The sights, sounds and smells of a New Delhi evening of shopping are intoxicating...first stop, South Extension, known as "SouthEx".
India: Delhi: Lotus Temple
The perfect time to visit the Lotus Temple was at sunset, a sight beautiful to see.
It is open to all visitors, of all religions, which is the basis of Bahai faith, making it simply a house of worship; a place of prayer and meditation.
The temple is made of marble, cemet and sand and was finished in 1986, designed by Persian architect Fariborz Sahba, and took 800 engineers and artisans and 10 years to complete.
Shoes have to be taken off and photography is not allowed inside the temple, but there is enough beauty in it's incredible structure and surroundings to take in.
India: Delhi: Qutab Minar
One of the first stops of sites seen was the Qutab Minar, a 72.5 meter tall tower, made in 1192 of sandstone and marble. A World Heritage Site having survived lightning storms and the test of time, the Qutab Minar has remained an impressive structure of unique and beautiful Islamic design.
They no longer allow people to climb up it and it's already begining to lean, but I'm not the first to notice, apparently, it started to lean shortly after it was built.
Here is a journey through the Qutab complex....in all its ancient Mughal glory.
This is London, Day 2: The Changing of the Guard
An addendum to this post is: The Changing of the Guard and Not Being Able to See the Changing of the Guard.
Thus photographs of what I was able to see.
This is London, Day 1
A lot of people are considering shifting away from Instagram in light of their new terms of service and I have to admit, I just started using the new Flickr app, which I think is quite robust.
Still, while in London, I Instagrammed a lot and enjoyed how easy it was to share my adventures, but then I realized, there are also these...the real photographs.
This is London. Day 1.
The Hamilton's IV
The Hamilton's are always a treat for me to capture, and they are no strangers to this blog! Last summer we went nautical in downtown Oakville and the time before that, we took to the barns!
I feel so blessed to have been able to shoot their fourth annual family portraits this year, where our session took place in their gorgeous home and outdoors on a rainy (pre-Hurricane Sandy) fall day...
To K+S, I just want to say, it's always a pleasure; thank you so much for your support! xo
NYC: Panorama
An ode to NYC and NJ after Hurricane Sandy.
Shot from the rooftop at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City, in September 2012.
NYC: The Guggenheim: Picasso, Black and White
While in NYC I took in Picasso's Black and White exhibit at The Guggenheim, a museum I hadn't been to in years, remember THIS throwback Monday?
The exhibit is expressive, robust and void of color, as Picasso claimed,
Color weakens.
Thus, I present my vision of the Guggenheim in black, white and shades of gray....(with a bit of Central Park thrown in for good measure).
Black and White runs until January 23, 2013
New Haven, Connecticut
24 hours in New Haven, started with breakfast, then the Yale Center for British Art, Yale University Art Gallery, Old Campus, Sterling Library and ended with tea at Claire's....
San Diego: Desert Garden, Balboa Park
Ah yes, I'm taking you back to San Diego today, for a visit amongst some wild specimens. At the Desert Garden at Balboa Park.
Come and smell the roses with me...
Labor Day Long Weekend: Block Island, Rhode Island
Long weekends are for ferry rides, champagne celebrations, mass production of breakfasts, petting zoos, wishing rocks, pink lemonade, outdoor showers, badminton and croquet tournaments and lots of photo ops.
August: Art to Inspiration
This month's A2I post features artist Lara Harwood's "...now imagine all the thick birdsong thick as a forest"
Harwood's watercolour paintings are sublime, the type of work that could enhance any space with their bright, vivid colours, illustrative nature and minimal subject matter.
This jungley image from Harwood's sketchbook of watercolours from India, 2009, is a piece that really took me back to my own journey through Kerala's backwaters in Feb 2010.
The composition of heavy greenery vs the simple silhouette encapsulates the very nature of Kerala's scenery.
Today, Harwood's watercolour has inspired me to reminisce...
Last month's Art to Inspiration featured my own work (thanks Sups!): July
Want to join Art to Inspiration? Just click here!
Miami: Wynwood Art District
It was so fabulous to check out the Wynwood Art District for Art Walk 2012 while in Miami last month, and to meet up with Elizabeth who I'd met while she was visiting Boston!
Being surrounded by gorgeous murals was like walking in a garden of art...
Miami: Fontainbleau Hotel
What a glorious stay at Miami's Fontainbleau Hotel.
Not only is it one of the most beautiful hotels in South Beach, it also has the best service I've ever encountered, both indoors and out, not to mention the incredible Hakkasan restaurant.
After I was stung by a jelly fish one afternoon, the Lapis Spa staff's immediate concern and quick response helped ease the pain (and who knew vinegar is the solution!) and allowed me to get back into the ocean soon after.
We're immensely thankful to the kind staff of the Fontainbleau, who generously donated the luxurious Lapis Spa products for the Nashua Soup Kitchen. We were happy to bring back a giant box of mini shampoos and lotions, that we distributed at the NSK this past weekend.
Thank you so much Fontainbleau, we'll most definitely be back!
Greece: Ferry from Santorini
Goodbye Santorini! Hello Sunset!