A couple weekends back, I went to see Yayoi Kusama's Obliteration Room - which is part of her current exhibition "Give Me Love" at the David Zwirner Gallery! I've seen photos of her Obliteration Room when it was on display in other parts of the world, and have always been wanting to experience it for myself (hoping that it would some day make its way to NY). When I found out she was returning to the David Zwirner gallery this spring, I was SUPER stoked and got my butt over there ASAP.
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DIY Cement Pineapple Planter
As the weather is starting to (finally) get warmer, I find myself having a serious case of green thumb syndrome and wanting to hoard ALL the succulents. As a graphic designer, I feel like I'm a bit OCD when it comes to potting my plants. I look at each plant as a design prompt (LOL) - and always set out to find the perfect "home" for each. Salvation Army and Goodwill have been great for cheap $1-$2 finds, but sometimes I have something specific in mind and no matter how many different thrift stores I hit - I can't find what I'm looking for. I've really been wanting to plant my newest purchase (a little zebra haworthia succulent) in a geometric cement planter, but haven't really found one that I really love (at a price that I also love, lol). So when you can't find the right planter - what's a girl to do? Welp, make one - DUH!
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Elly Kim Daeun's SS14 Collection
Back in January, my friend Elly asked me if I could help her photograph her SS14 collection. I met Elly during my freshman year at Pratt, and I'm so glad that even years later after studying in different departments (fashion design vs. graphic design) - that we were able to come together post grad to do this fun shoot! Elly's collection is inspired by various different aspects of Korean culture, and I love her eye for color and pattern - as those are two things I am a mega fan of myself. ;) I absolutely couldn't wait to do a collab shoot with her!
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I have no idea who this girl is, but she was one of my favorites that I saw on Saturday!
NY Fashion Week Street Style 2015
On Saturday (Valentine's Day), I trekked up to Lincoln Center to take some photos outside for day 3 of NY's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week! Despite freezing my ass off for a little over 4 hours, I had a great time.
Last year, I went for the first time with a small group of people. We didn't stick around for too long because it was painfully cold. Luckily it was in the 30s on Saturday, which is warm compared to the windy ass days that followed. I was able to stay outside longer this year, and I took a lot more pictures (over 500... lol).
Despite not having a ticket to any of the shows (cuz I ain't got money for that) - I really enjoyed loitering outside near the fountain and playing paparazzi. It was basically like a giant gathering of beautiful people (from all over the world) - all ready for their close up. As a matter of fact, I think most of the people I photographed weren't native NY-ers. I really enjoy portrait / fashion photography, but haven't had the opportunity to do any lately - so this was a lot of fun for me!
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Valentine Colorventures
Happy Valentine's Day!
I know that I have literally dropped off the face of the blogging world as of lately, but this post is the end of that dry spell! I have taken up quite a bit of exciting personal projects lately since the new year has gotten started, and just haven't made it a priority to sit down and write in awhile.
I started up my own Society 6 shop, which is something that I have been wanting to do for awhile. Come visit me! society6.com/amyventures
In January, I also wrote a collab blog post with Live Like You're Traveling about solo adventuring - which was a lot of fun to write! You should definitely go check it out. ;)
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15 Mantras For 2015!
Happy New Year! I can't believe that it's 2015 already - 2014 came and went so fast!
This being my first full year of post-grad life, I'm feeling like kicking some serious ass and have decided to take up a personal project. Gotta start the new year with a bang! ;) I have been wanting to work on my hand-lettering typography skills for a little while now, and so I created this little project to share with you all: a series of 15 hand-lettered mantras for 2015! (If it all goes well, I may do more than 15). I have looked to inspiring / motivational quotes quite a bit this past year to get me through some of my lowest points. Sometimes when you're not feeling on top of the world, reading just the right words can totally change your mood and mindset.
New Year's is always a time to reflect back on all that has happened in the last year, acknowledge what you have learned, and revel in all the ways that you have grown. It is also a time to set new goals, hopes, and dreams - and find a way to make the next year even better. With my "15 Mantras For 2015" project, I hope to share with you some "words to live by" to keep your spirits flying high in the new year. By taking steps to fulfill my resolution, I am also hoping to motivate you to fulfill yours as well.
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DIY Gift Wrapping: Gold Sharpie on Kraft
Ideally, I would have had this post up and ready for you all much earlier than this - but I admit that I am a mega procrastinator when it comes to gift buying and wrapping! It's actually a miracle that I have this ready for you today on Christmas Eve (lol) - as most other years I am typically still wrapping the night of Christmas Eve. Chances are most of you smart people are already done with your wrapping, but in the case that you still haven't finished - I'm here to share with you what I did this year! If you have finished, maybe you will find these ideas useful for next year or any other gifts you may be wrapping in the future (birthdays, Valentine's Day, anniversaries, etc.)
This year I decided to do my own DIY gift wrapping. Of all the people in my family, I am probably the only one who truly gets into the spirit of wrapping gifts. Most people in my family think that the extra ribbons are a waste of time / money, but I think that an extra pretty gift (from the outside) is much more fun and exciting to open. With all that said, you can totally dress up your gifts and make them extra special without spending a whole lot of money - and I am here to share with you how I did just that. :)
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Chester - The Stars Hollow of New Jersey
This week I took a "me" day and decided to drive to the historic town of Chester, NJ. It's been weeks since I've had a good local adventure, so I took advantage of the 50 degree day we had on Wednesday. As the weather has gotten colder, my outdoor hiking ventures have sadly died down quite a bit - as I don't feel as inclined to go freeze my butt off. I have driven through historic Chester many times, and always thought it was the cutest little town upon passing by. It's a small strip of shops, but I feel like there is so much to see. I spent 4-5 hours just walking around looking at everything and taking it all in. I also have been binge-watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix, and it very much so felt like a visit to Stars Hollow.. haha.
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My Black Friday / Cyber Monday Haul
I'm hoping you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with delicious noms and quality family time! (I know I did) - and we all know what comes after Thanksgiving: Black Friday / Cyber Monday! I have never been one to really fully embrace Black Friday or Cyber Monday before… the thought of shopping when everyone else is shopping has always made me wanna vom. I can't stand shopping at a crowded store, so I have always avoided going out to shop on Black Friday. I also have never really been a fan of online shopping (for clothes) - because I am one who always needs to try shit on before buying it so that I don't buy something that looks ridiculous on me / doesn't fit right. I'm also generally pretty careful about how I spend money, and rarely (if ever) go on a shopping binge of any sort ever. This year, however, was different - and I decided to treat myself to a few goodies. Life is too short to hold onto all your money, and sometimes you really do deserve something nice! ;)
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Salted Caramel Apple Slices
Today's post is a quick snack idea! I had some leftover homemade caramel sauce from when I baked a Thanksgiving salted caramel apple pie from scratch, and I have been debating what I should do with it before it goes bad (in 3 weeks or so). You are supposed to make more sauce than what you need to make the actual pie (in order to reduce chances of burning), so I had about half of what I made for the pie leftover. The Four and Twenty Blackbirds pie book suggests re-heating it and drizzling it over ice cream sundaes (which isn't a bad idea), but I personally don't eat as much ice cream during the colder months / when snow starts falling. I thought about potentially making another pie, but decided against it since it takes so much time to do it and there really isn't any special occasion / holiday to bake it for this time around. I also didn't think my family wanted to eat the same exact pie so soon again -- it would almost detract from how special the first one was, haha.
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