Tyson & Angela Engagement Photos

Love is always inspiring to me.

And this couple is no exception!

Tyson proposed to Angela on Valentine's Day in San Simeon, California (cue the awww).

He presented her with a ring that was his great grandmother's engagement ring!

I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon with them, photographing their engagement photos.

It is pretty obvious that these two are just smitten with each other!
(click photos to view larger)

San Luis Obispo is a beautiful place with picturesque spots around every corner.

So it was easy to find the perfect spot for the couple to have an intimate picnic!

 

Music is a big part of this couple's life.

Tyson has been playing the violin for over 25 years and Angela plays the piano and tinkers around on the guitar. So it was only natural that instruments were a part of their engagement shoot.

Tyson and Angela are a fun loving couple...

So of course, some jump shots were in order!

 

Cheersing to their future together...

While I was shooting away, they were clinking their Pelegrino 

to the things they were excited about in their future.

Tyson requested a photo where it appeared they were
"on the road to their future together"!

Don't you love it when the groom gets as excited as the bride?!!

I have failed to mention what made this shoot extremely special to me...

And that is that Tyson is my big brother.

And Angela, already a good friend, is my future sister-in-law!

So capturing their love was that much more special for me!

 

Congratulations, Tyson and Angela!

I can't wait for your wedding.

And I can't wait to see how you continue to grow and love together.

And the babies... oh your babies are going to be gorgeous!!!

xoxoxoxoxo

Jacob's 1st Birthday

It was Jacob's 1st birthday on the 4th of July this year.

This little firecracker had a great day, filled with friends, family, presents, 3 outfit changes, and CAKE!

Isn't he fun?!

And he's smiling like this almost all of the time... such a cutie!

(click on photo to view larger)

At first, Jacob was not so sure about his cupcake...

He seemed puzzled when everyone stood around him and sang.

And even more so with the frosting on this thing that sat in front of him.

But all it took was one index finger.

Dipping into the cupcake.

And he was sold...

And he loved that cupcake!

Not only that, but he enjoyed eating this cupcake with all of his 

favorite people surrounding him watching... He put on a show. 

Eating fistfuls at a time, Jacob's cupcake did not stand a chance!

Everyone, including Mom & Dad enjoyed watching Jacob go to town on that cupcake.

 After he was done, it was time for Dad to give him a bath...

Which he loved!

(Sorry Jacob- these are "those" photos, which Mom will bring out one day to embarrass you with)

 Jacob got some fun presents... Like this interactive dog book.

And this fun ride-on car...

Jacob had fun with his grandma, grandpa, oma, and opa!

Jacob's version of crawling can be silly at times...

Jacob and his Dad!

 Jacob and his Mom!

Happy Birthday sweet boy!!!
Can't wait to watch you grow up!

Ginkgo Leaves

I am completely inspired by ginkgo leaves.

Maybe that's odd, but I just love their shape.

Somehow they are whimsical and just different from the rest.

A photo of a ginkgo branch in San Francisco, that I took earlier this year:

A fossil of a ginkgo leaf!

How cool is that?!!

According to Wikipedia's page on the ginkgo leaf:

The Ginkgo is a living fossil, with fossils recognisably related to modern Ginkgo date back 270 million years

WOWZA!

THIS beautiful necklace is from i like you as a friend Jewelry

Fortunately for me, my good friend Cristalle is the designer and maker of this pendant!
And I got one for my birthday.
And I <3 it so much!

I have LOVED these mobiles since the first time I saw them:

The mobile is made by Moon-Lily and sold for $236 by Hanging Mobile Gallery (and others).

I love it sooo much. And if it was half the price or if I was RICH, I'd think about getting it.

Until then, I will admire from afar!

I am a big fan of Queen Bee Creations

So much that I have several of their bags.

On a trip to Portland, OR last summer, I had to stop at their studio (all of their products are made in their Portland studio!) I knew that I should not get another bag so I made myself a deal:
I would only get a bag if they had one with a ginkgo leaf on it.

And guess what? 

They did:

The leaf is from a tree in SF....
But the bag was a sample from their studio and I love it!

More photos that I took of SF's ginkgo trees!

I have lots of dried ginkgo leaves...

big ones

and a bunch of tiny ones

Leaves from Berkley, SF, SLO, and Oregon!

Is that weird?

I think not.

Now I know that Ginkgo Trees apparently smell... badly.

But I have not had that experience yet.

So until then, ignorance is bliss!

 

Nature is an easy place to be inspired!

I've got the golden ticket!

You know what I find incredibly inspiring??

Knowing, that in a few short months, I will be on an airplane to New York City for an 8 day trip!!!

I have been living back in California for nearly 3 years and this will be my first trip back.

(Wow, really??? 3 years? Holy crap it doesn't feel like that long!)

I am going to celebrate my besties getting married... Chris and Cristalle are getting married in a beautiful spot in the Catskills... or somewhere near there.

(I wonder if there are still lots of cats with mad skillz living in those mountains, or if they have all moved to the city)

So I am usually super indecisive when buying airfare. But I saw an amazing deal and went for it.
And I am so freaking excited!

Besides the wedding (which I am proudly a bridesmaid in), I am looking forward to:

Seeing my friends! Including Lori, Jim, Jen, and others! 

& meeting Jolie!

Being in the city with several of my best girls from college.

Seeing my water towers

Wandering the streets
MTA

Staying in my old charming apartment in Astoria

Meeting Gary!

Shooting the city with my new(ish) gear

Shopping at Kate's, BI, H&M

Eating dumplings, bacon wrapped hotdogs, thai, and other delicious food at its best!

Seeing people of all shapes, colors, and types

Seeing my hasidic jewish buddies

Looking UP

Oh man.

October isn't going to come fast enough!!!

Live Oak Post 5: Briana hoopin' it up!

One of my favorite things about Live Oak was meeting all sorts of amazing and inspiring people.

Briana is one of those people!

She had a booth next to ours, teaching people how to hoop 

and selling her own handmade hoops!

 I put the fisheye to good use, taking some fun photos of Briana and her hoops.

Briana in her formal wear... gloves, jewels, and a tiara!

 Beautiful Briana with a sweet soul!
AND I found out that she is a total cat person!
Briana, you've officially won my heart. :)