When can I call myself a New Yorker?

When I receive my very own New York mailbox? Done.

When I receive my New York Drivers License? Done.

Or when someone asks me directions to a street, neighborhood, restaurant, or any shop on 5th Avenue or Bleeker, and I can answer them without hesitation? This, I believe is when I can call myself a New Yorker. From the panoramic view above, I predict It's going to be a while until I can say "I'm a New Yorker!"

Big Mess

Brandy is really getting tired of moving!

The movers arrived on time yesterday morning, which was a shocker! How often do movers actually show up on time?...this was a first for me. Overall everything went pretty well. However, one of my favorite chairs arrived with a completely broken leg, and one my African stool was split apart. The chair is repairable, but the stool will have to be trashed. Good thing we purchased extra insurance. As you can see from the photos we are up to our hair follicles in boxes. I love this part though! Arranging furniture, art and accessories is very therapeutic for me. Happy Thanks giving everyone!

The waiting game

Love how the guys in the park wait around for someone to play chess with.

Moving In!

Master bedroom

View from my office window. This is so NY. I love it!

Entry

Ok...The plan was to move in this past weekend, but I wanted to give the workers one more day to finish up some detail work and also to clean. I took these shots today and I'm very happy with the way the colors look. Tomorrow is our big move in day! I'll post photos once I get furniture and art work in, but first thing's first, since we've been without a proper kitchen for 8 weeks I'm gettin in there and makin a pumpkin pie!

Ghost's at Penn Station

The Red Door

Hi Everyone! Lately I've been pretty busy since we are moving into our new apartment this weekend. Staying on the contractors is almost a full time job. There was just so much detail work, that if I did not point everything out, it would go unnoticed by the workers. Since I am a little preoccupied I have not been focusing on blogging as much as I would like. I'll be back in action in a couple weeks though. So for the next week you'll see postings of more artistic photos that I've taken around NYC during my former travels. I hope you enjoy them!

Clean and Shiny!

These 1960's end tables are great! Found them in a showroom here in NYC. They were designed by Paul Evans in the 60's. I love the combination of the mirrored brass sides and rosewood top.

Reflections in Madison Square Park

Antique Show Success

This is a very old puppet show of the classic fairy tales.
But the cool thing is all the figures are mechanical, and
were actually moving around when I took this shot.

This speaks for itself. A booth of just all vintage Chanel bags!

I have a thing for skulls. Loved these crystal skull book ends!

Arts and Crafts! Always a classic.

Ok... The Antique show was pretty amazing. The furniture section was my favorite by far! Basically, each booth's quality of merchandise is what I've seen in the showrooms when I shop for my clients, however I have never seen so much quality and great art under one huge roof. The PDC in Weho or any other large design center contains beautiful items as well, but those items are typically new. This was all vintage and antique...Heaven! I snapped some photos, but was so excited and overwhelmed that I put away my camera and focused on shopping. It is really hard to do both at the same time! We did purchase some pieces of art work...A Keith Haring litho, some vintage French show posters of Man Ray, a very old fencing mask, a mirror, and a great oil painting for our new living room. I'll post photos of these things within the next couple of weeks. Oh.. one vendor had 3 amazing Roy Lichtenstein's...but of course they were not within our budget. Always next time though!

In Support of my West Coast Homeland

Last night was truly amazing. New Yorkers took to the streets in thousands. Approximately 20,000 people began the protest against Prop 8 on the steps of the Mormon Church on the Upper west side at Columbus and 65th. We then marched down to the famous Columbus Circle peacefully. Prop 8 has eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry in the state of California. The Mormon Church urged members to donate money for Proposition 8. They sent $15 to $20 million, much of it from outside California to support discrimination and deny civil rights. Wow! You would think their money could have been used to go to something more important than this! Why can't we all just get along?! Anyway, I showed up with Steve to show support for all our friends who just married in California. The signs that everyone made were so creative, and the roar of our chants were really heard throughout Manhattan. It was such a beautiful evening, but also a sad one, since we have to take to the streets to try to gain our rights.

Pieces of Steve

I liked the way this piece of art work at the Metropolitan Museum reflected Steve's face into this pattern.

Apartment Update

Hi Everyone!

Hope all is well. I miss you all on the west coast! Well, as you can see, the construction is never ending. It's going on 5 weeks now! This is a photo of the living room, taken right after they finished the last skim coat on all the walls in the apartment. Since then everything is sanded, they have removed all debris from the site, and will begin the refinishing of the hardwood floors and should finish them this Friday. Next Monday they'll begin paint on Monday and finish up Wed or Thursday! We plan on moving in over the weekend of November 22, 23. Finally!

West Village

Fashion on Vintage Wheels

So, this is my first Sartorialist inspired photograph of street fashion on the streets of NYC. I truly love every ones unique sense of style in the city, I guess that is one of the reasons why I like it here so much. There is not a certain standard that everyone tries to meet in their fashion. They dress how they want, while still looking very fashionable. But it looks like it is accomplished with ease. Anyway, I intend to take more street fashion photography. I took this shot while I was not prepared. I saw this girl riding her vintage bike and she just looked so cute with her fitted jacket, scarf and cool little hat... love the boots too. I thought to myself..Oh damn I don't have my camera with me, but remembered I had my small digital in my bag, so I ran after her and snapped this shot, upon doing so she turned around while pulling up the back side of her pant and asked if I was taking her picture. She was obviously concerned that her butt crack was in the shot.. I told her not to worry, that it wasn't. She had a wonderful smile, and was flattered that I was taking her picture...too bad I didn't photograph her face.. she had such a refreshing smile. Anyway, I love taking these kind of shots, and hope to get more of them, but with their faces in them also. I just need to work up the nerve to ask them If I can take their photograph!!

For the Antique Collector

Being a recreational collector of all things antique and vintage, I am eagerly anticipating next weekend’s Pier Antiques Show. Over 500 dealers participate in this highly anticipated event of the year. I’m so excited I can’t even contain myself!! Who knows what one will find at the show… but word has it, if you can’t find it here, you can’t find it anywhere. An abundance of vintage clothing, jewelry, accessories, and furniture are crammed within 2 piers, and to top it all off the show is only 3 blocks from our new apartment! Oh happy day!! If I find anything interesting I’ll make sure to post my finds next week.

For more info on the show go to http://www.stellashows.com/

Layers in Architecture

Patterns in Architecture

This building is off of 60th and 5th Ave. I like the way the light was hitting it, and the pattern of the windows and the construction of the facade caught my eye.

Mrs. O's Sleek Style

This stunning number that she wore is a Narciso Rodriguez for Spring 2009. Michelle paired the dress with kitten heels, and a black cardigan. The diamond earrings and bangle is a nice touch.

Ooo la la..sexy. As you can see with a few adjustments, Narciso tweaked it appropriately for the First lady's RUNWAY!

This Mario Pinto dress was designed just for Mrs. O and was showcased during NYC fashion week. The fabric is coral red silk crepe. The empire waist, and the high neckline are very nice. The Sunray pleats gives it a classic architectural shape. She has not worn this dress yet so lets keep our eyes open for it!

Love this one! She has the figure for it.

The sweet look

Love this ruffled collar

You cant go wrong with black of course!

Since last night was such a historical moment politically, I figured to post something in connection with Obama's victory!! So of course I've found some photos of Michelle's fabulous style sense. HAHAHA..me... blog about something political...never! Fashion is much more important! Hey, but Michelle is our new first lady, so that's politics, right?!.