Thursday, July 8, 2010

Going on a Piknik

So I've been fiddling around with Photoshop actions for a while, and I happened upon a post by my Bloggy friend Sharon over at My New England Life, in which she writes about Picnik, an online free photo editing wonderland. If you haven't visited Saron's site from my blogroll before, do.it.now. Breathtaking photos in and around New England, more specifically the NH coastline.

Four words for Picnik? I.am.in.love!!! Check out my little birdwatcher!


I think this next photo is just hilarious. See her little toothy smile under those binoculars? CRACKS ME UP!



Anyway, speaking of picnics, we are headed out to Maine tomorrow for a long weekend. We'll start tomorrow south of Portland at a place called The Clambake for lunch, and then on to Pine Point Beach for the afternoon, head to Portland to check into our hotel, and then to a fun spot (or so I hear) for dinner called Silly's.

Saturday and Sunday we'll be in Brunswick visiting with Dad and my sister Amy. Dad has promised to take James fishing at the brook that borders the back edge of our property. I remember splashing in that brook as a kid--I know James will love the special time with his Grandpa.

I hope you all have a sunny weekend!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

My New Calling

Frosting cupcakes.

So, I think I need to start a either a travelling kids cupcake party business,
or else just open up a nursery school / drama camp / art school.

I've been lucky to have this crowd of kids hanging out with me over the past two days,
and as much as their moms think I'm out of my ever lovin' mind
appreciate it, I wish that I could have these little ones over every day for a few hours.

SERIOUSLY. I mean where else can I bundle all of the fun things
that I enjoy doing into one period of time? Like,
Art
Storytelling
Baking
Drama
Singing
Jewelry Making
Laughing
Dancing
Cooking

Where else can I have an adoring crush of fans loving me as I pass out
Popsicles
Brownies
Cheese-sticks
Cookies
Cupcakes
Capri-Suns,

And at what other point can I read stories to my heart's content,
and then be begged for
another,
and another,
and another?

Did I mention that my Mom ran a daycare?
Did I mention that I have a theatre degree?
Did I mention that I LOVE kids???

Hmmm . . .

maybe I'll call it
Pollyanna's Pre-School!!!!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Summer Fun (with Photoshop Actions)

I've been having a ton of fun with my camera (thanks Dad!) and have been trying to learn a new Photoshop trick or two every few days. Here are a few of my new favorite actions that I have been using (click on the image to enlarge it):


RAW Definition



(Ahem, I don't come up with the names) Bitchin' Black & White


Sun Kissed


Polaroid Type 600

Okay, it was 102.9 here in Longmeadow, MA today!!! I am not sure that the heat translates in these photos, but who cares about the heat when you are surrounded by such cutie patootie kids!!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Sunshine and Laughter for Independence Day 2010

It was all smiles at our place today--we had a low-key holiday, just the four of us and some BEAUTIFUL weather.






Happy 4th of July!

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

I Love Kids

They make me happy.
How could they not?
Isn't this the cutest Pinata line you've ever seen?

Party for our friend Mary Larkin, far right.
Photo by her Mom, Flannery.

James is in the blue t-shirt with the ginormous smile.
Yes, that is Chris and I in the back. Can you tell I'm all partied out?

Monday, June 28, 2010

Scenes from James' 4th Birthday Party













I think I am still in shock that my son is now 4.
His party was this past Saturday and his actual birthday is today.
WOW.
His party was a total blast, which is what I was going for,
as the kid is so interested in space right now.
Check out that cake. FANTASTIC. Gotta love the rocket.
My husband's cousin's daughter made it.
Emily--you are brilliant.
Oh yeah--and that bouncy house?
That HUGE bouncy house?
Best.idea.ever.
While the kids (and adults) bounced,
I got to enjoy the party guests and have a beer or two,
but most importantly I didn't miss
a single smile that spread across James' face
ALL DAY LONG.
So really, that bouncy house was a gift for ME.
I'm not quite ready to do my typical, look back through the years
post about my boy, you know--the one where I weep
in writing about how he's not a snugly little baby anymore.
But maybe that's because I am really enjoying him at this age.
Independent but still a Mama's boy;
inquisitive about the world around him but still cuddles his favorite
stuffed animal at night;
loves all of his new friends but is still happiest
around his cousins;
happy to receive all of the latest gadgets as gifts,
but it was the collection of arrowheads, fossils and rocks from his Grandpa
that he arranged on his bedside table tonight when he went to bed.
I love that boy.

Happy 4th Birthday, James.

XOXO

Friday, June 25, 2010

Our Little Curly Top









The dress Ella is wearing was a gift from my mother--a little retro seersucker dress that I really love. Yellow was my Mom's favorite color--and I wish she could see her running around the yard, cute as a button and reminiscent of Shirley Temple. But I guess she probably can.

It has been more than a year since I lost my Mom, and though her absence is still painful, that pain is a little less sharp, and more often than not I am smiling when I am remembering her instead of feeling sad.

I think that the quality of the sunshine is really special in these photos--I am getting better at capturing the light.

Big day for us tomorrow--James is having his fourth birthday party! We are expecting about a dozen kids and 30 adults so it will be a fun day for sure. We even rented a huge bouncy house for him (seems to be the birthday party trend on our street these days!) It is actually due to arrive tonight--so no doubt we will be bouncing into the night and he will be exhausted before the big day even arrives!

Happy weekend to you!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Hello Summer!


We're awfully excited about summer over here under the shady tree.
How about you?

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Handmade Vintage Freshness Can Be Found at Three Sisterz

Introducing Three Sisterz!


I know I have mentioned my friend Flannery about a million times on this blog, but I have been meaning to introduce the recent work that she and I and her sister Courtenay have recently finished, branding their business, Three Sisterz.


Flan came over a month or so ago and I walked her through some marketing ideas to help get Three Sisterz off the ground. They had a blog, but they needed to find a way to update it, get more exposure, and move to the next level. They were interested in how online marketing could help them, and seeing as how I make my living in marketing, communications and social media design, I was excited to assist them. I do really enjoy helping strong, creative women in their pursuing their dreams.

She and her sisters sew charming, one-of-a-kind pillowcase dresses using the most beautiful, whimsical fabric you can imagine. I think their sensibility is a fresh take on vintage and I adore it. They also make appliqued onesies, precious little skirts and a number of other custom-made items. Here's a few items from their recent work:

We talked about the look and feel that they wanted, played around with some images and came up with a new banner and design for the blog. Here is the banner, but you have to go and visit to get a real feel for the changes that we made.

Next we parlayed the new look for the brand into a Facebook badge and graphics for their Etsy store. A few days later I took some photos for them (this one is my fave!) of Flannery's middle daughter, Mary Larkin in one of their signature dresses. (Okay, you can't see much of the dress in this shot, I know . . . bad marketer, BAD!)


You can find their Facbook page here:

And you can take a look at their Etsy page here:

So please, before you run into a big box store for a summer dress that every little girl on the block is going to be wearing, think twice and buy something custom-made and AFFORDABLE and unique. Plus, doesn't it feel great to support another woman, another mother, in their efforts?

Remember this shot of my little Ella in her Three Sisterz pillowcase dress? (Just look at that little bow mouth!!!) Do you need any more convincing than this?


There's just something about these stunning handmade creations that these women are making, that make little girls' cheeks that much more PINCHABLE and SMOOCHABLE!

Now, go and "like" their Facebook page, and then go browse their blog and their Etsy store!

And be sure to spread the word and tell your friends, too.

Monday, June 14, 2010

An Oreo Cookie Eating Tutorial by Ella

I came around the corner into the kitchen the other day and saw this:


And so I quickly ran and got my camera and started shooting. Wow--she's really loving this vanilla Oreo!! (Just like her Mom, while James prefers traditional Oreos, like his Dad).



Oops!! She sees me!


Caught cha!!!


So then I asked her what she was doing and she proceeded to show me! Reach into the bag of Oreos (conveniently they are at her perfect height in the pantry cabinet).



Get one and T-W-I-S-T.


See Mom? This is the good stuff!!


Mmmm . . . just look at all that sugary goodness!


Lick!!!


Yay!! Yummy!!


(Sigh) she's getting so big!! (Now I gotta run and move those cookies up a shelf or two!!)