Sneak Peek: ???

Here's a bit of what I'm working on....

Jessica's Yoga Session

Kennedy's Summer

Sneak Peek: Sage

Shooting so much - I can't post fast enough...  Here's a sneak peek of Sage - more to come soon!

Sneak Peek: Twins!

Here's a little sneak peek of what I'm working on...

Blimps Need Hangars?

So on the way down to SD I had to take a potty-break (TMI?)   I headed off the freeway onto a road that sounded like it would have tons of 'potty-break' places...

Jamboree Road.

I know - right?!   Sounds like a hapnin' exit!   Nothing - for miles!   But then...these big ol', massive structures seemed to appear out of thin air...

Potty-break was put on hold.

This thing was massive!   It was almost a little scary - and I like that...   Makes me feel like I'm on some sort of adventure!

From this angle you can only see one - but there are actually two of them.

There's a very, very, very tall (ok - I'm very, very, very short)...

...but there is a tall chain-linked fence surrounding it - covered in a green tarp (you can see a little of the tarp on the bottom of the photo), sooooo - I had to stand on the roof of the car to get my shot!

Here's the thing - I didn't know blimps needed hangars...   Never even thought about it really.   Learn something new everyday!

The base was closed in 1999, and the hangars were to be redeveloped at some point with the second one being turned into a sports and entertainment complex.   Not sure where we are with that plan...

Find out more here.

The Linkery & Other Splendors...

Yes - I went to SD to attend the San Diego Latino Film Festival, but I can't even think about the SDLFF without thinking about Hash House a Go Go and The Linkery!

I absolutely love photographing the food at Hash House...almost more than I love eating it.   I mean seriously - each dish is a pure work of art!   Unfortunately it was way too dark inside the restaurant to get any decent shots...   I'm so tempted to call the owner to ask if I can just come in one day and photograph the food.   Next time I find myself with nothing to do - that's what I'm doing...

My other favorite restaurant in San Diego?   The Linkery!   Oooohhh...can you say Lardo Ice Cream Sandwich?   That's right...you heard me - an ice cream sandwich made with dry cured backfat!   Read more about it below.

But first...sittin' by the pool chillin' - with a good book and some hummus!

These chips are making me feel all Christmasy and stuff...

Luckily for me - we'd turned the clocks forward the night before, so even though it was dinner time, it was still light enough outside to get some good shots inside...

The Linkery makes the best Sangria!

...and the best baked goat cheese with roasted garlic and crostini...

Let's not forget about the bacon wrapped octopus...   I feel like such a foodie!   Oh yeah - here's the Lardo Ice Cream Sandwich (yes that's a piece of cured bacon on top):

• Hand made ice cream flavored with house cured lardo (dry cured backfat) from pastured Berkshire pork
• Chocolate chip cookie made with stone-milled Taza organic Oaxacan-style chocolate
• Bits of candied house cured bacon from pastured Berkshire pork
• Caramel sauce

On The Road Again...

I have a question that has absolutely nothing to do with this post...   Here goes:  Why is it so necessary to drive with a dog sitting in your lap???   Huh? Seriously - why?   Don't we have enough to worry about with the people putting on makeup while driving or those who are just so important that they absolutely must text while driving?   I'm just saying...

Ok - I'm done now!

Headed to San Diego this weekend to attend the San Diego Latinio Film Festival (SDLFF).   The Festival is great...but what I'm really looking forward to is Hash House a go go, The Linkery and Pigment.   Patric and Ethan...love you guys and the fest - but a girl's gotta' keep her priorities straight!  Shopping & food...

Have a great weekend!

Book Review: Let The Great World Spin

All I can say is...this book is AMAZING!   Ok - maybe that's not all I can say...   Here's the other thing - I need to vow (right now) to never use the word "amazing" again...it's way overused.

One of my goals this year is to read more (for pleasure.)   So even though I'm only two books in - that's probably more than I can say for this time last year.  The thing is, I really, really enjoy reading...I was just not making the time to read.   That's all a'changing now...

My last book review was here - "Model Home" - check it out (the review and the book)...my Mom is reading it now (and liking it, so far).

To think how we are all interconnected...    "Let The Great World Spin" shines a very bright (and uplifting) spotlight on how we all play a part in each other's lives.   And how most of the time we are completely unaware of that fact.   The characters are extremely profound and complex, but in a relatable way.   I think the author does a great job of conveying an really complex, interwoven story - an orchestra of sorts.   It's astounding how he continually introduces new characters linking each one to the next.   Frankly I don't know how he kept it all straight, but I'm glad he did - because it makes for a really great read.   You'll definitely find yourself routing for each and every character...

Thanks Tamara for another great recommendation!

On to "The Dud Avocado"...

Blast From the Past Wednesday: The Sablok Family

I absolutely love meeting new clients for the first time!   It's always such a joy getting to interact with them and discover the love they have for one another.   It's especially exciting when there's a little, little one involved...everything and everyone just seems to come alive!  The smiles are bigger and joy just exudes from every pore...

It was a beautiful Sunday in September and we headed out to Holmby Park in LA...

Sumeir was just happy to crawl around the park, and I was just as happy to load up my camera and chase after him...!

Or chew on things - either way...I'm good!   I love the shot on the left...that look of "what?...don't you chew on your toys???"

Picture time with Mommy...

...then with Daddy!

I love, love, love this shot of Sumeir!   I know it's not the typical "cutesy" pic of a infant...but his face has such expression - so much personality...   We sat him in a sandbox and come to find out this was his first time in sand...   What a look!

Aaaahhhh, first time touchng sand!   I was happy to be there to capture the moment.   He actually did NOT try putting it in his mouth...smart kid!

He quickly warmed up to the idea and before you knew it - out came the sand toys and we were having loads of fun!

In the shot on the left - Sumeir totally has that look of "come on Daddy - make me laugh again"! 

Thanks for such a fun day!!!

Life On Saturn...

When the time comes and I move to Saturn - these are the only two things I'm taking with me...

Kika's Treats & Sushi... (and a chef - to make the sushi), (and some fish - unless of course Saturn already has fish...)

...and my camera...

...and some books...

...and my DVD collection of action movies...

...and my iPad...

...that's it!  I think...

What two things can't you live without?

Happy Birthday, Kennedy

Sherri and Kennedy are both February Birthday Girls...   Sherri, having adopted my 'celebrate your birthday for a month' mentality, did just that!   She wanted to spend the last few (peaceful) days of her birthday in Puerto Rico, so she asked me to Kennedy/House/Q (dog) sit.   So into Jersey I trekked...   Ok - I flew...but between my luggage, all of my camera gear and a sprained ankle...it felt more like a trek!

After seeing Sherri off to the airport, Kennedy and I settled into our routine...   Laughing, playing computer chess, reading, walking to the bus stop, walking Q, walking home from the bus stop, running errands, but most importantly, planning (and shopping) for her big Birthday Bash!   She was about to celebrate her last single digit birthday and it was indeed going to be BIG!

On Friday night it would be just the immediate family...   Which meant..the grandparents (both sets), aunts (me and my sista's Denise & Tiffany), uncles (Louis all the way from London & Uncle Arty) and cousins (Ethan) of course...   Turned out Tiffany was still away at school...   Ethan's school dance was scheduled for that night, so that meant we'd have to have another party on Sunday to make sure we got party time in with everyone!

Saturday night was reserved for a sleepover with her closest 6 friends...   Hmmm...six 9-year olds for a little over 15 hours!   Sherri - you agreed to this?!

Well...it happened and I survived - barely...

Kennedy decided that she wanted to have a "bake-off" as part of her Birthday celebration.   This meant everyone (attending the Friday & Sunday portions of the celebration) had to bake something to bring to the party.   She (of course) would taste each of the baked items and determine the 'winner'.

If there were a prize for 'Best Presentation', it would definitely have gone to Grandma Boscia!

'Just Dance 2' for the Wii was the big hit of the night!   I think in this shot they were dancing to "When I Grow Up" by Pussycat Dolls

What is going on here!?   This party is for the 9-year olds...   Kennedy's Mom (my sis) on the left and my cousin (2nd) Kendra on the right...   They were jammin' harder than the kids!

If you want to quickly tire out a group of kids (and adults)...   "Just Dance 2' is the answer!

I think this one was Ke$ha's "Tik Tok"...

These girls know how to party!

Mom is all up in the mix!   Sherri and Kennedy having the same look on their faces is hysterical...

Turns out Kayla was the 'Just Dance 2' Grand Champion!

Awwwhhh...an all time favorite...   'Pin the Tail on the Donkey'!   We were going to play 'Pin the Nose on the Clown' - but I quickly learned that Kennedy isn't a fan of clowns...   Who knew?!

Time to open presents!!!!!!!!!

Best present of all (from Mom...)   A Mongoose dirt bike!   That's what I'm talkin' bout!

Get it girls...   Strike a pose...(he he)

Spa time...

...and relaxation (for us) time.   Cucumbers to soothe the eyes...and cold cream???   They were totally and completely into it.   This only just the beginning - trust me girls...   On the living room floor today, Burke Williams tomorrow!

The next morning...   Barbie's looking like she's been out all night!   LOL..

While Sherri took breakfast orders...   I cooked and the girls played - with dolls and Barbie's castle!   Are you kidding me!

Grace had forgotten Kennedy's card, so the next morning, she ran home to get it....   Grace made this card by hand...it's 3D!

Time to say goodbye...   All parties must come to an end - even the good ones!

Ooops!   Not done just yet.   Remember Ethan couldn't make the "Family" celebration on Friday because of his school dance, so once he found out the coast was clear (read: all the girls went home), he decided to drop by to spend the rest of Sunday with the Birthday Girl...   Ethan's card was handmade too - how adorable!

Kennedy is exhausted!   You can see it in her eyes...   They still went to the park and played until the street lights came on...

M&M's and Presidents' Day

Had 'catch-up' sushi with Itai the other day and he surprised me with a box of M&M's...   But not just any M&M's...   This box of M&M's came straight off of Air Force One...   Complete with the Presidential seal of Barack Obama!   Rest assured I won't be eating them...   Well - I mean...unless it's a chocolate emergency.   Just joking - I'm not going to eat them!   Thanks Itai!   Ok - so I've said your name twice now...was I not supposed to???

So, I'm not really into Presidents' Day and all...but thought this post was fitting...   Happy Presidents' Day!

Oh yeah...it snowed here (in Jersey) today (or sometime during the middle of the night).   I woke up to this...