trouvée: par michelle

A few lovely things from Michelle, sent to me as part of Montmartre's Collective Project. I was so overwhelmed when I open my package to find such bounty! One of the things I enjoy the most is how these old photographs were presented ~ in such fantastic embossed folders. Why don't we pay attention to such details anymore? Michelle found all of these in her hometown of Chicago. Like me, she loves old photographs ~ and this is such a treat. Thank you!

But, the bounty doesn't end here...there is more! You'll just have to check back monday to see what else she sent. Until then, wishing you a weekend full of lovely details. Happy leap day!

(click to view larger)

spring green

Just a quick post today ~ I am swamped! A little more spring green inspiration for you ~ a page spread from the Lanvin catalogue. And a link ~ Seton Smith is having an exhibition! There's also a great interview with her here. Enjoy! I'll be back with more tomorrow...

signs of spring

It's funny how at this time of the year we become so focused on the tiniest bits of green ~ the littlest signs of spring. Anything that promises respite from the cold and grey. Like all the wonderful new art work popping up out there. Here are some of my favorites:

* Irving Penn's Vessels
* Candida Höfer's Recent Work
* Lines & Shapes

And speaking of spring, I loved this article. Oh, and doesn't this look like fun? I'd love to hear what sorts of things you are enjoying right now. Happy wednesday all! xo.

northern light

After a week of grey, the sun finally came out the day I went to Skansen. That beautiful northern light with its long golden rays! And Skansen...well, for those of us interested in historic buildings, it is like a religious experience. It also made me realize how badly I would love to get beyond Stockholm and drive through that gorgeous countryside, seeing some of those buildings in situ. Oh, and I want this book!

Have you ever visited somewhere and even though you have never been there before, it just feels familiar? That is the way it is with Scandinavia for me. Maybe it is the northern-ness of it, or maybe my Norwegian heritage is showing itself. Whatever it is, I know that some day I will have to go back. There are so many more photos, but I am feeling the need to move on and share other bits of inspiration. So, while I am closing the book on this trip, I am sure that little bits of it will find their way into my future posts. For now, happy tuesday....

in stockholm

It was so hard to leave Edith and Christian and my cozy little room in Copenhagen. But Sweden beckoned, and soon I was on a train speeding through some of the most gorgeous, pristine landscapes I have ever seen. I have always wanted to visit Stockholm, and it did not disappoint ~ so full of wonderful things to explore. Here are some of my favorites:

* Clas på Hörnet (my little hotel "on the corner")
* Nordiska Museet (gorgeous art and crafts)
* Oleana (to splurge a little)
* The Sweden Bookshop (more books!)
* Svenskt Tenn (ahhh...sigh)

But, most of all, I just loved wandering. Of course, I was the only one crazy enough to be out in the cold.

a winter garden

It is winter in Edith and Christian's garden. It is quiet, and mostly brown. The trees are bare and the shrubs are covered with evergreen branches. But there are little green things popping up ~ winter jasmine and snowdrops. And there are baskets and baskets of apples.

"Edith, what do you do with all the apples?"

"Well, you throw them away when they get rotten."

P.S. I happen to know that a lot of them are made into apple butter before they get that way.

edith

I wasn't sure how I would know her when I got off the plane in Copenhagen. She had insisted on meeting me there at the airport, and that I stay with her. She's 93, I thought, and she hasn't seen me since I was a baby. But there she was, her sparkling blue eyes ~ my grandfather's eyes ~ looking right at me. Of course, I knew her, you always know family. "It's an old house," she said apologetically as we climbed into the car, "full of old things and old people." Well, I knew right then that I would love it.

(photo: early morning view from the guest room window)

in denmark

Ah, how to sum up Denmark in just a few photographs, just a few words? Well, I can say I fell in love with Copenhagen. It was cold and grey, but the city welcomed me with open arms and a warm smile. As the sun goes down, candles appear in every window, beckoning one inside to savor the delights of a good meal and a glass of wine. And the fashion ~ that Scandinavian winter chic ~ well, I splurged a little here and here. Danish art? I loved with that too ~ especially the Louisiana Museum for Moderne Kunst and the Statens Museum for Kunst. Oh, and the flowers...pots full of bulbs, always white, wishing the cold away.

But most of all, I fell in love with two special people in a little yellow house, who didn't know me at all, but welcomed me into their home and introduced me to my Scandinavian roots. But...more on that tomorrow. For now, stay warm.

peeking in windows

I love to peek in windows ~ a terrible habit, I know. Anyway, I did a lot of it in Scandinavia. It gets dark so early, and it's just such a temptation to look in on the warm glow of a candle-lit interior. This was taken at Skansen, through the window of one of the workshops there.

So for today, just a little peek at my trip...I am still swamped, and feeling rather under the weather I am afraid. On the bright side, we have snow here in Washington!

back home

Hello all! I am back home. I loved, loved Scandinavia, but am so happy to be sleeping in my own bed. I spent two weeks in Denmark and Sweden (with a quick trip to Munich thrown in!). While I was working most of the time, I did have time to explore museums, see a few sights, and meet some wonderful relatives! Can't wait to share all of this with you, but have not had any time to work on my own photographs (and there are hundreds). So, I will instead leave you with one of my favorite finds ~ the work of Susanne Wellm, a Danish photographer. For more of her photographs, see here ~ and for more wonderful Danish photography, see here.

See you tomorrow...!

(images: Susanne Wellm)

roses...for you

A bouquet from Copenhagen to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day!

And...drum roll please...the winner of the Floral House book is...my mom! There was no peeking I swear! Anyway, mom, I'll get it in the mail to you next week. Many thanks to all of you who commented and emailed last week. As always, I love, love hearing from you. I'll be back home soon, with tales from Scandinavia. xo.

turning one

It's hard to believe, but February 6th marks the one-year anniversary of this blog! To be honest, I never really thought I could keep it going this long. But, I have had so much fun along the way, found so much inspiration and ~ best of all ~ met some truly amazing people. So, I thought I would celebrate with a little give away. I have an extra copy of one of my favorite books ~ Floral House ~ and if you are interested, please leave me a comment between now and February 6th. I will put everyone's name in a hat and pick the lucky recipient (no peeking I promise). Make sure you include your email (if I don't have it) so I can get in touch with you. I am leaving monday for a business trip, so will announce the winner on Valentine's Day. Until then...cheers!

Oh, and happy Groundhog Day! Alas, poor old Phil saw his shadow...

trouvée: trees

This is one of my favorite photographs, found on ebay several years ago for $1! Other than the number "4 E 1220" inscribed into the negative (see upper right), there are no inscriptions. It's old though, probably 1890s. I adore cyanotypes ~ and the blues in this print are particularly rich and beautiful.

There is so much gorgeous photography out there right now (both old and new) ~ here are a couple things I am particularly enjoying:

* Ipswich Days (Arthur Wesley Dow's cyanotypes are a love letter to his home town)
* Seton Smith (see her architecture photographs ~ lovely!)

Oh, and I am excited for this (finally, finally!). Wishing you all a wonderful weekend...I'll be back tomorrow with a little announcement and a birthday celebration!