Time Traveling & The 30-Day Photo Challenge

Albums of old photographs absolutely captivate me. 

A lot of people, and photographers, try to capture that antiquated feel in their pictures, but you simply can't come close to the charm in grainy, candid black and white and faded colors of old film. 

It's an inspiration, really; to actually get a film camera, and leave the photographs to fate. We all edit photos, and we all know it. Film doesn't give you that luxury; you're stuck with whatever a scene looked like at that very moment in time.There is no preview, no delete button. No substitutions, no regrets. 

Sitting around the dining room table with family, a bottle of wine, and some old photo albums makes for one of  the most genuinely nostalgic scenes I can imagine. I wish I had more old family photos; I'm jealous of those who have boxes upon boxes of old photographs, because luckily someone in the family was a hobbyist photographer, or enthusiast. It makes me feel a little left out, sometimes, for only having staged and special-occasion photos (for the most part). I love the random moments that make up life. We need to capture those more, because that's what it's really like, and that's what it's really about. 

I'm doing a 30-day photo challenge: to take candid photo(s) every day, for 30 days. Who's with me? 

I'll begin posting for the 30-day challenge tomorrow, with a link-up badge for anyone who wants to participate. If you're not a blogger, but want to do it anyway, use #disowned30days on Instagram to tag and post along. 

Fete Paradiso

Antiques and Paris: these are a few of my favorite things. 

Put them together, and you have Fete Paradiso - a vintage Parisian carnival full of beautifully preserved 19th century games and children's rides on Governor's Island this summer. This past Sunday offered perfect weather to go see it, so I grabbed a friend and took hold of the opportunity while it knocked.

A short ferry ride, and we felt hundreds of miles from NYC, even though we could still see it's skyline dominating the horizon just beyond the island's treeline. 

And I thought I liked spicy foods.... I'll pass on the fire.

From what I could gather, the object of the above game is "throw the ball in the drunk guy's mouth." 

Me! In an antique carnival ticket booth. Obviously being lazy on the job.

Flags fluttered in the breeze...

Cassie and I explored Fort Jay - a historically preserved fort from the Revolutionary War that occupies the island. The grassy "moat" was quiet and lovely and a great place to stop and have a mini picnic.

This guy.

Emerald City

This emerald green vintage knit dress has to be my favorite new find.
I love how it's so easy to wear, super flattering, and the antique-y buttons are gorgeous.
I tried to keep the antique look with my accessories, too. The tarnished silver bracelet has Parisian landmarks engraved in it- my mother bought it in Paris when he was only 14. And the amethyst ring is one of my favorites - I got it several years ago at a flea market in Paris. The necklace is from Lucky and I love the way amethyst looks next to the deep green of the dress.
This entire outfit is revving me up with excitement for my trip to Ireland in April!