Food, Ink.

Recently I have acquired some new hobbies, dare I say obsessions. There are two main ones.

First, I love color coordinated food. (If you are going to eat, you may as well have a theme, right?). It all started over the summer when my sister and I had a blue and orange themed dinner.

The food directly above is a sampling of yummy crackers with cheese, rhubarb jam, and peach butter I got from a local market this past weekend. Also almond soy milk, so good!

So my goal is to take more pictures of my food and have a colorful food diary.

Next, I love typography. I like the idea of interesting ways to capture the mood of a picture or of a time period. Like with this old exhibit poster (it's the 17th one), with this font website, and with these inspirational videos. So my goal is to get better at things related to the culinary and calligraphy and perhaps I will combine the two like in the picture above.

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Urban Renewal.

Garden Theatre in 1919

The theatre present day

I want you to ask yourself a very important question: if you had your very own version of the 7 wonders of the world, what would they be? Well, a few years ago I discovered one of my own "wonders" in a lovely renovated theatre that was converted into an Urban Outfitters. This theatre is called the Garden Theatre located on King Street in Charleston, South Carolina. This was my fourth visit to the store and needless to say it is lovely. The former backstage is now used as a dressing area and the balcony is used as the sale and art section. The molding is out of this world and the chandeliers are stunning enough to make you fall back into one of the store's ornate vintage settees. Now mind you, this is not the only grand attraction that should bring you to this city. Practically all of the best restaurants in the south are located here. Nothing can compare to places like Poogan's Porch (a favorite spot of Giada de Laurentiis) and FIG (given the 2009 James Beard award). Also, the whole of King Street is an excellent shopping area including the most hospitable Louis Vuitton you have ever been to, a homey Ralph Lauren, a hotspot for Italian leather at Farushga shoes, and of course the innovative Japanese inspired Worthwhile. By visiting Charleston, you will be captivated by the old charm of the cobblestone streets, but refreshed by the modernization of the city as well. Visit and be invigorated.

Elaina and I next to an old house covered in vines

on the streets of Charleston next to some

very lovely vintage bicycles

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