Bill Cunningham, New York

What a swell guy! Oh my, this movie was so sweetly charming and moving. I was in floods of tears by the end. Which is odd because it's not at all a sad or depressing movie. Quite the opposite in fact! A cheesy person would call it "life affirming". And since I *am* a cheesy person, that it is! You would think this movie is about fashion and New York and photography. And you would be right, it is about all those things - and would be worth watching for that aspect alone (Bill is an incredibly astute photographer, and pretty much invented the style of street fashion photography which is the norm nowadays)

But also, simply because of the wonderful kind of human being Bill Cunningham is, it becomes a movie about so much more. About beauty and passion, and individuality, and living a life of integrity and kindness. So inspiring.

I cannot recommend it highly enough! *tears up*

A taste of Bill's photography... and sweet and hilarious disposition... here (Warning: watching his NYT Street Style videos is somewhat addictive!)

Mah-velous, isn't it kids!

xx

This time last year...

... and the year before that, and the year before that (what can I say, I'm obsessed!) I was leaving on a jet plane for my beloved NYC. Bags packed, heart in chest, awaiting that first glimpse of the city from the plane... and the inevitable burst of excitement, love and crazy-can't-stop-smiling happiness that I would experience as Central Park became recognisable beneath me.

For a place I have spent most of my life NOT living in, it sure holds a lot of my most beloved memories... seeing my best friend get married in City Hall, my friend's band play the Bowery Ballroom (!!), my first Brooklyn date; drinking iced coffees and watching the sun sink below the buildings of Manhattan from across the East River (and later, my first NYC heartbreak... rushing to catch the subway as Avenue A was blurred by tears and rain before me, one cold and sad New York night a year after) and many, many days of discovering my new favorite dive bar, cupcake bakery, bagel shop, bodega, coffee shop, thrift store, art gallery, record store, dog park, cheap borscht restaurant... and everything else in-between, as I pounded the streets of the East Village, L.E.S and Brooklyn, over and over again on each lovely New York day.

Anyways, over the years I've learnt you can miss somewhere you aren't, while still loving where you ARE. So on this day I am very, very glad and grateful to be here, in my wonderful Melbs, with all my lovely friends... but also...

New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down!

(Click to view song)

I miss the hell outta you NYC!!! *sniff*

So... who's in for NEW YORK 2010??!!! ;)

xx