One Yard of Awesome Soil!!
Spring Garden Work
Nick and I decided to try a garden box on one of the levels of ground near our house. Right now we are renting, so we can't go too crazy on landscaping, but we can do little things here & there to make it our own for the time being. I like to compare before & after pictures, so here's what our garden looks like on day 1 of 2016. Can't wait to see the bounty this summer.
Our First Lambie Cake!
Easter 2016
Easter weekend was a blast. Nick and I have been working working working on the hillside/garden, and got everything ready in time for 15(!) guests: family & friends. The highlight of our weekend was making our first LAMBIE CAKE!
The vintage mould was purchased on ebay a few weeks prior, as you cannot find too many cake moulds out there with the ears out like ours. Nick was in charge of everything else concerning the cake, and I was in charge of making the actual Lamb for our dinner It was my first time cooking lamb. I made 2 different legs: one moroccan inspired, and the other was more of a red wine braise. Cake: He chose to make a red velvet cake from scratch, and had to make it twice, as the first batch was a very odd recipe with a lot of vinegar...... giving the cake a super sour taste. The second recipe was perfect, and basically meant that Nick spent about 4 days making a cake? We both love Cake Art in San Rafael, and went there for the decorating tip, and lambie cake eyes & grassy knoll sprinkles.
Saturday morning we went for a little hike through China Camp, before getting the house ready for guests. I am totally thrilled to report that after 3 months of clean eating, I've lost 20 pounds. I had Nick take my picture on the top of a hill, after I was able to run (more like a jog...) up the hill. On NYE I was totally in the dumps about my weight, and out of breath after climbing a flight of stairs. More on this later, as I'm only half way to my healthy goal. I will say this: Its more of a lifestyle change, and not a "diet". Yes, my diet has totally changed, but I'm also incorporating mediation to adjust the mindset.
And this is what our backyard patio looks like with a table set for 17! I rented chairs, plates, a table, forks & knives from A Party Center in San Rafael. Our tablecloth was a few yards of fabric from Joann Fabrics, and the daisies on the table are from OSH. Thank you everyone for bringing smiles and funny stories and copious amounts of food & beverage to our Easter. We LOVED hosting, and lets do it again!
all images taken with my Samsung Note 4.
Updated Audi A4
Updated 2017 Audi A4
Read MoreJess
Jess is a mainstay in my San Rafael community of friends. She is a part of the Mayflower crew/family, is bright, charismatic, and charming. These pictures are from an afternoon a few years ago. Jess and I had run of the pub for a couple of hours, while I was decorating for a party, and she was tending the bar. At one point she was standing outside with a friend, and I had her pose for a couple of shots. She's always game, and gladly took off her sneakers, and held an unlit cigarette, while giving me that signature "Jess" look.
Reason for post: I hate that I had to go through my pictures because someone is sick. She is in her early 30s, and recently suffered from a series of strokes, and is in the ICU. There is a campaign here for her medical expenses that are climbing daily. Please give what you can, or attend the Mayflower fundraiser on April 2nd. She's worth it.
Nick totally needs gloves.............
Building a car for The Race of Gentlemen
Nick, Bob, Susie & I want to participate in the first West Coast Race of Gentlmen being held at Pismo Beach this October. So in order to do this, Nick & Bob need to build a car... Susie & I are in charge of costume/styling. Once a week, Nick spends an afternoon at Bob's yard in Santa Rosa. I stopped by this past Sunday to check out the progress. Here's what I found:
The Head Tilt
On the left is an example of: "leading with your smile", and on the right is an example of "looking with your eyes". I prefer the eyes!
panorama with Debbie!
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park Nevada
Mark & Debbie took me on an adventure to Spring Mountain in the Blue Diamond area just West of Las Vegas. We were able to hike around a small water reservoir, and with much trepidation on my part (do not like the desert!) we walked to a little overlook, and then to Bonnie Springs Ranch for lunch.
Spring Mountain Ranch's most famous owner is arguably Howard Hughes. But its most LOYAL owner was the German actress Vera Krupp. She was a baroness who lived there over 30 years, and was also robbed of the famous Krupp Diamond from her kitchen. The diamond was made famous a second & third time by Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and then Elizabeths Sotheby's auction where the diamond sold for 9.28 million.
flying over las vegas, nevada
Flew into Las Vagas McCarran Airport Sunday night, and flew out Tuesday afternoon. Before we hit the clouds, I was treated to a nice view of Mt. Charleston.
WPPI Conference & day in Las Vegas
Here are some highlights from my trip to Las Vegas for the Wedding & Portrait Photographers Expo! I leard quite a bit, and was able to see new gear, and some notable characters in our industry like Pye from SLRLounge (love you), and Peter Hurley - headshot guru.
Billy Krauss we love you!! Do yourself a favor and get lost in a YouTube dueling pianos extraganza...
Garage Studio
We converted our garage space into a cozy portrait studio. Nick's toolbox is a part of the vanity, which adds to the charm! The space is equipped with a space heater, complimentary drinks (to help calm nerves), candles, speakers for your music, and all of my lighting & photo equipment.
Read MoreHeadshots from the Garage Studio
March is Headshot Month! Book now and receive unlimited wardrobe changes, and $50 off your headshot shoot, with mention of this post. email hello@marinportraitphotographer.com or hellodeer@gmail.com to book your shoot.
Read MoreKaren & Ricky Fly to SF to Tie the Knot!
Wedding Portrait Photography at Baker Beach, San Francisco California
Read MoreOlivia & Daisy at Stinson
Baby & Child Photography by Anise LeAnn in Marin County, California
Read MoreMarin Surfriders Stinson Beach Cleanup
Marin Photographer covers beach cleanup at Stinson Beach.
Event photography in Marin by Anise LeAnn
Read MoreCorgi Socks
I received my international shipment from Corgi Socks today, and am super excited about the designs.
