Amy Cao was here.

Once upon a time, I created and hosted Stupidly Simple Snacks, a comedic cooking show for those who, like me, can't cook. These days, I'm writing and working on new content for Guardian News, startups and others. In September 2016, I will be launching a new podcast series on Bumpers.

[fiftythreenyc]

[amycao]

Mix. Create Together.

Today, my FiftyThree colleagues and I launched Mix, an open platform for creativity, built right into our award-winning iPad app, Paper. Now, you can share a page in Paper with creators around the world and work on it together. Put your sketches and ideas out there, and see what comes back.

My work at FiftyThree involves listening, observing and promoting our customers’ sketches and ideas. I’ve been incredibly moved by the collaborations and connections that have already happened here on Tumblr between people who have never met. Imagine what’s possible now that you can brainstorm, problem solve, and co-create together. It’s a new era for creativity and collaborative thinking. I hope you’ll join us. You can follow me at mix.fiftythree.com/amy.

Learn more on FiftyThree News or jump right in.

[penguinpolly-blog-deactivated20]

[amycao]

The flight of Icarus is my favorite Greek myth, if one can claim a favorite among ancient tales. This simple sketch captures it beautifully.

Made With Paper by penguinpolly

[amycao]

dear blue bottle team

Just writing to share a great customer experience at your Williamsburg location this morning – with special praise for JP. At least one morning every weekend, my fiancé Chris and I stop by Blue Bottle for coffee, a biscuit and ham & cheese sandwich. We always have a good breakfast even though service is usually a little hectic. (You guys have a lot of customers! We understand.)

This morning we walked to Blue Bottle with our dog Jack in the 85 degrees. Jack was really starting to feel the heat, but waited patiently for Chris to place our order and get our coffee. JP noticed Jack waiting and looking hot in the sun. Five minutes later, JP came out with a makeshift plastic bowl which he cut and fashioned out of a takeout container, and filled it with water for Jack.

It was a small but kind gesture. Williamsburg can feel overly commercial these days, but the neighborly and thoughtful gesture that JP made will stay with me and Chris for a long time. Thanks for a great morning.

Amy

photo used with permission / by alice gao

[amycao]

Chris and I went to see Kishi Bashi last night. We argued all the way there and when we got to the venue, we had another fight. That's two separate arguments. (We're skilled like that.) Fuming, I nearly stormed out to go home. The show hadn't even begun yet. It was 10:30.

But, as it usually goes when we upset one another, Chris apologized first and persuaded me to stay. 

The concert turned out to be one of the best live performances we'd ever seen. Beaming in the afterglow, we walked home, his hands in mind.

Once home, we picked another fight. (This time about the dog.) 

And so it goes. That's Life.

[tarajanedrawswithpaper]

[amycao]

epilogue premiere on short of the week

Last year, my good friend Eddy Vallante produced a short film called Epilogue about what happens after the superhero kills the bad guy and saves the girl. “Epilogue” premieres today on Short of the Week. Watch it here.

(So proud of you, Eddy!)

Made with Paper by the lovely Tara Feener

[amycao]

TONIGHT

My friends Little Daylight are making their TV debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:30am EST! You can’t. miss. this.

[littledaylightsounds]

Billboard unveiled the cover art for Hello Memory! Check it out here.

[amycao]

My friends at Little Daylight are doin’ it. Ten-song album will be out this July and they’re making their big television debut on May 21st with a performance on “Late Night With Seth Meyers!”

[amycao]

Today I am bowling to help disadvantaged women gain access to safe abortions. If you believe in this cause, please donate!

[amycao]

Big Dots Little Dots

Happy to share my new “dot art” made using the new capability in the Paper app update. Hold your finger or stylus on the screen to make bigger dots; short taps make small dots. Works with the eraser, too!

[eunhyae-blog]

[amycao]

Colorful Friday

Sharing because the little fox looks like my dog Jack and I just love the color palette of this piece. Additionally, I can't get enough of this recent colorful discovery...

Top creation made with Paper by eunhyae. Bottom drawing by necojita.

[fiftythreenyc]

[amycao]

Every Story Has A Name

This morning, my team at FiftyThree published an open letter to Facebook to request that they change the name of their new app, Paper, which is causing confusion among our customers and press who recognize FiftyThree for our award-winning app of the same name. Read our letter here.

[madewithpaper]

Happy Birthday, Georg! Thanks for your optimism, your insight, and, above all, for helping make FiftyThree the space to create.

[amycao]

Sometimes when I think about my job I become totally overwhelmed by emotion knowing how lucky I am to work at a place like FiftyThree. The feeling is beyond thankfulness. It’s a sense of relief and wonder inspired by being part of something that I thought was irretrievably lost or nonexistent: a fast-growing small company with heart that’s free of ego and small mindedness.

In a city like New York where everyday inconveniences like a frustrating commute or unpleasant interaction can blemish your day and eat into your productivity, FiftyThree is, as much as possible, a place where you can step back from life’s more trivial pursuits to view the bigger picture. It’s a sandbox where the other kids share their plastic shovels and buckets, inviting you to build the castle with them.

Guess this is the long way of saying thank you, Georg, and all my coworkers at FiftyThree.

[amycao]

The wall is painted!

[amycao]

New Year

After spending most of the holiday season working on my laptop, I have been making a concerted effort to spend more time offline. My kitchen is getting painted today, a project that I've been putting off for over a year. I am not even doing the painting myself. It literally took me fifteen months to get past procrastination to pick a color and hire a painter to come paint…

I bought this beautiful line-free notebook in the fall and am slowly filling its pages. I realized that I haven’t used my hands to make anything in a long time so, last night after dinner at Char No. 4, I picked up Elmer’s glue from a Rite Aid so that I can glue stuff together. I have been drinking coffee, sending actual mail, reading books. Trying to make the best of hibernation season until spring returns.

[mixtapeclubblog-blog]

[amycao]

happy holidays

Lovely video card made by Mixtape Club. Sure, I may be biased but it's definitely the best company card I've received this holiday.

[jameschororos]

[amycao]

I love this photo of my friend Eddy Vallante taken by his friend and fellow photographer James Chororos while they were scouting locations at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for a photo shoot this week.

The gig fell through, but I think they got their shot anyway.

[amycao]

slow food holiday market

I’ve been a fan of Slow Food NYC for a while but have not done quite enough to support them. This Sunday, December 8th, they’re hosting a holiday market featuring local food entrepreneurs. The bonus? It’s all happening at Astor Center which is also the home of Astor Wines & Spirits where Chris and I go to stock up on delicious, affordable wines.

If you’re in town this Sunday, stop by!