Photo © Christina Saull-All Rights Reserved
I need to move to an area of the country with more lighthouses.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Lighthouse love
Photo © Christina Saull-All Rights Reserved
I need to move to an area of the country with more lighthouses.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Hot Summer in the City
Some scenes from a New York City summer day
Photo © Christina Saull-All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull-All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull-All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull-All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull-All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull-All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull-All Rights Reserved
Friday, August 27, 2010
Five for Friday
1. Wohoo! We're back! Okay, actually that is not really something to celebrate, since it means we're no longer on vacation. But I guess you gotta work sometime, huh?
2. Our vacation to Maine & Canada was amazing! Really, amazing doesn't even cover it. The weather was crisp & cool the entire time (except for you Boston, what's with that heat?). The nature & scenery were gorgeous. We ate & laughed our way through New England & Canada, & threw in a sea kayaking trip of epic proportions along the way. I can't wait to share pictures with all of you - editing down the 1200 we took has been a bit of a bear!
3. As a gift from the vacation-gods, the weather in D.C. has been nothing short of fall-like this week. It is the only thing that made coming back from vacation a little easier. We'll return to summer on Sunday though, when it's supposed to be 90 degrees - ouch!
4. Honestly, who isn't excited about the football season being, literally, right around the corner? Our evenings have been filled with NFL pre-season games & college games start next week. There is nothing I love more than a Saturday tailgate!
5. One of the hardest things about being back from vacation is getting my sleep schedule back on track. For 10 days we went to bed when we wanted & (mostly) got up when we wanted. I have not been able to shake the grogginess this week. Hopefully a restful weekend will cure all ills.
Happy weekend people!
P.S. I know you've missed my 52 lists project - they'll be back next week!
2. Our vacation to Maine & Canada was amazing! Really, amazing doesn't even cover it. The weather was crisp & cool the entire time (except for you Boston, what's with that heat?). The nature & scenery were gorgeous. We ate & laughed our way through New England & Canada, & threw in a sea kayaking trip of epic proportions along the way. I can't wait to share pictures with all of you - editing down the 1200 we took has been a bit of a bear!
3. As a gift from the vacation-gods, the weather in D.C. has been nothing short of fall-like this week. It is the only thing that made coming back from vacation a little easier. We'll return to summer on Sunday though, when it's supposed to be 90 degrees - ouch!
4. Honestly, who isn't excited about the football season being, literally, right around the corner? Our evenings have been filled with NFL pre-season games & college games start next week. There is nothing I love more than a Saturday tailgate!
5. One of the hardest things about being back from vacation is getting my sleep schedule back on track. For 10 days we went to bed when we wanted & (mostly) got up when we wanted. I have not been able to shake the grogginess this week. Hopefully a restful weekend will cure all ills.
Happy weekend people!
P.S. I know you've missed my 52 lists project - they'll be back next week!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Strolling the Brooklyn Bridge
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
For all the times I have been to New York, & all the touristy stuff I have done, there was one thing I hadn't done: walked the Brooklyn Bridge.
So I picked the hottest day of the year to do so! Armed with my camera, a tank top & a $2 bottle of water, I headed from Manhattan across the river to Brooklyn.
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Squares
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
Spotted this fabulous building coming into Brooklyn by foot on the Brooklyn Bridge
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
New York Holga Love
In mid-July, I took a long weekend up to the greatest city in the world with the hopes of getting the creative juices flowing again. To help enhance the creative energies, I took two cameras: my D200, with only a 50mm lens, & an old fashioned, good ol plastic Holga.
This Holga is life changing, let me tell you! The lack of control over your image, the "what you see is what you get" when shooting with film, the light leaks & the imperfections of each image make each image, to me, all that much more perfect. These were all shot on Kodak Black & White 120mm film & are straight out of the glorius camera.
I'm in love.
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
Photo © Christina Saull - All Rights Reserved
Friday, July 30, 2010
Five for Friday
1. Sorry there has been a bit of a radio silence on my blog this week. It has been one of those weeks with no end in sight... so busy! But, it's finally Friday, which is great news for everyone.
2. I had a great time in New York City last weekend & have lots of photos to share. I even spent half a day just shooting with my Holga camera, which really was an exercise in creativity. This was one of my most relaxing trips to NYC yet, with lots of time spent lounging in Bryant Park & enjoying the breezes coming across the Brooklyn Bridge. I also saw "A Little Night Music," a Stephen Sondheim show with Bernadette Peters & Elaine Stritch. If you don't know who any of those three people are, I can't believe we are friends. It is a great show, with a superior supporting cast, so if you find yourself in NYC, it's definitely worth checking out.
3. In less than two weeks, Brad & I leave on our big trip for the year: a 10-day Royal Caribbean New England & Canada cruise. While we have things sort of planned out, if anyone has suggestions of "must see's" or "must eat's" at any of our destinations (Portland, ME; Bar Harbor, ME; St. John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Boston), please let me know!
4. Something for those of you in the D.C.-area, which I mentioned before: a few of my photos were selected to hang in the Historic Alexandria History Center and Museum Store. After a couple unexpected delays, they're finally up! I haven't been down to check them out myself yet, but that's definitely on the agenda for this weekend. They should be up until December, so stop by & check them out.
5. Finally, in typical Washington fashion, my blog is going to go on its annual summer recess for the month of August. I promise to be back in September with tons of photos to share of New York City, New England & Canada. And, of course, my whitty ramblings that you all have come to know & love.
2. I had a great time in New York City last weekend & have lots of photos to share. I even spent half a day just shooting with my Holga camera, which really was an exercise in creativity. This was one of my most relaxing trips to NYC yet, with lots of time spent lounging in Bryant Park & enjoying the breezes coming across the Brooklyn Bridge. I also saw "A Little Night Music," a Stephen Sondheim show with Bernadette Peters & Elaine Stritch. If you don't know who any of those three people are, I can't believe we are friends. It is a great show, with a superior supporting cast, so if you find yourself in NYC, it's definitely worth checking out.
3. In less than two weeks, Brad & I leave on our big trip for the year: a 10-day Royal Caribbean New England & Canada cruise. While we have things sort of planned out, if anyone has suggestions of "must see's" or "must eat's" at any of our destinations (Portland, ME; Bar Harbor, ME; St. John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Boston), please let me know!
4. Something for those of you in the D.C.-area, which I mentioned before: a few of my photos were selected to hang in the Historic Alexandria History Center and Museum Store. After a couple unexpected delays, they're finally up! I haven't been down to check them out myself yet, but that's definitely on the agenda for this weekend. They should be up until December, so stop by & check them out.
5. Finally, in typical Washington fashion, my blog is going to go on its annual summer recess for the month of August. I promise to be back in September with tons of photos to share of New York City, New England & Canada. And, of course, my whitty ramblings that you all have come to know & love.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
list 22 - things I love about Brad
He makes these really crazy faces all the time. It's ridiculously cute.
He has the kindest soul... he literally is the nicest person you'll ever meet. No, I mean it. Every time he meets someone new, they always say "He is SO nice!"
He grills a mean turkey burger.
He carries my camera bag & regular bag & purse & jacket & anything else.
He lets me buy discounted books, even though we have two eight foot bookcases full of them.
He is really smart.
He looks extremely sharp in a suit and tie.
He carries the groceries.
He always encourages me when I don't want to go to the gym... but do anyway.
He listens to my crazy dreams & even lets me follow through on some of them.
He always says "I love you" when we hang up the phone, even if we've only talked for a moment.
He still considers me his bride, three years later.
He has a knack for taking photos of me taking photos.
He buys me flowers.
He rubs my feet.
He has no problem spending a Friday evening watching DVR'd TV & eating take out thai.
He loves me for who I am.
He has the kindest soul... he literally is the nicest person you'll ever meet. No, I mean it. Every time he meets someone new, they always say "He is SO nice!"
He grills a mean turkey burger.
He carries my camera bag & regular bag & purse & jacket & anything else.
He lets me buy discounted books, even though we have two eight foot bookcases full of them.
He is really smart.
He looks extremely sharp in a suit and tie.
He carries the groceries.
He always encourages me when I don't want to go to the gym... but do anyway.
He listens to my crazy dreams & even lets me follow through on some of them.
He always says "I love you" when we hang up the phone, even if we've only talked for a moment.
He still considers me his bride, three years later.
He has a knack for taking photos of me taking photos.
He buys me flowers.
He rubs my feet.
He has no problem spending a Friday evening watching DVR'd TV & eating take out thai.
He loves me for who I am.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
list 21 - why we do what we do
I get asked a lot why and how Brad &I travel so much (sometimes nicely, sometimes snarky). I thought I'd address the issue in today's list.
at the top of Mt. Vesuvius, Naples, Italy
Travel...
- allows us to experience cultures completely different than ours
- allows us to put ourselves in uncomfortable situations & test our limits
- allows us some "us time" away from the stress of jobs, commutes, & the ridiculousness of every day life (oil changes, bill paying, folding laundry...)
- allows us the chance to stay in really comfortable hotels... & not have to make the bed in the morning
- allows us to check things off our bucket list while we're still young enough to enjoy it
- allows us the chance to stretch our thinking caps & research skills... we always get the best deal possible on every aspect of our trips
- allows us to take strategic advantage of our vacation time & long weekends (& BlackBerry's & working remotely)
- allows us an opportunity to explore new places that may one day be home
- allows us to appreciate quiet evenings at home even more
Travel isn't for everyone, but it is definitely for Brad & me. We consider ourselves extremely lucky to be able to travel the way we do, but we also believe that with strategic planning & budgeting, a lot of people could travel more than they do. We enjoy our life, but know that some people find that hard to believe. We work hard & enjoy the benefits of that.
I know this probably sounds a little defensive... but we just really want you to understand why we do what we do... & to stop judging us for it.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
I keep forgetting I'm going to NYC this weekend.
With all the crazy planning for our cruise in August, with crazy things at work including a two day work trip to Atlanta this week, with the crazy schedule of having my brother in town, and with crazy life just keeping us running,
I keep forgetting.
Keep forgetting that I can spend as many hours in B&H as I want.
Keep forgetting that I will be able to rest my head in the amazing Library Hotel (and drink many, many decaf cappuccinos!).
Keep forgetting the peace that washes over me after a few hours of strolling through Central Park with no agenda.
Keep forgetting the feeling of dough in my hand as I enjoy my traditional midnight Times Square hot pretzel.
I've missed you, NYC.
I'm glad we'll have some time to get reacquainted this weekend.
With all the crazy planning for our cruise in August, with crazy things at work including a two day work trip to Atlanta this week, with the crazy schedule of having my brother in town, and with crazy life just keeping us running,
I keep forgetting.
Keep forgetting that I can spend as many hours in B&H as I want.
Keep forgetting that I will be able to rest my head in the amazing Library Hotel (and drink many, many decaf cappuccinos!).
Keep forgetting the peace that washes over me after a few hours of strolling through Central Park with no agenda.
Keep forgetting the feeling of dough in my hand as I enjoy my traditional midnight Times Square hot pretzel.
I've missed you, NYC.
I'm glad we'll have some time to get reacquainted this weekend.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Malley's Candies & Ice Cream Parlor
Doesn't the name just sound like an old fashioned childhood summer?
My childhood was filled with Malley's ice cream, luckily not bound by any one season, so I was ridiculously excited to go back & explore the ice cream parlors that shaped my youth in Cleveland.
True story: when we drove past the one with the merry-go-round in it (yes, it really does, more on that in a minute), on the way from the airport to meet my brother in law for dinner, my excitement nearly caused us to drive off the road. Probably should have left the driving up to Brad.
The good news? They're still there. They're still exactly the same. They're still delicious.
The bad news? My hips are much bigger & my metabolism much slower than they were when I was six years old.
First stop: the Malley's ice cream parlor in Lakewood,
a.k.a. "the one with the garden veranda."
This is the Pink Elephant Sundae. Peppermint ice cream. Homemade whipped cream (I have dreams about their whipped cream, it's so good). Hot fudge on the side (this is key, since it keeps your sundae from melting prematurely). Spanish peanuts with the skin still on (this is also key).
This sundae was SO much better than I remember it being!
To ensure that we properly gave nostalgia its due, we stopped at the Malley's in North Olmstead, a.k.a. "the one with the merry-go-round," on the way to the airport.
It too did not disappoint.
It too did not disappoint.
This is the Peanut Butter Cup sundae. I don't think I ever had it as a child, but I should have. Note the fudge on the side again. Also, make no mistake about it: the focus of the camera fell squarely on the fudge & left everything else a little fuzzy. My camera clearly knows excellence when it sees it.
This is the "North Olmstead pink pachyderm" which is the namesake of the awesome Pink Elephant Sundae. Divine, no?
Last, but certainly not least: the merry-go-round. In the restaurant. And yes, it goes around (albeit extremely slowly). It's fantastic.
Five for Friday
1. BREAKING NEWS: We had an earthquake this morning. I was asleep & woke up to the building shaking, & then creaking. Brad had already left for the gym & didn't feel a thing.
It was only a 3.6 & actually felt more like a freight train going by or a fighter plane flying low overhead - both things which happen relatively often. I got up, turned on the TV (which wasn't reporting anything), checked Twitter (which had a few posts) & went back to sleep.
Such a random event for this area!
2. I hope you've been enjoying the photos from our visit to Cleveland - I've enjoyed sharing them, since it was such a personal trip for me. Stay tuned for a continuation of the Americana theme this afternoon :)
3. Next week, I will be in Atlanta for work on Tuesday & Wednesday - pretty excited to experience the Westin "heavenly bed."
Friday morning, I'm headed to NYC for a long weekend - watch for a special "New York City version" of next week's Five for Friday. On my agenda: a sunrise walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, a visit to The Strand (can't wait to see the 18 miles of books!), discount tickets to a show & dinner at my favorite restaurant.
4. I'm looking forward to both these trips, but not nearly as much as I'm looking forward to cruising away from the stresses of life with Brad on a nine-night cruise in just 27 days!
We'll be spending time in Portland, Maine; Bar Harbor, Maine; St. John, New Brunswick, Canada; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; & Boston. We have a sea kayaking tour lined up in Bar Harbor, a visit to Peggy's Cove fishing village in Halifax & a whole list of things to see in St. John. Best of all, we will have three "days at sea" to sleep in, enjoy the adults only solarium pool & lounge, maybe get a (overpriced) massage & generally relax & unplug.
The best part? No flying involved! We cruise out of the Port of Baltimore!
5. I just realized the sweater I'm wearing at work is inside out. Luckily it's just a black cardigan. I think it has just been one of those days :)
Bonne weekend!
It was only a 3.6 & actually felt more like a freight train going by or a fighter plane flying low overhead - both things which happen relatively often. I got up, turned on the TV (which wasn't reporting anything), checked Twitter (which had a few posts) & went back to sleep.
Such a random event for this area!
2. I hope you've been enjoying the photos from our visit to Cleveland - I've enjoyed sharing them, since it was such a personal trip for me. Stay tuned for a continuation of the Americana theme this afternoon :)
3. Next week, I will be in Atlanta for work on Tuesday & Wednesday - pretty excited to experience the Westin "heavenly bed."
Friday morning, I'm headed to NYC for a long weekend - watch for a special "New York City version" of next week's Five for Friday. On my agenda: a sunrise walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, a visit to The Strand (can't wait to see the 18 miles of books!), discount tickets to a show & dinner at my favorite restaurant.
4. I'm looking forward to both these trips, but not nearly as much as I'm looking forward to cruising away from the stresses of life with Brad on a nine-night cruise in just 27 days!
We'll be spending time in Portland, Maine; Bar Harbor, Maine; St. John, New Brunswick, Canada; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; & Boston. We have a sea kayaking tour lined up in Bar Harbor, a visit to Peggy's Cove fishing village in Halifax & a whole list of things to see in St. John. Best of all, we will have three "days at sea" to sleep in, enjoy the adults only solarium pool & lounge, maybe get a (overpriced) massage & generally relax & unplug.
The best part? No flying involved! We cruise out of the Port of Baltimore!
5. I just realized the sweater I'm wearing at work is inside out. Luckily it's just a black cardigan. I think it has just been one of those days :)
Bonne weekend!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
It's Tribe Time
A lifelong Cleveland Indians fan, I was excited to go to not one, but TWO games while we were in Cleveland.
Saturday evening, Brad & I went to his first game at Jacob's Field (I'm sorry people, but it will always be the Jake to me). It was a beautiful evening for baseball & we got a rare treat: a Tribe win, in 10 innings! The game was followed up by some pretty spectacular fireworks, which were just the icing on the cake.
Sunday afternoon, Brad's brother treated us to a game, as an extremely belated Christmas present. While the Indians couldn't pull out two in a row, the great seats we had & the sunny, gorgeous afternoon almost made up for it.
Saturday evening, Brad & I went to his first game at Jacob's Field (I'm sorry people, but it will always be the Jake to me). It was a beautiful evening for baseball & we got a rare treat: a Tribe win, in 10 innings! The game was followed up by some pretty spectacular fireworks, which were just the icing on the cake.
Sunday afternoon, Brad's brother treated us to a game, as an extremely belated Christmas present. While the Indians couldn't pull out two in a row, the great seats we had & the sunny, gorgeous afternoon almost made up for it.
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