Indian Summer Photo Shoot!

This past weekend we celebrated my Mom's birthday by having a photo shoot at the beach.

I have to say that in my mind we were all going to be wearing khaki's and white shirts---but after much deliberation and many phone conversations to coordinate I think the photo came out even better than the usual white and khaki deal. We wanted it to be easy. We could have gone out and bought crisp white shirts and JCrew summer sale pants, but we didn't. We showed up with our own clothes which made us feel comfortable in varying shades of cool hues.

What is most important is the fun that came with taking the picture. No fancy photographer. Just us trying to figure out how to use a fancy camera. We broke the rules by walking around in a protected dune area but it was worth it!

We could have spent a few hundred dollars to hire a professional, be late to the appointment and crabby about not matching outfits---- But instead, we just went with it! And and I think our pictures came out better than we could have planned. I'm so happy to have many lovely photos to frame of my family....and all from keeping it simple.

I think my mom was pretty happy too.

Happy Birthday Mom! We love spending time with you!

Happy Birthday Jillian: A Year of Mornings 3191 Miles Apart

I was out and about one day, doing my usual shopping without buying, when I came upon a delightful book sitting on a table waiting for me. 

You have probably seen this book by now, but it is new to me I am head over heals for it. 

The title is:

A Year of Mornings: 3191 Miles Apart

It's written by Maria Alexandra Vettese and Stephanie Congdon Barnes, though I shouldn't really say that it is written at all since practically the only words in it are basically the title and copy write information at the front. 

This book is a compilation of photos. Maria and Stephanie, friends living on opposite sides of the united states took and sent photos to each other----of their mornings. Just little snippets of their separate days of their separate lives, very far apart. 

They are pictures of pretty ordinary every day things.

Coffee mugs and books and flowers and toast.

But the photos convey a commonality that these girls shared. A love for simple beauty. A love for all the little things.
 A love for art work that emerges from noticing.
And they share in each others lives in all these little moments, 3191 miles apart. 

I adore this book because I find the pictures sentimental and beautiful.

I also love it because it reminds me of my friend Jillian.

Not unlike Maria and Stephanie, Jillian and I live on opposite ends of the country.

Jillian and I have lived quite a distance apart since graduating from college where we met. And even though we don't get to chat as often as we'd like, I have no doubt that when we see each other next, we'll pick right back up...and we always will. Fact of the matter is we just play well together.

Do you remember, when you were little, there would be those friends you'd meet at the beach or playground sand box? And it didn't matter that you had never met and may never see each other again. You used her shovel and she used your pail and you chased gulls together and hung upside down on the swings. And you had a blast doing it. 

Jillian is that kind of friend...only we're all grown up and since grown ups have independence, and time and money and can fly on planes by themselves without parents...we'll see each other again and we'll have a blast doing it. If Maria and Stephanie hadn't thought of this photo project first, I bet we would have.

So, Happy Birthday to dear Jillian, and do tell me: 

Do you have a long distance photo friend?

I'm a winner!

And it is very nice to feel this way.

Today, Trina at la la Lovely announced that I won her latest giveaway!

My prize is a gift certificate to photographer Sara Norris' etsy site, and what a wonderful prize it is!

Below are a few of my favorite images---just a few I couldn't post them all! I love Sara's soft and sentimental approach to beauty. Each photo brings a breath a fresh air...I smell summer and flowers and fresh cut grass.

I see lovely lovely lovely things. 

Floating on the Breeze

Ranunculus Number 2

Down by the bay

Ahhhhhhhh.

Be sure to visit Sara's store and blog and Trina's blog as well.

Thank you Ladies for this very special giveaway! It truly made my day.