Photography: The Leica M 60 Edition

One of my favourite car brands is Audi. I grew up with my dad driving an Audi 5000 that he shipped over from Germany when we were a young family of travelers. That car took us to Florida every summer, and I learned to drive standard on that car. When I grow up (if ever?), I’d love to have an Audi. After my obsession with the Fiat 500 came to an end a few years ago, I began to develop an interest in the Audi Q7 (and the Q5, too).

I’m totally not a car girl. I could live a life without a car and be perfectly happy (as long as I could walk everywhere that I needed to…I don’t love the lengthy commutes of public transit). But the Audi Q5 (it’s a better size for me) – oh, I just love it!

Anyway – so when I heard that the classic camera-brand, Leica, partnered with Audi for a special edition, I had to investigate.

The Leica M Edition “Leica 60” is a beautiful piece. It celebrates 60 years of the Leica M and was created in collaboration with Audi Design.

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Leica M 60

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photo via DesignBoom

Isn’t it lovely? It combines old-school style and the photography needs of the future. I just love it.

Photography: Buying a New Camera

I have been wanting to buy a new camera for a while now – something small enough to carry in my purse, better than my iPhone 4S and Canon Elph (I do still love the Elph), and something with a great lens that would produce gorgeous photos. Oh – and in the $200-$300 price range (always on a budget, I am!). So when my photographer friend Joel told me about a great sale on Panasonic’s Lumix LX5 at Black’s, I had to check it out (with his help of course). After his explanation of its features – and my many “Are you sure this is what I want?”, I decided to order it online as there were none in stock in London. A $500 camera for $250 and  it’s got a Leica lens (cool)! Needless to say it was an exciting afternoon! It was even more exciting when it arrived about a week later.

Unfortunately I got sent a camera that had previously been opened/used/touched so I contacted Black’s (oh, the power of a tweet) to inquire. The service I received to resolve this issue was so efficient and friendly that I might just be a Black’s fan for life.

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 me and my LX5, photo by Joel (with a cell phone)

Me and my camera are becoming the best of friends. We’ve already gone to The Home Depot, to work and to Toronto. There’s much to learn about photography and I think this little LX5 is going to show me the way.

Thanks to Anthony S. at Black’s for providing excellent customer service. Thanks for your advice Joel. 

The Friday Five: Travel Accessories

As I’ve been travelling for the last two weeks, I thought I would devote today’s Friday Five to lovely white travel items.

1. First on the list is a beautiful travel journal. Jot down addresses of those special restaurants and sketch your beautiful surroundings in one of these lovely little books.

Leather Journal

 2. Next up is a soft sleep mask. For the flight, for the hotel…I never travel without one!

Lambie Sleep Mask, $10, My Bath House

 3. Third on the list is a go-with-everything watch.

I.D.E.A. Hexagon Watch by &Design, $70, at Unica Home

4. A camera. Of course!

Canon Camera, $199

5. A fifth fabulous travel item is a beautiful wallet to carry all your cards, currency and id.

Lincoln Road Neda Wallet, $195, Kate Spade

What are your must-haves?

Images courtesy of Lonny Magazine, Marie Claire, My Bath House, Next Tag, Unica Home, Zappos.