My Love of the Carousel

Its no secret that I love the colors and the magic of the circus, whether it be a summer carnival, a boardwalk amusement, or a ride on the carousel, everything about the lights and the music is just magic to me, the inspiration I gain from it is priceless, so imagine stumbling upon a restaurant/bar with a life sized carousel inside it, where you can eat, drink and well, be merry, just pure excitement for me, and yes I went inside and stayed awhile.

I couldn't contain myself with taking some photos, or two, three, okay like 30, lol, with a return visit before I left the city, just too cool. We sat at the bar, ordered a cocktail, by the time we were finished, the carousel made a full turn, of course I wasn't ready to leave, so I had to order another cocktail, just to make another round around the carousel, lol

The Carousel bar is the only revolving bar in New Orleans, for decades, it has lured guests to spin on the 25-seat, bright circus-clad Merry-Go-Round, installed in 1949 and overlooks famed Royal Street in the French Quarter, a place where many of its patrons/riders’ have come up with their most creative ideas and inspirations, and I can see why, the same thing happened for me.

The bar is called; The Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone located at:
The historic Hotel Monteleone is located at 214 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130-2201.
hotelmonteleone.com

 I'd recommend a stop at the Carousel Bar for a drink or two and experience the magic while you are visiting New Orleans, my trip has inspired a new set of carnival/circus jewelry and artwork, coming soon.

Have a wonderful start of the week and hope you get inspired, if you are on instagram follow some of my in the moment adventures and works!

xoxo
Lisa

Adding Magical Filters to Photos

 I love the essence of whimsical magic, anything sparkly catches my eye, whether its a glimmering shirt, rhinestone necklace or glittered crown, I'm most likely going to love it, the same comes with jazzing up an ordinary photo.

Photos are the essence of us, they tell a story and help us preserve a moment in time which we can share for generations. Photos also help us inspire others through art and everyday life, along w/progress of ourselves.

When you feel good about yourself or the moment you are capturing behind the lens, it will show right through with a natural magic that can't be beat, but sometimes those moments need some extra jazzing up, a tweek, a little magic.

Nowadays you don't have to be a photoshop pro to enhance your images, all you need are some fun and fast programs available all over the net for free or a minimal cost, which are user friendly, fast, and easy to learn, often within minutes.

For years I have been a paint shop pro fan myself, but today w/the Iphones/apps and online programs I can achieve such great results in minute, whether its tweeking my products and items to sell, artworks, digital creations or photos, added effects make for a more appealing look.

Many people ask me for shortcuts to enhance their photos, here are some sites I recommend that are either free or won't break the bank book:

http://www.picmonkey.com
http://fotoflexer.com
http://www.befunky.com
http://pixlr.com
http://www.tuxpi.com
http://www.ribbet.com
http://en.funphotobox.com
http://photofiddle.com/photo-effects.html
http://www.ehow.com/list_7329143_online-photo-editors.html

All the sites listed above each have their own fun filters and enhancements, and will appeal to photo lovers everywhere, you just need to find the one that you like the best. Here are some before filter and after filter photos using online photo filtering and enhancement options.

A photo of the Met in NYC I took a few weeks ago.

Here is that same photo enhanced w/filters I used in a online photo editing program.

Another photo of the Met in NYC I took a few weeks ago

Here is the photo after w/effects

The Hoboken Terminal Before

Hoboken Terminal w/first set of filters
Here its is more more filters

More filtered Museum Photos, this one is from the Museum of Natural History, NYC

Here it is with different filters

Here's a pic of me I took 2 weeks ago

Here it is with filters and writing


More photos of me w/filters I did last week

Here's a few pics I took outside of New Hope, PA, in Peddler's Village, a few weeks ago


With filter


So many possibilities await you, think of how much you can spruce up your website and store listing photos, make your artwork pop, and give yourself or loved ones some extra pizazz and magic.

Hope this post inspires you to take your photos into a whole new direction,
xoxo
Lisa

A Sunday in New York, Part Deux!
The Carousel of Bryant Park!
I love love love the magic of a carousel, it can just sweep you away into another world, a storybook place from long ago, as gracefully glide up and down and all around while listening to sweet melodies reminiscent of the carnival, circus or seaside boardwalk, perhaps a picturesque park or fairgrounds in Europe. Carousels are crafted from the finest artists with unique and eccentric details, made from wood, metal, brass, porcelain and fiber glass, each one setting the stage for a new performance every few minutes.Some Carousels have all horses, some have Horses, animals with fins and well seahorses, sirens, rabbits, even fairies, pegases, unicorns and birds. Some have an underwater fantasy theme, others a circus theme, fairy garden or royal theme, there are no limits in the creation of one, but one rule, it must bring delight to all. Now not every carousel is going to be in a covered tent, under a canopy, inside a carousel hall, ultra large, colorful and bright, some are smaller in size with muted vintage colors, just like my fave carousel located in Bryant Park, NYC!http://www.bryantpark.org/amenities/carrousel.php This carousel is called: "Le Carrousel" and made by the Fabricon Carousel Co., Inc. Brooklyn, NY circa 2002, This might be a newer piece, but it has been made in the vintage and timeless style of the originals, the colors, the fantasy theme, its beautiful, I could see this on a park grounds during the Victorian Age, or in Coney Island's: Dreamland Park or Luna Park, couldn't you?This beautiful horse is called: "Granny's Folly", Isn't she a beauty, look at the details!If I wasn't so tired from strolling around the BEA (Book Expo America) and from Glenny and I taking turns lugging a heavy book bag, we probably would have lingered longer in Bryant Park and I might have rode the Carousel, but I can always head back anytime and do that, LOL, but trust me, I was thinking it, so instead I took loads of pictures to remember the moment and share with all of you.This rabbit is my fave carousel friend and would probably be where I sit when I go on the Carousel, LOL!.Even the Ticket Booth is too cute!
No trip to Bryant Park would be complete with out A. A snack from Wichcraft Cafe http://wichcraftnyc.com/ B. A cupcake from Crumbs, or C. A lunch or dinner at The Bryant Park Grill, which is one of my fave restaurant. http://www.arkrestaurants.com/
http://www.bryantpark.org/amenities/dining.php view the menu here:
http://www.arkrestaurants.com/section_home.cfm?section_id=1&location_id=1&restaurant_id=2&sub_section_id=1&menu_type_id=4
Here is a photo I took of the Bryant Park Grill!The whole park has a French and European Design, which is why I love it so much, its such a great place to visit all year, but especially from Spring through Fall, even to just grab a coffee or tea and sit down on one of the many benches, park chairs or by the beautiful fountain and just relax and envision beautiful days and endless magic!
http://www.bryantpark.org/
In exploring the park, you will also come upon the glorious and ornate fountain, however this fountain is more then just a beautiful facade, it was designed by the famed architect Charles A. Platt who created this fountain to commemorate social worker/reformer Josephine Shaw Lowell. Shaw, born 1843, is said to be one of the first woman to be honored with a major monument in New York City, after her death in 1905, this is probably due to the fact that Josephine Shaw Lowell she was the first female member of the New York State Board of Charities, serving the years, 1876 to 1889.

The fountain has a 32-foot-wide lower basin and 13-foot-wide upper basin, was installed at the east side of Bryant Park in 1913, then in 1936 the fountain was moved to the west side of Bryant Park, where it resides today. In 1992, this glorious
fountain was restored/refurbished by the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation and I believe is a must see in the park.No matter where you look, you will definately be transformed to another place, even if only for a moment, just sit back and illustrate this world in your mind, create a new memory that will bring you magic and joy, that you can come back and visit over and over again.

This Parisian-esque park is located:
Between 5th & 6th Avenues, West 40 & West 42 Streets, for additional information visit: http://www.bryantpark.org/
For more pictures from my day visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonfaires16/sets/72157619084136905/
Carousel sites: http://www.carouselworks.com/
http://www.carouselworks.com/PR/PRTK10-30-08.htm
http://www.hoopla.org/Carousel/how.htm
I hope you enjoyed my adventure: A Sunday in New York, Bryant Park!
Magic and Much Joy to All!
Lisa!