Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!




Well, our festivities are pretty much over. Joe and I are winding down already. We spent Christmas Eve with my wonderful family (my son and my mother). We made a humble (yet delicious) Christmas meal, we opened gifts and then played the game, "Apples to Apples". So fun! And then this morning Joe and I opened our gifts for each other. My favorite one? See the pics above!!!! Woohoo!

Really, though, the best gift is always having the ones you care about nearby and celebrating love and togetherness. And this year that was especially important for me since Austin will soon be joining the Navy. This could be the last Christmas he gets to spend with us for awhile.

Hope you all are having a very beautiful and meaningful holiday!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Fuiji Instax Camera


This is one heck of a cool looking instant camera!

{{available for a liited time only at Urban Outfitters}}



Another fun electronic type gadget at Urban Outfitters is the iPod DJ Mixer. This could be a lot of fun at parties!

A Few More Vegas Snow Pics!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Ring Dish


This is such a beautiful little ring dish. I love the vibrant color on the inside and the textural quality of the outside.

{{available at Anthropolgie}}

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Recent Boudoir Style Shoot




Here are a few pics from a recent boudoir style shoot I did for two friends.

It's snowing in Las Vegas!





Sooo glad I don't have a job this week, as I was able to sit home and watch the snow fall all day!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Tiffany & Co.



I've never been much of a jewelry person, except for when I need something for a specific outfit or it is given to me as a gift (rare...lol) but I find myself looking at Tiffany & Co. jewelry quite often. I love these simple rings they carry...the Paloma Picasso True Love ring and the Frank Gehry Torque ring.


I am also quite fond of 'right hand' rings such as the one above found on ebay.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Wish List: Hudson Signature Boot Cut Jean



Hudson knows how to make a really versatile jean that really works with my body. Jean shopping has always been difficult for me, as I am really, really picky about the fit. Every pair of Hudson jeans I have tried on though have looked amazing!

{{available at shopbop}

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Caribbean Soup Pot


I just found this beautiful oven-to-table soup pot by Le Creuset and am completely smitten! The color! The shape! This would come in quite handy on Thursday for Thanksgiving.

What are your Thanksgiving plans? Have any favorite recipes you care to share?

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

New PhotoShoot: Baby Melina




I had the pleasure recently of doing a photo session for 2 month old, Melina. She was such a little angel! isn’t she a beauty?

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Photography WishList



On my list of things to eventually get for my photography gigs is a cool ringflash and a new lens! I'm specifically interested in the ABR800 AlienBees Ringflash and the Sigma 10-20mm.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Scarlet Satchel



I'm lusting after this glossy red handbag by Rampage. If you're in the market for a high-end looking bag at a low-end cost, this could very well be the bag for you too!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Natural Cleansers for the Home


Instead of purchasing my all-time fvorite cleansers by Method the next time I go shopping for such things, I might give this new line a try. I love the packaging! Available through the JR Watkins website as well as at Target and Whole Foods.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Sexy Prints


Love these prints by artist, Leigh out of Denver, CO. She has a super cool blog and an etsy shop where you can purchase her prints.

Thanks to Made By Girl for this great find! Be sure to check out her fabulous blog too!

New Recipes to Try

I just found these really yummy looking recipes I am dying to try on marthastewart.com. I'll let you know how they are once I try them.


Mediterranean Chicken

Prep: 5 minutes Total: 30 minutes
Serves 4.

INGREDIENTS
1 pint grape tomatoes
16 Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
3 tablespoons drained capers, rinsed
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 (about 6 ounces each) boneless chicken breast halves, with skin
Coarse salt
Freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Toss tomatoes, olives, capers, and 2 tablespoons oil together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Rinse chicken, and pat dry. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over high heat until hot. Add remaining tablespoon oil; heat until hot but not smoking. Place chicken in skillet, skin sides down; cook until deep golden brown, about 4 minutes. Turn chicken over. Add tomato mixture to skillet.
Transfer skillet to oven. Roast until chicken is cooked through and tomatoes have softened, about 18 minutes.


Chicken with Tomatoes and Mushrooms

Prep: 20 minutes Total: 50 minutes
Serves 4.

Also known as chicken cacciatore, this rustic stew cooks in a rich tomato mushroom sauce. Serve over rice or with a thick slice of crusty bread.

INGREDIENTS
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, about 1 1/2 pounds
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound mushrooms, trimmed and quartered
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (14.5 ounces) stewed tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

DIRECTIONS
Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large (5-quart) saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, heat oil over medium-high heat; swirl to coat bottom of pan. Cook chicken, turning when it easily releases from the pan, until golden, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Add mushrooms; cover, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, tomatoes, and oregano. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, until tomatoes have broken down, 10 to 15 minutes.
Return chicken and any accumulated juices to pan; cover, and cook until chicken is opaque throughout, 4 to 6 minutes. Turn chicken to coat with sauce, and serve.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

In the Halloween Spirit








We carved Jack O' Lanterns today! And roasted pumpkin seeds afterwards! So fun!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Do Bad Things Really Come in 3's?

If so, then I am looking forward to good things starting to happen. First, I got laid off from my job and haven't been successful in finding full time employment anywhere else. Thankfully, though, the place that laid me off has me back doing temporary work here and there. Then my son got jumped and pretty beat up. And finally, last Saturday I took a pretty nasty spill down the stairs first thing that morning. I banged my back and tailbone up pretty good....still in pain from it. So, I am hopeful that my luck is about to change for the better now. Keeping my fingers crossed...

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Signature Scents



My latest signature fragrance has been Miss Dior Cherie, but I am thinking about going back to my old standby, Green Tea by Bvlgari. I first discovered this perfume while in Milan, Italy in 1999. I received so many compliments on the way it smelled while there!

Do you have a signature scent? If so, what do you use? Or do you switch fragrances regularly?

Friday, October 10, 2008

More Designs!



As promised, here are some of my Pink Zebra designs! Visit my shop here.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Creative Fun!





I had a moment of creative inspiration and decided to do another cafepress shop called, The Blue Zebra, selling things like clocks, tote bags, mugs, pet bowls, etc. A few of the items are shown above.

I will also be doing a pink zebra store and a few others since I have more time on my hands to do fun (and hopefully profitable!) things like this until I find a job. I haven't created cafepress items in years, but have had some recent sales in my old shops, so hopefully the new items will start selling too! Wish me luck!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

It's All About the Eyes




While shopping for my Bare Escentuals foundation powder the other day, I saw that they had a new eyeshadow collection out, called The Rocker Eye Kit. The sparkly metallics really sparked my interest! I cannot stop thinking about going back and buying it! I also noticed The Smoky Eye Kit that I totally want now too! The iQuad looks pretty cool, too for the basics. Have any of you tried any of these? If so, how do you like them? And, did you find the included tutorial in the kits helpful?

Saturday, October 4, 2008

I'm Blushing


NARS powder blush in Orgasm has long been a favorite of mine, but it looks like there may be a new one I need to try...the new, gold-flecked Super Orgasm by NARS! Sooo shimmery and pretty!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Fancy


I think these 'Greene' sandals by Vince Camuto would be perfect for the holiday season!

{{available at Nordstrom's}}