1st Day of School

Woa!  I can't believe I just walked my girls to school for their first day!  Hurray!! (did I say that out loud?) I feel like it would be PC for me to say that I am sad, and miss them terribly, and will count the moments until they come home...BUT, I won't lie...I am thrilled for them to get back to the schedule of school, homework, soccer, dance class, new friendships, challenges, and all the other stuff kinders and 2nd graders experience!  I am super excited for them to begin a new chapter at school....here are a few photos of our morning!

Summer is Over

That's it!  The summer is over.  We are spending the last day of summer having "choice time".  The girls are playing, and I am frantically filling out the last of the emergency cards, and other school forms.  

I must say this was probably the most fun I've had with my girls...we did a ton of fun stuff!  Legoland, The Aquarium of the Pacific, Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Summer Sounds concert series at the Hollywood Bowl, camps galore, swimming, the beach, and the Natural History Museum to name a few. Yup, we've been busy.  

And now...SCHOOL!!!  It feels a little different for me, as my little one will be in FULL DAY kindergarten.  This year, they changed the Kinder program at our beloved Hermosa View Elementary School. What am I going to do with my extra time you ask?  Well, I may show up at the gym, and just devote more time to bettering myself, my family, my home and my business.  I am excited, but also sad to see the summer end.....till next year, summer! I will await your arrival, only 275 days left to go.

Beautiful Eyes . I Heart Faces photo challenge

I love participating in the I Heart Faces photo challenges.  I have been waiting for this theme to come up, as I have the perfect photo to enter.  I hope I win, this little baby boy deserves the title... don't you think?

What to Wear for a Photography Session . Fall 2011

I LOVE talking clothing!  I worked in the apparel industry for almost 18 years...sales, management, buying, merchandising and development.  SO, I know a little bit about clothing, and can absolutely help you with what to wear for your photo session.  Fall is quickly approaching, and if you have a schedule like mine, it will soon be filled up with soccer, football, birthday parties, carnivals, school activities and playdates.  It is never too early to go ahead and book your holiday session now...what would be the harm, really...it will take a load off your mind! 

Here are 2 color palettes to consider for your family's wardrobe for your photo session.  I love red, navy and grey.  I also am loving this light teal color, too. Don't be afraid of color, mixing patterns and textures. I love accessories, scarves, cool socks, hats, and belts.  Layer it up, especially for fall!

These outfits are from Nordstrom, Gymboree, J. Crew and The Gap.

Dash + Oliviene . Manhattan Beach children's photographer

Dash and Oliviene...first off, I love their names.  Perfectly unique and well suited for them, too. My husband and older daughter met their family in NY last summer.  They were visiting the city from San Francisco, and our girls really hit it off! They drove remote control boats, rode the subway, and even went swimming together...fast friends they were. Their family visits southern California every August for a ice skating camp at the Toyota Center Ice Skating rink.  We enjoy getting together with them, they love the beach and good food, just like we do.  

Hostess with the Mostess Launch Party

I am not sure if you have heard me talk about my sister, Abigail...?  Well, she is the owner of the very cool Paper and Cake, a printable partyware company (and a total rock star, if you ask me). A month or so ago, she asked me to join her at a party that was put on by Hostess with the Mostess, Jenn Sbranti.  HWTM is a very successful and popular entertaining blog, and has also just launched a brand new social media site which was the reason for the party.  Abby was 1 of 5 people that was asked by HWTM to show their product at the event.  Really?  Holy cow, yes!  What an honor!  So, she designed and put together a beautiful children's party with the theme, "Wonderlandia".  I helped her set up her table, and of course, documented the afternoon below. 

These photos show the finished product, the details of her hard work.  I think she did a fantastic job, don't you?

After finishing the table, we headed up to the hotel room and spruced ourselves up for the big party.  And what a big party it was!  Over 300 guests eating, drinking and collecting their swag bags.  I was so impressed by how many fans Abigail has...the amount of people just drooling over her tablescape, and her interpretation of "Wonderlandia".  I was so proud.

We wandered about the party a bit, making the laps, and just as I thought that we were on the same page to bail out, in walks in Amy Locurto and Angie Arthur from I Heart Faces! Ok, now this is funny. Not only did I just take a workshop from these gals 2 days prior, but Abigail and Amy know each other from the graphic design world. We laughed about what a small world it was, and how Amy and I sat next to each other at the workshop dinner, and I spoke about my sister, and her graphic design work. Little did we all know that we were all connected! 

Abigail passed out the delicious cake pops by Twist of Cake at the end of the party.  What a hit!

And here is Abigail with her beautiful tablescape. What a talented gal!

I Heart Faces Photographer's Workshop . Orange County family photographer

I had the incredible opportunity to attend a photography workshop hosted by I Heart Faces (Angie Arthur and Amy Locurto) and Susan Keller of Susan Keller Photography.  We headed down to San Onofre State Beach to polish up on our photography skills, build our portfolios, and of course, talk shop. I really enjoyed getting other photographer's perspective on technical stuff, and of course. composition.  

We had lovely models there to photograph, including Drew B. of Mom Tog and Drew B Photography.  She was adorable, and about 39 weeks pregnant!  She, her son, and husband joined our crazy group and ended up on the other side of about 25 lenses!  Thanks so much for being such a trooper!  

Our day ended at Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point, with a yummy dinner and more photography talk. I met such lovely women, and once again, was reassured that I have chosen the right profession! I love what I do!

Friendship . I Heart Faces photo challenge

This week I Heart Faces is hosting a photo challenge with the theme of Friendship.  I can't think of any better friends than these 2 girls, my own.  They can play like none other, for hours and hours, too.  Yes, there are squabbles periodically, but mostly they are just good pals.  

Kyra . Los Angeles newborn photographer

I loved meeting my new niece, Kyra Marilyn, born just a week ago and already so loved.  She is number  16 in the line of niece's/nephews in my family.  She will have a lot of cousins to tell her what to do!

She is so precious, but would not have any part of baskets, hats, headbands, or any other posed shots.  SO, we just let her do what she felt like doing....laying in mommy and daddy's arms.  After lots of effort, she finally decided to give me just one money shot...in her crib.  Precious.  Congratulations to the proud parents, and of course, brother Bryan and big sis, Crystal.