Rainy Day Williamsburg

Flowers have been planted around the tree in front of my house. I am freshly back from a fantastic trip to my hometown. But, those sweet bits are not what this story is about. Just before leaving on my trip home - a nonstop week of meetings, cleaning, and packing to depart, and cooking everything left in my refrigerator - my friend Katie Quinn Davies was in town, as part of a three week whirlwind USA trip (I'm starting to think that's the only way she travels!)... and dear Valery Rizzo - another super food photographer - offered to be our tour guide around Williamsburg as we ventured for lunch and then bopped around.

I spotted a cool photo-shoot in progress as I descended the J train steps. It immediately reminded me of the work of Denis Darzacq, with the talent twirling sideways in the air, seemingly repeatable on-command. That guy did it about 12 times, and that's just when I paused to watch. This kind of thing is one of the many which I love about Brooklyn. You never know what kind of unusual and completely cool (or zany - random - surreal) thing you'll come across. :-)

It was a rainy day. We lunched at Marlow & Sons and began our sight-seeing from there. Drizzling and occasionally more, we weren't deterred. We came to some of my favorite spots, and also landed new highlights for my Billyburg destination map. (Thanks, Valery!) With the fun we had, you'd think we had the fortune to play in the sunshine....

 

 

From diners to bric-a-brac shops, late afternoon cocktails to chocolate tastings, it was a grand time.

Enjoy the rain droplets wetting your skin. Find someplace new and get lost. Go someplace familiar and re-discover it for yourself again. There is beauty in everything!

Saveur 2012 Blog Awards, Plus More

I am so pleased to write this today. After almost 40,000 nominations, a group of SAVEUR editors narrowed the field to six finalists for each category in the best food blog awards.  I am nominated for best single food photo on a blog! Just yesterday I was wondering how the nominations were going, when this afternoon I received an email to notify me that I am a finalist. Please click the badge to vote and spread the word, tweet, and vote, vote, vote. ;)

 Here is the image they selected...

I was making a delicious spring salad when I saw these beautiful peelings I had, leftover. I knew I had to photograph them. The casualness of the scatter - and the intense color of the remaining orange flesh - made it even more fun to shoot. 


Thank you so much!

A couple other wonderful bits to share with you...

Xiaolu at Six Bittersweets just wrote a gorgeous piece on me, with lots of images. Check it out, here. And a few weeks back, Audrey at This Little Street paired another of my tasty salads (hmm, a theme maybe?) for a sweet story with the great work of Lucas Allen. I'll take it. :)

There's more coming soon.... But hopefully, this will fill you for right now and put smiles on your lovely faces. Thanks for your wonderful support.

Best Food Photography Finalist - Vote for Me!

Thanks to lots of determined people, I am one of 6 finalists  for best food photography in the Homies awards! I hope you'll agree that my images are gorgeous - real food that is lovingly prepared, with an elegant-rustic touch. Thank you all for bringing me this far!!! Now, the work is to get everyone together to vote me to the top!!!!! We have until Friday, March 9th, and I think we can do it. :) XO

Confused by the voting process? Here's how it's done:

If you haven't registered,
1. Click on the image above and then scroll to very bottom of page and click on "register".

2. Add your email and make a password.

3.Click here, sign-in, and VOTE!

 Here are some of my favorite pictures from various stories I've produced - enjoy!

This food makes me happy

A birthday story

desserts make everyone happy.....!

fresh, beautiful food is what living is all about

Thank you all sooooooo much!!! Have a great week and see you on Friday!

From Lithuania with Love

I was recently interviewed for Llamas Valley, a gorgeous online journal all the way from Lithuania, and the issue is now out. Please get yourself a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, settle in, and have a look. My feature begins on page 116, but you may find yourself spending the afternoon leafing through the whole thing... sooooo many beautiful images and stories!

It is an honor to be in such creative company. Thank you Alge! Our many back and forth communications getting everything set up properly for the debut worked out beautifully.... :)

Sweets & Spring

A week ago I attended a fun and funky little gathering in Greenpoint, Brooklyn penned as a welcome fest for spring, called the Sweets Swap. Boy, was it ever. :)

Jen and Sarah, the hostesses, encouraged everyone to wear their most divine spring brights while munching on the sugary treats that each participant created, to complement the sentiments of joy and frolicking. Rather than contribute something edible, Jen suggested I bring my camera to show everyone just how much fun a sweet swap can be. Between sips of homemade fresh fruit punch and impromptu games she periodically announced (blindfolded stick-the-candle-in-the-cupcake, anyone?), the space was filled with mounting laughter and the banter of interesting characters.

Not to end anticlimactically, there was even a pinata to whack! Sadly, I had to leave as they strung it up, in the rich sun of the waning day - it was that rich kind of sun that you actually feel warmed by (could it really be spring??).

I can attest, it was a sweetly unique way to spend a Sunday. Thanks again, Jen!

"Funfetti" cookies

My favorites - and they were vegan! chocolate chips + chopped nuts

This Dr. Seuss-looking dessert was tasty: meringue, blueberry mousse, and lemon zest!

Pretty Lisa, editor at BUST, decked in flowers and dots

Erin, at left, creates beautiful illustrations. She made sweet-inspired cards for everyone to take home!

Sweet bunny, lighting the way