iPhone photography
“To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.” - David Viscott
I held out for the real thing. It happened at precisely the right moment for us both. Rudy completely changed the game for me in the love department. It was as unexpected as it is wonderful. I've never felt so loved and at peace.
– Catherine
I have a definite comfort level with still images but video (and sound) has always intimidated me. I'm trying out the new Vine app to see how I might play with it. The short format feels less daunting somehow. It's life in little snippets. So far...I like. Check it out. Have you tried it yet?
"Travel isn't always pretty, it isn't comfortable, sometimes it hurts. It even breaks your heart. But that's ok. The journey changes you, it SHOULD change you... It leaves marks on your memory, your consciousness, your heart and on your body. You take something with you. And, hopefully, you leave something good behind."
– Anthony Bourdain, NO RESERVATIONS
(Collection 1: Episode 5, Malaysia)
I absolutely love this quote from an episode of Bourdain's show that I only recently watched. This really captures a unique but important point of view on travel. It struck a chord with me – particularly after my own recent (and incredible) trip to Cairo, Egypt. I have always felt that I'm undeniably transformed each time I travel anywhere, in a very good way. How could I not be? And to see it with fresh eyes but through someone very familair with a place is amazing. It also included moments where I feared for our safety, things that were painful to see and experiences that made me sad. But travel should teach you compassion and humility. It should redefine beauty for you many times over. It should shake you up. This trip certainly did all that and more.
View more photos on my Instagram feed or check here.
My sweet little puppy is EIGHT years old today. I love her to pieces. I think she deserves a doggie cupcake, don't you?
It was clear that the moment I started taking photos exclusively with my iPhone and decided to post them via Instagram, my interest in blogging decreased significantly. After more than three years of blogging and decades of photo-taking, I embraced this change. Although I resisted at first, it does make sharing my photography and point of view that much quicker and easier. In addition, I use the Camera+ app to edit photos on my phone – it's the best! This is the digital age. An increasingly seamless one. We ARE also more impatient (I know I am). Anyone else out there feel the same way?
The bottom line: Instagram is blogging without all the work and pre-planning. Like it or not, they're doing something right. They are up to 25 million users to date! The only glitch is Instagram makes your entire stream available only via their app and to people following you via the app. So I've set up a page on my site that streams my latest photos no matter where I go, in real-time, all in one (clean) space. I will likely continue to blog occasionally, but for my most up-to-date posts, check here.
I drew a lot of strength, joy and inspiration from all those who were so good to me this year. Thank you for your encouragement, support, generosity, laughter and kindness. I hope you all know who you are.
~ Catherine
A few friends co-organized an official Diner En Blanc (dinner in white) party in Toronto. It was held on Tuesday evening, the 27th of September at the historic Distillery District. It was such a beautiful event. The weather could not have been more perfect for an outdoor event. It was more like a mild summer evening than early fall.
To give a bit of background on Diner En Blanc, it was started by someone in Paris back in 1986, I believe. It is an elegant picnic held in a venue known for it's history (and not revealed to guests until shortly before). Everyone is REQUIRED to wear white. The original thought behind the white attire was so that the guests would all recognize one another as they gathered in the secret location in a park. Since it's inception, it's become a global, yearly event. Guests bring food for themselves or to share. Everyone is free to decorate their white table elegantly. There are many rules to adhere to for the event to be considered an "official" one. This year was a first in Toronto and attended by nearly 400 guests.
The white ensembles, tables, food and candles against the backdrop of the Distillery District were irresistible to photograph. The media buzzed around the party like flies. All my photos were taken on my iPhone (not planned). I had the honour of being seated around a few wonderful friends who also happen to be fantstic chefs. Champagne and wine flowed (unfortunately onto many a white outfit, too). So the food was fantastic to boot. It was such a wonderful evening all around. The best party of the summer happened in the fall. One of my favourite moments was around 9pm. We all lit sparklers. At the risk of sounding vomitous, it was pretty damn magical.
Here's the offficial video of the evening
My friend Melanie introduced me to these amaretti cookies from Caffé Roma in Little Italy in NYC a couple of weeks ago. Now, I'm not usually so interested in amaretti cookies. But I took a bite of this and nearly melted. I recommend stopping by in the morning, like I did, and get them fresh out of the oven. They are crispy outside and soft inside. They are heavenly, take my word for it.
As a side note, I remembered Caffe Roma from my first ever trip to NYC in 1997. I stumbled in with my 35mm Pentax and took photos of it way back then (that's an unrelated photo of one of my sisters in the middle, also in NYC). Interesting how much time has passed and how much I have since lived in and have gotten to know New York. I had such a different perspective of the city then. All the years passed in a flash. Humbling to say the least.
New York, 1997
Here are some of the things that caught my eye this past month in New York. The architecture is often as interesting as the art. It's really about our points of view as well as the way we edit down to the essence.
Left to right, from the top:
MoMA (from the inside out)
A Brooklyn apartment building entrance
"Everything's going to be all right" – stairwell at the Ace Hotel
MoMA (from the outside)
Older woman seated at Bertoia chairs at the MoMA
Stairwell, Citibank office on 34th and Broadway
Passage (study) made of NYC police barrier, butterflies made of found aluminum cans by artist Paul Villinski
Seated ballerinas at Alvin Ailey
Stairs at Museum of Art & Design
A few more to come.
One of the highlights of my stay in NY this month is getting back to my dance classes at Alvin Ailey. Here was a rare moment alone in the studio just before my Horton class (first one in a year). It was an emotional reunion. It was as though I never left. My connection to this space – to dance – is difficult to articulate. Like coming home. I can imagine what it must be like for those who do this professionally. If there was one thing I wish I could bring back with me to Toronto, it would be exactly...this.
Lexie and I are back in our Brooklyn apt for (all/most) of August. The slight change of plans happened just a day or two ago. It was what I wanted to do anyway, my circumstances changed to accommodate for a longer stay. It could be my last few months of having a Brooklyn apartment. And my place was (deliberately) vacant this month anyway. Since the timing worked in favour of staying, I figured, why the hell not?!
It's been unexpectedly grounding to be back in the city. It feels a lot more like coming home this trip. It has everything to do with familiar surroundings, even for Lexie. I've lucked out with great weather. I'm taking in as much inspiration from the city now as I ever did while I lived here. It's been so wonderful to spend time with my dearest ny friends again and eating very well, as per usual. I will write a separate post on the food! I AM also doing work while I'm here and looking for interesting new projects as well.
One of the things I'm looking forward to this next couple of weeks is taking my Alvin Ailey dance classes again. In fact, I am going today. I can't wait!
Photos above (from top left):
Jeffrey's Grocery (West Village)
A West Village apartment courtyard
Lexie at her old park in Brooklyn
Still life at Joseph Leonard restaurant (West Village)
My new fall oxford/mocc ankle boots! (by Luxury Rebel)
Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn at sunset
Amazing pond experience aside, last Sunday was really about the food. Two great chefs came together: one Panamanian (Rossy) and the other Portuguese (Paula). Together they lovingly prepared one fabulous "Portumanian" feast. Just looking at these photos makes me hungry all over again.
Here was the menu for the day:
ROSSY
Empanaditas de Pollo
Chicken stuffed mini Pastry Pockets
Ceviche Mixto
Lime marinated Mixed Seafood
Mariscos al Ajillo
Shrimp & Scallops in Butter & Olive Oil Garlic Sauce
with Grilled Fennel & Smoked Tomatoes
Arroz con Guandu y Coco
Coconut & Pigeon Pea Rice
Ensalada de Palmito y Vegetales
Hearts of Palm & Vegetable Salad
Escabeche de Pescado
Pickled Fish
Crema de Mango, Gengibre & Lima
Mango Ginger & Lime Mousse
PAULA
Rissois de Camarão
Shrimp in pastry
Bolinhos de Bacalau
Codfish Puff Balls
Cataplana de Amêijoas
Clams in Cataplana
Asas de Galinha PiriPiri
Chicken Wings in Piri Piri Sauce
Porco Bêbado
Roast Drunken Pork
ChocoFlan
Chocolate Cake with Baked Custard
& Dulce de Leche
Bolos de Mel
Portuguese Honey Cakes
Thank you to Rossy and Paula for preparing such a gorgeous, delicious meal. And big hugs to our lovely host, Rossy Earle (above) for a beautiful day. I can't wait for the next one!!
When my friend Rossy told me she had a pond in her backyard, this was not what I expected. I finally got to see said pond this past weekend. It was part of a big feast prepared by two chefs. Rossy Earle, a Panamanian chef and, Paula Costa, a Portuguese chef joined forces to cook a huge Portumanian hybrid feast. I will blog about the food separately. I felt that this pond was worthy of it's own post.
How beautiful is this?! This is where a big group of my foodie friends (and a few with dogs) came together and spent the day. I was stunned when we first drove into the sprawling property – approximately 45 minutes outside of Toronto. According to my friend Rossy, this is a natural pond that has had sand poured into it. It is aerated underwater via a windmill hidden behind the trees. On the property also sits a 6 bedroom house. I understood why Rossy chooses to live here and not in downtown Toronto. The temparature of the water was absolutely perfect and not too cold for this tropical baby. The colour of the water really does look this way in real life. I was in heaven floating peacefully in it – face to the sky.
It was the best day of my entire summer so far. It was a much needed day of relaxation, sunshine, good friends (around 20 of us in attendance), great food, lots of laughs and even some good bubbly. What a beautiful day. I hope I get a chance to come back and do it again before the summer ends.
Stay tuned for the upcoming post on this day's Portumanian menu :)
The Toronto Carpet Factory building, Liberty Village, Toronto
First there was New York, now there's Toronto by iPhone. This is a work in progress, there will be much more to come. The Toronto Carpet Factory building is easily the most beautiful in Liberty Village
It's all about simple pleasures. Taking cues from my dog, Lexie. Happy Canada Day and July 4th long weekend everyone!
I went for my first bike ride in six years this past weekend. I have not been on a bicycle since my Paris trip in 2005! The weather could not have been more beautiful. It was a mostly a cloudless sky with a light breeze and no humidity. Perfect day for cycling. I had not visited High Park since the fall. The park and Grenadier Pond reminded me a bit of other parks I've spent some time in (such as Prospect Park in Brooklyn and Stanley Park in Vancouver, pre-1999). I was enjoying the first ride so much and didn't realize that I over did it. I ended up having to ice my knees last night after coming home. But all in all, it was a great day and a wonderful introduction to cycling in Toronto. It was topped off by a beautiful, grilled summer dinner with good friends. What could be better?
I plan to relish the few short months of warmth in Toronto and explore the city some more this summer. Bicycle ownership is imminent. The numerous benefits of cycling are, of course, obvious. And I get why people are so passionate about it. It was exhilarating. It was the best way to see Paris, why not Toronto?
For the first time in history, I visited New York and felt...nostalgic. Even though it felt like I was only there two weeks ago, I realized as I stepped outside and then into the subway that New York had since become part of my past. It was a different feeling from my last (stressful) business trip there in December of 2010. Despite feeling very 'at-home' there, I was filled with emotion as the train made it's way into the city from Brooklyn. I was back on the same train line I used to take to work each day. I was suddenly able to articulate what I was feeling because it was as clear as day and so intense:
New York (to me) had become like that ex-boyfriend who completely broke my heart once. New York is the man I'm still in love with and still want – but I know exactly why it didn't work out between us back then. I couldn't get over the feeling – it was the best way I could descibe it. I choked back tears as I made my way into the West Village. Apparently, I'm not the first person to ever feel this way about New York. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised.
My hectic but amazing week there was filled with quality time with friends, a great wedding party, great food and fantastic art, fashion and film. It also revealed a lot. For one, some (not all) of my friends who still live there tend to forget how to appreciate the city. It's easy to be caught up in the stresses of life, I suppose. New York can be unkind after all. I realized how unhappy I was before I left. The reasons behind this had little to do with the city itself but more to do with my circumstances at the time. I realized that I never forgot how to love it even when I lived there – and that NO ONE can ever belittle how difficult it was for me to leave. Second, I appreciated even more the friendships I had built during my nearly 12 years there. I was reminded that forging new friendships in a new city will take time. I also realized I had actually become a much stronger person in the midst of the huge challenges I faced in the past year. It was good to get some perspective and to be reminded that New York will always be there. The future still lies ahead and there's no telling where it will take me.
I'm in Brooklyn/NYC this week. Lots of people to see, things to do and eat. Stay tuned for upcoming posts :) Enjoy your weekend!
This weed I found today in the rainy alley had me thinking. It's spring pushing on (and flourishing) no matter the conditions. It defines that eternal, unrelenting optimism I aspire to possess.
I was seduced by the small details of paintings I was looking at last night at a gallery opening. I had to capture them. What they all have in common is the moment when the artists stepped back and allowed the paint to react to water (or other solvent). It's succumbing to the unexpected and just letting things BE. There's so much beauty in that and lesson in there somewhere.