(brooklyn bridge from DUMBO)

I finally feel ready to expound upon my recent trip to New York. Coming home this time was harder then I had anticipated, because this time, I realized, that there is absolutely no reason to avoid living and thriving in a place that just simply fits. It gets a little harder to come home each time I visit….but in the midst of that, I've found that it's pressing me to truly seek new horizons. And I'm thankful for that. This time, I only brought two cameras and only used one of them (the vintage polaroid.) I barely took any photos, which, for me, seems illogical. But in not seeing the city through the lense of a camera, I got to talk more, meet more, and not feel so pressed to get those perfect shots. It was fun, for a change, to simply exist in the place I love most. I got stuck in Detroit on my way home…and there is a nice lonely hotel room shot for all you travelers out there on my flickr site. I, myself, I love traveling alone….but Detroit seemed to possess a little emptiness I wasn't quite ready for! As always, the trip was too fast, but incredible. Great friends, dear family and a whole lot of dreaming and laughing. This trip, I was able to dive a bit deeper into Brooklyn and the East Village – here are a few places I found that really inspire me to no end:

Made better with inspirational friendship and incredible laughter: Yaffa Cafe
Freemans restaurant (sweet little hipster joint at the end of an alley in the lower east side)
KGB bar (poetry, music…red – it's got it all)
Powerhouse Arena

Okay, the best part of the city, for me…as always…is exploring. Being driven by inspiration all around. The sounds, smells…the pure music of the place. I had a great deal more exposure to the East Village this time around thanks to an equally as adventurous friend and thoroughly fell in love with it all over again. On my way home, I sat next to a British man who had recently seen Interpol in concert…he gave me the digs on Daniel Ryan – a man who had collaborated with them on doing film reels during their performances. I am thoroughly impressed with him – check it out.

It's these experiences in life that make me feel truly alive….as though I'm truly participating in something grand. A new street, a new face….conversations with strangers on late night trains, good friendships and connection, the possibility of things changing. It seemed to awaken the 'artisan' again. Happy traveling. 

Ciao! Anna

(M. Sasek 'This is' from the New York book)

I'm always amazed with art – in so many forms…it's a passion. Lately, however, I've been thoroughly impressed with some of the beautiful illustrations in children's literature. I've discovered some of the most brilliant illustrators via children's books. My boys have a small bookshelf of 'accessible' books fully stocked with Dr. Seuss, vintage thrift store finds and animal picture books. They both know about the 'special books' high above on a shelf that holds my hand picked favorites. Something to give them a better sense of the written word, tongue in cheek humor…and, to me, almost more importantly – amazing illustration.

I wanted to share a few of our favorites over the course of '08 and beyond:

The Sea Serpent and Me (thank you, 'sirto' for your reminder…I had to pull it down again). This book is all about imagination, something my children have never been short of. Catia Chen is one of my favorite artists, illustrators and all around amazing creator. She also participated in a very breathtaking project that I urge you to view here, at Totoro Forest Project. (Inspired by all things, of course, Totoro)

The entire line of 'This is' books by M. Sasek. I know they are somewhat a novelty item right now, but they are worth every cent. Especially for the little artisan explorer at heart!

Adam Rex – Anything you can get your hands on is worth the read and his art is simply amazing. The personal favorite in our house is Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich.

Munro Leaf's books. Such as – Manners can be Fun and How to Behave and Why. They are not only funny for adults, but teach a few things in the mean time!

When life hands you lemons by B.J. DeLong – it's hilarious with fitting illustrations…a good way to introduce poetry.

Getting to know Italian – it's perfect for little ones that aren't quite ready for mom to whip out the travel guides and geography maps. Little Italian phrases and cute illustrations…a great first course for future Italophiles.  

This is one of my favorite times of the year. Making or finding the perfect gift for each of my loved ones – it's a joy! My most recent trip to Anthropologie proved inspirational for the coming gift giving season. Between the books, scents, dresses – everything so artistic and aesthetically pleasing – I nearly had inspiration overload! So, on to the creative process of my own gift making. I always look forward to it. I had the chance to try on a few of my favorite dresses….I drool over each page of the magazine when it arrives, but this was even better! The craftsmanship (all the way down to the labels, lady – yes, are we packaging suckers or what!?) alone was amazing, not to mention the beauty of each fabric choice, cuff, hem….I always feel like a giddy little girl when something touches my skin that is well crafted. The urge to spend something I didn't have has never been as great! haha. I can contain myself, thankfully. Please browse through my lovely finds for the holiday season – perhaps it will inspire you to camp out on the creative side in choosing unique and lovely gifts for each and every person you love. Or, if you're like me….some of the inspiration simply changes something you've begun creating yourself!

Happy pre-Thankful day to you all! Ciao! Anna

1. Bonjour Monsieur necklace by The Lola Collection
2. Middleburgh Zip bag by Valhalla Brooklyn
3. Bird's Eye Journal at Anthropologie
4. Wave by Suzy Lee
5. Elding Slip Dress by Left of Center at Anthropologie (I had a chance to try this on – GORGEOUS!!!)
6. Spat Attack at Irregular Choice
7. Cross back jumper by Liza Rietz
8. Button up at Irregular Choice
9. English Lace mini dress by Claire La Faye
10. Fruit Moon Dress by Floreat at Anthropologie (another I had to try on – so ecclectic and artsy!)
11. Altostratus Dress at Anthropologie
12. Too Risky at Irregular Choice
13. Jellyfish Glass necklace by Photo Glass Works

I'm settling in to the idea that fall has come to a close. It seems my favorite time every year just goes fleeting by. Still, we have leaves to remember each one by….and each season, new books are filled and the new leaves are pressed. I wonder what I'll use them all for someday?!

Today, I feel the urge to share some favorites…as we pack up a box of Thanksgiving goodies for my father, who is currently serving in Iraq for a year….I am reminded that each of these holidays sort of cast a landmark on the calendar – he'll be home…he'll be home soon. And, in speaking of our beloved military overseas, my good friend Jen just captured it….this post 'remembering' made my day.

I've always found it necessary to hunt for music I'm not familiar with. This season in particular has really birthed a new passion. I was pleasantly surprised hear Tomas Luis de Victoria for the first time. O Magnum Mysterium seems the perfect calm to a hectic day right now.  And, Hauschka has been a part of my daily listening this week….I love his cello/piano combinations. So simple and touching. I've always been a fan of The American Dollar…but lately, even more. I like the extended melodies. And, I can't get enough of Boards of Canada. I don't know if it's their Dayvan Cowboy that evokes such a sense of 1960s and a pop up camper…or the overall feeling of swimming through a dream world. Whatever it is, they are like a good drug.

Also, with all the incredible artists I've come across lately (don't worry, I'll link em up when I get an extra second!), I've also found some incredible animation art. This is one from my past….but still so amazing. The Periwig Maker – more needs to happen like this. I think you can view it on youtube these days. And, Ryan. A bit depressing, but amazing.

A favorite stop when I find time: Daily photo

Enjoy this beautiful week, blustery as it may be! Ciao! Anna

After a long and busy week, I was pleasantly surprised to find a friendly comment and awesome award from Emily at Emily's Muse blog. Thank you, Emily!!!! You made my day! I'm truly honored. I started my blog as a means to display photography, but that quickly changed into simply sharing my heart, interests, passions…and sometimes some photos I'm pretty proud of. Given I'm not trying to compete in the blog-osphere, this award is an honor! I think it's great to have some rules given along with this award….just makes it that much more interesting and inspiring! The rules are:

• List six things that make you happy

• Pass the award on to 5 other bloggers

• Link back to the person who gave you the award

• Link to the people you are passing it on to and leave them a comment to let them know

Six things that make me happy: (I'm a 'happy' type, so this is hard!)

1. My children. Every day, I laugh my head off at something they do or say. I'm constantly amazed at how incredible they are. They are my favorite people in the world.
2. Composing music. It's not only cathartic and other-worldly for me, but intensely emotional. The entire experience is one I feel created for.
3. Finding inspiration in the art and brilliant of others
4. Exploring a new street, town, city – anything
5. Remembering the moments of laughter that everyone experiences while sitting around the table with my father.
6. Good, good friends

Five other bloggers that I adore:

Cori Kindred (so creative)
Pia Jane Bijkerk (everything about this just makes me smile!)
Mocking-Bird blog (such a warm place….)
Crankbunny (creation with the 'wow' factor)
Ginjit (one of my best friends and truly talented writer)

And, because I just can't stop there, I have a few more of my favorites to include!

Graeme Mitchell's photography blog  (truly inspirational)

Spagat blog (she finds some of the coolest things out there.)

Cori Kindred (I love the thoughts/photo combo) This post in particular just makes me smile.

Photosteph (because Polaroid is just so amazing)

Unruly Things (well, it's beautiful – especially this post)

Tarx (just sooo cool)

Abby tries again (especially here)

Stylebubble (she keeps us hip)

Today
I'm gonna grow my hair out
wrap up in a long sweater
watch the light come through the windows
and dance about the room
listen to the trees sway
I've waited to hear you
and traveled a distance greater then I anticipated
to come home
a great cathedral
and voices ringing out
the same longing again
to make all of this
into music
(deeper still)
maybe You have an answer
if I close my eyes.

(inspired by: max richters 'horizon variations' and photos from Anthropologie's Nov. 08 photos)

Today
I'm gonna grow my hair out
wrap up in a long sweater
watch the light come through the windows
and dance about the room
listen to the trees sway
I've waited to hear you
and traveled a distance greater then I anticipated
to come home
a great cathedral
and voices ringing out
the same longing again
to make all of this
into music
(deeper still)
maybe You have an answer
if I close my eyes.

(inspired by: max richters 'horizon variations' and photos from Anthropologie's Nov. 08 photos)

Today, another lesson, more inspiration and education and hopefully – that much closer to finishing some pieces. Speaking of music, I had the pleasure of attending the Symphonie Fantastique Friday evening with my mother and we were simply blow away by the symphony's interpretation of Berlioz's very progressive orchestration. It's given me new inspiration to really find my own unique voice in all the creative endeavors I embark on. One quote from the great composer, in particular, really struck me. He said, "Every composer knows the anguish and despair occasioned by forgetting ideas which one has no time to write down." I think this is true for creators of all kinds – whether photographers, musicians, composers, artists – those brilliant moments of inspiration or idea….when you see the perfect shot and dont' have your camera handy or hear the perfect melody and have no paper to jot down the notes or recorder to voice it in to. I'm learning that I simply can't let them slip by! I now carry a hand held recorder with me at all times in the event I 'hear' something and need to hum out the melody line so I don't forget it. I wonder if Berlioz would have had as much trouble now, in our modern age of electronics, with 'losing' those ideas. Hmmm.

So, a few things:

For me, abudant inspiration came yesterday when I discovered that Max Richter (becoming my favorite modern composer) not only utilizes his own imagery during his performances, but is also currently collaborating with an amazing gallery group in London called, Dreamthinkspeak. I think what they are doing with bringing the viewers into the room visually and stimulating the entire experience with specific sound and music – brilliant. I would love to take my own music in this direction. What has been very interesting to me, is that Richter and other modern composers, not only utilizes their  classical roots brilliantly, but also branches into using electonic sounds. It would seem that is where modern music is heading as a whole.

Speaking of modern classical fusion/expression music – There is a venue in NYC 'Le Poisson Rouge' that hosts artists typically involved with classicaly based, experimental music. Currently, Sylvain Chauveau is in concert there. His melodic sounds and fusion of haunting vocals is really unique. I'm excited to check out 'my brightest diamond' and 'Sebastien Tellier' when I'm in NY in December. Check out the site, if you're around town, it's a definite place to stop.

I am truly brimming with excitement after discovering that a good friend is embarking on a very well suited journey. New endeavor, new and breathtaking site….and absolutely perfect new name. Rosyeve & Fey.

Alright. Have a wonderful week. Ciao! Anna

Today we had a day for Poppi. We baked him jar cakes, wrapped them
beautifully. Wrote letters, recorded videos, painted boxes, filled them
with goodies….I used an eggplant that a lady at work gave me from her
garden and made some sauteed peppers, eggplant with chicken – put it
over pasta with homemade pesto sauce for the kids for lunch. Sometimes
cooking can be cathartic, because it's another mode of
creativity….(and sometimes it doesn't take my mind away from
everything it should). For the first time since the beginning of the season, I'm
going to let my heart out a bit and go collect leaves this evening – my
tradition since 14 years of age. It's a solo endeavor this time, like
it used to be……the past few years have been with kids,
however….but good change for the soul. I looked at my last roll of
Polaroid film and nearly wept…..noticed the weather seems to be
changing toward winter, which means my favorite season is coming to
a close. The perfect beginning to a violin piece I started a while ago made it's
way into my head and I think tonight, I may actually finish something.
(what a coincidence). I am remembering the scene in American Beauty where the young boy films
a piece of trash blowing around the driveway in the wind….a dance of
air and paper and some starkly beautiful music to that followed….and in all of this, I am reminded that there has been a sort of chatharsis happening in my heart….and it feels so starkly like emptiness…so much like loss. I was remembering
also the reality that October has always held, for me, the greatest
losses….and this is no exception. I am hoping that my efforts to search for the real Truth…the truth of God, will not be lost here. I'm hoping it will be answered, that it will be blessed. Because in my human mind, I'm thinking that the
greatest sign of love is to let what matters most go if that is what's right……because if
it's not, what is the point to letting my heart go….what is the point
letting anything go……doing what is right is only right if there is
a greater calling. And, seeking to the point of loss futile without final answers. If that greater calling is not God, there is no
purpose. At some point, it will come back. That is my hope.

One
of my favorite phrases to hear in Italian follows. I have determined that, someday, I'm going
to find someone to speak this phrase over some of my own music…..and add my own visuals to it for a change.  "Il bambino ha disegnato un cuore e lo ha colorato di rosso" (a little child drew a heart and colored it red)

Would your hearts stay red and vibrant (no matter what) this season.

Ciao….
Anna

My sister is absolutely stunning. Her blog: Ginjitsh And, a few things she wrote recently that keeps making my heart swell. Enjoy. Ciao! Anna

"You are
fading and I’ve become intent on keeping you locked away. My crutch and
my vice. If you knew you would flee. I could be listed under a certain
category except that I believe categories are just useless explanations
for living in boxes. I excuse my behavior by being able to see what
isn’t there. They called me spiritual as a courtesy. But I see more. I
have tried to will you back. To claw at the frame in my head and
somehow beat out the constraints of time. Maybe you would have the
answer. Maybe I would be able to feel again. Maybe the cruel voice
would retreat and I could lift my face up. Maybe your kiss would have
saved me. Maybe I’m selfish in wanting only your offerings. Maybe I’m
trying to find some place on earth to rest my head. Some arm that does
not bend. Or some man that does not wander or keep his secrets to
himself or send arrows out to wound me.