The Viewpoint

I'm lucky enough that there are some other photographers who agree to come out for photo walks with me. You should know, however, if you ever decide to do such a thing, that there is a very real chance I will turn the camera on you!

Chad's a natural model (and I'm not the first to think so), and when he posed on this crag overlooking the bay a photo was inevitable. It's shots like this that remind me I should be outside in the evening, and not inside processing photos! Ah well, what can you do?

Flame

There are some stores where you walk in and you just know. You're a goner; even before you know what it is, you know you're going to buy something. But (if you're me) you walk in anyway.

"There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." - Edith Wharton

That's what happened to me today when I bought this candle. I picked it up, smelled it, and was transported to a place with almond biscotti baking in the oven and sunlight pouring through every window.

Fortunately for me, there aren't too many of those stores or I'd be in deep trouble. One such, though, is definitely Anthropologie. There's something about it: the packaging, the smells, the frilly details everywhere. The colors, the textures, the design. I admit it; I'm a girl. So what?

For some reason, having a candle burning relaxes me. Helps me get down to work. If it smells divine, all the better. And I've been trying to optimize my workspace so it feels good to be working. If you could see what I have to work with you'd wish me luck! For elves, it might be ideal. For me, it's a bit cramped. But add a candle, and some good music playing and suddenly my head space gets a lot roomier.

What helps you work? I'd love to get some more tips.

Mouseover Monday 4 - The Bridge

Mouseover to see the color version of the image.

A reflected view of the Bay bridge, seen in a restaurant window.

Also, you must check out the Ball of Light photos! Astounding. And amazing how much work goes into each one.

Truman!

More of this delicious dude on the blog very very soon.

Natalie and Travis Part II - The Details

I simply had to give the details their own post because quite simply - they were stunning. I suspect it might have had something to do with the time Natalie had on her hands in Scotland, waiting for the slow US government to finally grant her a visa, but whatever the reason, the results speak for themselves.

I ask you, how many brides think of everything their guests might need, whether publicly or privately?

Also, I was completely in awe of Natalie's ability to walk effortlessly in these stunners. That's like 5 inches of heel!

She made her bouquet. And the boutonnieres for the men. Now that's a wife worth having! And isn't that hat darling?

I'm always so happy to see a bride who knows herself well enough to choose a color other than white. And this dress made Natalie look fab!

Their bubbles . . .

And this is some sort of Scottish traditional whiskey peace cup. It's called a quaich, and no, please don't ask me to try to pronounce that!

Natalie put a sixpence in her shoe for good luck . . .

The hors d'oeuvres they had looked fabulous! Scallops wrapped with bacon, chicken skewers and spring rolls, oh my!

They also created a marvelous candy table.

Just in case you were nervous about making conversation, there were boxes of interesting questions on every table . . .

And some after dinner mints . . .

The food was gorgeous as well!

And I know this doesn't strictly count as details, but the masks originally intended for the kids somehow made their way onto adult heads with some hilarious results! Travis, I've always felt you were really a lion. Or - what is that animal exactly?

Thanks again to Nat and Trav for a wonderful day. Here's to many many more like it for both of you.

Some Wood

Sometimes I see beauty everywhere and I wonder if I'm a bit crazy. I mean, the lines in this old wooden door, the texture, the diagonals, they fascinate me.

But would normal people even care? It is, in fact, just an old door. Whatever paint was once on it has long since cracked and peeled and chipped and weathered away. I'm sure if you ran your hand over it you'd come away with fingerfuls of splinters.

Maybe it's enough that I find it lovely. This blog is not a democracy. (No one ever elected me.) But still, I'd be interested to hear what you think. Is there beauty in the mundane?