Life, Love and the Pursuit of Design

Tell Congress not to censor the internet NOW!

2012-01-18T11:46:00.001-05:00

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

PROTECT-IP is a bill that has been introduced in the Senate and the House and is moving quickly through Congress. It gives the government and corporations the ability to censor the net, in the name of protecting "creativity". The law would let the government or corporations censor entire sites-- they just have to convince a judge that the site is "dedicated to copyright infringement."

The government has already wrongly shut down sites without any recourse to the site owner. Under this bill, sharing a video with anything copyrighted in it, or what sites like Youtube and Twitter do, would be considered illegal behavior according to this bill.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, this bill would cost us $47 million tax dollars a year — that's for a fix that won't work, disrupts the internet, stifles innovation, shuts out diverse voices, and censors the internet. This bill is bad for creativity and does not protect your rights.

Typographic Obama

2012-01-18T11:24:00.002-05:00

Obama for America's design team created an ongoing project to turn speeches by President Obama into screen prints. This series will continue throughout the campaign but will only be available in limited edition. Love em! See more here.

Sistine Chapel

2012-01-17T12:19:00.001-05:00

Sistine Chapel, originally uploaded by Alicia Kate Hallett.

No photos allowed inside... I had to be sneaky! ;)

Midnight in Paris: character list

2012-01-16T13:25:00.004-05:00

I loved watching Midnight in Paris this weekend! I wont go into detail with too many spoilers, but it was great to see the famous artists and writers of the 1920s (and more) in one film! I have attached a list below, in case you are curious who everyone was. I do think its interesting however, that the Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night" is shown in the movie poster, yet he is not featured in the film.

Beyonce Friday's

2012-01-13T17:00:00.000-05:00

How about a happy Friday on a photo shoot with B in Paris?

the omnivore and the pescetarian

2012-01-11T13:09:00.001-05:00

the omnivore and the pescetarian, originally uploaded by Alicia Kate Hallett.

My birthday lunch! mmm

Paris vs. New York

2012-01-10T16:01:00.001-05:00

I love this blog and now it's becoming a book! I might have to preorder it on amazon today :)

"In his new book Paris Versus New York: A Tally of Two Cities, out next month from Penguin Books, Paris–based graphic designer Vahram Muratyan delivers more than 100 diptychs representing elements of the two title cities, a compilation of side–by–side symbols created during a stint in New York City and published over the course of about a year on Muratyan's blog.

Between its covers, you'll find an outline of a baguette (avec beurre demi-sel) staring down a bagel (with cream cheese); renderings of the steel–and–glass dome of the Grand Palais and the constellation–strewn ceiling of Grand Central station; and a battle royale between a stack of macarons and a sprinkles–topped cupcake.

The duos go way beyond comparing apples to apples (Big or otherwise); there's also a hefty dose of cultural commentary in the mix. Paris's winter page (hiver) is subtitled: "Cinc centimeters et c'est le panique." (Roughly: Two inches of snow and it's chaos.) New York's "Go" page, which depicts a cluster of joggers (all sporting Apple–white earbuds), counterbalances Paris's "Pause," wherein a trio of ladies stand obscured by a cloud of their own cigarette smoke. Architecture, fashion icons, modes of transportation, snack foods, tourist traps, singers, artists, neighborhoods, cocktails, and coffees all get their due. Even vermin appear—although New York has the dubious distinction of claiming both rats ("pigeons without wings") and pigeons ("flying rats").

And of course, it wouldn't be an icon smackdown without these two: The Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty, both of which were designed by Frenchmen. (Do we detect a bias here?) The whole project has me inspired to rethink my own travel journals—to find ways to say more with less, to observe more sharply, and to always remember the small details that make the big picture. It's also inspired me to peruse the Paris Versus New York page on the Society6 online art shop, where 25 of Muryatan's pairings are available as frame–ready prints or stretched canvases (prices start at $24 for an 8" x 10"). Unfortunately, the book itself doesn't hit store shelves until the end of January, but you can pre–order it now on Amazon."

-by Valerie Rains for BT

This is one of my favorites

cute :)

another fav

Fleet Foxes - A Shrine/An Argument Video

2012-01-08T10:51:00.000-05:00

Just saw this music video, it's kinda crazy. I like it!

Beyonce Fridays

2012-01-06T17:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday :)

Happy Anniversary to me!

2012-01-06T14:04:00.010-05:00

Yup, today, January 6th 2012 is my 1 year anniversary of becoming a vegetarian/pescetarian! Last year I made a new years resolution to stop eating meat for 30 days. I was never really a big meat eater and had thought of trying vegetarianism in the past, so stopping "cold turkey" (haha) wasn't really that hard. After the first 30 days, I was pleasantly surprised with how great I was feeling on this new diet and how I now had a growing interest in learning more about where our food comes from. I picked up a few books on the subject and immediately I was hooked. I kept going after those 1st 30 days, and here I am a year later still interested and happy with my decision. Now that's what I call following through on a new years resolution!

For those of you who are not sure what a pescetarian is here is a short explanation and some interesting reads:

Pescetarian is a relatively new word, according to Merriam Webster. Coined in 1993, its source is likely the Italian pesce (Latin piscis, meaning fish) combined with the English arian in the word vegetarian. A pescetarian (or pescatarian) is someone who eats seafood as their only source of meat. They may or may not eat dairy products; however, they do not eat poultry, beef, or any other meat.

The nutritional benefits of eating seafood while avoiding red meat and poultry are many. Unlike most red meat, seafood is typically low in saturated fat, which is the primary cause of high cholesterol. Some fish are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and can contribute to raising HDL (the good form of) cholesterol and protect against heart disease.

Ethically speaking, a pescetarian diet is kinder to animals and the environment. An omnivorous diet uses more fossil fuels and water and contributes to rain forest depletion and water pollution. Additionally, you do not have to search far to find undercover videos revealing the heinous abuse of livestock.

So what are the downsides to becoming a pescetarian?

Toxicity. Since consuming a large amount of fish high in toxins, such as mercury and PCBs, can be unhealthy, a wise pescetarian makes sure to eat a variety of fish and become educated about which fish should be eaten in limited quantities.

Ethical concerns. While pescetarianism is easier on the environment and avoids the ethical concerns surrounding the care of livestock, some argue that aquatic creatures are sentient beings, meaning they suffer pain.

-via Heath Theory

"Many people ask me "How did you do that? I could never give up meat!" What a lot of people don't realize is that over time your body's unnatural craving for mammal and poultry meat disappears, and a healthy body will get sick from beef, pork or chicken if eaten again after a period of a pescetarian diet. This is because land-animal flesh is filled with toxins, uric acid and fecal bacteria.

So I put together a list of reasons why I believe you should go pescetarian. All I ask of you today is to try the 30 Day Challenge. All you do is take a pledge to cut out meat, excluding fish and seafood, from your diet for the next 30 days. With the increase of fresh fish and vegetables in your diet, I believe that you'll feel healthier, experience less headaches and sickness as well as increased energy levels. In the long-term, you may also improve your weight, the health of your brain and heart, hair and even your skin.

According to The New York Times, meat consumption in the United States has doubled in the last 50 years. And since then, haven't other problems increased? Cancer, heart disease, stroke, obesity: these have all increased drastically over the past 50 years. Any connection? These trends may go hand in hand.

1) Pescetarianism may drastically improve your health.

A pescetarian diet may not only reduce your risk for heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases, but stroke, osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure and some types of cancer. According to the Yale College Vegetarian Society, experts say that up to 80 percent of cancer cases are preventable through healthy diets that contain low amounts of fats and oils, and high amounts of fiber -- the model pescetarian diet.

Meat is often covered in pesticides and chemicals that are harmful, and after extended consumption, can be very dangerous, to humans. Every bite of a beef/pork hotdog contains seven cancer-causing pesticides. And here's a shocking fact, brought to light by David Steinman's "Living Healthy in a Toxic World": The primary source of nuclear radiation contamination in humans is from beef and dairy products.

Additionally, all of the iron you need comes from fish, many fruits and vegetables and whole grains. And all the protein you need comes from consuming a healthy percentage of legumes, whole grains, tofu, and many plant sources. Vegetarian diets supply more than adequate amounts of protein.

So now we know that we can get enough protein without eating any meat at all, where does including fish in our diets come in?

Fish is very low in saturated fat and contains very large quantities of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, which have been connected to possible treatments for an array of conditions including heart disease, depression and ADD. Omega-3s have also been shown to have potential risk-reducing effects when it comes to cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Another huge benefit of including fish in a vegetarian diet is the healthy amount of iron in fish and seafood. Pescetarians have a lower risk of developing iron deficiency anemia -- a common condition among vegans and vegetarians. Eating fish also combats D-3 deficiency, which is a common condition among many Americans.

2) Becoming a pescetarian benefits our planet.

The Vegetarian Resource Group reports that one pound of beef requires 2,500 gallons of water, whereas one pound of soy requires only 250 gallons of water and a pound of wheat requires only 25 gallons. If you want to help save our water, cutting meat from your diet one way that you get active.

Additionally, the deforestation caused by the need to create space to house livestock is tremendous. A Smithsonian Institution study shows that the demand for more grazing land means that every day, a land area equivalent to seven football fields is destroyed in the Amazon basin.

According to Earth Talk, "The Environmental Beef With Meat," for every hamburger that came from an animal raised on rainforest land, approximately 55 square feet of forest was destroyed. And it's not just the rainforest being destroyed. In the United States, more than 260 million acres of forest have been clear-cut for animal agriculture as of 2005.

The livestock in the Unites States also creates an unimaginable amount of waste and toxic emission -- as do the fertilizers used. Livestock raised for slaughter produce 130 times the excrement of the entire human population.

But most shocking of all is that the grains and corn that are wastefully fed to the mass amounts of livestock in the United States, could be instead be fed to the 60 million human beings who die of starvation every year all over the world.

3) Animal cruelty

Most people know somewhat of what is going on in slaughterhouses and cow, pig, chicken and turkey farms. They know that animals are bred for murder in these places so they can be killed and eaten for the pleasure of humans. But what some people may not know are the disgusting conditions and inhumane treatment of these innocent animals behind their closed doors. Animals are subjected to some pretty terrible living conditions, full of feces and flies, packed into crates so crowded that they can hardly move. Their natural habits are taken from them.

Chickens for example are kept in big warehouses in tiny wire cages as big as file cabinets -- packed with about 10 or more chickens. The chickens peck at each other, so their beaks are removed to prevent them from doing this. This is called de-beaking. This is done to each chicken with no painkillers. Their breasts are so heavy from injected growth hormones that they sometimes can't even stand, and their legs are often already broken. Many cages house chickens that have already died from disease.

The treatment of hogs and cows are just as terrible, often still alive and struggling as they are hung upside down and taken down a belt to have their throats slit or beheaded by an automatic machine. Many times the animal is not dead immediately, because their throat had only been nicked as they get hacked into pieces or boiled alive.

"If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian."
- Paul McCartney

I believe that whatever type of lifestyle one leads to benefit the planet, save the animals, or better one's health, they deserve only praise. Little steps are ok -- some take a leap in the beginning, others take steps gradually towards their goal. I believe that as long as we are aware and acting on our intentions, that's what matters. Nutritionist Jean Mayer suggests that if we reduced our country's meat consumption by just 10 percent, we could feed another 60 million hungry individuals. Now think about all the other good we could do for the planet by just that one act alone.

-via AOL Healthy Living

One of the things I have loved the most about my new diet, is the opportunity it has given me to explore, challenge and advance my cooking skills (and my photography). Over the past year I have taught myself how to maintain a well balanced diet that is not only healthy to me, but for the planet as well. Below are some of the delicious meals I've made that I am proud of (and a few from my travels).

salads!

creamy tomato basil soup

cooking at home

Sunday brunch in Chelsea, NYC

waffles with fresh strawberries and a veggie sausage pattie

blueberry cucumber smoothie

veggie lasagna

veggie lasagna

pre blended summer gazpacho

English muffin, rasberry jam and veggies sausages

Salmon with green beans almondine and rice

Cup cakes from the cafe at Books Of Wonder, NYC

Rosemary potato wedges

Spinach, eggs and salsa on an English muffin

Stuffed portobello mushroom, salad and rice pilaf

Catan Lord

2012-01-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

I found this screen shot on my iPad today. haha

Sleep No More- NYE

2012-01-03T17:00:00.000-05:00

Kinda jealous I wasn't here on New Years Eve. Sleep No More

Love this shot

Fox Sports and The Daily present ...

2012-01-02T18:25:00.009-05:00

Our newest app, the College Bowl Guide, has been out for a few weeks now and it's doing great!

Be sure to go to the App Store to download it for FREE. yeaaaaa :)

Download here- for FREE!

#1 Free Sports App!

(click to enlarge)

Beyonce Friday

2011-12-30T17:00:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year!!!! (happy friday too- last one in 2011!)

Let's celebrate with B and Hova! ;)

Memory

2011-12-27T11:32:00.000-05:00

Another stunning video created by Jacob Gambino.

Summer 2011 from jacob gambino on Vimeo.

Grand Canyon, Kauai & Australia. Music credit: Synkro - Memory

Happy Friday and Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T17:00:00.000-05:00

Kirstin's Christmas Wish List

2011-12-22T17:33:00.002-05:00

any or all

clementines

2011-12-22T16:32:00.000-05:00

Although winter is just starting, these clementines look delicious and remind me of warmer days. via flickr.

“Patience is bitter, but it bears sweet fruit."

~Turkish Proverb

Home

2011-12-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

So true :)

Thanksgiving

2011-12-18T12:52:00.001-05:00

I know we are past Thanksgiving and have moved on to Christmas, but I wanted to share our meal with you! Even more exciting than our meal though is the fact that we were in our new home! We made a chicken and a Tofurky and lots of other delicious sides.

Hevan is sporting his Movember mustache ;)

proud

the corn casserole is my favorite

The chicken

my Tofurkey

vegetarian stuffing

checking the on the birdie

Beyonce Friday

2011-12-16T17:00:00.001-05:00

The holiday edition ... Happy Friday ;)

Happy Christmas- The War Is Over

2011-12-15T11:29:00.005-05:00

Christmas Tree

2011-12-13T12:21:00.003-05:00

This weekend we got our first tree! And it's real! I think it looks lovey in our new home :)

Yay!

:) <3

crazy LED lights

Beyonce Friday

2011-12-09T17:00:00.001-05:00

Holiday edition... Happy Friday ;)

Beyonce Friday

2011-12-02T17:00:00.000-05:00

Holiday edition... Happy Friday ;)

Spotify

2011-11-28T20:04:00.003-05:00

I've been listening to Alex's Spotify playlists ... hahaha

I kinda like this one! hahaha aww

Artists in Love

2011-11-22T13:10:00.001-05:00

Check out this great video for Tiffany's of two of my good friends, Julia and Joe. It's so cute! What a great love story.

Ellen DeGeneres Talks Turkey

2011-11-20T11:00:00.000-05:00

via GreenMuze.com

Popular American television personality Ellen DeGeneres is lending her considerable clout to raising awareness about the cruel plight of turkeys during the holiday season. The compassionate vegan, for the second consecutive year, is serving as Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-A-Turkey Project spokesperson, inviting everyone to adopt, not eat, a turkey during holiday season.

"Did you know that every year between 250 and 300 million turkeys are bred for slaughter in the United States? More than 46 million for Thanksgiving alone,” explains DeGeneres.

For the past 25 years, the Adopt-A-Turkey Project has interested both carnivores and vegetarians alike, while providing support for the care of more than 1,000 rescued turkeys and inspiring people everywhere to make more compassionate choices.

For a one-time donation of just US$30 (€21.57), adopters, or a recipient of their choice, will receive a special Adopt-A-Turkey certificate complete with a color photo of a rescued turkey who resides at one of Farm Sanctuary’s shelters with some fun details about their adopted turkey.

“We’re thrilled to have Ellen’s support again this year,” says Farm Sanctuary co-founder Gene Baur. “Here at Farm Sanctuary, we live with turkeys, so we know they are interesting and intelligent. Sadly, the meat industry subjects turkeys to intolerable cruelty and treats them like inanimate objects with no feelings or personalities.”

To get involved visit www.adoptaturkey.org or call the Turkey Adoption Hotline at 1-888-SPONSOR.

Visit: www.farmsanctuary.org

Gobble Gobble!

Beyonce Fridays!

2011-11-18T17:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday!

Notice how she hides her belly in this video, except for 36 seconds in... :P

Farm Sanctuary, 25 years

2011-11-17T11:51:00.001-05:00

Farm Sanctuary is doing some really great things for animals! Check out their 25th Anniversary video.

Marimekko Ruutukaava

2011-11-15T10:00:00.001-05:00

Our new Marimekko duvet cover arrived yesterday! I love it :)

via crate and barrel

Love is

2011-11-14T13:25:00.001-05:00

Source: diosmudanzas.tumblr.com via Alicia on Pinterest

Words to live by

2011-11-13T12:00:00.000-05:00

Beyonce Fridays

2011-11-11T17:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday :)

New Apartment

2011-11-09T19:06:00.001-05:00

About a week late on this one, Hevan and I moved in together on Nov. 1st, but I wanted to share a few photos from our new apartment. Alex even has her own bedroom! We're very excited! I'll have to upload photos when we have everything out of the boxes :)

Hevan in our awesome kitchen! (notice the dishwasher)

living room

eat in kitchen

hallway

Alex's bedroom

living room

One year ago today. . .

2011-11-08T19:21:00.004-05:00

I was in surgery for a painful pinched nerve in my arm which made everyday a struggle to get though work. My doctor told me it would take 2 weeks to fully heal, however I was in Physical Therapy for 6 months and I still don't feel 100% today. Not to complain too much though, because I am worlds away from the pain I was feeling before. In the end, I am happy I went through with it. Besides, now I have a kick ass scar on my arm ;)

drugged

The arm brace that I had to wear for 3 weeks

waiting for my cast to dry- oh so fun

It was discouraging ... but look at me now!

Summer 2011

Megan and Anthony's Wedding FLASH MOB!

2011-11-07T13:39:00.001-05:00

Apple Bottom Jeans... Boots with the fur...

Sorrento

2011-11-06T22:47:00.001-05:00

Sorrento, originally uploaded by Alicia Kate Hallett.

Looking back at some of my Italy photos... ahhh, so in love with this place!

artichoke candles

2011-11-03T16:00:00.000-05:00

I found artichoke candles this past weekend while exploring my new neighborhood. Love em!

Movember 1st

2011-11-01T17:46:00.004-05:00

Today is Movember 1st! Check out my Mo Space and donate to my team!

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in the US and around the world. With their Mo’s, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.

Once registered at www.movember.com, men start Movember 1st clean shaven. For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.

Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

At the end of the month, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas celebrate their gallantry and valor by either throwing their own Movember party or attending one of the infamous Gala Partés held around the world by Movember, for Movember.

In honor of my team, THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE MUSTACHED, I have collected some motivational photos! Good luck!

Halloween at The Daily

2011-11-01T17:01:00.002-05:00

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T19:08:00.002-05:00

Darkness falls across the land
The midnight hour is close at hand
Creatures crawl in search of blood
To terrorize y'alls neighborhood
And whosoever shall be found
Without the soul for getting down
Must stand and face the hounds of hell
And rot inside a corpse's shell

The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of forty thousand years
And grizzly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of the thriller

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! >:)

This video used to scare me so bad!!! <3 MJ

Stuffed Red Peppers/Coconut Pumpkin Chili

2011-10-30T12:06:00.000-05:00

So we had a little get together with our good friends Ivy and Dan last weekend where we ate delicious food and (almost) carved pumpkins :) I say almost because we spent so much time hanging out and cooking, that it got too late to carve! Needless to say, we had a very unhappy 9 year old. But we compromised, and I think she enjoyed the gummy worm dirt pie.

Since we were all so hungry, I didn't shoot any photos! Gah! Oh well, you'll have to trust me that it was delicious. :)

Pumpkin Picking

Hevan made Coconut Pumpkin Chili for the group and I made Quinoa Stuffed Red Peppers. Ivy and Dan brought wine, cheese and homemade pound cake. Every thing was delicious!!!!

Wanna try it yourself?

Coconut Pumpkin Chili recipe:

1 family pack of ground turkey

1 8oz can of diced tomoatos

1 1/2 can of coconut milk

1 8oz can of pumpkin purée

garlic

curry

Directions:

-saute together, and serve!

Quinoa Stuffed Red Peppers recipe:

3 red peppers for stuffing

The stuffing:

1 cup finely chopped mushrooms

1 8oz can of diced tomatoes

1/2 finely chopped onion

1 head finely chopped broccoli

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup Flax Seeds

1 cup quinoa

Directions:

-Cut the peppers in half and remove seeds and veins. Lightly brush with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 7 mins.

-Mix all stuffing ingredients together in a large bowl. Fill the halved peppers with the stuffing mixture, sprinkle with cheese

-Bake in the oven for 30 mins. ENJOY!

Creepy Halloween Dirt Pie

1 box of jello chocolate pudding mix

1 pie shell

1/2 package of cool whip

1 cup milk

crushed oreos for crumbling on top

gummy worms

Directions:

-Make pudding according to the directions on the side of the box

- pour into pie shell, let sit for an hour

- top with worms and oreos

- mmmmm :)

Beyonce Fridays

2011-10-28T14:51:00.002-05:00

It's that time of the week again... Beyonce Fridays! Check out B's new video, Party- and HAPPY FRIDAY

Rick Perry: The Voice In Your Head Is Not God

2011-10-25T19:59:00.002-05:00

Manhattan Mini Storage has the best ads!!! Love em!

tiffanys

2011-10-25T13:31:00.001-05:00

behati-prinsloo9 via littlebirdtell, originally uploaded by Apartment #34.

Storm Door

2011-10-25T13:12:00.001-05:00

Storm Door, originally uploaded by Miss Aniela.

I found a wonderful set of photos by Aniela on Flickr. I love this one especially!

"The first time I saw the painting of stormy ships in the music room of Weston Park, I felt an urge - but an urge to do what, I didn't know. How does a photographer take inspiration from paintings without just trying to copy the painting, or pose someone next to it? My current pictures have been trying to answer that, and challenge the place of paintings so that they take on a new life. So with a terrific feeling of excitement, I went overboard quite literally, and spilled in lashing waves of the fictional sea around my model, pleasuring in the opportunity to get closer to the painting's detail, meeting every character on each crest. Though it took a while, the result is actually quite simple: just half photograph, half painting.

Check out the blog & video

Inspirations and references... Tim Walker (loads of his images are relevant but those snail ones I had in my mind during my time here), the fashion element of Peter Kemp's work; Helen of Troy, C.S. Lewis' Voyage of the Dawn Treader... whilst editing the dress I also thought of Brooke Shaden's flowy skirt images...

(I spent the whole of my carvery with Matthew today trying to decide on the title... funniest suggestions were 'Femaelstrom', 'Poseid herself' and 'Nauti-lass')

Shot during the PODAS workshop, using the modelling light of a Profoto parabolic/giant ;) Model is Kim Rowley. Styling by Jay Jessop. Assistance & input from Matt

Via Flickr:
The first time I saw the painting of stormy ships in the music room of Weston Park, I felt an urge - but an urge to do what, I didn't know. How does a photographer take inspiration from paintings without just trying to copy the painting, or pose someone next to it? My current pictures have been trying to answer that, and challenge the place of paintings so that they take on a new life. So with a terrific feeling of excitement, I went overboard quite literally, and spilled in lashing waves of the fictional sea around my model, pleasuring in the opportunity to get closer to the painting's detail, meeting every character on each crest. Though it took a while, the result is actually quite simple: just half photograph, half painting.

Check out the blog & video

Inspirations and references... Tim Walker (loads of his images are relevant but those snail ones I had in my mind during my time here), the fashion element of Peter Kemp's work; Helen of Troy, C.S. Lewis' Voyage of the Dawn Treader... whilst editing the dress I also thought of Brooke Shaden's flowy skirt images...

(I spent the whole of my carvery with Matthew today trying to decide on the title... funniest suggestions were 'Femaelstrom', 'Poseid herself' and 'Nauti-lass')

Shot during the PODAS workshop, using the modelling light of a Profoto parabolic/giant ;) Model is Kim Rowley. Styling by Jay Jessop. Assistance & input from Matt

___

Facebook page / blog / twitter

Beyonce Fridays!

2011-10-21T17:05:00.000-05:00

Enjoy your weekend . . . xoxa

Provincetown

2011-10-21T14:00:00.001-05:00

Provincetown, originally uploaded by Alicia Kate Hallett.

Kirstin and Alex :)

brewing

2011-10-20T11:55:00.002-05:00

I've been doing some research into making our own wine and I came across this nicely done brewing video from Brooklyn Brew Shops. I'll let you know if we end up giving this a try!

How to Brew Beer from Brooklyn Brew Shop on Vimeo.

family

2011-10-19T12:17:00.001-05:00

family, originally uploaded by Alicia Kate Hallett.

i love them :)

rainy day creamy tomato basil soup :)

2011-10-19T11:57:00.004-05:00

My first attempt at creamy tomato basil soup was a success! mmm - perfect lunch on a rainy day like today :)

The (very easy) recipe:
2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
1 (14.5 ounce) veggie broth
18 fresh basil leaves (i def used more!), minced
1 teaspoon sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup whipping cream -omit for lower calorie soup
1/2 cup butter or margarine -omit for lower calorie soup

Directions:
In a large saucepan, bring the tomatoes and broth to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add basil, garlic and sugar. Reduce heat to low; stir in cream and butter. Cook until butter is melted.

Please do not use or reproduce without permission.

Away We Go

2011-10-19T09:29:00.003-05:00

I watched Away We Go again last night, and I have to say that I really enjoy this movie. It's pretty mellow with a few crazy parts thrown in. I think that John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph do a great job :) Not to mention, I love the movie poster and soundtrack.

Alexi Murdoch - All My Days (Live), from the soundtrack

Carnism

2011-10-16T11:00:00.001-05:00

An interesting idea brought to you by Melanie Joy, PhD-

Carnism is the invisible belief system, or ideology, that conditions people to eat (certain) animals. Carnism is essentially the opposite of vegetarianism or veganism; “carn” means “flesh” or “of the flesh” and “ism” denotes a belief system. Most people view eating animals as a given, rather than a choice; in meat-eating cultures around the world people typically don’t think about why they find the meat of some animals disgusting and the meat of other animals appetizing, or why they eat any animals at all. But when eating animals isn’t a necessity for survival, as is the case in the majority of the world today, it is a choice - and choices always stem from beliefs.

learn more

Beyonce Fridays :)

2011-10-14T17:00:00.000-05:00

B on the cover of Nov. 2011 issue of Harper's Bazaar

Happy weekend :)

sums up our weekend

2011-10-12T12:53:00.001-05:00

sums up our weekend, originally uploaded by Alicia Kate Hallett.

basically!

(Hevan's 35th celebration!)

time-lapse

2011-10-12T09:08:00.000-05:00

Check out the beautiful time-lapse work of Dustin Farrell.

Landscapes: Volume One from Dustin Farrell on Vimeo.

Landscapes: Volume Two from Dustin Farrell on Vimeo.

Time-lapse photography is a cinematography technique whereby the frequency at which film frames are captured (the frame rate) is much lower than that which will be used to play the sequence back. When replayed at normal speed, time appears to be moving faster and thus lapsing. For example, an image of a scene may be captured once every second, and then played back at 30 frames per second; the result would be an apparent increase of speed by 30 times. Time-lapse photography can be considered to be the opposite of high speed photography.

Processes that would normally appear subtle to the human eye, such as the motion of the sun and stars in the sky, become very pronounced. Time-lapse is the extreme version of the cinematography technique of undercranking, and can be confused with stop motion animation. -wikipedia

Laocoön and His Sons

2011-10-11T09:25:00.002-05:00

Laocoön and His Sons, originally uploaded by Alicia Kate Hallett.

The sculpture shows the Trojan priest Laocoön and his sons Antiphantes and Thymbraeus being strangled by sea serpents. Vatican City, Italy

All images © 2011 Alicia Hallett.
Please do not use or reproduce without permission.

Jacques Torres

2011-10-10T19:05:00.003-05:00

Cookies from Jacques Torres today... MMMMM. Amazing!

photos via Happy Tummy and The Traveling Spoon

Beyonce Fridays!

2011-10-07T17:00:00.001-05:00

It's Friday, shouldn't you enjoy it with B? xoxa

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

2011-10-06T09:17:00.004-05:00

In memory of Steve Jobs. 1955-2011

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

—Steve Jobs

1983 Apple Keynote-The "1984" Ad Introduction

Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

Meet Marcello

2011-10-02T15:57:00.003-05:00

Amalfi Coast, Italy 2010

Ivy and I named the dog you see in my Amalfi Coast flicker set, Marcello. He started following us immediately as we stepped off the bus, and we followed him down the narrow streets towards the water. It was as if he was our tour guide! He was literally with us the entire day. Even after we got back onto the bus to make our way to Amalfi, we saw him down the road as we passed by! He was our Italian friend for the few hours we spent in Positano :)

View larger here.

All images © 2011 Alicia Hallett.
Please do not use or reproduce without permission.

Beyonce Fridays!

2011-09-30T17:01:00.001-05:00

It's Friday, shouldn't you enjoy it with B? xoxa

Baked

2011-09-28T19:00:00.000-05:00

Found a cute bakery in Cape Cod. The pastries looked delicious!

Please do not use or reproduce without permission.

Type I like

2011-09-26T15:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Hevan!!! I love you!

2011-09-24T01:00:00.001-05:00

Remember this one?
We took this 2 years ago while driving to Philly for your 33rd birthday.
We had just started dating and this was our first trip together :)

And this one, from you're 34th birthday at the 79th Street Boat Basin Cafe :)

Have a wonderful day!
I love you. Happy Birthday.
xoxoxo

Beyonce Fridays!

2011-09-23T17:58:00.001-05:00

It's Friday, shouldn't you enjoy it with B? xoxa

new home (someday!)

2011-09-22T11:54:00.004-05:00

On our vacation to Cape Cod this past June, Hevan and I fell in love with a house right on the beach. We'll buy it some day :) It also reminded us of the beach house from the movie, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Which we love. It would be so perfect!

click to enlarge

Welcome to our home! (someday :P)

baguette

2011-09-21T13:33:00.000-05:00

via parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com

DRIVE

2011-09-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

Drive was a really great movie, and I am loving the soundtrack! Check out the youtube preview below.

Top 4 Hunger Stats

2011-09-19T20:00:00.000-05:00

via wfp.org

Beyonce Fridays!

2011-09-16T17:00:00.001-05:00

It's Friday, shouldn't you enjoy it with B? xoxa

Type I Like

2011-09-15T11:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Mr. Chan ...

The New American Muslim

2011-09-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Interesting video about "The New American Muslim". via nytimes.com

Beyonce Fridays!

2011-09-09T17:00:00.001-05:00

It's Friday, shouldn't you enjoy it with B? xoxa

Quote for the day

2011-09-07T20:00:00.000-05:00

"Reducing meat consumption is not a panacea, but it is a critical and common sense component of a sustainable food system."
- www.awellfedworld.com

Google doodle tribute to Freddie Mercury

2011-09-06T14:29:00.000-05:00

A Google doodle tribute to artist, performer, and pioneer Freddie Mercury for his 65th birthday.

This is really awesome! I love it!

Cleopatra: A Life

2011-09-05T11:10:00.000-05:00

My newest read:

The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer brings to life the most intriguing woman in the history of the world: Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt.

Her palace shimmered with onyx, garnets, and gold, but was richer still in political and sexual intrigue. Above all else, Cleopatra was a shrewd strategist and an ingenious negotiator.

Though her life spanned fewer than forty years, it reshaped the contours of the ancient world. She was married twice, each time to a brother. She waged a brutal civil war against the first when both were teenagers. She poisoned the second. Ultimately she dispensed with an ambitious sister as well; incest and assassination were family specialties. Cleopatra appears to have had sex with only two men. They happen, however, to have been Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, among the most prominent Romans of the day. Both were married to other women. Cleopatra had a child with Caesar and--after his murder--three more with his protégé. Already she was the wealthiest ruler in the Mediterranean; the relationship with Antony confirmed her status as the most influential woman of the age. The two would together attempt to forge a new empire, in an alliance that spelled their ends. Cleopatra has lodged herself in our imaginations ever since.

Famous long before she was notorious, Cleopatra has gone down in history for all the wrong reasons. Shakespeare and Shaw put words in her mouth. Michelangelo, Tiepolo, and Elizabeth Taylor put a face to her name. Along the way, Cleopatra's supple personality and the drama of her circumstances have been lost. In a masterly return to the classical sources, Stacy Schiff here boldly separates fact from fiction to rescue the magnetic queen whose death ushered in a new world order. Rich in detail, epic in scope, Schiff 's is a luminous, deeply original reconstruction of a dazzling life. -indiebound.org

Beyonce Fridays!

2011-09-02T17:00:00.001-05:00

It's Friday of Labor Day weekend, shouldn't you enjoy it with B? xoxa

Obama 2012!

2011-08-31T12:05:00.001-05:00

I want a tee shirt :)

Ben and Irene

2011-08-30T16:06:00.002-05:00

Hanging out in Albany during Irene.

HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY KIRSTIN!!!

2011-08-29T00:01:00.001-05:00

Today my baby sister turn's 20!! Wow! I am so proud of the beautiful and strong women she has become. I can't wait to see the head's she'll turn as she goes through her 20's. Watch out world, here she comes! :) Love you, Kirstin! Happy Birthday, welcome to the club ;)

Empowering Women

2011-08-28T15:00:00.000-05:00

When food is scarce, women and children suffer the most. The World Food Programme strongly believes that empowering women can break the cycle of hunger and poverty.

Today, add your name in support of women worldwide. Your message will be shared across the globe and you'll join tens of thousands of individuals who believe that no one should go hungry.

Send a Message of Solidarity here.

Beyonce Fridays!

2011-08-26T17:00:00.001-05:00

It's Friday, why shouldn't you enjoy it with B? xoxa

Watch out! It's Irene!

2011-08-26T09:02:00.002-05:00

The Weather Channel has a really cool interactive map on their website tracking Hurricane Irene.

meaty facts

2011-08-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

During the middle and late 1900s , an animal-centered, Western-style diet was consumed by only a small percentage of the global population (predominantly in the US and Western Europe), while most of the world consumed a plant-centered diet, in many cases using meat and dairy only as condiments. We were able to meet the demand for food because relatively few people ate animal-centered diets.

Animals are inefficient converters of food resources (i.e., they consume much more food than they produce and they use much greater quantities of environmental resources). As more people consume more animal products, global food and environmental resources will be pushed beyond the Earth's capacity. These problems are exacerbated by decreases in arable land, scarcity of potable water, and environmental pollution more generally. -www.awellfedworld.com

The Future of Food

2011-08-23T00:11:00.004-05:00

Tonight I watched a documentary by Deborah Koons, The Future of Food. I found it very informative and so scary how these big corporations are running the food industry. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are a very scary thing. You can actualy watch this entire documentary on youtube, and I suggest that you do. It get's a bit scientific in the middle, but the message is interesting and worthwhile. And I say, the more you know and question about the food you consume the better off you will be.

The Future of Food Directed by Deborah Koons Garcia.
An excellent film on the dangers of Genetically Modified Food.

One area the film touches upon is world hunger. These big corporations claim that GMOs can produce more crops in which to feed the million's of people starving in the world. That, however, is a common myth about GMOs. Like one of the speakers said: "the problem of hunger is not a production problem, but rather an access problem." There is enough food for every person in the world, the problem is a lack of availability and financial means.

So the question is: Isn't hunger just a question of distribution?

No. Almost every location on earth can produce enough food for its population. Even Bangladesh is self-sufficient in food production. The challenge is that people cannot earn enough to buy the food that is available. -www.awellfedworld.com

Now that's another big problem. . . and it get's me all fired up when I think about it, so I'm not going to discuss it now. I'm going to bed because it's 2:30am. But YOU should think about it, what are you doing in your daily life to combat global hunger? PS- There are ways to do it without donating money. . .

gnite- xoxa

Frozen & Fresh

2011-08-21T10:30:00.001-05:00

How do you make those frozen waffles a bit more appetizing? Fresh strawberries! (with a side of veggie sausage, of course)

view on black (it's prettier)

view on black. (it's prettier)

a New York moment

2011-08-20T10:50:00.001-05:00

Hevan and I had a New York moment last night. We went out for a late dinner at a vegan place we wanted to check out and who do we sit down right next to... Steve Buscemi, Woody Harrelson and Steve Guttenberg. We then saw them leave after dinner and stand out on the corner to talk while Woody Harrelson smoked a joint. No one passing by paid much attention. I love NY.

Breakfast of Champs

2011-08-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

Hevan's Breakfast (prepared for his 4:30am breakfast, it's Ramadan!):
half a whole wheat bagel, eggs and turkey bacon
View on black.

My breakfast: Raisin Bran, eggs, half a pear and pomegranate juice
View on black.

Beyonce Fridays!

2011-08-19T17:00:00.002-05:00

So I have an idea. It's Friday, why shouldn't you enjoy it with B? Follow up over the next few weeks for more... xoxa ;)

Spice Market New York

2011-08-18T17:42:00.004-05:00

Last night after the Bebel show, Hevan and I got some delicious dessert at Spice Market in the Meatpacking District. It was too dark for me to shoot any photos of our dishes, but I was able to find photos beautiful photos shot by minyungee, on her blog you eatin' nice, of the 2 desserts that we ordered! Check them out below, and try not to be too jealous ;)

Coconut Cake with Salted Caramel and Guava Ice Cream

Ovaltine Kulfi with Caramelized Banana and Spiced Milk Chocolate Sauce

Bebel Gilberto- tonight!

2011-08-17T17:00:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited! Tonight Hevan, Juan, Ashley and I are going to see one of my favorite singers, Bebel Gilberto! Here is a bit about her off her site and a few videos to check out her sound:

Internationally acclaimed and Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Bebel Gilberto was born in New York on May 12, 1966, to father Joao Gilberto, the iconic voice of bossa nova, and singer Miúcha. Her father's influence would always color her musical path, and with the addition of elements of electronic music, Bebel took the legacy of the musician from Bahia to the dance floor, earning worldwide success.

I love her!

Subwaygami by Hevan Chan

2011-08-17T12:03:00.002-05:00

Designer Spotlight: Meet mcgarrybowen designer Hevan Chan w/his Kizuna Crane design, titled Subwaygami. This design combines the "Hinomaru," or rising sun, with a map of Tokyo's complex subway system.

Donate towards long-term recovery efforts in Japan by sponsoring this crane today at http://bit.ly/nT7AYB

I donated, you should too!

Snapple Bottle

2011-08-15T14:46:00.001-05:00

I bought this today because I like the label design. I'm a sucker for a sweet design.

Rachel Maddow on Birthers / White House Correspondents' Dinner Speech

2011-08-13T15:00:00.000-05:00

I turned on the TV in the middle of this and thought it was real. It's hilarious.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

And then my sister showed me Obama's speech at the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner AND I LOVE IT. hahhaha SO great.

The Wire- Opening credits

2011-08-11T11:35:00.004-05:00

Last night, well actually early this morning, Hevan and I finished watching the 5th and final season of The Wire. I have to say that it's the best television show I have ever seen. I could go on about it and reflect on the characters and plot, but I wouldn't want to spoil it for those of you who have not watched it. And you need to see it. We're definitely going to watch it again in the future to pick up on things we might have missed the first time around. Yes, it's that good.

So in honor of our last episode, I wanted to share all 5 season's opening credits, because yes, they too are that good.

:)

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

Season 4

Season 5 (ps- Bunk's last line, "the bigger the lie, the more they believe" is such a great set up for the final season!)

Today's breakfast: Cucumber-Blueberry Smoothie

2011-08-09T09:45:00.000-05:00

I should really start another blog for my food, but until I get around to that, here's my breakfast!

This smoothie of cucumber and blueberries is brimming with antioxidants. It makes a great start to any day for breakfast or a midmorning snack. - MarthaStewart.com

Recipe adapted from Vegetarian Times:

1 cucumber
1 cup of frozen blueberries
1 cup of soy vanilla yogurt
2 Tbsp of Agave Nectar
1 tsp of Lemon Juice
splash of soy milk

Blend and serve!

I love my magic bullet

I love the color!

mmmm so delicious!

city posters

2011-08-08T11:00:00.001-05:00

LOVE these! by Design By House

Having become interested in the stories behind some of the world's great landmarks Design by House began to explore ways of expressing their iconic nature without succumbing to the silhouette. The results of this process lead to the 'Landmarque' print series; using layers of shapes and colour to recreate the familiar forms and evoke a sense of location.

Design By House are a creative studio based in Preston, Lancashire. Alongside their work for commercial clients, the studio produces self-initiated projects exploring the possibility of design without deadlines and objective. —House

#1 iCarly Fan

2011-08-07T19:46:00.003-05:00

I had to share this shot Hevan took tonight while taking Alex to see Miranda Cosgrove in concert. Such a cutie :)