The Primrose Bird

Karlie.

2012-01-29T12:38:00.000-08:00

Clemence Poesy

2012-01-22T07:56:00.000-08:00

Erika Labanauskaite by Della Bass

2012-01-08T18:54:00.000-08:00

Germany

2012-01-03T05:04:00.000-08:00

Some photos from my trip to Germany with my best friend Lily.

Giant Sugar Cookies

2011-12-12T19:31:00.000-08:00

This is the recipe I used for my cookie blogger swap. It was the sweetest idea. You received a fellow blogger, secret santa style, and then sent them cookies. I received some amazing cookies and equally adorable notes.

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter at room temp

1 large egg

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tbs sour cream

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.

2. With a mixer, bear butter and sugar until fluffy, 2-4 minutes. Add egg and vanilla, beat well.

3. With mixer on low add half of the dry ingredients, then sour cream, and then slowly add the rest of flour mixture. Mix sparingly.

4. Using ice cream scoop place about 2-3 tablespoons of batter onto parchment sheets. The cookies spread, so give em some breathing room. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake until edges are beginning to brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer to cool.

Makes about 10-15 depending on size you make them.

adapted from a recipe I saw in this fine lady's magazine.

The cookies I received were adorable Springerle Cookies from Suzanne at kokocooks.
The yummiest peppermint truffle brownies from Kelly at mountainmamacooks
And last but not least Molasses cookies, both ways!, from Mackenzie at thecaramelcookie
Thank you so much for all your delish treats and thoughtful notes.

Hana Soukupova's apartment

2011-12-01T17:22:00.000-08:00

I cannot wait for the day when I can afford an apartment with long windows and black paneling.

Elle Decor October 2010

Mikaela Carlén by Andreas Öhlund

2011-11-27T07:38:00.000-08:00

Opera

2011-11-23T14:03:00.000-08:00

My family is filled with traditions, we hold hands before the airplane takes off, we hold our breath as we go under bridges, we have family movie night on Fridays, we eat chicken and spinach on birthdays, and me and my dad go to the Opera. We have been going since before I could read the captions (I would ask my dad every five minutes what was going on, people didn't really like me there.) The Magic Flute has been the opera we have been looking forward to for as long as I can remember, so for the 25th anniversary of the Austin Opera when it was announced they were finally putting it out saying we were excited would be an understatement. It was phenomenal to put it lightly. But anyway, this was my outfit.

Dress: Needsupplyco

Bow: American Apparel

Amanda Seyfried by Marcus Ohlsson

2011-11-23T11:24:00.000-08:00

Loving the hair and makeup from this shoot.

Intel Visual Life - Michael Wolff

2011-11-22T22:08:00.000-08:00

This will forever and always be my favourite video.

Lately...

2011-11-21T19:38:00.000-08:00

+ Literally the most delicious chocolates from Elaine Hsieh

+ Madmen in my free time

+ Some of my favourite reads

+ New perfumes, red rose and nectarine which smell delightful together

+ Messy hair products

+ The ultimate latenightnogoodjudgement game

Patrick Demarchelier

2011-11-20T11:45:00.000-08:00

Virginia

2011-11-12T09:13:00.000-08:00

tea, museums, brunch, leopard jacket's, an old theater, and lots of cupcakes.

London

2011-11-07T15:56:00.000-08:00

Some pictures from my trip to London a while ago, I went before I had this blog, but this trip meant so much to me, I just wanted to share.

J. Crew 2011

2011-11-02T21:22:00.000-07:00

obsessed.

Black Box Dessert Club

2011-10-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

There are a few things that I love most in the world, getting packages, notes, letters etc in the mail, and sweets. So when I stumbled upon the black box dessert club I flipped a lid. Who in the world created this masterpiece? And HOW do I become a part of it. Well a few weeks ago I recieved my beloved box... Let me first talk about something that I have never in my life experienced when buying products...

I shot over an email to the lovely folks at black box dessert club and guess what, they wrote me back. Not only did they write me back, they asked for what ~I~ wanted in MY box. They asked me if I had any preferences, allergies, and then they went out and found them, just for me! A couple of weeks later I was really craving a chocolate fix, shot them an email and they sent my box in the next couple of days. Who does that these days? Everyone was so kind, so helpful. So, now the goodies. I received my box and literally tore it open, inside was a beautiful black box (duh) with a card that said for Leah. Nestled inside were cookies, and chocolate bars, carmel popcorn, lemon marshmallows. I was delighted. I cannot wait for next month.

Bess

2011-10-19T05:56:00.000-07:00

I went to Best Bistro the other day for my grandmother (Bop Bop's) birthday. Bess is one of my favorite restaurants in Austin, it is in the cellar of a beautiful old building. It looks like a wine cellar. It's lovely. And dude, the food is amazing. That's scallops on sausage, and breaded mac and cheese guys. And my sister looking especially creepy.

Also, project soul pancake is still underway, I took a picture last week, it is just in need of editing.

Fix you

2011-10-16T18:19:00.001-07:00

This will always be close to my heart.

Anja Konstantinova

2011-10-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

In. Love.

Fall

2011-10-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

I thought I should do a small outfit post since I haven't done one in forever. But I have more things coming for the blog, I promise. I recently became a member of the black box dessert club and so I need to show y'all all my goodies from there. As well as someone from lookbook asked for a closet tour, so that's coming too. Hope everyone is swell!

Skirt: H&M

Shoes: Joie at By George

Shirt: Some small boutique in San Francisco

Art at an Arm's Reach

2011-10-13T20:46:00.000-07:00

This is my photo for week two of project soul pancake. I swear I took the picture on Saturday I just didn't have the time to edit and post, these weekends... I swear. The challenge this week (last week) was art at an arm's reach. I interpreted this a bit differently than I thought I would when I first saw the post. I have been reading all about Transcendentalism in English and the idea of nature, the purity and beauty of it. That to me is art. The simple things that we view each day, that make up the sun rising or the brushing of grass. That's art.

Art at Arm's Reach ✓

Brooke Shaden Workshop

2011-10-12T05:46:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I sent the genius of an artist Brooke Shaden a message, essentially offering my soul in exchange for a workshop in Austin. Being a student with limited pocket change and parents that still don’t quite understand “photography” the option of traveling to California for any of her workshops seemed less than none. So when I heard back from her saying that in fact she was planning a workshop in my homeland saying I was thrilled would be an understatement. I don’t consider myself a “fan girl” for anyone, George Clooney walks by, okay, Bono, walk on by, Johnny Depp, well… But there is something about photographers that gets me all excited. I think it’s the fact that they have a passion that I want to have. When I hear Brooke talking in depth on why should put this there, or used that color, I can feel the process in her eyes, and it’s wicked cool. Anyway, the workshop… I woke up at 7 am for the 9 o clock workshop, and started driving at 8, just in case I got lost. I pulled up to the address, checked the number again, (it would be awkward arriving at some old ladies house camera gear in tow.) I had a mini panic attack. And then proceeded. The workshop was lovely. Sadly there were no fellow Austinites, apparently we are a late sleeping bunch, that or they have already been up for hours running marathons and eating cliff bars. None the less I met some amazing people from Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. They all were obviously more skilled than I was, and I can say I was a tad intimidated. Once we all started shooting those walls came down fast though. There is something so magnificent when everyone sees through a camera. Something so peaceful and almost nostalgic feeling. It was really beautiful to see everyone work, asking questions, asking Brookes sweet model Olivia to do horribly dangerous things. So this is my image as result to the day. It’s different than anything I have ever created. I wouldn’t consider this my style, but pushing myself helps me grow. I enjoyed diving into this. This image feels good. It’s not perfect, but nothing is.

image on brooke's blog

And here is the group shot. I'm the one with a nest on her head and far to cheesey of a grin plastered on my face.

Gourdoughs

2011-10-02T19:57:00.000-07:00

aka the happiest place on Earth. I know Disneyland usually gets to hold this title but after going to the small trailer on south lamar you will understand why Gourdoughs brings home the bacon. Literally, did you see that picture? Did you see it? Bacon? On a doughnut? What? Note, I had three other lovely people to consume these...

Week One

2011-10-01T12:57:00.000-07:00

I decided to start a new challenge. I have been in such a rut with photos lately, but I woke up this morning and decided I needed to stop the damn complaining. So, I joined the group Project Soul Pancake and started at day one. I decided to post on Sundays, but I just wanted to start right away. The first challenge was to look closely at your hands, or fingers or something like that. The wrinkles in my hands have always made me think of rivers. That was the inspiration for this photo. I'm really excited to have a kick of inspiration again, and a place to write about it.

1. Closely admire your fingerprints. ✓

I feel so inspired due to the new weather.

2011-10-01T07:40:00.001-07:00

Expect a new photo post up soon, it's been too long.