I have studied photography on and off for most of my adult life and minored in photojournalism at SFSU, but for the last couple of years I’ve flipped the switch to auto and been focused on the kids and only the kids. Trying to document all of their firsts and every funny thing they do can be a full-time job, not to mention the effort that goes into organizing it all. But recently I’ve been inspired by photog mom pals Ashley and Kari. At least once a week we get together for an after drop-off playdate with the littles (our toddlers) and talk about nothing but photography. Equipment, locations, techniques, software-we geek out on it all. I swear Ashley could go head to head with the smuggest pro behind the counter at Samy’s with her grasp on the latest equipment. And it was Kari who introduced me to this class I just signed up for on tabletop photography, an art form I’ve always admired but never attempted. So as much as I love this photo of my gardenia, I hope to consider it a “before” and share with you many beautiful “afters” in the weeks to come. Happy Friday everyone!
Archives for June 2012
outfit recipe-white shirt
You may ask yourself, “Has she ever met a white shirt she didn’t like?” The answer is yes, but not many. Nothing makes me feel fresher, more comfortable or classic than a good white shirt. I wear them with everything. Jean shorts, long skirts, black jeans, colored jeans, black pants and the list goes on. They’re also the ultimate blank canvas for accessories. This one has been in heavy rotation, and I predict it will be for the rest of the summer. The linen breathes so nicely, and the cut is as its namesake describes, perfect. Elle’s new favorite dress is from Target and Coco’s is from H&M. The kids DESTROY their clothes, so I still can’t rationalize spending a lot on their wardrobe. Elle’s silver slip-ons were a score from Nordstrom Rack, another great place to shop for the kiddos. They kept her comfy this whole trip around the Santa Barbara Zoo, from the otters all the way to the giraffes and back.
Me hat/sunnies similar/shirt/belt similar/jeans similar/bracelet/ring
Coco dress
leather to suede
I’ve been coveting these boots for months, but I couldn’t rationalize the purchase because I already own these (above). I know you understand, they’re different but the same. So yesterday I decided to dive into the aging kit I used to use on set and go to town trying to make a new boot out of an old one. Here’s how I did it.
Stuff the booties with crumpled magazine pages to keep the shape while you work on them. Spray them with rubbing alcohol to soften the leather and grab any scratchy surface you have to start “sueding” them. Did I just create a word? I used a medium grain sandpaper, a wire brush and an old pumice block. If you can’t find these in your garage or cupboard already you can easily find them at a hardware store.
Rub the soles of the boot on a rough ground surface to create a true worn-in effect.
Bending and twisting the boot helps as well.
Make sure to pay special attention to the heels, creases, zippers or laces for a more authentic look. If you want a more distressed leather look versus suede, rub a bit of shoe wax over the boots after you’re done beating them up.
Now throw them on with your favorite pair of jeans, a long skirt or just about anything else you want to add a rustic look to and enjoy the compliments.
family
We’ve had a lot of life this week-Elle’s first ballet recital in a 1600 seat auditorium, her preschool graduation (above), the second phase of a kitchen remodel, a bon voyage, a memorial and an anniversary. I’ve been crying on and off for most of it, some tears of sadness but most of joy. Now on top of it all, Coco turns two on Monday and also starts her first day of camp/preschool leaving my home child-free for the first time in five years. A whole twelve hours a week! My cup runneth over is an understatement. I’ve taken a lot from all these events and celebrations, the jist of it is-family, family, family. It’s hard to keep it together and some days I wish I was an island, but when all is said and done if you don’t have your family, you don’t have much. So hug your kids, water your plants, kiss your partner, call your girlfriend, make a baby, take your pup for a walk, visit your neighbor. Whatever kind of family you have, nurture the hell out of it-no man is an island.
smug smoothies
We make smoothies here almost every morning. At first it seems like a lot of work, but actually it’s the easiest thing and it makes me feel good the kids are starting out with something healthy before the day inevitably turns into a junk fest. It’s also a great place to hide any vitamins or supplements they hate taking otherwise. A friend recently suggested adding fresh spinach and that’s brought things to a whole new level of smug-mommery. I made this one the other day and I was so excited about how it looked in the morning sun I did not realize how dirty the table was until posting this just now. So, sorry if that’s gross. This is the standard recipe I use, but truthfully it changes every time depending on what’s in the fridge. I always have frozen berries but in this case they were fresh strawberries and raspberries. To keep it from getting too sweet, I add bananas, usually frozen. GREAT TIP-instead of tossing brown bananas peel them, break them up and freeze them in a Ziploc. Then you’ll always have them to use for smoothies.
seven year sitch
Originally Mike and I planned to wed at my parent’s home in front of our closest friends and family, friends from work, people we felt “needed” to be invited, our parent’s business partners, long-lost relatives we’d never heard of and the list of course went on. We were excited, but overwhelmed. We were going to cover a pool, re-landscape the whole property, bring in a tent-it just didn’t feel right, it wasn’t us. So one night after a few tears, and maybe a beer or two we thought, “What if we just went to Mexico?” So there and then the greatest idea we’d had in our lives up until that point was born. When all was said and done, we ended up with 55 guests, 162 tequila shots and the best night of our lives before kids. People who came as strangers left as friends, and instead of one night we had three amazing days and evenings with the people we love the most and it was an experience we will never forget. Seven years later we still find ourselves swooning over the photos and laughing over the stories from that weekend, now legendary in our little world. Happy Anniversary B, I love you madly.
Photo by Michelle Warren
Dress by Angel Sanchez
kin style-my favorite summer staple
Here’s the latest from my work with Kin Community featuring one of my favorite summer staples.
Happy Friday everyone!
happy father’s day
This picture of my dad and I (left) is one of my favorite photos of all time. So two Father’s Days ago when he and Elle made the same pose (completely unsolicited) I was tripping over myself to get the shot. Not the greatest exposure, but the GREATEST moment. My dad has always been my hero, but seeing him with my girls has brought that to a new level. They are so crazy about him and to see them doing the same things with him that I remember doing at their age is incredible. That and the guffaw he lets out whenever they do something funny-which naturally is all the time. I owe my dad so much, but I think the greatest gift he’s given me is Mike. Because I had such a great male figure in my childhood, I chose another one to spend my adulthood with. Mike and I have known each other forever. We grew up together as friends, and fell in love a couple different times before sealing the deal seven years ago. So I’ve known him in many capacities, but to see him as a father has been the greatest. He is such a natural and he’s giving these girls the same gift my dad gave me in his example of manhood. So before I get too saccharin (sorry, it’s probably too late) let me say Happy Father’s Day to my two favorite dads and to all you papas out there. Sit back, relax and enjoy the day, because tomorrow it’s back to work keeping us happy!
california graduation
After putting this together, I stepped back to review and wondered, is that a graduation outfit or a trip to the beach outfit? In California the lines can blur a bit, but that’s one of the million things I love about it. I have been preparing for Elle’s preschool graduation like it was from Harvard Law. Reminding relatives, shopping for her graduation dress, getting end of the year teacher gifts, and of course obsessing over what I’m going to wear. I swear if I planned our retirement as far in advance as I plan my outfits we’d be moving to our paid-for-with-cash Mexican villa now. So this is what I came up with-a breezy skirt in a demure but flattering length, a fan and a great hat because these things tend to fall on the hottest day of the year, a water bottle and of course the tissues. Throw in some fun sandals, Ray-Bans and an arm party and wa-la! It’s a California graduation. Congratulations grads, don’t worry, we DO think you’re special.
skirt/shirt/bag/sunnies/bracelets/sandals/stud earrings/printed tissues/printed water bottle/fan similar/hat
instastic
A few snippets from my obsessive Instagramming. Happy Monday everyone!