the traveling cupcake: project 52

Showing posts with label project 52. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Photography Project - Children's Photography

If you haven't noticed by my lack of Project 52 posts lately, I have become a little bored with the project. This is pretty typical for me - start off with a bang and buckets full of enthusiasm and then slowly push it to the back burner and become distracted by something else (Baking? Shopping? Shiny tinfoil??)

To combat my boredom with Project 52 I decided to try and challenge myself in another way. I have been interested in expanding my photography experience into other areas for a while now. I've done plenty of travel and landscape photography, and really liked the fast paced street photography that I did in Vietnam. I would love to try my hand at photographing weddings or newborns or children.

So that's what I did.

I put the word out with a friend of mine that has two little ones and has lots of friends with children. Soon after I had my first "project". The Roos family graciously let me invade their home for an afternoon taking photos of their beautiful children (and one cousin!). The children - Sienna (two and a half), Mia (eighteen months) and cousin William (also eighteen months) - were really good sports, letting a strange lady stick a big, weird camera in their faces.

I'm not really around kids that much so to say I learned a lot was an understatement. I learned how quick you have to be on your feet and comfortable with your camera you have to be. I found myself sticking the settings on Aperture Priority just to keep up with the little ones. I also learned how quickly little kids moods can change - from happy to crying to laughing all in less than 60 seconds!

I would like to give a great, big THANK YOU to the Roos family for letting me photography their lovely kids!

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Friday Favorites and Project 52 - the lost weeks

It has come to my attention that I have been neglecting my Project 52 recaps. Actually, I have been neglecting Project 52 as a whole. It's not that I've been doing it on purpose! I just...I just...

I just got lazy.

There, I said it.

L-A-Z-Y

I am a Taurus after all - what did you expect?!

Before I recap Project 52: the lost weeks how about time for Friday Favorites??

*DIY Tote Bag by Renske Solkesz via Design Sponge

image from Design Sponge

Although I would much rather have someone else make this bag for me (anyone? anyone?) this bag is so perfect its tempting to bust out my sewing machine and do it myself! Except that I left my sewing machine at my parents house. In New York. In the United States...

**Wet nail polish? Not anymore!

monkey nail drier

I mean....seriously.

Seriously?!

I'm half horrified and half OBSESSED. He's so cute! And I really do always mess up my nails before they dry...

*** "My favorite thing is to go where I have never been"

Me too, my friend. Me too.

And now...the moment you have ALL been waiting for!!

(pretend, ok?)

Project 52: the lost weeks

Week 30 - A letter of the alphabet

Ok, so there's more than one letter...

Week 31 - Sky

Hi Sky dog!

Week 32 - My favorite time of day...

Whenever the sun comes out!

Week 33 - Slow down and look back

Week 34 - Connections

Umm....yeah I don't know what happened here

Week 35 - Lazy

Yes, yes I am

Week 36 - Thirst for knowledge

Travel...cooking...and photography. The Traveling Cupcake.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Project 52 - week 28 and 29, and other random thoughts

This is a bit of a hodge-podge post today, stay with me! I have a few things on my mind and you get to hear all about them! Grab a cup of tea and settle in...

Random Thought #1: Screw New York
A friend of mine sent me a link to an article from a blog I had never heard of, Thought Catalog. And now I have a new obsession. The blog is a collection of posts on what appears to be random subjects from a big group of contributors. You never know what you're going to find, and it is constantly updated so there's always something interesting to read about. The link my friend originally sent to me is called Screw New York. At first I didn't know what to think, why would I want to read a negative article about my first love, New York City?! But I decided to go for it. And then, every emotion and thought that I have ever had with my love/hate struggle with NYC was right in front of my face, in black and white, laid out so clearly for the world to see.

If you have ever lived in NYC, either currently or in the past, you need to read this article. Do it!

And while you're there - check out this video on Google+

Random Thought #2: Pinterest
It's really starting to be a problem. If you have ever wanted one online space to keep any visual inspiration you have for food/clothes/style/beauty/travel/books/DIY - ANYTHING, you need to join Pinterest ASAP. Actually, I take that back. DON'T. Run for your life. Otherwise Pinterest will suck you in and you will spend hours with your eyes glued to your computer not blinking or moving or barely even breathing.

The first time I heard about Pinterest I heard about it four times in one week. I thought that was a bit odd and anything that I heard about multiple times in one week is bound to be awesome (except for Twilight, I'm sorry I still can't bring myself to be interested). Anyway, I went online, signed up and had a look what this new fangled site was all about. In the most basic sense it is an online space where you can create boards to house things that interest you. But really, it is so much more. You can repin other peoples inspirations, you can add a bookmark on your tool bar that allows you to pin nearly anything you want from the internet, AND you can download and app for your iPhone/iPad for mobile pinning. Basically I love this site more than facebook and twitter combined.

And because I can't post anything on my blog without a picture included, on to Project 52. I have to admit, while I still LOVE this project, I have been slacking mah-jor. I find my self using photos that I have randomly taken during the week to fit the theme of the week. At least that means that I'm consistently using my camera, what it also means is that I'm not actually challenging myself to think outside the box and take pictures of that weeks theme on purpose. So, thats my renewed challenge to myself.

Project 52 - Week 28 Sweet Release

These Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispie Treats fit the theme perfectly!

Project 52 - Week 29 Get in Close

Taken at the Louvre last weekend while I was in Paris. Any closer and we'd be right in that guys mouth!

Friday, July 08, 2011

Project 52 - week 27 (!)

Week 27....already?? You know what that means....that means this year is more than half over.

What the what?!

This weeks theme...Nature's Finest

Learn from me - don't make and consume buttercream frosting at midnight, its bad for your sleep habits.

Happy Friday everyone!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Project 52 - week 21, 22 and 23

I've been a little slack on posting my Project 52 photos over the last few weeks...I blame the lack of internet while in NYC.

And the sun in NYC...that always distracts me.

But, now that I am back in rainy London and have round the clock access to internet - I guess I've run out of excuses.

Its the rain - I can always blame it on the rain.

Week 21 - Reflection

Another iphone beauty. I actually really like this shot because there is so much going on in the photo, its almost hard to tell what its supposed to be. And then suddenly, you see it.

Like one of those Magic Eye posters that they used to sell at the mall way back in the day.

HELLO flash back to the mid-90's!

Speaking of which, I went for an eye test while I was back in the good ol' US of A and they made me look at one of those things to test my depth perception or some crap. Thats two Magic Eye/1990's flashbacks in two weeks. Clearly, it's a sign.

Not sure what its a sign of, but I'll let you know once I figure it out.

Shall we...?

Week 22 - Enchantment

This photo was taken at my good friends wedding reception in Connecticut last week - which I still need to tell you about! It's coming, I promise!! They had the most beautiful summer weather and the venue was amazing. The whole day was...enchanting.

Week 23 - Make it tasty

Clearly this assignment was made just for me. In case you didn't notice, I LOVE to bake. And I LOVE to take pictures of said baked goods. Ironically enough, I didn't make a single thing in this weeks photo. My in-laws graciously hosted a BBQ for our family and friends while we were in NY. Nearly everyone brought a treat for dessert AND my mother in-law got some amazing cupcakes and CHOCOLATE COVERED MARSHMALLOWS (i.die.) It was super sugar overload-slash-heaven. The little girl in the photo, our good friends daughter, told her mom that it was the best day of her life. I'd like to think it had something to do with me being there, but in reality its probably because there were cookies and cupcakes and marshmallows and pizza. The girls got good taste.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Birthday Flowers and Project 52

This weeks Project 52 assignment was "Window Light". Normally I would scoff at this assignment - do they really expect me to get some decent light when I live in the cloudiest place on earth??

Ok, maybe not THE cloudiest place on earth (I think thats somewhere up in North Scotland), but close.

But if you have been in London at all over the last five weeks or so you would know that I would have be making false complaints. The sun has been out nearly every day - there has been an abundance of sunshine over the past month since I have been back...it's starting to freak me out!

The next part was finding something interesting to photograph in said sunlight. Dogs, cats, kids? Nope, nope, nope.

And then it was my birthday. And my husband brought home the biggest bouquet of flowers I have ever seen.

*read more*

Friday, April 22, 2011

Project 52 - back on track

I have a confession to make.

This years Project 52, will only end up being Project 49 for me.

I have a good excuse, really I do!

Unfortunately I missed week 13, 14 annddd 15 due to a little thing called my honeymoon.

See, told you it was a good excuse.

But have no fear!! I'm back on track now. I know, you were scared. It's all going to be ok. The suns out, it has to be ok.

This weeks theme - Furry Friends.

Actually, I almost missed this weeks assignment as well as the only furry friend I have is Brian. But I didn't think he would appreciate being put in that category.

And then!!!

A last minute request to watch our favorite cockapoo EVER, Tucker.

Low and behold - a furry friend.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Project 52 - week 11...need your help!

Ok my friends, I need your help this week.

Now, I know that Project 52 isn't the most important/crucial/serious project in the world, but I like to make sure that each week I am submitting my absolute best photo.

My photo this week will be coming from my recent trip to Barcelona (see here and here if you missed it), since its the only chance I have had to take photos this week.

And I'm stuck.

I can't decide which photo to submit as my best representation of this weeks theme - Darks and Lights

(its not that I am sooo amazing at photography and have a hundred photos I'm trying to decide between, really it's only two - but you know how I am at making decisions...)

(terrible)

So here we go...don't be too harsh

or...

So, lets hear it!

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Project 52 - week 9 and 10

For once...I am submitting my Project 52 before the last day I can turn it in! Procrastination - I'm done with you!

Lies. Thats a big fat lie.

I'm sorry for lying to you.

Before we get to week 10 I'll back track to week 9. Actually, you've already seen this photo. Hopefully it didn't make you drool too much...

The theme for week 9 was Express Yourself. I think the best way I express myself is through my baking!

The theme for week 10 is Childhood Toys.

This was a hard for me (I feel like I say this a lot!) - since we don't have any kids of our own, and don't really have any friends who have kids (in London at least), I didn't really know what to take a picture of.

On Saturday I walked around Hampstead Heath with my friend Emily to take some photos. She wanted some practice using her dSLR and I'm always game for a photo session. We ended up in a semi wooded area just as the sun went behind the clouds. I shot a picture of this amazing tree - this area looked like we were in some kind of fairy book forrest.

I was uploading my photos on Sunday and was thinking about this weeks theme. When this photo popped up I immediately thought back to my parents front yard and how my sister and I used to climb the trees, in particular the one right in the middle of the front yard. I usually didn't make it past the first level of branches (guess this heights thing has been with me for a while) but I love those trees. We even take family photos in front of them (see below).

I'm not sure if a tree counts as a "toy" but they sure are fun (and make good backgrounds)!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Project 52 - week 8

Happy Friday!!

I have to tell you - I am mighty glad its Friday...even more than usual this week.

It was quite the week -
particularly stressful week at work...
photography class for 3 hours after work every night...
stomach bug knocked me down for a couple days...
dog sitting for the second half of the week....
all on my own.

But have no fear, all is right in the world starting tomorrow. No work for two days....Brian gets back tomorrow afternoon...and I have a world of knowledge in my little brain about my camera and how to improve my photography.

So for the last two hours of this crazy week, I'm going to sit here with a glass of wine, food network on in the background, and show you my photos for Project 52. Not.too.shabby.

This weeks theme: The view from here...

OH what a theme! The possibilities!

At the end of what seemed like one of the busiest I have had this year (so far...) a blessing shined down on me - that little blessing was sunshine and temperatures over 50 F *cue angels singing*

It really is amazing what a little sunshine and warm weather will do for people - I actually saw people smiling and whistling walking down the street!

The view from here....was Spring!

Unfortunately I know this nice weather is short lived...back to freezing temperatures and rain by Monday.

I'll take what I can get! Here are a few more of my favorites from this week...

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Project 52 - week 7

Hi all! Ready for this weeks photo?

Me neither.

I actually almost didn't submit a photo this week as I didn't have time to take the photo that I wanted to fit the theme. Correction, I had the time and even had my camera with me - but of course I forgot to put the memory card in the camera. Of course.

This weeks theme was "Open your heart". I didn't want to go the obvious route and take a photo of something heart shaped, and that pretty much gave me zero ideas.

Finally, Friday morning as I was getting ready for work I had an AH HA! moment realizing the perfect thing to take a photo of.

London.

Its been hard living over here - away from my friends and family, where the average temperature year round seems to hover around 50* and words like bin, rubbish and aubergine replace your normal vocabulary.

However, over the last two plus years I have slowly been opening my heart to London.

But don't worry New York - you're still number one!

Right, back to the story....I knew exactly where I was going to take my picture - on my bus ride to work every morning, just as we are going through Piccadilly Circus heading towards Green Park, the street opens up and you can see right down to Parliament. The light is usually so pretty at that time and sometimes when its a little foggy it can look like a painting of old world London (bar the Pizza Hut sign on the corner).

Half way in to my journey to work my stomach suddenly dropped. I opened up my camera and found the memory card slot empty. Sinking further, I tried taking a test photo to see if my camera had some sort of smaller internal memory card that I could at least use to take a couple shots. No such luck. Sunk.

One OTHER thing I opened my heart up to this week were those fantastic Guinness et al cupcakes I made over the weekend! Thus - this weeks photo....

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Project 52 - week 6

Its that time again - Project 52 time!

The theme for this week was "Words".

I was a little stuck for ideas, so I checked out the Flickr group to see what other people had posted for this theme. A lot of people took pictures of their favorite books, either on a shelf or open or stacked up. I decided that I wanted to go a completely different route. I headed to Soho in London to check out what kind of cool shop and street signs I could find.

And there I found neon. Lots of neon lights.

No this isn't a neon sign to strip club. That sign would say "girls", c'mon now.

Actually this was taken at a clothing store (I don't even remember what the name of the store was), and it had two entrances - one labeled "male" and the other "female".

I wish I had a bigger zoom lens, I really wanted to get up there in the letters.

The theme for week 7 is aptly related to Valentines Day - open your heart.

Any suggestions?

Here are a few more favorites from my neon photo shoot.

Thursday, February 03, 2011

Project 52 - week 4 and 5

Oops!

I missed posting my Project 52 submit last week...this is what happens when you buy season 3 and 4 of Mad Men and you shut yourself in your flat and are cut off from the rest of the world.

So.worth.it.

No offense.

The theme for week 4 was "Soothing Repetition". I was really stumped on what to shoot for this theme. Technically, you don't have to follow the theme each week, but I was up for the challenge. So I thought. And I thought. And I thought.

*read more*

Friday, January 21, 2011

Project 52 - week 3

Happy Friday!!

Is it just me or do Fridays get better every week? Ok, maybe not the actual day, but the feeling that in 8 - 4 - 2 hours you are FREEEEE from work for the next two days? Anyone? Maybe it was just a rough week.

I am super glad that it is Friday today since I spent the last 4 days traveling for work. Three flights, two cities, two countries and approximately 9405823940 hours spent driving in a car in four days - man I am glad to be home.

Ok - sorry, back to the topic at hand.

*read more*

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Project 52 - week 2

Hey all!

As promised here is this weeks Project 52 assignment! The theme for Week 2 was "Illustrate a Song"

These Boots are Made for Walkin'

*read more*

Saturday, January 08, 2011

New project for 2011

Hey everyone!

I hope you all had a great New Year. I'm working on my posts from my trip to Calgary (we celebrated the new year is -20*C weather) and hope to have those up by the end of the weekend. We had a ton of fun and I can't wait to share the photos! I have to admit, my experience with traveling to Canada has been very limited - a drive across the Alexandria Bay bridge, crossing over the border at Niagara Falls and a couple of trips to Toronto are about all I've seen of the country (shameful, I know). I was blown away by how beautiful the Canadian Rockies are. As usual we were in the mountains (I think I might be turning in to a mountain goat) but (as usual) they were amazing. I can't wait to go back during the summer when you can actually be outside for longer than 10 minutes without worrying that one of your appendages is going to freeze off.

But, I digress. You'll hear all about Canada in the recaps. This post is to share with you a new project that I have taken on for 2011. Anyone out there make a new years resolution? I'm not very good at those (making them - yes. keeping them - no) but still try to sneak one or two in every year. A couple of years back I decided to stop buying celebrity gossip magazines. That was (I think...) three years ago and I'm still holding strong. Now, I'm not saying that I won't read one if its laying around in the doctors office, or while I'm in the airport scanning the newstand...but, I'm still not paying money for it which is what fuels them in the first place. So I still like to think of it as a victory.

This year I have two resolutions. Ok, maybe three.

Resolution #1 - cut out artificial sugar from my diet.

I have actually gotten much better about this over the last few of years. A couple years back I was Splenda happy and putting it on/using it whenever I could. I was all over sugar free candy and cookies, if its sugar free it must be better for you, right?? Well, we all know that is false. And really, all you're doing is putting more chemicals in to your body. I'm not going to get on a soapbox and preach to you about eating all natural/organic/local foods, but personally I am trying to take more steps in my life to cut out the crap (and by crap I mean fake stuff, not desserts, good god that could never happen). Buy local/organic when I can (and can afford it). Use natural household cleaners when possible (as much fun as getting high off shower cleaner is when cleaning the bathroom, that can't be good for you). And cut out artificial sweeteners as much as I can. I figure hey, the less chemicals that go in my body the better...right?

Resolution #2 - work on my photography skills.

As you might notice from the blog, I love to take photos. Since the wedding when we were generously gifted a DSLR camera, we have taken 2 cameras on our trips. While I can't take credit for all of the photos that are posted (Brian has an incredible eye for photography as well) I am pretty pleased with most of the photos that I take. That being said, I know that they are extremely amateur. And thats ok. But, my resolution for 2011 is to really learn how to use my camera, and on the manual settings not just auto. I have been looking for and plan on taking a photography course at night or on the weekends. And I joined this new project - Project 52. There will be a new theme each week, that you can decide to follow or not, and at the end of the week you submit your best photo to the group flikr account to share with everyone. Its mostly a way to find new inspiration and challenge yourself - along with see what other folks are doing (which in turn provides more inspiration). I along with posting my photos to the group each week, I am going to post my photo here on the blog and on facebook. Hopefully that will hold me more accountable to actually completing the assignment. So feel free to harass me if you don't see any Project 52 posts on the blog!

Resolution #3 - be one with yoga.

This is kind of a half resolution, mostly because I secretly started this last year. I was doing really well actually, going to yoga 2-3 times a week. I saw a big improvement in my flexibility and back/neck problems, and I really enjoyed taking the time for myself to refocus and gain a bit of balance. That was all good and well for about 3-4 months, and I failed big time. I haven't been to a yoga class in *gulp* 8 months. EEK. I have noticed that my back and neck hurt again (doesn't help with all this cold weather), and I struggle to touch my toes. This should not be happening - I'm not even 30 yet!! So, back to yoga I go. Well...hopefully. The goal is this weekend to make it to one class. Hey, I've got to start somewhere right?? I recently quit my gym, so I will be going to only yoga studios. I'm hoping the quality of the yoga class will be a step up from the gym. I'm also looking forward to getting back in to Bikram Yoga - a series of 26 poses in a 40*C room. It is hot and sweaty and super uncomfortable. And I love it. I used to go to hot yoga when I lived in NYC, and can't wait to start again!

Like what you see?

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Friday, July 08, 2011

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Friday, April 22, 2011

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Friday, February 25, 2011

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Thursday, February 03, 2011

Friday, January 21, 2011

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Saturday, January 08, 2011