Stitch Fix - Fix #2

So what is Stitch Fix? The gist is this - you sign up at stitchfix.com, wait for an invite and then fill out a personal style profile. Be thorough - size, likes, dislikes, style icons - because a personal stylist then picks out fun, unique clothing from designers based on your preferences and for a mere $20 styling fee, they ship it to your door. 

They describe it as "trend-forward, beautiful clothes and accessories from the latest and greatest designers" and I have to agree with that. If you decide to keep one or all of the items, that $20 styling fee goes towards your purchase. (If you keep the whole shipment, they even give you 25% off the entire "fix"!) If nothing suits your fancy, simply pack everything back up in pre-paid mailer and send it back to them. 

This was my second fix. I've yet to lose my styling fee because there has always been something (or two or three) I want in the box. My second shipment was even better than my first because after I shipped the things I didn't choose back, I filled out the online survey of my experience. This helps them get a better idea of the things you like and don't like. I even changed up my style profile to give the stylist even more detail about what I want. 

One of the things about me, I'm busy. So busy, that I almost never get to the dry cleaner. Not to mention, by the end of most days, being a mom, I am sure to have snot, spit or slobber on one part of my wardrobe. I wrote this in my profile and asked that anything they send can be easily washed - please don't send leather or fur or any so delicate it requires dry cleaning.

So here it is:

Violet was just as excited as me about the Stitch Fix shipment!

While I unwrapped the clothing, Violet tore the tissue to shreds... to her this was the most fun. the clothes.. not so much.

What I really love is the details they add - like these style tags that help you get ideas on what to pair with you "fix" items. Now, let's remember I am not a model nor do I think I am... note all the awkward poses and silly faces. 

Item #1: BB Dakota Trovato Arrowhead Blanket Cardi 

This one was tough. When I first pulled it out of the box, I was horrified at the 1970's southwestern sweater revival. After trying it on, I thought it wasn't so bad. It was super comfy and looks good with both jeans and leggings. I may just be swayed to this new old look!

Item #2 :Miilla Calvary Open Lapel Sweater Tunic

This I love! It looks great with leggings and boots. I paired it with a chunky necklace to give it some "pop". I can absolutely see me wearing this out shopping or chilling around the house. A definite keeper! 

Item #3: Everly Dellora 3/4 Sleeve Zig Zag Blouse

I saw this in the box and nearly swooned. Not only do I love and adore chevron, I love bold and fun patterned tops. This one seemed to scream "I have it all". But when I tried it on, I think the pattern was too bold on me. I tried it with both jeans and a pencil skirt and although I want to love it, I don't think it works on me. You have no idea how sad I am about it... I keep trying it on to see if I change my mind. This one is a maybe.

Item #4: Honey Punch Julie Twist Front Top

KEEPER KEEPER KEEPER!!!! I love the sheer, feminine fabric, the flowy cut, the color, the little rectangle buttons on the cuffs, the way it opens in the back. I can wear this out in the evening... with jeans for a more casual look - or even pair it with my black pencil skirt for a more "business" look. I'm not sure what to wear for accessories.. but I am thinking some big, showy earrings and let the shirt speak for itself.

Item #5: Honey Punch Lisbeth Cowl Wrap Twist Top

This one was a puzzle... you can see it's funky shape in the photos, so I am REALLY thankful for those handy tags to show mw what I am suppose to do. When I first had Violet, I bought one of those baby wraps and it took my NUMEROUS tries and finally a trip back to the store for a lesson in how to wrap it. Suffice to say, wrapping cloth is not my forte.

TA DA!!!!! I think I did pretty well with this though. It's super soft and comfy and trés feminine. This is a definite maybe. :)

All in all, I am really pleased with my 2nd fix. I think they did a great job at sending me things I like and wouldn't be able to find around these parts. I will be requesting a 3rd "fix" at some point in the future - but now - I have to pay for Christmas.

If you want to try it - use this link: http://stitchfix.com/users/signup/?referrer_id=3024843. I'm not getting any credit for posting about this, but if you do signup and use that link, I get a $25 credit when you first "fix" ships. Have fun!!!!

the cobbler's kid and all that jazz

Growing up, if you looked around my house, you would have noticed quite a few junction boxes in the wall with a lonely cable wire moping around. Or wires poking out of the sheet rock near the ceiling where speakers should be. Yes. I grew up in the house of a master electrician - and as the saying "The cobbler's kids have no shoes" rang true in my parents house in terms of electrical work - it rings true in the Jodoin house in terms of family photos.

I have been über busy taking family photos this fall for all sorts of families – just not my own. Oh, I have plenty of photos of the Bean, of Violet, of Violet and the Bean, of Eric,Violet and the Bean etc etc... you get the point. While there are very few photos of me with anyone (that happens when one's face is glued to the backside of the camera), there are absolutely NONE of us as a family. How could this be?!!??!

Case in point
Last December, I receive a text from my friend Katie. She wrote "I find it ironic that one of the only non-photo Christmas cards I receive is from my photographer friend." I'm pretty sure the other non-photo holiday cards were from her dentist and auto insurance guy.

I wonder if I have kept it too late? I wonder if I can take a family photo of us... or will have to recruit a photographer friends to help???!?!?! I suppose the first thing to do – is a self attempt. This is where I am thankful for remote shutters. Stay tuned for the results. I'm sure they will be....errr... well... they will be something!

Sales Rep Conversation Chronicles: Episode #1

In case anyone was unaware - I am currently employed as what I refer to as an "Ad Monkey". The best part about my job - aside from all the air conditioning I can handle and birthday cake binges - is the awesome art direction I receive from sales reps and clients alike. I say it with a small side of humor as one has to find and love the humor in the little things day to day...  'cause unless you live in a sitcom (which sometimes I pretend I do) nothing hugely funny is going to happen to you every 24 minutes.

I was looking back at some small "notes" I had written about particularly amusing moments and will share them periodically - as well as add new ones. If you too are an ad monkey - you will appreciate the humor (and the mental cramping) of moments like these.

So without further adieu...

------------

Dear Sales Rep,
Let me get this straight. You have sent me the same email 5 times to make a 'very important change' to an ad. Now this 'change' is - you sent me a lores file, by the way, but let's not dwell on such small details - the customer is most insistent that I change out the black and white photo in their ad to a color one - the photo of the black and white dalmatian on a white rug being painted over with white paint...

Let me repeat - the photo of the black and white dalmatian on a white rug being painted over with white paint - it should be in color?

*whimper*


------------ 

I do really love the people I work with - it's the work that keeps me giggling.

Reminders to self

I will never blame others for the place I am – or am not. The actions and choices of others, while they may effect my feelings, do not define me. It is my reactions and choices that steer my direction. Period.

I am not so small in this world that I have ever seen myself as the "victim" in my life. I am wise enough to be responsible for myself.

People will hurt my feelings. They will trample on my kindness and mistake it for weakness. These people are broken. I will try not be angry with them. This is difficult to do when one has been hurt, but rather, I will pity them because they have demons to conquer and do not know any other way to be. {This one is the hardest.}

I will always be kind. I know my actions - large or small - can effect others. I will never knowingly hurt anyone else for any reason. 

People come into your life, stay and grow with you. Cherish and appreciate them. They help shape the way you see yourself.

People come into your life and people fall out of your life. Some with dramatic exits and some with quiet endings. They are fleeting visitors who leave but always impart a lesson. They also help shape the way you see yourself and how you handle yourself in the future. I will learn from them - but let them go.

I will let go of anger. It is useless to hold onto it.

I will remain silly, thoughtful, slightly weird, sometimes serious and always wonder what I will be when I grow up because I am determined to always be growing.

I will love my children more with every passing moment and cherish the nose and hand prints on the window even though I just cleaned the darned window – because one day they will move away and I will have perfectly clean windows. 

It is easy to feel alone when I am scared - even when surrounded by the largest of crowds. I will feel blessed and thankful that I have found a strong hand to hold, that won't let go, won't give up and reminds me that not only I am supported but my dreams are supported as well.

I will never forget to say "I love you" and "Thank you" – but if I do please remember that I carry your heart with me always and you have mine - even when I'm cranky and overtired.

Top 3 Things I Learned at Planet Fitness

1) NEVER use the elliptical glider 3rd from the right during sunset. The reflection on the floor will burn your retinas and blind you.

2) The cast of characters in PF is amusing. If it wasn't creepy, I'd bring the camera to provide evidence of the troops. Spandex is not for everyone. Mesh tank tops are not for anyone. Period.

3) Reading my kindle while gliding my way to better health may make me look worldly and knowledgeable - however reading humorous books will do nothing to differentiate me from the {afore mentioned} colorful cast. Between gasping for breath and wheezing, I periodically burst into {seemingly} spontaneous laughter. I may have been the craziest looking kook there.

BONUS LESSON!!!!!!
I'm pretty sure that a woman who has to be no less than 75 {if she's a day} kicked my ass on the elliptical glider.

people {pictures}

This is my very first people picture.  It was taken in 2007 at the beginning of my photographic journey.

I worked in downtown Nashua, NH for a few years and had formed an evening rapport with this gentleman named Arthur. I could never figure out if Arthur was homeless or not - I never asked. By appearances, one would assume he was, but I had heard from locals that he had a subsidized room somewhere near downtown. Regardless of his living situation, I had noticed him for a few weeks when I first started working there and like most people, I would pass without speaking or even making eye contact with him.

One day, I was standing on the corner of the street waiting to cross when I saw him pushing his bicycle down the side walk. Granted, I saw him quite often - but this day I looked at him. I saw his tattered clothing and unkempt face. I noticed the big wire basket on the front of the bike and the almost comical brass horn on the handle bars. I glanced around and noticed most everyone about pretended not to notice him – like he didn't exist in that space, in that moment. What an awful feeling that must be. Everyone is a person. Everyone exists. Everyone deserves a smile and a hello. And to my shame, I was guilty of doing that exact thing previously.

As he passed by me I simply said "Hello" and shared a smile.

After that, every evening without fail - rain or shine - Arthur would be sitting on the bench at the corner opposite of my office, waiting to say good evening and comment on the weather or to let me know he was selling Avon should I need any Skin So Soft. He would smile and wave to me from across the street when he saw me exit the building and press the cross walk button.

I remember working late one evening – it was dreary and raining – and I didn't leave my office until well after 7:30pm. Now normally, I was out of the office and on my way home by 5:00pm, so I naturally assumed Arthur would not be there. But he was. Sitting on that bench, with his umbrella, waiting to say good evening and comment on the particular fat drops of rain around us. Every evening. Without fail. Just for that 2 minute interaction and then we went our separate ways. I admit, it was both flattering and a little frightening.

When I decided to purchase my first digital SLR in 2007 - a Canon Digital Rebel XT - I brought my new toy to the office for "show and tell".  I was so excited about finally splurging on something I had so longed to purchase but had yet to master. I had a very vague, general idea of what I was doing (technically speaking) from a high school photography class years before – things like shutter speed, ISO and aperture. Time has a way of fading knowledge and in all honestly - I probably didn't have a strong grasp of it then. I never used the automatic "green box".  To my tiny credit, I shot everything on manual - fumbling as I figured things out.

These two things relate. I promise.

That evening, like every other, Arthur was sitting, waiting for me to say hello. But, unlike previous interactions, I deviated from our normal script and showed him my new camera. We talked for a few moments about the camera and the reasons I had gotten it. Then, I asked if I might take his picture. He looked a little surprised but quickly recovered and said "Of course!".

I stepped back and fumbled with my settings. I was so nervous because I didn't want to seem intrusive. I quickly set the camera as best I could and shot a couple frames. I look at the EXIF info now and give myself mental palm slap to the head. ISO 400, 1/100 second, 7.2/f. My today (somewhat technical) mind says  "Gheesh - you should have shot this at no more than 4.0/f and bumped that shutter up, silly girl".

My artistic mind of yesterday and today says "Well done." It's not perfect in a technical sense - I know - but it is a good "people picture" that has the undertones I strive for in every image I create. To this day, it is remains one of my favorite images that I have taken.

Recently, I was asked to define what I think a good "people picture" is. This is infinitely harder than it first sounds. My mouth opened to answer quickly, but I found my self at a loss to sum up what I thought into words. I had to pause and really think about this. I had to look at photos that I loved and consider what about them draws me to them and holds my attention - even long after I have seen them?

I think a good people picture is emotive. It reaches beyond the boundaries of its frame and captures not only a moment, a person or people - but it exposes something hidden just below the surface - a small truth not always spoken and very subtly seen.

I love taking photos of most everything. I have a bend towards abandoned and dilapidated buildings as as well as people. Even without an actual person in the photo - it's something touched or neglected by people. It has an emotion and a history. It tells a story.

Thinking about this has re-energized me to continue my photographic journey and to one day create that one photo that someone will see and carry with them. I'm not there yet and wonder if I ever will be. I wonder if any artist ever believes that they have attained their goal. But I believe that this subtle doubt about the ability to attain achievement is what I carry with me  - what pushes me to continue, to grow, to create and to see the world at a slightly askew angle.

leggings, leggings... I NEED leggings!!!

Baby leggings that is. Fall is here (YAY!!!) and Baby Violet has been demanding some awesome leggings that will make other babies jealous. Okay. I want the baby leggings. Now that the Bean is 10 years old - I am no longer allowed to dress her. In truth, Bean has been thumbs downing some of my more girly fashion suggestions for the past few years now, so I am really excited to start dressing Violet.

Not that she hasn't been dressed these past four months... it's just newborns don't look all that cute in elaborately put together outfits. For the first 3 months of her life, she was pretty much in Carter's layette wear. I like to put my babies in super soft cotton clothing so they are as comfy as possible during those first few weeks of life. But now that she has reached the ripe old age of 5 months... that girl needs shoes, to say the very least.

Stripes. Polka dots. Solids. Problem is... I'm having a hard time locating ones that I actually like. Where do all these moms find such wonderful children's clothing? Or maybe what I should be asking is if all these wonderful outfits I see on kids splashed across the internet are within normal people price points.

I follow all sorts of people pinning away outfits and accessories for their little mini me's. The thing I find is that some of the things they pin are $275 dresses and $150 tunic tops... for babies! I love me some Barney's and Lord & Taylor, but realistically they are far above my shopping comfort level. Let's admit folks - these kids are going to spit up on them and out grow them faster than anyone can mail you a credit card statement. I just can't justify spending boat loads of money on kids clothing.

I've signed up for Zulily and Haute Look, but I'm just not on top of the daily deals. Don't get me wrong - they are FANTASTIC sites and you can get some really great deals but by the time I get a chance to look at the site - anything I like in Violet (or Sophie's size if I dare) is sold out. And as luck will have it - just like when I shop at a store like TJ Maxx - I ALWAYS find the stuff that is still expensive.  I know that tiny peasant dress is 70% off retail price, but it's still $45 and while Violet's regurgitated curdled milk will appreciate the bright and colorful organic cotton – I'm not sure the Mister will.

Looks like I will be learning how to sew baby leggings. Quick! To Pinterest!

it's curtain time!

As I have mentioned before, our new digs have a total of 19 windows. Six of those windows are in the dining room and front parlor. The two rooms are open to each other, but clearly divided by beautiful turn of the century columns. It's been a long while since I have had lots of windows. Our little condo only had three and each was in a completely different room; I didn't have to worry about flow or matching.

We have been here for just over two months now. And for about the first eight weeks, we lived with bare naked windows. I didn't want to just run out and buy whatever was on sale for the sake of having curtains. I really love the look of full length drapes, but of course with those, like most things, comes a very hefty price tag. Even the more affordable drapes run about $20 per panel. 

My first thought was to buy inexpensive fabric and sew some lined drapes. I went to the fabric store and picked up some muslin and white lining and made a test pair of curtains. They came out wonderfully, but I am not all that skilled at sewing (I can do it, it just takes me a loooong time.) Three hours later, I had one pair of muslin curtains. They came out great and cost about $15 per panel. Given how much time it took me, not much of a savings. Five more windows at three hours each... ummm... yeah.. no.

Then I decided maybe I should just suck it up and buy the darned things. But honestly, I couldn't find anything I liked under about $35 per panel. I just couldn't cough up that much moola for rented windows. 

I was still trying to figure out what to do, when my friend Julie, an interior designer and owner of Chrissis and Company Interiors, stopped in one morning. She was checking out the new space and I had mentioned my little dilemma. That is when she told me she had made curtains for her apartment out of drop clothes she got at Home Depot. The canvas fabric is basically the same color as a muslin - actually it is a little more brown which I actually prefer. It makes it easier for me to tie in the two rooms. At first I thought the natural color would be to much of a contrast on the sage green walls in the front parlor, but Julie assured me once I had the throw pillows, carpet and curtains in the room it wouldn't look stark at all. 

Who am I to argue with a pro? Seriously - check out her work. She has created some beautiful interiors for premier properties in the Boston area. 

So I head to the Home Depot pick up some drop cloths like this for $10.98 (but I had a coupon for 10% off): 

The drop clothes come in a wide variety of widths and lengths. I purchased 6' x 9' drop cloths to give me plenty of fabric to work with.

It took me about one hour per pair. I didn't take pictures of the process, but basically I cut the drop clothes in half and rolled and ironed a hem (Thank you to my sister and Becky O'Neil of Becky Oh! for teaching me the importance of ironing as you sew), and zipped a straight line to finish of the side. I measured where I wanted the hardware to be and the length I wanted to curtains (mine at 91" finished due to my fabulously high ceilings). Then I measured off about 4" at the top to create a rod pocket and did a simple 3" hem at the bottom.

I didn't bother with a lining - I may add one at a later point but the house has blown in insulation in the exterior walls, new windows that have be caulked with silicone and the land lord is insulating the between the joists in the basement. I don't think a lining will really make a difference at this point. 

She also directed me to get window hardware from Christmas Tree Shoppe. I was a little hesitant because I had always associated CTS with a place to buy next years yard sale crap - but once again she did not steer me wrong. I picked up six rods and brackets for $3.99 each. Wooooo to the hooooo! Did I mention this girl is talented and smart?? 

So basically, each window cost me $13.87 complete with hardware. I feel like a rock star.. or at least I like I deserve a gold star

Of course, because we live in an old home, nothing is perfect. I'm not sure if you can tell from the photo or not - but the window casing closest to the fireplace abuts a wall and the left side of the casing is actually more narrow than the rest. Which means, we have to place the bracket up against the wall angle, remove the final and I will probably have to take at least one third off of one panel to "trick the eye" and stop the curtain from "creeping" too much into the actual window. C'est la vie!

Müttering Around in the City of Brotherly Love

Headless babies in jars. A skinned penis. The world’s largest colon. 
 
Ladies and gentlemen, if these three things alone aren’t enough to spark your interest, I don’t know what is. But what, you ask, am I talking about? Where could these, and other disturbing pieces of macabre medical history, possibly exist?  I am talking about one of the US’s best little hidden gems of a museum - the Mütter Museum.

The Mütter Museum is tucked away at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. While its original purpose was to help educate burgeoning doctors about anatomy and human medical anomalies, it has since opened its doors to the curious public.

I remember the first time I heard the words Mütter Museum uttered. I was sitting in a little pub with a friend when I heard him say the words “a huge collection syphilis skulls”. Eh? Ok, I admit my attention had drifted to something now forgotten in the street and having a propensity for all things odd, these words were enough to whiplash myself back into the conversation.

“What’s that you said about syphilis skulls?”.

“There is a museum in Philly that has all sorts of wierd stuff - the Mütter Museum - like medical oddities including a collection of skulls eaten away by syphilis.”

“Damn. That's gross. (slight pause) Let’s google it!”

God bless the invention of modern technology because out came a handy dandy iPhone and away we went to the world wide web and the domain of all things medically weird, disformed and plain ol’ fucked up. And that’s when I saw “her” - the lady who started my fascination for the Mütter Museum, the woman who would get me to pack my bags, grab a couple of adventurous friends and head off on a 350 mile road trip to Pennsylvania. But first... a brief history of this mecca of creepy weirdness.

Until Death Do Us Part

Dr. Thomas Mütter

What does one do with one’s collection of medical chotchkies upon one's demise? Well if you happen to be Dr. Thomas Mütter, you leave them to the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. OK - so at first the collection started with another professor at the College - but it’s not names after him and he only got up to 92 artifacts. Mutter had over 1700 in his collection. But I suppose he’s warrants a mention here.

In 1856, Mütter announced his retirement from teaching at the College due to ill health. In a letter written to the College, Dr. Mütter wished to offer the guardianship of his extensive collection of medical oddities. “A popular professor of surgery at Jefferson Medical College, Mütter had amassed a unique and valuable collection of anatomical and pathological materials for use in his classes.”1 Along with this collection, Mütter also offered an endowment of $30,000 to pay staff and asked that the College build a fire-proof building to house the collection. The College entered into an agreement with Mütter in 1859 - just two months before he dies at the age of 48.

Dr. Mütter’s collection of bones, wet specimens, plaster casts, wax and papier-mache models, dried preparations, and medical illustrations - over 1700 items in all - joined the 92 specimens from the College’s earlier collection in the new quarters.1

The collection now has over 20,000 objects including antique medical equipment, skeletal and dried specimens, plaster models, a woman turned to soap, shrunken heads, the connected livers of famous Siamese twins, Chang and Eng, brains of epileptics and “her”  - Madame Dimanche, a 19th-century French woman who had a 10-inch horn growing out of her forehead. Yes. A 10 inch horn. The horn, known by its scientific name as a cornu cutaneum, grew out of the forehead of Madame Dimanche for six years before it was successfully removed.

Madame Dimanche was, not forgotten, but tucked away for a few months until one night in another pub, with another group of friends, the subject of the Mütter Museum once again wiggles its way into polite conversation. I mention it. No one has ever heard of it. So, we grab another mobile phone to find photos of the mysterious horn. From this web search, we ladies form a fascination with seeing Mde. Dimanche up close and personal. (Our male compatriots, wanting nothing to do with Mde. Dimanche or our odd bar conversations have called it more of an obsession - they may be correct.)

A idea is born and a plan is hatched, team shirts are made (true story) - and not too long after we are in the car on our way to Mütter.

Day 1 - The Drive

Hell(o) George Washington Bridge!

And so here we are. It's a bright and sunny October morning in 2009. Christina, Tiffany and myself make our way south. The closer we got to our destination - the more the clouds come in - but it was pretty much smooth sailing until we hit New York City and the George Washington bridge.  The Yankees were playing the Phillies in the playoffs – and traffic was backed up. There was traffic and then there was rain.  An approximate 6 hour trip turned out to be longer than anticipated, but we were not deterred. This was a meeting with destiny. We arrived at our hotel just over 8 hours (and about 6 roadside hotdogs) after leaving New Hampshire.


Day 2 - The Experience
We rolled our tired selves out of bed and out into the drizzly, cold rain that has decided to settle in on our weekend. Arming ourselves with umbrellas, grabbing our cameras and good humor we navigated ourselves into the heart of Philadelphia. Finally, we were just a few steps away from the museum.

Ready..set.. investigate!

The Mutter is a stately and elegant brick building surrounded by regal wrought iron gates. Doric columns welcome visitors as they pass through the heavy wooden door. Upon its facade, just right of the main entrance, hung an oversize banner that read “Disturbingly Informative”. Never has a tag line so perfectly summed up the experience.

The Mutter is small in size - but HUGE in personality. It’s collection is housed in 19th century glass display cases - some as tall as 8 feet. The cases are filled from the floor to the top shelf. My companions and I find ourselves kneeling on the floor with our heads turned upside down to get a better view of some of the exhibits located on the bottom shelves. We had arrived early, so at first this isn't really a problem, but as the crowd starts to grow, I noticed a growing sense of annoyance from some other visitors that they have to step over us. Oh well.

It must be mentioned that Christina, a funeral director, possesses the patience of a saint.  One of the best possible companions to have on a journey like this - as she is medically trained in human anatomy and disease. We kept piling all sorts of questions on her and we kept getting fascinating explanations that your typical visitor never hears.

We spent nearly 3 hours in a museum probably no bigger than 5000 square feet.(I don't know the exact size so this is just a guesstimate at best.)

Located adjacent to the thorax of John Wilkes Booth was another exhibit that held our complete attention – shrunken heads from South America. There was such unbelievable detail left on the heads of these poor fallen warriors. Long eyelashes, hair, pores – just amazing! While most of the exhibit had numbers you could dial for more detailed information on ones cell phone, this exhibit, being relatively new was missing from the directory.

Unfortunately, no photography is allowed in the museum. Surprisingly, we obeyed this rule and left without any internal photos from the museum. What were we thinking?!?! We aren't usually that well behaved. But this blogger apparently had no suck qualms. You can view pictures of the inside of the museum here.

Oh and here she is... Madame Dimanche. The one who started it all...

Photo from My Life Is A Jar Blogspot

1. http://www.collphyphil.org/ERICS/Mutthist.htm

My Two Tiny Loves

Last week, the weather was particularly perfect and I took advantage of this gorgeous late summer weather to take my two girls outside and do a mini session with them. My camera had been acting up again and I had to send it back to Canon to be re-repaired; it was a good opportunity to test the AF system as well.

Violet is now 5 months old and sitting up on her own (for shorts spurts). I have to say, Sophie is the best-est big sister ever! She is such a little mommy playing with her, feeding her... although she draws the line at dirty diapers of any kind. We didn't get changed, or do hair or anything fancy. I just love and adore these two girls!

 

summer evening

My dear friend, Christina, recently moved back to Manchester in June after completing her Master's Degree and becoming a licensed therapist. We have gotten together for visits since she has been back, but last week, on a perfect summer evening, was the first time she and I got to sit together, sip wine and do some serious girl chit chat (without the interruption of a hungry baby or a bored Bean). It was divine.

I'm not sure if any other mothers feel this way – but I am pretty sure the moment after you give birth, they hand you not only your squirming little miracle, but also a HUGE side of guilt. I often feel guilty for wanting to take time for just myself; there is always too much that "needs" to get done. I have to remind myself that it's not selfish for me to want to be away from my kids, it's necessary to relax and recharge.

Fortunately, I have a wonderful husband who realizes this time  - for both he and I - is important. He encourages me to take an evening here and there and head out for a couple hours with my girlfriends, and I do likewise for him. (Of course, this also means after he gets the kids to bed, he gets to be a kid himself and play on the video games completely undisturbed)

Silly little fly flew in my wine!

This is a good shoulder... all great friends should have one like this

I would also like to take this time to warn the rest of my girlfriends that in lieu of my decision to upgrade my camera and lenses, I have decided to lug that thing just about everywhere. Put on your lip gloss ladies - 'cause your picture will be taken on girls night!

i am a pixel pusher

It started almost 17 years ago with graphic design... and now my obsession has grown and I am recently (re)obsessed with pixels... more specifically the sharpness of pixels in my photos. It's never enough.

I am constantly striving to improve what I have previously done... always viewing my work with a critical eye and telling myself "Ok.. you did well, but you could do better, now get to it". I get nervous - even when shooting my own kids - about finding pretty light and that and exposure just right, creating a pleasing compositions in camera, angles, catch lights... Ahhhh! It is safe to say there is a lot whirling around in my brain when the camera is stuck to my face.

Fortunately, I have a tiny little model (who cannot runaway when she sees the camera like her big sister, Bean) with me when the light is just right. While I prefer to use only natural light, but I have been know to pop a flash or use my alien bees from to time to time. From her expression in these two photos, you can see she has already learned, at her young age, to be patient with Momma when she has her camera out.

Right now - other than pushing the sharpness of photos (it's not enough!! I want more!!! I want better!!!) - I am also experimenting with different angles to take photos of the baby. As much as I like props, I seem to lean (recently) in just taking photos of baby in her natural element - whether that be in a little sundress or just her diaper chilling out on a furry rug on the living room floor. The way I see it - this little image is more real and when she is grown and perhaps has babies of her own, this is what I will remember and will make me smile when I look back.

four months old!

Happy 4 months, Violet Catherine! I can't believe how fast the time has flown by! The photo is a little grainy - but it was dusk when I took the photo so I had to push the ISO... but she was giggling so hard I just couldn't miss this little moment!

{love}

I am not a wedding photographer by trade – I much prefer the pace of modern portrait work.  I have the utmost respect for my photographer friends who regularly shoot weddings – it is truly a natural talent and a love. Not only is it an incredible amount of work – hours of constant shooting at the event it self, plus all the hours of post processing and editing – there is a lot of pressure not to mess up a couple’s big day! “Excuse me.. could you kiss the bride again.. my exposure was slightly wonky….” When close friends of mine decided to get married in an intimate celebration – they asked me to shoot their day. How could I say no to such an awesome couple? I couldn’t! I am still in the process of… errr… processing - and there are more to come - but here are a couple of teasers.

Congrats to Tiffany and Jeremy! Thanks for letting me part of your wonderful day!

Cheers!