the paper pony

New Inspiration

2009-07-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

I finally put up my new inspiration board next to my desk & made more fabric covered push pins. I feel inspired already!

There's also a little sneak peek of my new business cards that I am so excited about. Full post on my new stationery tomorrow...one word: letterpress!

Mantel Inspiration

2009-07-07T09:04:00.001-07:00

3 1/2 years later we have a mantel over our fireplace. Miracle! My dad came down a few weeks ago & built this from scratch for us. I'm so excited to decorate - there are so many directions to go in. Here are some favorites from my magazine collection:

Credits from top to bottom: 1. Domino mag via sfgirlbybay 2. via sfgirlbybay 3. Domino Mag Nov. 2008 4. InStyle Home Fall 2006 5. InStyle Home Fall 2006 6. InStyle Home Fall 2006

Any without links are images I have scanned - I will put them on my flickr with more specific credits.

Random scanning tip: When scanning a magazine page or any other two-sided page, place a piece of black matboard or contruction paper behind the image. It will keep the other side from showing through : )

Internet, none here.

2009-06-30T14:45:00.001-07:00

My Internet has been down all day so the posts ( and I had them, I promise!) I had planned for today will have to wait.

This a random quad cam photo from Sarah and Chase's wedding - I heart the quad cam.

I also heart Adele- her songs are keeping me in a good mood despite the productivity sabotage going on right now. Internet, come back!

CA Grown

2009-06-23T10:48:00.000-07:00

I LOVE to receive flowers. Every time I go to the store the first thought I have is, "Should I buy flowers today? I really want to buy flowers." They make me so happy and Forest knows the way to my heart is through a bouquet.

Our friend is really involved with the California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC) & I've been learning all about California flowers. There is as much to know about the flower industry as any & I thought I'd share a bit here - it goes along with the "buy local" movement so prevalent today.

Like, for instance:

-75% of all US grown flowers come from California, however they account for only approximately 25% of all cut flowers actually sold in the United States. The remainder is imported from South American countries.

-California’s cut flower industry generates $10.3 billion in economic impact for the State of California

-The cut flower industry overall generates 121,950 California jobs and $3.3 billion in wages for other industries.

These flowers in the photograph above are "CA Grown" (that's their slogan) & what I immediately noticed was the fragrance. For the first three days it was SO INTENSE, almost intoxicating- it was crazy! I think it's probably because they were just in the field maybe one, two days before they got to me. Same thing with my CSA veggies - the greens last forever because they haven't been on a truck for a week like most grocery store produce. Local is so good.

With my bouquet, came these little hint cards from the CCFC if your man needs some "encouragement" in that department - they are cheeky, but let's face it! Some people need a little reminder.

So, in short I think we've solved the California budget crisis. BUY MORE FLOWERS! Just make sure they are CA Grown. If you want to learn more about the CCFC or learn where you can buy CA Grown here's where you can find them:

If only all the world's problems could be solved with Gerber daisies.

Take me away

2009-06-22T21:32:00.000-07:00

Swooning over the Editor Series from Steamline Luggage.

Father's Day

2009-06-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

homemade breakfast
an unsuccessful attempt to make it to church
"pirate park" for some daddy/son play time
a looong nap for baker
giant fish tacos & margaritas for us
vacation-quality sunning by the pool
dinner
swim lessons in the hot tub

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Weekend

2009-06-19T09:19:00.001-07:00

Oh, the fields of Colorado. This is down the road from my grandparent's house - they have the most awesome house for many reasons:
1. kegerator made by my Grandpa, covered in fishing photos & always stocked with ice cold Bud & chilled glasses
2. indoor hot tub - no longer functional, but fun when were kids
3. hanging chair where I passed many an hour reading The Wizard of Oz books
4. & of course OZ & Joy, my Grandpa & Grandma

I would love to be there this weekend, especially if my little sisters were too.
Happy weekend everyone!

Sarah & Chase's Wedding

2009-06-17T19:51:00.001-07:00

I was just reading event designer Ariel Yve's blog & she described Sarah & Chase's wedding as "romantic vintage" which is the perfect description. Sarah & she dreamed up the most lovely, timeless day.

Every detail was perfect, down to the Melissa Sweet dress & heirloom handkerchief in Sarah's bouquet.

Camille of Modern Day Design created the stunning bouquets of pink peonies for the bridesmaids & white for Sarah. I adore Camille's website & you must go there after here! I probably go on there once a week just to enjoy the pretty.

While I was photographing the cocktail hour I just kept thinking of a 1920's garden party. Flowers EVERYWHERE, soft color, buttons, moss, chandeliers & crystals hanging from the trees to catch the afternoon sun.

Sarah spent months collecting the vintage post cards on which the guests could write a message to the bride & groom.

Each place card was held by two pearl buttons sewn together & another as a base. This is one of my favorite details from the day. It's the little things like this that bring the whole look of a wedding together.

A little after dinner treat - cookies! Some favorite family recipes were there as well as the classics. Cookies are my thing so I had to try one chocolate chip. It was delicious.

I usually don't write this much about a wedding, but I thought I just had to let you in on some of the story behind the details that made Sarah & Chase's wedding so dreamy. I have to also mention Marvin, the Ukelele player. He played Somewhere Over the Rainbow for their first dance & if you have heard the Hawaiian version of that song it's so romantic, especially live. We got to chat a bit during dinner & Marvin is a cool guy - which is not hard to understand since he lives on Maui : )

Thanks again to Sarah & Chase & their wonderful, fun families and to Ariel Yve & all the talents who contributed to this perfect day:

Hair: Sheila Stone
Makeup: Theodora Allegra
Flowers: Modern Day Design
Venue: Rockwood Women's Club
Catering: Lorraine Lim
Music: Josh, Goodbeat Productions
Cake: Crumbs
Classic Car: Classic Motoring Car Rentals

Obsession: Full skirts for Summer

2009-06-15T23:13:00.001-07:00

I have been on the hunt for some full, flouncy, classic skirts to wear this Summer. I own ONE casual skirt. One that is about 4 years old & from Forever21. I went through a non-skirt wearing phase, but I've been loving a more feminine look these days & am embracing the skirt thanks to these beauties.

faithsalutes & I have been talking a lot about upping our game in the wardrobe department - stepping out in style every day. A tank tucked into a cute skirt with sandals is an effortless look that keeps me comfy & out of some of my other "park day" looks (ahem, yoga pants & running shoes...)

Yay for Summer. Yay for looking feminine & stylish, but still being able to chase after a toddler.

Happy Weekend

2009-06-12T13:25:00.001-07:00

Look, it's Friday already! How did that happen?

The mustard is back in the field behind our house...almost a football field of head high yellow goodness. I love when the farmers let the field go & peek over every morning to see if today is the day they cut it down. I hope it stays through the weekend! It's a photographer's dream.

Hope your weekend is sunny, happy, a little bit wild - like the mustard flowers.

I heart shoes

2009-06-10T17:12:00.000-07:00

Rachel's shoes: June 5, 2009

Sarah's shoes: May 30, 2009

Especially wedding shoes. Especially cute wedding shoes.

I turn around for two seconds and...

2009-06-03T23:25:00.000-07:00

Christie & Brian's Engagement

2009-06-02T15:46:00.000-07:00

I spent an afternoon with Christie & Brian soaking in the romantic afternoon light & playing on the streets of Venice, CA. Christi is Forest's cousin, which makes this story even more fun. I'm so excited to photograph their wedding in August too. Love you two!

Mr. & Mrs. Chase Kemps

2009-06-01T17:07:00.001-07:00

Saturday was a really special wedding. I fell in love with the families & sweet, sweet Sarah & Chase. All I want to do is look at their images, but so much other work to do! Here's a small taste of the thoughtfulness that went into this day. Handmade button place card holders:

Other details to tempt you: chandeliers hanging from trees, vintage postcards, peonies, a cookie bar, mojitos! It was vintage-inspired goodness all around. Can't wait to show you more!

Happy Weekend

2009-05-29T17:15:00.000-07:00

[B looking for inspiration at the ACE Hotel, Palm Springs.]

I'm going to take pictures this weekend. You should too!

Lauren & Saia's Wedding

2009-05-28T22:32:00.001-07:00

Ink + Post in Sunset!

2009-05-27T17:53:00.001-07:00

I was so happy to open my June issue of Sunset & see a feature on my friend & fellow blogger Katie Chambers. Katie's design blog ink+post caught the attention of the editors at Sunset recently which is no surprise - it's one of my daily reads for design inspiration . Katie was also sweet to mention me & my photography (thanks, Katie).

[Click image to see it larger]

A few of my favorite posts from Katie's blog:

Michael Stipe's glasses

Miss Ruby Sue's Rosette necklaces

Neutral

If your new to ink+post don't delay! A look through the archives is sure to brighten your week. Congratulations Katie!

New Pillows

2009-05-26T09:01:00.000-07:00

This weekend was busy & mellow at the same time. I don't know about you, but I was definitely thankful for that extra day. A quick recap of our weekend:

• Engagement session in Venice - photos coming soon
• Breakfast with Emily & Brian, some of my favorite friends/clients whose wedding I shot in '07
• A visit from my lovely sisters. I always love when they come to town, even if it is really just to see B. We had fun hanging out, walking to the mall like we were in Junior High & shopping at Target & Forever21.
• FINALLY sewing some pillows for our couch!

This fabric is from Amy Butler's BELLE line, which was the first line she did for Rowan (the color in my photos is more accurate than the swatch). I love how they came out & am glad I added the piping - I think it ties the pillows & couch together. I love making pillows! I plan to make more...maybe not until the next three day weekend though : )

Happy Weekend

2009-05-22T14:48:00.000-07:00

This week flew by for me - can't believe it's already Friday! Enjoy this long weekend, here's hoping for much sun!

Images of Inspiration

2009-05-19T11:04:00.001-07:00

[W Magazine]

[Anthropologie Catalog, April 2009]

[Anthropologie Catalog, May 2009]

[Anthropologie Catalog, April 2009]

[Anthropologie Catalog, May 2009]

[Alexi Lubomirski for Harper's Bazaar, June 2009]

Forget the Wagon, I want this.

2009-05-14T22:26:00.000-07:00

Madsen cargo bike.

It's like a bicycle mini-van, but way cooler than a minivan will ever be. Even the VW Routan. They are giving away two in July! Click on the link on my sidebar to find out how you can enter to win one too. If you do you have to let me borrow, okay?

Baby Rea Mae

2009-05-14T13:48:00.001-07:00

One of the joys of being a photographer is photographing my friends & their new babes. These are a few months old now - how time flies! - but here is little Reagen Mae with her amazing parents....and the cutest pair of Uggs ever : )

Saturday with Diana+

2009-05-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday

2009-05-08T15:32:00.000-07:00

[by the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs with my Diana+]

This is what last weekend looked like for me - sunning by the pool & catching up on magazine reading. This one will look a little different as I'm shooting Lauren & Saia's wedding in Laguna. I'm excited to see them again & catch up with some friends in Dana Point!

A few random things:
• I am honored to be part of Ambrosia Girl's "creative moms" series of posts this week! Jenn is one of the only bloggers I get to hang out with in person & it's so great to share thoughts on being a creative & a mom. She featured some truly talented women this week so be sure to check it out!
• Happy Mother's Day! Wishing I could be with my mom to celebrate her.
• Keep Santa Barbara in your thoughts & prayers. We have many friends affected by this new fire. I am praying for safety and a quick end to this nastiness.
• Have a great weekend, see you back here on Monday with some Diana+ pics from my Santa Monica engagement shoot!

Heidi's Summer '09

2009-05-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, the obsession continues...

[all images via heidimerrick.com]

And I am intrigued by this swimsuit. It's like...baggy in the middle? This model works it, but could the (very) average girl pull it off? It looks comfy - a word I usually don't associate with swimwear.