Baby | 5 Month Photo Shoot

He’s 5 months old already! Let me stop and let that sink in – 5 months! That is almost half a year, which is almost a year which means it’s almost his first birthday?! Okay, I guess not quite but it sure feels like it.  Seriously, you hear ‘they grow up so fast’ and boy is it true! I want him to stay this cute, little, squishy guy forever. Since he just had his 5th month birthday it was time for his photo shoot. 

I am cherishing these moments when I get to dress him up in anything I want and he is still happy as can be – even if that means naked and a cap like Grandpa!

Broderick | 4 Month

As I told you yesterday, this little guy has stolen our hearts (especially in the picture above which might be my all time favorite so far). He is more fun than I ever could have imagined. Every month, I do a mini photo shoot with him and this time Daddy was able to participate! For his four-month photo shoot, I wanted to capture his rolly-polly legs before that cute chub is gone and his playful personality that is beginning to develop. He talks to us all day long and somehow we communicate even though neither of us are speaking anything other than baby gibberish of oooohs, coos, and ahhhhs.

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Broderick, I hope you know just how loved you are because Mommy and Daddy just can’t get enough of you! I am fully aware that I have turned into “one of those Moms” that shares way to many pictures of her kids but I can’t help it. I prooooomise to post about something other than this little guy next time!!!!

 

Sleepy & White

I have tried my very best to enjoy each moment with little B because I know these are moments we can never get back. This first six weeks have already flown by and I can’t believe he will be 2 months old in just a few weeks.

Since little B’s announcements went out, I thought it was time to share these pictures which I took when he was seven days old (belly button shot was 14 days :)).  I look at them and marvel at how little he was. This little guy loves to put his right hand next to his face which is funny because we have a sonogram picture of him doing this exact thing.

This is was my favorite picture from the session and melts my heart. This represents little B just how he is, no hats, no crowns, just his little face sleeping away with his hands.

We love you little guy!

Film | France

Since, it doesn’t look like I will ever get around to doing a full trip re-cap, here are a few more film photographs to share. 

Detailed lamp-post in Monaco at Prince Rainier’s Palace

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One of the many flower markets in Aix-En-Provence

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A quick cappuccino on a rainy day in Paris

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The beautiful gold Dome des Invalides after an afternoon rain on our walk from the Metro stop.

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Yummy bakery treats waiting to be eaten

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The charming Aux Terres Rouges bed and breakfast we stayed at while in Aix-en-Provence

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A flower shop on Rue Cler in Paris

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Just two guys stopping for some friendly chatter in Paris

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Everything is cuter in Paris including the Metro signs

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The market square in Nice

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Spring time peonies waiting to be purchased in the Aix-En-Provence flower market

Paris Snippets | On Film

A French military man waiting as the train rolls by in a Paris Metro station.

An old water well at a wonderful bed and breakfast in Aix-En-Provence.

Another vendor booth filled with beautiful peonies on Rue Cler in Paris.

A little mini patiently waiting for its owner to take it for a spin in the rain.

Hope you enjoyed a few snippets from France captured on film using a Nikon Fm3a and  Fuji Pro 400h.

Celebrating Life

The only appropriate way to hold your birthday cake when seven months pregnant.

xoxo

Stripes + Popsicles

To wrap up what has become baby week, I present to you this adorable little guy. I normally don’t photograph toddlers but how could I say no to such a cute face! It is amazing that something as simple as melted sugar and food coloring can get a kid to do almost anything – including sitting still for 90 seconds.  Geesh, how simple life used to be!

May we enjoy all the little things in life this weekend, including warm weather, a friendly smile, or if you are so lucky, a yummy popsicle.

xoxo

Beckett | Newborn

We met in 7th grade. While we weren’t immediate friends because basic junior high coolness factors got in the way, we eventually had our moment to connect.  You see, she was the popular cheerleader who came to school dressed like Cher from Clueless, feather pens and all, and I was the weird, tall gymnast with too short of pants because they didn’t always used to make 32″ inseams let alone 36″ inseams. Somehow through our mutual love for cheerleading and my mad gymnastics skills, which got me on the Pop Warner team, we were given a chance to become friends.

We then spent the next 4 years of high school almost inseparable. She would be the one to pick me up for 5:30am cheer practice, host a party to celebrate the 90210 series finale, or work in cahoots with my parents to hold a surprise 16th birthday party.  She taught me how to write a proper love letter as well as the magic of hot rollers.

Now, over 10 years later, I still get to call her my best friend and see her in a new light…..as a mother. Seriously, even though this is #2, I am still shocked to write that! The girl that I brought home a little too late after a little too much fun is now a mother of two adorable boys, Riley & Beckett.

This picture is one of my all time favorites as it captures the sweetness and beauty of motherhood. I spent my birthday hanging out and taking these pictures of these two and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Congratulations to your beautiful family Melissa and Dustin and may our kids learn the beauty of a best friend!

xoxo

Secret is Out

My wonderful husband took this picture of me almost 2 months ago when I was……..5 months pregnant! I know, I know, I waited a while to post anything about it, but I haven’t been posting about much lately anyways and all of my posts have been random bits from our life, so I guess in the random nature…the secret is finally out! Since then my belly has grown quite a bit because this baby is coming in just a couple more months.

The late April fog had rolled in and I decided we need to head down to the beach before dinner to use up the last of our film before heading off to France. I love to see how Ryan decides to capture things, even if I might boss him around a little to make sure he “gets” what I am going for! I tell him my thoughts, and show him where to stand, and which lens to use  (i know, annoying!), all of which he is half listening to so I freak that he doesn’t get it and wont get the picture I want. But when the film comes back, he never fails and his talent always surprises me and makes me excited that he shares the love for photography as much as I do! Thanks cutes for dealing with me and creating such pretty pictures!

Fuji Pro 400h; Nikon FM3a, 85mm f/1.4

xoxo

Baby Tessa | Newborn

Lots of babies have been filling up my memory cards the past few weeks and now it’s time to share! This tiny bundle was ever so precious. At just 15 days old, Tessa was not the sleepy baby one would think but a wide eyed little girl who loved showing off those blue eyes. Love this little girl and her sweet smiles.

xoxo

Paris on Film

Our stay in Paris was filled with bakeries, cappuccinos, strolling, and window shopping at all the finest stores. We spent each morning walking the streets looking for a place to enjoy a croissant before starting the day. Everything in France is created with thought, skill, and pride which makes the products, food, and architecture have that little extra something special that we are lacking here in America.

As you can see, there is no shortage of pastry selections at the bakery and the best (or worst) part is that everything is terrific just like you always hear so it makes deciding on a treat quite difficult for someone like me who loves treats and struggles making decisions. (Side note: We went to a gelato stand that had 99 flavors, so you can imagine my head exploding as it took me 7 minutes to pick a gelato flavor).

Cappuccinos are one of my Dad’s favorite morning drinks, so he was always up for a little coffee break. I love this hat and tweed coat and thought he fit the Parisian part quite well.

We have countless pictures as there is never a shortage of beautiful things to photograph. The colorful doors, old windows, aged shutters, and cute flower boxes line every street, but yet the view just never gets old.

xoxo

All photos taken with Fuji Pro 400h; Nikon FM3a; 50mm f/1.8 or 85mm f/1.4

France First Glimpse

All taken with Fuji Pro 400h; Nikon FM3a

I was blessed and lucky enough to spend two weeks in France with my Mom, Dad, and oldest sister and had an amazing trip that we will never forget. I just got the film back today from Richards Photo Lab and have since been reliving all of the yummy treats, architecture, and landscape from our trip. Somehow, this office cube is appearing much more bleak and dull by the minute and I am hoping if I close my eyes real tight and click my heels, the magic Ladurée fairy will appear and transport me back!  You can probably imagine the amount of pictures collected over my 12-day trip, and I haven’t yet made it through all of them, here are a few of my favorites on film!

And if those waffles or “gaufres” could please find a way to my bedroom tomorrow morning I will be forever grateful!

Southern California Beach Day

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

Sunshine & Water

Nothing warms the heart more than a visit from your sister, a warm sunshiny day, and a walk along the beach. May you enjoy your weekend with all that it has to offer!!!

xoxo

Texture + Light

Just messing around with the camera today and decided to see what I could do with some items around the house focusing on textures and light.

This was a new blanket I picked up from Restoration Hardware that seems to add just the right amount of texture to a room. 

Invitations seem to be flooding our house lately and these wedding invitations, made by the bride, Alexandra of Alexandra Works, were nothing short of beautiful.

And lastly, a sand dollar that Ryan and I found on the beach during a run a few weekends ago. One of my favorite things, is when Ryan brings me home sand dollars he found while on his beach run. I love that he takes care when making his selection and will never bring home a less than perfect one. I was lucky enough to actually find my first perfect sand dollar that day and don’t worry, I am still shaking sand out of it!

Happy Sunday!

Two Little Lovelies

I am editing my way through these images and can’t wait for these proud parents to see the entire gallery because I just have way to many favorites. These little girls melted my heart the entire session.  Even though we had a tough time getting them to both sleep at the same time, by the end, they both gave me 3 minutes of sleepy bliss which allowed me to capture my favorite picture of the day — two sleeping little girls in tutu’s. Precious.

xoxo

Ka-Pow! Fireworks Time!

As mentioned here, we enjoyed the city fireworks show as Ryan and I have done since 2003. It is always a great way to celebrate the holiday season and a fun time to get together with friends. Ryan enjoys spending each year perfecting his fireworks shots and this year were some of his best! 

Here was the great finale which lit up the entire beach with the bright flashes.

While this shot is more reminiscent of Halloween than Christmas, I loved the bright moon sitting above this house and had to capture it on the walk home. Once again, another great show and another memory down in the books!

xoxo

Friday | Picture of the Week | Week 47

Ahhhhh…..Christmas. The sights. The sounds. The smells. All so pleasant to enjoy from the comfort of home. Dare to enter the mall or a store and you might be singing a different tune! But when all is said and done it really can be the most wonderful time of the year!

I have always dreamed of one day spending the entire month of December in New York. Of course, in my dream month in New York, I would have ice skating skills worthy of those cute skating outfits ala Blair Waldorf, endless money to spend at Bergdorfs, and of course time to enjoy a wonderful drink at the Plaza. So, for now, I will enjoy a glass of wine from my New York wine glass and call myself lucky. Lucky to have our health and lucky to be surrounded by such love. But don’t worry, I will still be stalking all those New York bloggers {The Glamouri, From Me-To You} and hoping for some good ol’ New York eye candy.

xoxo

Recipe | Garlic Chips

Whenever I go back home there are a few restaurants that I always try to make my way to and Pizzeria Classico is one of them as we go specifically for their delectable garlic chips. So you can imagine my excitement when my best friend pinned this recipe on her Pinterest because it might be the closest thing I can get to them in LA.

The result was finger lickin’ good and almost as good as the original!

My tips: add more cheese than you think, double the garlic, and roll the dough as thin as possible!

Enjoy!

Breezy Skirt

Blazer: Anthropologie; Skirt: Unknown (similar here, here, here) Tank: JCrew; Scarf: Anthropologie; Shoes: Zara; Purse: Marc Jacobs; Jewelry: Mizuki; JCrew; Forever 21; Essie Mint Candy Apple Polish

xoxo

Friday | Picture of the Week | Week 46

This weeks picture goes to Mavrio – Maverick from Top Gun meets Mario Kart. Despite Mr. Mavrio’s pose, we were flying in these go karts and had such a blast racing each other!

And for the record, race go-kart’s rock no matter what age!

xoxo

3rd Annual Thanksgiving Photoshoot

For the past two years, my sister and I have orchestrated a Thanksgiving day photoshoot so we were excited to proceed with our 3rd Annual photoshoot. While the first year we put on as much make-up as possible and rushed out of the house wearing whatever clothes we had packed and last year we upped the photography and used a white background with a few flashes, this year was by far the best yet and completely out of control!

See, what I forgot to realize was that my father participated in many mountain man rendezvous shoots for his gun club back in the day and had an entire trunk full of mountain man attire! Um, yeah. You want to know how legit he was – he even hooked us up with a quiver! A quiver, you ask? Don’t worry that is the same thing we wondered when my Dad came in asking us if we had seen his quiver!

Quiver: A portable case for holding arrows.

Kelsey, seriously killing it in this light! She may be little, but that girl can model with the best of them! 

A special thanks has to be given to my Dad for photographing these and being just as crazy as us and to Ryan for still loving me despite my sometimes crazy behavior!

xoxo

Friday | Picture of the Week | Week 45

I present to you the 3rd Annual Thanksgiving photoshoot! More pictures to come – but yes, this really happened and am dying laughing as I am posting this because we had one heck of a time and once again, could not control the laughter! I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend and now I’m off to start decking these halls with some much needed Christmas decor!

xoxo

Friday | Picture of the Week | Week 43

This is what an evening in looks like when your husband is snuggled up sick in bed and you are left alone with a camera and a Vogue book.

xoxo

Popover, Do-Over

I was informed by a certain popover connoisseur that my popover post here was not a total success and the popovers were lacking…well, “pop”. I didn’t quite believe her at first because no. 1 they tasted good and no. 2 they more than doubled in size which seemed to be popped enough for me! But, since I was the annoying girl in class that always did the extra credit to ensure I got an A+, not an A, I had to go for the A+ and try them again. Miss Popover connoisseur is from Texas, so naturally she had endless comparisons to the “Neiman Marcus” popovers. Therefore, after a bit of research we decided I should try this Neiman Marcus popover recipe.

Success???

You be the judge, but I think I will give myself an A for this attempt! These definitely had more “pop”; however, they tasted a bit more floury than the Tyler Florence recipe. I decided I will try this recipe again using more butter and hope they keep their pop but the extra butter will add just a bit more flavor.

If anyone has a great popover recipe send it my way before I try these again for the A+!

xoxo