The Met, New York

W 14th St, New York

W 15th St, New York

Yellow Taxi, Yellow Bag.... New York

Grand St, New York

8th Ave, New York

Central Park, New York

Milk, New York

 Robena Kurban (above)

The girls Robena and Delaja (above) work for the Gallery

Issa Brito's photography exhibition 'Passengers' was on show at Milk gallery recently, exploring New York through her eyes in the 80's and 90's. She depicts New York at the time in all it's glamour and all it's candor, often focusing in on the drag club culture. The Brazilian born artist came to New York in 1984 with only a Kodak Instamatic and $200 to her name. She quickly fell in love with New York, capturing everything she could set her eyes on "the melting pot that is NYC proved to be the eye candy I was looking for and didn't even know. I couldn't get enough. Going out everyday, photographing everything, every encounter, and every love affair."  (quote from milkmade.com) Personally I love these photographs taken with Brito's black and white 35mm because they take me back to a time and place that I have never actually experienced and yet somehow have a deep connection to; it is through photography such as Brito's that this enigmatic paradox can exist - transporting us to times and places beyond our physical capabilities, simultaneously inspiring us and enlivening our sense. Her photography fundamentally captures human nature at it's most candid and therefore, I think, Beautiful! 

Thanks to the girls at Milk Gallery for letting me capture this special exhibition. For more information on upcoming exhibits at Milk:  http://www.milkstudios.com

8th Ave, New York

Soho, New York

W 12th St, New York

I love this purse - her grandmother knitted it for her, so cool!

W 27th St, New York

9th Ave, New York

Splendor in the Rain.....

When it rains it pours (and actually it hails too)

I was fortunate (although some may argue that it was unfortunate) enough to be outside today when a huge thunder storm broke out. Most people were trying to escape the disastrous weather but personally I was loving it! It was so interesting to stand on the sidewalk (luckily sheltered from the storm by a friendly awning) and watch the goings on. I was standing in the one spot yet everything was constantly changing; the light hitting the rain, people running to seek shelter, cars driving onto the footpath in a desperate attempt  to keep their car in tact from the huge pellets of hail; I was loving it! (I'm pretty sure I was the only one!)

I shall post some more photos of the beautiful rain shortly! 

9th Ave, New York

Central Park, New York

Bondi Beach, Sydney

Do Something Every Day That INSPIRES You

My new-mid years resolution is to do at least one thing each and every day that inspires me! 

I was in a bookshop today flicking through photography books and I remembered an important lesson; to be inspired! We get so caught up in the busyness of everyday life and forget to seek out things that inspire us! In a city like New York there's always something new to discover and be inspired by - some new nook of the city yet to be discovered! 

Joyous Occasions, NYC

It's not everyday you get to witness a traditional Indian wedding (with their own ceremonial drummer) walking through the streets of Manhattan! This was a very cool sight to see! There were so many beautiful Sari's, so colourful and delicately detailed, it was a joy to see!

Bondi Beach, Sydney

I love the double denim and the 'couple dressing' going on here!

 Denim jeans +  Baggy white T-shit + long necklace = Perfect laid back cool Sundays at the beach attire.

The High Line, New York

Union Square, New York

Absolutely love this outfit - especially the vest - I didn't get a chance to ask her where she got it from - if anyone knows please do tell!!!

Love on the High Line, New York

The High Line, New York

W 27th St, New York

I love the colour coordination of this outfit - Especially the socks - how cool are they?! 

The High Line, New York

Tourist problems....

I met up with a fellow Australian the other day and we got to talking about the many ways people (and by people I mean we) had been scammed as a result of being a fresh unwitting tourists in a big city. So I thought I'd write the following partially for your entertainment and mostly so that maybe the next tourist will be a little more savvy and well prepared! 

Tourist 101....

1. When someone offers to take you somewhere in a black car say no! (even if it is the person who works at the hotel you're staying at and they casually say 'I'lll call a taxi for you' and you think 'oh how sweet' and give him a generous tip and then the next thing you know this huge black car pulls up and the whole ride to Queens you're thinking 'is this a free service with the hotel or am I about to be charged a ridiculously large sum of money for a trip that should cost no more than $20?' - the answer is YES YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE RIPPED OFF - $75 later and in fear for the safety of my luggage as I ran to the ATM around the corner and left the entirety of my worldly possessions with some random driver who I hoped would not drive off with said worldly possessions - I arrived in Queens! Furious for having been ripped off and not having thought more quickly and yet relieved I still had my luggage I entered my temporary home in Queens! 
2.   My friend witnessed a lovely elderly couple getting off a rickshaw ride (you know those bikes that ride around with little awning-ed seats at the back) when the door man to their hotel inquired how much money they had paid and how far they had traveled the answer was; 200 and something dollars for a 10 block ride to which the door man replied 'never do that again' (ok so maybe some hotel staff aren't as bad as I mentioned in my previous story) - but really people that's common sense surely?! 
3. When buying ice-cream in Central Park I was handed two one dollar coins and started getting extremely worked up at the vendor for trying to take advantage of me for being a tourist - I mean one dollar coins? really? I don't think so! - to which an American friend who was with me promptly assured me that there were such things as one dollar coins (ok so maybe that one was my fault!!! - one dollar coins? really? who knew!!!!! - you learn something new every day - or maybe just when buying ice-cream in Central Park)
4. This last story is not so much a tourist-specific problem as a general one - considering most of the people scammed were actually American. I hate to say this but sometimes when something sounds too good to be true - it is!! I was applying for roles on an acting website and I received a message from someone wanting to organize a New York film festival and wanting a pool of actors to cast from 'what a great opportunity' I thought and emailed him promptly to which he replied explaining that there would be a networking event with producers etc. entailing complimentary brunch and cocktails and general networking merriment (ok maybe he didn't actually use the word merriment but you get the gist) When my friend and I turned up to the aforementioned event we quickly realized that there was no complimentary anything - what there was was a whole bunch of scammed actors slowly realizing that they had in fact been scammed by a club promoter whose only goal was to get people in the door, for him to make money (cough cough: JR at empire hotel) (and people say actors aren't smart?!) 

Ok so I realize the above stories may show me in a slightly naive light, however for those of you out there who wish to believe the best in people, as I do, I hope this story was helpful without turning you (and me) into cynics! I hope my tourist 101 helps you survive in the big bad (and beautiful) city and rids you of possible future 'tourist problems'!!! 

E 53rd St, New York

Aren't they perfectly coordinated? I wonder if they planned this?! I love the cream and brown tones, the LV wallet and the fantastic print on his top!

E 53rd St, New York

Colourful Kimi, 5th Ave, New York

isn't this so fabulously colourful? - it's looks like a dress but it's actually a playsuit, so cool - worn by the lovely Kimberly Bellinger on 5th Ave!

Hall St, Bondi Beach, Sydney

She's got style, she's got flair, she was there..... I love the retro headphones - are they making a comeback? I've seen quite a few people wearing them lately!

Summerlicious... E 58th St, New York

This outfit is perfect for summer - Bright, colourful (should I spell the word the Australian/English way or the American way? - sorry Aus wins!) and perfectly lightweight for the heat!

Park Ave, New York

Sooo NYC

This image is so NYC to me! It reminds me of Sex and the City - maybe because of the typical NYC bus in the background or because of the beautiful chic model-esque  woman in the photo (or maybe just because I'm a naive foreigner!) - either way I love it!

Bondi Beach, Sydney

I love those balmy afternoons/evenings at the beach when the sun is setting, the light is glorious and the fashion is laid-back cool. 

5th Ave, New York