Richard Avedon at SFMoMA

I finally made to the Richard Avedon exhibit at SFMoMA last week, and it's absolutely amazing! The only thing that I remember from Photo History class at SJSU that he worked for Harpers Bazaar, but I had not seen much of his work until the show:
http://www.sfmoma.org/exhibitions/384

The thing I admire the most about Richard Avedon's portraits is how he captured everyone, celebrity or not, with such simplicity and stunning beauty! Here's one of my favorites:


The Fab Four: John, Paul, George, and Ringo.


Also memorable is Avedon's series "In the American West":

http://www.richardavedon.com/#s=18&a=0&mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&p=7&at=0

My favorite the portrait of "Juan Patricio Lobato" (image #19 of 26); which I should have taken a photo of, but didn't cos the gallery was a little crowded at the time.

This is by far one of the best photo exhibits that I've ever seen, and one of the few that I'm planning to go see again!

I also got to finally see the new rooftop garden at the MoMA (pictured below).


Also, slightly off topic, I noticed this window display at the Marc by Marc Jacobs store (at the corner of Fillmore and Sacramento) yesterday, and was highly amused by it.



Anyway, be sure to check out the Richard Avedon exhibit at SFMoMA (now through 11.29.09)!

I've a rep to protect!

Sorry I've been slacking on keeping up with this blog. I finally finished remodeling my etsy listings photos by re-shooting 60+ items on a brand new background of my Cavallini Papers & Co 2008 Paris Calendar. The new background is working so much better than shooting on a white background with natural lighting, and it requires less editing time in photoshop!

The Murray attempted to assist me with my re-shoots but he turned out to be an incompetent photo assistant. I've got photographic proof!

Here's the Murray chewing on the set! Bad, that is not in the job description!



Sleeping on the job...


Trying to steal the merchandise... Good help is so hard to find!



The Murray should just keep his day job as supermodel Baron Murray von Furenberg!



All joking aside, I'm really happy with the new photos! After all, I have a rep to protect as a graduate of SJSU BFA Photography Program! I tried to apply the lessons I learn in studio lighting class. We had a "tenting" assignment; which is one of the most difficult shoot I had to do. So, not to get too geeky, but photographing shiny object such as jewelry requires a special set that is build to literally surround the object in a tent; otherwise cameras and other nearby items will be reflected in the shiny object (think chrome tea kettle). Does that made sense? I'm not good at explaining technical things sometimes. Anyway, I hope I've made Prof. Helprin proud... RIP.

* Kona Ring featured in photos above:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30045760

Panda Face Ring

Here's a photo of my new Panda Face Ring, a recent purchase from a fellow etsy seller, featuring the Murray. He tried to eat the ring a couple of times when I placed it in front of him -- I bet he thinks everything we have belongs to him.

Panda Face Ring available on etsy, by Steppie:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29253966

Outtakes from Murray and Panda Face Ring photo session:

The Waffle Man

On most Wednesdays, I make a pilgrimage to the Civic Center area to visit my favorite Waffle Man. It's authentic Belgium waffles, FRESHLY made with love by wonderful man inside of a most adorable truck/bus! Airy yet dense -- sweet -- heavenly! Stop by if you're ever in the area -- your tummy will be grateful!


I heart the Waffle Man:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/waffle-mania-truck-san-francisco

bling bling bling

Now that I have about 52 items for sale on etsy, I've decided to to list new items 3-5 times weekly instead of daily. I need time to work on new items and have a couple of themed ideas and custom orders on the to-do list. I also need to get the word out about my site with some "community outreach" and posting flyers.


Anyway, I made a super bling bling cocktail ring this week that I'm excited about -- Kelly Ring: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28934852. It so (h)uge (as the Donald would say) but I love it! Not sure why I'm so fascinated by large rings... since I used to like more delicate stuff, and I've got tinny hands (ring size 3.5-5). I heard someone say once that: "It takes a large person to pull off a big ring." Oh well, I love it because it's fun to wear!

I made and listed this ring in the same day. The bf's reaction to it is: "It's huge!" To which I replied: "Yes, you may kiss my ring!" Hee hee hee! I'm going to make a version for myself in a smaller size later and rock it at yoga and or the farmers market. "Paper airplanes" by MIA played on my ipod, usually on shuffle, as I worked on the ring, and I started singing to myself: "All I wanna do is, bling bling bling, and take your money!" Such a fun ring for my silly mood. ;)

A post b-day sweet treats report

Another year older and hopefully wiser. I spent my b-day yesterday with the bf and grazed on some of my favorite sweet treats:

- belly good crepe (my usual #2; see photo of my crepe monster above) http://www.yelp.com/biz/belly-good-cafe-and-crepes-san-francisco

- lemon crunch cake (since they sold out of the coffee crunch cake slices), from Yasukochi's Sweet Stop http://www.yelp.com/biz/yasukochis-sweet-stop-san-francisco

- blueberry crème brûlée and a half of the bf's tiramisu, both after dinner desserts from Capannina (blueberry crème brûlée rather disappointing but delicious tiramisu) http://www.yelp.com/biz/capannina-san-francisco

I had hoped to go for some coffee toffee and salted caramel at Bi-Rite Creamery (http://www.yelp.com/biz/bi-rite-creamery-san-francisco), but I just got too stuffed after dinner to make that trip; we would have gone if Bi-Rite is closer to our APT... Although that would have cost me a trip to the ER. There is always tomorrow!

j'aime le chocolat

I'm remember how a friend of mine suggested a year ago that I should blog about teas and chocolate; since I'm a connoisseur and have a kitchen drawer full of teas (seriously)! So, here's my first review of a new Parisian chocolat that I bought from Whole Paycheck (Whole Foods) just the other day:

Michel Cluizel Noir au Cafe dark chocolate bar:
http://www.chocolatetradingco.com/magazine.asp?section=42&id=109

I adore dark chocolate for it's subtitle bitterness, and it's even better when there is coffee added into the equation! However, this bar is rather disappointing. Even though it smells lovely and has good texture, the flavor is just not quite right. I didn't taste the coffee very much and it's a lot more bitter than what I would expect from a 60% cocoa dark. Michel Cluizel Noir au Cafe gets a 2.5 stars (out of 5) from me.

For a better use of your chocolate funds, check out Mo's Milk Chocolate Bacon Bar, by vosges chocolate; also available at whole paycheck for the same price ($5.99):
http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/bacon_exotic_candy_bar

Ooo, I just noticed that vosges chocolate recently lauched a dark version of the bacon bar -- how exciting!
http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/mos_dark_chocolate_bacon_bar/bacon_and_chocolate

I must try it soon and will report back! I love bacon -- it tastes good with everything! I even bought a button (gave it to the bf) at the SF Renegade Craft Fair a couple of weeks ago that reads: "I love you more than bacon".