Chicago_Living_Lincoln_Park

Aahhh...Chicago...You are so beautiful and full of history. Here are some of my favorite shots from a recent trip. Lincoln Park may just be the coolest neighborhood ever.

The Elevated train system and subway make it sooo easy to get around. No need for a car around this town. If you are going to explore Lincoln Park take the red or purple line to Armitage and just walk around.

Cute little cafe's on every corner with delicious food and excellent coffee.

Nice detail with the old bottles.

Neighborhood schools.

Sunday afternoon sports bar outing, open to the air.

Did I mention the preserved history. It's everywhere.

Curb appeal has a whole new meaning.

There is nothing cooler than old weathered brick.

I saw some really fabulous doors around town too.

Art_Of_Gulangyu_Island

On a recent trip to Xiamen I had the opportunity to explore Gulangyu island in southern China. The scenery was absolutely beautiful and I was pleasantly surprised to see art mingled with the daily lives of the inhabitants.

This is a shot of the boardwalk along the coast, this path goes all the way around the island. It was 95 degrees that day I was here so I only walked about 1/4 of it.

Cute little stickers and toys were all over the place in little shops and display case.

Hanging clothes to dry.

Bench outside a restaurant.

The island specialty is dried fish. It's absolutely everywhere.

Pick your fish and make your dish.

No cars on the island means lots of carts.

Beautiful fresh fruit stands are everywhere.

Lychee

Giant octopus sculpture.

Fishing boats

Xiamen in the background.

Parking lot.

Chinese palm tree.

Hiding woman bronze sculpture.

Look at the color of that moss.

Chinese graffiti.

Fashion_Legs

Ahh the fashion district in Los Angeles...It is sooo crazy. For those of you who haven't been I highly recommend you take a stroll down Santee Alley to see what it's all about. It's probably not what you are expecting. It's not glamorous, it's not clean and it isn't what you are picturing in your mind. It is full of life, bacon wrapped hotdogs and cheap clothing, shoes and nick knacks! From the sellers shouting to buy things at a great price, usually in Spanish to the hand drawn nock off nike signs it's quite a spectacle.
Check it out!

A common display for leggings.

Bacon wrapped hot dogs...delicious!

A little Ed Hardy anyone?

Notice it says Barrie not Barbie.

Hand illustrated adidas and nike signs....