reflect and celebrate

I just turned 34 a couple days ago. I remember when that number used to scare me. I remember thinking that anything over 30 meant the person was so old. But now that I'm here... I feel, in a way, that I'm just beginning to live. And so, as I take the time to reflect on things... who I am & where I'm at in life... I can honestly say that I'm HAPPY. Surrounded by friends and family who love me, and lots of people who inspire me, I am extremely happy with my life. That's not to say that things are perfect. I've had my share of heartaches and pain in the past, and am still dealing with plenty of current struggles, too. But that doesn't minimize my JOY.

Because it's real life. It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.

Here are a few highlights from my past year...

Capturing my husband's beautiful smile as he plays with one of our nephews.

My first trip to the Getty Museum.

My grandmother's noodle recipe was finally passed on, and my brother and his wife prepared them perfectly.

Timree had her own product line for sale in Papyrus. I couldn't be more proud, and was happy to be there to celebrate.

Fun with bokeh... this was my Christmas tree.

My New Year's Day tradition... staying in my jammies and watching the Rose Parade.

The kids being old enough to take them out for the afternoon and have a WONDERFUL time.

I can't say ENOUGH awesome things about my OC SMARTY group.

THIS photoshoot. And I'm looking forward to attending their wedding in about a week's time.

2 nieces and a nephew. Three of my favorite people. And 3 of my favorite photo subjects, too.

WonderCon. Good prep for ComicCon.

THIS photoshoot, which touched me incredibly deeply. First birthday photos... taken right before her father passed away.

Updating my wardrobe, and unleashing my STYLE... thanks to Nicole of The Wardrobe Code.

THIS photoshoot. SO much fun. Looking forward to their wedding soon, too!

Visiting Santa Monica Pier for the FIRST time ever.

Attending this book signing. Exciting and inspiring.

THIS photoshoot/workshop. Stretched myself to try new things. Spread my wings. And I FLEW.

Annual softball game with a bunch of friends. Next year, Tony and I will be captains. EEP!

ComicCon!!!!!

I was this girl's HERO for a few minutes. It felt awesome.

Tony and I, in costume, relaxing over lunch.

In front of the different Iron Man armor. Wearing my Tony Stark shirt. All that was missing was Robert Downey Jr.

Jasper. His presence is pure therapy, and I wish I could bottle his cuteness.

These pictures in NO way sum up my year. There are lots and LOTS more moments which are precious to me. Some there are photos of, and some are mere photos of the mind. But all will be treasured.

And I can't wait to see what year number THIRTY-FOUR has in store for me.

Bring it on...

vintage visions

My Saturday morning started with a text from the lovely Heather (better known as Cheeky Woman):

"Sorry it's so early, but if you are up get over here. My neighbor is selling a whole bunch of old cameras that work."

And with that, I was up and on my way.

I spent almost an hour crouched in the neighbor's driveway, cradling each camera in my hand... Buttons, triggers, wind-ups... they were all so beautiful, each one heavy and full of history.

I soon had a growing pile of select pieces I was considering taking home with me, and I guarded that pile like a mama bear. Not wanting to spend a fortune and knowing that each camera was being sold for $15 (which is really a fantastic price), I told myself that I could only adopt THREE. But which ones? Yes, no, yes, no, yes? I must have picked up and put down the same 20 cameras over and over, trying to make a decision I could be entirely happy with.

So my heart melted when the seller told me that I could fill a box up with as many as it would hold, and take the entire box-full for $50 total.

Really? Honest and true? (happy tears.)

Since he was parting with part of his beloved collection (he was still keeping the best ones for himself), the seller loved knowing that these cameras would find a new home with someone who would appreciate them.

Welcome, my lovelies.

You are home.

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it's all about the EXPERIENCE

It had been a loooooong time since my last manicure. While I enjoy the look of pleasantly painted nails, the upkeep is a bit time consuming (and costly). But being that my cuticles were overtaking my nails, I sheepishly headed to the salon to get my nails done. And it was great. I even decided to splurge on getting "gel nails" (guaranteed to last 2 weeks) instead of just normal polish (which I usually mess up on my way out the salon door).

I was in luuuuuuuuurve with my nails. So shiny. So sparkly. And no matter HOW many times I banged my fingernails on something (what can I say, I'm a total KLUTZ), the polish stayed perfectly in place. It was all kinds of awesome, and I smiled each time I looked down at my hands.

Fast forward 2 weeks...

My nails have grown out and the gel needs to come off. The person who had done my nails in the first place was kind enough to tell me HOW to remove them myself. So, being a DIY kinda person (and always happy to save a couple bucks), I gave it a go. Acetone? check. Cotton balls? check. Foil? check. Should be simple, right?

WRONG.

Soak the cotton in acetone, place on finger and wrap with foil. Let sit 10 minutes or so. I am not a patient person (to put it mildly). I don't think I quite made it through ten minutes without the foils falling off.

I decided to take a different approach: dump some acetone into a makeshift finger bowl and rest my nails in there directly.

After that, the polish should start to peel off. Use foil to scratch the surface and peel, if necessary. I scrubbed, I scratched, I used the little file attached to my nail clippers for crying out loud.

I spent an hour repeating this process, finally giving up at midnight. My nails were still lumpy and had spotted color, but I just couldn't take the process anymore. I was stiff from perching on the couch, afraid to move too much lest I spill the acetone. I had a headache from smelling the acetone the entire time. And my poor puppy, waiting for bellyrubs or other similar affection, had been neglected since my hands had been otherwise occupied.

I was tired. And frustrated. And I finally gave up for the night, my nails looking like THIS:

um... not so pretty, but I was at my wit's end. The next morning, I couldn't stop touching my bumpy, lumpy nails. Such a small thing, but they made me feel hideous. I balled my hands up into fists to hide the nails... even from myself. I was just thankful I got through the morning without having to shake hands with anyone.

And I decided to give in. Because even though I'm a very capable woman, and could have spent the time fixing what I'd started... sometimes it's worth it to PAY to get something done, even if you can do it yourself.  Because it's all about the experience... NOT just the end result.

I headed to a local nail salon and was taken care of immediately. Gel nail polish removed, nails cleaned up, hand massage given, and nails given a fresh coat of paint. I spent less than $20 for one hour of pampered goodness. And it was worth every penny. I walked out of there feeling shiny and new.

Life likes to beat me over the head with these lessons sometimes. I always try to impart the importance of the EXPERIENCE on others, but sometimes I forget to take my own advice. Because, in the end, it's not about having shiny nails... it's about how I FEEL with them that way.

And so, here's what I learned: even though I'm a very capable person, and am uber-proud that I CAN do most things myself (and save $$ along the way), it doesn't necessarily mean that I HAVE to. Sometimes it's okay to let go of the reins a little bit. And it can be totally WORTH IT to pay the professionals to handle what they're good at. Because no matter what it is, it's not just about the outcome... it's also about the experience along the way.

making memories

"Can my daughter take a picture with you? You're her favorite character." I was at Comic-Con, and had dressed as the popular character Velma from Scooby-Doo.

I looked down at the little girl buckled into her stroller, whose eyes had grown big as saucers.

"Of COURSE you can have a picture with me."

The mother unbuckled her daughter who shyly inched near me... wanting to get closer, but almost as if she were worried I might disappear if she were to reach out and touch me... like finding out it might all just be a dream.

I bent close to the little girl and asked if she would like a hug. And all hesitation disappeared. She threw herself at me and squeezed as tightly as her little arms would allow... and her mom snapped the picture.

The little girl then sat back down in her stroller and continued to watch me with a HUGE grin plastered to her face.

The mom thanked me profusely, saying that once the little girl had spotted me, she excitedly started saying my name and practically begged her mom to chase me down so she could see me. The mother said that I had, in fact, made her child's day.

I was exhausted from walking so much, hot & sweaty under my wig, and my feet ached like CRAZY in those shoes... but it didn't matter one bit. All my aches and pains were WORTH it for that one moment where I could bring such JOY to that one child.

And it's a memory that I will treasure forever.

Many thanks to my husband who had the foresight to capture this moment for me.

explore // Santa Monica Pier

I've been feeling pretty adventurous lately. More and more, I get this desire to just get in my car, crank the tunes and drive. Particularly to those places I've never been before. I simply need to get out more. There... I said it. 

So when I had a chance to visit the famed Santa Monica Pier, I was jumping for joy. (Quite literally, to the embarrassment of my husband.)  We'd just finished up a photoshoot in Manhattan Beach, so Santa Monica was a quick cruise up the coast from us.

Santa Monica Pier is one of those landmark places in Southern California that everyone has heard about. And everyone has seen. Well... everyone except me. Even though I've lived here all my life, it's somewhere I'd just never visited. I've been to the 3rd Street Promenade quite a few times, but simply never made it one block further.

Till now.

Here is our photographic journey.

And yes, this IS a dinosaur on the merry-go-round.

Indulging a sweet tooth with strawberry ice cream... one of his faves.

There was so much to see and DO here. I was blown away by all the different sights.

Like this trapeze school...

And I loved all the bright colors.

And you've gotta love the "surprise" factor. You never know what you're gonna see.

Like the scariest Mickey & Minnie Mouse I've ever seen.

And a patriotic speedo on a bike.

Which made me really glad my camera was ready for that last shot. Because otherwise, who would believe me?

Santa Monica, I hope to see you again real soon. And next time I promise to stay and PLAY a bit more.

happy birthday to THIS guy

 This guy is one of the most generous people I have ever met.

He makes me laugh out loud with his wicked sense of humor and sarcastic wit.

He is incredibly thoughtful... doing all sorts of little things to take care of me.

He even reminds me to call my parents when it's been a while. 

This guy treats his nieces and nephews like his own sons and daughters... playing with them, teaching them, cheering them on at all their various performances, and showing the ultimate patience and love when dealing with them.

This guy makes me jealous every time he puts a pen to paper... he's able to bring the most awesome creations to life. (And YES, the following image really IS one of his latest creations.)

He re-introduced me to the fabulous world of cartoons and superheroes.

This guy is incredibly musically gifted... he plays piano, taught himself guitar, and has a beautiful singing voice.

He would sometimes even sing me to sleep while holding me close.

This guy's intellect can lead us into some of the most interesting discussions for hours on end.

He goes head to head with me... because neither of us like to admit that we are wrong... ever.

This guy swept me off my feet over nine and a half years ago.

And I am incredibly proud to call him my best friend and husband.

Wishing a very happy birthday to this guy... Tony Carrillo!

inspired

I felt like I was one of the "cool kids" in high school. Books were being passed around and signed in permanent ink. But instead of "have a great summer," the handwriting read "be inspired," "live creatively," and "here's to picture perfect memories." Now THOSE are my types of messages. I was in the midst of creativity, determination and courage, and I was soaking it all up. Like a sponge.

At Pandora in Old Town Pasadena, I was attending the book launch of "Inspired Celebrations." And it was, indeed, an event to celebrate... for SO many incredible reasons.  This book started as a seemingly far-fetched idea from Ngoc Nguyen Lay (of Skybox Event Productions). But her idea grew and grew, and she decided to turn this dream into reality... making sure to tell her husband so he could help hold her accountable. Ngoc then paired up with dietician Tram Le, MS, RD and photographer Caroline Tran for this undertaking. But soon after the initial manuscript was submitted, Tram Le (who was 7 months pregnant at the time) was in a horrible accident. Suffering from brain trauma and a 7 month stay in the hospital (and with a new baby), she was still unable to speak... but when asked if she wanted to continue this project, she nodded "yes."

And so the dream continued.

More people were brought on board... amazing stylists including Henny Vallee and Lucia Dinh Pador of Utterly Engaged, incredible chefs like Anahita Nedari, and many other amazingly talented people, as well ... each person contributing their own creative touch.

And so, things progressed into the book I cradled in my arms the night of the premier (and have not wanted to put down since). A beautiful book in its own right, filled with so many different themed party and meal ideas, this book is also so much more.

It's the realization of so many dreams come true.

To see a list of the many people involved in that night's celebration, and to see an AMAZING VIDEO of the story behind the book, simply click here.

living joyfully

Every so often, someone enters your life and shakes you to your core. This just happened to me, and it was absolutely perfect timing... because I was in need of a good shake-up. I've gotten pretty complacent lately. Spouting pretty words of "finding joy every day," but not taking my own words to heart. Lost in the hustle of the daily grind, with one day blending into another... waking up to realize it was Friday already when I swore it was just Monday a moment ago. Wondering "where did my time go?" and realizing I had no good answer. Sleepwalking. Full-fledged zombie mode. And just like a grumpy old man, grumbling and shaking my fist at those who dared to cross me.

Where was my joy? My peace? My pocketful of sunshine?

Caught up in my own turbulent whirlwind of daily stressors and activity, I hadn't even realized they'd gone missing.

Until someone stopped me in my tracks. The story is hers to tell, so I won't be sharing it here. But suffice it to say that it put me in my place... immediately.

Her own daily struggles trumped my piddly complaints ten-fold, and reminded me, yet again, about the importance of embracing the everyday. Because you really don't know how many "everydays" you will have. And it would be such a shame to waste them.

I cried for what that woman is currently facing. And then I vowed that those tears would not be in vain. I couldn't change her situation, but I could change my own.

Since then, my laundry has piled up a bit more. There are plenty of unwashed dishes in my sink. And my to-do list has grown in size.

But that's okay...

Because I've spent time playing softball with my friends. My dog and I have taken leisurely walks. I've stuffed myself silly while eating out with my husband. I've read a trashy romance novel. I've watched Saturday morning cartoons. And I've even been caught singing along to the car radio at the top of my lungs, windows rolled waaaay down for all to hear. (And yes, I got caught dancing to the music, too.)

And I've found my smile.

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I hope you find your joy, too.  Let's welcome it together. Let's revel in it. Let's lie down in the freshly cut springtime grass and roll around in it.

Maybe this will help get you started in the right direction... an image from a session this past weekend: