Brand.

I'm working on the beginning of a brand for my photography.
Something visual.
Tangible.
Concrete.

It's nothing major.
Yet.
That will take time.
And will require me to actually define myself
to myself.

But I am excited for this first step.

It's definitely the right direction.

Cheers,
A

Sunday Best

You have to love a holiday

that involves a basket of candy

left overnight by a giant bunny,

and pastel colored eggs 

hidden amongst emerald grass.

Little girls in pretty dresses.

White gloves.

Wide-brimmed hats.

This Easter the girls got "dressed up"

in dresses I made using the Ice Cream Social pattern 

by Oliver + S.

They didn't exactly pose well for mama.

Not really at all.

Not even

a little.

Mmm hmmm.

See?

I'm sure if I somehow spliced all seven photos together

I'd end up with one perfect shot.

But that's not nearly as much fun.

Elena found the golden egg.

They both found pink Jellycat elephants in their baskets.

And candy.

Lots 

and lots

of candy.

Excessive amounts

of candy.

This is Stella grabbing Nerds from DRL.

Handfuls at a time.

There's just something about these photos.

Save the bottom one,

she looks so...

almost...

grown up.

Like I'm getting a preview of teenage Elena.

Twenty-something Elena.

It's scary as hell.

Haunting.

And gorgeous.

We don't do fancy shoes.

They're just not little-girls-who-play-like-boys friendly.

Chucks.

Even with Easter dresses.

That's how we roll.

I hope you had a blessed Easter.

Free from fire ants,

unpacked Uhaul boxes,

cold pizza,

sciatica,

and the Coxsackie virus.

Cheers,

A

Spicy Tuna.

I love sushi.
I eat it alone.

I sip my tea.

I take a photo.
Maybe two.

I get full.
Really
Extremely
Uncomfortably
Full.

Then I eat more.

The end.

Cheers,
A

Scenes From A Couch

Cheers,

A

Easy Like Sunday Morning: Kevin+Liz

 I was given the chance to assist Jessica of Jessica Monnich Photography for Kevin and Liz's laid back Sunday wedding and as I watched the couple interact with those around them I knew that these were two amazing people. It was impossible not to smile when you were near them.  Their wedding day was abuzz with laughter, smiles, and heart-swelling love.  And best of all, it seemed effortless.  Liz kept cool all day and Kevin couldn't stop cracking jokes.  I'm certain theirs is an easy kind of love.  Easy like Sunday morning...

I focused mainly on capturing the details of their day while Jessica worked away at portraiture.  The styling was reflective of Liz and Kevin. Chuck Taylors. Apple computers. Tiger Swallowtails. Gorgeous colors. Laid back style.

 Kevin, you're hilarious.  I mean f-u-n-n-y.

Liz, you're stunning. 

I mean g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s.

This shot is straight-out-of-camera and is by far my favorite from the day. Liz, I mean it. You're beautiful.  This shot is so you.  Pretty. Real. A little mischievous. Happy.

A tiger swallowtail  landed in Liz's bouquet just as we were about to wrap shooting.  A perfect moment, for a perfect wedding day.

Thank you, Jessica, for allowing my camera and me to tag along.

Thank you Kevin+Liz for being the amazing couple you are, and for allowing me to share in one step of the journey you two are now on.  I wish you many blessings.  

Cheers,

A  

also blogged on my photography blog here.

le petit prince

I first read this book at Abbey del Sol
while DRL and I were on our honeymoon.

I fell instantly in love with it.

I read it again
while I was in Mexico last weekend.

Yesterday,
I saw a gorgeous pop-up version
at anthropologie
and had to have it.

It's full of
big, thick pages,

gorgeous full-color
pop-out
illustrations

and
moving parts.
Like stars, and cards,
and snakes.

If you haven't read this book,
you should.

It's full of magic.
Wisdom.
Truth.
Wonder.

Cheers,
A

Help: Wanted

Last night I finally
FINALLY
finished quilting my
Macaroni Love Story
strip quilt.

Yes.  The quilt top that took me one day to cut and assemble
has taken me weeks
to quilt.

But that's beside the point.

I picked out two different fabrics
for the binding.
Because I'm about as good at making decisions
as I am at being patient.

I'd like your help.
Which do you prefer?

A:

Or B:

Or do you love them both
like I do??

Vote now.

Cheers,
A

Mexication 2011.

This is the view from our table at Pelicano's.
A little beachfront restaurant in the heart of Puerto Morelos, Mexico.

Dayna, Nadia and I ate breakfast here on Friday morning.
This was our exact view.

The trip was amazing.
The weather was perfect.

And the company was quiet.
Easy.
Natural.

And full of laughter.

Thank you,
ladies,
for an unforgettable 30th birthday.

Thank you,
Raul and Cesar,
for your amazing snorkeling prowess
and insane knowledge of one of the most amazing
coral reefs
in the world.

Thank you,
Tiff and Abby,
for your unfaltering
and gracious
hospitality.

Thank you all
for enduring my absence.

Cheers,
A

Photo credit goes to Dayna for the black and white photo of me. To Nadia for the two color photos of me, and for the second black and white photo of Raul, our snorkeling guide and resident marine biologist, and also to James (aka: Jad Jergens) for the final photo. One of the few of all 3 of us girls together.  Dayna, Nadia: Thank you for taking my camera and giving me the awesome gift of seeing myself through your eyes.  I love you girls like crazy.