Family + Event Photography in Stratford, CT, Fairfield & New Haven County. Candid, colorful, documentary-style photos for families who want real memories, not stiff poses.
This Valentine was more of a triple date birthday lunch. I have not one complain about it. i spent my day with Chris’s family, Matt’s birthday (Chris’s brother) had just passed and it was time to have a little celebration. Millie wakes us all of us up out of our slumber and lazy modes and rushes for us to get ready. We’re having lunch at Yumi Asian Bistro, a hibachi spot in Pelham Manor.
I have never been, not only here but to any hibachi spot before, so I was pretty excited to see what the big fuss was about when they grill the food right in front of you. Our chef was so enthusiastic, the food was delicious and my overall experience was great. I would go back in a heartbeat.
Matt seemed like he was having a good time, but I’m gonna let you guys see that for yourselves. Usually I’m a picture fanatic, but I’ve been trying to stretch out into videos lately, in case you guys haven’t noticed.
Happy Birthday Matt!
and a Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you lovers and friend out there.
It’s been a little while since I’ve done anything fun, or at least considered a bit of fun…who am I kidding, I enjoy myself all the time. What should be saying is it’s been a while since I’ve attended an art show or any gallery for that matter. Something I’ve always loved to do. Not only do I get to see stunning new works, I get to network. Being in the art scene is having your own little community. Everyone basically knows each other, and if you don’t you know someone who knows someone.
That was pretty much what happened when I walked into the little tiny gallery on Broadway. Show:Artistance.
I’ve been here before, but I could tell it was under new management. It used to have old wooden panels on the walls, straight up old school, and now it has been transformed into an all white open space. I like. I drag Chris along with me, or should I say he invited himself along to what would have been a solo date for myself, mainly because I know he was feeling guilty about a little argument we had. Something that never really lasts too long anyway. I said fine, come and join me… Isn’t it great when somebody hits you up, and you actually have a life of your own and are not dreading on silly behaviors of others? Moving on.
We walk inside and start on left hand side, since the space is small we could see everything in a matter of a few minutes. Like usual I go through every piece and stare for a bit. I always like getting a bit closer to admire the brushstrokes. It makes me think of the actual process the artist took to achieve the final product of the painting.
We bump into a style that looks fairly familiar, and I tell Chris, “this looks like the same artist that Matt (Chris’s brother) has in his room, the Bob Marley piece”. Chris looks at me says “Nah” I was pretty sure of it, especially because the signature looked so familiar, it was an “M” with certain swirl to it, I tell him ” Text Matt a pic of the piece and we’ll find out right now.”
Next thing you know the artist comes up behind us, and recognizes Chris right away, I have never met her before, and she starts talking about her piece, and Chris is just laughing, surprised at how small the world is, and shocked at me that I even realized the connection between the two paintings. Sometimes you just know.
Before our arrival, I text my aunt Scarla, I know she lives around the neighborhood and she’s always willing to discover new surroundings and appreciate the creative lifestyles. I ask her to join us, and a few moments later she arrives at the scene. As usual I’m always happy to see her. She parked right in front of the gallery and a friendly stranger comes up to her right away warning her that she’s about to get a ticket. Scarla has always been a smooth talker, she was already given the ticket but the cop tells her don’t worry about it and rips it up. I need to learn that gift of gab, like yesterday!
The night was young, we had a couple of beers and headed to the 2nd show: Art Star.
I swear, finding a parked with a few beers in your system is always funny. The cold didn’t help much but after walking the wrong direction for a few blocks, you smarten up and realize there’s no time trying to be cute outside in the freezing cold. Especially since Chris boycotts coats.
The night was young and we arrived at the second show: Art Star. We didn’t stay much, but I bumped into Marcus Allen, a fellow artist I have met a couple of times now. Super talented, you guys have seen his work on a previous post HERE. After the festivities, we headed to a little hipster bar that was playing spanish music, I had about 2 glasses of wine which was pretty damn good.
Check out a quick video of our night..warning, you may want to lower your volume.
Sometimes whenever life gets a little hectic, I try to find the simpler things to bring me a bit of instant happiness. may it be cooking, dancing in front of the mirror, watching a chick flick or having a glass of wine, that escape is always needed. During one my lunch breaks, I had to escape from my window-less office. I took a stroll and brought out my camera (canon rebel t3i) that I named Belle, she’s my baby. Since I usually shoot in color when it comes to my everyday life, whenever shooting still life I like to practice my black and white. And no, not changing the color to black and white after the shot has been captured. The old school black and white, right at the moment.
I bumped into this beautiful dress in the window, a brick arched alleyway leading to a restaurant that was beautiful lit. I bumped into this house with a nice huge window in the front, but even better than that, the gloomiest tree right in front of it, I felt like it was Amityville’s Horror ‘s home. Creepy!
Tell me what you guys think!
I need to take out Belle out on a date more often.
Tis’ the season for pink and red, and I’m a sucker for anything that’s Do It Yourself, especially when it’s super simple. For this Valentine craft all you really need is colored paper, a stapler and scissors (even though I decided to use a X-acto board instead) So, let’s begin!
You want to cut your sheet of paper into strips. Remember, the thicker the strip is, the chunkier your heart will be.
Next up, fold your strip in half, that crease will be the bottom of your heart. Fold the ends obviously forming a heart, and staple together.
You want to keep repeating the same process as many times as you wish,the more hearts, the longer your garland.
And that’s it, Tah-Dah!
A super easy garland.
I’m planning on making a few more and I can’t wait to show you what they look like when they are officially up!
If you guys make one of your own, please share, I would love to see.
Hashtag #2minxinxgarland so I can check up on you guys through instagram!