Powerful

The two most powerful words I've ever said:

             My daughter. 

Wanderlust

I just finished watching the series Top of the Lake on Netflix (incredible & disturbing) which takes place on the south island of New Zealand and it has me longing for grandiose silent places like these...wish I could grab my family and run to the mountains for a week. Or a month.

The Softer Side

Having a baby feels like someone is suddenly holding up a mirror and asking you to take a good look at yourself. All the things I was ever conscious of not liking about myself are at once drawn into sharp focus and put under a magnifying glass. I realize I don't want my daughter to inherent these bad habits (she'll certainly inherit plenty of other characteristics I'm less aware of) but for the moment I'm owning the things I have a power to change. 

One of the biggest things I've become aware of is being softer and more patient toward infuriating circumstances and people.

I've been working hard to catch my inner dialogue and counter my negative habits by thinking about the scenario or the person with a different perspective. Compassion has not always been my strong suit, I'll be the first to admit it and having a daughter is real inspiration to clean it up and change. It's not hard to look at her perfectly innocent face and think of how much she will pick up by my example.  If I expect her to be compassionate, kind and patient then its time I behave accordingly.

Learning to be a kinder, gentler person is a pretty sweet lesson and really why wouldn't I want to show her my softer side? I have a hunch this is the first of many, many lessons this little sage is going to teach me. 

Reminder.

Leave room for a little mystery.

Rose colored glasses.

There's something about just having a baby girl that has made me fall in love with colors my pre-baby self would never had considered. Suddenly I feel drawn to pastels in a way that my former self would cringe upon seeing. Now I lust for soft lavenders, pale peach and subtle pinks. It's a beautiful new world. 

Bun-buns

Part of what I'm loving about having a baby is playing around with all the cute gifts we get. It reminds me that I never want to grow up. 

Objects of desire

I've been wanting to take a pottery class lately and my new Pinterest obsession is fueling my creative dreams that producing something as stunning as these would ever be within my reach..

Limitless

How much love can the heart hold? How much love can your heart handle?

There is no end. I have learned that now. There is no limit to how deep and wide your heart can give. In a few weeks I have learned that it doesn't run out, it just keeps growing. 

Thank you, Vivienne Grey. My guru, my daughter, love of my life. 

The day the whole world stopped.

Every cliche you've ever heard about having a baby is true. You never ever think you can suddenly love someone so much, that your heart can open that wide and that in an instant the entire world can come to a screeching halt. But it's true. And wow is it wonderful. And humbling. And exhausting. And messy. And beautiful.

Vivienne Grey Lake. 5.24.14

More soon.

White out

I've been itching to paint my hardwood floors white lately. Mostly inspired by being in Scandinavia recently but seeing these gorgeous apartments is only confirming my suspicion it will make my space feel cleaner & super chic. 

The Last Hurrah

 My boyfriend whisked me away upstate for a lovely last getaway yesterday before having a baby...it was a perfect peaceful moment to bliss out, have some fun with photographer & hang out with trees.

Heart Warriors

Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mom's out there. Mother's bring life into this world and nurture it with the love and depth that lead each of us to grow into our own. Thank god for mom's. My mom is my rock, my confidant, my best friend & my strength. Love you Mom. 

New work

 I don't usually post my work here but I really love this story & loved the team and getting a chance to shoot some of the beautiful soft colors from the Spring collections. 

Photographer: Danilo Hess

Make-up: Angie Parker

Hair: Michael Moreno

Assistant extraordinaire: Ashley Austin