cinemagraphs

I've been a big fan of photographer Jamie Beck since discovering her beautiful tumblr blog, From Me to You over a year ago. Recently she started creating these photo + video combinations that she calls cinemagraphs, which are totally awesome animated gifs. But about 200 times better. Remember those horribly garish ones from the 90's? Yeah, these are not like those at all.

They are still photographs with objects or subjects that subtly move and give way to a moment in time. It is super brilliant and so interesting. I think it's innovative and I wonder if other photographers are going to pick up on it! See the collection of cinemagraphs here, and read an interview with Jamie and her fiance Kevin about the concept here. Beware, it does take a little time to load the gifs, but it is very worth it. And some of them will creep you out, they are so real.

Here are two of my favorites (look at her skirt in the second one!).

friday photo: hot hot hot!

It's been so hot lately ... it was just 80 degrees today! No complaints here, we are breaking out the shorts and flip flops with glee! This photo was taken last summer during a trip to Seattle to visit our cousins (good times!), and the heading is quite appropriate. Note the preggo belly as well.

Well, we're headed off to farmer's market tomorrow, have fun playing wherever you are!

friday photo: love in the woods

Okay okay, I know that this is a wedding photo, but I couldn't help it! What a gorgeous shot from the fantastically quirky and way talented Katie Sokoler of Color Me Katie. It's like a dream ...image via color me katie

friday photo: lanterns

Lovely photo spotted on Design Mom by Etsy seller Honeytree. Summertime in a photo ... sigh. I love summer.

friday photo: ready for summer

A girl and her dog ... sweet photo. This makes me long for summer. And I just love the colors of her dress.

image via the sartorialist

friday photo: forts!

Homemade forts and tents are such a great idea! I'm reminded of childhood tents made out of bedsheets and chairs. What a wonderful activity to do as the weather gets warmer. I'm loving this right now. And what a cute concept for an engagement shoot.

image via simply bloom photography

friday photo: horsin' around

Today's photo was taken by my photography professor from college. When I was her student, she showcased these beautiful photographs of horses and I recently rediscovered them in her online portfolio. I love horses, they are elegant and beautiful creatures with a quiet yet fierce kind of spirit. I think I'd like to be a horse for a day, just to see how it'd be to run in the fields carefree.

Check out the series that she has posted, they are breathtakingly beautiful - in the meadow, of their backs, and in their stalls.

photos by mimi plumb

cheery iphone wallpapers

Now first things first - I don't own an iPhone. But when I saw these awesome wallpapers on the photography blog From Me To You, I was immediately smitten. These small images don't do them justice at all. Photographer Jamie Beck captured the essence of New York Christmas in these poignant and striking photo vignettes. Check more of them out here, and download them (for free!) for your iPhone if you have one. I know I'd be rockin' these wallpapers for the entire month to keep the holiday cheer going.

friday photo: love on a string

photo by whisper graphics and purchase their apple green baker's twine here

in the woods

Fall is SO here! And I'm seriously feeling natural and beautiful woods and textures. Wood necklaces, leaves suspended in mid-air, cozy scarves, cable knit blankets, soft light, chilly nights. Here are a few lovely pieces that have been inspiring me, click on the photos for more info.


from ruche, dores, pioneer woman, and claire richardson

friday photo: happy wonderful friday

This weekend is a long one, that's always nice. This photo is just what I want to be doing. :) Have a great one!
photo taken by zoom photography

friday photo: stephanie williams

I love the light and silhouette shapes in this photo by Stephanie Williams. (the flouncy dress!) Check out her blog, great photography with a vintage feel. This most recent post is my favorite so far. Love it! Happy Friday!

photo by stephanie williams

maker faire 2009

This weekend I went to the Maker Faire for the second year in a row, and I have to say, it was inspiring and interesting as usual. There were so many fun things to see and experience. Always a must around this time of year, and it really challenges you to create something when you see what others have done. We saw a huge metal sculpture of angel wings, a cute dinosaur-themed handmade pinball machine (made by elementary students!), a Mercedes covered entirely in pens and markers, and we had a blast at the hula hooping station. Swing those hips!

That part made me feel like a kid again. And that was a wonderful feeling.

in a jam

Ever since the strawberry post I've been craving homemade jam and have been perusing the web for homemade recipes. And then I came across a new blog via Style Me Pretty called Sunday Suppers, which features great recipes and food styling and there it was. This post had me drooling over buttermilk biscuits. But the thing about the biscuits that really had me going was the super simple recipe for the accompanying jam butters. Just mix jam and good quality butter and voila! You've got yourself a sweet breakfast. Pictured here are strawberry, apricot, and blueberry butters. Such beautiful summer colors. Almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

And almost as if they were reading my bloggy mind, they also posted a menu with zabaglione and strawberries.

image via sunday suppers

naturally occurring awesomeness

Sometimes it just astounds me when I see patterns and intricacies in nature that seem absolutely impossible to dream up. It makes me very certain that there is a God out there, and he's crafted us so carefully and wonderfully ... with finely drawn lines and beautifully chosen colors. I came across these shells that are sold at this online shop (it has an ironic name, however), and they were just so indicative of the creativity of our Creator! Brilliant!

And wouldn't these photos make great prints? I'd love to hang them in our bathroom.

all images via evolution store

wonder foodie: sweet strawberries

I truly enjoy shopping at the farmers market on Saturdays. It's something of a guilty pleasure when I get to go, usually I sleep in a bit and slowly get ready for the day. We hop into the car, bring the dog with us, and decide on the way there where we'd like to eat afterward. Perusing the stalls is a feast for the eyes, even though some say our market is smaller than others they've seen. Some of our favorite things to purchase are oranges, fresh herbs (like mint, parsley, chives, basil), roasted corn, fresh naan bread, and strawberries. Oh, the strawberries.

I recently discovered a farm stall that is now my favorite - they specialize in berry varietals, and strawberry is a major crop. And it shows. Yerena Farms, or FeNella Organic has the sweetest strawberries I've tasted. And the best part is that they sell all over the Bay Area, even at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. The thing about fresh food that is so inspiring, is the hard work and knowledge that it took for that taste to be delivered to our mouths. To hear about some of the ins and outs of farming, check out this audio interview with Poli Yerena of Yerena Farms.

My appreciation for farmers grew even more after visiting our friend's farm. So as I enjoy berries this week, I'll be reminded of the labor of the farmers that picked them. And aren't the berries just plain beautiful in the spring sun?

Forgive the missing basket in the photo above, that was due to the one I bought!

best little buddy

I haven't introduced my dog on this blog yet, even though he's a big part of our lives. We rescued him almost a year ago from the HSSV and now he goes with us as many places as we can take him. He goes with me to work everyday, rides with us to visit my parents, and to the Saturday Farmers Market. My favorite time is sitting with him while we eat at a cafe outside, and he can watch the world go by. He makes life a little happier, and really causes me to appreciate the simple things. Warm sun, freshly cut grass, playing outside - oh, the life of a dog. Happy Friday, everyone!

speaking of travel

Here are a few inspiring travel shots I've collected over time of places I'd love to visit one day. Not necessarily in any order, but just photos that took my breath away. What are the top 3 travel destinations on your "Places to Visit" list?

Random fact - I lived in South Africa for two summers with a host family. It was such a great experience, but I never got to see some of the famous sites in South Africa. Especially Capetown and the Cape of Good Hope.

Top to bottom: Capetown, South Africa (from Table Mountain), Santorini, Greece, and Paris, France

images via 268 generation, flickr, and manus chau

so excited

In just a week or so, I will be off to the land down under! This is the trip that the hubs and I have been waiting for -- we're going with two of his sisters, so it should be lots of fun. One of the things that I wish my budget and time constraints would allow for is more travel. I love seeing things from another culture's perspective, and there are so many places to see. I cannot wait.

image via john white photos flickr

country girl

It's great to take some time away from familiar surroundings and get inspiration from a new place. Especially for me, a girl from the suburbs. Back in November we visited a friend's farm just 30 minutes from here and it was amazing. Gathering eggs from their chickens, mucking out the pig pen, and picking fresh strawberries helps you realize what hard work goes into getting food onto our dinner tables. And colors are so vibrant! It really was so inspirational getting our hands dirty. Take a look at a few of the pics:





And the other day, our friend dropped off a dozen organic eggs from the farm for me. They were just so beautiful - green, white, and brown. And so yummy too! Can't wait to make an omelette with them. Just add a teaspoon of baking powder, whip 'em up and it's the best omelette ever.