Today is My Birthday

Okay, not really. But the packages I've been waiting for both surprisingly arrived today!

I hate to admit it, but sometimes, I'm a big blogger style stalker. I jump back and forth between fashion blogs because 90% of them annoy me, but I got sucked into the Cambridge Satchel hype when I saw the kelly green one featured on Where Did U Get That. So I ordered it that same day in yellow. Since they're handmade to order bags, it took forever. Well, forever compared to the instant shipping most online retailers have these days. When I do a lot of online shopping, I sometimes fall behind in keeping track of packages, so it took me a month after ordering before I realized I still hadn't received a "your order has shipped" email. So I emailed them and they responded a week later with some annoying PR about how they've been featured in magazines lately and are having trouble keeping up with their orders, etc. etc. etc. Anywho, my bag arrived today (in this oh so cute tissue with the little thank you tag). I love everything personal and handwritten so all is forgotten and the bag was every bit worth the wait!

The second package was silver shade Polaroid film (for an extra vintage feel) that I ordered via the Impossible Project two days ago. Here are some pictures of my new toys since my lazy butt never photographs anything interesting these days:

Collection

Here's the newest addition to my camera collection!

It's an Exacta from Germany circa 1938-40. How cool is that?! It even has a pop-up viewfinder that you look down through while holding the camera at waist level. One of my sisters bought it for me as an engagement gift. I've already shot 1 roll of film, but need to get it developed to see if the camera still works (which according to the seller, it should).

My collection of camera memorabilia:

Clockwise from top left: Nikon, Exacta, Polaroid Super Shooter, Canon 50mm, Tamron 18-200mm, Canon 18-55mm, iPhone, Polaroid (Not shown: my main camera, Canon EOS Rebel XSi 450D, and most frequently used lens, Canon 35mm)

All of these work, but I've never used the Polaroid Super Shooter because it's impossible to find the right film. I also have an old non-functioning Argus that I bought off ebay sometime last year, but seem to have misplaced it during Spring cleaning :(

I hope to have a huge shelf full of cameras someday.

*On second look, that picture of all cameras is really dull. Maybe I'll try to shoot them again in a better setting.

Where the Sidewalk Ends

There is a place where the sidewalk ends

And before the street begins,

And there the grass grows soft and white,

And there the sun burns crimson bright,

And there the moon-bird rests from his flight

To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black

And the dark street winds and bends.

Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow

We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And watch where the chalk-white arrows go

To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,

For the children, they mark, and the children, they know

The place where the sidewalk ends.

(From Shel Silverstein's Where The Sidewalk Ends)

random polaroid from last spring

Vintage

Looks older than it is. I actually just took that on Sunday night at the OC Fair

You can't get more vintage than a record player. This + the stack of vinyls (not photographed but including, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Marvin Gaye, Foreigner, The Supremes, Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack, Notorious B.I.G.) = probably the best gift someone could get. Sometimes we take things for granted; this picture reminds me not to.

Retro

A nice, laid back day, lovely weather, so I thought I'd take a break from digital and share some polaroids.

A gigantic patch of flowers I found in our backyard

Summer's almost here!

It's the perfect day for a picnic. I think I'll eat some ice cream and listen to oldies. What do you all do to enjoy this weather?