Little Leaf Studios - Photography & Graphic Design in South Orange NJ / Blog

Bathtub Reglazing

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 02:56:59 +0000

Let's talk tubs for a minute. The old finish on our bathtubs was dull, peeling & flaking off and there was some slight staining that cleaning really could not fix. So we decided to have both the kid's tub and our Master Bath tub reglazed. We knew each one could not be used for 24 hours after being done so we had our tub worked on first since the finish was in worse shape.

We had a great experience working with Nate at The Painted Otter, though we did need to do our own caulking after the 24 hours was over. Fortunately, Mathew is just handy enough! I will say, the smell can be strong and I didn't want to sleep in our room for that one night so I camped out on the couch downstairs. However, when they came back a few weeks later to do the kid's tub, the smell wasn't as strong (I think that bathroom was easier to ventilate). I do not have any good "before" pictures, but here are the after images.

This is our Master tub after they reglazed it, but before we cleaned & caulked it.

And this is the kid's tub after we caulked it.

Exterior Painting

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 01:00:00 +0000

Before & After

During the Process

EXTERIOR PAINT COLORS / DECK STAIN COLOR

Main - Sherwin Williams 0077 Classic French Gray
Foundation - Sherwin Williams 7658 Gray Clouds
Trim - Sherwin Williams 7005 Pure White
Deck - Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Leather Saddle Brown, Semi Transparent
Painters: Wilber's Painting

DOOR / HARDWARE / LIGHT / MAIL SLOT

Exterior & Inner Vestibule Door Restoration - John Kiritsis of New Jersey Woodworking, LLC.
Exterior Door Color - Sherwin Williams 6766 Mariner
Knocker - Found by Sarah Gee in Etsy Shop vintageUSSR777
Striker Plate - Ebay Shop countryhomes
Inner Vestibule Knob - Classic Rosette Door Set with Waldorf Crystal Glass Door Knobs, Oil Rubbed Bronze (House of Antique Hardware)
Mail Slot - Solid Brass Letter Size Mail Slot With Closed Backplate (House of Antique Hardware)
Pendant Light - Faceted Pendant, Glass/Bronze (PotteryBarn)

This is SIX

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 19:00:00 +0000

Welcome to N. Ridgewood Rd.

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 01:58:10 +0000

In the Fall of 2015, we moved from MA and bought a home in South Orange, NJ. We've lived in many different places all over the country and have been fortunate to own homes in Georgia & Colorado, but this home is much different. Our NJ home is 90 years old this year. It was built in 1926 and we lovingly call it our Old Lady House. She was in pretty good overall shape at the time of purchase, but as with any home, there are areas we want to make our own and things that just need to be updated with a house of this age.

I'm really looking forward to sharing the projects we've worked on to date… so sit back & join us on our journey as we renovate our NJ home!

Samantha & Jake / Portraits at Wright-Locke Farm

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 12:00:00 +0000

Nestled within the Winchester, MA community is a little gem. With lots of little areas to explore around every corner, Wright-Locke Farm provides a wonderful backdrop for a late afternoon stroll and photo session with a sweet pair of siblings.

Sydney / Portraits at Home

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 01:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the world little Sydney. Forever my niece, forever my family.

Meghan / Portraits at Home

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 15:52:12 +0000

A little summer afternoon session with the lovely Meghan!

Jingle All The Way

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 00:25:14 +0000

This holiday season wasn't exactly how we envisioned it would be, because every couple of days we were dealing with some sort of drama, but we really tried to make the most of it. Here are a few of the brighter moments!

Merry Christmas!

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 18:36:00 +0000

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from my family to yours!

Dear Santa

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 04:32:24 +0000

Beckett's first letter to Santa. I think it speaks for itself.

The King Family / Portraits at Home & Playground

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 15:36:00 +0000

Tricia / Maternity

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 01:16:51 +0000

Tricia, my exceptionally lovely neighbor & friend, recently had her third baby. I was thoroughly convinced she was going to have a girl, but boy was I wrong! She had a precious little boy. These portraits were made at Horn Pond in Woburn, MA just five days before we all welcomed him to the world. Congratulations Momma!

Chris & Brendan's Wedding / Rivermill at Dover Landing / Dover, New Hampshire

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 14:00:00 +0000

This summer I had the absolute pleasure of working with Chris & Brendan. They are very close friends of my sister-in-laws & I was completely and utterly thrilled to photograph their wedding day. There were many sweet & special moments, wonderful dinner, dancing & delicious homemade whoopie pies, but I'll never forget the roar of the guests clapping, yelling & cheering at the end of the ceremony & again when the newlywed couple was announced at the reception - I may or may not have shed some tears. I asked Chris to share "their story" to accompany this post and he graciously provided me with a wonderful narrative. Thank you, Chris & Brendan, for letting me share & document your wedding day. I wish you so much wedded bliss!

A LITTLE LOVE STORY, AS TOLD BY CHRIS…

While in college I lived with a BU student, who was friends with Brendan. She did the whole, "You're both single, you're both gay, you should date" thing and set us up on a blind date. It seemed like a disaster waiting to happen, but it proved to be quite the opposite! We went to see The Incredibles together with plans to get ice cream afterwards (despite it being mid-November). We skipped the ice cream and walked around Boston all night. We managed to hit it off immediately, chatting about our mutual love of the most random pop culture, cult movies, and debating over the use of laugh tracks in Sports Night.

We ended the night with Brendan seeing me to my door. I invited him in for a quick tour, with the intentions of stealing a goodbye kiss. I found out years later that what helped seal the deal for a second date were the VHS copies of Beetlejuice and Heathers on my shelf, though I like to think my utter charm had a lot to do with it. My awkward lean for the kiss did NOT help, surprisingly.

Flash forward six and a half years later, Brendan and I were off to the Brattle in Harvard Square to see a new 35mm print of Taxi Driver. Brendan studied film theory in school, and I just plain love cinema, so we spent a lot of our early days together at this theatre. On the car ride there I occasionally went for a sip of our iced coffee, reaching by his pocket, which apparently had him sweating bullets. We had each seen the movie before. Between this and the fact that he secretly had our engagement rings sitting in his pocket, Brendan had a difficult time concentrating. When the movie let out into the cobblestone alley Brendan had us hold back while the other patrons made their way back to the street. Though we had talked about our future together on many occasions, I was under the distinct impression that we would just simply remain together committed by our words and love alone. This explains my complete confusion in interpreting Brendan's love-struck expression. He stood leaning against the brick wall staring with nothing but complete love in his eyes. To explain the meaning of "love" could never do the word justice, just as to explain the look Brendan had for me that night could never do it justice. Then suddenly with no words, no one-knee, he simply handed me a ring box. Unable to say anything I took the case, opened it, and quickly shut it again. Unable to speak due to utter shock I simply, after a few minutes, managed to shake my head "yes."

Ceremony & Reception Venue:  Rivermill at Dover Landing
Music:  DJ Nate Downs
Officiant: Lisa Ray
Bouquets & Boutonnieres:  Lyndsey Loring Design
Grooms' Attire:  Jos A. Bank
Whoopie Pies:  Homemade by family members - Deirdre Desrosiers, Kaeleigh Molloy, Carol Molloy & Scarlet Tannetta
Decor & Paper Garlands: Handmade by Deirdre Desrosiers
Attendant Cards: Handmade by Brendan & Chris
Favors:  "Yummy Breakfast" blind boxes by Kid Robot
Catering:  Liberty Lane Catering
Flowers for Centerpieces: Alison Bristo
Table Centerpieces: from Chris… "A stack of books, vase of flowers, scrabble tiles spelling out the literature-themed table names, and an extra supply of tiles for entertainment. We pulled together a collection of elements to represents aspects of our lives, which were also dynamic enough to delight our guests. The flowers were from one of my best friend's mother's gardens. She assorted them and gave them to us as her gift."
Processional:  "Musik fur Kinder III, No. 15 'Four Pieces for Xylophone': Gassenhauer Nach Hans Neusiedler" by Karl Peinkofer
Live Performance During Ceremony: "Love" by John Lennon, performed by Melanie McDermott on Ukulele
Recessional: "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy" by Queen
First Dance: "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" by The Talking Heads
Last Dance:  "Wavelength" by Van Morrison

Recipe: Kale Salad w/Spicy Peanut Dressing

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Thu, 09 May 2013 01:28:46 +0000

This is one of my favorite salads ever! I love the combo of the kale with the spicy peanut sauce and it's so delicious & satisfying that I could eat this every day. Bulk it up by adding some grilled chicken or shredded carrots and Mmmmmmmm. Make it tonight & you might lick your plate like I did. Seriously, it's that good!

THE GOODIES

1/2 head of kale, chopped into bite-size pieces
2 Tbsps cilantro, finely chopped
2 Tbsps peanuts, roughly chopped
1 - 2 scallions (green parts only), thinly sliced
1 Tbsp all-natural, organic peanut butter
2 Tbsps Tamari
2 Tbsps Mirin
Juice of 1 lime
Dash of cayenne

THE STEPS

Add the kale, cilantro, peanuts and scallions to a salad bowl. Massage the mixture a bit with your hands just to soften the kale.
In a blender or food processor combine the peanut butter, tamari, mirin, lime juice & cayenne. Pour the dressing over the salad and combine so all of the greens are saturated.
Refrigerate and allow it to marinate in the dressing for up to 30 minutes before serving.

Source: Hillstone Restaurant

9 or 17 Years

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Wed, 01 May 2013 04:20:00 +0000

17 years ago I met my husband in MA. 9 years ago we were married in TN. 2.8 years ago our son was born in CO. This year we celebrate #9 back in MA. It's like coming full circle. Happy Anniversary to, us, the crazy teenage couple that had no idea about the twists & turns life would present them. Hold on kids, the ride is far from over and cheers to many more!

Cardboard Train Station

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 02:56:00 +0000

Beckett loves trains (I mean LOVES TRAINS). Throw in a cardboard box and well, you have an instant train station / rocket / funhouse / imagination heaven.

Our 2012 Christmas Card Ornament

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 04:01:00 +0000

This year, I crafted our Christmas cards from scalloped oval card stock, photos of Beckett, stamps with silver ink and bright green envelopes with colorful patterned liners. Oh and, of course, a little green ribbon for hanging.

Holden / Portraits at Home

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:26:00 +0000

I met Holden's mother, Vanessa, about a year ago in the most unusual way. She had been following my website/blog for several years while she was in design school (I was living in Atlanta at the time) and she continued to follow my adventures when I moved to Colorado. Then the oddest thing happened, I moved to Winchester… which is where she lived.

Sparked by my move, she reached out and contacted me and we met. The coincidences didn't stop… she's a designer and originally from GA (very close to where I lived) and she almost named her son Beckett. Of all the places for two strangers to meet, we met in this small town. I'm so thankful she took the plunge and emailed me. It's been great getting to know her family and the best part is that Beckett gained a new friend too!

Here are some at-home portraits of Holden doing what toddlers do best: playing, being silly, playing, laughing & playing some more.

Evan & Colin / Portraits at Home

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 13:00:00 +0000

These precious guys are friends of ours and I'm so glad I got the chance to photograph them. Their little expressions are simply the best and I look forward to watching them grow up. Here are a few of my favorites.

Beckett's 2nd Birthday / Dr. Seuss

Amanda Jaynes-Ray — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 19:12:00 +0000

We celebrated Beckett's 2nd Birthday with a Dr. Seuss themed party. In fact, we had 2 parties… one with his friends during the week & then a family party on the weekend. We had cupcakes for the kids and I designed a pretty neat (and delicious) cake for the second party. I made the invitations, the paper cupcake/cake toppers & gift tags and I found the hats online. It was rainy on his party day so we stayed indoors (much like The Cat in The Hat story), but the kids painted, colored & played and had a great time. Thanks to all who came and we can't wait to do it again next year!

The cake was made by the very talented Michelle over at Cake. in Lexington, MA.