Fridays

Sometimes you're walking down a crazy street in Manhattan and all you hear is honking and sirens but amid all the chaos is a tiny patch of pretty to brighten your moment. 

We are headed to the beach this weekend for what will be our last getaway before baby number two arrives in a couple of months.  We had the most fantastic time out in the Hamptons last year and this summer will be very different since we're staying in the city but no less wonderful with all of the changes that are coming.  I haven't always done well with uncertainty but as I've gotten older I've been able to embrace it more.  The things that scared me in the past ultimately led to the greatest experiences so these days I'm focusing on that rather than the fear and worry that inevitably accompanies change.  Sometimes it's just not worth all the anxiety in the first place.  I hope you have a lovely weekend and here are some great links from around the web.

With my boy coming so soon I had to enter this sweet giveaway.  A baby in a bowtie?  Cuteness overload.

New Yorkers, ever the exhibitionists that we are, are (rightfully, in my opinion) upset over these photos taken of their windows from across the street.

I adore this series that photographer Jaime Moore did of her five year old daughter as inspiring women in history.

The drawings on these foam cups are awesome.

Obsessed with gold details for your home?  (The pig bookends kill me the most)

Would you have an unplugged wedding?

Vertigo-inducing images and footage from the top of the new World Trade Center.

Something I desperately need help with: how to edit your online photography portfolio.  Here's mine.

I LOVE crystal chandeliers (I get it from my mother who has way too many in her house).

5 foods that are high in fat and good for you.  I for one will never say no to an avocado...especially at nearly 30 weeks pregnant and especially with A LOT of balsamic vinegar and a dash of sea salt.

Celebrities humorously re-imagined as classic paintings.  I think Katy Perry is my favorite.

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Orly Genger at Madison Square Park

I'm a new contributing lifestyle editor over at one of my favorite blogs - Glamamom.  My first post, shared yesterday, covers the INCREDIBLE art installation by Orly Genger in Madison Square Park.  The project, titled simply Red, Yellow and Blue, features 1.4 million feet of layered, painted, and knotted rope – enough to span the length of Manhattan nearly 20 times!  Head over there to see more of my photos and learn more about the exhibit.

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Oh, Karolina

I don't often share fashion editorials but I'm a little bit obsessed with these chic and timeless photos of Czech model Karolina Kurkova (a personal favorite).  They were shot for Vogue Germany by Giampaolo Sgura and styled by Claudia Englmann.  I'm always inspired by evocative images that can transport you to a different time and place.

See more here.

Via Honestly WTF and Fashion Gone Rogue.

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A round-up on shooting portraits

My kid, the storyteller, post-nap.

The photography-related topic I receive emails about most is shooting portraits.  While I don't think that there's a formula for taking photos of people I can honestly say that the most important element I personally want to capture is emotion.  This is my goal with every picture I take but especially when my subject is a person - be it a stranger or my own child.  If you can evoke a feeling (and you'll know it when you see it) and show the essence of a person then I think you've got yourself a successful portrait.

Here's a little round-up of tutorials I've done in the past that can help on the topic.

How to take better portraits
Tips for taking pictures of kids
Five tips for taking pictures of babies
Photographing people in public
Faceless portraits

And wondering how you can hone your skills and capture that emotion?  Check out five tips for capturing emotion in your photographs.

Do you have any tips?  I'd love to hear.  And feel free to ask any questions in the comments!

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Instagram Weekend

Me, the bump and my sweet butterfly on Mother's Day.

This weekend I celebrated my last Mother's Day as a mom to one.  We had a busy weekend that included dinner with friends, playdates, and my niece's 5th (!) birthday party at one of my favorite places for kids in NYC.  But my favorite moments were spent with my little family when we took our girl to see Pinkalicious at the Culture Project downtown (I saw a very different kind of play there years ago and it's a great space).  I didn't want any gifts this year for Mother's Day and instead of a fancy brunch we had the best morning ever taking our almost three-year-old (!!) to this fun show for kids.  We read this story at least three times a day (along with a few other favorites) and she was transfixed by the stage, the actors, the dancing and singing and she even participated and let me know what was going to come next.  As long as I live I will never forget the look on her face - I caught myself staring at her rather than watching the stage.  If you're in the area and have a boy or girl who loves these books this is a must-see.  I'm looking forward to a mellow but hopefully productive week.  In the meantime, here's a glimpse of our weekend via Instagram.

The blooms around the city are more beautiful than ever this year.

It rained like crazy on Friday and Saturday afternoon we had what seemed like a tornado in Manhattan. 

The ball pit at the Children's Museum of the Arts.

The fun mirrors at the Children's Museum of the Arts.

The tallest building in the hemisphere.

An enormous mess that took 45 seconds to make and 45 minutes to clean up.

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