Nectar & Light

 

this weekend was a whirlwind.  on friday evening we accepted an offer on our home.  it is exciting and freeing - yet bittersweet and a little scary as well.  our life is moving forward, in much the way we wished it would have two years ago when we tried to sell - now, it feels like the timing is right.  i need to get myself into a head space that allows me to start sorting and packing.  but may is busy, very busy.  in less than two weeks i am flying to stockholm to shoot my cousin's wedding; a few days after i return, i am on another plane across the pond to shoot marjorie's daughter's wedding in burgundy.  we close on the house three days after my return.  needlesstosay, blogging may be rather sparse over the next month.  then... we head out in june for our long summer road trip.  my plan is to take you with me readers - while this space has been reflective of our home life over the last three years, the next year {at least} will be a journey across the country and beyond.  come along, won't you?

in other news - rather big news, i have a new project on tap.  a little bird - my muse - my friend amy - put a little idea in my head when i was searching for the next publication for fieryeyed books.  the idea began to take on a life of it's own and i asked two of my favorite photographers if they might be interested in creating something very special.  i feel so lucky that susannah conway and amanda gilligan's enthusiasm matched my own.  so after nearly six months of planning and exchange of emails, ideas and proposals, i am happy to report that chronicle books will be publishing our polaroid how-to book in spring 2012.  the book will be un-like any photography handbook you have seen and we can not wait to share it with you - we have more exciting news to share on this project soon...

so a whirlwind to be sure.

xoox~jla

 

so chicago was... amazing.  that word doesn't really begin to touch on the experience.  it was... phenomenal.   no - that does not really do it either.  

~ after den picked me up from the airport, we headed straight for gino's east on north lincoln - my favorite deep dish pizza in the city.  then took advantage of the late hours at the art institute and caught the matisse exhibit - then settled into our room at the amalfi hotel - stocked with aveda products {!}

~ the next morning we got up early and had breakfast at yolk - i ordered the eggs benedict with grilled salmon - it was crazy good.  upon a feverish recommendation from martha, we then headed to bucktown to robin richman.  as we waited for the shop to open we popped into the red balloon and found a few goodies for the girls.  at robin richman - i about died.  nearly everything is black, white or grey - the jewelry is some of the most unique i have ever seen - the shoes - oh god, the shoes.  i think it is officially my favorite store.  ever.  and these boots are at the top of my wish list. 

~ from there we took a cab to jeff's studio.  i have written about jeff's work before - i feel incredibly blessed to not only have a mentor in jeff, but a fan of my work - it is very humbling.  i was able to watch him work {amazing!} and hang out with his truly fantastic team.  andrea is a prop stylist that he works with often - warm and friendly - she gave us some of THE best food recommendations ever!  pouke, a san francisco based food stylist, was also a part of the team that day.  we bonded immediately and giggled like school girls over iphone photo applications.  and then there is dana - jeff's beautiful daughter who helps keep the studio running like clockwork; i am completely crushing on her and can't wait to chat more about the beauty of a life less ordinary.  it was a magical afternoon.

~ we took a cab to wicker park and began to explore.  i found the most killer pair of victorian booties at niche {thank you leah for the recommendation!} and loved browsing the racks at the buffalo exchange.  and then... there was dinner at avec {another of martha's suggestions} - how does one begin to describe dinner at avec?  just go there when you are in chicago and find out.  they also stocked our favorite sardinian wine - so they officially have my love forever.  we finished the evening with a champagne cocktail at pops for champagne - a champagne bar that happened to be airing the blackhawks game.  champagne and hockey?  holy heaven.

~ the next day we grabbed a quick coffee and spent the morning exploring the art institute yet again - i could live there if you haven't noticed. for lunch we took a cab across town to kuma's corner {upon the thankful recommendation of andrea!} - it is a heavy metal hamburger bar.  yes, i am serious.  and yes, the best burger i have ever eaten in my life.  and let me tell you a little secret.  i have eaten a lot of cheeseburgers.  a lot.  even arriving just after they opened at 11:30 - there was still a one hour wait but we were assured it was worth it - so we waited.  the metal is loud, the place is packed, the bbq pork fries are to DIE for, all of the burgers are named for metal bands and are literally two inches thick.  did i mention it was best burger?  ever?

~ we attempted to walk off the meal - little did we know that would take two days.  in the meantime we spent the rest of the afternoon exploring bucktown and wicker park a bit more.  had an amazing bonding experience with the incredibly inspirational owner of virtu; we refueled at the goddess and the grocer with a peanut butter and chocolate latte then thought we might be able to squeeze in just one little taco at the neighborhoods best kept secret - big star.

~ as we began to wander down north milwaukee to head back downtown, we passed metamorph.  i am sure you can guess what happened next.  i was lucky enough that apryl jenkins {she is WICKED talented} was waiting on an appointment that had not yet showed - and she took me.  i love my new ink and it was so much fun hanging out with the artists - it is a fantastic shop.  after that we caught a late showing of clash of the titans and passed out.  it was the best weekend and our first alone since children that was not work related - so worth the wait.

i came home to quickly putting together a birthday party for my ayla eve who turned four yesterday.  we threw her a yellow submarine surprise party - it was so much fun watching her reactions to not only her friends surprising her, but our transformed dining room that was meant to act as the yellow submarine.

oh, and that splash of green and lilac above?  martha and i are at it again - this time for ecotrust - there are only a few sets left so hurry, hurry!

xoox~jla

tomorrow morning i am flying to chicago for a long weekend away with my love.  he has been working on the east coast for the last month and has another job just outside of chicago that starts on monday for a month.  just us.  no children.  i can hardly stand it i am so excited.  we plan on spending one of those afternoons at the art institute - while the girls did beautifully there a few weeks ago - they could not maintain the decorum to spend an entire day.  i am also looking forward to a belated birthday dinner here or maybe here - i have been craving an old school chop house experience - bone-in rib-eye's and martini's - does it get any better?

and something exciting to share... martha and i are collaborating again... spring green opens 20 april and 10% of sales will be donated to ecotrust... do you see a pattern forming?  ;)  again there will only be 20 sets of scarves, an 8x8 polaroid print and inspirational notecard - they went fast last time so mark your calendar!

xoox~jla

p.s. thank you SO much for the birthday wishes!!  xoox

 

yes, today i am 35.  and everyday, i am incredibly blessed.  everyday.  i am not going to wax poetic about getting older - it has it's been a roller coaster - the kind that tangles your hair into wickedly delicious knots and takes your breath away.  i am blessed...

xoox~jla

 

can you feel it?  last night we had our first thunderstorm of the season.  it was heaven.  the clashing of the heavens woke me from my slumber and i spent the next hour blissfully listening the music of the rain against the screened window... one of my favorite moments when the seasons shift.

i have been trying to catch up with some of my favorite blogs, listening to some new music and re-charging.  your suggestions were just what i needed - thank you so very much.  and though i have since faced another set back {in the way of a blown head gasket in my car} - i remember how blessed i truly i am - how much good and fulfillment i have in my life - and i move on.  thank you for those thoughts - i was lifted by every single one.

and the name that was randomly chosen to win a copy of super-charged smoothies?  rachel of buttons magee!  congrats!

and to recharge you... some things i am loving right now:

~ one of my dearest friends amy has a flawless eye.  FLAWLESS.  she forwarded me this link to the new resin denim website and i think i have flipped through the lookbook at least 100 times.  i am in the midst of reliving my teens and obsessing over janis joplin and the doors again {thanks to a recent trip to the rock and roll hall of fame} and these photographs reminded me so much of that energy... i am beyond obsessed;

~ and then there is alyson who i can always count on for the most amazing independent fashion finds.  always.  love the spring frocks found here; 

~ also loving this collection {via all the mountains};

~ listening to the new goldfrapp and annie and waiting with bated breath for the new mgmt next week;

~ gorgeous;

~ treated myself to an early birthday present:  this pamela love piece that i have been wanting forever;

~ we hope to make it to brooklyn this fall on our east coast road trip - and this will be my first stop;

~ these have me wishing i wore heels;

have a beautiful day...

xoox~jla

 

opening monday, 5 april at 10am cst.  right here.

NOW OPEN with free shipping until friday, 9 april...

xoox~jla

 

remember this trip?  it was life changing.  how is a trip to disneyland life changing you ask?  well it was not exactly disneyland - though that was pretty magical.  we loved being on the road together - the five of us, exploring, learning, loving - and we want to do it again and again.  when we started discussing our plans for the rest of the year and then the following year, we realized that we would most likely be spending very little time at home over the next two years {if, of course, all goes to plan}.  with that realization, came the next - does it make sense to pay a mortgage if we will be in the house only a few months over the next 24?  we decided that no, it does not.  

so here we are again.  the house went on the market at the beginning of the month and we had a great offer - took it - then without boring you with details, we'll say they got cold feet.  between that drama, the girls and i being sick on the road, a subsequent sinus infection, den being out of town for waaaay to long - i have been feeling a little spent.  and i did not want to bring any of that negative energy into this space - so i waited - until my perspective shifted again; when i could see a bit clearly again, when i felt healthy again - to reconnect.  

the house is still on the market {buy it!  buy it!} and den is still working out of town and will be for sometime.  but spring is in the air - the trees are budding, the skies have been crystals and the air is sweet with the season.  i am reconnecting.

travel plans take me shooting two weddings next month - one in stockholm and one in burgundy - i am over the moon of course about both and hope to shoot mainly polaroid.  next up is a family trek to the badlands, montana, banff, vancouver, seattle, portland, san francisco, palm springs and santa fe this summer; then back to tuscany for two weeks.  we will be home most of august and september - then another family trek in the fall - this time east - and almost to the end of the year.  i will be offering my polaroid portrait sessions while i am on the road so if you are interested, please let me know and we can try and match up dates.  next year very possibly has us starting 2011 on the other side of the world - more details on that when plans are a bit more in place.  i will be home schooling the girls over the next two years while we travel and i am equal parts terrified and exhilarated at the thought.  and where will we settle once all is said and done?  yet to be determined.  we love omaha, but have always known that this was short term.

so now my friends, you are up to date.  i do have a few more things to share - but all in due time...

xoox~jla

p.s. i LOVE all of the re-charging suggestions - i have already used a few!  i realized i never mentioned when the giveaway closed - because they are all so amazing i will select the winner randomly - last chance to leave a comment will be noon CST on monday.  i will post the winner on tuesday... thank you!!