Today's Obsession: Henri Cartier-Bresson

It’s been a while since I wrote. Classes started and between classes, work, my social life and Gorilla gluing furniture, I’ve been quite a busy bee. I’m taking two classes this summer: Photo Basics for Art Majors (not an art major, but I wiggled my way into the class) and French 2. The photo class is incredible and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed toting around my Canon Rebel T1i and taking annoying pictures of all my friends. I’ve found I like color. I like gritty details. I like life and dirt and capturing a moment. And in my French class, I’m learning so quickly. I love the way French feels in my mouth, the way it sounds to my ears. I used to describe Spanish as chocolate. But French is like a chocolate soufflé.

This morning in my photo class (photos to come), we were looking at the work of this photographer-turned-painter, Henri Cartier-Bresson. I’m so enthralled by his photos. Somehow, with his analog camera, he managed to capture the most incredible photos, these moments of human reality that are fluid and stunning. I can’t even describe it. His photos say more than any writer could.

Maybe that’s why I’m intrigued so much by photography. Often, photos are pretty or they depict some sort of scene. They accompany a story or they complement an article. But other times, photos go above and beyond simply being a sidekick to some superhero story. Sometimes, they manage to capture the visual and an entire story all in one.

A while ago, Edwin showed me this photo of a girl sitting at a French café. He said he liked it because it somehow captured exactly what Paris is. It’s youth and style and diversity and people watching at outdoor cafes. Turns out, that photo was taken by Cartier-Bresson.

Today's Obsession: Sweet Dreams

Back in the day, Bo and I used to wear sleep masks from Claire’s. They were so novel until the completely smashed your eyelashes and you woke up looking like you'd fallen asleep on the kitchen floor.

But anything from Claire’s can’t be a ten. I’ve been browsing the Inter-web looking at different sleep masks and they’re all so utterly adorable. I love this navy one that says “Night Owl” (hello… Kappa reference?) and the classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s remake. But I have to say that this Mary Green mask is my favorite.

With all that lace, it’s sexy, but oh so sweet as well, with the references to Paris and whatnot. I was at a party this weekend with a bunch of French guys and it made me so excited to travel to Paris next fall. I really do dream about it, and with this eye mask, the whole world will know. Total ten; obsessed.

Today's Obsession: Paris Post-Its

Happy Post-It Day!! Say what? You didn’t know that April 6 was Post-It Day? Well shame on you for not going through all the most insane holidays and neurotically writing them down in your Lilly Pulitzer planner along with ideas for how to incorporate them into your equally neurotic blog.

I, on the other hand, do scour the internet on random holiday searches. Not that I ever really need a reason to celebrate, but I feel a bit more festive when I have one. Anywayyyy, as anyone who knows me or has seen the aforementioned Lilly Pulitzer planner (or my computer screen) can attest, I’m a bit of a Post-It freak. I write lists on them, I keep notes on them, I always try to mix up the colors (neon, never pastel).

And these Paris-themed sticky notes are absolutely adorable! I can’t take too much credit because my boss has them, but I’m nonetheless obsessed (that rhymed). I may actually have a crush on inanimate pieces of paper; let’s try not to judge. The Arc de Triumph, the Tour Eiffel, the Musee d’Orsay, "Oh my!!" Obsessed.

Paris Sticky Notes from Bas Bleu, $15

Today's Obsession: Canon

I've been obsessssedddd with trying to get into this class for summer 2 called Photo Basics for Non-majors and I've done everything that my conniving little mind can think of to make it happen... I've emailed professors and the art administrative assistants (and probably pissed a few people off along the way. But I have a habit of getting what I want. And not because I'm spoiled (I'm not.), but because my mom taught me exactly how to kick and fight and scream--metaphorically, of course. For more info on how to get what you want, check out this post.

When I was in Boston, I was hanging some of the most incredible people I know, misses Jordan Charlton and Laura Nelson. We were just relaxing and eating Jordan's wonderful creations and laughing at Sweethearts' new sayings (umm "Tweet me?" No thanks). Laura was playing with this awesome new camera that she bought for herself after taking a photojournalism class. And I got so envious. I'm not technosavvy by any means and I think a diaphragm is a muscle used for singing, but nonetheless I love photography.

I want to build a skill set before I head to Paris next fall so I can take some super awesome and memorable photos. Hence my obsession with the class and today's obsession with this camera. I know the $1000 price tag is (eek!) a little--how do you say?--unappealing? But a girl can dream. And I always do. It's so pretty!!! Obsessed.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens (whatever that means), $PRICELESS

For some super awesome photos courtesy of Laura Nelson, check out the rest of the post after the jump.