{the blog}

Did I mention she has a name?

You may have to click to enlarge the picture...

Sloane Chancy is her name and we absolutely cannot wait to meet her. 

My very talented friend Marla has done 3 maternity sessions for me this summer.  Summer is her busiest season and I am so grateful she squeezed me in.  I have only seen a few of the pictures she has taken and yesterday I found this photo in my in box... she took this last week. 

And then a few minutes later she sent this:

For the first part of the photo session I had on cute dresses then Marla said, "Go put on your uniform, it's only right to document you in those Gap pants and a Target tank top!"

I am looking forward to these next few days before my daughter arrives.  I need some down time and plan (hope) to take it easy.  This morning before work I got in the bath tub and didn't want to get out... I think that's a sign that I need a little more rest? 

The nursery isn't 100% complete yet... that is okay.  My clients and my work have been on the front burner these last few weeks.  I'll have time to finish the nursery up once the little girl arrives.  I promise I will post pictures when it is complete! 

Happy LABOR Day weekend!  You know the moon is full tonight.... hmmmm....

bump. before and after.

 

Marla took this last week.  There it is folks... me, my baby, and my twin sister who is not pregnant.

My baby has been in the oven for 27 weeks... I really like her a lot already.  I hope feelings are mutual.

Thank you Marla for taking this picture.  You rock.

"my photographer friend"

Sorry for the lack of posts this week.  I've been sleeping very little and working really hard and it sorta kills the creativity. 

Today is "my photographer friend" Marla Carter's birthday.  And since I am feeling a total lack of creativity I thought I'd share some of hers... she's amazing... if you have a trip to the beach planned book a session with Marla or Shane, you won't regret it!!

 

 

 

 

 

And late last summer she took some pictures of me...

   

And still to this day no one has correctly guessed what my husband and I made our round garage door windows out of... so if you guess correctly I'll offer a Starbucks gift card, since no one ever won the one that Marla was offering.  (those of you who already know are not allowed to guess, I know who you are) Happy guessing!

And more importantly... Happy Birthday Marla!! 

Charleston photos :: details, details, details

I took some pictures while I was in Charleston... perhaps you care to see some of them?  If you are reading this post in Reader, you'll have to actually come to my blog to see all of them.  I have a new sidebar item (on the left) where I have posted a photo album... I hope you enjoy!

Here are a few of my favorites.  I'm drawn to details... the tiniest little ones I can find the better.  I tried to capture some to share with you.  Note: I could have spent the entire 6 days photographing gardens and driveways... it seems as though in Charleston at the end of every driveway there is a little surprise.  I am very inspired for Spring and my yard better look out- I have all sorts of ideas, now I just gotta find a way to come up with the money!  And of course I managed to find a dog and a cat that wanted their photo taken... and my precious nephew was there, and who can resist a baby?  And my husband is a champion,I walked his legs off... so he was worthy of photographing too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

We stayed here: The Charleston Place & on Isle of Palms the first 2 nights in a vacation rental (compliments of the groom's family)

We ate here: Hominy Grill, Jestine's Kitchen, McCrady's, Madriver, Southend Brewery, Dunkin' Donuts

We enjoyed these festivities: Aquarium, Hibernian Hall (wedding reception), Charleston Yacht Club (day of wedding brunch), and a carriage tour by Old South Carriage Co

Shopped here: Elizabeth Stewart Design and South of Market (and a few other places that aren't worthy of mentioning, like Banana Republic and Gap)

Charleston was a charming city, that I was not ready to leave... I needed about 10 more days there.  Which is great, it just means we'll have to go back again.  If you haven't been... YOU NEED TO GO!!

Charleston & calling all camera phone users

Tomorrow we leave for Charleston, SC for a mini-vacay... I simply cannot wait.  My best guy friend is getting married on Saturday and there will be all sorts of festivities.

Speaking of Charleston, I've mentioned before that I thoroughly enjoy the new publication Garden & Gun... well Haskell Harris who used to be at Cottage Living is now at Garden & Gun and is blogging... which I discovered via Style Court. 

 

How cute is the house she left behind in Birmingham, Alabama?  I am getting antsy for spring... I stood in my backyard this morning, cup of coffee in hand, when my mind started racing of all that I wanted to do in my garden this year that I never go around to... 2009 is the year to finish up the yard.

So, if you missed the memo over at Desire to Inspire, Studio B right here in my little town is hosting a camera phone contest!!!  Colleen Duffley who is a new friend and fabulous photographer has started a  studio/biz for lovers of all things creative... "Colleen is actually starting a new studio (Studio b!) in early 2009 that will be more of a cultural/ lifestyle venue; bringing in top photographers, designers, chefs, authors, musicians, and artists for classes and seminars, events, as well as gallery exhibitions. Studio b will be doing cooking classes, photography classes, for adults and kids... and really establish a venue for creativity. The first event that Studio b. is hosting is an online photo exhibiton of people's first shot of the new year, which must be taken from a cell phone camera! We have been working hard to get the word out, so it will be fun to see how many we get and from what corner of the world!! The website is new, so we will be updating constantly."

So email your camera phone pictures by January 2nd to: scoop[at]studiobthebeach[dot]com

Here are the rules and details.

More Colleen here.  And her side-kick Molly (who is also super fun and very talented) here.

Happy New Year friends!  See you in '09!  (With lots of photos from my Christmas adventures and Charleston travels!)

party time!

 

Hi, my name is Erika.

And not only am I coming to your party with turquoise delights, I'm also moving in.

Thanks. 

Karl Juengel :: via Please Sir

friendly furry faces

 

Don't those two look like fun!?

P&P would be in high-heaven with them. 

Paul Costello's portfolio is full of dogs... I find it delightful... it says "someone really lives here".

 

 

 

 

 

(okay, so that wasn't a dog, but still... I think it counts)

 

Do you have an inside dog? Can you imagine your home without it?

all images from the very talented Paul Costello

And if you are a dog-lover like me, this is a great book:

 

I could. She couldn't.

 

Sorry for a lack of posts recently, I am a busy bee... and to make matters worse I don't feel well... I'm a little worn down, perhaps. 

Last week Shannon @ Pink Wallpaper posted this image and posed the question "Could you do this?"

I love the look and do believe that "YES" I could do this... however I don't have kids... I'm sure those of you with kids look at that as a recipe for disaster?  Maybe all the plates and bowls on the bottom shelves could be super-glued together and then glued to the shelves! (kidding)

Speaking of kids... my twin sister has her hands full with three little ones... she definitely "couldn't" have this kitchen (maybe in 5 years).  Husband and I went to Auburn this weekend for the football game (a much needed escape) and on the way home I stopped to pick up my 4-leggers (thanks D for dog-sitting) and to snap some photos of my sister and her precious family... this one is my favorite...

   

Happy Monday!

from the outside lookin' in

If ever you've been to my office you've probably seen this sight... especially if the window is open:

 

I snapped this photo last week of my 4-leggers... Penelope (foreground) & Paisley (resting her chin)... they are precious... except when the UPS man comes. 

I am learning to shoot in manual mode on my camera.  I have a really long way to go... as it is sooo not easy, but it is way more rewarding and I'm always up for a challenge! 

I love dogs... I simply can't help myself.  This model met me at the bay and sat pretty just for a few seconds... thank you Pedro, I'll bring you a treat next time I'm in your 'hood.  I can almost smell wet dog just looking at him!

 

intermission

This is an intermission in the Boston re-cap. Happy Hump Day!

I got troubles and blogging is not easy with the rigged up set up.

I need a tiny blog break today (but here I am blogging).  So here's what you should do... go to the grocery store and in the freezer section look for the DOVE ICE CREAM MINIATURES.  They look like this:

In Boston I sat in the van with the children while Annmarie ran into the grocery store... she came out with a box of these bad boys... and only 60 calories a pop! They are the best treat EVER, and I'm not a big ice cream person... I do love Dove chocolate though.  Here in my office Paula and I eat a piece of Dove chocolate everyday... usually dark chocolate.  It gets us through the afternoon. 

If you want some photos to tie you over... you can click HERE to go to my website, in the "clients" section type in this password: annmarie

There you will find an album of my favorite pictures of the kids from last week.  They need some Photoshop processing, but that crashed with my computer... sometimes just raw images are nice. 

So, grab your ice cream and enjoy.  I'll be back tomorrow with Brimfield and Boston pictures.