My Muse

Sarah Baskin is an actor and a yogi. She is raven haired with porcelain skin, and has the most wonderfully infectious energy! We shot on a very very cold winter day last week, and since the wind was so harsh, we decided to take advantage of the great light in my apartment.
We shot nearly 400 frames, and I couldn't stop my self from editing 27 shots!
Take a look at what I'm talking about! Stunning, right?



















And now for my favorites. . . .
can anyone guess what area of my apartment this was shot in?

Paparazzi!!!!

Tonight, I was headed to the same location that Tamara was headed for Date #2. The Rebecca Jennejohn Dance Concert (featuring our friend Aja Graves.)
So, I brought along my camera and long lens so I could hide behind a corner and grab a few candid shots!
I'm certain they must have seen me, but as they were trying to have a date in a room of about 25 of their friends, I'm sure they hardly paid any attention.
Click here to hear it from her perspective!

31 Dates in 31 Days

My friend Tamara, a writer for Good Morning America, recently turned 31.
In celebration of this game changing age (or rather, as a means to make lemonade out of lemons. . . ) she decided to create the greatest dating challenge EVER! She would go on 30 first dates in a row, everyday, blog about them, and then culminate in a 2nd date (as voted upon by blog readers) that will take place on Valentine's Day, totalling in 31 dates! And since she works at GMA, there is a possibility of doing the big reveal on air on Valentine's Day.
There are a few ground rules:
*Each date lasts at least 31 minutes
*Each date costs less than $31
*Some of the dates will be with friends *Some dates will be with strangers *Some will be set-ups...
*Dates will take place in a public setting
*No drugs
*No alcohol (Yes, seriously. None.)
*No married men
She asked me to take some photos for her blog, and though it was freezing outside, we had a fun time. I drew her up a little sign, which in turn drew all the wrong attention. . . but the photos convey the right message.
She is such a freakin' awesome girl, and I'm so inspired by her adventurous spirit!
Follow her amazing journey at www.31datesin31days.com!
Here's to 31!












PS- Like my new watermark? Thanks to Dave Schefcik for his killer design!

I work with an amazing company!

Just was reading up on some info about Lululemon today, and came across this window put together by the team in Georgetown and felt that I should share it. It is not only a brilliant use of branding (the birds are a signature print for our company's RUN line) but a beautiful message for the future of our nation! It brought tears to my eyes. I hope you appreciate the beauty in the simplicity of this window.

HEART, MIGHT, MIND AND STREGTH

This week, though a tough week, was also a great week.
And one of my favorite moments came on Wednesday night as my roommate and I rode the train home after a planning meeting for our forthcoming cabaret.
We were riding a rather bouncy 1 train home, and Jen wasn't holding on to a bar.
She wobbled a bit, and after a really big bump, an elder black man reached his arm out to steady her.
He kept her from taking a tumble and remained posed and ready to catch her again for the rest of the ride home.

In a city like New York, where men on trains are so often sleezy in taking advantage of the crowded subway conditions, it is such a welcome surprise to find someone who automatically reaches out to help without making us feel threatened.
It's the little moments like these that restore my belief in the chivalry and the existence of true gentlemen.

My work on the Web!

Some of the photos I have taken in the last few months have made their way up onto websites and I thought you might like to check 'em out! These artists are amazing, and I am honored to have been able to work with such incredible talent!

JP Castillo
http://www.myspace.com/jpcastillo


Ehm
http://www.myspace.com/ehmstrikesback



Erin Guinup
www.eringuinup.com

HEART, MIGHT, MIND AND STREGTH

Some of you may have noticed that in the upper right hand corner of my blog there is a proud declaration:
I AM NICE!
For a few months now, I have been an avid reader of the blog Operation Nice (http://www.operationnice.com/)
This simple and beautiful blog centers around the idea that we can change the world simply by being a little nicer! The blog entries include testimonials, giveaways, and NICE assignments, where you are challenged to do something a little more thoughtful that you would naturally think to do. One of my favorite challenges was to talk to everyone in the elevator with you! So simple. Yet such a great impact can come from the simple act of a stranger's kindness.
For today's NICE assignment, we are challenged to create a Mantra.
After some thought and processing (cause you know my first mantra was a total run-on sentence that almost be confused for a thesis paper. . . ) I was able to come to something simple that I have been focusing on in the recent weeks.

This is the moment, right now. . . I am taking it all in, then passing it on.

That may not make sense to everyone, but a lot of my life has been lived in anticipation for this destination that I never seem to arrive at. I know that it's not about the destination but the journey, yet sometimes it is hard to live that statement honestly.
This year, it is my goal to recognize that every moment I live is an experience that I should cherish. I am going to let myself feel, slow down to take time and notice the details, to appreciate all that I have been blessed with, and then (and most importantly) share it with others.

Happy New Year Everyone!

My Amazing Grandparents

My Grandparents having been coming to New York for Christmas for the last 10 years. This year was no exception, and while they were in town, I got spoiled silly! We went out to amazing restaurants, did a little shopping, and spent lots of quality time together. I have been so grateful to get to know them over these last few years, and I look forward to the years to come!

With my adorable Grandpa, Bob!


My stylish Granny Nikki! (The necklace I have on in the pic she made for me!)


Bob with Vernon who they've been friends with for over 40 years! He lives here in NY! These guys are so funny together!


I miss you guys already!

Lululemon Athletica

As most of you know, I work part time for an amazing company called Lululemon Athletica.
It's a yoga-inspired fitness wear company, but it's so much more than just a clothing store.
I love working for this company because it inspires me to do more with my life, even while just working part time. Through their goal coaching and mentoring, free group fitness classes anywhere (which means they pay for me to take dance, trapeze, yoga classes, etc.) zero tolerance "no gossip" policy, and amazing employees, I feel constantly motivated every time I step through those doors.

I was asked to take photos for this month's window display, and had the best time doing it. The idea morphed and changed several times in the process, but the basic idea was based on a quote from the New York Times.
"Whatever can be done, will be done. Will it be done by you or to you? Choose."
The photos feature every day heroes, an army of Lulu's marching out of the darkness and into the future and Lulu product featuring the phrase, "Breathe Deeply."
All that is juxtaposed against the "What" in the quote. The mannequins are covered in various derogatory terms. One man covered in words like "Ugly, Stupid, Fat," and a arrow with the work "Tiny" pointing down to a certain region. He is holding a sign saying "BE CONFIDENT." There is a couple featuring the words "Cheater, Liar, B****," holding a sign saying "BE HONEST." And another mannequin wrapped in red tape with words like, "Mortgage, Student Loans, New Car," holding a sign saying "BE RESPONSIBLE."
Below are shots of the completed project.
If you get a chance to head over to Lincoln Center, my work will be on display through all of January @ 64th and Broadway.














below with Brandon, one of my favorite Lulu's out in front of our finished window at 2am!