Although I have lived in New York City for many years, the city still contains secrets and untold stories that take me by surprise. Wherever I go I have the tendency to wander, whether that be places in my mind, or real cities, streets and other geographies. On this beautiful summer day, I was roaming around Chinatown and stumbled upon an alley I had never explored. Alleys are often remnants of an older, less crowded time in the city. Interestingly, New York City does not have an abundance of alleys and the ones that do exist are located south of Canal Street. They are hidden, often subtle and part of a past that is slowly disappearing. Alleys in movies have often been portrayed as sites of danger, hangouts of criminals and places to dump their victims. Rather than being a site of treachery, the alley I found today contained secret museums and artifacts that made me reminisce and chuckle. My first pleasing moment was discovering this pair of bright blue chairs, nonchalantly adding color to the scene.
The second surprise was a very tiny museum tucked into the wall. Mmuseum is “a modern natural history museum devoted to the curation and exhibition of contemporary artifacts that illustrate the complexities of the modern world.” I felt as if I had shrunk and walked into a curio box. The current exhibition, Season 4, contains 15 collections of objects and artifacts that are collected and made by individual artists interested in preserving out cultural DNA. Names of collections include: Inmate Inventions, Evolution of Coffee Lids, Handmade Shrines, Objects Removed from Peoples’ Bodies and the Cornflakes Index. The inmate inventions, which were mostly very creative and pragmatic pieces of jewelry, I found particularly interesting given my passion for criminal justice, interesting statement jewelry and my recent obsession with Orange is the New Black.
My final surprise in the alley was meeting a very interesting stranger with whom I communed for a few moments: Mr. Robot. I thought we were well-suited, no?
Monochrome, big earrings — heaven!
I will do a big earring post just for you!
That is a really creative idea, I hope you do it! I would love something like that.
Monochrome, big earrings — heaven!
I will do a big earring post just for you!
I found Accidental Icon! I am 71, living in a small town in SE Ohio, far from any big cities, and a friend of mine was distressed after looking for a just right dress for her grandson’s formal wedding. She wanted something age appropriate, but not grandmotherly. I was curious, and went looking for what older women are really wearing when they dress up! Have been delighted with all your thought provoking questions.
Our small town has many alleys, that are fun to walk. Beautiful back yard gardens, and even a small historical museum. Your blog has transported me from the slow paced, unhurried alleys to some of the excitement of the big city. Exploring your blog was a mini-vacation! Thank you!
I could use a very big dose of unhurried right now. I am jealous.
I found Accidental Icon! I am 71, living in a small town in SE Ohio, far from any big cities, and a friend of mine was distressed after looking for a just right dress for her grandson’s formal wedding. She wanted something age appropriate, but not grandmotherly. I was curious, and went looking for what older women are really wearing when they dress up! Have been delighted with all your thought provoking questions.
Our small town has many alleys, that are fun to walk. Beautiful back yard gardens, and even a small historical museum. Your blog has transported me from the slow paced, unhurried alleys to some of the excitement of the big city. Exploring your blog was a mini-vacation! Thank you!
I could use a very big dose of unhurried right now. I am jealous.
I love alleys. Yesterday I went for my morning jog through the alleys, instead of on the streets of my neighborhood–I haven’t treated myself to this for a while. There is something so oddly charming about seeing people’s back walls and gates and even the bits of flotsam and jetsam that are left out back–like those blue chairs that popped up on your walk. Sometimes it is the wild plant life that finds a way to grow up where it is not being tended or minded. I have thought of making a photo essay of people’s interesting gates here, in my small SW city.
That is a really creative idea, I hope you do it! I would love something like that.
Beautiful outfit. Don’t forget to pull your shoulders back. 🙂
I’ll try to remember!
No escribo en inglés, pero puedo leerte muy bien. Este divagar por callejones y disfrutar sorpresas es una de mis acciones preferidas en mi ciudad, Bogotá, Colombia, pero también cuando viajo a otras ciudades.
Desde que leí aquello de…" One potential solution is to make yourself stand out by using your most valuable accessory…your GREY MATTER (I am trying to hold on to mine below)" soy tu seguidora más fiel. Me inspiras permanentemente!!
Gloria Garcia
Thanks for the comment, I will find a translator for it.
No escribo en inglés, pero puedo leerte muy bien. Este divagar por callejones y disfrutar sorpresas es una de mis acciones preferidas en mi ciudad, Bogotá, Colombia, pero también cuando viajo a otras ciudades.
Desde que leí aquello de…" One potential solution is to make yourself stand out by using your most valuable accessory…your GREY MATTER (I am trying to hold on to mine below)" soy tu seguidora más fiel. Me inspiras permanentemente!!
Gloria Garcia
Thanks for the comment, I will find a translator for it.
I am mesmerized and fascinated by your photos and silhouette. Looking forward to reading about the details of your outfit.
Thank you my dear. I was entranced by your bedazzling dress.
I thought so too!
I am mesmerized and fascinated by your photos and silhouette. Looking forward to reading about the details of your outfit.
Thank you my dear. I was entranced by your bedazzling dress.
So Cool to find him lurking in that alley. I could see you two exchanging ideas on style. You’re stylishly compatible.
I thought so too!
Oh I would love to visit. Secret gardens are my favorite thing.
Simply gorgeous outfit. Fitted coat over flowing skirts. Those sandals. The earrings. The bag. Please do itemize, as we’re all on the edges of our seats. I haven’t been "alley shopping" for some time, but it’s always a good idea. My life’s partner always knows where the good outsider art can be found, and I gladly tag along. One day he led me around a corner to find huge Easter Island-style carvings made out of styrofoam insulation used under houseboats. Some of these things are truly ephemeral. I believe the whole installation we saw is now gone. So glad you were at the right place today!
It is interesting to live long enough to see things erode and disappear and then to see what replaces them. I love to find things poking through the new like an old trolley track.
Simply gorgeous outfit. Fitted coat over flowing skirts. Those sandals. The earrings. The bag. Please do itemize, as we’re all on the edges of our seats. I haven’t been "alley shopping" for some time, but it’s always a good idea. My life’s partner always knows where the good outsider art can be found, and I gladly tag along. One day he led me around a corner to find huge Easter Island-style carvings made out of styrofoam insulation used under houseboats. Some of these things are truly ephemeral. I believe the whole installation we saw is now gone. So glad you were at the right place today!
It is interesting to live long enough to see things erode and disappear and then to see what replaces them. I love to find things poking through the new like an old trolley track.
Oh my … I then will take the blue chairs!
The most unexpected discoveries I have made when I started frequenting what here in Munich is called "neigborhood flea-markets" (i.e. all residents can sell what they do not need anymore): backyards, which are closed normally are then accessible and this sometimes offers almost romantic spaces, hidden gardens and flowery spots …
Oh I would love to visit. Secret gardens are my favorite thing.
My favorite alley experience was in the Old Town; VanaLinn, of Tallinn, Estonia in 1993. There were maybe two alleys that had yet to be modernized with ads for Sprite or ice cream or Nivea. If I was lucky, it would just be me and my toddler. Without seeing modern clothing or modern signage, you would have no idea what century you were in.
What a lovely experience, thanks for sharing it.
My favorite alley experience was in the Old Town; VanaLinn, of Tallinn, Estonia in 1993. There were maybe two alleys that had yet to be modernized with ads for Sprite or ice cream or Nivea. If I was lucky, it would just be me and my toddler. Without seeing modern clothing or modern signage, you would have no idea what century you were in.
What a lovely experience, thanks for sharing it.
There is nothing quite like finding a hidden treasure in your town/city that you never knew existed, I love it when this happens! I admire your style, I love this looks proportions 🙂
Take care,
Daniella xx
Thanks! I have to say this is one of my favorite outfits.
There is nothing quite like finding a hidden treasure in your town/city that you never knew existed, I love it when this happens! I admire your style, I love this looks proportions 🙂
Take care,
Daniella xx
Thanks! I have to say this is one of my favorite outfits.
Oh yes, always hidden surprises. I was surprised to read that New York has few alleys. It sometimes seems that Vancouver only has alleys, or at least those are the places I seek out. Many still have dark currents, and sometimes you’ll find them steam-cleaned, literally, for a movie shoot. You are stunning in your monochrome.
I’ll try to remember!
Now yours is a city that is on my list to visit. Maybe that will be my vacation.
Oh yes, always hidden surprises. I was surprised to read that New York has few alleys. It sometimes seems that Vancouver only has alleys, or at least those are the places I seek out. Many still have dark currents, and sometimes you’ll find them steam-cleaned, literally, for a movie shoot. You are stunning in your monochrome.
Now yours is a city that is on my list to visit. Maybe that will be my vacation.