Look Right, Look Left

 
Wearing: Top & Belt by The Kooples, Faux Leather Shorts by Urban Outfitters


A few weeks go, via my usual walking path home from work, I was stopped by white pages lined up along the walls inside a curiously deep space. 
It was black ink, white 8.5 x 11 paper, and all different handwritings that filled this exhibition. As the wind picked up and swept up the tips of these pages, they waved for my attention, as if craving to be discovered by the rest of the world.
The Strangers Project is exactly what it sounds like. Anonymous stories collected in Washington Square Park, freshly air dried ink and soul revealing stories. People from all walks of life shared their each of their unique journey, struggles, and revelations. There is the mother of a 20 year old son who left her life in the midwest behind to start anew in NYC, and the girl who struggles to find lasting relationships in the height of her wanderlust years. 

I was inspired by every story in a different way, and as a reader I was brought to an introspective place to also reflect on my own life. This exhibit felt like the epitome of life in New York. The never stopping motions of this big city drives us towards speed, efficiency, and an ever so goal oriented mind. As we are running from one destination to the next every single day, we are passing by and perhaps completely neglecting these stories and the people who create them. 

 All of this circles back to my conversation with my creative partner in this post, my photographer Nuno. As we talked about the source of our creative fuels, there was a common passion for discovering the overlooked beauty in unexpected places. Nuno told me that he truly discovered photography after recovering from an accident, which became a turning point that led him to pursuing the work he's doing today. It leads me to think that pain and misfortune at the moment can be turned into blessings in disguise, and I guess this is what continues our resilience in this big, crazy world. 

So in short - slow down, focus on the journey, and when in doubt, always wear black. 






Inspiration. Freedom.


Photos courtesy of: Irving Penn, Guy Bourdin, C-heads Magazine, Tumblr, Pinterest, Interview Magazine, Francesco Clemente



Hello friends,

And I'm back! Since my ankle sprain two weeks ago, I haven't been able to do much moving around. So instead, I thought I'd share some inspiration with you all.

This is a mini collection of my personal inspiration curations. Everything vintage and retro had always made me tick, and with that came a deep appreciation for iconic photographers of the past. It's fascinating to see the way fashion photography has evolved, from the powerful simplicity of Irving Penn, to the rebellious colors of Guy Bourdin. These influencers continue to give creative minds new thoughts, even today.  

Along with some photos of style inspirations, this last photo I included is a painting by the Italian artist Francesco Clemente. His exhibit at the Rubin museum of art was one of my exploration destinations.. if my ankle hadn't been injured! I absolutely love his boundary-less exploration of mediums and styles, extending in many different directions, and undefined by a "title" of artistic categories. 

Hopefully my ankle heals soon so I can check it out before it's gone!

Last but not least, I want to talk about my latest inspiration. A graphic designer and an activist with a true voice. I've been watching James Victore on his youtube channel as he talks about creative courage, living life and doing work with a purpose. So much about this guy inspires me- his bold yet forceful design work, his own story of becoming who he is today, and his empowering philosophy of acting on our passions and having an opinion.

 I know I already think a lot. But listening to his words made me think a lot more about my own life and where I'm going with it. I am in a constant battle with myself about my ideal work, life, and the tradeoffs that come with it. So are my current foot steps taking me to an eventual journey that I want to be a part of, and are my burning passions are being given a chance by... me? 

It's not an easy answer.
But as I continue my creative journey on this blog (which is something I do have a burning passion for), his words about "freedom" will help me figure the rest of it out.



James Victore







This Is Paradise






A brief photo series documenting my adventures in Atlantis and the rest of the Bahamas. 

Everything about the island is magnetic, what a great energy that the people, food, and music exude. The sea life in the Atlantis aquarium was something else, seeing the colorful and exotic creatures swimming gleefully swimming around just made me feel like a little kid in a zoo again. 

This stay was too short, though I'm currently trying to convince my parents to buy a vacation house in the Bahamas so I can visit more often ;)


Wearing: Asos top, Urban Outfitters shorts, and Pink Pepper booties from DSW.


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