2.26.2011

firework studies



A beautiful book of grainy black-and-white fireworks, designed by Pierre Le Hors. He says:
firework studies is a book compiling photographs of fireworks in the night sky. by constraining nearly all tonal values to stark blacks and pure whites, the trails, explosions and clouds of debris are reduced to a series of simple repeated formal elements: arced lines, spherical bursts, and randomly dispersed particles. i made no effort to limit digital artifacts resulting from pushing the image files past their conventional range; the resulting noise becomes hard to distinguish from the texture of the fireworks themselves.
Couldn't resist adding this to my library, and it feels so good in my sloppily red-manicured hands. I like the idea of "reading" it: a couple giggles every now and then, maybe a tear-filled chapter, but definitely a happy ending.

2.25.2011

valentine's

For Valentine's Day I gave Sam an olive-colored stocking cap, which I embroidered a secret little heart onto. He gave me the chubbiest little cactus.

2.24.2011

a plant

. . . whose hair hangs in its face as mine does. Instant attraction.

Photo by Samuel, whose birthday is today.

Happy 

23rd, 

my boy.

2.23.2011

and provence





Now it's snowing in Chicago, and instead of having dreary Parisian thoughts, I'm having sunny Provençial ones. (I wonder what ever happened to that striped dress of mine.)

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Summer 2007

2.21.2011

paris



Dreary weather reminds me of the day I left Paris. After spending six weeks studying in France—which was also my first trip out of the States—I caught a cab outside of my hostel in Montmartre. It was dawn, and rainy, and I can't remember the song on the radio. But, mixed with the dawn and the rainy—and the Paris—I couldn't help but cry.

Paris, 2007

2.20.2011

rainy sunday


Today was rainy and cold, but there's something different about the air. The birds are chirping, and—even when it's hiding—the sun's a little brighter. Molly and I went thrifting, stopped for brunch, and spent an hour or two at the garden center. I collected some night dresses, terra cotta pots, and pretty patterned textiles (things a lot like this and this). And then I picked up a plant that bears a slight resemblance to myself. You'll see.

sparkly



It's the simple things, really.

2.18.2011

here was the sun


The sun was all over my apartment this morning, spreading cheer as it always does. I had a few blueberries from my CSA, in a tiny bowl that Molly gave me for Christmas. It's hand thrown (by her) and she gave me a set. I love this one with its perfect little drips of glaze sliding into the bowl.

(The cranes were included in that gift. She's good.)

2.15.2011

blooming


(. . . because the back of a Polaroid is almost just as beautiful.)

2.12.2011

eggs benedict

Someone made me Eggs Benedict for breakfast. It was sunny, and I carried around a new satchel that fell right out of m'dreams.

Happy Saturday, everyone.

2.08.2011

sea salt brownies



These are the best brownies I've ever made. (In fact, I . . . uh . . . baked two batches within three days.)

I have to run to a concert, but I'll post the recipe soon. For now, you can find it at its source.

2.03.2011

paperwhites



My paperwhite bulbs have begun growing roots. I'm ecstatic.

(Show you tomorrow.)

2.02.2011

snow day

This from the inside: (Frommer's Iceland + chai tea)

This from the outside: (20" snow = no work)
But, the truth is, I have work to do. So, let me get to it.