The Point of a Pencil Shop

So,  a couple of weeks back I took a trip downtown to specifically take a peak at a new shop that I had read about on Forsyth Street, CW Pencils. It is a beautifully curated shop for Pencils, and all of the essentials. As soon as you walk into the shop, it brings up all those sensory memories of childhood. The wood smell, the small yet intimate detail of creating a well sharpened pencil, and then hearing it as it glides over the paper. - all very tactile experiences that often get lost when you spend an enormous amount of time in front of the computer.

What I love most about these types of stores, are that it is very specific in its focus. It's what I think of when I think of old New York, or really any city for that matter, pre- box store shopping types of places. Store owners had a singular focus, they weren't curating 100,000 items, but a few related items and ones that they knew everything about. In this case, the singular focus and the presentation reflects a love and passion that the owner has for her subject.

While the owner wasn't there when I visited, her friend took as much care sharpening someones purchases as she did beautifully packaging up my purchases in yellow! 

I have to say, Its truly a lovely little place worthy of a visit.

ps. If you have a little extra time, right around the corner grab a seat at the counter at Pies and Thighs and have a little treat. 

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens :: Spring & The Cherry Blossoms

I have to say, I love the spring, well the truth is, I love all the seasons but spring is such a happy, positive place to be with all the beautiful color. I think part of it is the reminder of my hometown of Lexington. There is nothing quite like it. There is a vibrancy there, during the spring, that I have still yet to see matched in any other city. Granted, its been quite a while since I've lived there, but I suspect that its the combination of my memories as well as my love of spring that makes me bias. That said, this explosion of pink fluffy flowers is definitely inspiring. 

Saturday I spent outside going to the Union Square farmers market came back with huge bunch of lilacs and watched the Derby!  However, Sunday was one of those days...the day where New Yorkers come out of hiding and you find them sprawled out on any open patch of grass in the sun - a friend likened us to being a bunch of sand crabs. I get it though, the switch got flipped, and it seemed that the only choice we had was to come out of hibernation, or remain the shells of our former selves.

This year I promised myself to seek out more fun by spending time outside and with friends. I have already started a list of places to explore during the next couple of months. You will definitely see more of that list here...Oh, and I know, the first 3 posts have included flowers, but don't worry, I'll start shaking it up here - but with spring here, we have to give her her due.

While the Cherry Blossoms won't last much longer, If you haven't spent any time out at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, It's definitely one to put on the list. If you can, hit it in the next couple of days, you might still get a chance to see the canopy of blooms! But be warned, you can't bring a picnic, but I'm on a search for more beautiful places like this that will!

Happy Spring!

Check it out: Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic

Its feels like spring has finally arrived this weekend and I spent a good bit of it outside exploring, spending time with friends and enjoying some time away from the computer. Its quite remarkable how a switch in the weather can re-energize you.

Its been a while since I've been over to the Brooklyn Museum but I went on Sunday to specifically see Kehinde Wiley's: A New Republic. If you haven't seen his work, you need go. Considering all that has been going on recently, I haven't stopped thinking about it. His work is remarkably relevant and extremely powerful. The portraits are enormous in size and equally as powerful are the embedded layers of meaning, vibrant colors, patterns and first and foremost the beautiful faces. I love that his source inspiration are people from everyday life, put in heroic poses, and reminiscent of historic or religious subjects painted by the old European masters. 

There were so many beautiful pieces but I wanted to make special note of :

The White Slave, 2010. India and Sri lanka
Randerson Romualdo Cordeiro, 2008 Brazil

Here is a small beautiful patterned detail found in his An Economy of Grace series Judith and Holofernes, 2012. 

Go see his work at the Brooklyn Museum if you can. http://www.brooklynmuseum.org

KEHINDE WILEY, AN ECONOMY OF GRACE
JUDITH AND HOLOFERNES, 2012 

Hello!

Hi there! I thought it might be nice to have a place to be able to document some of my experiences, thoughts, and loves on a more regular basis. I'd like for it to be a place that is a little more casual, and a place that inspires me to do more of my own work. 

This is a picture that I took in an Italian Garden a few years ago. It reminds me how important it is to take several journeys during a year, to explore new places in the world, even if its your own city, and take a friend when you can! I have to say that I'm looking forward to spring, all the beautiful colors, and all the new experiences that it will bring.

Thanks for stopping by!

Rani