A Grey Morning at Coney Island

With so many adventures had in New York this past week, I'll be doing a mini series to capture and document my favorite parts of our trip. It seems wrong to just clump everything together in one photo-logue (besides, that would be the longest post everrrr) as each day was filled to the brim with so many wonderful moments. The posts will be interspersed, but my hope is to share all the nooks and crannies we enjoyed oh-so-much, and I hope you enjoy looking back on a few of my favorite stops along our journey in the big city as well!

Coney Island has always had this air of mysterious nostalgia when I've pictured it, like the way you feel after watching Tom Hanks in Big, or the oddity of circus side shows, and the lingering history of the people who trapes in and out on this old boardwalk, with its 100 year old ferris wheel. As if Coney Island wasn't a bit eery enough on winter's day, with its closed up doors, starkly still rides, grey atlantic coast, desolate boardwalk, and whispers of gulls off in the distance--on a day where snow goes from hail then to rain, leaving a damp wooden planks as the perfect reflector of the bright paint, vintage signs, and light posts, it becomes even more mysterious, just begging you to peek around corners, peer closely through fences, and imagine what stories lie beneath it all. 

I like to imagine what it was like, to visit this place, when it first became. Beach goers not to be seen in a swimsuit, as that was so taboo. Side shows with the hairiest lady, or the man who swallows fire, or the bend-able acrobat dare-deviling his way across tight ropes and through suspended hoops--"enter if you dare, for a penny, to see it all" they'd say. Ice-cream cones with simple flavors, street music with accordions, and hot dogs of course. And how people came from all over just to ride to the very top of the wheel, and oh the view, how simply breath-taking it was to a Coney Island goer in 1920. 

One week ago today, we woke up and hopped on the subway straight to Coney Island. The few hours of exploring ended with a cup of coffee and a late breakfast hotdog at the World Famous Nathan's. It was the best way to spend that beautifully grey Saturday morning in New York. Firsts for me, on this adventure: The trip to Coney, hotdogs before 11 a.m., and the beach at 20 degrees.

Printstagram Happy

I'm kind of smitten with candid photos. I used to have a polaroid camera that I'd use all throughout high school years, until they discontinued making film for awhile, and it became ridiculously expensive per photo. I still have the polaroid cameras, and still love that instant candid snap of a moment. That's why I like Instagram so much. So this year when I went to make our Christmas cards, I thought I'd try out ordering my Instagrams, and go for a more "polaroid" vibe with the photographs. In the process, I got totally hooked on this company called Printstagram. Have you heard of them? I ordered their Mini Prints, which is a set of 48 individual small prints on thick quality paper. Its such a steal. I ordered just the amount I needed for the cards and had enough of a quantity left over to pick out my favorites from my Instagram feed that I now have started a little collection of in my desk area.

I'm so impressed with this company, especially with the quality of the prints and their customer service. I have been deciding what I am going to order next! There are three really great photographs taken out in Kansas, with the wide open prairie, that Matt truly loves. He keeps on mentioning how he wants them printed. I think I may get a few printed larger, in a set of three or four, that we can hang in the bedroom. ( Or maybe the set of Squares!)

The Mini Prints were just the perfect little touch for our Christmas cards this year. Don't you think?  Have you ordered your Instagrams before? What company did you use? Who would you recommend? I'm completely convinced that I should order my favorite Instagrams bi-yearly ;)

Have I Ever Shown You Our Tiny Gallery Wall?

I love seeing the little nooks and crannies of a home. You know, the little corners and areas that aren't usually blogged about or photographed. Its those little spaces that are saved for guests and the passings by of everyday living. And then I realized: I haven't really shared those little spaces on here. So why not? Maybe there is another one of you who loves seeing little nooks and crannies too. First up, the tiniest gallery wall.

Hello August

SOURCE

Hello August, I wasn't quite ready for you! Before you turn this sunny season into a crisp fall, here's a little reminder of the summer days we had in July. It was a good month! (Photographs from Instagram, @lauren_tien)

Denver Adventures | Summer Lately

You may have noticed that I have definitely been lagging on the DIY front, but you guys, I'm not to blame. Denver is. It has been too gorgeous out lately to not spend our free time in and around the city. And so many places to go! Having lived in four cities our first four years of marriage, my perspective has changed a bit. I took those towns for granted, and looking back, I wish we would have explored more, deepened our roots further, and known the ins and outs of our towns when we lived in them so darn well that we could have written a book about them. I don't know how long we will be in Denver --city proper-- and there are so many things on my to do list. Still, after a year, adventures in this city linger while nooks wait to be yet experienced. So lately, this summer, we have been doing just that--taking the opportunity to explore and get out!

Happy 4th!

Happy Fourth of July, friends! I hope you get outdoors today, are surrounded by community, and perhaps enjoy a late summer night with sparklers and s'mores (sticky fingers required).

Just in case you are in the mood for a patriotic DIY, I am sharing three over at Darling Magazine today!  >>You can read the article in full here. 

photos via 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

California Instagrams

Ten days in May I found myself California bound, and California loved. Here are some snapshots from my lens that week. (Note the amazing avocados, a trip to Trader Joe's, and year round outdoor pools--all a luxuries I very much miss at times--second to my best friends).

Repurposing Frames. Tray Chic.

I am notorious for framing too many photographs and art. I switch out what is on my walls and shelves so frequently, that a stack of unused frames accumulates in a closet.  Problem number one: Clutter. Problem number two: Pretty prints and photographs hidden away. While tackling problem number one this weekend, and decluttering the stacks of items on shelves and in the closet of my second bedroom, I played around with the unused framed pieces. While organizing away I came up with a fun way to incorporate a few framed art and photographs back out of the closet, and into our home, tackling problem number two.  

Typically for coffee tables, desk tops, and other home surfaces I've seen a lot of mirrors transformed, vintage crates repurposed, and other ideas out there for trays in the realm of home decor (even those trays that have slots for you to add photographs, you know the type). I am happy to say that now we can add framed art to the list of makeshift decor trays (and I'm sure I'm not the first to come up with the idea, but its still a refreshing way to use framed art!). Whether you go the mix and match route (like I did above in my desk area) or stick to a color palette where the items complement or go with the feel of what is framed (like below with the shabby beach vibe), it is a way to organize a space where knick knacks and little bits of lovely might otherwise look disheveled and not cohesive. A perfume and jewelry tray? A place to collect letters and stationary? A tray for lightweight jars and tea candles? A place for your fill-in-th-blank collection? Love it.