Notice the paper flower? Well, now that we’re in NYC, we don’t have access to as many wild flowers as we use to. Back in Virginia, we had a walking trail behind our apartment complex where I could pick wild flowers. Wild flowers, let alone grass, is a hard to find commodity in our Brooklyn neighborhood. So, I decided to make some paper flowers to use in the photo shoot for the invitations. With the help of this super simple, yet gorgeous paper flower tutorial from Dozi, I had what I needed in no time.

On a side note, Derek has moved into his studio space at SVA and is geared up to start classes next week. He’s terribly excited about starting the graduate program with some of his first classes being taught by Milton Glaser and Stefan Sagmeister. Jealous? I know I am, but I can’t wait to see where this adventure takes him.

It’s only fair since Derek is the one who got me hooked on lomography. Two Christmases ago, I bought Derek his first Holga that shoots 120 film. At the time I didn’t think much of it. I was somewhat familiar with the camera but never really understood the hype. Until I saw what it could do. Derek took some incredible photos on our trips to Boston, New York and Lake Gaston. Oh, and I can’t forget the black and white photos from Grandview Beach. The photos are so intoxicating with their dreamy quality that it was love at first sight.

The biggest joy I get from toy cameras are the happy accidents. With digital cameras there is the instant gratification of knowing how the photo will turn out. But with film cameras, you just never know. Throw in a few extra features like double exposures, long exposures, square frames, half frames, a variety of lenses and the results are endless. Of course you risk getting over exposed, out of focus photos, but I’m ok with that.

I honestly didn’t expect the park to be so beautifully designed. The park incorporates the old rails from the track amongst the walking paths and flower beds which creates this beautiful juxtaposition between natural and industrial elements. Since the park is elevated, you get some lovely views of surrounding streets and the Hudson River. Even though only one section of the park is open, it is still a lot of fun to go spend an afternoon enjoying a coffee and taking in the scenery.

If you decided to get on at Gansevoort Street like we did, then you can also enjoy seeing the Meatpacking District. We snapped a few pictures of some graffiti, but of course there’s plenty of shops and other sights to be had. View more photos from our adventure here.

Originally, Derek and I just went to take a peak, but with cameras up to 50% off, it was hard to say no. Derek picked up a Holga that shoots 35 mm. He already has a regular Holga that shoots 120 film, but finding, loading and developing film was becoming such a pain. With one that shoots 35 mm, all of those problems disappear. I splurged and picked up a Fisheye 2 because I’m a sucker for those distorted, circular photos. Film was also 10% off, so we got 6 rolls to share. We’ve already thought up some ways to double expose film between both cameras. With two extra cameras in our arsenal of photographic weapons, I think Derek might start posting regularly on Yellow Polka Dots with me.

the view looking down on the Staten Island Ferry

gorgeous handwritten graffiti

an empty subway car

Last week we had lots of family make the 500 mile journey from Virginia to celebrate not only Derek’s birthday, but his father’s as well. Derek and his father actually share the same birthday. I know, what are the odds! Anyways, we had three packed days of showing them around town and during a stroll through the Flatiron District, we came across the Event Horizon exhibition. The exhibit includes thirty-one life-size body forms that are scattered mainly on roof tops. Once we noticed them, our entire group began playing the game of “spot the iron man.” It was actually rather entertaining. If you’re in the area, I’d check them out before they disappear August 15th.

The last thing I’d like to share is another Brooklyn Flea find. Last weekend, we picked up 4 titles from the Little Leather Library collection. We were attracted to the embossing on the cover and we were curious as to their origin. Turns out the Little Leather Library collection started out as a way to mass-market inexpensive books to the public in the 1920′s. Here’s a little more information on them if you’re interested.

All of these finds are what truly captures my attention when we explore the city. Sure the buildings and attractions are impressive, but I find my inspiration in the little things.

But, we’re not keeping these gems to ourselves. We’ve decided to scan some choice posters and make a single, high quality Flickr set for your research and amusement purposes. So, what are you waiting for? Click here and start looking, Comrade! And remember, in Soviet Russia, poster looks at you!

I know I’ve shared Silverback before, but I thought it was high time I opened up my sketchbook and showed a small sample of the other letters floating around.

It seems that the best strategy to find the next sighting is to not go a’chasin. Nine times out of ten, it’s a matter of being in the right place at the right time. And when you see something out of the corner of your eye, trust your gut and turn toward it. You will inevitably try to shine your light on it and capture what can’t be caught. What you see, quickly fades and moves on before you can fully understand it.

Your flurry of activity will attract an audience. They will point their lights, cameras, and audio devices your way. Realizing you may have the next account to offer, they will halt their hunt momentarily to focus on you.

Scientists will hang on your every word as they observe you and take samples back to their labs. Enthusiasts will envy you. Some will ask to see your photos, some will ask to buy your photos. Some will even go to great lengths to copy you in efforts to have an experience of their own. However, all efforts made to capture the will-o’-wisp again, result in a blur or nothing at all.

Inevitably, another sighting will happen and everyone will follow the light in another direction. They will continue their chase, but always be one step behind. And once they’ve caught up, they will stop only to catch up again.

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I think everyone aspires to have it happen one day. To have the crowds come running. To have the lights, cameras, and audio devices pointed toward them. But eventually, the masses will go running when someone else claims to have proof of the next thing.

If it ever happens to me, I’ll appreciate experiencing something few can say they have. I’ll continue doing what I’ve always done, and maybe it’ll happen again someday. And if it doesn’t, that’s fine. At least I can say that for a moment I had it, and hopefully it won’t come back to haunt me.

With this past weekend being the 4th of July, we had to venture down to Coney Island and watch Nathan’s International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest. It probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do, seeings how it was pushing 100° and we were standing on asphalt, but it was completely worth the wait. We managed to snap a few choice pictures and we even braved the crowd of hungry spectators afterward and got our first (and second) Nathan’s Hot Dogs. As always, a small Flickr set can be seen here.

Another thing we knew we had to do was see Banksy’s movie, “Exit Through the Gift Shop.” We discovered it was still playing at the Brooklyn Heights Cinema, so we set out for downtown. We weren’t sure what to expect from the movie, but we both walked out with a smile on our face, questions to be answered, and opinions to be expressed.

Banksy managed to cram a brief history lesson in street art, a slight piece of autobiography, and a social commentary in a 90 minute mockumentry about a Frenchman not making a documentary about a man that can’t be filmed. All the while, the movie never looses momentum nor does the timeline make any unexplained quantum leaps. Also, even though I’m sure a script was involved, the dialogue seemed very authentic and spontaneous. Needless to say, I’d pay money to see it again and again.

On the front of actual business, we’ve been dotting in some time to work on some more wedding related materials for Jay and Katy. But other than that, a lot of things are still in boxes, and we’ve got some spacial logistics to work out before we really get back to full form. So, I guess I should get back to unpacking.

With Derek attending SVA’s graduate program in Manhattan, that leaves him with basically no time to work, so I’ll be in charge of bringing home the bacon. Having said that just makes my heart skip a beat. However, there is the exciting, yet slightly overwhelming prospect of being a graphic designer in New York City. Between packing and apartment hunting, I had the task of focusing on revamping my résumé and portfolio. I hadn’t really touched the two since I got my first job four years ago, so I had a little work to do. Luckily, RageHaus has forced me to keep up with documenting my projects, so the portfolio has been coming together quite nicely. With most jobs requesting portfolio sites to view work, I decided to join the Behance Network where I can easily share my work with minimal upkeep while also receiving feedback and making connections in the process. I’m still in the process of adding projects, but it’s getting there.

I worked through several sketches and ideas before coming up with the design for my business card and letterhead. I decided to screen print a small run of the business cards and letterheads to have when I get to NYC. For the business card, I printed white and purple ink on 100 lb French’s Lemon Drop cover stock.  I actually love how the purple ink is more of a fushia on the bright yellow. For the letterhead, I was able to match the Lemon Drop color with ink and then I used the same purple that I printed on the business cards. As you can see, there’s a significant difference between the two. Silly of me not to have thought of this before printing, but like I said I love how the purple printed on the Lemon Drop. I’m torn between the two color combinations.

If you know someone who is looking for a graphic designer, send them my way or email me at the address in the pictures above for a copy of my résumé. I have four years of experience as an Art Director for a local real estate publication. I have a bright personality and I am excellent at working with other employees, clients and printers. I prefer to work in print because I enjoy the tangible benefits of having a project take physical form.

Well, enough about me. Oh wait, just one more thing. Yellow Polka Dots has been going strong and I’m hella excited to see how it expands as my landscape changes. Derek is quite supportive of the blog and he’s always asking me what I plan on posting for the week, not to mention he’s always reminding me to bring the camera wherever we go. This past week, I lent him the camera to take some shots himself and they turned out great. Yesterday I started sprinkling some of his photos into the mix.

With the move this week, we decided to close our Etsy shop until we get back on our feet again. But don’t worry, we’ll be back up and running once we get settled and can well, find our merchandise in the sea of boxes we have packed. If you really get concerned about an item you’d like to purchase, just shoot us an email and we’ll work something out.

Thank you to everyone that stumbles across our blog and comes back from time to time. We really love RageHaus and we can’t wait to see how it grows when we get to our new home.