Snow and Again

It's been a while, I know.

 The holidays sneak up on me every year, and this year seemed more overwhelming than most. Then, just after the season should have come to a close and given me a few days to get back to normal, this snowpocalypse fell from the sky and stranded us in the apartment for two days. Apparently no one in this city owns a shovel or a plow. As a Pennsylvania native, it's so disappointing when the rest of the east coast loses their mind over a few inches of snow. State of emergency? Please.

I can't just complain, though; the snow days gave me some time to undecorate and unwind after a busy couple of weeks, before I head back into the city for my first day at my new job tomorrow(!). I hope everyone had a beautiful holiday(s) and I can't wait to see what this new year brings. New beginnings, a clean slate for good health, and best wishes for all!

Time Flies

Sometimes I feel as if I have blinked and the past week, or month, or six months, or two years, have just flown away. I have to remind myself to stop and notice today. Get up to watch a sunrise. Buy yourself a flower (or a lot of flowers). Go for a walk. Watch an old black and white film. Look through photo albums (real ones). Paint something. Fly a kite.

I apologize for not posting in the past week, but I was both frantically busy AND feeling a bit under the weather. Luckily, all is (mostly) back to normal, and I feel like this is a good time to stop, breathe, relax, and notice the small things today. 

Botanical Bliss

Saturday morning dawned crisp, bright, and quiet. Spending the first half of the day on my own, I decided to go on a little adventure. A cup of coffee, a loaded camera bag, and a short 10-minute train ride from my apartment later, and I was standing at the gates of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. For other New Yorkers or Brooklynites who were unaware (as I was myself): the Gardens are open to the public for free on Saturday mornings until noon. So, you should probably go too. You might even see me there, because I plan to return quite frequently. Even after spending 3 hours wandering its winding path until my feet begged me to stop, I don't think I even explored half as much as I would like to. 

The rose gardens were beautiful. Under that white gazebo, far back on the right, someone was either getting married, or taking wedding photos. Either way, I was completely captivated by this place, and it is now the front runner for my wedding or engagement photo location.

Buzzzzzzzzz buzz buzz buzzzzzzzzz mister bee.

This guy serenaded me as I walked through the gigantic sunflowers in the produce garden. It was just me and the birds, and the bees, and the butterflies. I almost felt home again, temporarily removed from the reminders of city life. This little bit of alone time, this little release from my hectic everyday, was magical and much needed. And I can't wait to return.

Great Escape

I have to admit, I'm a bit biased when it comes to nature. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania left a lasting, unshakable impression - and to this day, I think it's the prettiest place in the country, if not the world. 

Well, to me, at least. 

When I need a break from the city, the perfect stress release, or just want a quiet night of sleep....

This is the perfect setting for a campfire, a dirt road, and a night under the stars. 

Not to mention, you'll probably get some amazing photos without really having to try. 

I'm exhausted from my journey back to NYC tonight, but I can't wait to share more photos, memories, and the new additions to the store! Head over to www.shopdisowned.com to check out the first brand-spankin-new listings :) 

Sandstorm

Spent a really mellow, relaxing afternoon at the beach with my roommate and his boyfriend.
After a blissfully short half-hour subway ride to fully escape the city, we ended up in Brighton Beach. It's never quite crowded, and today the warm-but-not-hot weather was perfect for packing some snacks (and drinks) and just relaxing.
Let the waves wash your worries away.

Into the Wild

First batch of pics from this weekend. My friend Naomi and I ventured to Frances Slocum State Park in Pennsylvania for a weekend of hiking, tenting, and escaping the concrete jungles we both live in. More to come - but I'm exhausted and ready to unpack and get ready to return to the real world tomorrow...
How did you spend Memorial Day Weekend?