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Amy Chen

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#StudioDIYWallCrawl Collab: NYC Street Art

November 6, 2015

I recently collaborated with Kelly of Studio DIY for her #StudioDIYWallCrawl series to create a guide of my favorite NYC murals - and this week the post is LIVE! Head on over HERE for the full map that covers both Brooklyn and the Lower East Side!

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In wanderlust, photography Tags Kelly Mindell, studioDIYwallcrawl, Studio DIY, NY, NYC, street art, collab

DIY Drilled Jack-O-Lanterns

October 30, 2015

Last weekend, I visited my friend Emily on Long Island and we drilled jack-o-lanterns! I was eager to do something *different* this year, so made the suggestion of "drilling" these guys (as opposed to the typical "carving" of them). It actually was a TON of fun - and was pretty easy / stress free! In the case that you haven't carved out your pumpkins yet, maybe these will inspire you to drill some of your own. ;)

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In diy Tags Halloween, pumpkins, crafting, autumn
amy_chen_design_pizza_pie.jpg

Naan Flatbread Pizza Recipe

October 23, 2015

Naan flatbread is one of my absolute favorite types of bread! It is so versatile and you can eat it in so many different ways. Today, I'm going to show you how I use it to make homemade pizza. :)

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In food Tags pizza, recipe, flatbread

Dan Flavin at David Zwirner

October 16, 2015

This past weekend I went to see Dan Flavin's "Corners, Barriers, and Corridors" show at the David Zwirner gallery in NYC. The DZ gallery is one of my favorites in Chelsea, and they always seem to have the best exhibitions going on. I've been to two great Yayoi Kusama shows hosted by DZ in the last few years, and when I heard Dan Flavin was going to have an exclusive show there - I could not get my butt to the gallery faster! ;)

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In wanderlust Tags Dan Flavin, David Zwirner, NY, NYC, gallery hopping, gallery, art, interactive art, colorventures

Color Hunting in Coney Island!

October 9, 2015

I've been wanting to do a Coney Island blog post for quite some time - it's one of my favorite spots in NY! I LOVE that it is so far removed from the typical "hustle" of the city - as it's located at the veryyyy bottom of Brooklyn. The subway ride is pretty long, but if you're in great company - it goes by pretty quickly! ;) I made quite a few trips out there this summer with my fellow color-hunting friend Ruth (@bigntoasty). I took soooooo many photos each time I went, and I am finally gettin' my shit together to compile them all into a cohesive post! 

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In wanderlust Tags Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY, NYC, summer, colorventures
amy_chen_design_sunflower_maze_1.jpg

Alstede Farms Sunflower Maze (So Long Summer!)

October 1, 2015

It's hard to believe that it's already OCTOBER! Where did summer go?!

I realize that last Wednesday was the *official* start of fall.. and it's no longer sunflower maze season but corn maze season now lol, but I still feel like I have sooooo many un-blogged summer adventures! I'm backtracking a little bit today to a solo adventure I had in July at Alstede Farms. If you've been following my blog for a little while, you may remember my post from last fall about this place. It's one of my favorite farms in the area because of how big it is, and there always seems to be something fun going on during all 4 seasons! When I heard that they had a massive sunflower maze, I had to check it out because until this I had actually never been to one before! 

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In wanderlust Tags Chester, NJ, New Jersey, Alstede Farms, summer, sunflower

Refinery29's #29Rooms NYFW Installation

September 22, 2015

A little over a week ago, I got to experience one of the best interactive art installations I've ever experienced: #29Rooms. It was the only NY Fashion Week event I attended this time around, but I'm okay with that because it fulfilled all of my wildest dreams, haha..

For their 10th anniversary, Refinery29 put together an epic 29-room funhouse inside a Greenpoint (Brooklyn) warehouse. Each room was created by a different artist and offered a different experience than the one next to it. It was an extremely overwhelming visual experience to say the least, lol... I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to see it Thursday night before it went live to the public on Friday / Saturday. Despite this exclusive viewing opportunity though, I still felt like I could have easily spent more time in each of the rooms. There were even some rooms I didn't go into at all or failed to photograph because I was so overwhelmed trying to just take it all in. 29 is A LOT! I think I would have been overwhelmed had there been only 10 rooms... so imagine 3 times that. I unfortunately wasn't able to catch the name / artist of each room because I felt so scatterbrained through out the night, but will try to share that info with you for the ones I was able to catch or recognized on my own. 

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In design, wanderlust, style Tags Refinery29, 29Rooms, art, interactive art, NYFW, New York

5 Things I've Learned In My First Year of Blogging

September 15, 2015

I can't believe that it's already been a year since I've started this blog section of my website. (!!!) 

It was always something I had thought about starting - and at one point I decided it was time to finally act upon that. As a fresh grad, I was feeling super lost in terms of what I wanted to do with my life, and I wanted a place where I could explore my multiple interests. So far it has been a super rewarding experience! Today I wanted to share 5 things I've learned in this first year of my blogging career, and share some insight on what it takes to run a blog. Whether you are contemplating starting your own blog, recently just started a blog, or have been blogging for years - I'm hoping my insight is helpful to you! :)

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In real talk Tags blog, blogging, tips, blog birthday

New York / New Jersey Ice Cream Bucket List

August 25, 2015

Ice cream is by far my biggest summer guilty pleasure. I could literally probably eat my weight in it... ha. This summer in particular, I made it my mission to try as many different ice cream shops in my area (NJ / NY) as possible. For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you are probably already aware of my ice cream obsession. I keep an ongoing "Ice Cream Bucket List" on my phone's notes app, and am constantly adding new places to try! I was able to uncover some of the best ice cream I've ever eaten this summer, and now I'm here to share the SCOOP with you! ;) 

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In food Tags ice cream, bucket list, NY, NJ, New York, New Jersey, summer

Destination: Exit 0 (Cape May + Wildwood)

August 14, 2015

Last week, I went on a little Jersey shore road trip for 4 days down to Cape May and Wildwood. It was hands down one of the best adventures of my life. Growing up, my family often took day trips down to the beach - but we never once stayed overnight. I've only had the opportunity to actually wake up the next morning to a beach once or twice (ever)... so you can probably imagine my excitement lol. I've lived in NJ my whole life (with the exception of 4 years spent in NY for school), but I have never been that far south in the state. As I've mentioned in previous blog posts, my family isn't big on travel - so any opportunity I get to experience something new (even if it's not in a new state or country) - is one that I embrace with arms open wide. I treat even small, local, day to day things like grand adventures.

I ran myself so ragged the entire time - wanting to experience and explore as much as possible before we had to head home (because even 4 days was not enough). We did basically all of our exploring on foot, which was probably a good thing because I totally ate like.. 2 or 3 times my weight in all the amazing food the area had to offer.. ha. There wasn't really any "down time" and I didn't even actually sit on the beach or swim in either of the hotel pools for the entire time we were there.. lol.

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In wanderlust Tags Cape May, Wildwood, New Jersey, NJ, Jersey shore, Jersey Collective, summer
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AMYVENTURES

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POPULAR POSTS

Blog
A Peek Behind the (Photobooth) Curtain with Autophoto
A Peek Behind the (Photobooth) Curtain with Autophoto
about 2 months ago
The Summer It Turned Yummy
The Summer It Turned Yummy
about 7 months ago
Recess in Cape May
Recess in Cape May
about 10 months ago
Strawberry Picking, Peony Peeping, Park Frolicking
Strawberry Picking, Peony Peeping, Park Frolicking
about 10 months ago
Spring Things
Spring Things
about 12 months ago
Cemetery Season: Poetry Month + The Grief of April
Cemetery Season: Poetry Month + The Grief of April
about a year ago
Solo Day Trip to Seaside Heights
Solo Day Trip to Seaside Heights
about a year ago
Reframing a "Mundane Chore" as an Adventure: Visiting a New Grocery Store
Reframing a "Mundane Chore" as an Adventure: Visiting a New Grocery Store
about a year ago
Creating In Community
Creating In Community
about a year ago
A Sunny Sunday for the Soul in NYC
A Sunny Sunday for the Soul in NYC
about a year ago

INSTAGRAM

@AMYVENTURES
planet earth (hallelujah) 🌎ðŸŒļ🌞🌷âœĻ

#earthday #frelinghuysenarboretum #jerseycollective #njisallgood #northjerseyadventures
sunshine on a cloudy day today at @thelilliehouse’s third annual plant swap 🌧ïļðŸŒ·ðŸ‘ĐðŸŧ‍ðŸŒūðŸŒžðŸŒą

shared some seeds I had saved from my own garden last year as well as some irises I dug up yesterday. the calendula seeds are descendants of @long
april, when did you get so hot? ðŸĨĩ easter eve in PA felt more like summer than it did spring (very much like this week in NJ ðŸŦ ) - which called for a double scoop cone from @premisemaid ðŸĶ they have the BEST homemade waffle cones 👌 I got a scoop of
passenger princessing in pennsylvania easter weekend ✌ïļðŸĶĒðŸŒļðŸŒģðŸ“ļ

#pennsylvania #easterweekend #passengerprincess #joyspotting #passengerseatphotography
dinner at @am_thainyc ðŸ‡đ🇭ðŸĨ˜ðŸœðŸ”Ĩ cozy & casual with friendly service and lots of vegan & gluten free friendly options 😋

we ordered the pad thai & the green curry ðŸŒķïļ and also thai iced teas (one traditional and one infused with pandan)
first time at @loafonpaperny ðŸ˜ŧðŸĩ📝 it’s the most spacious and beautiful space (much bigger than the original sister store @niconeco_zakkaya in the east village)

the front half is a cafe, so ofc we had to try the matcha 😉 (ordered the strawbe
dream world is always a dream ðŸŦ§ðŸ§ļ🎀💋âœĻ @haricotvert @inthecraftnook @dreambeanbk 

#williamsburg #joyspotting #junkjournal #charmbar #nyccafe
the chaotic camera roll chronicles of how that giant smiley face balloon ended up @inthecraftnook 🙃🎈

@bigntoasty had the idea to pick up a balloon from @villagepartystore en route to @oldfriendphotobooth. the allen st location’s line was aro
breakfast with the biggest bird on the block ðŸĶðŸĨŊ🏙ïļ

stopped at @russanddaughters to grab a bagel omw to @nychighline to bid farewell to “dinosaur” on saturday ðŸĨē such a fun experience walking up to it on 10th ave, and sitting with it to
one of the first 70 & sunny days after the longest winter called for a beach day 🌞🐚ðŸ’Ķ

#jerseyshore #jerseycollective #njisallgood #sandyhooknj #beachday
welcome to Chinatown @aokomatcha ðŸŦķ💚ðŸĶðŸĩâœĻ

📍 81 Christie St. (soft opening now; grand opening April 3 ðŸĨģ)

I ordered the matcha soft serve latte today (an iced matcha latte with matcha soft serve on top 😋) 

they’re known for their matcha ge
backlog of nyc glimmers on my camera roll from the last couple months of winter âœĻ

blanket of snow in front of @chrisriggsart mural at @orchardstnyc ❄ïļ

@shopofthings cutie hello kitty themed chalkboard sign 🎀

dressing room of dreams @bigbudpress ?
chinese new year / lunar new year highlights 🧧ðŸŪðŸīðŸ”Ĩ🎊🌕 

@welcome.to.chinatown lny market at @kamman.canal 

lny spongie (apricot orange) from @spongiescafe 

lo bok go (turnip cake), fa gao (steamed cupcake), and flat rice noodles at home

painte
matcha shortbread cookies dusted in powdered sugar, drizzled with white chocolate, and sprinkled with crushed freeze dried strawberries ðŸ’ŦðŸĩ⭐ïļðŸ“âœĻ

#shortbreadcookies #matchastrawberry #matchawhitechocolate #matchacookies #bakersgonnabake
planet earth (hallelujah) 🌎ðŸŒļ🌞🌷âœĻ

#earthday #frelinghuysenarboretum #jerseycollective #njisallgood #northjerseyadventures sunshine on a cloudy day today at @thelilliehouse’s third annual plant swap 🌧ïļðŸŒ·ðŸ‘ĐðŸŧ‍ðŸŒūðŸŒžðŸŒą

shared some seeds I had saved from my own garden last year as well as some irises I dug up yesterday. the calendula seeds are descendants of @long
10/10 recommend staying at the park through a rain shower ðŸĨđ it made all the people flee and it was just me, the birds, and the blossoms for a little bit ðŸĶðŸŒļ🌧ïļ

the last clip was from last year - the trees were so much fluffier and fuller. the heat
april, when did you get so hot? ðŸĨĩ easter eve in PA felt more like summer than it did spring (very much like this week in NJ ðŸŦ ) - which called for a double scoop cone from @premisemaid ðŸĶ they have the BEST homemade waffle cones 👌 I got a scoop of passenger princessing in pennsylvania easter weekend ✌ïļðŸĶĒðŸŒļðŸŒģðŸ“ļ

#pennsylvania #easterweekend #passengerprincess #joyspotting #passengerseatphotography dinner at @am_thainyc ðŸ‡đ🇭ðŸĨ˜ðŸœðŸ”Ĩ cozy & casual with friendly service and lots of vegan & gluten free friendly options 😋

we ordered the pad thai & the green curry ðŸŒķïļ and also thai iced teas (one traditional and one infused with pandan)
first time at @loafonpaperny ðŸ˜ŧðŸĩ📝 it’s the most spacious and beautiful space (much bigger than the original sister store @niconeco_zakkaya in the east village)

the front half is a cafe, so ofc we had to try the matcha 😉 (ordered the strawbe dream world is always a dream ðŸŦ§ðŸ§ļ🎀💋âœĻ @haricotvert @inthecraftnook @dreambeanbk 

#williamsburg #joyspotting #junkjournal #charmbar #nyccafe the chaotic camera roll chronicles of how that giant smiley face balloon ended up @inthecraftnook 🙃🎈

@bigntoasty had the idea to pick up a balloon from @villagepartystore en route to @oldfriendphotobooth. the allen st location’s line was aro breakfast with the biggest bird on the block ðŸĶðŸĨŊ🏙ïļ

stopped at @russanddaughters to grab a bagel omw to @nychighline to bid farewell to “dinosaur” on saturday ðŸĨē such a fun experience walking up to it on 10th ave, and sitting with it to
a full flip through of the little zine I made during “swap & scrap” (& yap) hosted by @artgurl__ yesterday @inthecraftnook 💖

my favorite part about these types of crafty events is the variety of materials there are to work with
one of the first 70 & sunny days after the longest winter called for a beach day 🌞🐚ðŸ’Ķ

#jerseyshore #jerseycollective #njisallgood #sandyhooknj #beachday
a little spring refresh 🌞 - swapped out the snowdrop hand soap for lilac and plugged in @mrsmeyerscleanday’s new lavender scented oil diffuser 💜 makes our tiny bathroom smell like a spa day 😌ðŸŦ§ðŸ’§ðŸŠŧâœĻ #mrsmeyerspartner 

#spring #springcleanin
DIY origami seed packets â™ŧïļâœ‚ïļðŸŒą

my favorite way to reuse paper shopping bags / food takeout bags (but you can use any paper you have)

great for sharing seeds with friends or exchanging  seeds at your local community seed swap ðŸĨ°

* originally learn
welcome to Chinatown @aokomatcha ðŸŦķ💚ðŸĶðŸĩâœĻ

📍 81 Christie St. (soft opening now; grand opening April 3 ðŸĨģ)

I ordered the matcha soft serve latte today (an iced matcha latte with matcha soft serve on top 😋) 

they’re known for their matcha ge backlog of nyc glimmers on my camera roll from the last couple months of winter âœĻ

blanket of snow in front of @chrisriggsart mural at @orchardstnyc ❄ïļ

@shopofthings cutie hello kitty themed chalkboard sign 🎀

dressing room of dreams @bigbudpress ? chinese new year / lunar new year highlights 🧧ðŸŪðŸīðŸ”Ĩ🎊🌕 

@welcome.to.chinatown lny market at @kamman.canal 

lny spongie (apricot orange) from @spongiescafe 

lo bok go (turnip cake), fa gao (steamed cupcake), and flat rice noodles at home

painte matcha shortbread cookies dusted in powdered sugar, drizzled with white chocolate, and sprinkled with crushed freeze dried strawberries ðŸ’ŦðŸĩ⭐ïļðŸ“âœĻ

#shortbreadcookies #matchastrawberry #matchawhitechocolate #matchacookies #bakersgonnabake
the second blizzard of the month just when we were starting to see the grass again ðŸĨē it’s pretty, but I’m desperately longing for warmer days 😅ðŸŒļðŸŒŋ luckily @mrsmeyerscleanday rose room freshener is making the inside of our cozy abode sm
can’t wait for the snow to be higher than my boots again ðŸĨē

#dogwalkersofinstagram #dogwalking #dogwalkinglife #olympics #milanocortina2026

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Amy Chen (unless otherwise stated). If you decide to reference anything from my blog / website, please give proper credit. Thank you! :)


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