Does Phil feel lucky?

So many things I want to share. First! Today is Groundhog Day and to quote my friend Kim "To say you guys are weird for Groundhog Day is an understatement" kind of explains how excited Joel and I get for this particular day. I mean who doesn't love Bill Murray AND Punxsy Phil? Am I right? But it is also the day that Joel remembers meeting me all those years ago (10 to be exact). And I say remembers because we ACTUALLY met in August of 2000 but for reasons beyond comprehension he can't recall meeting me then. Punk! Punxsutawney is a great little town that we have visited twice- the first time was just some random January weekend and the second time was actually for Groundhog Day. I think today we will only communicate with each other using quotes from the movie- because we are super clever like that. And by clever I mean really really lame. But who cares- it's GROUNDHOG DAY!!! Much like REX MANNING DAY! It also feels special thinking back to February 2, 2001 which was kind of the start of it all- the friendship that eventually became something more.

Today also starts Day 1, for me, for a project I am doing called 30 for 30. Kendi of Kendi Everyday started it last year as a way to learn how to shop your own closet for outfits and inspiration. It's a really cool concept- pick 30 items (including shoes) and wear them for 30 days. And while you're making up outfits with only these 30 items you can't go shopping. I have to admit that I am NOT a big shopper*. I love the idea of shopping but then I got bogged down with too many choices and my (annoying) ability to rationalize why I don't need this or that. My mother, on the other hand, never needs an excuse to shop which is evident when I go back home and realize that she has a closet just for pants. Her summer pants are in another closet.

So why am I doing this? Although I don't have a crazy closet full of clothes I do want to learn how to shop smarter and how to pair potential new clothes with what I own already. As a stay at home mom living in what feels like the Arctic Tundra I don't really feel like putting in the effort to wear anything besides comfy pants and a hoodie and many, many layers of socks. I also want to get rid of some clothes and wearing them to death this month seems like a great guilt free way to do so. Here are the items I am choosing for this project:

4 button downs. 2 sweater vests.

5 long sleeve shirts. 1 short sleeve tee. 1 cowl neck

4 jeans.

2 dresses. 2 skirts.

2 cardigans. 1 blazer. 2 sweaters.

3 shoes.

I am one item short. It may be for a pair of sneakers or maybe, just maybe, I will keep it as a wild card! Kim is joining me in this venture so it will be exciting to see what she comes up with as well.

BING!!

*this is quite a huge contradiction to my pre college days when Contempo Casuals (what is now Wet Seal and truly not the same) was my favorite place in the whole world. I could also make an outfit for under 40 bucks. Just ask Jaime Rader.

pink!

I woke up wanting to wear pink eyeshadow. I found a shirt that would go with hot pink and had way too much fun during Jonah's nap.

Plans and rambles. Rambles and plans.

I keep thinking of something I heard, read, made up myself (I doubt that)- "I'm mediocre at best". I wish I remember the actual quote and who said it. I always thought of it though when it came to me and my aspirations or endeavors. I've always spread myself thin whether I was in high school belonging to every club under the sun or spending a weekend at home trying to visit with all of my family and friends. I even thought of this when I met a girl who traveled to every Radiohead show when they would tour. I remember thinking how I could never dedicate myself to just one band- I have too much love for many bands which resulted in me just enjoying the majority of them in the comfort of my own home. Sure, I would love to be great at one thing instead of kind of good at a few random things. But that is just not me! I love photography. I love to dance (like really really love to dance). I enjoy baking and the satisfaction of eating what I just made even if it burns my tongue (no patience when sugar, eggs and butter are involved). I love good music and bad music and making compilations of my favorite songs. I love watching t.v shoes that make me laugh and movies that make me cry. I have a lot of fun playing with make up, clothes and hairstyles and wigs. I go crazy over pretty paper and ribbon. I talk a lot and ramble about things that get me excited (like my husband, my baby boy, kitties, baby leg warmers, shimmery eyeshadow, curl taming hair creme and french fries).

So I decided that this is what this space will be about: my adventures in mommyhood, starting my photography business in a new state, and everything else that brings excitement and happiness into my life.

What a year it's been

Since the last time I posted a lot has happened. Joel and I brought a very handsome little man into our lives.

January became my favorite month ever!

I got to photograph a baby every single day.

We celebrated Joel's birthday.

My 1st Mother's Day

Joel and I got our converse chucks personalized with our wedding date and wore them on the day. We whip them out for our anniversaries as well. For our 3rd anniversary we got to add another set of sneakers to our family photo.

Joel's 1st Father's Day

Celebrating my birthday with my favorite boys!

In the fall we traveled to London and celebrated my sister in law getting married.

We were in the middle of moving out of Philly so Jonah's halloween costume was a very last minute decision. He's the youngest American Apparel employee. Trendy boy!!!

Enjoying a New England autumn.

Our little family's 1st Christmas together!!

Our new home in a new state.

It's been so long since I made blogging a somewhat regular habit. I have so much more I want to share. This is kind of like a catch up!!! I'm trying to clean out the tumbleweeds that have been blowing around here.

I'm back!

I have a lot of plans for this blog.

Jason & Jacquie's Wedding :: Massachusetts Wedding Photographer

Jason & Jacquie were married right outside their home with just their immediate families in attendance to witness their sweet and sincere ceremony. Afterwards, friends and more family joined together to party and dance the night away. It was a great celebration and a wonderful example of how a wedding can be anything you want it to be.

I had such a fun time and was so excited that the night ended with Mary J Blige's "Real Love".

jason & jacquie

Right before Joel and I left for our little fall foliage tour of '09 we made an important stop in Massachusetts for Jason & Jacquie's wedding. I have many favorites from their day and although that post will come soon I wanted to share at least one image.

Chris & Jodi: love love love :: New York Portrait Photographer

Over the past two years I have gotten to know Jodi through her photographs on flickr; learning that she loves color (especially aqua), NYC, anthroplogie, cupcakes and is always down for hanging out. Even though our friendship is still new I feel really lucky to be able to call this girl a friend. And I was super honored when she wanted me to take photos of her and her hubby for their 10 year wedding anniversary. We got together in Dumbo and I just had a great time capturing their silliness and love.

you can check out some of Jodi's work on her flickr page (which in my opinion is a beautiful love letter to NYC & color) and her portrait project on autoimmune diseases.

Kathryn & Dan's Wedding :: Philadelphia Wedding Photographer

Woo hoo... Kathryn and Dan's wedding blog post!!  Given all the speeches and toasts revolving around the love and friendship of Kathryn and Dan, this day was a long time coming.  Although it rained and rained and rained, the day was filled with beauty and life and I couldn't be happier that I was able to be a part of it all.   

Kathryn and her bridesmaids jewelry was done by Isabelle Vuong Mitchell and I seriously recommend her for all your handmade jewelry needs.  

I was absolutely giddy hanging out with Dan waiting for Kathryn to come out for their first look.  Just look at that smile on his face!!

Kathryn and Dan are totally HOT and do a mean tiger face as well.  

It is a tough job being a completely adorable flower girl. 

Thanks to Joel for taking these shots of the blue deliciousness at the reception.  

It was such a fun night and I am really looking forward to the day after session.  

Happy Monday!

I hope you all are enjoying your long weekend!