A New Year. New opportunities. New horizons ahead.
Change. As you move forward into the New Year be reminded that “Nothing changes unless you change”.
Move onward in that.
Onward always,
Kristin
A New Year…Onward.
World Celebrations
City Inspirations: Fashionable Windows Of Chicago In December
Fashionable Chicago in December. Holiday style, captured. Another year, from behind the lens, comes to a close. Fashion off the city streets of Chicago. Never the same. So it is with a love of the fashionable windows that I continue to put forth the images that inspire me of fashion’s art. The mannequin and the fashionable changes that drape them. We do what we love, in the end. Perhaps these blog posts of monthly fashionable journeys are visuals that I can recall with delight. That therein is enough reason to capture, compile and publish quietly to the world. Has it been 5 years of never missing a month in sharing these fashionable images from the city streets of Chicago? Alas, time flies. As we contemplate and review another years end, it is with thought, consideration and passion that we choose to move forward. It is the only direction.
For the love of what inspires us, onward…
Oh, for the love of Max Mara’s windows. It endures. Perhaps it is the timeless simplicity that the visuals bring forth. But of this December’s windows I must comment on the nod to fashion’s past. Stylish toppers that recall fashionable yesteryear of classic feminine style. In classic black, indeed…
So it was pure delight to see the Parisian flare reminiscent of Coco Chanel’s French Riviera style and the Breton stripe shirt. My favorite fashion icon, for certain. Timeless. Cheers, Max Mara, for another classic display.
Consider what inspires you. Follow it. For in the end, as each day is a gift, it is the joys the delight us that should layer our worlds. So the city streets, the city itself and the changing fashion that represents the season and the art of fashion are a few of my delights that give me immense delight. Onward in the New Year, from behind the lens. A new perspective ahead. Perhaps a new fashionable perspective from behind the lens, too. Change is always good. After all, there is no change unless something changes. Onward in that.
Onward,
Kristin
Christmas Wishes…
Wishing you and yours a Merry and Bright Christmas filled with joy, happiness and gratitude. Merry Christmas!
Onward, always,
Kristin
“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air” – W.T. Ellis
Easter Wishes….
Easter.
A symbol of hope, renewal and new life….
As the blossoms of Spring’s arrival flank our worlds with the sheer beauty of nature’s renewal that graces our surrounds, may hope and new life offer you an appreciation of the gift that each and every day holds. Onward in gratitudes. At Easter and beyond.
Wishing you and yours joy at Easter…
Onward,
Kristin
City Inspirations: Fashionable Windows Of Chicago In February
Chicago. Always a visual treat. On a day that was unseasonably warm for February (a record 65 degrees!) I ventured onto the streets, camera in hand. As always, seeking to capture the changing fashionable visuals that awaited me. Change was most certainly in the air as passerby’s delighted in the warmer winds of Chicago and the rays of bright sunshine that filled the city streets and reflected off the city buildings. A Spring tease, indeed…
On the streets is where I meander, searching each month for a fashionable visual that inspires, I embarked yet again. Changing fashion. My eyes seek the timeless, classic fashion yet I am always delighted by the visual merchandising presenting the current whims of fashion. Worth photographing, for certain. Moments in time. Onward to the visuals of a month that focusses on love. February. Pink and red certainly abounded behind the thick glass windows and “stages” of Fashion. Although my journey with my camera was after Valentine’s day, the visuals still proclaimed love. Compilations of my fashionable photographic journey await…
A word about the visions of white tulle…on a personal note…
While photographing the windows filled with wedding bliss on State Street at the venerable Marshall Field’s building (now Macy’s), a passerby stopped and asked me which dress I would wear. My response was that I had already done that. My “I Do” became an “I Did”. My personal fantasy, spilling with white tulle, was over. No longer a ring of gold encircles my finger. Yet for the love of the dress of white…for the love of the promise of love and its commitment to a successful future together endures. Onward to those who confidently commit to that and embrace that as a reality in the years that follow. My appreciation will always endure of the beauty, the elegance, the dreamy visuals of a bride and her wedding party. One of life’s greatest memories, indeed. And yes, onward to a slice of delicious cake…
And onward to life’s moment ahead. For me, it’s fashion. Captured from behind the lens of a camera…
The Fashionable windows beckon me continually. This passion that I have continued to share each month will endure. That is a commitment that I have followed with fervor. For inspiration abounds behind fashion’s window. Watching seasons changing upon the mannequins is absolutely thrilling to capture from behind my lens. Artistry in visual merchandising, indeed. Onward, from behind my the lens of my Nikon. Always…
Onward,
Kristin
A New Year Celebration: 5 Years of House Appeal!
Another milestone. 5 Years of a blog that began in January of 2012. 5 Years of sharing. Five years of compiling images. From behind my lens and sourced from the vast world of the internet. All with the continuing goal of delving deeper into creating a greater appreciation of what surrounds. Life is a gift. Attitude is destiny. Appreciation and gratitude is a worthy goal, indeed.
Thank you to each and every one of you that have stumbled upon this blog and have followed along on my journey of sharing and expounding on those things that comprise our world and our lives. With the intent of redefining appreciation for what surrounds us in all aspects of life. Awaiting our focus. Perhaps it is a greater awareness that brings furthered appreciation. For certain, in every moment there is something beautiful to focus on. Something to find appreciation for or merely gain a renewed appreciation upon connecting historical background. Renewed perspective. Life moves swiftly. What better goal in our daily lives than to look at the world closer. Ponder with appreciation what surrounds. Ponder what is beautiful, timeless and enduring…
It was in 2014 that I had deemed the word “Onward” as my mantra. In 2017 that word still holds true. A word that is defined as “In a continuing forward direction; ahead” and “going further than coming to an end or halt; moving forward”. Since 2012 my life has changed vastly. I made personal choices and decisions in 2015 that would change my life forever. Yet change is good. Deciding to make changes, no matter how difficult the journey through them, and actually following through with those decisions, is the key. When you know without any doubts that you are forging in the right direction, it is merely owning the challenges every step of the way. Moving forward. Moving onward. Never doubting yourself. That, therein, is personal growth. Onward, indeed.
So for a blog that covers the world of fashion, interior design, nature, life’s events and city inspirations…onward with the goal of inspiring with ponderings and inspirations of living a beautiful life. Although the blog posts have lessened, the desire to share has not faded. That passion will never fade.
Thank you for being a part of the journey thus far. Onward to inspire…
Onward,
Kristin Abrahamsen
“You must do the things you think you cannot do” – Eleanor Roosevelt
New Year. New Opportunities. 2017.
“The book is called opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day”
-Edith Lovejoy Pierce
So it is a New Year. New beginnings. New opportunities. New challenges and changes. 365 days of opportunities in which to grow, be inspired and change. Holding to our commitments. Celebrating our successes and forging onward when we stumble. Onward. Always. Each day ahead is an opportunity to find appreciation and dwell in gratitudes. Onward in all of that…Happy New Year. Happy new beginnings. It’s a brand new year. Forward we go. Upward and onward, indeed…
Onward,
Kristin
Christmas Wishes…
This Christmas, consider the gifts that have been bestowed upon you that do not have a price tag. Consider with appreciation the simple joys of life that surround you and the beliefs you hold in the future that will inspire you forward. Belief. Trust, Faith and confidence in someone or something. As Christmas is upon us and a year’s end approaches, find appreciation and joy in the past and present moments that you were gifted to experience. For life itself is a gift. And of the future? Believe in the good things that are in front of you and that await you. Life changes. We change. So at Christmas and beyond, always believe….
“I believe, I believe. It’s silly, but I believe” – Miracle On 34th Street
Wishing you and yours joy and peace at Christmas…
Onward,
Kristin. Abrahamsen
City Inspirations: Fashionable Windows Of Chicago In December
Chicago in December. Magical. Although my early December trek through the Windy City was not in the full swing and frenzy of the mass of Holiday shoppers as it would be in late December, the streets were certainly filled with those pondering or embarking upon their Christmas and Holiday lists. The holiday season in the great city of Chicago. Excitement always fills the air when one ventures onto the streets of any city. Yet the holidays seem to bring a different festive spirit that is fueled by the festooned buildings and lighted trees bedecked in holiday greens with twinkling lights…city wonderment, indeed…
The embellishment of crimson red and boughs of pine against the backdrop of Chicago was a stunning view to behold. For certain, I adore this city in all seasons.
Oh, how I love and adore this city and the color red…
Of the fashion that filled the windows through the city and on the Magnificent Mile? Delightful. Some more festive than others, but each a representational of holiday flare and style. Fashion and its season’s presented in a visual compilation from behind my lens…
I begin with Holiday fantasy behind the windows of Neiman Marcus…Cheers to the mannequin and the artistry of visual merchandising! “A little bit of fantasy…”, indeed…
A word about the windows of Max Mara. Typically my favorite windows. Yet unexpected was the abstract Holiday window in unexpected hues. Regardless, Holiday-esque it certainly alludes to. And of the white and black topped hats? A love behind my lens, for certain…
Perhaps beyond the Holiday visual, a visual conjured up of an escape to warmer temperatures behind the windows of Chanel on Michigan Avenue…
From behind the lens my eye will never tire to seek and capture a mere visual of the artistry of fashion and its windows that seek to beckon those that pass by. Onward to another year of capturing fashion and a city ahead. For one who has photographed the fashionable windows of Chicago every single month for over 3 years…onward!
Inspiration and fashion, Onward, indeed…
Onward,
Kristin
“Photography can only represent the present. Once photographed, the subject becomes part of the past”- Berenice Abbott
Gratitude on Thanksgiving…
“Thankfulness is the beginning of Happiness” – Anon.
Thanksgiving. Simply stated. Gratitude. Perhaps there is no other moment during the year when we are urged to contemplate and find gratitude. Thankfulness. What a wonderful virtue and focus to find appreciation, gratitude and thankfulness for our life and the gifts within our life. Gratitude really does turn what we have into enough. May your Thanksgiving holiday serve as a reminder to you today, and each and every day, that thankfulness truly is the beginning of happiness. Onward in that. Onward in appreciation, thankfulness and gratitude…
Onward,
Kristin
House Appeal 