A couple weeks ago I went hiking at Patapsco Valley State Park with my friend Brittany. It was a perfect day—not too cold and not too hot. I love hiking and can’t wait to get out and explore some more state parks in Maryland. We had good conversation, good exercise and a good time being outdoors. Below are a few pictures from our trip!
Posted in Baltimore, Environment, Events
Tagged Baltimore, Nature, Patapsco Valley State Park
This morning I went to the Waverly Farmers’ Market to get some produce for a soup recipe I’m making this week. I LOVE this market, its year round and offers many different farmers the opportunity to sell their produce, dairy, meat, prepared foods, flowers, etc. There’s people playing music and lots of people chit chatting—the whole market just has a nice vibe.
I was able to get fresh carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, strawberries and spinach all for only $13.50. Plus, I got my stepmom a lovely hanging basket—the most vibrant and colorful flowers I’ve seen so far this year!
With summer right around the corner, many more farmers’ markets are opening up. To see a full list in Maryland, view the 2010 Farmers’ Market directory. If you haven’t been out to one yet this year, get out there and support local businesses and farmers (and save a few bucks on your groceries!).
Do you have a favorite farmers’ market? Share below.
Posted in Baltimore, Events, Food, Vegan, Vegetarian
Tagged Farmers' Market, Flowers, Food, Produce
Last Saturday, I went to the Bread & Cheese Creek cleanup in Dundalk, Maryland with my friend Melissa. This was my third time volunteering to help clean up this creek (which flows into Back River and subsequently into the Chesapeake Bay). Around 100 people came out to volunteer and there were four dumpsters filled with everything including: shopping carts, a bathtub, bicycles, skateboards and lots of plastic bottles and fast food containers. While wading in the creek, we saw a fish, a bullfrog and a large snapping turtle—which I hope from all of our hard work, there will be many more living in the creek!
Check out the article written in the Baltimore Sun about the cleanup. If you’re interested in helping out next time, join the Facebook group.
Share your volunteer experiences below!
Last week was SHAG’s March event: A tour of Typecast Press. I had a great time learning about the history of letterpress and meeting the delightful owner, Mary Mashburn. Below are a few images that I took of the event.
If you’re interested in learning more about letterpress, Mary recommended checking out briar press. You can also read Shop Boy’s blog: Impressions of a Shop Boy to get an inside look at the studio (for those who don’t know: Shop Boy is Mary’s husband, Steve) or attend their workshop on April 24th & 25th.
Posted in Art, Baltimore, Design, Events
Tagged Baltimore, Letterpress, SHAG, Typecast Press
I don’t watch television much (except for The Office and a few other embarrassingly horrible reality shows), so when I get the chance to see a commercial for an upcoming show that ACTUALLY seemed good—I got very excited! So, I might be a little late in sharing this, but I was really happy to see Jamie Oliver being so passionate about wanting to make a change in the most unhealthy city in America: Huntington, West Virgina. I’m really looking forward to tuning in to his show Food Revolution on March 26th for the first episode. Check out the commercial below.
Now, on a more local note. Last fall, I had the privilege to attend TEDxMidAtlantic and hear Tony Geraci, The Director of Food and Nutrition Services in Baltimore City Schools, speak about what he is doing to make change right hear in Baltimore.
Check out below his inspiring talk from TEDxMidAtlantic last fall.
Posted in Baltimore, Environment, Events, Food
Tagged Baltimore, children, Food Revolution, Health, Jamie Oliver, Schools, TEDx, Tony Geraci
Last week I attended SHAG’s February event, The Business of Design—Part II. The panelists (pictured left to right) included: Jerry Litofsky, Ed Gold, Mike Lee and E. Rachael Baird. It was a very insightful conversation about how the economy, technology and process of design has changed more recently with the introduction of the internet and the modern computer. Below are just a few thoughts I scribbled down during the discussion:
Next month, SHAG’s event will be a demo at Typecast Press. For all you letterpress fans out there—hope to see you next month!
Back in college, I took a course on the History of Design and we created patterns inspired by Christopher Dresser (posted above). I had fun with this project (and definitely needed the Illustrator practice!) and so when I heard that SHAG’s latest event: Truth, Beauty, Power: Christopher Dresser and the Origin of Modern Design was happening this month—I couldn’t wait to go. Dr. Bradford Braden, Dept. of Natural Sciences, Bowie State University was the presenter. A few things I learned about Dresser:
The best part of the presentation was the “show and tell” table—5 REAL Dresser pieces (part of Dr. Braden’s collection). Pictured below are 2 bowls, a print, a candlestick holder and an iron stand.
Are you a fan of Dresser? What do you like about his work?
Posted in Art, Baltimore, Design, Events
Tagged Art, Christopher Dresser, Design, History, industrial design
I just got back from checking out the Squidfire Art Mart in the Du Burns Center in Canton. My friend, Chelsea and I got to look at the variety of hand made goodies—from tea towels to monsters and from hand bound books to soaps—they had it all. A few memorable gifts I saw included a Lego® hand bound book from Moonlight Bindery and a Fetus Cookie Cutter by Hogmalion & Company. The tables were set up nicely as well, some displaying jewelry in beans, hanging jewelry from sculptures, and showcasing hand bound books in old leather trunks.
Below are a few of the vendors that I photographed as well as their websites. For all vendors, please visit Squidfire’s site. Feel free to check them out and support local businesses and handmade goods. Buy some gifts for your friends, family and yourself! Enjoy!
Clockwise: Silk screened hand towels from Girls Can Tell, Clutches from Holland Cox, Hand bound and silk screened journals from Tremundo, Jewelry inspired by succulents from Yummy & Company, Beautiful greeting cards from Fisk & Fern, Lego Book from Moonlight Boundary, Tile coasters from Van Wagoner Studios, Monster creations made from recycled clothing and linens by Cotton Monster and Cute owl ornaments by Jenny Jen 42.
If you attended—who was your favorite vendor?
This morning I went to the Back River Clean Up sponsored by BRRC. A great group of volunteers came out as well as Senator Norman Stone and Governor Martin O’Malley. If you’re interested in helping with the Back River clean up efforts, please visit: http://savebackriver.org/default.aspx
This spring, there will be more clean ups in the Dundalk and Essex area. Stay tuned!
Posted in Baltimore, Environment, Events
Tagged Baltimore, Chesapeake Bay, Clean ups, Environment
Yesterday I had the privilege to attend TedxMidAtlantic and was able to hear 20 speakers speak on everything from the “essence of egg” to “how the internet is broken.” Not to mention, I was able to meet some new people including an art director, a web developer, an attorney, a needle felter, and the owner of a start-up (to name a few). Check out the talks here, you won’t want to miss them.
If you attended – who was your favorite speaker?
