our last night
September 8th, 2010
On our last night of vacation Brendan and I went out to dinner. This was only after Tyler fell off the bed and split both lips open. Never a dull moment. He quickly recovered but because of his fall, we went to dinner on the late side. We had a reservation at a place I won’t mention here. As soon as we walked into the restaurant pumping Van Halen (what???) we looked at each other with a mutual “huh?” look. The look that reads “where the hell are we, who are these people and we must leave pronto” look. It wasn’t what we were in the mood for – at all. We stumbled upon Il Capuccino in Sag Harbor, where we had never been but always wanted to go. It’s on the edge of town, had two empty tables out front, candle-lit with red and white checkered tablecloths. Perfect. We ordered a bottle of red vino, dined on a delicious Italian meal, by ourselves out front and talked about what a great week we had together. Some family joined us after for a few more cocktails. It was an evening that wrapped up the summer perfectly.
one lucky lady
August 7th, 2010
Meet Dillon, the daughter to my best friend Mauria and her husband Peter. She arrived about 3 weeks ago. These were taken when she was only 3 days old.
Allow me to give you the history of my friendship with Mauria. We met twenty years ago at the beginning of 9th grade. She didn’t like me much at first but she came around. ; ) She was in a “very serious” 9th grade relationship with her boyfriend who showed interest in me. Drama right? We quickly realized friendship was more important than boys, and have been side by side since.
Mauria is one of the few people in my life who I tell everything to. I can call her (we talk ALOT on the phone as she lives in Queens) with any thought and know she will never judge me. She will listen, offer advice and cry, laugh or whine with me until it’s time to go. It has been like that for the last 20 years. We have been on many journeys together through high school, college, marriage and now motherhood. Mauria is like a sister to me and I therefore consider Dillon a niece. She will be an unbelievable mother. Dillon is one lucky lady.
lashes
August 3rd, 2010
A few from the pool last week. What I wouldn’t give for a pair of Ty’s lashes.
Ty turns one today
June 15th, 2010
In honor of Tyler’s one year birthday I finally got my act together and had my dad take a photo of the 4 of us. I LOVE the expression on Ty’s face – very typical of him. I love how Conner’s cheek is resting on my shoulder. Can you believe this is the only photo I have of us as a family. Jeez. Well atleast it only took me a year. What’s the rush right? We had a little party this weekend and this was right before it started. I’ll post more about later. In the meantime, lets talk Ty.
I can’t believe it’s been a year since he entered (and rocked) our world. It’s been the craziest year of my life. Let me clarify, not one of, but THE craziest year of my life. Ty keeps us on our toes and makes Conner look like an angel. He is definitely going to be the trouble maker of the two. He has is very opinionated and doesn’t hold back when he doesn’t like something. He is tougher than nails and barely flinches when Conner beats up on him, which is often. He is walking, teething, eating anything you put in front of him, smiling all the time, loves to be held and even snuggle and says “E-I-E-I-O.” Big fan of Ol’ McDonald. He is very animated and vocal – much more than Conner was at this age. It’s funny – we expect all of our children to be exactly the same and are shocked when they are different.
Here’s to Ty and his first birthday!
the last day of school
June 10th, 2010
Monday was Conner’s last day of school. As I was looking through my lens that morning it hit me all at once. Suddenly I noticed a difference in his face, his height – his overall appearance. He is a boy. No longer was I seeing the baby or toddler that has stared back at me for the last 3 1/2 years. This week I’ve thought so much about his progress over the last year. He is no longer timid when around new people or in a new place, he talks to EVERYONE, he loves to be silly and joke around, he is HAPPY, he is imaginative, he entertains himself with his toys (especially Woody), he is affectionate, he loves chocolate, pizza and squash and he loves to read his books. I just realized how hard the baby and toddler stage are and how relieved I am they are over. I feel like the last several years have been a labor of love and we just set him free, in this weird way. I love that we can joke around, giggle, read a book, play a game, watch a movie, snuggle, have a conversation TOGETHER. And some things we do mostly alone, like brushing our teeth and going to the bathroom – thank god. It’s an amazing age. My favorite so far.
happy mom’s day
May 9th, 2010
I’m taking a few minutes this morning to remember my mother. She had an infectious laugh, the softest voice, took such pride in decorating her home and had a great sense of style. A true southern lady who loved Mother’s Day. Most years, the three of us (me, my mom and my brother) would get dressed up, go to church and then head to brunch somewhere wonderful like Brennan’s.
This photo was taken by my father when they were in their mid-twenties. I love it for two reasons, because my dad took it and because it captures exactly who she was. I love her dress, purse and most of all her smile and expression. Happy Mother’s Day everyone.
I’m off to be with my adorable boys on this gorgeous yet very windy day. We’ve got a casual day of brunch, gardening and a bbq dinner with my family planned. I know my mom is looking down with a giant smile today. Take a minute and share what you love most about your mom and how you spend mother’s day.
two of my favorite people, engagement shoot, UWS
May 6th, 2010
My sister-in-law Lauren is a ray of sunshine. She truly brightens the room upon entering. We often give her a hard time for being the most positive and upbeat person we know, but that is what I love most about her. She couldn’t even strike a serious pose during our shoot, being serious is just not in her nature. She was born to smile.
Her fiance and my soon-to-be brother-in-law John, is just as wonderful as she is. A laid back, funny and really good guy all around. He is an amazing chef, as he grew up cooking with/for his big Italian family. I’ve never met a guy who can make a home made apple pie (yes, the dough is from scratch) that’s nearly as good as my grandmothers. I say “nearly” because well, I have to pay respect to my grandma, the best baker I know. We spend quite a bit of time with these two and there is never a shortage of good food, wine and entertainment. Joking around is something we do VERY well together and I love them for that.
John and Lauren live on the upper west side, got engaged in Central Park and are getting married at the New York Athletic Club looking over the park, so needless to say that’s where we shot. The wedding is in October and what a wedding it’s going to be. I’m truly looking forward to it. Love to you both.
The engagement site…
happy earth day
April 22nd, 2010
A few the boys outside enjoying our gorgeous earth.
Happy Earth Day.
my muse
April 6th, 2010
Ben is my youngest brother.
He was my first subject when my interest in photography began.
He was 2.
He is now 18.
It’s been 16 years of me pointing my camera at Ben. It all began with loading my dad’s old Nikon with black and white film and chasing him around a soccer field. When studying at ICP my obsession with the Hasselblad started with Ben. I would pick him up from school and we would walk home, hang out, laugh, etc. while I photographed him.
He is my muse.
A very cooperative model who never loses patients with me, always willing to do whatever I ask.
Our sessions bring us closer.
I love that about photography.
These are his senior portraits, taken over a period of 2 afternoons spent in the LES and MPD. We carefully picked a variety of outfits from his stylish wardrobe, strolled the city streets and afterwards grabbed a bite. “Proud” is not a big enough word to describe how I feel when I look at him. When I think of the person he has become my heart wants to burst at the seams with pride/amazement/admiration. Ben is starting at Cornell’s architecture program in the fall. I have never seen a teen more motivated than he was to get into his top choice school, early acceptance I might add.
I cried when he showed me his final portfolio.
I get teary when I look at these photos.
He is a bright, gentle, intelligent, creative, sensitive, funny and mature young man who is going to go very far.
I can’t wait to see how far.
April 1st, 2010
Just a few of Tyler in the bath this weekend. He is 9 1/2 months now and every day a little more of his personality makes an appearance. Yesterday morning we lied in bed together for about half an hour. It was almost 7am and we had a few minutes to ourselves, before Conner woke up. It was a morning when all was quiet and calm, it had finally stopped raining and Ty lied peacefully on my chest. A moment I will hold onto forever. It’s spring break this week so we’ve had lazy mornings full of french toast, cartoons and snuggling in bed. Love that.
