In 2010 I ... shot a baby

Ellie is already 2+ months old, and Jenny & Toby wanted to get some shots before everyone forgets just how small she used to be! E's a precious little bug, but she had absolutely no intention of smiling when I took these last weekend. Maybe she's already been watching America's Next Top Model and picking up some non-smiley model poses?




I'm going to count that last one as a smile. Although if she keeps working the camera like this, maybe her modeling career can fund J & T's retirement? Just a bit of wishful thinking ...

In 2010 I ... planted.

Planting on a 3rd floor Uptown condo patio is no easy task. Keeping the planted items alive falls in the same category. After several failed orchid attempts, I've managed to keep a hearty aloe vera plant alive for just over a year now - a major feat. I mean, I had to move it indoors for the winter and everything.

Happy 1+ Birthday, AV!

So this year I was feeling more plant-confident. Almost cocky enough to try for blooming greenery ... but not quite. Enter my new coleus plant:


I fell in love with the oversized leaves and nearly-neon green trim, but unlike the pre-potted aloe vera (thanks, IKEA) the coleus required repotting. Thankfully my mom gifted me a pot filled with potting soil last year (So this was something I intended to do last spring? So what?), making the transfer about as easy as microwaving popcorn, my cooking skill equivalent.

In lieu of a traditional saucer I threw a bright blue galvanized tub beneath the pot, snagged at the Target Dollar Spot last year. In all seriousness, it's a small update to the ongoing patio upgrade, but it feels really great to have some added greenery out there.


Pot and soil: Gifted (thanks, Mom!)
Tub/saucer: $1
Coleus: $5.33

For under $7, this is my kind of upgrade. Here's to hoping there won't be a need for a subsequent in memoriam coleus post.

In 2010 I ... bid another friend adieu

Unfortunately, Carissa's pending departure has been a long time coming. As a great friend and regular mention on WLHitD, C is a neighbor, friend, Books & Bars attendee, bowling league teammate ... the list goes on and on. So this weekend began what will likely be similar to George's weeks-long send off, starting with a lovely afternoon soiree at Jennie & Eli's. Nothing says "We'll miss you" like beverages, lawn games and cake:

Eric butchering/graffiti editing C's cake

Shockingly, I like C enough to have even had thoughts of attempting to bake a cake myself. I printed a recipe off the interwebz and everything. Then I realized I liked her enough to buy a cake and save her and others the torture of choking down my "baking."

The party was enhanced by the uncanny matching abilities that J & E's daughter Violet, Patty and myself managed to unknowingly pull off. Instantly a brief, Sears portrait studio style shoot was born:

Me, P & V - and yes, we're together. Isn't it obvious?

Nothing says family like subtle softening effects with a healthy dose of pastels.

[Note: This whole "shoot" brought with it horrendous flashbacks of a darker time when my mom made me wear a red, velvety blazer (of the shoulder pad variety) circa '94/95. I was maybe 12, there were some serious bangs involved, and it was a very difficult time in the heart of the ugly years.]

Saying goodbye to C will be no easier than it was with G, and I'm already dreading the official June 22 takeoff. However, I intend to begin planning a New Zealand trip/European meet-up asap. That'll make for a stellar 2011 blog post, won't it?

[Note: I need a haircut. Like yesterday.]

In 2010 I ... got a helmet to rock with that bicycle

Summer hit early in MN - really early. It was 90 degrees more than once in May. Wow. So with plenty of prime biking weather, it was high time I snagged a helmet. Of course I called in the help of my fave biking pal, Carissa, who knew I'd want something a little bit different to compliment my vintage ride.

C proved the ideal guide to biking on the greenway, which gave us an off-road route to our helmet hunting destination, Calhoun Cycle. Meet the Nutcase helmets:


Super fun and cute, right? I had a really hard time deciding between this patterned model:

Nutcase Helmet in Pixie Stix

And this Super Solids model:

Nutcase Helmet in Vanilla Sky

The winner? Vanilla Sky! The best part? These helmets proclaim "I love my brain" on the back. You're darn right I do.

In 2010 I ... got a tattoo

After many years of thinking, mulling, pondering the idea of getting a tattoo, I did it. This weekend marked my first permanent ink plunge. Several months ago I contacted a calligrapher on Etsy who created this:

Which became this:


The result is fantastic, and I couldn't recommend Dan and the crew at Uptown Tattoo more highly. They came with great recommendations and completely lived up to my expectations. And a special debt of gratitude to Brooke, who provided superb moral support and didn't even bat an eye when I surely mouthed several bad words to her through clenched teeth. xoxo, B!

In 2010 I ... shot a wedding with my Dad

Weddings are a ton of work, and as just one element of that day, wedding photography is a large, time-consuming undertaking in and of itself. My dad and I have collaborated on a few weddings in the past, being that photography is really his thing, but I do enjoy photo styling quite a bit and am happy to lend a hand when asked. The usual hold-out is that my dad takes care of the people/action shots while I handle the stuff shots - rings, accessories, decor - generally, things that don't move unless I move them.

So, without further ado, a rundown of some of my better shots of the day:





It's exhausting, honestly, to keep track of what you've photographed, what you can't forget to photograph, and trying not to miss any in-the-moment shots along the way. Before this, it had been 3 years since my dad and I last did a wedding together, and I'm starting to think one every 3 is just about the right pace ...

In 2010 I ... saw letterpressing in action

I'm downright fascinated by letterpress. The texture it adds feels like a lost art among all the digital printing we encounter every day. So it's really exciting to see a letterpress resurgence of sorts going on lately. And to show support, Diana, Liz and I swung through Lunalux in Loring Park for Stationery Saturday this weekend.

With stacks of pre-printed cards to choose from, we had the choice to mix and match 3 styles of cards along with any phrase pressed while you wait/watch. The waiting and watching was the best part, since we were surrounded by other gorgeous prints, cards and paper treasures (and because we snuck off for a drink next door at Nick & Eddie).




A truly lovely final product. I highly recommend checking out Lunalux for really original paper goods, and a Stationery Saturday - what a perfect personalized gift!