{the blog}

Nantucket [round 2]

From the bottom of my heart (where my baby is physically resting these days) thank you for the stroller feedback.  Sometimes I feel like this blogging gig is totally a one-way street... I am grateful for your comments and opinions!

 

 

Are you wondering 'what in the heck is that?'

Wonder no longer.  I'm here to tell you what that is... it was in a shop window downtown Nantucket advertising some upcoming kid's art show/fair.  I think Melisa will like it too.  Try ignore the distractions around it... it's a paper mache beehive with felt bumble bees dangling around it.  I wanted it for a crib mobile.  Not for sale.  Bummer.  And I don't have time for paper mache or felt stitched bumble bees, but if I did... believe you me... I'd be all over this one. 

  

We had the Jeep rental from 9am Sundayuntil 9am Monday... with the Nantucket Beach Permit (came with the rental car) you can drive on the beach and on these dirt roads.

 

The Summer House Inn (our B&B) has additional B&Bs in town and an Inn in 'Sconset Beach (about 15 minute drive from downtown Nantucket).  As a guest at any of the B&Bs you also have access to the pool and the beach.  We were headed to 'Sconset when we happened upon these fantastic houses on the beach.

[you can click the images to enlarge them]

 

 

 

I think this photo (below) was an accident... Chance got tired of "stop the car" and I just snapped this as we passed... I love how it turned out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the pool at the Summer House Inn in Sconset... we spent Saturday afternoon here... it was delightful.  Can I highly recommend everyone add this to their list of places to visit? 

 

The cute pool boys (pink shirts in background- photo below) also tend to the gardens.  I don't know what gardeners or landscapers look like where you come from... but they aren't typically blonde, cute, and sophomores at Stanford where I come from. 

 

Pregnant girl action shot... I typically don't struggle with stairs, but being pregnant makes you feel like you can't breathe after climbing stairs... makes you feel kind of pathetic and way out of shape.

 

Some of the rose-covered cottages at the Summer House Inn in 'Sconset...

 

Not self-timer shot, but rather nice concierge shot...

 

Cedar shake, diamond-paned windows, picket fence, boxwoods, and roses...

 

I can't stand it.  Honestly... I would like to be sitting at that cafe table sipping pink lemonade right this second...

 

I couldn't get climbing roses to grow like that if my life depended on it!

 

 

 

We let the air out of the tires on the Jeep and paid the park entrance fee... and headed out to see something I wasn't expecting...

 

Not Chance, I was expecting to see him.  I wasn't expecting to see lots of baby seals...

 

Furry lips reminded us of our Paisley girl.  Baby boys, baby girls, and the big daddy- see him on the left with his tail up... 800 lbs that big man weighs.

 

  

 

 

We took the ferry back to Hyannis on Monday morning, but spent our last hour in Nantucket admiring the boats docked in the marina.  Chance was in heaven... he's a boat lover.  He claims when we retire we are going to do The Great Loop.  We'll probably be on a pontoon boat but it was fun to think about doing that trip in a yacht with a helicopter...

 

Or maybe a mini-cooper [look closely] just in case you were tired of boating, you could get out and drive...

 

  

We took everyone's advice seriously: we had an absolute blast and treasured every last moment of solitude and freedom of being just a married couple while we still could. 

We hope to have a cooperative daughter who will travel well... unlike her cousin. But if our next few years are nothing but savoring precious moments at home we are at peace with that.  The Lord has blessed us beyond measure and this trip was nothing short of wonderful... if we can't go back soon I'll just look back at my pictures and cherish the memories.   

Nantucket [round 1]

From Wareham (the Factory Five car place) we headed to Hyannis where we jumped on the high-speed ferry to Nantucket.  I should mention though... while in Hyannis we had lunch at Box Lunch - it was soo good we stopped in again on our way back through town. 

The Nantucket portion of the trip was like living in a fairy tale.  There is no other way to explain it.  Picture yourself on a movie set where everything is historic, quaint and beautiful... that's Nantucket. 

Now I was apprehensive... let me be honest.  I was worried everyone would be so snotty we'd look and feel like a couple of white-trash rednecks.  I don't own any seersucker or Vineyard Vines and my husband falls on the more sophisticated end of 'redneck'.  Let's face it... we probably weren't going to fit in.  But we were going.  I had booked the room and I wanted to see Nantucket with my own two eyes.

 

We booked this room about a month ago.  The Marigold Room at the Summer House Inn on Fair Street.  (Actually Annmarie did the research for me and picked the place... she had been before.)  A quaint little B&B near the heart of downtown.  The bathroom wasn't that great, but I'm no diva and can pretty much make due anywhere.  The place was really delightful.  It was my first B&B experience and it was a great one.  We ate breakfast here in the mornings... little tables for 2 lined up in a row...  

  

Outside our room was a sitting area... there's my baby's daddy...

 

The back gardens... heavenly...

 

 

Can you stand it?  I couldn't.

 

The front of the place looks like this... (and I look like this...)

 

Self timers on cameras are the best invention ever... little crooked, but captured...

 

We dined next door at Figs (29 Fair Street), there is a Figs in Boston, which I had eaten at last time I was in town... it was delicious.

 

I was proven very wrong while in Nantucket... everyone was very friendly and didn't matter what we had on or how we talked.  Not that we didn't hear "where are you from" a few times. 

We spent a lot of time admiring architecture and gardens...

 

 

 

"Oh my gosh at the hydrangeas!" and "Oh my gosh, stop the car, the roses!" probably came out of my mouth a thousand times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walked my arse off.  I seriously had to put my foot down.  I thought for a moment that my right foot might actually be broken.  We laid down about 15 miles on foot in Boston the day before and this pregnant woman could take it no more.  I put on my tennies and tried to rent a bicycle.  I guess I didn't realize how pregnant I really am... they laughed at me at the rental shop.  When I inquired about a bike they said "for you?"... with a smirk.  Then I asked about a scooter "can't rent those to pregnant people either".  Dang.  I don't feel that pregnant, but I'm beyond the point of covering it up anymore.  So we rented a Jeep.

But just for the dorky factor I walked around in my tennis shoes, running shorts and the only long sleeved shirt that fits me. (Made Chance buy a long sleeved tee (green thing I'm holding)... because I don't know that running shorts and button down dress shirt is really a good look?)

 

More Nantucket pictures coming up soon!!!

intermission in Wareham, MA

This post is dedicated to my loving husband.

Marriage is give and take.  If I wanted Chance to sit and wait while I tried on dresses I knew I'd have to compromise at some point on this trip.

I think I've mentioned before that Chance has a thing for cars.  When he turned 15 he was given his mom's 1965 Ford Mustang.  He drove it (as his main car) for 10 years.  He rebuilt the engine (more than once)... it is a passion for him.  It's in the garage now and gets driven on weekends.  It is his baby (until the real baby arrives anyway).  I don't want to toot his horn too much, but the man knows cars.  He can fix and rebuild most anything.

His dream car is a Shelby Cobra, but the price tag makes it unattainable.  If you know nothing about cars (I didnt before we started dating), there are manufacturers who make "kits" where you can build yourself a replica of cars like the Shelby Cobra.  In 1995 Chance contacted Factory Five (one such manufacturer of a "kit car")... and ever since has dreamt of visiting their factory.  Well when I mentioned Boston a few months ago he went bananas.  He knew something I didn't.  Wareham, Massachusetts (an hour from Boston- between Boston and Nantucket) is the home of Factory Five.

 

So while we toured the factory he listened intently as I took a ton of pictures.  I have to admit... I didn't expect to be impressed... I kinda thought I'd just sit in the car and wait on him.  I was so wrong.  This place was amazing.  I was tempted to allow him to buy the kit while we were there.  We have another car to sell first... 1969 red Ford Bronco, anyone? And a baby to birth, then he has my permission to get the kit.  Afterall, he did finally get rid of his dirtbike. 

 

At the end of our factory tour the owner of the company came in and offered a ride to anyone who wanted to go.  You would have thought Chance had died and gone to heaven.  Now listen, this is a race car... it's very fast.  I don't know all the lingo, but it's tight- you can slam the doors and it can turn on a dime and takes off really fast.  I was fearful.  I asked the nice man to please bring my husband back alive.  He complied.

 

They buckled their racing harnesses and took off.

 

And they came back in one piece.  But don't think while they were gone I didn't notice all those tire tracks from someone doing donuts in front of the building. 

This was our "intermission" on our way to Nantucket... Nantucket is next. 

Boston [round one]

 

I've been very sentimental about these dwindling weeks of being just a married couple.  Chance and I will be married 3 years in October, been together for more than 5 years.  We've made the most of our childless years, foot-loose and fancy-free.  I'm not gonna lie, it has been a lot of fun.  Easy for me to paint a pretty picture, but we've had our downs too.  Nonetheless, I'm a little scared about it (life as a family of 2) coming to an end.  I know life is just beginning with this new baby, but there is also some fear, that life as we know it will never be the same.  That's what everyone says anyway.

 

So when that pregnancy test turned up positive back in January... I knew I had to plan a last hurrah for mid-summer.  We live at the beach... so when deciding (I'm the travel agent in our family) where to go for this last hurrah, I decided to go back to Boston with a jaunt to Nantucket thrown in the mix.  May not sound appealing to you, but I love the Northeast and Chance had not been to Boston and I knew he would like it.  Our adventure away was just what the doctor ordered. 

It's very nice when you can trade design services for a precious little antique cape cod house and a Volvo to scoot around town in.  The home belongs to Annmarie's sister and is not short on details... like fabulous wallpaper and a perfect-color-gray door with a seashell door knocker. Sometimes things just fall into place perfectly... you often fail to notice those times, at least I do.  I always seem to harp on the misfortune... this time good fortune was not dismissed.  It was thoroughly enjoyed.

 

And don't you know Annmarie had the fridge stocked and snacks in a picnic basket when we arrived.  I don't know anything about this place- Hornstra's Dairy Farm... but that ain't milk.  That's lemonade... and they deliver it to your doorstep.  If someone delivered milk to my doorstep here in Florida, it'd be cottage cheese by the time I got home from work.  That lemonade was to die for!!!  Alright, I'm getting distracted...

 

We spent our first couple of days in Beantown.  The tall ships were in town... so we took the boat from Hingham (where the afore mentioned antique house is planted) to Boston.  It was a beautiful day.  The boats were amazing.  From here we walked, walked, walked, walked, and shopped a little.  I bought a few things for the nursery and a dress for an upcoming baby shower.  After a delicious lunch at Parish Cafe, we met up with my friend Blair... I visited her last time I was in Boston, you may recall.  Her home is right off the infamous Newbury and Boylston Streets... heart of the shopping district.  Could be dangerous, but luckily in the mix with the high-end boutiques are a hand-full of great high-end consignment stores.  I didn't check them out, with this growing waistline it would have been rather depressing.  So... after visiting at Blair's place, resting my tired feet and catching up on life we headed to Ben & Jerry's.  Black Raspberry Frozen Yogurt (me) and Cake Batter (Blair), Chance took the high road and got a smoothie (see it in the picture?).

 

These are her "girls" Maple and Penny.  Golden Retreivers melt my heart.  We had a great couple hours of hilarious conversation and some dog-lovin' time too.

 

After more walking I finally put my foot down and hailed a cab.  We caught the boat back to Hingham right at sunset.  It was beautiful.  If only you could feel the weather in these photographs.  Zero humidity.  Heaven considering where I come from.

 

I know those of you who rely on public transportation on a daily basis get annoyed with it.  I've been a subway-rider in my professional lifetime and it sucks.  But public transportation by boat (in the summer) is almost a luxury.  What a way to unwind as you leave work everyday.  I know, I know... I'll come back in January and give it another run, I'm sure I'll have a new opinion.  

 

I'm ashamed to say we did nothing educational, next time we'll hit the museums and do a historic tour.  But suffice to say, it was a wonderful day.    

 

Round Two coming up soon, with some coverage on a sweet little ride and Nantucket.

Wheels Up

I usually travel with a good book.  I wrapped up this one before the plane ever took off. So I grabbed Sky magazine out of the seat pocket in front of me and was shown everything I didn't have to make my weekend in Nantucket better.  Nonetheless, too cute not to share...

 

image from Sky Magazine

Last night I started editting the 800+ pictures that I took while we were away... it might take a couple of posts to share the good ones.  I don't want to bore anyone to death. 

full heart, tired body

Mornin' friends.  The coffee is brewin' for the first time in about 6 months... 1/2 caf' coffee of course... this morning I need a little pep in my step. 

I returned from Memphis last night at 10:45... that's late for the baby-momma.  The little girl enjoyed the flight, despite the inappropriate and very awkward conversation with the man I sat beside.  He interrupted my reading {Same Kind of Different As Me} to tell me he could see the baby moving through my dress... which wouldn't have been half as weird A) had the baby actually been moving or B) had it been appropriate for a grown man to be staring at my stomach.  Hmm.  He proceeded to tell me his son was almost a daddy a few weeks ago but luckily it didn't work out.  I wasn't quite sure how to respond to that one.  There are some strange birds out there.

I headed off to Memphis to meet some wonderful new clients.  Together we are about to embark on a major renovation of a very cool house that is 100 years old.  It's going to be a fun one!  I love the challenge of a renovation... the unforeseen, the curveballs, the not-knowing-what-you-are-going-to-find-factor.

The benefit of a project in Memphis is the added bonus of old college friends now calling Memphis home.  I passed on the hotel-offer from my clients and requested to shack up with my dear friend Laurin... she has a precious (new-to-her) quaint little house and I knew the accommodations and company would be better than any 5-star hotel. 

When I arrived Laurin had dinner planned with 4 other college friends.  In my book there is nothing, I repeat... NOTHING, like college friends (they are really right up there on the list with family).  There is something about being able to pick up where you left off as if you were just living in the dorm together yesterday.  We shared a lot of laughs, a lot of memories (some which gladly can be forgotten, Laurin!) and a lot of good times.  It really filled my heart to the brim to be with those girls (and Chris too!)... hope to see you again very soon!

 

Yours Truly, Kristen, Laurin, and Lindsey (due 10 days before me)

After dinner we hit up TCBY.  We could have sat there til 2am, but it was obvious at 10:15 that the employees probably wanted to close up shop.  Since I was about 10 years old I have always ordered the same thing at TCBY "kiddie cup of chocolate with gummi bears"... this is not a weird pregnancy thing, it is what I have always loved.  Something about the ice cream making the gummi bears chewier?  Not sure... but I like it.

 

After some serious catching up over frozen yogurt, we headed home to Laurin's place. Where I was greeted with fresh flowers on my bedside table and a hilarious collage of pictures from college.

 

Her house is impeccable.  Reminds me that I should edit my own home more often.  The roses in mint julep cups were good for my soul. 

 

She has just recently renovated her kitchen.  Her inset cabinets and honed travertine countertops are so perfect... do you spy a Panera bag on the counter?  Of course she had fresh bagels!

 

I tried to photograph her darling cafe curtains, but too much light was coming through the windows, so I finally gave up... and photographed her newly reupholstered chair.

 

 

Memphis friends, thanks for the hospitality!!!! 

I'm leaving again in less than 24 hours for an eleven hour drive to my parents farm... where we will spend the 4th of July.  Doctor wants me to wear support hose and get up every hour and stretch.  Hello?  That sounds down-right delightful.  Dad has threatened to disown me if I don't go home... so I guess we'll make the trek.  When I return next week I have 48 hours of downtime before the next big adventure.  "Downtime" is a poor choice of words... it'll be more like 48 hours of madness before we hit the road again.  More on that later.  Can you tell I'm trying to squeeze a lot into these next 10 weeks of freedom before the baby comes?  

I started this post at 6am, but since I've spent the morning repairing a modem and now have 100+ emails in my inbox as a result.  If you have emailed me in the last couple of weeks and not yet gotten a response... I'm workin' on it. 

farewell my friends

 

Tomorrow my dear friends Courtney and JJ will board a plane for a very long journey to their new home in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).  This weekend Chance and I journeyed to Houston for one last hurrah before they go. 

Friday night we enjoyed an intimate gathering of close friends and family at the most wonderful house... we were also privileged to stay in said house's carriage house.  The party Friday night was full of wonderful people who care about those two as much as Chance and I do.  Creative, loving, caring, funny, down-to-earth, wonderful people.  It was definitely an evening for the record-books.  Bittersweet.  And speaking of sweet, the food was AMAZING.  Host & hostess could have gone the easy route and ordered food from one place, but no.  Since they knew Court & JJ wouldn't be enjoying American cuisine for the next few years... they gathered up their favorite dishes from all over Houston and served a smorgasbord of Houston's finest and most favorite.  Brilliant!  (And DELICIOUS!)  

I believe that behind every great house there is a great dog.  Meet Albert (as in Einstein).  He's a Westie-Poodle mix... and is a total riot.  Someone needs to start breeding this mix.  Owners said he was on "discount"... I say he was worth every dime.

   

Of course, I looked like a sort-of pregnant girl who wasn't quite sure what to wear to a party that started at 5:00 and who had been up since 3am traveling, while my fashion-forward friend was dressed to the nines, as usual, in a vintage dress she was the star of the show. 

 

 

It was great to meet Julie, Courtney's "photographer friend".

 

Above we have Creativity Corner: Julie, Court, Cheryl, and Chris (and pretend Brian Neal is in the photo too, because he was in this corner too, just not when I snapped the photo) 

 

Albert tried to sneak outside during the party, but got busted!  That's Lou Ann in the background, homeowner and hostess with the mostest!  We had such a wonderful time... and are so grateful for their hospitality.  You should see her garden!  Okay, I'll show ya!

 

 

Meg and Tim just moved to Houston from New Zealand, it was so great to meet them (in person)!  And there they are again below with Neil and Jen...

 

Friday night there was so much awesomosity that I lost my voice and had to retire myself to the carriage house at 9:30.  But not to worry, I arose bright and early on Saturday because I heard mention of beignets!  Pregnant girl ain't missin a meal, I can promise you that.  Saturday was low-key... we just spent the day at the mall eating Cool Ranch Doritos in the food court and playing with toy helicopters.  Oh wait, I almost forgot, we also squeezed in some intellectual time in- they took us to a museum!

Late Saturday afternoon we were allowed to take the antique car for a spin...

   

She's the same year as our Mustang, a '65... but she sits a little tighter and rides a little smoother.  The Mustang would totally smoke her in a race though, in case you wondered.  We offered to take this off their hands for 3 years, but somehow we still left Houston on an airplane.

   

You like how I edited those photos to match the era of the car? Yeah, just ignore the 2006 Honda Accord and the Lexus in the background.  

As I reflect on the weekend the thing that resonates most is a conversation I had with Courtney's dad on Friday night.  Her parents are some of the kindest people I've met, interested in conversation and sincerely engaging... which I find unfortunately rare these days.  As we sat and watched the young folk (and not pregnant folk) mix and mingle on Friday night her dad said to me "It's amazing that Courtney's blog has brought some of these people into her life.  I sat up last night reading her blog and looking at the comments and was blown away that people sincerely care about someone they have never met face-to-face.  The internet isn't what it used to be." 

Mr. Smith you are absolutely right!  But what's even more intriguing is the fact that totally normal people open their hearts and their gifts (freely) on their blogs... which is why I liked Courtney from my very first visit to her blog. 

I will miss you Courtney & JJ... but am glad that the internet is in KL, so we can keep in touch daily! 

I know they will be anxious tomorrow... send 'em a little love at their blog if you have the time.  Court would do it for you... she's that kind of girl!      

Thank you sweet friends for a wonderful weekend!!!

XO

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!!

a wedding in Charleston

We returned home last night from our road trip adventure to Charleston, South Carolina.  Again, I'm ready to pack up and move to my new favorite city.  I tragically discovered (again) that this beautiful place where I live, while wonderful, is sort of an imposter of places so much more quaint, historic, and authentic.  The grass is always greener... right? 

We went to Charleston for a wedding. It wasn't just "any" wedding... it was the wedding of my best friend.  Which made it important to me.  He is like a brother, and his family (above) is like my family. 

A year and half ago this friend found out that he had cancer.  Today he is cancer free and survived an intense surgery and months of grueling chemotherapy.  This past week was nothing short of a celebration of his life.  And of course the celebration of the commitment of marriage!

   

Darby and Justin (my sister and brother-in-law) were able to be there too.  We had a really good time, most fun I've had in a long time!

 

She's not that much taller than me, she had on heels.

  

When Chance and I were wed in October of 2006, Chris brought a date to our wedding, a beautiful girl he had just met a few weeks prior... Katie.  Darby (my twin sister) and I took a liking to her quickly.  Down to earth, caring, engaging, fun (loved to dance) and an Auburn fan to boot!  We told Chris to hang on to her.  He listened to us.  Thankfully.

 

When Chris became ill a short 9 months later Katie could have bowed out, moved on with her life... because who at 29 is ready to battle cancer?  If you ask her though... there was never an option... and knowing her I doubt it ever crossed her mind to leave his side.  Her faith in God and her love for Chris took them through a difficult journey (along with the support of their wonderful family and friends)... hopefully the worst of times is already behind them.  Their love is inspiring, makes me want a deeper faith and a better appreciation for my own husband. 

 

This week we spent in Charleston with Chris and Katie's family was quite possibly one of the most joyful weeks of my life.  Yes, the parties were fun... over the top... no expense sparred.  The architecture... history... food, food, and more food... the shopping, the hotel... it all was very nice.  But what is etched in my mind as I reflect on the past week is a renewed faith that God is sovereign and faithful.  He can do immeasurably more than we can ever fathom. 

 

Afterall it was Him who brought a beautiful, intelligent, God-fearing woman, into my friend's life.  We've already made plans for our first trip as 3 married couples this June.  We look forward to so many more memories.

 

I cried a lot.  I cried before the rehearsal dinner toasts ever began.  I cried when I got to the church and saw Chris with his bride taking pictures.  Tears of joy.  Joy because my friend is healthy today and because he has found an amazing wife who has loved him through the worst of times.

My pastor from home (who is also Chris' pastor) lead the wedding service.  He finished up by telling the story of a couple in our church back home who recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  The wife has been ill for a long time (most of their marriage in fact), diabetes has left her blind and wheel chair bound, an amputated foot and many other complications along the way.  Our pastor not knowing exactly what to say at the 50th Anniversary celebration said to the husband "50 years is a very long time", to which the husband replied "it would have been a heck of a lot longer without her".  

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!)