May Your Days be Merry & Bright

Wishing a light-filled happy holiday season to all!

How to Amuse Strangers

Get a bright colored balloon & some fishing line.

Head to a local tourist attraction. Tie one end of the fishing line to the balloon and the other to something to weigh it down - say your handbag. Snap tons of pictures of the balloon floating away. Listen for giggles. Especially fun if you give the balloon away when you are done.

French Quarter Treasures

It was almost overwhelming to try to capture a few choice shots in the French Quarter of New Orleans this weekend.

Honestly, I think you could spend a lifetime taking photos there! Everything from the houses, to the people, even the ubiquitous whirling daiquiri machines are vibrant & unique. If you go, definitely end the night at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, you can't get more N'awlins than a growly piano player in a bar from the 1700's!

Free Bokeh Madness

I've been wanting to try taking a photo with heart shaped bokeh for awhile now, & last week I got my chance!

After reading this handy tutorial, I immediately set out to draw up some templates for lens covers that I could remove & replace, which would allow me to play with the focus as much as I wanted.

Want to try it out yourself? Here's a pdf template I drew up for you! Now your world can light up with heart & star shaped wonder too!

Meatloaf Cupcakes?

There is no denying that cupcakes are having a moment, they are so happy & tasty, & cupcake shops are popping up everywhere! But.... I have to admit I was surprised to see meatloaf cupcakes in the grocery store deli today, nonchalantly hanging out next to the pre-made salads. I thought they deserved a little drawing.

A Quick trip to PDX

It was a whirlwind trip, but we did get a chance to hit Stumptown for cappuccinos and almond croissants!


Portland has such a west coast Brooklyn swagger these days, it never fails to impress.

Happy Weekend

Heading out to one cool city for a fun weekend! Here's a clue:

Hope your weekend is chock full of inspiration!

Autumn Color Week: Red Friday

I adore red, there's tons of it around the house, pillows, scarves, vases, art ... it feels so alive! But for some reason, all of my shots for Red Friday fell flat. ("wah, wah"- Debbie Downer noise) I ended up posting this one, but I'm not super excited about it:

It's ok, but I think red deserves more! I am assigning myself a do-over. A huge thanks to Poppytalk for Autmn Colour Week, it truly helped me transition from longing for more Summer to embracing Fall!

Autumn Color Week: Brown Thursday

Warm rich browns, yummm. I wore these boots for the first time today - I'm finally feeling ready for Fall!


Stumptown Hairbender coffee beans - I've never had better.

Autumn Color Week: Orange Wednesday

A cozy cup of orange tea just for you...

more here and here.

Autumn Color Week: Green Tuesday!

Autumn greens are so soothing & earthy! Uhm, and in case you are wondering -yes, I stuffed a bunch of leaves, apples, & pears in an overnight bag...





Check out more Tuesday greens on Poppytalk, & Flickr!

Autumn Color Week

Oh I love a good assignment! Poppytalk is heading up an Autumn Color Week! It started yesterday, so I didn't get to post these to the Flickr group, but I do love yellow, so I couldn't bear to skip it!





Next up: Tuesday Green!

Norma's at the Parker Palm Springs

The Parker Palm Springs: Jonathan Adler happy chic, sunshine in abundance, palm trees & pampas grass, blue blue swimming pools, and... the most INSPIRED breakfast ever!

The colors were at once soothing & energizing, just like the glimmering French press pot of coffee

The Very Berry Brioche French Toast was soooo divine - a hollowed out brioche filled with warm berries.!... OH, and savory Norma's Eggs Benedict made with mini buttermilk pancakes instead of english muffins, & it all starts with a complementary smoothie of the day shot. Can't make it to the Parker? Don't be sad - get the cookbook instead!

This is Home

I can't believe it! My little postcard made the semifinals for the This is Home Project!



Make your way on over & vote for your favorite. There's a ton of talent & some truly inspired entries!

Reflections

Lately I have been fascinated with the gorgeous reflections to be found on cars....



Doesn't this one look like a watercolor painting?



I had to show a neighbor what I was doing, I guess it looked a tad bit odd taking photos of the car trunks in the neighborhood!

Sweetie Bears in the Shop!

Extra sweetness...

is officially available in the shop!

Sweetie Bears

Another card set is in the works for Vicinity Studio! Isn't he adorable? The cards are ready for a photo shoot, & I plan to have them up in the shop by ...Thursday!

Photography Bug

The more I learn, the more I love this photography thing. Here's my first "Selfie", & I am feeling pretty brave posting it! Maybe one day I'll work up the courage to take one with my face in it:)

Ceu

Have you heard of Ceu? She ‘s Brazilian, & her downtempo Samba is crazy cool!

This girl’s dancing was so charming, I’ve been trying to mimic her shimmy since her Seattle show last week. I haven’t quite got it though…

Vicinity Studio Launched!

My first listing for Vicinity Studio is up on Etsy! 38 views so far & 1 sale (thanks Mom:) Now I just need to get a few more designs buttoned up! -Oh yes, & make some sales.

Vicinity Studio

A work in progress....

I'm getting my ducks in a row (or Birdies, in this case), to jump into the great big world of online selling.  The count-down is on for my etsy launch! (10...9.....8....7.....)

Metric

There's something mesmerizing about seeing someone completely in their element.  They sparkle a bit.  Go see Metric in concert & you'll see what I mean. 

Thinking of Paris

When I arrived in Paris, the sky looked like this.......

which was nice, because I felt the same way.

Atypyk

Imaginary To Do List for Ivan Duval & Jean Sebastien Ides, founders of Atypyk:

• Consume copious amounts of espresso & fresh croissants.
• Hang out with funny best friend all day.
• Think up products that make each other laugh.
• Make said products, so that other people can laugh too.
• Do all of this in Paris.
  

Hmmm, looks like they're already done for the day.

{clockwise from left: Cowstick,  Bon Appetit Tie, Love Patch, Mustaches, Do Disturb}

Making the Leap

Sometimes, all I need is to remember is that others have gone before me, beauty is everywhere, & anything is possible.  It helps to visit places like this:  Olympic Sculpture Park