park | north central

i'm anxious to start visiting the places in the new york city garden guide i bought last fall, so we went to the conservatory garden located in northern central park on saturday. somehow, we managed to walk more than 3 miles and felt it that evening. it's still a bit early for spring flowers, but i can see the potential.

xo, cindy

pics | home & giveaway

hello, hello! i never cut my hair as a kid, but did so on my mom's raggedy ann doll. neither was happy even though my mom loved the asymmetrical look in design. these photos were taken for the picture fall class i'm taking after winning a spot on shutter sisters. i'm enjoying the indoor assignments as i've realized styled shots have been lacking around here.

i also won a copy of expressive photography and now have two, so i'm going to give one away. just leave a comment before october 18th telling me something you're enjoying these days and be sure to include an email address so i can contact you. i'll choose one winner using random.org and announce it next week. good luck!

xo, cindy

ps i forgot to say that i prefer symmetry and find myself giving that doll the eye with scissors in hand from time to time ;)!

life : home & flowers

song : kandi by One eskimO - from michelle's tweet

hello, hello! you know what? my life is driven by flowers. shocking news, i know ;). if i don't have enough around me, we're going to public gardens & parks to see them. i don't know how i'm not doing something in my work that involves - flowers. bi-zarre. here are a few floral-delights from around our place these days -

home
i read about the wonderful crochet pillowcases from rose hip on fryd + design. after thinking about it, i had to have a pair and they are so pretty. now, her shop is empty, but if you covet a pair she'll create a special order for you.

flowers
scott got into trouble for buying me the peonies. can you imagine? we saw them the day before at the supermarket and i took a pass because they were fully-opened and wouldn't last. he brought them home the next day and i kind of got mad because he didn't listen to me. but, i think he likes it when i take photos of the flowers he buys and post them. so, ok, i'll do it ;).

more flowers
the peonies mixed in nicely with iris from our tiny garden. we worked on it on sunday and i don't believe how much pain a 8' x 12' piece of land can cause. i suppose when you squeeze in 4 weeks worth of work into one day that can happen. the thing is we didn't plant a thing! so much for spring doing the heavy lifting once the tulips, daffodils and grape hyacinth are spent. it was good while it lasted. on to the weeds and roses!

read
the letterpress cover of slow love, how i lost my job, put on my pajamas & found happiness by dominique browning caught my eye in the bookstore. she was the editor-in-chief of house & garden for 13 years before it closed and it's interesting to read about someone who reached the pinnacle of success only to deal with its dissent and then find her way back, again. i'm really enjoying this book - it's poignant, enlightening and funny, plus it supports my new mantra about it never being too late to make a living doing what you love. i haven't lost my job (yet), but i am exploring my calling and might initiate the change myself (scary). happy wednesday!

xo, cindy

ps the lilies of the valley are also from our garden and they are one of my favorite flowers. i realized after taking the photo that they represent 'return of happiness'. wow, i didn't set it up! somehow these things just come together. i love that!

life : can do

song : every time you say goodbye by alison krauss
seriously love this song, although it has nothing to do with this post!

last week, i picked up i think i can by partners & spade in anthropologie. it features photos of plants growing through the cracks of concrete, bricks, etc., so i found one myself. i purchased the book because i don't always think i can, so any type of inspiration is encouraging. it might sound cliche, but if a tiny plant can make it here, well, you know how the rest goes. enjoy your weekend. i think you can!

xo, cindy

ps has anyone bought an ipad? i'm really tempted to tap into my rainy day fund if i can justify the spend. our laptop is ancient and i'd love to be able to look at our photos while traveling, which we don't do that much unless you include moving from the computer to the sofa ;).

love : ted's poem

song : can i stay by ray lamontagne

as previously mentioned, i'm very excited about valentine's day this year and although i don't read much poetry, i do love the book valentines by poet ted kooser. here's a poem for you -

tracks
using a cobbler's shoe last
i found one summer at a yard sale.
and the heavy leather uppers
from cast-off boots, a jigsaw,
some wood, an awl and thread,
and a few evenings sitting alone
thinking of you, i have fashioned
a pair of red valentine shoes
with heart-shaped wooden heels.
look for my tracks on your doorstep
where i stood with sore feet
through the evening, too timid to knock.

so tender and dear. i have two other poems by ted here and here. enjoy your day!

xo, cindy

ps the fairie is from the magpie and wardrobe.

fun : happiness is ...

embroidery by says you

art
this is home is a wonderful new project from erin and christa. participation is open to everyone by sharing an interpretation of the meaning of home through words or images. it's a really nice reminder about the most special place or state of mind there is. mine was home = love.

mail
receiving mail can be a very nice thing, especially from special people. the top postcard was sent to me by sweet jewels and i love the quote.

craft
the second photo includes a custom embroidery that i won in a giveaway by says you on design for mankind. it is just the most special piece and really unbelievable to receive. betsy is a very talented lady and makes the most charming embroideries with a touch of whimsy.

tradition
this might be corny, but i have a wonderful book illustrated by monica sheehan called be happy, a little book to help you live a happy life. one thing we've started just before falling a sleep is to reflect on the good things about our day. it's the last thing we do and so nice. sometimes, it's really simple like - we woke up!

hope you have a wonderful weekend! i'd really love to see julie & julia, but scott is working saturday (ugh!) and we're taking charlie to the high line on sunday. hope it's not too hot up there.

xo, cindy

ps i won a couple of other contests last month and will feature them soon.

books : national punctuation day

Dear Readers:

I just found out that it is National Punctuation Day, although I'm sure one day is not nearly enough for us. You can read more about it on NowPublic.

Sincerely yours,
Cindy

s/he : sweet-heart

He: "Hello Mrs. K. How was your day?"
She: "Very good Mr. K. Busy, but productive. And you?"
He: "The same, except for a couple of meetings."
She: "That's good. It's been a tumultuous week. Wouldn't you agree?"
He: "Yes. Hurricane Ike, Wall Street meltdowns, and marital discourse."
She: "Well, we're not in a position to control the first two, but the last one seems better."
He: "That's true. Those little spats usually don't last long, but we have to keep it real here and show the good, the bad and the ugly."
She: "Well, I have a poem for you so we can finish up the week on a positive note."
He: "A poem?"
She: Yes, don't worry. It is charming and was written by the renowned poet, Ted Kooser. I just received a copy of his book Valentines after Rebecca wrote about him."
He: "Ok?"
She: "For over 20 years, Ted has been writing a poem for Valentine's Day and sending it on a postcard to his favorite women. He started with a list of 50, including his wife and the wives of friends."
He: "50!"
She: "Yes. The list has grown to 2,500 since then. Ready?"
He: "Yep."
She: "Are you sure this is a convenient time ;)?"
He: "Cut it out. Go ahead, please."
She: "Ok, here goes. Have a very nice weekend everyone. And, to those of you who work on the weekend, don't worry, your next day off will come soon enough, and we'll all be working.

A PERFECT HEART, by Ted Kooser
To make a perfect heart you take a sheet
of red construction paper of the type
that's rough as a cat's tongue, fold it once,
and crease it really hard, so it feels
as if your thumb might light up like a match,

then choose your scissors from the box. I like
those safety scissors with the sticky blades
and the rubber grips that pinch a little skin
as you snip along. They make you careful,
just as you should be, cutting out a heart

for someone you love. Don't worry that your curve
won't make a valentine; it will. Rely
on chewing on your lip and symmetry
to guide your hand along with special art.
And there it is at last: a heart, a heart!

Photo Credit : Cindy

sex and the city movie book!

I just read about the Sex and the City: The Movie book, by Amy Sohn, on the New York Magazine website and thought I'd pass it along. Talk about eye candy! You can buy it here for about $20, which is less than two tickets to the movies, plus the fixins'. Wish they would do one for the interiors a la Design for Mankind!


I also saw this bride and thought the simple wedding [and the city] sounded genuinely fun and grounded.

xo, Cindy

i really want these, now!

Unfortunately, they're not yet available, but can be pre-ordered!
(listed by release date)


For the Love of Light, a Tribute to the Art of the Polaroid, Various Photographers : Available for pre-order June 5, 2008 (limited edition of 500 - oh no!)


Viva La Vida, Coldplay : Available June 17, 2008


Printing by Hand: A Modern Guide to Printing with Handmade Stamps, Stencils, and Silk Screens, by Lena Corwin : Available July 16, 2008


A Year of Mornings: 3191 Miles Apart, by Maria Alexandra Vettese, Stephanie Congdon Barnes : Available September 3, 2008

The Gentle Art of Domesticity, by Jane Brocket : Available September 17, 2008


Handmade Hellos, from Hello! Lucky : Available September 17, 2008


Stitched in Time: Memory-Keeping Projects to Sew and Share from the Creator of Posie Gets Cozy, by Alicia Paulson : Available November 11, 2008

I'll just have to wait patiently. Well, I'll try to wait patiently.
xo, Cindy

Photo Credits : The Publishers

lotta love

She: "Remember when went to the new Brooklyn Flea a few weeks ago and I signed up for the Lotta Jansdotter mailing list?"
He: "Yeah, that was fun even though it was freezing."
She: "Well, I won her new book, Lotta Prints. I received it in the mail yesterday."
He: Great! We never win anything."
She: "I'd like to thank Lotta, Brooklyn Flea, and the support of my wonderful Husband for giving me a ride there :)."
He: "Oh brother, I can only imagine what you would do if you ever won a real award."
She: "You can imagine this now, please take me to the craft store for some new supplies."
He: "I knew that was coming. Thanks Lotta!"
Photo Credit : Jansdotter