problem.

Update: I made these again last night (obsessed). I cooked them for 12 minutes and used the double baking sheet method. It worked brilliantly.

saturday at the park & photographs

2010-10-05T12:03:00.002-04:00

I used to live right down the street from Astoria Park; a beautiful park that runs along the East River and under the Triborough Bridge. Almost every night I'd walk along the river. I loved watching the barges make their way to the harbor and faint sound of the cars on the bridge. As the lights of the Manhattan skyline sparkled, my mind quieted and the stresses of the day seemed ever farther away.

I don't spend as much time there anymore. Since moving a few subway stops away, it seems like too much of any effort to go there after work. Or perhaps I'm just lazy now... So I was shocked to discover the new outdoor skate ramps under the bridge. The craziest part? On my walk there I kept thinking I wish I was at the skate park in Venice Beach. That would be an awesome place shoot today. And just like that, I saw the skaters.

A few shots taken with my new camera the very first day I used it. This sucker is going to help me get to the next level in my photography. I can't wait.

subway stop

2010-10-04T21:09:00.001-04:00

where my day begins.

heath fall/winter collection

2010-10-01T12:43:00.005-04:00

Apropos for the first of October, no? Looooove them. And yes, it's technically their winter collection but I couldn't bear to only write winter since I feel like it was just summer. Where did September go??

*Image via Heath Ceramics.

etsy love: thief & bandit

2010-09-30T07:58:00.003-04:00

Guys. Have you seen this shop? These funky wears are the brainchild of Amie Cunningham. All the fabrics are hand printed and goods are made in Richmond, VA.

Cool, right? She also designs tees, tanks, and scarves. Definitely worth checking out.

*Images via thief & bandit.

it's finally here!

2010-09-28T09:04:00.005-04:00

This is what I'm doing today. I am so f*king excited. I took the day off from work to do something I actually enjoy. Imagine. I can't wait to meet everyone, photograph, and hoard as much information into my brain as possible. Wheeeeee!