tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28441984515265204042024-03-05T07:53:15.895-05:00An Azure Idea: On Travel and PhotographyAzureChinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357112962356150024noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844198451526520404.post-5452503636501104252010-04-12T10:48:00.001-04:002010-04-12T12:23:47.917-04:00So Busy, But Great SurpriseWhile trying to figure out my own life, I happened upon a great undiscovered Etsy Artist. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/jmvdigital?ga_search_query=jmvdigital&ga_search_type=seller_usernames">JMVdigital</a> offers the Etsy world a unique look at American life. The works can be described most as nostalgic. I'm loving this American Dream.<br />
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<blockquote>"I want to call out, or call forth the specialness of life – even in loss, emptiness, plainness and decay. That’s why my photographs are often rich in color and bold with contrast. I’m striving for simplicity and a keen attention to details as I try to capture timeless, yet temporary moments. I’m trying to convey a mood, a specific perspective – a perspective that’s not necessarily part of our universal human experience, but a perspective that evokes strong feelings about the unique scenes in the world around us."</blockquote><blockquote>- JMVdigital</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufedh-1LBR60Nlk5mf_8r0eyuUmRHPwMJYVIx4lXxlhyphenhyphenlzLj0AI8xDbOh_0u-MrmImec8neHm_-f0JGdToyxzvG4ozwIIGZGHHpyviuQYkRUf-pljx2Qsdo6xO-upchKWpacS7yk9jws/s1600/jmvdigital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufedh-1LBR60Nlk5mf_8r0eyuUmRHPwMJYVIx4lXxlhyphenhyphenlzLj0AI8xDbOh_0u-MrmImec8neHm_-f0JGdToyxzvG4ozwIIGZGHHpyviuQYkRUf-pljx2Qsdo6xO-upchKWpacS7yk9jws/s200/jmvdigital.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgAgfnpSXLnEvLrjKgjNMJkljMJlaRwidQE-y3-PxFNaraqZ3ylpvIn7FSETdGWB3JZlRL0lJIuj-6uyBHYixF5Gmtn9OUG6NauQLud-WZRW4cWvhHUhsVbk9LfzyfwAoN34AW04bn04/s1600/jmvdigital3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgAgfnpSXLnEvLrjKgjNMJkljMJlaRwidQE-y3-PxFNaraqZ3ylpvIn7FSETdGWB3JZlRL0lJIuj-6uyBHYixF5Gmtn9OUG6NauQLud-WZRW4cWvhHUhsVbk9LfzyfwAoN34AW04bn04/s200/jmvdigital3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAkG-QbyPq0SxV9V6TTIIBS1nek5R4O9Wy1tZMUKbJuflnGHFz1vp9Q6XIcJ8Jm2mbPboNkiB1E5REBx-5yUPu8mw6ST0MYQDb1AO7hYEzH7-DKT0uNT6sNRgiYq4IeLFx1MkTzFjpNI/s1600/jmvdigital2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAkG-QbyPq0SxV9V6TTIIBS1nek5R4O9Wy1tZMUKbJuflnGHFz1vp9Q6XIcJ8Jm2mbPboNkiB1E5REBx-5yUPu8mw6ST0MYQDb1AO7hYEzH7-DKT0uNT6sNRgiYq4IeLFx1MkTzFjpNI/s200/jmvdigital2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9n912_lHIWOGMY2ThnXq_Oq9Nbk6kfcc8uL3xddsbkZQz_GeyKbyFuMZbHZGuDTCy1xwud2X2gTkLRLVS33AJ8IsWhiR5I7lan_lzdos6ilu3jnRXav6v0ciHRWvOjOx4w9h6rVB8vG4/s1600/jmvdigital5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9n912_lHIWOGMY2ThnXq_Oq9Nbk6kfcc8uL3xddsbkZQz_GeyKbyFuMZbHZGuDTCy1xwud2X2gTkLRLVS33AJ8IsWhiR5I7lan_lzdos6ilu3jnRXav6v0ciHRWvOjOx4w9h6rVB8vG4/s400/jmvdigital5.jpg" width="400" /></a>AzureChinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357112962356150024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844198451526520404.post-61780418493896245652010-01-26T13:32:00.002-05:002010-01-26T16:58:33.991-05:00Paris Best.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHgLI5LSc_NxhtcM9-EQNVteGmyk_sZcyG3VAAyh8ymwWggV9ldO5GLIHMB86hhduLxYkKPzCzXQxYAgBG32cB_G8spIi1sdXkRwnRSPMuYNaqFMnWQP4HCB-KXmcaRbdWJyM5NhPzTY/s1600-h/paris+and+condo+1696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHgLI5LSc_NxhtcM9-EQNVteGmyk_sZcyG3VAAyh8ymwWggV9ldO5GLIHMB86hhduLxYkKPzCzXQxYAgBG32cB_G8spIi1sdXkRwnRSPMuYNaqFMnWQP4HCB-KXmcaRbdWJyM5NhPzTY/s400/paris+and+condo+1696.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5T2W6n9EAJi3QuKqmgShsZ8BXBLb4oQbhT88PFDW3rggV2pDBNcAMx7He6Shd_TqGVExCR8dvmVR1NRNN_4GzgnfjNxXw7N_NlkhSAYd2OBAgk74AWgnUENapTXUcDo6MjssNH_ixP0/s1600-h/paris+night+shopping+178+zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5T2W6n9EAJi3QuKqmgShsZ8BXBLb4oQbhT88PFDW3rggV2pDBNcAMx7He6Shd_TqGVExCR8dvmVR1NRNN_4GzgnfjNxXw7N_NlkhSAYd2OBAgk74AWgnUENapTXUcDo6MjssNH_ixP0/s640/paris+night+shopping+178+zoom.jpg" width="449" /></a><br />
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Here are a few highlight photos from Paris and France this month, no real theme other than that...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMNGLPZuMRISU5LTAPhR2IAYmc9UI9wxTevGBSRfew1pdQ0hJ4s-nZdUz9efJEOPDPLxmOXF2cKBjH_a_oAp_HJaet8heoSX5XLXKyDDLJWY1oANQ-wlvbYhszg0CXGP_4or5WNqXUsk/s1600-h/paris+and+condo+1548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMNGLPZuMRISU5LTAPhR2IAYmc9UI9wxTevGBSRfew1pdQ0hJ4s-nZdUz9efJEOPDPLxmOXF2cKBjH_a_oAp_HJaet8heoSX5XLXKyDDLJWY1oANQ-wlvbYhszg0CXGP_4or5WNqXUsk/s400/paris+and+condo+1548.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBmJEo4N_cPHaVf0AcUjH_QqbriovUg3bfXSwIGws3X8vDcpgRNMDo7es0oA8kdRvOXw5Agfl0BndeWaJayVMAWddpxYJ6QnvMQUd1NNc7lXlZI-4-pb26OatiSc-FpZ8IOLBOsUFlGE/s1600-h/camargue+743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBmJEo4N_cPHaVf0AcUjH_QqbriovUg3bfXSwIGws3X8vDcpgRNMDo7es0oA8kdRvOXw5Agfl0BndeWaJayVMAWddpxYJ6QnvMQUd1NNc7lXlZI-4-pb26OatiSc-FpZ8IOLBOsUFlGE/s640/camargue+743.JPG" width="432" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oB5M_zzpu1NTY-lwPOMq35jtXzG4fpt2wX8yomfJBMYHAXPQAykbd9Qsd4P-utPud7nx_58BF2RnhYQMdQ0nRHKKFSmzjdspMFDPx3CwQChcpdpsPqPgZRMWlvYCKA7p5MS688MYQ3Q/s1600-h/paris+photoshoot+358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oB5M_zzpu1NTY-lwPOMq35jtXzG4fpt2wX8yomfJBMYHAXPQAykbd9Qsd4P-utPud7nx_58BF2RnhYQMdQ0nRHKKFSmzjdspMFDPx3CwQChcpdpsPqPgZRMWlvYCKA7p5MS688MYQ3Q/s640/paris+photoshoot+358.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvF3_Gg64nHbBGZNwACT0uThXCT0oOVtYb_BjFt53yDv1C-xLrYWNVihxc2kNbw8ABO0PO577ZbjsX9B8p8ue7f-0Ynr0Qc5vFLHLDd_lkqci_cNuX2Eh2eKf-NGq4iUzhPyjStmn2Mo/s1600-h/paris+day+3+louvre+251+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvF3_Gg64nHbBGZNwACT0uThXCT0oOVtYb_BjFt53yDv1C-xLrYWNVihxc2kNbw8ABO0PO577ZbjsX9B8p8ue7f-0Ynr0Qc5vFLHLDd_lkqci_cNuX2Eh2eKf-NGq4iUzhPyjStmn2Mo/s640/paris+day+3+louvre+251+copy.jpg" width="547" /></a><br />
</div>AzureChinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357112962356150024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844198451526520404.post-14948587233600212622010-01-26T12:44:00.004-05:002010-01-26T17:38:18.477-05:00Behind the Scenes of Fashion Week!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiL5l6vgkZ5W4LYh-pzuiwbX1sTQppG4g2OBvo4Ao1V9hWKOIi5S7-dDJwAipURVzhke8aF25IbfyPqgg_hckf2_4g0L4IK8rV7_ajK-z4Kncux3jrCW36xQSGDp4LWfRh0YfA2WmnIU/s1600-h/yana3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiL5l6vgkZ5W4LYh-pzuiwbX1sTQppG4g2OBvo4Ao1V9hWKOIi5S7-dDJwAipURVzhke8aF25IbfyPqgg_hckf2_4g0L4IK8rV7_ajK-z4Kncux3jrCW36xQSGDp4LWfRh0YfA2WmnIU/s400/yana3.jpg" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>We are now well into Paris fashion week... I have had the privilege of going backstage and dressing models at the Walter van Beirendock and Alexandre Vauthier shows! Although we were not allowed to take pictures at the show here are a few images I was able to pull from the internet!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dressed the above model at the show!</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a>Both shows were quite wild! The models and staff were very friendly and fun to work with, the boys at the van Beirendonck shows were very funny, playing with their outfits right before going on the runway. Loved the experience!<br />
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Runway shows take place in a wide range of venues, some in parking garages if you can believe! Hours and hours of preparation along with the music and outfits all come together for 10 or 15 minutes of high fashion entertainment.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzItIUOJBK0CCxovfsm-I1zNwe0NHMAGwuoO1NjsEke4O3TjB8TM9CDfGQL2UsOUAyAVfm3R39oMILfMHfDGzxWsyp2rYRn4LSFrsTJioclQIOv-Qbae5Qp83_NEP6jxmCgmWDAFzF0k/s1600-h/walter_van_beirendonck_maw10_030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzItIUOJBK0CCxovfsm-I1zNwe0NHMAGwuoO1NjsEke4O3TjB8TM9CDfGQL2UsOUAyAVfm3R39oMILfMHfDGzxWsyp2rYRn4LSFrsTJioclQIOv-Qbae5Qp83_NEP6jxmCgmWDAFzF0k/s400/walter_van_beirendonck_maw10_030.jpg" width="265" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMrewmCWeuCE0aD6iyUyU-sN_vy0cLs4wbFzkpung02Ek1Og95fnp0ubJjS8vNmy018K_DY15mcliXT2OWYOE-KfvySk0gaE-rDILuYV18DoPKi4Fe4MNpC_MAimwbTrDZ1E-fUmj47E/s1600-h/alexandre+gauthier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMrewmCWeuCE0aD6iyUyU-sN_vy0cLs4wbFzkpung02Ek1Og95fnp0ubJjS8vNmy018K_DY15mcliXT2OWYOE-KfvySk0gaE-rDILuYV18DoPKi4Fe4MNpC_MAimwbTrDZ1E-fUmj47E/s200/alexandre+gauthier.jpg" width="146" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7_2TbtS5MFaRXXbM2SKYfpoJIpL67Vf4Z0QLXmhTC9K20E2cb2rwPEEi_IQNoP5MekO4WAgprfMQukajoV7bAlwWlPdK84i7hX0hsX8YDUY0kSktoIAoicfbutHKhawTm7uwASXzFBE/s1600/alexandre+gauthier2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7_2TbtS5MFaRXXbM2SKYfpoJIpL67Vf4Z0QLXmhTC9K20E2cb2rwPEEi_IQNoP5MekO4WAgprfMQukajoV7bAlwWlPdK84i7hX0hsX8YDUY0kSktoIAoicfbutHKhawTm7uwASXzFBE/s200/alexandre+gauthier2.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
</div>AzureChinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357112962356150024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844198451526520404.post-9051666166027223662010-01-20T17:39:00.002-05:002010-01-20T18:14:22.077-05:00On Self Fulfillment.<div>I have not been being completely efficient with my trip so far.<br />
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</div><div>Reasons for not being efficient and making the most out of a trip.<br />
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</div><div>1. Staying up too late, sleeping in too long.<br />
</div><div> *self explanatory<br />
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</div><div>2. Being cheap and handwashing and drying laundry.<br />
</div><div><ul><li>Laundry in France is EXPENSIVE. 1 Euro buys you 8.5 minutes of dryer time. Simple solution... handwash and dry. Obvious right? Today I spent 4 hours handwashing and drying my clothes. </li>
<li>Maybe my apartment is humid... maybe yours will not be... in any case... if you find you spend WAY to much time doing your laundry the first time... maybe it will be worth it to spend the Euros and use your time to go exploring... </li>
<li>Simple Solutions...</li>
<ul><li>Spend the Euros</li>
<li>Ignore all you have heard about packing light if staying for a long trip in one location... Packing light is very important if you are going to be backpacking through Europe and changing locations frequently... but I must admit I would have had no problem checking two big bags filled with 50 lbs of clothes each... and then leaving them in my apartment for 5 weeks before repacking and going home... The good news... I will be doing lots of shopping while I am here and buying a second carry on :)</li>
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Since my revelation I have been waking up earlier and making the most out of my trip more effectively! :)<br />
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Here's a beautiful picture of the Seine from the morning after I first wrote this post...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUM1AkaO3Xj21qQ83oKBpWD3592YcEHs3SmhY0TeLptAKx05J12PFwmfnbxaCSSKYCDuvqoA41nCLCtdW8DrK_T12l5BRbyMbtXxAzGrivMfVjNbGlZUPv7ulJr0nVIU7uEqa3UoL_Kg/s1600-h/mmm+pics+610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUM1AkaO3Xj21qQ83oKBpWD3592YcEHs3SmhY0TeLptAKx05J12PFwmfnbxaCSSKYCDuvqoA41nCLCtdW8DrK_T12l5BRbyMbtXxAzGrivMfVjNbGlZUPv7ulJr0nVIU7uEqa3UoL_Kg/s640/mmm+pics+610.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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And a few more from my walks about the city recently...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwudhCKIkrRBVAN_5DV4L8MHuFeYDqpTT4_Tmp5hw1EFg4cY8RWtA4InjQC-90Oxr0AskJd9n4o2TWbYfklrtX8lIaw4NNYr-vDHuK3WkTyhvIXihyXKpP7JMbEojY-rWOCt61JCRBgA4/s1600-h/pariswalking+789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwudhCKIkrRBVAN_5DV4L8MHuFeYDqpTT4_Tmp5hw1EFg4cY8RWtA4InjQC-90Oxr0AskJd9n4o2TWbYfklrtX8lIaw4NNYr-vDHuK3WkTyhvIXihyXKpP7JMbEojY-rWOCt61JCRBgA4/s400/pariswalking+789.JPG" width="302" /></a><br />
</div>A stand in point between a triangular cross section of two streets, passers by feast on fresh seafood.<br />
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</div>Street art is very common in Paris, there is of course some graffiti but for the most part the street art is well thought out and gives the city character!<br />
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</div><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Small lake in the middle of Luxembourg Gardens, a popular place to take a stroll or run, even in the middle of winter.<br />
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</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Very behind in the blogging, still to come photos from Arles and the Camargue and more!</span><br />
</div>AzureChinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357112962356150024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844198451526520404.post-46552476558483856532010-01-10T17:28:00.001-05:002010-01-10T17:38:18.041-05:00Paris Sales<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_S16K3zzq3hXaGV8uB0axNxb5BJYTtaZH1SqieorfHr0DfQSpNT9YSLb-NLxPHWAkJMFfsTz6xWMCQTZCIoTDVXaHqP04Y1XX8HSlhxpF867ouZHto2_URo5z3ZajfL-yX0A54YYhlg/s1600-h/paris+night+shopping+237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_S16K3zzq3hXaGV8uB0axNxb5BJYTtaZH1SqieorfHr0DfQSpNT9YSLb-NLxPHWAkJMFfsTz6xWMCQTZCIoTDVXaHqP04Y1XX8HSlhxpF867ouZHto2_URo5z3ZajfL-yX0A54YYhlg/s400/paris+night+shopping+237.JPG" /></a>Sorry this one will be quite short I am packing up tonight to go on a 4 day excursion to the south of France! Can't wait to take pictures down there!<br />
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To my joyful surprise... every January most stores in Paris have ridiculous sales for the entire month.<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">"Sales are state-regulated in France and generally run during two periods of the year: once in summer, just before the massive exodus toward the sea and sun, and once in the winter, shortly following Christmas. Department stores, boutiques, designer outlets, and even hardware shops clear out items from the previous season, gradually slashing prices over the course of the sales period."</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"> - <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Linda Nyirenda</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="http://goparis.about.com/od/shopping/a/Paris_sales.htm">http://goparis.about.com/od/shopping/a/Paris_sales.htm</a></span></span><br />
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Thought I'd just post a few images of what I've seen so far in the shops!<br />
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I will be back soon to share the south of France with you! And I have not forgotten about the eating tips and photos, those will come soon!<br />
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</div>AzureChinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357112962356150024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844198451526520404.post-29028102396841509732010-01-09T06:10:00.003-05:002010-01-09T06:13:50.865-05:00Off The Beaten Path: Rungis Marché The Largest Market in Europe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfyLm2wTed4I8UYUHxGRQa5z5odXo_fczbRA4JCN4tTy5JBSbgjGiwg2HzPn07rWMoB9pWPV6N5sF-xcW72bv3m0u5zvKzcWJb_sYOmY_B9SwRj4Q6-b4EMmlsSeFlu62a0kqSeNDdt4/s1600-h/food!+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfyLm2wTed4I8UYUHxGRQa5z5odXo_fczbRA4JCN4tTy5JBSbgjGiwg2HzPn07rWMoB9pWPV6N5sF-xcW72bv3m0u5zvKzcWJb_sYOmY_B9SwRj4Q6-b4EMmlsSeFlu62a0kqSeNDdt4/s320/food!+080.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Scale.<br />
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Size.<br />
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Quality.<br />
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A visit to the Rungis March<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">é just outside of Paris is one of the most wonderful, unheard of experiences a traveler can have. Rungis, the largest food market in Europe, is the daily go to destination for many Michelin Star restaurants all across Europe. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;">It is 2:30 AM and trucks are already arriving from Russia to stock up on the freshest crop of leeks. Rungis staff are scurrying around putting the finishing touches on the shopments of fresh caught fish. </span></span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;">At the same time someone else is perfecting the flower display in on of the 19.4 million pots of flowering plants, and yet another is arranging fruits and vegetables. </span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Many gourmet cheeses and meats come through the market as well, the meat section includes some extremely greart oppurtunities for photos, I will only post some of the more PG images I took on the blog however. In the actual market one has the oppurtunity to see all types, kinds and parts of poultry and meats hanging from the ceiling.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnQ0NI5CPGK8N0q16G-FKThtVvPhx8fk9o-f3PDBPHJCJakP7JMSy2n0e8GeMP2bsSfM3kCbRfcvktd8i8s3tCPgmOavfPRSLwTLjoYMerhaEYqHnkVsXsa1lh3J5o-WipfL9ixRKnjE/s1600-h/food!+168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnQ0NI5CPGK8N0q16G-FKThtVvPhx8fk9o-f3PDBPHJCJakP7JMSy2n0e8GeMP2bsSfM3kCbRfcvktd8i8s3tCPgmOavfPRSLwTLjoYMerhaEYqHnkVsXsa1lh3J5o-WipfL9ixRKnjE/s400/food!+168.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"> Unfortunately my camera died before I made it to the fresh flower and foliage section. Although Rungis is intended for bulk purchase to restaurants and suppliers, the market offers tours. When I took the tour we were the only tour group in the whole market, it is a rare experience. </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLXfOqGPwtvnyIFLAk1b-6IDleVPaahriUAD3cEHP9BIBRsAXQis8WOUGD8EXwpN4mJ4p2fRS0jN71wYp7y73QnTe3RzpUvyNLpFRH5jJSOwwBJT_HbALsTGSBQRfjizXg2UTYE0H7wA/s1600-h/food!+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLXfOqGPwtvnyIFLAk1b-6IDleVPaahriUAD3cEHP9BIBRsAXQis8WOUGD8EXwpN4mJ4p2fRS0jN71wYp7y73QnTe3RzpUvyNLpFRH5jJSOwwBJT_HbALsTGSBQRfjizXg2UTYE0H7wA/s320/food!+115.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"><br />
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">In order to visit Rungis on your</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"> next trip to Paris visit http://www.visiterungis.com</span></span><br />
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</span></span>AzureChinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357112962356150024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844198451526520404.post-61427204582228089692010-01-07T08:17:00.001-05:002010-01-07T08:18:39.016-05:00La NourritureEating in Paris is expensive. One of our first nights here my friends and I walked into what looked like an excellent place for a meal, we were shocked when the waitress handed us the menu, we could not afford the prices! Thankfully a friend suggested that we share appetizers and wine, the waitress was happy with us, everyone tasted some delicious gourmet food, and we followed the entire experience with a trip to Pizza Panini for our real dinner... Lesson learned. Do not enter a restaurant if you cannot view the menu prior to entering.<br />
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My roommate and I have decided to start cooking more rather than eating out, I'm learning more about whats inexpensive here and whats not, more pictures and tips to be shared soon!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBf98nicveX1Yfzcd9YgWSJjOLryqz3FeC2_LSosgVhVu-r3yVvn5rx75nYNGHlVRjykjE92yxncIFRKs4msq09JtxG8VgCo0cdBGFVYc_IA2LMdBtz3xynLRt8jdRS-TK0zlASYXc6_U/s1600-h/food!+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBf98nicveX1Yfzcd9YgWSJjOLryqz3FeC2_LSosgVhVu-r3yVvn5rx75nYNGHlVRjykjE92yxncIFRKs4msq09JtxG8VgCo0cdBGFVYc_IA2LMdBtz3xynLRt8jdRS-TK0zlASYXc6_U/s320/food!+001.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-size: x-small;">A simple salad I make in the apartment, make your own dressing</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">with olive oil, balsamic, garlic and a little salt.</span>AzureChinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357112962356150024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844198451526520404.post-37081863165759775602010-01-06T15:29:00.003-05:002010-01-07T03:20:45.893-05:00Bonjour mes Amis!Bonjour from Paris!<br />
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This month I have the amazing opportunity to study fashion and travel photography in Paris!<br />
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Stepping off the plane one is greeted immediately by a nouvelle experience... the slopescalator as I like to call it. The "slopescalator" is found in the airport and in various underground tunnels in the metro system. The transportation appears to be your normal escalator upon first step, then your realize no stairs form and you are in for a long ride up and down small hills. Feels weird on the feet. A ride on this device gets exciting below the metro, busy Parisians pass on the "fast lane" as others stand behind the elderly on the right side, peering behind to see if they have time to break in to the line of traffic. One may find this nearly as dangerous as driving the traffic circle encompassing l'Arc de Triomphe.<br />
Yesterday was my first trip through the metro in 16 years, I did not want to bring out the camera because I was lost and nervous, but I hope to document this later on during the month.<br />
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There is a beautiful exhibition about the fashion designer Madeleine Vionnet at the Museum of Decor Design... although not as famous as CoCo Channel, the work of Madeleine Vionnet is considered by many to be equally outstanding. Her work includes many surprisingly simple bias cut garments, no photography was allowed inside but I did manage to do a few sketches!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyR6lhKHZxsl8ebWtd-DPlUwnpFv1gQjzx3RReGu_R3_Qr-hOJg_1bKPZ0PjUpEZ4BDrL_S3SC1uXRpXcCoJSDD_3-O9MZpr4FXopC4MNEmAzP3BGVQvrwtuWd4M48DTjQJM3suSv41c/s1600-h/sketches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyR6lhKHZxsl8ebWtd-DPlUwnpFv1gQjzx3RReGu_R3_Qr-hOJg_1bKPZ0PjUpEZ4BDrL_S3SC1uXRpXcCoJSDD_3-O9MZpr4FXopC4MNEmAzP3BGVQvrwtuWd4M48DTjQJM3suSv41c/s400/sketches.jpg" /></a><br />
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The exhibit is definitely worth a visit! Located close to the Louvre... behind the Louvre is a beautiful garden area with fountains, iced over now but a great place to people watch.<br />
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More to come soon!AzureChinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357112962356150024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844198451526520404.post-28432943352211014282009-12-26T02:28:00.003-05:002009-12-26T02:34:28.557-05:00An Unexpected Gift<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being one who finds the greatest pleasures in the smallest things, upon walking home from a lovely Christmas Dinner at the neighbors, I realized it would be a sin to not take advantage of a night stroll with my Nikon in the misty 54 degree weather that Christmas brought this year. Here's to show :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVNwrZiwUfQrE8wKdAKXPwM_yozV4gJxFSpYwK6AkVAguBxaAhkTyqqiCMQ-vfMZXlDhXk7vYaCmFwjLaTSHr4xp0ngoGulEWAvqbkGlWtUzlxHNi7xBVmWPF3gvgXtNGZ5EV_uaf0YI/s1600-h/forfacebook6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVNwrZiwUfQrE8wKdAKXPwM_yozV4gJxFSpYwK6AkVAguBxaAhkTyqqiCMQ-vfMZXlDhXk7vYaCmFwjLaTSHr4xp0ngoGulEWAvqbkGlWtUzlxHNi7xBVmWPF3gvgXtNGZ5EV_uaf0YI/s400/forfacebook6.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took a few <b>HUNDRED</b> shots tonight, this was one of the best!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVNwrZiwUfQrE8wKdAKXPwM_yozV4gJxFSpYwK6AkVAguBxaAhkTyqqiCMQ-vfMZXlDhXk7vYaCmFwjLaTSHr4xp0ngoGulEWAvqbkGlWtUzlxHNi7xBVmWPF3gvgXtNGZ5EV_uaf0YI/s1600-h/forfacebook6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heading to France in a week or two! Many more shots and stories to come soon!</span>AzureChinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357112962356150024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844198451526520404.post-78844405277682693732009-09-12T01:06:00.006-04:002009-09-12T01:39:20.558-04:00Travel Comfortably, Spend Less.<div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">TransAtlantic airfare may be less expensive than it has been in the past, but it is certainly not cheap.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If I you are going to spend the big bucks to travel overseas, you probably want to have an authentic experience, and stay awhile.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here are 3 Great Azure Idea's you might want to take into consideration when planning your next trip...</div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1. I have been on several trips planned by tour companies, in my experience these are incredibly rushed. It seems like you are packing and unpacking all the time...because you are. Normal you will only be staying a maximum of only 3 nights in any one city... not to mention that this type of traveling can cost three times as much as planning a trip on your own.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Solution:</div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHrM4jElP0zYGuooWXRtpF1Z_bEq844nrYM-2ZPe0qO-QXCe_dzRVaT_95xIZ1D2fKbVU7ixZN-hW2mrqP1LA26hcvJK8mCadRrLCcFD_705mPb25AoHnlcU4Ec5sbJ5nT5VTfSqKC9w/s1600-h/b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHrM4jElP0zYGuooWXRtpF1Z_bEq844nrYM-2ZPe0qO-QXCe_dzRVaT_95xIZ1D2fKbVU7ixZN-hW2mrqP1LA26hcvJK8mCadRrLCcFD_705mPb25AoHnlcU4Ec5sbJ5nT5VTfSqKC9w/s320/b.jpg" /></a>Do your own research! Unless you are traveling to a location in which you really do not feel comfortable, it might really be best to just go that extra mile and make your own arrangements. It does take a little bit of time, however what you will end up with is a trip that is designed JUST for you. You will not waste precious time at a destination in which you have no interest in seeing, and you will be able to spend as much time as you would like at that location that you have been dreaming of visiting over the past 20 years.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Meanwhile, you will be saving approximately 10,000 dollars (depending upon how many travelers are in your party). What can you do with that extra 10,000 dollars? Why not visit that other destination you have been eyeing for 15 years, next year!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2. Because you have the complete freedom to plan your trip... it is not necessary to confine yourself to the unoriginal, choosing to stay in an apartment in a place like Europe not only gives you much more space for your money, but it also makes for a GREAT authentic experience. Many apartment companies have a minimum 3 night stay, but they also tend to give you a break for stays of 7 days or longer. I really suggest picking a city with a good location, and staying there for atleast a week. Use the location as a homebase that you can take daytrips from, but don't run yourself around. Stay, soak up the culture, visit some coffee shops, flea markets, take an early morning walk and people watch. Why not visit the local market and cook yourself dinner in your kitchen one night? (YES! these apartments will have kitchens!) </div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HJN3Enk4c2-xCWrtT-9LBh5MX0tJi7wDbVs43duary4LxmycmT-evmU6lx4fM5MgXLUUMdwr-R__cqlSONJEvwSc9ykgl_mGTosdo_aiJhZhkgQdR9bXked-ha9TmazD4e59OjYr6oI/s1600-h/xmsImg.php.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HJN3Enk4c2-xCWrtT-9LBh5MX0tJi7wDbVs43duary4LxmycmT-evmU6lx4fM5MgXLUUMdwr-R__cqlSONJEvwSc9ykgl_mGTosdo_aiJhZhkgQdR9bXked-ha9TmazD4e59OjYr6oI/s320/xmsImg.php.jpg" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> The above photo is from <a href="http://www.travelingtolisbon.com/apartamentos_detail.php?cat=LIS&aId=178">travelingtolisbon.com</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Not only is it important to pick a good homebase city. I would also highly suggest to choose an apartment that is close located downtown in a city, or atleast close to lots of action, not necessarily nightlife, but markets, shopping, and most importantly, a metro or bus station. You will absolutely LOVE how much you will see on foot rather than in a tourbus.</div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRMjn-yTna7fhA4IzpVwCp2saFU6k3HmaZlnfv5jnelkUgN0WYsdFa38nbdp4hVH7-Jp0FduiNBa5qZA_RpQgBTR6OafyrUdGJXScx05wxJhMK1ktP46Lwj3bPzsNRyiWkG6_u_loExQ/s1600-h/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRMjn-yTna7fhA4IzpVwCp2saFU6k3HmaZlnfv5jnelkUgN0WYsdFa38nbdp4hVH7-Jp0FduiNBa5qZA_RpQgBTR6OafyrUdGJXScx05wxJhMK1ktP46Lwj3bPzsNRyiWkG6_u_loExQ/s320/a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">It is nice to be able to walk the street like the locals and see how the locals live.<br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3. Simple, cliche, but important still.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Don't weigh yourself down, pack the essentials, research what the weather will be like and bring the bare minimum. You are there so that you can see the <b>location</b>, not so that the <b>location</b> can see you. Be comfortable, don't bring too many things that you will constantly be worrying about the safety of, and definitely do not bring so much with you during the day that you will not enjoy walking around and exploring.</div>AzureChinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357112962356150024noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844198451526520404.post-54087979115711249032009-09-04T16:50:00.003-04:002009-09-04T16:53:28.267-04:00So what exactly is this Etsy thing?<div style="text-align: left;">People are talking about Etsy.</div><br />
What could cooler than being able to shop online? Being able to browse and purchase all types of unique HANDMADE everythings, right at your computer.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"></div>Etsy.com. We are designers, innovators, artists and creators. We love the items we make and are passionate about creating. <br />
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I first fell in love with Etsy because of my passion for creation, I thought it would be the ideal place to share my creations with the world, and although all of this is true. I have come to realize that I can also benefit from shopping on Etsy as well. I am extremely "over" the whole "run out and get a whole bunch of inexpensive trinkets for friends and family members at some store phase". Everyone does that and it I am beginning to find it slightly mundane. Many of these items that I receive remain wrapped up in cellophane for a few years before they are eventually thrown out. Now that I have found Etsy, I cannot wait for the holidays to arrive!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSAdz0Y8pIP1LPCe3SsMMVy8rL5s_mTJmxEaZ1l88neDtWOfd8oUu63tQ4WvqOMvd8XXPKkPGDF87E3gwkD_8CXjXesuUo38etYkSSu2RfNSMp7da6kGPkoFFnJ5APd-XenIXe1xMDfo/s1600-h/stephanieteague.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSAdz0Y8pIP1LPCe3SsMMVy8rL5s_mTJmxEaZ1l88neDtWOfd8oUu63tQ4WvqOMvd8XXPKkPGDF87E3gwkD_8CXjXesuUo38etYkSSu2RfNSMp7da6kGPkoFFnJ5APd-XenIXe1xMDfo/s200/stephanieteague.jpg" /></a>I know what you are thinking... you don't really love the look of artisan items, basketweaving, handpainted shelves, etc. I don't love that either. While this type of item is also available on Etsy, what really draws my attention is the large amount of handmade, "indie" or underground, if you may, sellers with unique and <b>modern </b>styles. While some items may have an old time inspiration, the design elements and style is anything but dated... Take this innovative dress for example... made from an antique quilt top and antique cotton feed sack, super cute and with modern flair! It is the finds like this that keep me on Etsy and out of designer stores and places like Target. (<a href="http://www.stephanieteague.etsy.com/">(Pretty Birdie by Stephanie Teague)</a><br />
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Etsy is also a great place to browse handmade soaps. One seller I met recently specializes in vegan soaps like the one pictured on the right.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQRYsHu2T4L6HCCHLv2muxP_V77WCv7D-15bO3_trDQD_Vu9uS6uMTL96jHHItGzrAv6P62_4MFEMH4Sl69d4UPWrAW792TpMaRnCiBAOWGP8iI02v9IvNBwJdJV64N8m3A8ru_qQOro/s1600-h/deshawnmarie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQRYsHu2T4L6HCCHLv2muxP_V77WCv7D-15bO3_trDQD_Vu9uS6uMTL96jHHItGzrAv6P62_4MFEMH4Sl69d4UPWrAW792TpMaRnCiBAOWGP8iI02v9IvNBwJdJV64N8m3A8ru_qQOro/s320/deshawnmarie.jpg" /></a><br />
"All of my soaps are made with nourishing coconut milk, herbs, fruits and vegetable bases."<br />
-<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6258755">DeShawn Marie</a><br />
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How can one resist something this luscious...? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So we know that Etsy houses a great selection of trendy handmade items with a country touch and modern flair. With that being said, it is important to note that Etsy is not solely a place for homestyle inspired items. Take this cute fabric bangle for example... this one is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6061493">my own</a>! A beautiful scrap of Japanese print fabric wrapped around none other than a recycled duct tape roll! Sustainable, and trendy. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2N9KJKn8EBrozPjfAA_cJXc56OnmsYlhYzY4yrxNPYNEWxAHSvXYAeRLjOLWfrgNMAoRcDCUKPCLhROTOC8fU4sUqZ-R9DgtF0xFhRNeotUvy4G0Kq8_GnUfqjzOqcUQzA86RjixM-tE/s1600-h/mybracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2N9KJKn8EBrozPjfAA_cJXc56OnmsYlhYzY4yrxNPYNEWxAHSvXYAeRLjOLWfrgNMAoRcDCUKPCLhROTOC8fU4sUqZ-R9DgtF0xFhRNeotUvy4G0Kq8_GnUfqjzOqcUQzA86RjixM-tE/s200/mybracelet.jpg" /></a>Hopefully you have enjoyed my intro to the wonders of Etsy! I hope to bring you a few more indepth articles later on! But for now... what are you waiting for? Head on over to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> and see for yourself what it is all about! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>AzureChinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357112962356150024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844198451526520404.post-56520507503468781742009-08-28T02:29:00.007-04:002009-08-28T10:04:37.147-04:00What People AREN'T Talking About. (Portugal: Part I)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdk24k_8uF3OQaLJqWvAdj-v8r1aMRTz9FPZTpOd-Xvmh9VFeIbwWX90JUCiLCfs4jPrZaWN8BiDfizaY4i3FMOYdjvHPCQNI7b1pDuRhr_o-im3GbapKRjdlEuSeHsvFuU2VLVmvfoOM/s1600-h/3179585481_0ba3b8b5f3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdk24k_8uF3OQaLJqWvAdj-v8r1aMRTz9FPZTpOd-Xvmh9VFeIbwWX90JUCiLCfs4jPrZaWN8BiDfizaY4i3FMOYdjvHPCQNI7b1pDuRhr_o-im3GbapKRjdlEuSeHsvFuU2VLVmvfoOM/s200/3179585481_0ba3b8b5f3_b.jpg" /></a>Ever been to Europe?<br />
Probably.<br />
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Ever considered?<br />
Most definitely.<br />
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Thought about Portugal?<br />
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The least touristed Western European country, is also the most inexpensive. No really, people AREN'T talking about it, although I had not actually tested this prior to titling my post... just search Twitter for "Portugal" 95% of the posts are in Portuguese. Search Twitter for France or Spain... and everything you see is written in English.<br />
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So other than the fact that Portugal is a fairly undiscovered destination (ironic, seeing as how the Portuguese were the first great pioneers of navigation) , why go?<br />
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In winter, the weather in Lisbon (the Portuguese capital) is more than pleasant. Which in all honesty, is the main reason my family thought about visiting in the first place. What a lucky mishap that turned out to be...<br />
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Walking around Lisbon has a special charm. The lack of tourists allows one to truly feel like they are experiencing something completely new and different. No matter how far away a place is, or how exotic the fauna may be, load an area up with 3000 kiosks selling touristy chatzky's and it suddenly becomes just like... well... any other foreign exotic place with 3000 kiosks selling tourists chatzky's. Lisbon has a very authentic feel, staying in an apartment rather than a hotel can help with this too, that I must save for another post however.<br />
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<b>Sounds, Tastes and Miradouros!</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYaEQRQEzYpLLaH8zAUefC67G2K-JP24LMXTq0wV367mFarAEgf0A3sv8J_QwPz0Iw1T3GLJfumoFIBOj5w1F5MWZ2qk3Mlc3N4wCORvEbIQSydfConl1Pp5v3q-sb1WZOj_3trMqnEs/s1600-h/3177881098_ec7c634116_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYaEQRQEzYpLLaH8zAUefC67G2K-JP24LMXTq0wV367mFarAEgf0A3sv8J_QwPz0Iw1T3GLJfumoFIBOj5w1F5MWZ2qk3Mlc3N4wCORvEbIQSydfConl1Pp5v3q-sb1WZOj_3trMqnEs/s320/3177881098_ec7c634116_b.jpg" /></a></div>So what exactly does Portugal have to offer. Skinny, winding medieval streets can be found in the Alfama district. My favorite part of traveling is walking around in new places and the Alfama is perfect for taking some great Flickr shots! Pastelerias serve "bicas" which is a very strong Portuguese espresso shot, available in decaf usually. "Pasteis" are custard like pastries, I'm not the biggest fan of these types of pastries but the rest of the fam LOVED them. The pasteis are actually really good with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top!<br />
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Stop to look over the Meditterranean -esque buildings at one of the Miradouro's or lookouts.<br />
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If you don't like to eat fish, you should probably stop reading this article now... or atleast read it knowing that you should never actually go to Portugal. The good news: most restaurants have many options... The bad news: all of these options involve a big filet of fish as the main course, with an accompaniement of potatos and maybe a salad. I personally find it delicious! Specialties like octopus and barnacles are available too. The most popular of the fish specialities is the bacalhau, dried salt cod. It is said that this can be prepared some 300 ways.<br />
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In various dinner restaurants, you can sit in on a Fado performance, fado is a very melancholy almost opera like genre, very specific to Portuguese culture. <br />
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Alright, this was enough Portugal for one evening... but I will be bringing you further detail in later articles :)<br />
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<3 AzureChina<br />
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my Portugal pictures are all taken by me! Some can be viewed at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11693731@N07/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/11693731@N07/</a>AzureChinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357112962356150024noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844198451526520404.post-44680809689548364912009-08-26T23:30:00.003-04:002009-08-28T09:53:05.210-04:00Just how much food do you get for 200 calories?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifH2zD1Z2-vQ6yOeGwVCoAT8M6rnpTV3MOq2ZVGRyNc63xT1CYeotA51MkVkj9PvYp4yaeusGHcBGNrEPeNlrU4f-qPWWR3Kly-3RToVV7YPAvv0MIBWOFnCTKj3dIjZsphUAHFx7xzWE/s1600-h/2631602705_5c2d0c3cef_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifH2zD1Z2-vQ6yOeGwVCoAT8M6rnpTV3MOq2ZVGRyNc63xT1CYeotA51MkVkj9PvYp4yaeusGHcBGNrEPeNlrU4f-qPWWR3Kly-3RToVV7YPAvv0MIBWOFnCTKj3dIjZsphUAHFx7xzWE/s320/2631602705_5c2d0c3cef_b.jpg" /></a><br />
I'm always searching out new information on nutrition. I don't believe in "diets" because were all different, and have different needs. Personally I believe that one of the best ways to lose weight and or keep it off is to simply educate oneself about what you are eating... I'm also a huge fan of cool search engines...<br />
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CalorieGallery.com is one of my favorite sites for self education on the calorie content of foods. One can search for foods using traditional categories such as food groups, and also with creative ways such as shape (curly? flat? triangular?) <br />
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There is a picture of each food listed, showing the quantity of the food which is equivalent to 200 calories.<br />
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Did you know that 1,333 grams of lettuce is equal to 200 calories, and that 35 grams of Wavy potato chips pack the same 200 calories?<br />
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The sites coolness doesn't stop there, click on a food, and see how many minutes of various exercises it will take to burn the calories provided by the food. CalorieGallery.com also provides nutritional information beyond calorie content alone.<br />
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Check it out for yourself at <a href="http://www.caloriegallery.com/">http://www.caloriegallery.com/</a><br />
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Play with the search engine while further educating yourself on nutrition. It's kind of fun!<br />
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-AzureChina<br />
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Photo provided by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dugspr/2631602705/sizes/l/#cc_license">http://www.flickr.com/photos/dugspr/2631602705/sizes/l/#cc_license</a> This artist does not endorse my blog. Downloaded the photo under creative commons license :)AzureChinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357112962356150024noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2844198451526520404.post-15435257958149341552009-08-25T23:20:00.006-04:002009-08-28T09:52:26.123-04:00The Fashionable Sewing Queen's Palace<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXe0CkdxO63JpoXcepxHAzmiFZdwqgED_ZeLxS6J9k6eGKxRdAM4fjV8hWnpu25J7Z_kknITYzwYsJQ-1DhG_X3fw_klV7T75uwpAP_EyWhjAtzsXguO38ox9igGv105YnXhMUAabZJcU/s1600-h/FINI!+035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374110649046268530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXe0CkdxO63JpoXcepxHAzmiFZdwqgED_ZeLxS6J9k6eGKxRdAM4fjV8hWnpu25J7Z_kknITYzwYsJQ-1DhG_X3fw_klV7T75uwpAP_EyWhjAtzsXguO38ox9igGv105YnXhMUAabZJcU/s320/FINI!+035.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 262px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 320px;" /></a>If you follow me on Twitter or are friends with me on Facebook... you already know I cannot get enough of BurdaStyle.com...<br />
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It's just that I have spent so long being disappointed in many of the mainstream sewing companies patterns, even Vogue.<br />
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Its not that their patterns arn't lovely... they just are not targeted to a younger crowd.<br />
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Burdastyle patterns are SOO fabulous and trendy and many are FREE!<br />
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They just updated their site and it is now easier than ever to search patterns by season, style, ease of construction, and more options are available as well.<br />
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If you have a pattern you'd like to share, users can also add creations and patterns, who knows maybe could be a good marketing technique?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S3Uy10rD8-_fdC9HFspDJLlECIndOvNRtuqBq4VlHLcruxk9tt_O9wHtAxiP2nyZjJXr52LRlKtyNSJVmx-5uDF2DvXJfA9Cw4cTZ0K24rZOB5sr-XJrmsvpjEcDu4fBgHQTGPIrhd8/s1600-h/FINI!+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S3Uy10rD8-_fdC9HFspDJLlECIndOvNRtuqBq4VlHLcruxk9tt_O9wHtAxiP2nyZjJXr52LRlKtyNSJVmx-5uDF2DvXJfA9Cw4cTZ0K24rZOB5sr-XJrmsvpjEcDu4fBgHQTGPIrhd8/s320/FINI!+012.JPG" /></a>The pictures above are dresses which I have made using some of the patterns on Burdastyle... sorry that the picture is not more professional looking!<br />
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Check it all out at http://www.Burdastyle.com<br />
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-AzureChinaAzureChinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10357112962356150024noreply@blogger.com4