re: argyle socks + mary janes + polaroids.
= love.

re: pushing daisies.
Words cannot express how much I love this show. The styling, the adorableness of it all! I wish I had Chuck’s wardrobe, especially this outfit! (which makes me ache for the holidays)

re: coats.
My name is Susan, and I am addicted to coats. I have thirteen fourteen coats. This is my most recent beauty.

re: what the duck.

(link)
SO. TRUE.

re: 40 days and 40 nights: taking time out for self discovery.
This is an amazing journaling/reading/activity book that moves you along for 40 days to look into yourself, do things and ask yourself questions that you would probably not ask yourself on a daily basis. I’m on day 30 now, and it has been an amazing month. There are some questions and prompts that hit you or resonate with you more, but the whole wonderfulness of it is that you learn to listen to yourself - your intuition more. I recommend anyone and everyone to try it. It really does change your life.

re: the cab ride i’ll never forget.
Please, do yourself a favor and read this story. It’s beautiful.

Time for another random thoughts, something I haven’t done in a while :)

re: breakfast.
The image above was from breakfast this morning, vanilla yogurt, apple cinnamon granola & frozen blackberries (I didn’t have any fresh ones on hand). It was all so lovely that I had to take a picture :) And yummy! :D This coupled with watching old school Tom & Jerry reruns (they don’t make cartoons like that anymore!) was wonderful. :)

re: autumn.
I’ve said it before, but I’m jealous of those who have an autumn season, as we don’t down here in San Diego. I miss trees that change color and leaves and the sound of them crunching as you walk and browns and oranges and reds and greens mixed together, along with the coats(!!) and scarves and mittens and boots. Yes, I love all those things :)

re: pandora.
Is a Godsend. I heard about Pandora when it first came out in 2005, but back then it wasn’t as big as it is now, so it wasn’t as appealing. But It’s amazing - you just type in any artist or song and it plays similar music based on tone, instruments and vocals. I love radio stations cause you don’t know what they’re going to play next. But sometimes the music doesn’t fit the mood, so I love this - it’s all the same type of music, yet you still get the lovely surprise and discover amazing new music :) My favorite station is my Joshua Radin station of course….

re: “eyes” - rogue wave
…. which brought light to this song, which, when I heard it, was entirely perfect in every way. I was out on a walk, and it was like a soundtrack to the perfect reflecting moment. Cheesy? Yes. True? Yes.

re: the head and the heart.
I think often we confuse the head with the heart. When we say I, who is really speaking? The “I” that thinks logically, plans, thinks about others, thinks about outcomes, the whole picture, solutions? When someone asks you what you want, what do you say? Often our answers may be safe, they may be logical and of the planning type. Who is saying those things? Who is that “I” coming from the “I want?” Is it your head?…. Or is it your heart? Recently I’ve found that too much have I been in my head - planning, thinking about the future, the big picture, focusing on other’s needs, or needs that I *think* I need. I really haven’t stopped and asked my heart anything. There’s a difference in answer… it may be silly, illogical, in the moment, but it feels right. It’s that gut feeling. I haven’t been trusting it because my head took over and for too long my heart has been silent in its wishes. And a part of me has suffered from it and I nelgected myself. But slowly and surely, I’m listening to my heart more than my head, and allowing myself to trust my gut, trust my heart.

For the first time in a long time do I see myself, and see my voice come alive, instead of hiding behind fears and doubts. Don’t forget that a large part of your “I” is your heart, and to listen to that voice, because many times it’s right.

re: featured in exquisite weddings!
I got a chance to be interviewed for an article about Trash the Dress sessions by Equisite Weddings as well as have a few of my images in the article (the first image is actually from Nate Kaiser I believe though)! I think the issue hits stands next month, so check it out if you can. :) (So exciting for me because this is actually a dream come true - I’ve been published in a magazine for real!)

re: the polaroid show.
If you didn’t catch my last random thoughts, I am going to be in a polaroid art show this coming Sept 6-27 in LA! (Another dream come true!) I’d love it if you could check it out (the show is free) :D I’m still trying to decide which polaroids I want to go up, which is a hard decision, considering that I took about 80 this past week

re: the wedding.
Congrats to my beautiful friends, Cynthia & Derek for getting married last weekend! It was so much fun, seeing all my friends that I haven’t seen in a long time, and hanging out with them all and having fun. :) The wonderful Amanda who coordinated the wedding has a few photos on her blog that she and her husband took, one of which is me giving my speech! Funny story - when I got up there for my speech, I was greeted by a WALL of video lights and photographers and it freaked me out, so instead of facing the crowd when I gave my speech, I just turned to Cyn & Derek instead, which made it MUCH easier for me. :) Now I know how all you feel with the cameras in your faces! ;) I can’t wait to see the images that Stephanie took! :D

re: dear san diego.
I wish you had colder weather so I could wear my winter coats and scarves and boots and mittens, which I miss doing so. I also miss trees than change color in the fall (my favorite season) and falling leaves. Please fix this asap. Thank you :)

re: movies.

Totally chick-flick & predictable, but I recently saw and loved the movie Penelope. It’s like Amelie & Pushing Daisies in it’s style (which I LOVE) and it’s totally adorable. Loved the music too. :) And James McAvoy doesn’t hurt either ;)

Totally off-beat and really existential, but I Heart Huckabees is pretty funny and enjoyable too. My favorite dialouge is about the meadow at dusk. :) I actually watched this movie three years ago and didn’t “get” it, because I wasn’t in the right mental state of mind I guess. But watching it again, it makes so much more sense, and is funnier that way. :)

re: music.
Been totally hooked on Sigur Ros (Takk album the most), Joshua Radin (he has new songs on his myspace!) & Schuyler Fisk lately. I saw Joshua Radin last week the day I came back from LA and he is amazing live, and I will have to make a post about it when I get a chance. :)

re: fedoras.
I. Love. Them.

re: inspiration.
01 :: anthropologie.
I seriously can’t get enough of this store.

02 :: journals.
I’ve discovered that I am very picky about them - I only like a certain type of paper to write on (too smooth and I don’t like it) and things like that.

03 ::  dandelions.
They’re just so childlike.

re: exciting announcement - polaroid art show!
I’m so happy to announce that I will be one of the few artists participating in a polaroid art show this September at the Found Gallery in LA! This is actually something that I’ve somewhat dreamed of doing for my polaroids, and I have actually never done a real art show outside the college ones. I’m really excited, and hope you can make it out to see the show if you’re in the LA area at that time! The opening is Sept 6th (which I will unfortunately not be able to attend) but it will be up for three weeks and the gallery is free, so take a look if you’re over there ;)

Found Gallery - “Camera Ephemera”
September 6-27, 2008
Opening reception Sept 6th, 7-9pm
Found Gallery
1903 Hyperion Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

re: my best friend’s wedding. :)
Tomorrow is the big day and we have been running around most of the week, buying last minute stuff, putting together stuff, making 3am Walmart runs and things like that. :) It’s been pretty fun because it’s been a long time since we’ve spent time together like this, and I honestly can’t wait to see all my other girls too! This is going to be so much fun! :D

re: featured wedding on wedpaperdivas!
Melanie & Brian’s wedding has been featured on Wed Paper Divas! Yay! :D

re: music.
Mae has been making me really happy lately, I really love this song (I want to create a dance for it), same with this song by Shiny Toy Guns. (links open into YouTube videos)

re: inspiration.
01 :: polaroids.
My two loves right now

02 :: wade robson’s “burning room” routine.
Ben Susak (from Season 2 of SYTYCD) and Pam Chu blow Katee and Joshua’s version out of the water.

03 :: words.
“I hope that someday, somebody wants to hold you for twenty minutes straight, and that’s all they do. They don’t pull away. They don’t look at your face. They don’t try to kiss you. All they do is wrap you up in their arms, without an ounce of selfishness in it.” via mysunshine on tumblr.

re: the olympics.
Much like everyone else in the world, I’ve been pretty glued to watching the Olympics, that opening ceremony being so unreal, and my favorite event? Gymnastics of course. :) My boyfriend did it for 12 years so it’s interesting hearing commentary from him while watching it, while before, I was always like.. “Ohhhh, pretty!” LOL. Swimming it also fun to watch because Michael Phelps is part amphibian. Seriously.

re: music.
I’ve been listening to these people quite much lately.

Priscilla Ahn

Watch her lovely video here:

This Day & Age

(One of my favorite bands ever, I am so sad they are no longer)

re: being maid of honor.
It really is quite interesting being on the other side, planning out when to get ready, where we should do photos, who should take care of what - and my toast! Which I haven’t even started yet. And all while being moral support for the bride. I’m really looking forward to the big day (only a week to go!!)!

re: funny.
Simon’s Cat

re: inspiration.
01 :: This Polaroid Project. Polaroids are so real, and I’m so sad that they’re going away. They say that they’re making a “digital” version of the instant camera, but it’s not the same. It’s just not the same.

02 :: This quote. It moves me.

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action. And because there is only one you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.”
- Martha Graham (innovator - some may say creator - for modern dance)

03 :: I am inspired daily, and dream everyday. I post them in real time on my tumblr.

re: so you think you can dance.
I’m happy for Joshua - I knew a hip hop dancer would win this year, and glad to see it’s someone who does have a lot of versatility. ;) And OMG can I say that I spazzed when I saw Travis, Allison, Ivan and Melody (from seasons 1 & 2) back on my television, dancing? They need to create their own show, I would watch it everday :)

re: the olympics.
Yay for the Olympics! I only *just* got around to watching the artistic portion of the opening ceremonies, and all I can say is WOW. It makes someone feel good about being Chinese. lol My favorite part was actually when dancers painted on the floor - making a mountain and water painting (something I drew a lot growing) while they danced at the same time. It’s hard to explain - you just have to watch it! I actually cried - I thought it was beautiful.

re: inspiration.
01 :: This video by Sigur Ros. Some of you who went to a certain workshop this week may recognize this. ;) Thanks for showing it to me, Emily :)

Sigur Ros Glosoli from Silviu on Vimeo.
02 :: Movement.
03 :: The wind.
04 :: Being open. Maybe I shouldn’t be afraid of what comes out. What is essential is naked to the eye.

re: today?
Wow is it already Friday?? How the time has flown!

re: tumblr.
Check out my tumblr - a mish mash of random posts, images, videos, quotes and things - mostly iphone images throughout the day (in real time), and various other things that inspire me to dream daily. :) I loooove it, it’s like a cross between a twitter and regular blog. :) And so simple! Mmm :)

re: so you think you can dance.
All I have to say is WHAT?! to Chelsie leaving. I knew Mark was going but Chelsie?! And WHAT?! to Joshua taking off his braces - he looked good in his solo tonight! And is it me or are a lot of the final dances becoming somewhat forgettable now? The only routine I really remembered from Weds was Katee/Joshua Contemporary (reminded me of Allison and Ivan from Season 2 - thank you Tyce Diorio) and Chelsie/Twitch Mambo (that girl is on fire!)

re: the total solar eclipse.
It’s going to happen at 3:30 am August 1st for us west coasters, so see the live feed online. :)

re: inspiration.
The people who make the Sony commercials are geniuses. I want to dance in this:

re: planning a bridal shower.
Is not easy when you’re not even in the same town as the bridal shower location! My wonderful friend Cynthia is getting married next month and I am maid of honor! So it’s interesting being on the other side of things, if at least I’m just the maid of honor and not the bride. :) This next month should be fun (and busy!) though :D

re: old navy.
Why are the guys clothes/colors/patterns better than the girls stuff?! The sandals above are from the guys section!! If I didn’t have freakishly tiny feet, I would’ve gotten the red/white pair.

re: so you think you can dance.
Wow, Will is gone already! I’m surprised but I’m not. He doesn’t have as large as a fan base as the other dancers. It’s obvious that the judges are biased towards Katee and want her to win. Which she will. I think she’s a great dancer, but she isn’t my fave. My fave is already gone (Gev!)

I think over all the seasons though, Travis Wall my fave. Overall the best dancer, performer, flawless (in my eyes) and most lovable. I miss watching him on TV, but thank goodness for YouTube. :) I love his solos. Gah!

re: myers briggs personality types.
You may have had to take this in high school, and it basically told you 4 letters describing your “personality type” but it’s really more of a “how I approach the world around me.” I’m an ENFP, and reading the descriptions about me make total sense. If anything, it helps my put in perspective why I do and think the way I do. And know that I am not alone :) Plus, it really helps embrace ourselves in the way we are, rather than comparing, knowing that we’re all just different. :) Reading this particular first person description is pretty darn eerie cause it describes me so well! I am always striving to help people find the potential in themselves, and it is really easy for me to make discoveries and start projects, but hard to follow up on them! You should take the test and see what it says about you. :) What is your personality type?

re: inspiration.
Stop animation is amazing. I love it. :)

re: blog & client galleries server.
I made the annoucement yesterday, but the next few days might be rocky with the blog and client galleries because I’m changing servers and domain stuff, but I will keep you all updated! I will try and hold off on important blog posts until it’s all done, but I know there are a few people really anxious to see some more teasers from their weddings/engagements :)
re:  iphone 3g.
Hello my new friend! You make my life easier yet harder at the same time. ;) The photo above was actually taken with the new iphone, I’m really quite pleased with the camera quality (considering that it’s a phone!) especially since my point and shoot camera is somewhere on the east coast still. :( :(

P.S. Don’t try and drive and take pictures with the phone, it’s actually quite hard to take a photo one handed on that thing ;P

re: sytycd.
Aww, my fave guy Gev is gone. :( Makes me sad. I think final two might be Will & Katee actually, if it’s not two guys. Makes me mad though, my DVR didn’t record the performance episode! :(

re:  impulse shopper.
That is so me. And I’m knocking myself over the head for not making sure that my most recent purchase was Mac compatible before toting it home. :( I hate returning items!

 re: inspiration.
A la Jesh de Rox:

it is not what we do that makes something work or play, exciting or boring, it is the degree to which we are *experiencing* what we are doing.

i challenge you to look around the room you’re in right now. or go to your living room, look at what is there, choose something and interact with it in a way you never have before. jump off your couch, see how far you can make it. throw a pillow at your partner as they enter the room (gently ; ). next time you’re going to the fridge to get something to eat, close your eyes and rely completely on your hands to do the choosing.

the world, my friends,,, is a playground, and there’s so much there that we haven’t yet explored. 

*

Ah, jumping off things in the living room. I remember jumping off my friend’s staircase onto her couch repeatedly when we were in jr high. It was so fun!

Mmmm I remember that feeling. The rush of air through my face as I flew through the air. That was the experience I loved about it.

Have you jumped off anything today? ;)

Another teaser for James & Jen - I am soo sorry to be behind on the blog teasers and posting, I know many of you are dying to see some more teasers! Things are SO incredibly busy now that wedding season is kicking in high gear, which is why I am making a few announcements. :)

re: announcements.
This season is proving to be a busy one, and I am currently completely booked for ALL shoots from July-August. If you are interested in booking a Engagement, Lifestyle or Trash the Dress shoot with me, my earliest availability is in September, which is booking up as well, so book soon!

New boudoir sessions will be booked between January-March of next year.

I am currently booking for 2009 weddings! I want to give each client the personal attention they deserve, so I will be taking a more limited number of weddings for 2009…. so book early!

re: summer!
Is insanity!!

re: so you think you can dance.
I’m actually getting quite tired of these two dances for each couple per show because it’s obvious the dancers are exhausted, and not performing to their best. Either that or they’ve hit a plateau because of it too. I’m not sure if I see anyone growing right now.

re: iphone 3G.
It’s been 4 years since I got a new phone. I think it’s about due time. :)

re: inspiration.
You tell me. What inspires you?

It’s almost as if these random thoughts have been moved to Sundays! I like it on Fridays, but mostly these have been moved because of the boudoir sessions I have been posting. Back to the normally scheduled program now! :D

re: announcements.

Two of them!

First, I am completely booked for 2008 weddings! It’s a busy year, and I’m looking forward to working with all my amazing clients! I am currently booking weddings for 2009, so please email me for availability. :)

and secondly…

I was voted Best Photographer for the 2008 Bridal Insider People’s Choice Awards! Thank you to all the wonderful brides who voted for me, I am completely honored and thrilled! :D

re: amy seeley.
Those of you familiar with my blog goings, know that I love her and her music. She has new songs on her myspace now, and they are amazing. My favorite is “look up look out.” Perfect for travels, I think. :) Can’t wait for the album release!

re: so you think you can dance.
Mia, oh Mia. You must’ve felt frantic this week, to choregraph such hectic routines! While they were beautiful, there was just too much going on for me.

re: inspiration.

The present.

Too often, I find myself thinking too much about the future (especially recently) and consumed with what’s “going to happen” instead of immersing myself in what’s happening now. Experiencing what’s happening now. When you forget about the present, you’re not really living to the fullest.

Listen, are you breathing just a little, and calling it life?

(from Mary Oliver’s poem)

Don’t breath just a little.

re: summmerrrrrrr.
Is it me, or has this year been just sooo unusually warm?!

re: korean food.
Everytime I have Korean food, I like it more and more each time. So far I’ve really only been to places on Convoy - anyone have other suggestions? :)

re: photo above.
Gromit when he was a little pup, the first time he was on the beach. :)

re: so you think you can dance.
Okay, since I watched both last week and this week altogether pretty much, I have a lot to say. First off, I LOVE COURTNEY AND GEV. I think they’re so flippin’ adorable, and awesome dancers. Gev is so smitten with her, it’s too cute. I loved their last two dances, the contemporary and rumba. Next, I would probably have to say Mark and Chelsie. I have honestly loved ALL their routines so far, they’re amazing. Mark keeps surprising me more and more each week! My favs are probably their hip hop and contemporary. Lastly, Katee and Joshua - I was honestly not too into Katee in the beginning, but she has really been stepping up the game (plus her haircut has taken the edge off her expressions) I do really like their first hip hop and samba. Although their Broadway was really fun too, and basically was the turning point where I began to like her. :P

Other notable routines: Top 18 group hip hop by Shane Sparks (oh, why did he leave us?! :( ), Kourtni & Matt - Contemporary (love the song), and just cause it’s so quirky, Top 20 group by Wade Robson.

I do like Twitch as well, I think he may win it, but we’ll see.

Gosh, I should make an entry someday about how much I am a dork for SYTYCD. :p Honestly, you would laugh at how dorky I am about this show. :) And it goes WAY BACK.

re: inspiration.

01 :: across the universe - the movie.
I’ve mentioned the soundtrack before, but I recently just bought the movie, and watching it again makes me appreciate all the little things about the movie. Not to mention the music, dancing, and overall inspiration. The director had SUCH a vision, and carried it out so beautifully. I love it.

02 :: turkish lace earrings.
I love everything about these, the color, the pattern…. I’m seriously considering making my first etsy purchase with this.

03 :: the 80’s.
Are seriously back in full force. I have been resistant for a while no, but sadly, I’m beginning to embrace it. The colors (I still can’t handle some), the funkiness. Yes, I’ve fallen in. (image by kaatee)

04 :: the honorary title - scream and light up the sky.
Mmmmmm newest listen. :) Love his voice… Scratchy and wonderful.

re: chicago.
AWESOME! I’ve had so much fun here so far, and wish I could stay longer and see more, but I simply can’t! I truly enjoyed my time here though, and must come back!! :D Plus, I’m super thankful of all the amazing people I’ve met here and all the things I’ve learned :)

re: my schedule.
Is soo off right now!!

re: old brick buildings.
I wish we had more of these in San Diego. :)

re: inspiration.
Life.

re: yogurt world.
is better than pinkberry, just not as pretty. :) Self serve and unlimited! I usually get very little plain tart yogurt and PILE on the fresh fruit :)

re: chicago.
I’m off to Chicago tonight! Sooo excited, please make any recommendations for food (pizza!!), things to visit, etc. I really don’t have a lot of free time, since most of the week will be taken up by the workshop, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! :)

re: so you think you can dance.
I totally called that first couple going! My fave routine of the entire week? Mia Michaels routine, of COURSE! And Wade Robson’s group number is totally insane - where does this guy come up with these ideas?! I love his concepts with the music. (Same with Mia) Seriously - geniuses!!

re: father’s day.
Happy Father’s day to my dad - the man whom I am a daddy’s girl to, get “whatever I want” and get many of my personality traits/thought processes from - especially my love and eye for art. You can thank him for my passion in photography. :)

re: inspiration.
Moments. That’s what life is about, no?

re: summer.
Definitely here!

re: who are you?
Thank you to everyone who replied last week! I truly enjoyed meeting you all, especially the ones who came out from lurking. ;) I know there are still some of you out there, so come on, admit your blogstalking self ;) Tell me about YOU!

re: travis wall.
I. love. Travis. Wall.
Seriously.
(he’s from season 2 of so you think you can dance)

re: so you think you can dance.
My summer obsession has really kicked into full gear this week! Very interested in the top 20, I’m still trying to reserve complete judgment until they actually start competing and pairing off. Watching shows like these always makes me want to dance, which has pushed me to go back to classes again, which I fully intend to do with full force!! :D

re: gas.
This image sums it up perfectly. It is now $4.65/gallon for regular at the Shell by my house. Yea.

re: marathon boudoir sessions.
First one coming up this weekend! I’m super pumped, and can’t wait! It’s going to be a-ma-zing!

re: father’s day.
Quick! My father is harder to shop for than my mom. What should I get him?!

re: inspiration.

01 :: polaroid mirror.
Best. Invention. Ever. I need one of these!!!!

02 :: keane.
I’ve been listening to Keane quite a bit this week, and I think it’s hitting the spot. :)

03 :: type rugs.
I think this is so awesome, and I LOVE the type that they use. It would be pretty awesome to have this for a wedding, don’t you think? Aisle runner? For the head table? In front of the guestbook table? Lots of ideas out there. :) It would be pretty awesome to have in the home period! I would like the “hello” one, myself. :)

04 :: white peacocks.
One of the most beautiful animals in the world, I think. Photo by Uros Petrovic.