corners

I am a sucker for something that has been re-purposed and this little bar is no exception. This cabinet has been with me for a lot of years - over 20. It has seen a lot of different facets of my life and held onto many of my precious treasures. It has been in 6 homes and has been one of the most useful pieces I have ever had. It has simple, clean lines and is extremely functional. 

A few months ago, this piece was forest green. It has also been red and white. But I needed to find a new life for it. I have been eying bar carts and - being the trendy gal that I am (hahaha) - I decided that's exactly what this piece needed to be. It's extremely rustic and full of flaws (just like me!), but I love it. It fits neatly in my dining room and serves as my makeshift bar cart now. And every time I walk by it, it warms my little heart.

Sometimes all you need is a freshening up in the dusty corners to bring a spot of sunshine where it always needed to be.

Behind

I am delinquent in so many parts of my life. But this post is my catch up. It's not a particularly exciting photograph. But the topic is amazing.

If you don't know who William Helburn is, you should check him out. His work is impeccable and iconic.

Anyhow...today, I met a friend for coffee and conversation and catch up (and a little clarity) and she gave me this book as a gift. Let me just tell you, I am smitten. Every photograph is like a breath of fresh inspirational air. It speaks to all the levels of this industry I have been involved in. Photography. Design. Art Direction. Advertising. Fashion. Truly meaningful for me.

If you need to find me this weekend, I will be planning my next shoot based on his work.

Happy Weekend!

A posse of goodness

Y'all...These kids. They slay me.

This is our neighborhood posse. These kids have known each other forever. They were born together. They have toddled around beaches and parks together. They have slept on each others bedroom floors.

This is real. This is the beginning right here. This is the stuff long term friendships are made of. This is the stuff you tell stories about in 30 years over cocktails and in wedding speeches. This is where life begins. This is where we begin to form who we are in this crazy world.

I couldn't ask for a better crew for my son to grow up with. They are honest and kind and sweet and good. And that's all I could ever ask for - a posse of goodness.

Dreaming

Yesterday was truly a spectacular day. Warm. Breezy. Sunny. I could have floated around and gotten lost in that sky. Wondering and thinking. Dreaming and scheming. Just wishing days like this could be forever where everything is fine just as it is.

Cheating Spring.

I am cheating Spring a little this year. Coaxing it out a little earlier than I should.  I simply can't help it. I am done with winter. I am done with hibernation and slumber. I can't wait for the vibrant colors pouring out of every flower bud. I am excited for the smell the spring rain splashing onto the parched winter grasses. I am so hopeful for sunshine and breezes blowing my hair around my face and warming my chilled winter skin. It's time. For all of it.

So hurry up spring. I am marking my front row seat for your spectacular show.

Confetti

I love this time of year. Spring is about to burst forward. I know because this scene above is one of the first signs around here. Mother Nature throws me down a blanket of camellia confetti all over my front stoop. And I couldn't be more excited to see it come.

This has been a long winter for everyone. Harsh weather and bad news seem to have overshadowed any joy and good news we got around here. I am just very ready for some change. And nothing brings about change like Spring's vibrant energy. Colorful and sunny and breezy and bold. It's just what we need around here.

So for now, I am looking forward to a new season...change, color, sunshine and rebirth.

Happy (alllllmmooooossst) Spring!

Wintery Days

Wintery days require warm hearts, cozy blankets, handmade hats....and lots of togetherness. Especially when the power goes out. 

Fifty Shades of Grey Days

All I am doing these days is looking for a little sunshine to warm my heart and shine into the corners of my soul.

Weather the storm

We have had some nasty weather lately. Ice. Sleet. Rain. Cold. Even I am a little tired of the dreary days that have dragged on through the past few weeks.

The grey days make it hard to find your groove. Motivation comes slowly on days like these. I look for comfort at every corner - soft clothes and warm meals and and hot drinks. But there are days when you just need to hunker down and weather it all by pressing on. And then there are days when you need to say - enough is enough...I'm retreating to my corner.

Right now, I feel like retreating. But I know I can't. I know I have to press through. Because spring is just around the corner. And brighter days are ahead.

So for now, I will stand facing it all. For now, I will weather the storm ahead. For now, I will stand strong and carry on.

Planning

On the coldest days of February, my favorite thing to do is plan a little for the warm sunshine and longer days of summer. Plan on which bed the tomatoes will reside and where the squash will (hopefully) flourish. Plan on what to rotate when. Mostly, I like to plan what will nourish me most and what will sustain me through those long, hot days of summer.

Spring

Hold tight.

Spring is coming. Costumes are being fitted and the dress rehearsal starts in a few short weeks. This is one show that will go on.

Clarity

I have taken this photo before. I have taken it at sunrise and at sunset. I have photographed it in rain and fog and clear and crisp sunny days - just like today.

But today felt different. I saw it. Clearly. Nothing distracting from the view. Just simple lines against a lovely blue & green backdrop.

Today, it was like I saw it for the first time all over again. Grand. Clear. Perfect. Just like it is. But most importantly, just like I saw it today. Nothing in the way. Nothing changing the view.

Clear as it ever was.

Small Investments

Today is busy. Full of edits and shoot prep and future plans. I seem to run out of time so easily these days. There are only so many hours in the day to pack in all the important things.

I am trying not to run out of time for myself these days. I am really good at putting everything in front of my own needs. I could go pro. But even on my busiest days, I try to pause for a little self care. It's like making a tiny investment in a long term fund that grows without you watching it. Slowly, over time, it all becomes a habit and before you know it, you have the resources to fall back on and get you through those challenges life brings.

So today's theme is pausing in the moment for some care. This is part of it...a light lunch. Lean. Homemade. And healthy. A little fresh air and sunshine.

And a little reminder that I am worth it.

El Gato Diablo

If you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen this video I posted about my life in hell recently. Only, in my world this happens at 2:19 AM...when I am (conveniently) sound asleep. And for no real reason but that she needs something that I haven't figured out. What's worse...I am wide awake for another 2 hours - minimum. Let's just say mornings here have been a little hard on me.

Don't let this face fool you. On the outside she's all fuzzy and cute. But on the inside, the devil lives there. Yes. I am sure of it. And as patient as I am with most animals, 2:19 AM is NOT a wake up time for food or water or whatever else you need to communicate that I am not giving you.

Someone please send her the memo.

Before the frost

It's time to harvest and gather. Time to reap what we sow. It's time to duck from the hardships and collect what we need. Preparing for the frosts is never easy. But we do what we can and learn a little more every time.

It's time to hunker down and prepare for the hard freeze ahead. It's time to do the hard work. The real work. The dirty work.

Everything nice.

Sugar and spice and everything nice...

This day was awesome. Not only did I get to photograph this beauty, but I got to photograph and spend time with her mother in their TO.DIE.FOR house that she and her awesomely handy and talented husband built. While I wasn't photographing her and her daily handing out life with Goldie, we were working on getting her some portraits to promote herself a little more as the incredible artist she deserves to be recognized as. I really can't wait until the world uncovers what a gem we are hiding in her art and creative mind.

But this...this little dose of sweetness is what I came for. Kisses. And smiles. And blue eyes you could swim around in for days. I just really don't know how they get anything done.

Happy Feet.

Sunshine. Blue skies. And happy little baby feet.  I couldn't ask for a better day if I tried!

Home

I am back home today. Back in the comforts of yoga pants and puppy dogs and some gentle sunshine though my windows.

As much as I love the adventures that travel always brings, I am always happy to come back home.

Work

Some days, my "work" really feels and looks nothing at all like work.

When I am in the middle of a shoot, I really don't think of anything else but what I am doing. I am thinking of light and emotions and what the image is saying and conveying. I think about if the image is right or if something needs to be tweaked. But never am I thinking about bills or dinner or my next job or how late I am. I am always right there, in the moment.

This outtake is from my shoot yesterday. This week, I was taken all over the state shooting for a long time client who I really love working with. And this little school was one of the businesses I got to shoot yesterday. This is "work."

These faces. I mean...come on!

I am the luckiest girl alive to call this job "work."

Auntie Libby

Besides being a mother, one of my favorite things in the world is to be an Auntie. It's full of all kinds of perks. You get to play with them without any of the hardships of parenting. There is really no discipline or punishing. There are no bedtimes to stress about or mealtimes to angst over. It's just play. Fun. Adventure. Love.

This week, I got to play Auntie for a few short and precious hours. We threw balls and colored. We played Bubble Guppies and read books. We even sang and danced (well, not so much me with the singing and the dancing. But this one sure put on a show!) It's always an adventure being the Auntie.

I also got to meet this cutie pie and be a totally different kind of Auntie...more like squishy pillow Auntie.

These newborns get me every time. The baby smells and the sounds and the gummy smiles. I am all a melted puddle of love after holding a newborn. I always thought it was a such a treat having a little one around of my own - albeit too brief.

For now, though, I will love being the Auntie. The play and fun and treats all make for feeling a little bit like Mary Poppins in the life of your friends and family. I know when momma needs help and rest. But I also know when it's time to step down and let momma do the work she needs to do.

Because nothing - and I really mean NOTHING - can replace your mom in this world.