Fuji Pro 400h; Nikon FM3a; Nikkor 85mm f/1.4
This is what a typical Southern California beach day looks like in March – warm sun, cool water, and not too many crowds. We hope to get many more of these days in this summer but with warmer water of course!
xoxo
Whoa – I have finally reached week 40 which means there are only 12 more pictures of this project left so I better try to step up my game, but I will leave you with this picture of the stunning Los Angeles sky taken with our Fm3A.
I have come to realize that I may have a slight obsession with photographing clouds, but what can I say – I think they rock and am still waiting for some really smart person to invent a way to float, jump, and bounce on those clouds just like you dream of as a child (or adult in my case). Or maybe I should just become a Care Bear {the pink one}, so all my cloud dreams will come true! Until then, I will be admiring them with my feet firmly planted on the ground and day dreaming.
When cleaning out decorating our office I came across these pictures of Ryan’s dad and have been wanting to share. I love seeing old pictures of our parents — as most kids probably do. Just reminds us that before they were “Mom” and “Dad” they were just like us!
XOXO
XOXO
XOXO
Rain, rain, rain – you just keep coming down leaving me in one continuous outfit of boots, thick socks, and a jacket with a hood! Right when my mind starts wandering to thoughts of summer dresses, sandals, and new bathing suits, you whop my bare legs with a burst of cold air and leave my hair in a wet mess. Since, you will not leave us alone, I figure I might as well get out there and enjoy the beauty you have to offer and beautiful it is…
Taking a quick walk around town is a great way to end a week and start a new one. Here are some shots from ours today, hope you enjoy!
Ryan’s work schedule left us staying a few nights in the city. enjoying each other. the lights. the energy.
My Friday picture of the week was taken on our walk to dinner. I wanted to capture the energy of the city while preventing Ryan from getting lost among the crowd, the buildings, and the lights.
The rest of the pictures were taken while walking around or from inside the California Club.
Maybe it was the video I saw last week about Scott Schuman’s visual life or the fact that my sister is coming back from her Air Force tour in England and I never got a chance to visit her, but lately I have been dreaming about how wonderful it would be to move to Paris and just photograph. Photograph the streets, the buildings, the food, the people, the monuments – the list is endless. So while I have been dreaming about photographing Paris, I was reminded last Thursday that I have many things to photograph right here in Los Angeles – I just need to get out and explore the city.
The invitation from our friend, Matt of Groceries Apparel, to attend LA Art Walk could not have come at a better time. It allowed us a chance to get out and explore the city in which we live in. We started the night off checking out Matt and Rob’s new manufacturing warehouse and then headed to the Art Walk.
Thanks to all for a great night and lets do it again next month!
Yesterday, my entire day was filled with french macaron chatter. My mom and I ooh and ahh’d over the Ladurée Sucré cookbook and how we must have a french themed bridal shower for one of my sisters so that we can decorate with macarons. Then we couldn’t figure out why we didn’t see Ladurée when we were in Milan years ago. I told her I bought almond flour over the weekend in hopes of attempting these difficult little cookies. I promise, every 15 minutes discussion about those delectable little treats would surface.
All of that talk left me craving for french macarons, so much I was almost out of the office and on my way to Bottega Louie to pick some up. I chatted Ryan, as I often do, to let him know I was heading out early. He asked if I wanted to meet for a “treat” which I assumed was a kiss and maybe a piece of a homemade, brownie that he swiped from the office kitchen.
I met him on the corner in between our buildings and I got my kiss, but no treat. Hmmmm.
I asked, “No treat?”
He said, “Yeah, the kiss.”
Ok, I thought, well that was pretty good, but I know he must have a treat somewhere. So, I reached around his back pocket and found it!!!! I found a purple Bottega Louie box filled with four yummy french macarons!!!!! How did he know that my Mom and I had been talking about these all day and I was dying for a little bite of one?? Seriously, nuts – but happiness at last!
I am always so shocked how fabulously happy a little treat can make me, and a kiss too! Thanks Ry for both of my treats!!!
UPDATE: Yes, I actually spelled something right and it is macaron with 1 “o” not two. According to Wikipedia (totally authoritative), “Since the English word macaroon can also refer to the Coconut macaroon, many have adopted the French spelling of macaron to distinguish the two items in the English language. However, this has caused confusion over the correct spelling of the cookie. Some recipes exclude the use of macaroon to refer to this French confection while others think that they are synonyms.”
My wife is awesome!
She recently surprised me with Dodger tickets for no other reason than being nice. Being married definitely has it’s perks!
The Dodgers beat the Mets 2-0 behind a Matt Kemp home run in an exciting game (keep in mind, this was a few weeks back before they gave away all hopes of making the playoffs).
To top things off, Shan got her first foul ball in a manner I’m not sure ever will be duplicated. The ball came in at a trajectory to our left and the crowd all moved that direction, at the last second it deflected off the 2nd deck and shot directly down into her beer! Which was in the cup holder! The most amazing part is that beer splashed everybody around, except for Shan! Amazing! Great night on the town and a souvenir, I’m a lucky guy!
With the warm air sweeping over LA this week, it was time to celebrate summer and what better way than taking an off campus lunch with the hubby! When Ryan asked me to lunch, I suspected we would go to one of the usual’s, La Salsa, Quizno’s, or one of the other nameless places in the underground food court. Boy, was I surprised when we walked into what felt like lunch heaven at Bottega Louie. Bottega Louie is a restaurant, bar, market, deli, cafe and bakery all in one – all while exuding glamorous!! The design studio behind Bottega Louie, View Design Studio states, “Evoking old European style, this 10,000 square foot restaurant set in a historical building in downtown Los Angles brings a new concept to dining with its market of gleaming dessert cases, prepared foods and other sundry items. The light-filled dining area is open to the kitchen and flows from the market and bar. White marble, walls and ceilings are accented by brass, black banquettes and warm woods.”
Gosh, I am such a sucker for white molding these days, so this place was an instant hit the second I spotted the crisp white walls with detailed molding surround the vast dining area.
And desserts, my other obsession! With so many desserts to choose from the options were endless, but I settled on the vanilla eclair.
The pastry case filled with perfectly colored macaroons and beautiful, gold tinned cupcakes that greets you upon entering. I have been hoping to try my hand at macroons, so this was just the inspiration I needed!
Boy was this sure a nice way to spend the lunch hour – I can’ t wait to go back and maybe try a few of the yummy cocktails from the menu!!
BOTTEGA LOUIE: 700 S. Grand Ave., dwntwn., (213) 802-1470 or www.bottegalouie.com. Open daily 6:30 a.m. to (about) 11 p.m.; AE, MC, V. Full bar. Valet parking. Takeout and prepared foods. Starters $6-$8; main courses $8-$33; desserts $7.
Last night Shan and I saw what was without a doubt the best concert I’ve ever seen!
Brooks & Dunn played in what may have been their last performance ever in California. They sung a full set of songs and sounded incredible from start to finish. Close quarters, small headcount and their contagious energy made for an encapsulating atmosphere. Brooks & Dunn’s set mixed their upbeat songs with their emotional ones and they involved the crowd the whole time. The emotional highlight of the night was during “Only in America” when three uniformed soldiers marched out and stood facing the crowd at the front edge of stage. For the duration of the song they stood still and tall saluting the crowd and then during the last chorus, red, white and blue streamers exploded and covered all the onlookers.
The event was hosted by Toyota and held at Club Nokia at LA Live in Los Angeles as an add on to their farewell tour. The venue only seats about 2,000 people was an intimate place to see such a renowned band. Toyota gave free tickets to owners who responded back to an email, and provided free food and drinks to all. My 4runner has been perfect so this was gravy, thanks Toyota! Click here for a slideshow.
We were lucky enough to get a bunch great pictures, to view them bigger and better please click here.
Today Shan and I met Brent and Suzi for tacos, it’s really so nice to work across the street from each other. Lately we’ve been having lunch at least a couple of times a week so today we enjoyed the company of friends. After lunch we walked downtown for awhile and ended up spending a few minutes in the park adjacent to the library.
Since I didn’t post a picture yesterday, there are two today. #9 is my favorite of the 365 day project so far. I love ya Shan!
The Braid - 9/365
Library Fountain - 10/365
Our Footprints..... 
