There's a humming in the restless summer air.

Topshop adventures in Tompkins Square Park

Maxi Dress by Band of Gypsies from Topshop

Shoes by Y-R-U (similar here)

Hat from Nasty Gal (Similar here)

Necklace from Sequin NYC

Penny ring from Stone Cooper

Photos by Rachel Lynch.

No Place I'd Rather Be.

Summer is HERE! I'm so incredibly grateful to feel over heated. I know that sounds kind of weird but I'd rather be in the sun and then head into shade than be cold everywhere I go. 

I took a week off from the blog last week to regroup my thoughts and finish a lot of things I needed to do. I went to Governors Ball last weekend and had an incredible time. I think I'll actually do a little Throwback Thursday post tomorrow and post all of the photos because it was such a blast. I ended up getting sick on Saturday because I was in the sun for too long but I still was so happy to see The Strokes and Disclosure. 

In the week that I took off, I started realizing the role that people have in my life. In the past few months, I've been lucky to find people who I love with all of my heart and love me back just as much. I have a pretty solid group of girlfriends, which is something I'm not use to. I know, I know, I can hear the cliche of "I only hang out with boys because it's less drama" but for awhile in my life that was true. My family was made up of the boys I lived with in Washington Heights and for awhile they would protect me from my girlfriends wanting me to go out to dinner and talk about why I was so depressed for three months. When I finally started getting out of my slump I started going out for manicures with my girlfriends or dinner or a drink or two and eventually I would be planning entire evenings away from the boys and B. I never realized how important it is to have those girlfriends in your life. I always thought it was a sad psychotic mess of complaining about needing men and getting irrationally upset over similar manicures. 

To my ladies who have been there for me the past few months, I owe you a lot. Thank you for taking me out of my shell and helping me find my happiness in all of you and in myself. I love looking for dog photos to tag you in on instagram, shooting with you on my roof, getting different shades of purple manicures with you and drinking wine while our boyfriends cook us dinner. You're all absolutely wonderful and you've absolutely have changed my life for the better. 

Now, I've realized I've gone off track here because this is, after all, a style post. I'll come back to this in another post. Last week was really eye opening for me.

For this week's style post I decided to go spring casual. I've been collecting more and more heels since I can now walk in them again post knee surgery. I decked myself in Mink Pink and these perfect white Jeffery Campbells that pop with color in the heel with doughnuts. Yes, you heard me right. Doughnuts.  The pants from Mink Pink are a mixture between harem pants and sweat pants and are perfect for breezy days. Photos by the beautiful goddess Brittanny Taylor.

Title from Clean Bandit - Rather Be (feat. Jess Glynne).

Laser Cut Faux Leather top from Mink Pink

Floral Printed pants from Mink Pink

Icy Doughnuts wedge booties from Jeffrey Campbell

Bel Air sunglasses from Wildfox

Carissa Floppy Hat from Nasty Gal

Forever I See You And Me

It's been an insane week. I don't have much to say about it except for that. I'm currently obsessed with some of the new looks to come out of Urban Outfitters. They've been offering some dressier looks including their new collaboration with Betsey Johnson. Together, Urban and Betsey have created sophisticated looks that have almost a 90's feel. The nostalgia of the 90's and Betsey Johnson create a happiness I simply can't resist. 

This look that Urban supplies is from another company I just can't get enough of, Ecote. They have really fun looks that, to me, bridge that gap at from fun part wear to the more sophisticated wear. You still have all of the dresses that you could wear to Coachella or Governors Ball but you could also wear them to a small get together or even to a casual dinner party. I became obsessed with this dress because it has two of my favorite things: lace and beading. The baby doll shape of the dress adds extra spunk to the dress that makes it pop more and shows off lots of leg.

Title from this week's song obsession Forever by Haim 

Ecote Sea Gypsy Beaded Babydoll Dress from Urban Outfitters 

Designer Inspired Round Circle Half Tinted Lens Sunglasses from ZeroUV

Xpert wedges from Steve Madden 

Ear cuff from Romwe but is no longer on website 

B is a still hanging on to the last bit of winter by keeping the sweaters out. With a little bit of a breeze blowing, B will wear a sweater. With a little bit of a breeze and a little bit of sun I'm in a dress and soaking it all up.

Hawkings and McGill sweater from Urban Outfitters (no longer on site) 

Shoes from Marc Jacobs
Pants from Marc Jacobs

100th Post!

This is my 100th blog post!

I'm really excited. It's wonderful to look back at all of the posts and see how much things have changed. My first post was about moving a little bit away from the editorial side of photography and moving into more documenting my life and the things around me. I think I've gotten better at doing that as seen here,  here, here and here. I'd like to get back into the editorial side of photography again and now with the warm weather back I think I can start doing it. 

Looking back at all of my blog post I've seen so many wonderful moments in my life frozen and captured. From old homes and old relationships to new homes, new friends, new loves. The first photo I ever posted on this blog was of a terribly snowy day in the cemetery outside of Chad's old apartment on 153rd street.

When I look at this photo I can almost feel the snow falling down the back of my jacket because I had forgotten a scarf. 

Fast forward to a year and a half later fighting my nerves enough to photograph Brian on the roof of his apartment building. Both of us were afraid to admit our feelings to each other but when we did, we couldn't get enough of each other. Two years later it's still nice to laugh about moments like this.

2013 was a strange year for me. I spent half of the year in an incredibly dark place. I came out with How To Love Your Depressed Lover to open up about my depression and anxiety as much as I could. I needed away to explain to everyone why I was withdrawn and why it may have seemed as if I had changed. The response I got from people was completely overwhelming. I got messages from people I didn't even really know telling me that they too suffered from anxiety and depression and sometimes felt as alone as I did. It brought together a conversation amongst friends that we are all here for each other. It started a tiny fire within myself that has been growing each and every single day. While I still struggle with these issues, I'm happy to report that I'm getting better. 

The second half of the year was spent bettering myself and on my birthday I wrote a short post reflecting on my year and my future. I caught myself afraid of all of the change that was about to happen in my life with my friends moving, a new pup and the big change of moving in with my boyfriend. I remember being alone at my parents place with Charlie while writing this post and not being able to write everything I wanted because I had gotten too emotional. 

2014 has been incredible and I can't wait to continue the year and see what it brings me and my photography. I can't wait to see what the next 100 posts capture. 

Most of all I need to say thank you. I know some of you click on the blog when you see it pop up on your newsfeed because there is nothing else to do but a lot you have also told me you look forward to my weekly style posts on Wednesday or the posts portrait posts I do. Thank you all so very much for your kind words of support and love throughout all 100 of these blog posts. 

As a thank you I've decided to hold a contest with one of my favorite companies that I've worked with for my style posts, ZeroUV. I'm going to be giving away a $40 gift card to the site which has sunglasses for both men and women. They're great quality and super fun. 

You can enter up to four times!

Here is how:

1-Comment on this blog post with your name and which pair of sunglasses is your favorite.

2- Post any of these photos (each photo counts as a new entry) to Twitter, Instragram, Facebook and tag me, ZeroUV and use the hashtag #Emmas100thpost

A winner will be chosen on Monday May 5th! GOOD LUCK!

Early Easter

Went out last week with B for a little Easter celebration since we knew we wouldn't really be celebrating on the actually holiday. We would be coming back from our friend's wedding in Ohio. 

Without a second thought we put on some of our most colorful clothes and went to a lovely dinner and enjoyed some yummy ice cream from Sundaes and Cones (which I'm almost positive I mentioned in another post. You should all go because it's delicious) 

*Last minute edit: I realized this blog has been a little all over the place when it comes to our style posts. B has a pretty consistent sense of style but mine is really an explosions of different parts of me. There are parts of me that are preppy colorful chic (as pictured below) festival inspired, super casual or bold and sexy. Most people also have a diverse sense of style to them so I go out and don't be afraid to rock them! 

Clara Buttondown shirt from Anthropologie 

Pome Blossom Skirt from Anthropologie 

Fanned Petal Post  earrings from Anthropologie X Bauble Bar Collection

Fanned Petal necklace from the  Anthropologie X Bauble Bar Collection

Ladonna Heeled Sandal from Jeffrey Campbell 

Cat-Faced Shoulder Bag from H&M

Sunglasses from Betsey Johnson

 Mens Premium Linen Long Sleeve Shirt from Uniqlo (yellow not available anymore)

Hawkings McGill Stretch Skinny Chino Pant from Urban Outfitters (color not available anymore)

Shoes from Marc Jacobs

Escape to Van Cortland Park

This week was suppose to be a quiet one and it turned out to be extremely hectic with shoots. Mostly headshot sessions so it's been what seems like almost endless running around. It's a good busy that I love but I haven't been giving this blog enough attention. I love all of the style posts I've been doing and I love being able to work with these incredible companies but I'm very excited to be doing some more creative work now that the weather is getting warmer. I'm extremely excited to be finally getting to a fun project I've had under wraps with my friends Krystal and Addy.  

This week I received a package filled with really amazing pieces that you'll see posted in the next couple of weeks. I'm so excited to style all of these fantastic looks. B and I took to my favorite park in New York City, Van Cortland Park. I grew up right across the street from it and I use to refer to it as my back yard. I learned how to garden, swim, play tennis, ride my bike and so much more in that park. I love being able to bring my love there to relax and hang out. It's beautiful just like Central Park but without hundreds and hundreds of people wandering around. I highly recommend going up to explore if you ever the time. 

  Illustrator (and my best and oldest friend) Krystal Quiles also got in on the fun this week and did a quick sketch of B and I for this weeks style post! She drew our inner spirit animals in our looks for this week. If you look closely you'll notice I'm channeling my inner Panda look (because we all know my spirit animal is a panda) and B's spirit animal has been picked as our little pup Charlie.  

B wears a white T-shirt from All Saints (similar here)

Jeans from A.P.C

 Suspenders from Urban Outfitters

Shoes from Hudson 

I'm wearing Kimchi Blue Valencia Lace Flutter-Back Dress.

 Laid-Back Straw Boater Hat from Urban Outfitters 

Crystalline Pendant Necklace from Anthropologie 

Limited Edition Retro Round Circle Steampunk Revo Lens Flip Up Sunglasses from ZeroUV

Front Laced Hard Sole Knee Hi Boot from Minnetonka

Baggu Custom Duck Tote Bag from Urban Outfitters

Manicure inspired by Buzzfeed and Makeup.com

Rings and bracelets belong to my mother.

Titty Your City

Just when I tell myself I have a week to relax it ends up picking back up again. 

I've spent this week doing countless pick ups from some really lovely companies for a some new style posts coming up.  

One of the things I've come across this week is a contest being held by Gypsum Style called "Titty Your City" a contest in which you can win this awesome shirt. I decided to take to my friend Noah's roof again to show the city the goods. 

On the topic of Gypsum Style, I have gone through their site up start to finish and have fallen in love with pretty much everything. Here are some of my favorite pieces that you should absolutely check out.

1- Kitty Kat Halter: Because who doesn't like a shirt with an animal on it?

2- Free Spirit Lace Top: Perfect for listening to some chill bands during festival season. Light, airy and it's no secret how much I love lace. 

3- White Lust Maxi Dress: This white maxi dress is what you can wear to feel sexy and powerful. The slit on the bottom right of the dress paired with the deep v-neck is just divine. Throw this number on and listen to Beyonce's Flawless while walking to your date. 

4- Seduction Kimono: Kimonos are just the best and this kimono is one of the rare ones that can be worn outside in the real world and in bed.  The chic delicate leaves and colorful flowers that wrap around the kimono are perfect. I can just imagine all of it blowing in the wind or surprising my love wearing nothing but this kimono. 

5- Tinsel Pencil Skirt: My favorite piece and the one I'd probably wear the most. I'm obsessed with sequins. I own sequin shorts, shirts and my favorite, gold sequin pants. This perfect length pencil skirt is made out of black sequins and has an sleek slit on the right side of the skirt. It would be perfect for a night out when you feel like being an dark disco ball (trust me, it's a good thing)

Be sure to follow Gypsum Style on Instagram and let me know which piece from Gypsum Style is your must have below!