Beautiful Life and Style

Tag Archives: Photography


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Back from Barcelona!

Annnnnnd…. we’re back! I don’t know if in the hectic past month I even mentioned I was traveling to Spain, but we’ve just returned from our week long vacation! This was the big one I’ve been needing! So much time to unwind and relax- I’m so sad its over- its been a painful transition back to the “real world”. But I have LOTS to share (especially in the architecture department) so look forward to more photos this week! In the meantime, here are a few spoilers for you to enjoy (I actually took these!):

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The Shoes He Wore

I know I keep saying this- but I’m really having trouble getting back into the swing of blogging. I’m even lacking in reading other blogs! My google reader has HUNDREDS of unread posts to catch up on. Please bare with me!!!! Big rewards for the readers still out there! ;) I promise I’ve been cooking up a great recap/ city guide from our trip to St. Louis, dreaming up beautiful summery outfits and planning summer garden parties. But TODAY I just wanted to share the AMAZING May cover of Boston Magazine:

Boston Magazine May Cover

It’s a powerful image for sure- a collection of shoes from runners of the Boston Marathon coming together in one heart. There is an incredible story about how it all came together on their website. My favorite quote:

“To me the cover is about two things: perseverance and unity. By itself, each shoe in the photograph is tiny, battered, and ordinary. Together, though, they create something beautiful, powerful, and inspirational. Remove just one shoe and you begin to diminish, in some small way, the overall effect. Collectively, they are the perfect symbol for Boston, and for our response to the bombings.”

I also wanted to share the image because its not everyday your boyfriend makes the cover of a magazine- and Nick was lucky enough to be one of the shoes included (his are the grey and green ones below the O-S of Boston). Maybe a small consolation for not finishing the race? Probably not in his mind, but still very special. Its interesting to see how his is literally just one piece of the puzzle- thousands of stories joined together by one event.

Boston Magazine May Back Cover

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And I know that next year they will all definitely finish the race.


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Scenes from the Boston Flower and Garden Show

Hi there! I’m back! Where have I been?? Hiding under the covers avoiding the snow? Jetsetting around the globe to fabulous destinations (HA!) Nope, believe it or not- I’ve been working! I’ll let you swallow your shock. In all seriousness though, this blog is NOT my full time job and every once in a while my real one does pick up quite a bit. Engineering has its ups and downs based on project schedules and lately I’ve been designing buildings non stop.

I did happen to squeeze in a visit to the Boston Flower and Garden Show this past weekend. I had never been before and was happy we finally made the trip. It was a nice break to the endless winter we were having. I’m seriously craving Spring!!!

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For the event, the entire World Trade Center Exhibition hall is transformed with several gardens of varying styles brought indoors.. I can’t imagine the amount of work that goes into setting this up. Not only do the exhibitors have to build up the planting areas, fill them with soil, plant all of the TREES, bushes, flowers etc, build patios and arrange seating areas, BUT THEN some of them even go so far as to install working waterfalls and fountains. I’m explaining this all poorly, but here are my best pictures. I’ll apologize in advance for any cameo appearances by Boston area grandmothers- they were swarming the place!

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This was by far my favorite setup- not only did they have flowers and a gorgeous fountain- but do you see those “cages”?? THERE ARE REAL BIRDS IN THERE:

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Nick was pretty much ready to move into this child’s playhouse- I can’t say I blame him:

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There were also a bunch of vendors “peddling their wares…” Everything from wind-chimes and outdoor grills, to local honey and outdoor inspired art. I was in LOVE with these framed butterflies (I have a butterfly weakness).

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Of course these gigantic garden displays are lovely if you own a house with a big yard and have $25,000+ to spend on landscaping, but for me and my current living situation, everything was more of a mental note for “someday”. Thats not to say there weren’t some more indoor friendly garden ideas. This Bonsai was out of control beautiful and I STILL am obsessed with terrariums. There was also an entire room of beautiful floral arrangements.

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I can’t wait to go back next year! I really would recommend the event to anyone who finds themselves in Boston in late March. While I can’t promise that it won’t be winter outside, it was certainly a welcome taste of Spring.


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Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Today I woke up to the most magical site. A city covered in a blanket of snow with even more gently falling all around. As I was walking to work I captured a few shots on my iphone- hope to add a few later! In the meantime, hope you enjoy these ones alongside one of my favorite poems. I seriously cannot walk through the snow without reciting it to myself. (thanks mom!)

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Whose woods these are I think I know.   
His house is in the village though;   
He will not see me stopping here   
To watch his woods fill up with snow.   
My little horse must think it queer   
To stop without a farmhouse near   
Between the woods and frozen lake   
The darkest evening of the year.   
He gives his harness bells a shake   
To ask if there is some mistake.   
The only other sound’s the sweep   
Of easy wind and downy flake.   
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.   
But I have promises to keep,   
And miles to go before I sleep,   
And miles to go before I sleep.
By Robert Frost

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Artwork by: Henry Leutwyler

When I was little, like most little girls, I had a serious passion for ballet. My family’s yearly December tradition was to go to the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center and I LOVED it. Everything- the costumes, the staging, the lights, the music and especially the dancers captivated my little mind to the point of obsession. Sometimes at home, I would put on the record (geez I sound old) of the Nutcracker soundtrack and then dance around the house practicing my way to my dream career. My obsession was so great that one year I even dressed up as the sugar plum fairy for Halloween (BEST COSTUME EVER).

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Me and my Mom and Dad at Lincoln Center (maybe 1991??)

While I don’t dance anymore, I still have a great love for ballet and especially the New York City Ballet. You may also know I have a love of art. Which was why I was so excited when I recently came across Henry Leutwyler’s photos in New York Magazine. Leutwyler was granted a behind the scenes glimpse of the company during the early winter of 2012. He worked almost like a ghost, photographing a side of the art form that is rarely seen. The result is a collection that captures the contrast between the magic of the art of ballet, and the difficult sacrifices for perfection.

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Of this first photograph the artist says “If I had to title the picture, I would call it Reality and Dreams. The foot en pointe is what every little girl dreams of. The other is the hard, hard work, and the reality.”

And I think this quote perfectly captures the essence of the photos as a larger group. Here are a few other favorites:

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All of these images are now captured in his book Ballet and also in an accompanying exhibit from now through January 6th.

What do you think? Do you love these images as much as I do? Or do you prefer only the polished beautiful end result of ballet without knowing the gruesome details? I think for me, these images give me an even greater appreciation of the art form.

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