PORTLAND IN THE SPRING

Truly, there's no where I'd rather be than a sunny day in Portland down by the river, romping around pink fluffy cherry blossoms with my babe. We picnicked here and couldn't stop dancing, and doing hand stands and powdering our noses with the soft flowers. I got high off the happiness of the blossoms and the blue skies, I swear it! The weather here may be fleeting and impossibly grey, but when it's right, it's so dang right.

This is the type of afternoon that begs for a golden Diana camera and the reason I still love to shoot with this trusty old thing.

CONTENTS OF A COLLEGE BAG

While hanging out in Santa Barbara last week, I worked with my Dad's upper division photo class. In photographing so many homes, I've begun to get very curious about the secrets areas of the house. The homeowners invariably welcome me with a spick and span space and big smiles. When I start to poke around and ask "What's behind this door?" and they quickly shew me away, responding with some version of "You can't photograph in there!" or "That's where I shoved all my crap!"

As a reformed slob (I struggle to stay on top of my mountain of stuff), I'm intrigued with other people's messy lives. The inner worlds of junk drawers, medicine cabinets and hectic basements. That's where I want to go.

So how do we talk about mess within a two hour period with a bunch of college students? We photograph the contents of their bags. I think of these as an intriguing series of portable messes. I love the beauty in the mess! And look at the mugs on this class; aren't they all so gorgeous?

AWH SHUCKS

Brad Swonetz, former student of my Dad's, good family friend, artful photographer and person who I call when freaking out over pricing a job (thanks man!) just sent two pictures he came across while sifting through old photographs. That's my Dad and I in LA, I think at the garment district? We were shooting dianas through windows with reams upon reams of fabric. I was about 16 or 17 I'm guessing.

It's little quiet moments like this that pull at my heart strings and make me so feel so grateful for my family and all the adventures we've had together. We are a lucky bunch.

WHY I MAKE MY OWN BIRTHDAY CAKE

Today on The Kitchn, I got to write about and photograph one of my favorite topics: dark, devilish, absolutely decadent chocolate cake. This marvelous creation was a showstopper if I ever tasted one and was the perfect antidote to another revolution around the sun. I'm turning into a person who's age would have sounded very old to me as a kid. Oh well.

Read more about this wacky tradition I have and get the recipe for Double Chocolate Sour Cream Cake on The Kitchn.

VISIT TO THE BOULANGERIE

This past weekend, my old friend Julian and his darling lady Jenna came for a visit. We hit the town, especially the delicious foods at St. Honore, our favorite boulangerie. We feasted!

NEAT!

photos are stills pulled from the video, you can watch the video here.

D shared this incredible short video about the ways cephalopods are able to camoflauge themselves with color and texture.  Their skin changes texture people!  It's so beautiful, unexpected and wonderful to gaze upon this octopus shape shifting under the sea.  Nature. 

Watch the video: Where's the Octopus?

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'

Just got back from a RELAXING trip down to Santa Barbara, where we swirled on the beach with Vito, my Dad made divine thin-crusted pizzas and we cuddled with books and movies. It was lovely. There's something so magical about spending time with my parents, we slip into a nice routine where food and dog walks are the main focus, with cups of coffee and games of cards to round out other hours.

Where did this new sweater come from? My Dad, my favorite stylist who finds all my coolest clothes for me at the beach on his morning walk (then washes when he gets home and mails them up!), found this jazzy stripey at a garage sale.

RAMONA FALLS & CLEARING THE COBWEBS

I took the day off yesterday - I knew nothing productive was going to come out of my spent mind . . . The photo course was wonderful, but I was exhausted by the end of my weekend, lots of working!

So when my dear friends invited me for a long hike up by Mt. Hood, I couldn't resist - we fortified  ourselves by eating biscuit and egg sandwiches then headed on up to the most distinctive falls I've seen.  The layers of basalt rock made a beautiful, organic formation and the water desended in the loveliest way . . . Down to a quaint little stream and rustic bridge.  It was just the thing to refresh the mind and spirit

PHOTO COURSE VERDICT: SUCCESS & SUPER DUPER FUN!

Parvaneh took this beautiful photo and added the cute title!

We talked about a mix of textures when styling and adding a live human for great food photos

We talked about how to photograph a thing consistently, such as a pair of earrings.  Alissa, a participant made these herself! She's an amazing glass artist.

Is this not a renaissance painterly image or what?  Great job Parvaneh!

We added background sweeps and took them away.

Alissa, the glass artist, kindly modeled for a little while.

I stepped in as model so the gals could snap away.

Love the ladies getting in there!  I'm so proud!

mmm... lunch!

When life hands you lemons, take pictures of them!

On Sunday, I had the pleasure of leading a photography class full of very talented ladies.  We adjusted settings, learned our way around our cameras, talked about composition and framing (keepin things out of the center, mm hm!), the wilds of the Oregon weather patterns and its effects on photos and how to change up on the fly, lighting techniques, prop ideas and post production using photoshop . . . . Then, we feasted and made merry with a delightful picnic in the backyard.

Kirsten, my darling pal with the most gorgeous home (she and her husband renovated themselves!), generously allowed me to host the course in said fabulous abode.  It was a great location, as every where we turned to photograph, there was something of beauty and the light just poured in throughout all the windows.  Kirsten was also the one to suggest I teach the class in the first place, so I want to give a big thanks to her - go hop on her blog, it's so much fun over there!

For me, this opportunity was extra special and wonderful because I felt like I was able to encourage, teach and empower a handful of exceptional students to go out there and create.  I love gathering together to all photograph similar things/locations, because we all have such a unique way of seeing the world.  I was inspired and delighted with the results of class, because honestly, the photos were just lovely.  Magazine cover worthy!  And so different than how I might approach the subject.  I love that.

This is a huge post but I wanted to share some images of the ladies in action as well as a couple of the finished photos.  I'm currently pondering the next class!  Let me know if you'd like to take a Basics Course or for the ladies who attended Sunday, if you'd like a more Photoshop-specific part 2 Course where we dive into editing even more as well as collage-making and retouching our lovely mugs!

Note: One of the students, Parvaneh, kindly shared her images from the course with me - her's are mixed into this post with a few of mine to round it out.  I haven't received images from the other gals yet, but will keep you posted!

SUMMER IN THE GARDEN

D and I have been busy bees in the garden this summer - it has been our big weekend project, working alongside our darling neighbors . . . It is so glorious to share some of the responsibilities as well as the bounty!  The crops are going nuts right about now - here's what we've got planted:

fresh herbs
zucchini
turnips
carrots
radishes
assortment of lettuces
arugula
dinosaur kale
chard
strawberries
marigolds
lupines
peas

D is the garden master, but I take direction well; watering and weeding when needed - but I swear it's all his care and attention that makes the plants really flourish.  We experimented with planting from seed instead of starts this year, and it was so much fun to watch the little baby plants germinate and grow into full-on edibles!  We cannot keep up with all the produce, so have been giving things away and cooking as much as possible.  I came really close to perfecting a dino kale quiche with sharp cheddar and oat flour crust the other day - photos of that will be coming soon.  Now if only we grew black tea, Greek yogurt, peaches and bagels, then I'd never have to grocery shop again!

A LITTLE FLORAL, A LITTLE SEXY

I am so attracted to this image D snapped of me doing my thing on the couch the other afternoon - my dress in the windowlight, my computer on my lap - this is my tool and me at work.  What you don't see is the hours spent by myself in our hot little apartment, at our shared desk, with empty tea cups strewn about and a big pile of mess/bathrobes/jackets at my feet. 

For a moment, I'm just a slightly sexy blogging lady.

THE DANCE BEGINS

My brother and his fair maiden, Kelly, got married on Monday evening, under balmy winds and a crescent moon.  It was a tremendous occasion, where I was honored to have been asked to be the officiant.  Standing up there, looking at Nick and Kelly holding hands and having the time of their lives, it was a remarkable feeling I'll never forget. 

My Dad and Dave made themselves busy with Diana and Super 8 cameras . . . And here's one of the first, most beautiful, images of the evening.  More to follow - just had to share!

I'M HOSTING A PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE

I'm so excited to be hosting a basics of photography workshop this summer. I know I could have used a crash course when I started blogging and taking pictures so many years ago. As a credentialed teacher with a masters degree, it's a pleasure to synthesize my passions in this manner. Join me for an initial class in a lovely NE Portland bungalow for a morning of photography, education and laughter. Email me for further details and payment.

This course is limited to 8 folks and you must bring the following: a laptop, digital camera (any kind!) and editing software such as Photoshop, Photoshop Elements or Iphoto. We provide the rest!

Looking forward to it!

L'AMOUR FOU

My darling fashion file of a friend, Rebecca, and I saw just saw this wonderful movie, L'Amour Fou (which translates to "crazy love") about the life and relationship between fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Berge.  After 50 years of being together, Laurent has recently passed away and Berge auctions off their art collection, full of Picassos, Rembrandt, Warhols, African art, etc..  It is sad, honest and full of the love they shared for each other. 

During their years together, they outfitted homes in Paris, Normandy and Marrakesh - and these interiors were some of the most vivid, luxurious spaces I've ever laid eyes on.  They rival the clothes in scope, vision, creativity and absolute, over-the-top AWESOME.  These two certainly shared ups and downs, but man, what a life.  Highly recommend transporting yourself via this emotional (think tortured, artist genius), visual, fashiony love fest.  Nothing like a great French film, eh?

MISS YOU, MANGO

This is the fourth out of the seventh day of solo Lee -- On Saturday, Dave  left for a desert camping research trip with his Biology classmates.  Since we met about 6 years ago, we haven't spent very much time apart . . . Sure we've gone on trips by ourselves or with friends, but we've always had a phone call good night or a little skype session.  It's weird to not have my main buddy's voice at the other end of the line. 

I'm ready for my fellow mango fiend to return!

WEEKEND'S STAWBERRY FIELDS

I made strawberry shortcake for the first time and I got to hand it to my sweetheart, he ate his portion with gusto!  He knows how to EAT a strawberry-filled dessert.  Definitely started with his Mom's delish strawberry pizza (a whole other wonderful story), then migrated to milkshake form, and most recently, to the classic combo of shortcake (the biscuit's sweeter cousin), whipped cream and macerated strawberries fresh from the farmer's market.  Just look at how happy this guy is!

The shortcakes make a perfect breakfast when served with coffee for dunking!

THIS WEEK AT THE KITCHN & RE-NEST

The fun of the week was in shooting lots of interesting spaces and foods -- but also, I got the best hair cut and color of my life, from this dear lady.  Robin, you are truly an artist with hair and never have I felt so glamorous!  And, getting my hair done in a powder pink 60s trailer was unheard of amounts of awesome.

I'm shooting and writing so much for Apartment Therapy these days, instead of breaking out the links individually, I'm just going to show you my feed for each site.

The Kitchn

Re-Nest

and, coming soon, home tours for Apartment Therapy!

I STLL LOVE PINK

and seeing it over the past day in a variety of forms!

That's all for now . . .

THE HOUDINI OF PIZZA

that slice is so thin, it practically levitates

how good does that pizza, or 'za' as we call it, look? right?!

so thin, you could see through it!

this scene is so California to me

When I come home to Santa Barbara, things like thin crust pizza on the grill happen.  The freshest ingredients get whipped up into dinner, with the deftness and ease only experts exude -- the pizza dough was made in the morning, rested in the oven and was rolled flatter than air into a superb dinner.  Romaine boats with peppered vinegar accompanied and three bean salad made by Mama were the perfect accompaniment.  

This pizza was a triumph of shattering texture and early-summer flavors -- corn, asparagus, red peppers and chili flakes on one and red sauce, "the lightest hand" of mozzarella and red onion topped the other.  What a dinner!  It doesn't get any better.  Thanks Mom and Dad.