Fun.

I'm obsessed with this song right now. And the music video, oh the music video. My dancing string has been strung.

What the Water Gave Me

Oh, Florence, this is to fabulous. And that hat is killer. I love this, enjoy it.

Smoke

whispers

untitled

behind green leaves

I might inhale you

matter of opinion

forest levitation

Jose & Berenice: Engagement Session in L.A.

Well look at me, posting on my blog (which has a new web address btw)! Didn't think that'd ever happen again. But hey, I have a good reason to start again! I am working on building up my photography business here is my new Cali home and I just finished editing my first photo shoot since moving here and I have to say, I quite love it. 

Jose and Berenice are a sweet couple and I am so grateful that they gave me the opportunity to take their engagement photos! For their e-sesh we drove down to the Santa Monica Pier then explored the absolutely beautiful Griffith Park in L.A. The are so in love and the happiness they have when they're together is obvious in the pictures (which made this photographer happy also)! I had a great time doing this shoot and I look forward to hopefully many more!

  

Also, special thanks to my Love, Nate for being the best photographer's assistant a girl could ask for :) Ain't he cute?

Explosions.

Explosions., a photo by alexstoddard on Flickr.

Good Lord, Jesus blessed him with photography powers.

Something We Like

I have news, late news, but good news!


Back in January I was surprised to be contacted by a fellow artist on DeviantArt (an online community for artists to share their work) asking me if I would like to participate in an interview on his website. At first I was kind of skeptical, but I checked out the site and realized that I was being given a great opportunity and honor! Something We Like is a wonderful site that features talented artists and their work on a daily basis, giving three artists the spotlight at a time. I honestly was surprised that I was being asked to be featured, but I gladly accepted the offer and filled out the questionnaire that day!


After I sent in the interview, I was told that due to the high number of artists that they feature, it may take some time until mine pops up. In my mind, I thought this meant a couple weeks, but after waiting for about a month I began to doubt myself. "Oh, they probably decided they didn't want to feature me after all." So I forgot about it and moved on.


Oh silly me. Today I was browsing over the work of some of my favorite photographers (which I've shared below!) and remembered the interview. I decided I'd go see if they had ever posted my interview, and what do ya know? I had been featured on March 7th!! Oops! That was a while ago! haha


So I'm a little bummed that I missed that actual day I got featured, but I still find it to be a huge honor and I'm definitely excited that these chaps liked my work enough to share it with the world!


Go take a peek! My "Chit Chat"

Yup yup! Now I'm going to eat a Kit Kat bar from Easter and not feel guilty about it!


Now enjoy these beautiful photos! And maybe eat a Kit Kat bar for yourself.

Escape by Cafeine-Toism

Play With Origami by Holunder

Lady A by Alinasoloviova

No Birds by Supermalade

Ode by Supermalade

<3

Seventh Birch Jewelery

Well, I am rather unimpressed with my lack of activity here, but I am hoping to change that, I do miss it!


Anywho, the reason for today's entry is a rather important one to me! 


Awhile ago I began my own line of jewelery which I call Seventh Birch Jewelery! I am very inspired by old, small trinkets, things that aren't big and flashy, but that are worn and were once beautiful and have a story. I love how something small can carry so much beauty and capture all your attention. This is why I began making jewelery! 

 

All of my pieces are made only from vintage buttons, brooches, keys, broken toys or whatever I can find at local antique shops that catch my eye. I've also recently been making small makeup/jewelery  pouches that I hope to put up in my shop.

As for right now, I have a few earrings and rings up in both my shop and on Etsy! Please go take a look and tell your friends! 


One of my pieces got some attention the day I first posted on Etsy, check it out! (Mine are the black retro cash register earrings!)

• Under Lock And Key

• French Word For Vintage - Millesime

So yes, there it is, my shameless plug for my own jewelery! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!


Much love and happy weekend!

Quel q'un se es assis sur les eclairs?

Quel q'un se es assis sur les eclairs? Meaning, did someone sit on my eclairs?

Today my younger sister, Lilly, asked me what kind of cupcakes she should bake for her class this week (her birthday week). I myself like the idea of being different and everybody makes cupcakes on their birthday. Not original. So, me in my out-of-the-box way of thinking suggested we make eclairs instead! How cool would my sister look if she walked into school with a plate of French pastries? Too bad for her, I'd never made them before.

I started out with a very classic French pastry dough, pate a choux which is made simply from water, butter, flour, salt, sugar, and eggs. It's actually surprisingly easy to make, but of course that's where I messed up! We ended up doubling the recipe because we had to make these for 27 sugar crazed kids. Bad idea.

Pate a choux in my ghetto piping bag.

My sister Morgan, who shares my passion for cooking, has a professional piping bag and tips, but lucky me, the one tip I needed was missing. Thus the Ziplock bag. This led to a not too lovely looking piping job.

I know. I know.

I was hopeful, however, that these little slug-like buddies would puff up into cute, hallowed out lovelies just waiting for a creamy pastry filling. Ha.

Can you say.... flat?

Yup, my poor little eclairs were less than excited looking. After doing some research I came to the conclusion that we had too many eggs going on up in there. Moral of the story, don't double your eclair recipe, especially if it's your first time! But it's ok, because I refused to give up on my flat friends! I decided to dub them as profiteroles by cutting the bottoms off and creating sandwiches with them instead! Lilly whipped up some pastry cream, I melted up some ganache and viola! 

I call them, Lauren Eclairs.

While they didn't turn out the way I would have liked, at least they turned out into something! And I love the learning curve. Usually I get frustrated when I don't get something right the first time, but when it comes to cooking I welcome the learning opportunity!

Now, go cook something yummy! And bring me some, I'm starving. ;)

P.S. Lilly is taking cupcakes to class.