My Favorite Niece

Baby Girl's first Christmas needed to be documented.  After all, she is my favorite niece. Yes, I am one of "those aunts".  I firmly believe Eve is the most beautiful, intelligent baby on the face of the earth (at this time).

There are many benefits to living in Florida.  One benefit is Christmas photos can be done outdoors with a green backdrop. The costume changes can also take place outside.  Unfortunately a third of my photos were lost, due to a card error, and reformatting.  I want to cry.  Hopefully, I learned my lesson. Not all was lost. She is a good little model so we managed to capture some sweet moments today. 

The first photo is usually my favorite.  This photo shoot was no exception. 

Costume change, number one.

Eve with her Nana.

Since Nana is here, I can sneak in a picture

At the end of the photo shoot, Eve's Mom was able to join us.

Three generations.

Tampa's Le Mouton Noir

It's that time of year: Florida Music Association Educator's Professional Development Conference. The bakehouse we stumbled across today in Tampa, Le Mouton Noir, was wonderful.   Sean enjoyed serious ginger-ale in front of the books and toys

We missed the breakfast time so I chose the apple-cranberry chicken salad– homemade chicken salad with pecans served with greens on a croissant.  The croissant was perfect. 

The white utensils attached diagonally on wooden squares is definitely eclipsed by the fun lighting over Philippe Starck chairs.  Painted frames share the wall with real frames which is fun.

Spread the Joy!

Oh Joy! is a blog written by designer Joy Cho, out of L.A. California.

Joy is pictured above with her daughter Ruby.  In her own words, "Oh Joy! is a blog that covers inspiration and design with a focus on my favorite things: design, fashion and food."

Both her blog and her work are fresh and inspirational.

See more of her work at: http://ohjoy.blogs.com/

New Year's Resolutions

This year I have decided to list my New Year's Resolutions with pictures and graphics.  Happy 2013!

1.  I will simplify my life, my work, my art.

Creativity is Subtraction – truth from Austin Kleon, part of his brilliant Newspaper Blackout project.

2.  I will only keep (or purchase) useful and beautiful items in 2013.  

Hand-lettered wisdom from William Morris by Lisa Congdon. More of Lisa’s typographic words of famous wisdom here.

3.  I will take time to be creative. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/imeusart/

4.  I won't wait for inspiration to find me.  I will already be in motion when it catches up. 

Chuck Close on creativity

5. I will love, love, love!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ohmydeer

6. More yoga and exercise!  It's good for me.

http://cdryan.com/blog/namaste/

7. Discover new places.  Travel and eat!

Artist: http://www.pattersonmaker.com

8. No more fear of WRONG! 

Artist: JillMcDonalddesign.com

9. Thank God for everything.

Artist: Open Heart Creations

10. Spend time in the garden.

Artist: George Robinson http://www.oneeyeland.com/image.php?imgid=56556


11. Focus on the truth! (about me, others, priorities, belongings, investments, etc.)