Springing Into Action

Spring has officially arrived early! Warmer weather and warm smiles =)

 I snapped a few photos of some flowers that caught my eye on the way to different destinations during the week.

 The cherry blossom trees at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens bloomed extremely early. People flocked to the gardens as soon as the blossoms were in full bloom. I wanted to visit the gardens for the Sakura Matsuri Festival on April 28-29 but it is likely that the blossoms will have already fallen. Hopefully I'll make it there before the festival!
While the flowers are beautiful to look at, it's hard to do so with my eyes watering! My allergies are horrible in the spring.

Time For Sunshine

Blouse: Zara

Jeans: J Brand

Chain: Vintage

Sunglasses: Coach

Aristotle Bike from Urban Outfitters

The weather has been great these past few days. I feel like frolicking in a meadow! If only I were near a meadow... 

My class ended early today, so I took the opportunity to go for a walk in my neighborhood.  I needed some real Vitamin D. Grass is becoming greener. The flowering dogwoods and cherry blossoms are blooming (so pretty). I'm glad spring arrived early because sunshine just puts everyone in a happier mood. Some miserable people I know at school had a smile on their face today.  What a pleasant surprise!

It's a beautiful day to go out and do something outdoors. Go for a walk or ride a bike. People don't get out much anymore. Some are stuck behind a computer at work and some are too lazy to buy their own groceries so they are delivered groceries from the supermarket. It's ludicrous. The outdoors has fresh air, go get some! =)

Incredible, Edible Art!

Cake (left) Still life of Flowers in a Glass Vase by Rachel Ruysch (Right)

Cake (left) Controlled Substances Key Painting (Spot 4a) by Damien Hirst

Cake (top) Autumn Rhythm, No. 30 by Jackson Pollock (bottom)

Cakes (top) Cakes by Wayne Thiebaud (bottom)

Cake (left) Adele Bloch Bauer by Gustav Klimt

All cakes from the Fall 2010 issue of Martha Stuart Weddings

http://picturesofcake.blogspot.com/2010/11/stunning-cakes-inspired-by-great-works.html

The things I stumble upon from my Google searches amazes me sometimes. I was looking for a Damien Hirst print for my room and I came across a cake inspired by one of his Spot Paintings.

 My curiosity caused me to come a collection of cakes that were inspired by famous artwork. Leave it to Martha Stewart to have a photo spread of cake artwork. These cakes are so beautiful!

I really like all of the cakes! However I don't think I would be able to  put my fork into the cake inspired by Rachel Ruysch's Still life of Flowers in a Glass Vase. It looks too realistic with those sugar flowers, which must have taken forever!

Wayne Thiebaud's cake inspiration is very amusing. It looks exactly like the painting! (except for the cake stands of course- Thiebaud neglected to put paint a base to the cake stands)

I wish I could have the skills to create a cake masterpiece!

The Hirst and Pollock inspired cakes seem simple though. All I would need is a cookie cutter and fondant for Hirst's. And lot's of different color chocolate to splatter for the Pollock cake.

Drench Me In Trench

1. Burberry Garbardine Beaded Collar Trench Coat

2. Jimmy Choo Garland Shoe

3. Diane von Furstenberg Lytton Clutch

4. Burberry Short Cotton Trench

5. Urban Outfitter's Bubble Umbrella

6. Salvatore Ferragamo Flavia Pump 

Burberry's spring trench line is fantastic. I created two great looks with their new trenches. #1 is from the Burberry London line and #4 is from the Burberry Brit line. My staple is what I like to call modern-classic. I like to wear items that are an updated version of classic looks.

For instance, these trench coats are perfect examples of a modern-classic. The typical classic trench is beige with plain buttons and a belt. With a modern twist of color or embellishment, a classic piece can be easily updated to contemporary trends.

The first look is my favorite night time look. Perfect for a fancy dinner or a spring wedding. The shoes can transition into the summer and fall as well. A shoe for three seasons is a closet staple. The minaudiere clutches are trendy right now, but the fashionable accesry has been around for a long time. Here is a fun fact...the minaudiere was first introduced by Van Cleef and Arpel in the 1930's. Today's trend incorporates modern elements on the classic item with studs, crystals etc. I prefer the DVF clutch in the photo, crystals go with everything!  

The second look is such a fun pop of color. I like colored trenches because the plain classic trench can get boring.  I actually found an umbrella to match! The nude Ferragamo nude shoes downplay the bottom half of your outfit so what you wear doesn't clash or look color-blocked. The shoes are a wardrobe staple. It's a good investment because it can be worn with so many outfits.

Shop smart and stylish!

Floral Fantasy

 #1 - Brooklyn Botanical Garden

#2 - Paradise Island, Bahamas ~ Hibiscus Bush

#3 Iceland ~ Lupine

#4 Cherry Blossom Avenue, Bonn, Germany, Photo by Marcel Bednarz

Wisteria Tunnel at Kawachu Fugi Garden, Japan

San Francisco, Photo by Danny Montemayor

( #4Reblogged from thisyuppielife.com) 

I already began to think about the pretty flowers that will be blossoming in Spring. The gray haze that hovers over NYC is a drab to everyone's day. The city needs some vibrant accent florals. In the springtime most of  the sky scrapers and buildings have pretty floral arrangements by the entrance and even plant by the sidewalk.

The first picture I photographed last spring. I anticipate going back to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The Orchid Show is spectacular as well, I wish I photographed it. The second picture was taken when I traveled to the Bahamas last summer for my birthday.  The scenic view of the beach, palm trees and the tropical floral scent in the air are unforgettable. I never wanted to leave...it was truly paradise!

In my lifetime, I hope to travel to the scenes where the last four photographs were taken. Cherry Blossom Avenue in Germany is breathtaking. The Wisteria Tunnel looks like a floral fantasy. It's beautiful how the sunlight peeks through the wisteria. Two of my friends from school live in San Francisco, they want me to visit this summer so I may be there this summer. Nature walks and a trip to wine country sounds so alluring on this rainy day in NYC.

Perfectly Polished

Bag: Michael Kors

Shoes: Joan & David

Blouse: Zara

Polish: Topless & Barefoot; Set in Stones

When I saw the Spot Paintings last week polka dots have plagued my mind ever since. This week, I purchased a polka dot blouse for Spring. I paired it with black skinny jeans to match. The red shoes and bag made my outfit have a pop of color. I chose red because it's a classic color that compliments black well, but any pop of color could work nicely too.

Essie released a new line of sparkly top coats!

I wear mostly neutral, pastels and red toned nail polishes. Neons are just wrong, especially for work. 

Essie's color last year, Topless & Barefoot was the end of my search for the perfect neutral. Some nudes have a yellow base and it looks gross. The color I'm wearing has pink undertones. It's not quite baby pink and it's not quite beige but it's just right!

There are so many nail trends circulating fashion magazines to the nail salons.

 Nail prints, bedazzled nails, pointy and long lengths = ew!

Keep it simple! Put a sparkly top coat on one nail and it's trendy without being over the top.

All artwork painted by Damien Hirst

Gallery: Gagosian 980 Madison Ave

I've had quite a hectic schedule this week, but I had to create some free time to relax. I decided that I needed to be in a relaxing, quiet place...an art gallery.

Yesterday, before my classes, I made an effort to go to the Upper East Side to visit the Gagosian Gallery to see an exhibit I have been longing to go to since it opened:

The Complete Spot Paintings (1986-2011) by artist Damien Hirst.

The massive collection is being shown at 11 exhibits all over the world. Cities include: Manhattan (3), Beverly Hills, London (2), Hong Kong, Paris, Rome, Athens & Geneva.

I really loved the Spot painting in the first picture because it was completely different than all of the other Spots at the gallery. Most of the paintings were very uniformed and symmetrical, this one wasn't. The spots had paint drippings. The drips instantly sparked a Jackson Pollock connection in my brain. I also found it interesting that the piece wasn't installed on the wall, it just leaned against it.

The second painting was massive it took up to entire wall. It was completely perfect. I liked the simplicity of it. I wish I could have one to put on my wall in my bedroom.

Overall, I really liked the exhibit. It was just annoying that I had to be in every picture for security purposes.

 I feel inspired to put one of his prints on my wall as the finishing touch of my redecoration. I may have to go back to buy one!