beauty Archives - Amy Hirsch

I first became acquainted with Walter Arnold‘s photography after a friend saw his work at the iconic Woolworth Walk in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. A Florida native, Arnold eventually made his home in the mountains of North Carolina. The local natural beauty surrounding his new home inspired Arnold to pick up camera and learn photography. One day, he stumbled across an airplane graveyard and discovered a passion for abandonment photography — the art of photographing places and things that have been left behind.

Arnold’s series The Art of Abandoment has taken him to a host of dream-like places, from empty and decaying castles to haunted looking asylums. He has a gift for capturing the unusual light of these forgotten places. His photographs allow us to glimpse the beauty that used to exist in many places. They invoke a kind of stillness and leave viewers wanting to know more about why these places were abandoned.

What I love about these photos is that they show the complete opposite of what we design and curate. These are places that are no longer cared for. In spite of the decay and ruin, you can still see the architecture, what once was there, and find inspiration in the beauty of desolation.

It's Always Summer Here — It’s Always Summer Here

Arnold’s photos are available as metal prints, meaning the images are actually infused into the surface of a sheet of aluminum before being treated with a high gloss finish. The resulting print is astonishingly vibrant, lending a light to the abandonment photos that must be seen to be fully appreciated.

You can see more of Walter Arnold’s photography on his website. You can also find him on Facebook.

I make fitness a priority in my life for a few reasons. Not only do I appreciate the health aspect of staying physically fit, but I feel rejuvenated and full of positive energy after a good workout. Exercising clears my mind and helps me focus throughout the day. If I don’t stick to my routine, I feel completely off kilter. Working out preserves my sanity and, now that I have children, sets a good example for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

fitness routine 7 — Consistency is so important.

fitness routine 6 — My focus is on health and fitness.

fitness routine 3 — Whatever you do to stay fit, stick with it.

My own routine is consistent in timing even though each work out is unique. Three days a week, I work out with an amazing personal trainer: Bill Curcio of Curcio Training. I worked out with Bill religiously for a year before I got married. He once told me I’d stop coming to our regular sessions after my wedding, but I didn’t believe him. He was right though; life and work simply got in the way and for years I didn’t work with a trainer at all. However, a couple of years ago I committed to getting back into my previous routine and am again training with Bill. Three days a week at 5:30 a.m. we focus on interval training and Cross Fit. One morning each week, I’ll do a three mile run instead. I try to never do the same thing two days in a row, but use interval training, Tabata, and Cross Fit to focus on my core. The continuity I find in staying with this routine is a big part of my own personal wellness.

fitness routine 2 — Some interval training exercises.

In addition to having a consistent routine for working out, I also have preferences for fitness wear. I love Lululemon‘s workout clothes. They are comfortable, no fuss, and have a great fit. As with anything else in life, it’s a matter of liking what I know is right for me. One thing about Lululemon that you have to keep in mind is that once they sell out of a certain item, you can’t get it again. When you find something you really like, it’s best to stock up while you can! For shoes, I love New Balance. They are great for training and light running.

workout clothes 2 — Clarity Tank from Lululemon

What are your routines for staying healthy and fit?

Tag: beauty

Walter Arnold: The Art of Abandonment

My Fitness Routine