Through the Lens of an iPhone

When Feeling Blue

A few things to do when feeling blue...

Paint your toes

Indulge a little - like these Cake Balls, a delicious treat from Creme de la Cookie in Dallas, TX

Treat yourself to some bright flowers - these will surely brighten your day!

Make a friendship bracelet, or buy one of these adorable one-of-a-kind friendship bracelets from Frieda and Nellie

Hug someone special

Listen to the new song Give A Little by Hanson

Springtime with Easter Bonnets

Easter Sunday along 5th Ave in New York City is overcome with one thing, Easter bonnets! The parade has been around for over 100 years, not just to celebrate Easter but others (like me) view the parade as a formal welcoming of Spring. People come out from all five boroughs and beyond to see some of the most obscure and breathtaking bonnets.

Some bonnets were rather traditional,

While others had more of a political undertone.

Many decided bonnets just weren't enough,

So they dressed as a flower from head to toe.

From sisters, to moms, brothers, and even dogs dressed in attire.

As I was walking along Park Ave, heading over to the parade I noticed flower beds were popping up all over. This picture reminds me that even though New York is filled with hustle and bustle, a little nature, a little serenity is just right around the corner.

Every Picture Has A Story..

When I feel the least inspired is when I tend to blog. After a little soul searching and digging around to see what inspires me, the words and ideas naturally flow out. As mentioned previously I enjoy photography as well as motion pictures. I love pictures. Every picture has a story to tell; I love the idea of being able to capture rare moments, memories saved only by a quick flash. You can go back to that memory time and time again, take a peek inside and remember. That rush of feeling you once felt comes rushing back at you, sometimes so strong you want to burst!

Or you could go back and relive it. Irina Werning brought this to life with her 'Back to The Future' Project.

"I love old photos. I admit being a nosey photographer. As soon as I step into someone else’s house, I start sniffing for them. Most of us are fascinated by their retro look but to me, it’s imagining how people would feel and look like if they were to reenact them today... A few months ago, I decided to actually do this. So, with my camera, I started inviting people to go back to their future."


Irina Werning

Ready For Passover

Kugel is one of my favorite Jewish traditional dishes. It can be made many different ways, either sweet or salty. You can add raisins, apples, cottage cheese, potatoes, spinach, you name it! After searching for days for the perfect Kosher for Passover Apple Kugel, I finally found it. Enjoy :)

Ingredients:

-4 Large Granny Smith Apples

-1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

-1/4 Cup Orange Juice

-6 Plain Matzo

-8 Eggs

-1 Teaspoon Salt

-1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

-1 1/2 Cups Sugar

-1/2 Cup (8 tablespoons) Melted Butter

-1 Cup Raisins

-1 Cup Dried Apricots Chopped

-4 Tablespoons Butter, cut into small pieces (for Casserole Topping)

Preheat Oven to 350. Toss apples, brown sugar, and OJ into bowl, set aside. Break matzo and soak in 1 cup warm water until soft, not mushy, set aside. Beat eggs with a wire whisk in a large bowl until blended. Add salt, sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, raisins and dried apricots. Squeeze out liquid from matzo and add to egg mixture with apples. Stir well and pour into lightly greased 2 1/2 quart casserole dish or 10 x 14 inch pan. Dot the top of kugel with 4 tablespoons of butter (I only did half). Bake for one hour, cover top with foil if top begins to become too brown early in baking. Remove from oven & cool to room temperature.

*kugel can be made 2 days ahead of time, cool in the refrigerator, covered. To bring to room temperature, reheat in oven at 350.

Top 5 Glee Cover Songs

A list of my top favorite Glee songs at the moment as they are constantly changing.

1. Marry You - Full Glee Cast

2. Valerie - Santa & Mercedes

3. Teenage Dream - Blaine & The Warblers

4. Dog Days Are Over - Full Glee Cast

5. Happy Days Are Here At Last - Rachel & Kurt

Touching Story of Lost Images

When I interned at the Onion I worked with Todd Bieber, a New York filmmaker. During New York's treacherous winter while we were all waving our fists up to the sky cursing at the amount of snow, thinking how could it ever get any worse, Todd Bieber discovered more than just a blanket of snow. He began a journey. This journey and the mystery behind it became his life. 

His adventure is touching and inspiring. I hope anyone who watches can appreciate his dedication and the helpfulness of others.

The Heart Of Life

John Mayer has been a part of my soul since High School. Yes, I know he's turned into quite the media pest, however my love for him never fails. He's the songwriter I can turn to during the saddest of the sads and happiest of the happys.

A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I were having a hard time seeing eye to eye and I became quite emotional about it. Scared to lose him, scared our long distance was too distant, scared of what was going to come of us. As the anxiety started racing and the tears started flowing I immediately turned to the one song that would tell me it will all be okay, (yes, it's as hokey as it sounds). He's letting me know everything will be okay, everything will work out. Life will go on and your heart will be okay.

I hate to see you cry
Lying there in that position
There's things you need to hear
So turn off your tears and listen


Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around.
No it wont all go away, it should
But I know the heart of life is good.


You know it's nothing new
Bad news never had good timing
Then the circle of your friends
Will defend the silver lining


Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around.
No it wont all go away it should
But i know the heart of life is good


Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
Fear is a friend who's misunderstood
But I know the heart of life is good.


I know it's good.


-John Mayer "The Heart of Life"

Lovely & Charming Europe

Peaceful landscape of Germany

                                  

Robust Market full of Italian flare

Vibrant colors of San Gimignano, Italy

Gaudi interior of Barcelona, Spain

The elegance of France

Kiss Kiss

"Is not a kiss the very autograph of love?" Henry Finck

J'Adore

There's just something about her that I love. 

 Her sense of style,

Her effortless way of capturing that classical elegance,

The one that combines the polished lady and the flirtatious girl.

The simple truth, they call it "playful sophistication".

The perfect combination: Kate Spade