beret baguette

This clip was filmed in Paris for the 2011 Beret Baguette.  It’s a dress up bike ride + picnic.

Béret Baguette 2011 from Benjamin Donadieu on Vimeo.

homebody

a few shots from around my cozy apartment. since I don’t venture out much during the winter.

across the universe

a visual tour of places I’d like to visit + revisit in 2012.

This post inspired by think kit.

this one’s easy

What new skill do I want to learn in 2012?

this:

because this:

This post was inspired by think kit 2011.

making something

I came across this image on Pinterest the other day…

and it reminded me so much of a place I spent a lot of time as a child.

That’s me, with my great aunt Hanlo.

Another shot of the family. My late cousin Susi on the left, my great uncle Henning, and my mom on the right with the curly (permed) hair. That painting in the background was by Otto Weil, Hanlo’s father, a portrait of Hanlo when she was very young. I have my own Otto Weil oil painting in my apartment.

Aunt Hanlo and Uncle Henning’s house was full of wooden sculptures, prints, and oil paintings done by family and friends.

My mom’s house:

These sketches and wooden bust were done by my great grandfather, York Fischer. I have a painting of his, of a dancing girl. It was passed down to me by my own grandfather, also named York Fischer, whose home is also full of art created by loved ones.

It’s hard not to be heavily influenced by this. And I decided to hand-make all my Christmas gifts this year. I’m really not an artist, just a dabbler. The same goes for music, singing, dancing, etc. I often boast that my greatest talent is “being mediocre at everything.”*

Nonetheless, I have been trying my hand at oil painting, praying that some tiny part of my artsy lineage would come through… I’m not quite ready to share that adventure with the world, yet. I did, however, have a back-up plan, using medium I know very well. The internet.

I made a Tumblr for my mom, armed with a scanner and a shoebox of old pictures and ephemera belonging to her late mother, Violet. My Nana.

I scanned in about 40 photos so far, and I’ll keep adding to it. My mom is excited to add her own thoughts and captions.

And I made one for my dad, too. I scanned in wedding announcements and old love letters sent back and forth between his mom and dad during WWII. The letters are rice paper-thin and full of emotion.

This post was inspired by Think Kit 2011.

* My mom disagrees.

hip to be square

It’s been a while since I’ve written about my city, much less my neighborhood. That needs to change. There’s certainly plenty going on in Fountain Square: construction controversies, bike lane growing pains, new shops and eateries coming… and going.

I live and work here now. My “neighbors” are Jen at IndySwank and Joe at Joe’s Cycles. So many people have invested their lively hood in this place. Gives me an extra dose of neighborhood pride.

I’ll keep this post short on words and heavy on the visuals, because that’s one of my favorite things about FS. There’s so much to look at.

I walk to work every morning, when it’s quiet. When it has the most grace. I spot details in the architecture, street art that’s sprouted overnight. Greet a feral cat or two. At night, I bask in the glow of neon signs, the haze of cigarette smoke. I spend a lot of time just gazing at Fountain Square, like a sleeping lover. (And yes, I meant that in the creepiest way possible.)

Your turn.

this post inspired by think kit 2011.

anna karina + serge gainsbourg

un café

Oh, coffee. One of a few habits I should probably kick, but just can’t seem to. What is it about you, coffee? I just can’t stay away. If you’re a coffee lover like me, you’ll enjoy this flickr set called 41 coffees.

some things never change

or require explanation.

(see)attle

happy halloween

sub city paris

“Three years ago in Paris I got out of a “metro” train at La Concorde, and saw suddenly a beautiful face… I could not find any words that seemed to me worthy, or as lovely as that sudden emotion.” – Ezra Pound

This is the continuation of a series that explores that moment of uncertainty and magic that happens when you emerge from the depths of the subway system. See Sub City New York at vimeo.com/​redglass/​sub-city-nyc

Sub City Paris from Redglass Pictures on Vimeo.

eight hours in brooklyn

kid knees

So, this last weekend I had my first kidney stone attack. I say ‘attack’ because this thing came at me like an angry mama bear. And she sent me straight to the E.R.

I probably have kidney stones coming and going as they please, without much fuss – until they strike again. The doctor made it a point to tell me this is something I’ll probably have to deal with the rest of my life. Oof.

Something to do with a nice pair of genes. My mom was in the hospital with her first kidney stone attack when she was just a few years older than me, just a few weeks after I was born. Se la vie.

(image via marilynne)

If you’re unaware, a kidney stone attack is “often described as one of the strongest pain sensations felt by humans (being worse than childbirth, broken bones, gunshot wounds, burns, or surgery).”

Which, I suppose, makes me kind of a tough chick, fresh from battle. Although, now the only thing I’m fighting off are sneaky nap attacks:

after new york, every place else is bridegport

I spent last week in nyc, a place I’ve visited several times but never really experienced. the first time I went, I was just a kid. my mom took me and I don’t remember much beyond trying escargot in a fancy restaurant and seeing jesus christ superstar for the first time. (both of which, I loved.)

I went again as a high school student on a senior year field trip. this is when I  remember doing all the touristy things: saw the statue of liberty, times square, chinatown, ground zero, and several broadway shows (I was in show choir and it was a REALLY big deal that I got to see Adam Pascal reprise his role as Radames in aida.)

And then again on a whirl-wind trip to times square for new year’s eve with an then-boyfriend in college. sounds romantic, but it was really just a lot of standing around and a brief lindsay lohan sighting.

as you can imagine, this trip was completely different. I am (more or less) an adult, doing adult things like exploring Brooklyn on the back of a motorcycle, shopping at flea markets in williamsburg, and enjoying back-to-back evenings of rare steak and old fashioneds.

my favorite night spots were weather Up in prospect heights and roman’s in fort greene (both pictured below, respectively). Honorable mention goes to jimmy’s no. 43 in the east village for a memorable last night in nyc.

other highlights included a nap in prospect park, a mango flower on a stick with chili sauce and salt at coney island and scenes from the west indian day carnival parade.

despite intimidation caused by subway transit, the city seemed overwhelmingly accessible. I’m already mentally planning my next trip and can easily picture myself as a future new yorker. “Why not? It’s NYC.”

everyday french

this is why the 90s ruled.

it’s true.

(from An Education, via weheartit)

kissing for kissing’s sake

in honor of international kissing day, this:

…all from my favorite blog about love. Now go out and celebrate.

xoxo

words + text

I know it’s very hipster of me. But I can’t get enough movie stills with captions. Here are a couple my buddy Dan made.

UGH.

over the moon

Sometimes you can only express your emotions through pictures. Today, I feel like a skateboarding fox.

Happy holiday weekend. Don’t forget your sunscreen.

(images via weheartit)