This week has flown by. It’s Thursday and time to get serious about tomorrow’s Ladies Activity Club anniversary party. My notepad order arrived on Tuesday, they look great! And I’ve designed a little embroidery stitch guide to pass out as well. Let’s see what else needs to be done: Decorations– Make a yellow, blue and…

A storm is blowing through the bay area right now. It started on Tuesday night with winds at four in the morning. We have a 40% chance of rain today. As much as I resent the sudden gain, then loss, of our Indian summer, it has been sort of nice to have winter preview. Last…

Traveling during the fall and winter can be so lovely. Sure, you have to pack some extra layers. But you’re rewarded with fewer crowds and a more authentic experience. Rob and I went to Italy in January once. It was freezing and magnificent. Here is Sarah’s request: I loved your post from April about what…

I love finding an incredible new store in San Francisco. Today’s discovery is Arch on 18th and Missouri. This art supply/drafting store is so amazing. There’s a cute little boston terrier named Otto who “works” there. They have all sorts of fantastic art and paper supplies, even those little model trees that I am now…

I had a wave of wedding panic last night. It was brought on by the reappearance of a couple whose very lavish, very expensive wedding we are going to photograph in May. My little, homegrown wedding ideas suddenly seemed to be very dinky compared to their upcoming grand affair. I’ve learned that when wedding panic…

Hitting exactly the right tone at someone else’s wedding is so tricky. You can sort of guess at what they’re going for from the invitation and location. But there’s always a risk you’ll be the girl in the sundress amidst a sea of formal black. Here is Andrea’s request: I was wondering if you could…

Back of the hand skin is not usually very appealing. Hands have been places, done things. Mine are a little freckled, a little wrinkled, muscled from climbing, with a scar on the right from a neighborhood cat and on the left from an upholstering accident with my 1980 volkswagen rabbit. This softening mask from L’Occitane…

Rob and I went to an estate sale last Sunday on our block. The building used to be a dry cleaner’s (established in the 1890’s according to the sign) downstairs and an apartment for the couple upstairs. They must have done pretty well in the cleaning business according to the large collection of art, china…

Engagement photos are a great way for a photographer to rehearse with couple. They resulting pictures are also a good way to introduce yourself to relatives who might not have seen you in a while. Picking the perfect outfit for your shoot can be tricky, though. Here is Kerry’s question: My fiancé and I are…

Awesome weekend! Really one of the best yet. Things started off pretty slowly on Friday night. Rob and some co-workers went to the indoor shooting range, Jackson Arms, after work and I went home to relax. We had great green chili nachos for dinner with our leftovers. Saturday morning, we woke early for a coffee…