Safari in NYC

Checked out the Museum of Natural History the other day and wore my new hat. Sure it kept the sun off my face but I was burning up! Then you can't take it off when you're too hot because of hat hair. Whatever, I look like an explorer in this photo!

Oh, and the museum is totally made for photography. All pictures end up looking like you were on safari.

Aw, look at the puppy

This has got to be the most adorable dog ever. His name is Edgar, he's 2 weeks old and was being walked out in front of my apartment building the other day. Edgar's a miniature dachund and literally could fit in the palm of my hand. I think I cooed at him for a good 5 minutes.

But just look at his puppy belly!!

Summer Viewing

There's nothing better on a sweaty summer day than sitting in front of a fan (I wish that i could crank up the A/C but money don't grow on trees baby) and watching some movies. Well, I now have the perfect excuse because I just got my required reading and viewing list from UCLA. With 30+ films to watch before mid-September I better get crackin'. I've seen most of the movies listed, but it never hurts to refresh my memory and ogle some spiffy costumes.

"Please sir, my hair"

I stumbled upon a new thrift shop today and I'm so glad I went in. Check out my new vintage hairdryer in it's original carrier case. I was surprised how good condition it was in. And it actually works! To top it all off, I only paid $2.00 for it.

Okay, okay. I probably shouldn't have gotten this but it's so amazing it was too good a find to pass up! Maybe I'll re-gift it before I leave...

So cute!

Now, I am not a fan of Crocs. I don't care how comfortable my mom and sister say they are, I'm pretty sure that Crocs are the ugliest footwear on the planet. But I was looking through Betty Suarez's massive footwear collection at work and saw these glorious wedged heels. Unlike regular Crocs, I would totally wear these all the time. They're by United Nude and they come in 14 different colors. I am geeking out over these!

Mother: I'm sorry I didn't believe you when you swore that heeled Crocs existed. Where these the one's you were talking about?

blast from the past

Was going through old photos on my computer and had to post this one of my sister Esther, my mom and I from last year. My 2 sisters will be back to Germany next month and I wish I could go too! Maybe I'll make it up around Christmas if I can get a decently priced ticket...

Nutso

Remember my posting about seeing Sparkles the Vamp? Well, the craziness of the fans watching his scene being filmed don't even compare to the Gossip Girl madness in the clip linked below!

Witness crazy fans here

Ryan's Video

Here's a photobooth video we accidentally made while taking group shots. Look how expertly we're holding our poses...and holding...and holding...and, oh...this is a video instead.

Speakeasies and Gladrags

Woohoo! Last weekend was the fabulous Lori's 26th birthday and she decided to celebrate with style. Naturally that included getting all jazzed up then headed over to Dutch Kills, my official favorite bar which is set up like a speakeasy from the 20s and drinks, with names like "The Gershwin," "The Champ" and "The Buccaneer Daisy," change every month.

Oh, and my hair turned out looking pretty amazing. It only took 3 hours in prep time but I think the end result was definitely worth it if I do say so myself! 

Click here to view the shindig's full photo album

A Very Happy Fourth

I know, I know...the 4th of July was ages ago. But it was so much fun! The event of the day was heading down to Battery Park to see Jenny Lewis perform, which was completely amazing. Unfortunately the fireworks this year were on the Hudson and I really didn't feel like heading way over to the opposite side of Manhattan, so Lori and I watched them through the buildings. It was an extremely laid-back holiday, which are usually the best.

Spotted: One sparkly vampire

A few days ago Lori and I, uh, "stumbled upon" (and I mean entirely by accident) the filming of Remember Me starring a the notoriously glittery Robert Pattinson. And there we were along with 20 other girls intent on getting a view of Sparkles the Vampire.      

                           

Sparkles did a lot of hair tossing, as evidence by the second photo above. Perhaps that's how he "gets into" character??

 

Of course that wasn't the last we saw of Sparkles. This Monday us girls went to go see the outdoor screening of Twilight in Astoria Park (in my new 'hood).

Word to the wise, I would definitely suggest a Twilight drinking game. It made the film even more enjoyable, just don't get "Drink when Edward gives an angsy look" because that will not bode well for anyone. Thank you Lori for providing the list!

Photo Albums

To see all my photo albums (including more Paris, Zac & Hollie's wedding, etc.) click on the link below. From here on, all new photo albums will be displayed there.

Photo Albums at Shutterfly

And Finally

I'll end my Parisian posts with my new photo series: "________ and me in front of ________"

Sacre Bleu! Pt.6

Ah, nothing says "family vacation" quite like visiting a brothel with your mother. 

Sacre Bleu! Louvre at Sunset

My favorite part of the trip by far was biking through the Louvre courtyards at sunset. In June the sun doesn't set in Paris until after 10pm, which was perfect because almost no one was there. Add a little street music and it was absolutely perfect.

Sacre Bleu! French Folk

The next time I go to Paris, I'm only going to take photos of people. Especially the ones who were sitting around in the cafes drinking delicious cafe cremes. Sadly I only have a few to show here this time but they're quite fun nonetheless.

I like this homeless guy's bottles of champagne & his choice of doorstep.

Some cute French kids heading to the gelato stand

"I'm just going to lay out here with my art and speedo. But I'll put a hat on because I don't want to get a sunburn."

This guy is by far my favorite. "Ugh, I'm so french and artsy. I like to hang out here by the Louvre to turn my nose up at all these tourists. I sure like how my hair perfectly flops about. I'm sure glad I brought this camera so I can take some ironic photos...."

Or perhaps he's trying to emulate a particularly sparkly vampire?? I guess we'll never know.

Sacre Bleu! Pt.3 - Biking

I'm jealous of Parisians' rides. So many people have scooters or bikes to get around. I've been thinking about getting a scooter lately and seeing everyone with them made me want one even more, but I don't know how that's going to fly in L.A. (not exactly pedestrian friendly!). Then there are these public bikes called Velibs with automated stands all over the city where you pay and ride, then find another stand and park it when you're done. 

We tried to do what the Parisians do but the stands wouldn't take American credit cards *sniff* so we did the next best thing: Bike Tour!! Mother can tell you that I wasn't all that big on the guided bike tour (pfft, that's for tourists) but it turned out to be fantastic. We probably wouldn't have made it to half the places we went with the group.

During the two tours (we did a day tour and a night tour simultaneously - 'cause we're hard core like that) I did some guerilla photography. I have to say, for pointing and clicking at the time, then cropping them later on photoshop, my biking photos turned out pretty nicely if I do say so myself!

Check out the girl in the photo below. She was clearly unimpressed with my photo taking skills. That's a clear "Bish Pleaz" look if I've ever seen one.

Sacre Bleu! Pt.2 - Prawns

Dad, I thought that you'd get a kick out of these HUUUGE prawns. Those are normal sized tomatoes they're curled around.

Sacre Bleu! Pt.1

Once we got to the airport we decided to, you know, learn some French. Clearly as the book advertises it only took us 15 minutes to master. Mother's a fast learner so it only took her 10.

Below are some photos from our hotel room. We stayed in the Marais district, which was super cute. It was just what we needed...except for the spider who thought I was mighty tasty snack and bit me several times, including 2 on my face that caused one of my eyes to swell up. Which looked awesome.

We spent the next two and a half days going all over, and I mean everywhere. I think we went to almost all the districts and saw as many popular sites as possible. We didn't go in anything though. Just looked, took photos and moved on. 

Here's some shots from being out and about in Paris.

Oh what? You want to see some famous places? Yeah, I took some photos of those too!

Petunia

Dear Emily, 

You will be pleased to know that your kitten is queen of her domain. She comes and goes and she pleases (thanks to Dad) and only has to do minimal begging for treats. Oh, and let me tell you - she's a talker! Mother said that when she first came over she would barely make a peep so she and Dad decided that if she wanted out or in she'd have to meow. Boy I bet they're regretting it now! She's a sweetheart though and kept me company at night.

And Dad has taught her this little trick (more proof that she rules the house)

 

I'm working on my photos from Paris. I took a ton and it's taking me forever to get them all uploaded. I promise I'll post them soon!

Deutschland!!

Went home to hang out, eat delicious food and see my mom and dad. It's weird but I feel like I'm "at home" whenever I go back to Germany. The landscape, the signs, the cars, all the red roofs just seems familiar. I've talked about this with my sisters and they feel the same way. Funnily enough, because my parents have lived there so long when they visit the States they say that's where they feel they're "at home."

Anyway, hanging out at home was awesome. Everyone is always "Ooh! You're going to Germany! What are you going to do?" Well, we relaxed around the house wearing sweatpants watching too many movies and eating all the food my dad cooked up. And yes, there was a fair share of beer drinking. *grin* 

Other than that.....

Dad and I went for ice cream

Checked out the German Ford dealership. They have much cooler cars than back in the States. Why exactly is that?? It's a frickin American company. Apparently we're only interested in SUVs, not cute compact hatchbacks.

Drank beer, 'natch

Oh, and I'm so happy I found some edelweiss!!! That honestly made my day.