Spring Hikes

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So this past week I was able to leave the city life behind and head north for a little R&R up in the Ventana Wilderness. My boyfriend and I headed to Salmon Creek, Southernmost area of Big Sur for a 3 day hiking trip. It was 7 miles the first day to Lion’s Den which was definitely the hardest part of our three day adventure. The last three miles were all up hill and a bit steep but the worst was all the overgrown brush that battered me up a little. Over the three days we walked through very different terrain. The first day very desert dry cactus plants and the second it was more of a forest atmosphere as we hike to Villa Creek which had gigantic Redwood trees and a gorgeous stream running through it. We were surrounded by water on all four corners of our campsite, absolutely beautiful! The third day we walked ridge-line overlooking the ocean which was a nice way to end our trip. Here are some of the photos I got with my Mini Diana Flash camera.

Tags: diana camera, hiking, photography, Samantha Ranaraja

A study in desert vegetation

A trip to Huntington Library, I never found desert vegetation so beautiful, but walking around the garden really makes you appreciate the shapes and architecture of the plants. The last six images are actually from the Japanese Garden but I couldn’t resist sharing them too!

My Photography

Tags: photography, Samantha Ranaraja

A BLOG curated by » Many muses

I came across a blog curated by Riccardo Tisci and absolutely fell in love.  This picture above of Lou Doillon is what brought me to the site.  She looks absolutely stunning with that dress on.  When I look at the image of the tree branches beside it, I see two dancers posed facing one another (talk about abstract?) I think the two images compliment one another so well.

via A BLOG curated by » Many muses.

Style Diary

Urban Outfitters blazer, Forever 21 shorts and socks, Steve Madden oxfords

Song Clip: Bon Iver- Skinny Love

Model Resurgence

After walking the runway for Calvin Klein’s F10 show, 80′s model Kristen Mcmenamy is back looking just as if not more beautiful in her 40s. Gracing the cover of Dazed and Confused this month and also featured in Vogue, it is undoubtedly so that McMenamy is still a blaze 30 years later. Known for her androgynous look, pixie-cut hair, and killer walk, Kristen has worked with great designers throughout her career such as Chanel, Versace, and Valentino. She has been shot by top photographers like Helmet Newton, Steven Miesel, and Karl Lagerfeld. These days, McMenamy is sporting much longer hair in a shade of gray that shows her wisdom beautifully. Married to photographer Miles Aldridge, and mother to four children, she currently resides in London and claims her fountain of beauty lies within the macrobiotic diet she follows and yoga. Here are some of the photos featured in Dazed and Confused and Vogue along with a famous ad campaign for Versace featuring Elton John.

Dazed and Confused August 2010

Scalloped Edges

Here is a quick style diary featuring floral scalloped shorts from Urban Outfitters, white t-shirt from Gap, vest and belt from Forever 21, and sandals from H&M- shopping on a budget made easy.

Sound Clip: Rose by Menomena