Texture

I've come to a realization, I love photographs that focus on texture.  I find them fascinating for various reasons. A great texture shot will remind you of the feel of something.  It will remind you of  a smell or taste of something you've enjoyed. It can transport you to a certain time of the year your yearn for. It can remind you of a time in your life you wish you can go back to. A great texture shot can tell you the age of something, the wise and many years something has existed.

This post was going to end with the paragraph above,  I actually hit publish but then I felt like I was not addressing all the feels I have with texture. I pulled the post and added the paragraph below.

When I think of texture I'm reminded of my fathers hands. I remember the night he passed away. I remember how I held his hands and thought to myself this would be the last time I would hold and see his hands and how I must remember exactly what they look and feel like. I remember that night and remember my uncle wearing denim on denim, I remember the buttons of his jacket. I remember wiping my tears on my olive green cargo pants and feeling the soft texture of the pants. I never wore these pants again.  I remember all these details and I re-live them every so often. While I wish these memories did not revolve around the worst night of my life, I am grateful that I can remember my dads hands. I remember how they felt and how working so many years in the carpet industry smoothed his hands. I remember how he always kept his nails short and clean. I remember the color of his skin being a few shades darker than mine.  I'm glad I remember these insignificant things that to me are so significant. 

No Shame

Speak up.

Say something.  

Stop the cycle. 

Don't wait for a trend.

Do more than a hashtag.

Don't wait for others to save you.

There is never shame in being a victim.

One person has the power to change many lives. 

Your voice has strength, your voice needs to be heard. 

Pretty Trash

"...beauty is in the eye of the beholder." -Margaret Wolfe Hungerford

My Trip to The Museum of Ice Cream

Video clip of my trip to the Museum of Ice Cream. 
P.S. Museum has been extended through December, scoop up a ticket before it sells out again!

A Pink Sparkly Clip

This weekend was one for the records, it was as hot as 98 degrees. The sun was out and so were the birds! 

CicLAvia

Last Sunday I participated in my first CicLAvia event! Your'e probably wondering what is CicLAvia, I'll tell you.  According to the CicLAvia website, CicLAvia catalyzes vibrant public spaces, active transportation and good health through car free streets. Basically, you get to ride your bike in the middle of the street with out the fear of a car hitting you. It's free, it's fun, it's a community event and it's a must! 

Before you scroll down, I should mention this post is picture heavy. Also, have you ever seen that movie Yes, Man? In that movie, Zoe Deschanel's Character plays an instructor that teaches a photography class while running. Bizarre right, and you can only imagine what the photos would look like. I felt like that during this event. I snapped these pictures while riding my bike, so forgive me if some are not as crisp, centered or clear.

We

We started our path down Broadway, went above the freeway and headed towards China Town. Got a quick glance of a parade that was happening and returned back towards second street street tunnel. Riding a bike through the tunnel was probably one of the coolest things of the event. 

The path through the tunnel led us through Echo Park and eventually to Mc Arthur Park. Now, I know a lot of my post consist of flowers or plants, and I was really trying to do this post without flowers, but come on! How can I skip these beauties.   

After the park we jumped back on 2nd Street and went through the tunnel one last time. This time instead of turning on Broadway we kept going straight and headed towards Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights. The road towards Boyle Heights led us through the arts district and through the 4th Street Bridge. 

The murals in the Arts District are amazing, definitely worth a visit. These are just some of the ones I was able to get a quick snap of. 

Around noon we arrived at Mariachi Plaza, we decided to stop and eat lunch. Ordinarily I go for a hot dog when I'm in DTLA but this time I went with tacos, they were delicious and spicy just the way I like them! I was hoping to see actually Mariachis playing but that was not the case, I just saw some walking by. There was however a DJ spinning some English and Spanish classics that made me want to get up and dance.

The views and the access to typically busy streets were pretty awesome. The art and the community feeling was pretty awesome as well. But I think my all time favorite was the people watching. If there is something I love to do, it's people watch and this was an awesome place for just that! 

Just a Little Taste...

A museum with a sprinkles pool and free ice cream, sign me up! 

My friend got us tickets to the hottest museum in LA and probably Instagram too! The Museum of Ice Cream! You guys when I saw this on Instagram I knew I had to find my way to this place. It's such a cool and cute place to visit. Luckily for me, I have a friend that likes these types of things too so she got us tickets and we finally went last week. We arrived a little early so we were sent to a grassy area where we could play some family games, we went with Jenga. When our time was up and we were called to enter the museum, we lined up and went over the rules with a very enthusiastic gal. 

So what is the museum of Ice Cream? I really didn't know but I knew I had to visit because all of the pictures on Instagram were just too adorable. If you are expecting a museum that provides history or information on Ice Cream, this is not the place for you. As described on their website, this place is where flavors are mysteries, toppings are toys, and sprinkles make the world a better place.  Yes, all of that is true!! We got the chance to hug a huge gummy bear, dial up an ice cream hot line, swing in a banana room, walk through a mint garden and jump into a sprinkles pool. My favorite was probably the sprinkles pool and boy I wish I can go back!

Unfortunately, this museum is sold out in Los Angeles and San Francisco. However, if I were you I would sign up on their website and follow them on Instagram to see if they come to your city. If they do, jump on those tickets ASAP!