some tunes for the sun
August 26th, 2010
In honor of the sun’s return I’ve made a little playlist that I’ll be listening to in between shoots, over the next 10 days. It’s hard to believe this is the last week of summer. Where did the time go? I’m going to do my best to savor every last minute. I spent my day packing up sparklers, smores ingredients, super soakers, kites, beach toys, floats and crabbing nets for the boys. It’s the grand finale of summer and we plan to take full advantage now that the weather is cooperating.
And while we’re on the topic of sunny days, here are a few from a recent shoot on a gorgeous day in Westport. I’ve been photographing the Rosania family since their oldest daughter Natalia was about 6 months old and I can’t say enough good things about them.
It’s amazing to not only feel such a level of comfort with a family you’ve photographed many times before but to witness their children growing and to be able to capture that on “film” for them, is quite the honor.
Thank you Rosania family for a beautiful shoot.
keeping my fingers crossed
August 25th, 2010
This weather is really driving me NUTS. It has rained for 4 days now and as I know we needed the rain, my Hamptons shooting schedule has taken quite the beating. Not to worry (I hope) – this is next week’s forecast so I should be able to fit everyone in. It’s going to be a little crazy, especially since I’m making sure to carve out enough time to be with my own family. The boys come out with Brendan on Friday and we will all be out there for 10 days. I can’t wait as both boys are finally old enough to enjoy the beach, go crabbing, fly a kite, take the ferry to Shelter Island, check out the Montauk lighthouse – all of which are on the agenda. Last summer Ty was only 2 months old and as most of you know, that’s like carrying around a sack of potatoes. This summer stay out east should be a little different. Now if only the weather will cooperate we’ll be in good shape.
Come and Join Us at the Hamptons Family Fun Day
August 11th, 2010
We are very excited to be a part of the Hamptons Family Fun Day with Citibabes and Rosie Pope in support of Baby Buggy, next week August 19th. RSVP to receive the address. We hope to see you there!
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.
red flour bakeshop
July 19th, 2010
Meet a new friend and neighbor, Susan Katz of the Red Flour Bake Shop. We recently met through another friend at the perfect time. I was in need of two cakes – one for Ty’s first birthday and one for my brother’s high school graduation party. Susan’s amazing creations were the hit of both parties. A few weeks later we needed something special for my sister-in-law’s bridal shower and well, Susan came to mind. We sent her the invite and she created gorgeous blue and white lemon curd cupcakes to match. They too were a huge hit. She exceeded my expectations each time. Not only was I floored by the designs but I was just impressed by the taste. They were all delicious. I also loved how thorough Susan was about the entire process. She had wonderful ideas all of which she ran by me first, even though I totally trusted her and her decision making!
My brother is on his way to Cornell’s architecture school. How perfect was this cake? Filled with chocolate and caramel. It was heaven.
Susan received her degree in Interior Design and for many years designed models homes for an architect. Three kids and a globe-trotting husband made it hard to stay in one place but regardless of where they were living (London, Miami, Toronto) one constant was the whirling sound of her Kitchen-Aid mixer. While Red Flour Bakeshop is certainly sprouting well above her expectations, some seeds were planted long ago. Growing up Susan was often awoken by her mother baking in the kitchen. Over time Susan got the baking bug. After she mastered her mother’s rugelach and mandel bread she decided to take a few professional classes which led her a few of her own classic creations – her Signature Red Flour Hot Chocolate Cake and her Salty Sinful Cake to name a few. Slowly people started to ask her to bake for them for special occasions. Many now know her by her famous peanut brittle or homemade marshmallows, which she is offering to the first FIVE people who leave a comment here. Let us know which tasty treat you prefer and Susan will send it your way!
So that’s the story behind the Red Flour Bakeshop. The 3 flowers are for each of her beautiful children and red is for her distinct red hair. Cute right?
Dont forget to leave a comment – the first 5 to comment receive either the homemade marshmallows or peanut brittle! Leave your choice when you comment.
kent
July 5th, 2010
I’ve decided to try and post more about things I want to share with you that I stumble upon, all of which are non photo-related. I have to come up with a name for the category… Maybe it’s a town we visit, a local Inn, a friend who is starting a business or a new store like Kent. Kent is a Chappaqua-based store, owned by expert collector of all things beautiful, vintage, mid-century, Michael Kalesti. His bursting at the seems with treasures of a store sits at the top of the hill in my town. The first time I visited I knew I wanted to share my find here.
Michael sells objects new and old. Objects he has found combing estate sales over the past several years, on ebay, furniture some of which he’s restored himself, as well as new items including table linens, cashmere wraps, soaps and candles. It’s the perfect place to purchase a unique gift (think vintage cork screw, poker set or silver belt buckle), a piece of vintage jewelry, a lamp, mirror or set of tumblers. And lets not forget about the furniture – a silver hammered side table or an upholstered chair? If he doesn’t have the particular piece your looking for he can definitely find it, such as the vintage Herman Miller chairs I wanted for my eat-in kitchen. I’ll post more about those later. In the meantime interior designers take note, Kent is a great resource.
Kent if offering all of my readers 15% OFF, in store, on-line or via the phone (if you have a specific request and aren’t local). Come join me and my enthusiasm!
To learn more about Kent click here.
the vacs, chappaqua, ny
June 30th, 2010
Where do I begin to tell you about Ashley, Joe and baby Rocco? I guess it’s best to start from the beginning.
Ashley, Joe, Brendan and I have known each other for over 15 years. We all went to Syracuse together. Ashley and I were in the same sorority and Brendan and Joe were in the same fraternity – to get technical (and really cheesy), but I have to give you the history. After graduating a big group of us lived in NYC and for almost a decade, we spent nearly every weekend together. The time we spent with these two in NYC, post-college, pre-babies were some of the craziest, funniest, poorest, longest, most memorable, responsibility free days of my life. When I think back I laugh out loud, because that’s mostly what we did together. We are very good at entertaining each other.
We went to Vermont, we went to the Jersey shore, attended many parties, celebrated New Years, carved pumpkins, played Pictionary, went to the San Gennaro festival, saw the Yankees, saw the Beastie Boys, saw ColdPlay, danced, went bowling, attended quite a few weddings, went swimming, rode in random limos, got stuck in elevators and then before I knew it, it was all over. We had babies, bought homes, moved away and slowly that phase came to an end. Ashley and Joe moved to Miami (where Ashley is from) and I miss them every day. There are only a few couples you really click with, they are one of those few.
Recently the Vaccarinos came to visit, we got to meet the adorable Rocco and had a little photo shoot in our backyard. I was honored they asked me to photograph the 3 of them as a family. Here are a few of my favorites.
updating, organizing, cleaning, systemizing etc.
June 22nd, 2010
I’m spending the next couple days upgrading my computers (I bought two new Macs!), cleaning, organizing and getting our new studio manager (yes, I hired a studio manager!) Laura up to speed. If you don’t hear from me for a couple days, that’s why.
I’ll leave you with a few photos from a shoot of the gorgeous Roskind girls. We played in their yard, read books and danced to Beyonce. A little “Put A Ring On It” can make anyone come out of their shell.
father’s day
June 21st, 2010
A few words about my dad…
My father is my biggest cheerleader, providing me with a lifetime of invaluable, never ending encouragement. No matter what idea I present to him, whether it’s about my grand scheme to move to Italy or how I thought I was going to open a gift/home store, he has never been any less than positive and supportive. He always has the answers, always makes me feel safe and is the one person I look up to most in my life. He has made me who I am, raising me through thick and thin, while teaching me numerous things along the way. To swim, to ride a bike, to work hard (I mean really hard) and never give up, to to wash and detail a car, to be a perfectionist, to load a camera with film, to light a charcoal grill, to draw, to plant my container pots, to plant a garden, to hang my photos, to be resilient, to appreciate art, to appreciate wine, to be really, really really neat and organized, to cry, to paint a room, to make chili, to keep things simple, to put lights on a Christmas tree, to be honorable, to run long distances, to do something and to do it right, to ski, to make a great salad and to make an even better omelette, are just to name few. Thanks for everything Dad.
What did your father teach you?
the crosby street hotel
June 13th, 2010
We had some bubbly and snacks with my family on Friday at the Crosby Street Hotel. A friend of ours was staying at the hotel so we got to experience the for guests only library, which was amazingly decorated. Every little corner was perfectly thought out by Tim and Kit Kemp. The art and decor were so up my ally. I think the photos speak for themselves. Need I say more?
