Friday, May 25, 2012

S Family {Morningside Heights Family Portraits}



 










 
 










Congrats to the recent graduate!  I wish would have had the foresight to do a fun family photo session like this when my husband graduated from law school.  Brilliant!

Friday, May 18, 2012

St. Sepulchre Without Newgate {London, England}







 

 





 




We stumbled upon this beautiful little church while wandering High Holborn in the City of London.  The grounds were so beautifully kept, and the interior is absolutely beautiful.  Simple, and so beautiful. St. Sepulchre-Without-Newgate has been rebuilt several times, but it's been in constant use since the 12th century!  It contains some of the most beautiful vintage flags I've ever seen, and the entire space was completely flooded with natural light.

There are hundreds and hundreds of little churches like this throughout London

Contrast {The City, London}


This view from High Holborn street (facing south) perfectly illustrates the London cityscape: full of contrast.  Some may not like the contrast because it lacks continuity, but I love it.

What London maintains, that other cities lack, is authenticity.  What you see is what you get.   If it looks old, it's old; if it looks new, it's new.   London architects (in general) have done a brilliant job of designing new structures that not only reflect the style and technology of the day, but that are also sensitive to the surrounding structures through the use of similar materials, lines, or decorative motifs.  

If you love architectural history, you will love London because you can read it like a book.  If you can't acertain an approximate date from "reading" the style of the structure, if you look closely you will almost always be able to literally read an exact date of completion on the facade near the main entry, or at one of the cornerstones. 

I had a unique experience in graduate school, because I went into it with one opinion, and came away with a complete paradigm shift, in the truest sense.  Although this is my second time back since grad school, it's almost like I'm seeing London through new eyes.  I will hope to show you some of these delightful contrasts as I go on my way.

p.s.  This blog is sure random, isn't it?  If you know me personally, you know how perfectly this blog suits me.  It's as scatterbrained and distracted as I am!

City Walk {St. Paul's + Tate Modern + Covent Garden}

Last Friday the kids and I headed out on a morning walk that turned into an epic 4 mile journey through the city.  This place is amazing.  Everywhere you turn there's something to see and explore, and if you have the time to wander and explore, you don't have to look to discover the true London, it finds you.

Aren't the colors at Covent Garden amazing?