A New York Photoshoot

Flash back to June last year, I'd just landed in New York and was completely on my own. Just a few weeks before I'd flown in an email pinged into my inbox from a Russian photographer (Vera) who had read and enjoyed my poems and was wondering if we could meet up. She told me she'd be in New York at the same time and we worked out we had only a few measly hours that fit both our schedules before we went off to do the completely different things that had brought us to New York in the first place.

So less than 24 hours since I'd touched down from my 22 hour flights we explored Central Park together; two foreigners in a place that neither knew.

It was so bizarre to be the subject of someone else's photos, the only time I'm pretty much ever in front of the lens is when I'm taking outfit photos and even then it's only me, my tripod and a great deal of self-timer.

I love how the photos turned out, perhaps most of all because a large amount of them were taken when I wasn't actually aware of it.

So here they are: a reminder of that one summer's morning in New York.

 You can find more of Vera's work here.

x Erin

Writing || On Authenticity

x Erin

Growth

Outfit || February: The Bookworm

 “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” ~ Stephen King 

The Making of Magic

Magic is a slippery thing; we think we see it flash out of the corners of our eyes but when we turn our heads only the mundane is waiting. Then there's the rare moments where we manage to grab the very end of a piece as it plays around in our hair. Moving quickly so as not to let it slip between our fingers we shut it tight inside jars for later use: when we're wiser, more awake, more inspired.

But by the time we feel we're ready to take the magic down from our shelf we find its jar empty, a breath of stale air the only trace left of a once seemingly everlasting thing. 

It is in the nature of magic to leave almost as suddenly as it appeared.

Unfortunately, it is in our nature to want to hold on to anything and everything we find beautiful.

But magic cannot be kept, it must only be experienced. Sometimes, the only way you can truly have something is to be okay with letting it go.

x Erin

Video || January 2016

It's about time I let the past be the past but for consistency's sake here's a look at a couple of things I did during January. I'd love to know what you're favourite thing you did in January was, or what you're looking forward to working on this month! I'm completely prepared for February to fly by, that one less day makes all of the difference I tell you.

x Erin

A List || 20 Things To Do Offline

One of my New Year's resolutions this year was to have one day offline each week. I'm not going to lie, sometimes I wish I could just quickly check my emails or my blog when that day rolls around. I absolutely hate the part of my personality that needs to be online, it's often a complete waste of time. Do you ever get stuck in that cycle of opening a tab then closing a tab to check on something else only to realise 20 seconds later you're back on the same website again? Yeah, that's me, and I'm making you all a promise right now that at the end of this year I'll be able to tell you honestly that I no longer do that. So promise to keep me accountable okay?

Anyway, here's a little list of 20 things you can do when you're spending the day (or longer!) offline. I know, I know, it's sad that I would even have to make a list but to tell you the complete truth I do, that's how much this whole internet thing has messed with my brain. I thought if it would help me maybe it would help some of you guys too.

x Erin