life. photos. scrapbooking.

Wedding Soup

Hey guys! So - I promised I would post that recipe for the Italian Wedding Soup I've been feasting on all week long....

MMMMMM!

here you go!

You can download it 

HERE

 

Have a great weekend!!

Everyday Makeup Tutorial :: HD

Alright... so after my last post outlining some of my current favorite things, including a few new beauty products and one YouTube channel devoted to makeup tutorials - I contemplated doing a little makeup tutorial of my very own. I put the idea out there - and a few of you asked that I do it.

SO I did.

Because I love you.

Ask, and you shall recieve.

There were a lot of firsts that went into the making of this video.

It was the first time that I used the "video" feature on my Nikon D7000.

It was my new intern (and cameraman's) first day on the job!

It was the first time I showed my totally bare naked face on the WORLD WIDE WEB!

Stupid? or Ballsy? - I still haven't decided.

It was the first time I used iMovie to review/compress a video for uploading.

It was the first time I uploaded something to Vimeo in HD. Why on earth I chose to do a close up video of my FACE of all things in HD... Need to get my head checked (again).

 

So - in consideration of all of these firsts - and the fact that I'm certainly not some kind of professional makeup artist I would ask that you kindly overlook the following ::

 - the chipped nailpolish as I hold up the products for a closer view

 - the willy nilly focusing :) we had fun doing this and promise to get better!

 - the little ankle biters that appear and attempt to derail the whole thing

 - the text message "ding donging" of my phone

 - the random blathering narrative :)

 

NOW that I have you utterly AMPED UP and beyond excited to watch - here's the before and after...

And the video link (approx. 15 min)

 

Technology. My B-F-frienemy.

Ok - go and take a look - then come on back and leave me a comment!

Be nice!

:)

 

 

Currently Loving : February 2012

This months installment of currently loving is utterly RANDOM. Yes, I'm totally strange - and you all know that already - so this should come as no surprise. :)

Here goes - in no particular order :)

Tostitos Roasted Garlic & Black Bean Chips.... anyone else had these yet? AHHHHHMAZING!

Streaming Netflix on my Apple TV

Specifically - Streaming Vampire Diaries via Netflix on my Apple TV.  My current routine is to watch one or two episodes in bed before turning out the light. I'm about 14 episodes into the 44 that are on demand.

Ole Henrickson Truth Serum - My new BFF. This little bottle has gotten my skin back in spectacular shape. It was just plain ANGRY with me for awhile. A sweet lady at SEPHORA hooked me up with it and I'm a total believer!

Now that I'm back to having somewhat non-problematic skin - I'm also delving into a different makeup routine. The same sales chick who recommended the Truth Serum also recommended this MINERAL based liquid foundation.

DIOR SKIN : NUDE FOUNDATION    (*my color is 21 - linen)

I've also recently subscribed to this YouTube Channel - of blogger & makeup artist TANYA BURR. She does these fab makeup tutorials each week and posts them on the web. I'm so inspired by these - and by some of the new products in my lineup - I might try to film one of my own tutorials  just of my everyday makeup. What do you guys think?

 

Tried on this dress from Anthropologie a few weeks ago... LOVED it. But too much looty loot... especially since I have no place to wear it.

 

Just received this Chevron Fabric in the mail last week - going to ATTEMPT to sew some pillows for my couch with it. Key word.... attempt. :) Sewing just isn't my gift.

I ordered it in the grey and green. I'm thinking now that I have it here that the green is going to look best in the room. Though - if all goes well - I may make a pillow out of the grey and just give as a gift.

I'm currently wearing the Essie nail polish - FLIRT. :) It's sort of a brighty orangey-pink. It's a happy color.

Scored this book at Anthropologie (instead of the dress) for my coffee table - still pouring over it. :)

One of my vices as of late...Two of these and a cup of my favorite K-Cup Tea and I'm a happy girl.

Just downloaded this song from iTunes. Played it a bunch of times for Macho this weekend. We danced like monkeys in the playroom and I would pick him up and spin around and around during the choruses. So much that I nearly made myself sick. It was good fun. :)

 

Still practicing the self-portrait thing with my remote control doo-hickey. I'm having a hard time with focus since I'm not able to depress my shutter half way to lock it from behind. Gonna have to Google some tips on how to improve that.

You'll notice - I didn't get dressed up for these (I never do). I kinda like the spontaneous "real life" aspect of this exercise. Just decide to do it in 5 minutes or so - exactly as I am.

And yes.... I am still HATING my hair. Left it go curly (it's naturally curly) on this particular day. HELMET!!!!  However, I'm just trying to be a big girl and suck it up and be patient while it grows.  Blah.

In this case, however, I kinda like the soft focus. Entirely accidental but cool.

I love photography because there's always something to learn.

See? I told you.

RANDOM!

 

Bubbles are cool.

With MUCH relief I'm back in business with my computer. I crossed the Bay Bridge roughly six times going to the Apple store and made at least as many calls to Apple Care technical support to resolve the issue(s). In the end - they ended up giving me a new machine - which I'm super grateful for. 

Yet - even in the glory of the new hardware - I was still suffering a few more days. Apparently some files were corrupted in the migration process from the old machine and began wreaking havoc on the new.

In any event - it seems to be all sorted now. I really appreciate you guys hanging in.

--------

We had a busy weekend around here. On Friday, I made a massive, MASSIVE pot of homemade Italian Wedding soup. I know why it's called wedding soup - it takes some serious commitment in the kitchen. I was rolling mini meatballs for at least two and a half hours, no joke. 

There's just so many different things to cook separately that go in it... the scrambled eggs, the meatballs, the chicken, the veggies and garlic and escarole, the pastina. It's a huge soup - but just lovely. The last few times I've made it - I've sort of combined the two recipes that I have... and it keeps getting better.

I'll type it out and post it here for you peeps this week. :)

On Saturday, I a client texted that she was in labor - so I'll be photographing my first newborn of 2012 in just a few days. Woot!

In preparation, I wanted to do a little test session with the little Bug with some of the new props and studio equipment I've purchased over the past couple of months and haven't yet used. Honestly - I just needed a dry run so I wouldn't look like a total DO-DO-head trying to assemble it for the first time in front of my clients.

Lucky for me, I have a few little ones in the house who are happy to give me a hand and play guinea pig.

She does own "girly" toys - but - hey, she watches Macho - and plays with the stuff he does.

Booger.

Awwww.

Mr. Bear was clearly trying to say "sup!" in the background. :)

The reverse psychology trick works like a charm on Macho. All I have to do is tell him, "NO SMILING ALLOWED." He begins like this....

And quickly escalates to this...

then this...

Bug's turn...

Soooo miffed I cut off her toes in this one. Love it otherwise.

Once she was used to me snapping away - I switched up the floor to this dark number and got out some fun props and a warm bubbly bath for her.

"Um, like - do I have bubbles in my hair?"




Thanks again for bearing with me last week! I've got some fun stuff planned for this one!

Welcome back!~

xo

Computer Hell

Hey guys. There is a land called "Computer Hell." I'm currently visiting.

I appreciate your patience.

 

 

And prayers!

 

Happy Groundhog Day!