Powerful, Yet Peaceful

I love how powerful, yet peaceful this image is. 

How are you today? I'm fighting a cold, listening to some rainy day music on this very gray day, and catching up on some to-do items (I sure do love checking them off!). A good friend is taking me to dinner for my birthday tonight. Things are good for me and that feels really nice.

(Photo courtesy of A Well Traveled Woman)

Pinspiration / 02

This week's Pinspiration collection includes dramatic weather, a fun travel poster, awesome navy blue nails, and more! I hope you enjoy...

Bags / Travel / Photography / Weather / Fashion

What is inspiring you this week?

Pinspiration / 01

Pinterest may be old news to some, but if you haven’t heard of it, it is an online (virtual) pinboard where you can organize images that catch your eye or offer inspiration from around the web. You can create specific pinboards that capture your interests in home design, new recipes, fashion, or whatever else you like! They are also a great way to pull gift ideas for holidays, birthdays, or anniversaries.

I, personally, love my Pinterest pinboards. I have decided to create a weekly column highlighting the images that are inspiring me most throughout the week. Here is what I’ve been drawn to this week…

Home design / Atmosphere / Places / Food / Color

You can find all of the photo sources, and a full list of my pinboards on my Pinterest account! 

Back To The Future

 

Photographer Irina Werning is a self-described "nosey" photographer who loves old photos. In 2010 he invited people to re-enact their old photos, wearing similar clothing, in the same location, even making the same facial expression. I love the resemblances in the pictures. I realize they are the same people, but I'm fascinated imaging how people will look as they grow older. I also love how committed participants were to the project; the really went for it. I wouldn't even know where to find the same clothes I had as a child if I wanted to. Luckily, there were no bath time photos included!

Have you ever re-enacted childhood photos?
(See the full project here)

Content Issue 4.2 Is Here!

Content magazine has struck again! This month we published the Vacation 4.2 issue. It's packed full of ways to enjoy your summer here in San Jose. We highlight restaurants with great outdoor seating (which I LOVE to do during summer), places to find outdoor music, and a few of the amazing innovators that are shaping San Jose's culture.

Want to be a part of the action and up to date on what's going on in this great city? Subscribe today. It's super easy and affordable (it breaks down to $3.50 a month; the same cost as a latte). An added bonus is that you're totally supporting a local business. Not ready to commit? Grab a copy at one of the following locations:

• Zanotto's Family Market
• The Usuals
• The San Pedro Square Gift Shop
• La Lune Sucree
• Satori Tea Company
• St. Claire Newsstand
• Art Boutiki 

If you want to be updated on what we're up to, like us on Facebook, or send a quick email to: editor@content-magazine.com.

p.s. Yes, I realize that this is a total pitch of a post, but we're a small business and need to get the word out. It really is an amazing publication and I am so proud to be a part of it. 

Wanderlust: Positano, Italy

With less than a week left before we leave, my mind is swirling with all of the small details that need to be taken care of. I need to make sure all loose ends at work are tied up, we need to make sure there will be enough medication for Zoey while we're gone, I need to make photocopies of our passports and itineraries; the list goes on and on and makes me feel a little crazy.

When I am starting to feel overwhelmed, I just need to take a deep breathe, think of some place beautiful, and remind myself that I will be there soon. Positano, Italy is the perfect place to mentally escape. It is a quiet hill town right along the water in Southern Italy. Just looking at the lit-up city brings a sense of comfort and relaxation.

Have your ever been to Positano? 

Delicious Waffles

Cooking has never been one of my strong suits, but I do have a few tricks I have up my sleeve. One of the best things I can make are waffles! I know this may sound basic, but my friend Sarah gave me this amazing recipe the year I got married and my waffles have never been the same.

2 cups Bisquick

1 egg

1/2 cup oil

1 1/3 cup club soda

Prepare batter according to Bisquick box (except with ingredients listed above). Cook in your waffle iron as usual. Serve warm, with your favorite syrup and toppings!

The trick is in the club soda. It makes the insides light and fluffy, while ensuring the outside is nice and crispy. It's a fool-proof recipe that yields delicious results!

Have you tried club soda waffles? 

(Photos taken for my online food photography course)

Gloomy Paris

Isn't this picture of Paris so gloomy? Something about it draws me in and gives me a sense of waiting. Waiting for someone or something to happen, I'm not sure. Whatever it is, I don't mind the waiting.

Is It True That Life Slows Down?

This week has been absolutely insane. I swear, the hours in a day are zooming by faster than they normally would (or at least that is what I'm telling myself). I'm working on really fun projects in all areas of life, I think that I'm just having trouble balancing everything. I've definitely been here before, so I know this will pass, but I just don't know where I'm going to find the time to do everything. I can't even imagine having children in a situation like this!

Do you have any time management techniques to share?
(Photo: QuietLikeHorses)

Wedding Sneak Peak

As expected, our friend's wedding on Saturday was absolutely beautiful. Every detail was accounted for and the couple could not have looked more in love. I'm excited to share more photos with you soon!

(Photos: Daniel Garcia Photography)

Fashion Frames for Kids

I recently found a new design website and blog, Blog Milk, that I have been loving. Their designs are so simple and clean, and their blog is a great place for inspiration. Earlier this week, they featured the design duo of Very French Gangsters, who focus on children's eye wear.

I loved this post because it introduced me to two amazing ladies and brought me back to my own childhood. When I was a kid, I wanted to wear glasses so badly. I thought they made people look so smart and mature. As I hit my tween years, glasses were something I continued to be interested in, and I even went as far as buying a fake pair to wear out and I called them my "fashion frames" or "faux frames". My desire to wear glasses was already pretty strong, so I can't imagine how I would have reacted if I had known this children's line existed when I was a kiddo...

How cute are these mugshots?!
(Photos: Very French Gangsters via Blog Milk)

Currently Inspired By...

These dancers.

Their grace and beauty is astounding.

(Photos: one, two, three, four. All via this Pinterst account)

Have a Great Weekend

Robbie and I have a fun friend weekend ahead. One of Robbie's best friends, Brent (Sarah's husband) will be visiting from Chicago this weekend, my old salon (Los Gatos Nailworks) is having a client appreciation party, our roommate Kevin is playing a show on Saturday evening, and then I'll be going to my friend's baby shower (she's having twins!) on Sunday. I'll be exhausted by Sunday evening, but it'll be a jam packed weekend full of fun (who needs sleep anyway?!).

What are your plans this weekend?
(Photo: via Joanna Goddard)

P.S. Have you thought about subscribing to Content magazine? If you'd like sign-up, click here. :)

Hot Air Balloons

Would you ride in a hot air balloon? I don't think I would be able to do it. The idea totally freaks me out. Seeing some of the amazing photography that comes from hot air ballooning stirs interest in me, but then I remember that I'm terrified of heights, so it probably isn't the best idea. Saying that, I never thought I would jump out of a plane and survive, but I did and I really enjoyed myself.

Would you ever go hot air ballooning? If you have, what was your experience? Any recommendations?
(Photo: Creative Fan)

And the Winner Is...

On December 19th, Lara Ferroni posted a contest on her blog to win a spot in her upcoming Food Photography and Styling for Bloggers class. Lara is teaching the four week course alongside Ron Goldman, which will be conducted completely online. Her photography is beautifully crisp and has the ability to pull her audience into her stories. As soon as she announced the contest, I knew I wanted that spot.

The rules were simple, participants were entered into the contest by commenting on her post with, "I want to take this course". Plus, participants qualified for additional entries by telling others about the course through their personal blogs, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook (one per media outlet). Easy enough, right?

I entered the contest through each of the ways, with the exception of posting on my personal blog. I was hopeful with each entry, but didn't truly believe that I could win. It was that seed of doubt that took me by complete surprise when Lara announced the winner in a post on December 26th. I read through her post and this is what I saw:

And the Winner is…

 DECEMBER 26, 2011

I hope you all had a very merry holiday and a great week leading up to the New Year! Just stopping in briefly to announce the winner of the giveaway of our Food Photography & Styling for Bloggers class. Via random number generator, our winner is Stacy Ernst! 

I could not believe my eyes! I was the winner! I won a seat in a great class with two amazing instructors. I am so excited about our lessons and assignments, I'll be sure to keep you all updated on my progress, as well as share some of my photos.

Have you ever won a contest? What did the prize include?
(All photos from LaraFerroni.com)

ONA

(The Brooklyn - Chestnut)

(The Union Street - Black)

ONA is a New York based company who designs and creates fine camera bags and accessories.  They believe camera bags and accessories should be "discreet, stylish, and functional".  I love how each bag can pass for an everyday satchel or purse, and how simple and sophisticated each one looks.  I would love to get my hands on The Brooklyn!

Which color would you choose?  Do you have any photo accessories you cannot live without?