New York in a Random Flash

~* Tuesday *~
:: despite my nervous anxiety, I was able to make it from JFK airport, to the airtrain to Jamacia station, to the LIRR, to Penn station, to the F train at 34th & Herald SQ, to the 2nd Ave stop, to my hotel on E. Houston.
:: phew
:: my hotel room was a closet of a place, but clean and up on the 5th floor away from the ground level noise.
:: after dropping off my stuff, I set off for some exploring in the afternoon... Anthropologie at Rockerfeller Center, NBC News, Times Square...
:: then back to Soho for coffee with a Rochester knitting friend... HI MARY ELLEN!
:: she was taking a class at a place I've lusted over in advertisements... Purl SOHO... oh yes, I brought a few skeins home with me
:: then I met up with my editor, Erica Smith, for dinner at Frankies 17
:: I recommend the ricotta and honey crustini... amazing
:: Erica and I hit it off like we've known each other for ages
:: excitement over starting the big shoot in the morning had me tossing and turning til 4am... ugh







~* Wednesday *~
:: excuse the bags under my eyes... I told ya I couldn't sleep!
:: rather than navigating the trains, each morning I walked the 1.5miles to 48 West 21st St to the photo studio of the fantastic Jack Deutsch
:: naturally I stopped for Starbucks along the way
:: just like Totally Twisted, we started by picking the backgrounds for photos... the techniques are on a lovely light blue linen, the wire on an old plank of drift wood, and the process shots on cream
:: could not be more excited about how these shots came out... amazing
:: and Jack has a full time retoucher, Priscilla, so despite chipping my manicure while working the wire, the photos will all look lovely
:: I loved Jack's space... it reminded me of my studio... high ceilings, exposed brick, wood floors... love
:: 9, yes nine, hours later, we wrapped for the day and went out for sushi
:: apparently I was having sushi with Mondo from Project Runway, but only Erica noticed
:: back at the hotel by 7:00pm, I couldn't go to sleep...
:: so, I made my way back to midtown to the Top Of The Strand for a visit with a dear friend from high school










~* Thursday *~
:: another 10 hours of shooting... so many projects, so little time
:: you are going to love every project!
:: despite exhaustion, there was still enough energy for a site or two
:: Eataly is CRAZY! so we didn't stay
:: who in the world could resist going into a Marimekko store if give the chance?
:: oh yes, that fabric will be inspiring beads
:: I had the best cheeseburger... e.v.e.r... at the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park
:: and some how managed to get myself back to the hotel in time to catch the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy... you know how much I love Grey's, right?
:: and yes... another sleepless night.



~* Friday *~

:: on the final day of shooting we had amazing thin crust pizza
:: and managed to crank out 10 projects in about 6 hours
:: as soon as we finished packing everything up to ship back to my studio it down poured... so we sat on Jack's couch and imagined future book projects for me...
:: a lampworking book? hmmm...
:: Jack gifted me the most amazing gadget for my camera!! can't wait to show you what it can do
:: THANK YOU JACK!!
:: when the rain let up, it was time to make my way home
:: it took more than 8 hours to get from NYC to Rochester by plane... I could have drove home and been in my bed faster
:: and no mister officer at the sobriety check point on the way home, we have not been drinking, we are on our way home from the airport, ugh
:: oh how I love my home and my comfy bed and perfectly shaped for me pillows and my hubby by my side
:: I still can't believe I was gone for 4 days... it felt like a moment