Happy Belated Birthday

Our dog Maisy turned one on 7-7-07 (lucky dog). We aren't "buy our dog a birthday cake" people, but I at least wanted to take a nice photo of her. She's so freakin' cute, but moves around too much especially when I pull out my camera. This time I got smart though and tricked her with treats. So the reason she's staring up at the ceiling is not because she's following my direction and holding a classic 3/4 professional portraiture pose, it's because she wants that Trader Joes chicken stick.



A couple times she couldn't handle it any longer. Happy birthday Maisy! I love you, but am so glad you're half-way through your puppy stage ; )

Van the Man

Here he is, Van the man Morrison. Morrison holds a special place in our hearts because his "Crazy Love" was playing when Forest got down on one knee, and our first dance at the wedding was to the same song. Forest has wanted to see him in concert for a long time now, and so last night at the Gibson Ampitheatre at Universal City Walk we got to see him.

It was amazing. Even though his sounds is a bit different now, he played some of his classics like "Moondance", "Gloria", and "Brown Eyed Girl". Even though I cringe when I hear that song at a wedding, it was good last night. He had a 10 piece band with a kick-butt slide-guitar player (who was a woman, by the way). Dad, you would have loved it.

I will say we felt like the youngest kids there, and while I was dancing in my seat I think the guy next to me was straining to hear the music through his hearing aid. Oh well, Van Morrison has been around for awhile.


One note about the Gibson Ampitheatre. DON'T EVER see a show there. The exit plan is atrocious. I felt like I was being herded to slaughter. There is only one way out, which dumps all the unsuspecting concert goers right in front of the Universal City Walk STORE. How Conveeenieeent (in my best Church Lady voice).

We finally made it out, but it took us about 30 minutes to get out of the concert and back to our car. Here's a view of the neon monstrosity that is the Universal City Walk. Quite the tourist trap. So in conclusion: Van Morrison good. Gibson Ampitheatre exit design bad.

Wine Country

Probably not the wine country you're thinking of, but I think Santa Barbara is a close second to the "real" wine country up in Napa. We have some amazing wines in this region - not that I would know, because in 5 years of living here I have never been wine tasting. Until Sunday...

At the invitation of our friends Kasey and Tarah, we packed up the dogs and headed inland. We tasted at Epiphany Cellars, Andrew Murray and Stolpman - all were good, but Stolpman is my new favorite. If you come by we might share one of our newly acquired bottles with you : )

Impromptu Photo Session

Photos from a quick photo session with up-and-coming music artist Brett Young. He just finished his first EP, produced by our friend Jim, and while they were up here at the studio we did these new promotional shots. These are just a few of my favorites, but click on Brett's name to see more photos and hear his new songs.

It was a good weekend

Last weekend were very fortunate to have some of the coolest people at our house for the weekend: Our good friends Dan & Megan with their sweet boys, and Faith & Ryan. Here's a glimpse of what we did:

Taped pennies to the train tracks and waited for the trains to smash them. Out of 11 we found 2. Not bad.

Gave Maisy A LOT of love. A lot a lot a lot.

Walked on the windy beach:

Dan & Megan

Faith & Ryan

Us girls also snuck away to shop in Santa Barbara, and hit the antique stores in downtown Ventura. Meg also gave me the cutest apron from Anthropologie, then when we were shopping on Saturday I found the mini version - It was too perfect, I had to have it. So hopefully I'll have a little girl someday and we can bake in our matching aprons. Aw........

We also barbecued delicious carne asada (thanks Ryan) and ate really yummy food the entire weekend. I wanted to take more photos, but I'm quickly learning that it's difficult to be full time hostess and full time photographer simultaneously. I have this thing where I want every event in my life to look like it belongs in House & Garden or Martha Stewart. Makes things a little stressful, but I just need to let go and enjoy the time more. And someday I'll hire a photographer to follow us around all weekend for our magazine spread : )

Baby Cael

Last weekend I went to Phoenix with Ryan and Faith to meet this little boy...Meet Cael, the newest addition to Sture and Amanda's family (Faith's brother & sister-in-law and my good friends). I got to document his 8th day of life which was a joy for me, as photographing babies always is. His sister Raya (yes, Raya) is beautiful as well and its been about 6 months since I've seen her..She gets cuter every time. And I hear she's a one year old genius...

Click here to see the slideshow of my favorites

Sprinkles

Today I had a box of these deliciously happy cupcakes delivered to our friend Faith for her birthday. Sprinkles Cupcakes in Beverly Hills bakes these in the morning, then boxes them up and brings them right to your door.

Last year, my friend Shelly sent them to me and it was the happiest day of my life. If you are in Beverly Hills or Newport anytime soon you must stop by and try one...or two...or a dozen. They will change your life.

Happy Birthday Faithy!!!