Jay Street, No. 115, Brooklyn (May 22, 1936) source
I love this photo taken 78 years ago today by American photographer Berenice Abbott.
Click here to enlarge the image.
French Post-Impressionist painter Henri Rousseau was born on May 21, 1844- 170 years ago today! Rousseau’s story is so inspiring- he was entirely self-taught. Henri was born is the Loire Valley in France. He went to Laval High School, where he excelled in drawing and music. His father, who was a plumber, couldn’t afford to support his son’s desire to pursue the arts. In fact, Henri had to become a boarder at his high school when his parents’ house was seized! After finishing school, Henri worked for a lawyer, served in the army for four years, and then, after his father passed away, he returned home to care for his mother and work for the French Customs office.
It wasn’t until he was in his forties that he began seriously painting. At age 49, he retired from his job so he could focus on his art! To support himself financially, he worked odd jobs, like performing as a musician in the streets and teaching violin lessons. During his time (and still often today) critics didn’t treat his paintings as true art. They called his technique childish and his works flat and ordinary. But he continued to follow his dream and paint, regardless of the criticism or his lack of formal training. My favorite fact about Rousseau is that, although he is known for his depictions of colorful jungle scenes, he never traveled to any jungle- in fact, he never left France! He used illustrated books and the Botanical Gardens in Paris as inspiration. If you analyze his paintings, you’ll see that there are lots of animals that could have never been seen together in reality. I absolutely love Rousseau’s paintings- they make me smile. To me, they represent the power of passion and imagination. If they are childish in any way, it is in their childish spirit- Rousseau’s inner child who refused to give up on his dream.
Love this.
Here are my 6 favorite Rousseau paintings in honor of his special day!
Russian painter Wasilly Kandinsky is one of the best artists to introduce to young children. His works use lots of colorful shapes in abstract compositions, perfect for shape/color recognition and imaginative thinking. I incorporated several of his paintings in TLB Music‘s Winter/Spring curriculum, “Colors with Cozmo”. Here are 12 of my favorite Kandinsky paintings for kids! First, identify the colors and shapes in each painting then ask children to tell you what they see in each one. After looking at the paintings, make sure to print my Kandinsky Coloring Activity for Kids!
Happy Mother’s Day! I love this photo of my mom with my sister and I taken in 1985.
In the mood for some nostalgia? Check out my photo collection, “Mothers: 100 Years in Photos from 1890-1990″, today!
Happy Birthday, Johannes Brahms! The composer and pianist was born in Hamburg, Germany on May 7, 1833- 181 years ago today! In his honor, listen to his Waltz in A Flat Major, Op. 39, No. 15. This is one of my favorite classical pieces of music- perfect for the end of a hectic day!
I was so happy to see the Van Leeuwen truck today! It means Summer is almost here! This ice cream company’s vegan options are the BEST in NYC. Last time I had Van Leeuwen, there were only two vegan flavors: chocolate and vanilla. Sounds boring but it was actually the most creamy, rich, and indulgent ice cream I’d had since going vegan. Now, they have 4 vegan flavors! Chocolate (Michel Cluizel), Pistachio (Hand-Picked Bronte Nuts), Banana Nut (Roasted Bananas & Candied Walnuts), and Mint Chocolate Chip (Oregon Peppermint & 72% Askinosie Chocolate Chips). Their vanilla flavor is on hiatus undergoing reformulation! I just tried the Banana Nut and am blissfully in dessert-before-dinner heaven.
Read about Van Leeuwen here and make sure to try a cup or cone next time you see the yellow truck!
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These onesies make perfect baby shower gifts! They’re cute, clever, and totally unique. Keep reading to find out where to get them.
(Spring, NYC click to enlarge)
photo credit: Carina Zimmerman
Top Photo:
Work in Roadway, Blackwell’s Island Bridge (1907)
photo from The Library of Congress
Bottom Photo:
Queensboro Bridge, NYC (April 17, 2014)
photo by Carina Zimmerman
I love the top photo of men working on the Queensboro Bridge in 1907! Today, I photographed a similar view while driving across the bridge with a friend. The bridge was constructed between 1901 and 1909. When it opened in June of 1909, it was called the Blackwell’s Island Bridge in dedication to the East River Island over which the bridge travels. Blackwell’s Island is now known as Roosevelt Island and, today, the bridge can go by several names: The Queensboro Bridge, The 59th Street Bridge, or the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge (renamed in 2010). Keep reading to see the photos from 1907 and 2014 enlarged!
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby was published on April 10, 1925- 89 years ago today! It’s one of my favorite books and had me entranced with New York City long before I moved here. In honor of its birthday, I gathered some of my favorite quotes from the novel.
These are some of my absolute favorite vegan beauty products- perfect for sensitive skin and those who want to take a stand against animal cruelty (while looking gorgeous). It’s easy to shop cruelty-free with amazing options like these!
1. Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelée by Josie Maran ($22) view on www.josiemarancosmetics.com
This 14-hour cheek gelée adds a natural-looking flush and hydrates with coconut water and argan oil. Available in 6 flattering colors. My shade: poppy paradise.
2. 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil by Urban Decay ($20) view on www.urbandecay.com
This waterproof liner is a creamy, long-lasting, and available in over a dozen gorgeous colors- everything you need in a liner. My favorite is their new, pitch black “perversion”.
3. Argan Beautiful Eyes by Josie Maran ($36) view on www.sephora.com
This shadow is infused with argan oil and fruit and floral extracts. The result is a soft, nurturing shadow that you’ll want to wear everyday.
4. Absolutely Flawless Concealor by Two Faced Cosmetics ($20) view on www.amazon.com
This flexible coverage concealor does it all: it smooths, moisturizes, and de-puffs with vitamins a, e and chilean treebark plant extract while covering imperfections and masking redness.
5. Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer Potion by Urban Decay ($24) view on www.urbandecay.com
This is the ultimate eye shadow primer. It keeps lids creaseless for 24 hours while smoothing the appearance of wrinkles and plumping, firming, and hyrdating your skin!
6. bareMinerals Matte Foundation by Bare Escentuals ($27) view on www.sephora.com
I fell in love with this mineral-based makeup almost 10 years ago. I saw the infomercial, bought a starter kit from Sephora and could not believe the light coverage the product delivered. I never went back to liquid foundation and know lots of ladies who followed suit. Their Matte version controls oil while providing the same coverage and SPF as the original- perfect for Spring and Summer!
7. Glamour Gloss by Two Faced Cosmetics ($14) view on www.amazon.com
This volumizing gloss comes in a variety of shades to flatter your complexion and is infused with a combination of omega 3, 6 and 9, natural vitamin e, jojoba oil, and avocado oil.
8. Primed & Poreless Primer by Two Faced Cosmetics ($30) view on www.amazon.com
I’ve tried so many primers and this is one of my favorites. Vitamins A & C, Mulberry Extract and a dose of Retinol smooth over pores and and hydrate, firm, and detoxify!
9. gifted™ Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara by Tarte Cosmetics ($19) view on www.tartecosmetics.com
This “smart” mascara’s Amazonian clay lengthens, conditions, repairs, and replenishes thirsty eyelashes.
10. Cocoa Pigmented Bronzer by 100% Pure ($28) view on www.amazon.com
Get a sexy faux glow with this natural bronzer.
More Cruelty-Free Recommendations:
Cruelty-Free Beauty: Vegan Cosmetics
Cruelty-Free Beauty from Head to Toe
The Best Non-Toxic, Cruelty-Free Cleaning Products
16 Must-Have Vegan Skincare Products to Brighten & Tighten Your Face
