pw.travelogue » ch. 39 barcelona, spain

[chapter 39 / barcelona, spain / part two]

A year ago yesterday I was in Barcelona. Can't believe it's been a year now. And then I remember I never quite posted my edits! There was a sneak preview of Barcelona, but I definitely owe you a few more photos. So let's call it a one year anniversary of my European holiday shall we? ;)

If you are on Instagram (find me @bluepoolroad), follow along #pwtravelogue to see photos I took with my camera phone. The sole purpose of me bringing my phone on the trip was to take photos (I was completely unplugged for a month!). I have sadly neglected to post them anywhere except for a post here and there, and you know I've got tons! Yesterday I started with Barcelona, in the next few days, I will upload more from Spain, then Morocco, Portugal, France, and Denmark.

Have a wonderful (long) weekend everyone!

TYPE LAYOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PEGGY WONG

pw.travelogue » ch. 38 the phillips collection

[chapter 38 / the phillips collection, washington, dc]

This may sound strange, but I love the architecture of the back of The Phillips Collection. The landscape of the buildings is so graphic, in its own contemporary and classic way. The museum's collection is phenomenal – there's even The Rothko Room, which limits up to 8 visitors at a time (pictured). Do you remember the post from last week titled overexposed? Well, here's the "real" shot on the bottom, Ellsworth Kelly's bronze sculpture, Untitled.

Happy Friday!

TYPE LAYOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PEGGY WONG

pw.travelogue » ch. 37 light play in washington, dc

[chapter 37 / washington, dc]

Couldn't get over how beautiful the light was when I was there. A very surprising and awe-inspiring trip to say the least. You see the capital on television and films all the time, but to physically be there and stand in front of the monuments is a completely different feeling. Even the architecture of their subway stations is quite magnificent. Psst, do you see the moon on the last photo?

TYPE LAYOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PEGGY WONG

overexposed

Editing photos from my Washington, DC trip (which you will start seeing tomorrow!) and couldn't help but to share this one now. I remember walking out to the courtyard at The Phillips Collection and the first thing I saw was this floating sculpture by Ellsworth Kelly (one of my favorites) and had to take a photo immediately. Except, my settings on the camera was for indoor and without realizing it, completely overexposed the shot. But something about it I just love, and never deleted it.

What do you think?

TYPE LAYOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PEGGY WONG

my life in photos / 1

[my life in photos / 1]

It's been a month since I joined Instagram and I've got to say, I've been incredibly inspired. Really enjoy following other people and seeing where they are and how they view their surroundings. Do you remember I used to have this series called scrapbook mondays? Quite miss it actually and thought, perhaps I'll bring it back in another way. So here goes, my life in photos.

My Instagram feed (notice the little slideshow on the right column?) has become a mini blog for me in a way. I post photos throughout the day, sharing glimpses of my daily musings. This roundup is about comforts — vignettes of my home and surrounding spaces.

follow me on Instagram » @bluepoolroad

TYPE LAYOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PEGGY WONG

check in for luxury » the standard, east village

Making this series official — check in for luxury (although I think it really started with my stay at The Upper House in Hong Kong last year!)

I used to live in the East Village many years ago, and during my last trip to New York City, I revisited my old stomping ground and checked into The Standard, East Village. The view alone is worth the stay. And if you could get a corner unit, even better. I had also been meaning to check out Chef David Chang's Momofuku restaurants in the East Village, so the location was perfect. His Ssäm Bar was quite good, full of big culinary flavors.

stay
The Standard, East Village
25 Cooper Square
New York, New York
USA

must-do
Wake up in time for sunrise (top photo), if even for just one morning.

tip

If you are looking for a curated list of boutique hotels that showcase good designs and attention to detail, give Tablet Hotels a go. Perks: can't go wrong with being a Tablet Plus member neither (I am one!), special amenities and upgrades at check in. Nothing beats enjoying a complimentary bottle of wine while you unpack — thank you The Standard!

TYPE LAYOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PEGGY WONG

pw.travelogue » ch. 36 the met, new york city

[chapter 36 / the metropolitan museum of art, new york city]

Every time I go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it just seems like I'm seeing it for the first time. Spent the morning walking Central Park and the afternoon at the Met. With The Steins Collect exhibition as my priority, I also did a walk through of the Modern and Contemporary Art section. Equally inspiring – artwork and the space that houses them. Click here to read a bit more about my day in the city.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

TYPE LAYOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PEGGY WONG

calling all art collectors!

PEGGY WONG | MONT SAINT-MICHEL, FRANCE

DITTE ISAGER | UNTITLED

SANG AN | 2/3

DAVID PRINCE | BED, PARIS

ERIC PIASECKI | UNTITLED

For the past two years I've been posting my good friend and amazing photographer, Sang An's annual AIDS/LifeCycle Art Auction. On June 5 to 11, Sang and his husband Bob will be riding 545 miles in 7 days from SF to LA. 100% of the proceeds goes to San Francisco AIDS Foundation and also Los Angeles Gay + Lesbian Center.

As you can see, there are some gorgeous AND signed prints donated by renowned photographers. This year, I'm honored to be donating one of mine (top image)! It's one of my favorites taken on my European holiday last year.

Please kindly click on over and check out the auction and support them for this important cause. Bidding starts today, April 13 at 5pm PST / 8pm EST! A sincere thank you from me and team b+ang! xo

[sponsored post] pw.travelogue » ch. 35 mixing work with pleasure, new york city

YOUR GUIDE TO A HEALTHY BUSINESS TRIP THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY THE MARRIOTT REWARDS® CREDIT CARD FROM CHASE



[chapter 35 / mixing work with pleasure, new york city]

stay wisely.
A healthy business trip starts with choosing the right hotel for me. Whether it's a short two-day trip or a week-long stay, being in a comfortable hotel AND at a convenient location is crucial to me. My recent business trip to New York City is a good example. A little homework goes a long way... researching for an ideal hotel, mapping out all my must-see spots and museum exhibitions, or downloading useful apps for the phone while traveling (the NYC subway app is an essential one in this case). I knew I wanted to be near Central Park, so I chose Six Columbus, a Thompson Hotel at Columbus Circle. I also like to have at least a day to myself before the hectic schedule begins, so planning my agenda ahead of time really pays off.

spend alone time.
Watching the city wake up is one of my favorite things to do, even when I lived in New York years ago. Finding time for myself has become a routine for me these days. The top photo was the first image I took of this trip — the morning of my arriving at the hotel in Columbus Circle. It was that one perfect moment with a cab on an empty street, the sun casting a warm glow across Central Park... The blossoms were in full bloom all around the Park and it made me happy just being there. Also stopped at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for The Steins Collect exhibition. If you haven't seen it, please do. You will not be disappointed. Rooms after rooms of paintings by Matisse, Picasso, Cézanne, Degas, Gauguin... the list just goes on and on.

Dining for one has also become somewhat of a ritual for me at museums these days, and I have to admit, I quite enjoy it. While I was at the Met, I was seated at a table with a view at The Petrie Court Café and Wine Bar — looking out to Central Park while enjoying a late afternoon lunch was absolute perfection.

love what you do.
How many times have you heard someone say that? And yet, it rings true every time. I came upon an alto saxophonist (pictured above) at Central Park earlier on the day. I watched him play for a good ten minutes before he took a break. I struck up a conversation with him and found out he has been playing under the same arch for over a decade, everyday. Listening to him play was a gentle reminder that you HAVE to love what you do. Find that balance between work and pleasure — allow yourself the time to decompress, walk the city, listen to the sounds, immerse yourself into nature, and if you are lucky enough to spend a few hours at a museum, be inspired by works of art. You will leave your destination with a new-found joy in business trips, and hopefully, get to know yourself a little better as well.

TYPE LAYOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PEGGY WONG

pw.travelogue » sneak preview of new york city

[chapter 34 / central park, new york city] back from an inspiration-overload trip to new york city and washington, dc! spent some quality time alone, with friends, and with my parents. took this shot as i was walking central park early one morning. more to come next week!

in the meantime, check out my [away] tumblr page for snaps that i uploaded during the trip. have a wonderful weekend everyone!

ps. are you on instagram? they recently came out with an android version of the app and yes, i'm finally on it! join in the fun with me - username bluepoolroad.

TYPE LAYOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PEGGY WONG

pw.travelogue » ch. 33 out and about, europe

[chapter 33 / out and about, europe] realized i never got around to editing my camera phone images from europe! remember this one from saint-malo, france? will, over on bright.bazaar reminded me of my own snaps when i saw his colorful view of amsterdam. there are more to come, because honestly, reminiscing that trip is making me smile. i'm taking some time off – traveling to new york city and washington, dc. see you back here in april and enjoy the rest of march!

TYPE LAYOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PEGGY WONG

check in for luxury » sunset marquis, los angeles

last friday, my husband surprised me with a little birthday getaway. it's a tradition of ours, checking into hotels in our own city. just a quick roundup of images of the legendary west hollywood hotel, sunset marquis. it was my birthday weekend after all, refrained from taking too many photos! although i believe this could be a new series in the making – check in for luxury. a branch off of pw.travelogue. yes?

TYPE LAYOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PEGGY WONG

contributing » places we heart on wayfare

on wayfare blog... just contributed to their column "places we heart"! took this photograph at the crack of dawn in yosemite a few years back. must get myself there again asap. click here to see more of my favorite places.

TYPE LAYOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PEGGY WONG

words » reflections, another year

yesterday was my birthday. i can't remember the last time i was this content on my birthday. a lot has changed since my european holiday last year. i was inspired daily, for a month, by pure authenticity and genuineness. and that's hard to find and to hold on to.

if you've been following my blog for the past three years, you must have noticed the change of blog content and i must say, frequency, of my postings. i used to blog once, twice, and even three times a day. looking back, what was i thinking?

pw.travelogue has been the anchor of this blog since june of last year. i started posting my travel photographs every friday. i felt the need to share 1. my travel experiences, 2. my typography and photography, 3. original content that i hope to inspire.

it's not an epiphany or any of that sort, it's more of a personal choice at this point of my life to choose what is important. i've been embracing this blog as more of a passion project. when it comes time to prep my posts for fridays, i actually look forward to it, rather than feeling it was a job because i have to keep up with "blogging". and when i get too busy with work, i let go, and say to myself, there's always next friday.

when i was away for that month in europe, i was completely unplugged. there was no internet for me to surf and no social media for me to catch up on. i find myself spending less and less time in the social media world now, and more time at the library, checking out books that i want to read. yes, things that are important to me.

yesterday i spent a perfect day, with my husband and with myself. sprinkled with phone calls from family and friends in between. affogato made off of the menu just for me. an awe-inspiring museum visit. and ended the day with my daily routine – a long run and walk around the silver lake reservoir.

priorities. i tell myself that all the time now. and this year, there will be more traveling. more time with family and friends. my dad has always said to me, "you always find time to do the things that you want to do."

well, here's to another year, older and wiser? certainly older, and more content than ever.

TYPE LAYOUT BY PEGGY WONG

pw.travelogue » ch. 32 wetland park, hong kong

[chapter 32 / wetland park, hong kong] never been to the wetland park until this trip and boy, was i pleasantly surprised. i love this place. so much so that i went back for a second time before i left. behind all the hustle and bustle of the city there lies this absolute wonder of serenity, and over 150 acre of it. a definite must see. enjoy your weekend!

TYPE LAYOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PEGGY WONG

new work » wayfare magazine, pilot issue 2012

i know i've been holding out on my photos from hong kong, but it's for a very good reason! when erica dublin, CEO of see jane fly approached me last october about contributing to their new travel e-magazine wayfare, i was beyond excited. as we discussed the theme of the story, i immediately fell in love with the idea of documenting "hong kong" (p. 31) as a city of juxtapositions and sharing tidbits of a city that i grew up in – i even did a voice recording for the opener! and little did i know, i landed the cover as well!

not only is the magazine beautifully designed in a fresh, honest, and engaging way, there is also passion behind each story. wayfare makes you look at travel differently, and what a destination really means to the traveler. secretly plotting a "how to quit your day job" (p. 26) story of my own. ;)

i hope you enjoy this pilot issue of wayfare as much as i do. a special shout-out to the design team, anne and lauren for a job so incredibly well done. click on over and start exploring!

MAGAZINE ART PROVIDED BY WAYFARE / COVER AND FEATURE STORY PHOTOGRAPHY BY PEGGY WONG