I was recently introduced to this wonderful website, ElizabethSt.com and was very pleased when they asked if they could include me in their Mother’s Day gift guide. If you haven’t visited, please do. They are worth the click. Thank you ElizabethSt. and Rosie Pope!

To quote Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex & The City II, “I’ve been cheating on fashion with furniture.” Since we’ve purchased our house my focus has been on home decor, causing serious neglect to my wardrobe. I was starting to feel like I was in a rut and looking a little drab. Luckily I knew just the person who could help get me back on track, my dear friend Blake Lane who has recently started a wardrobe consulting business. Blake has an amazing sense of style, is extremely organized, is in great shape (she also teaches Pilates) and has an awesome sense of humor. Just the kind of person you need to help you create a new you. She is very motivating to say the least. This is the same lady who helped me shed the 60 pounds I gained while pregnant with Ty. I’m a big fan.

STEP 1: Establish Wardrobe Goals

Before digging into my closet, we talked about how my wardrobe needs to function for me. I need clothes that are stylish and comfortable, since when I shoot I need to not only look good, but must also be able to move around comfortably, chase little ones, sit on the ground, etc. When I’m not shooting, I’m a mom that mostly works from home so again – stylish but comfortable. We go out with friends on the weekends so I also wanted a few items that are fun for nights out, and that will also lend themselves to meetings with clients, since I have quite a few of those as well. Our goal was to create a timeless, stylish yet realistic for work wardrobe with a few key higher-end items, all within my budget of course.

STEP 2: Closet Audit/Initial Consultation

Blake shows up ready to rock and roll. She dove right into my closet sifting through each and every item. I tried on nearly everything in my closet and we decided whether it would stay or go. After having several good laughs, and tossing most items to the donation pile, we discussed the new outfits I could create with what we were keeping. I was shocked by how simple, yet effective her suggestions were. She paired items together that hadn’t occurred to me before. I loved it.

Before

During

After

STEP 3: Suggestions and Shopping

Once we were done with the purge Blake emailed me a list of suggested items I could invest in, to be purchased at my convenience. She told me to remember, shopping is not a shopping spree, it’s a journey. Wise words. My list of summer suggestions:

• Jeans – 2 pairs including Current Elliot boyfriend jeans and J.Brand skinny jeans
• Shoes – white Converse sneakers, brown leather sandals (I purchased these), nice flats (I’m eyeing Chanels)
• Colorful t-shirts and fitted button downs
• Boyfriend cardigan
• Skirt from J. Crew, perfect for shooting events or for a night out
• Summer dress
• Monrow sweatpants
• A big bold print scarf

Things I learned… Converse go with nearly everything, less is more and my nearly 15 year old jean jacket is still cool. From the moment Blake left my house, with 5 giant garbage bags in tow, I’ve felt like a new person. I really had no idea what a difference this was going to make through all aspects of my life. To feel good about yourself and to have confidence in your style is the best gift you can give yourself. I think we take this for granted, at least I did. This was one of the most therapeutic things I have done in awhile and to top it off, I went and got a new haircut. Check out my hairstylist in the background. Hilarious. His name is Daren at Tommy Guns in NYC. Tell him I sent you ; ).

Blake’s Pricing:

Closet Audit/Initial Consultation (2 – 3 hours) – $500.00, including Salvation Army drop off and list of suggested items to purchase

Personal Shopping for a variety of lifestyle needs including re-entering the workforce, weight loss/gain styling, plus size and petites styling, bridal shopping, prom shopping, vacation shopping and seasonal dressing – $150.00/hour

This would make a wonderful Mother’s Day gift to yourself or for your own mom!

Email Blake at blakeglane@yahoo.com or call 917.821.7467.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Is this thing on?

I know, it’s been awhile. I’m not sure where the last two weeks have gone but I think I needed a break. It wasn’t even really intentional, it just kind-of happened, and before I knew it, two weeks had passed. For those of you who blog, you know how time consuming it is. I don’t have alot of time to blog during the day so it’s become a night time activity, and for the past several years I’ve spent many of my nights blogging. Lately, I’ve spent my nights watching TV, reading, cooking, browsing magazines, drinking wine, wasting time on Pinterest or you name it, doing anything but blogging, and it’s been really nice.

I’m torn. I love to blog, I love to read blogs, I love to look at blogs, but lately I feel like the blog world is causing me more harm than good. Not only does blogging take time away from my personal time and family, but blog surfing can be detrimental too. Sometimes the more I look at other people’s photography the worse off I am, BUT, then sometimes, it’s the other way around. Don’t get me wrong, I love to blog-stalk, surf, comment, etc., but the more I do, the more I think… god, I should be doing that, or I should be shooting like that, how did she get so many followers or why do I care about how to make a hex bracelet or jeez… why am I not as successful as he/she is? It’s a very thin line. A thin line of being inspired and left wondering if I’m as good as the next person. Do you agree?

So I’ve taken a break from my own blog, and from others. It came at the perfect time since my boys were on spring break. On our agenda? Afternoons at the MOMA, meeting up with Bren for dinner, banana bread, homemade margaritas, EASTER, a trip to the Hamptons, grilled shrimp salads, afternoons at the park and well, just being with each other. We didn’t pack any bags. We didn’t board a plane. We stayed local and spent time with each other. And it was awesome.

I have to admit, I’m a little embarrassed to share this post but what the hell. It’s spring and we have spent the last few weekends spring cleaning, so why not show you some of my progress. Or as my husband would call it, when I go all “Howard Hughes” on him. Hence the reason I’ve been absent here. I’ve also been sick with the stomach bug, a cold and pink eye (awesome!) so I’m cleansing (Blueprint) this week to get myself back on track. To be honest, I have really enjoyed my nights of freedom, which is when I typically blog. I needed a little break from blogging but this warm weather is motivating me to post, so here goes.

My boys recently acquired quite a few of husband’s old toys, some of which were legos. Before they started to take over our house I did a little research, headed to the Container Store where I purchased the medium 7 drawer Elfa system, and spent a morning color coding legos. Good times.

I know I have a little OCD thing going on, but I can’t help it, I like to organize.

Did you think I disappeared? I’m finally back and I apologize for the radio silence.

In honor of this warm weather I got together with my friend Lisa again to shoot a beautiful selection of colorful produce for her newsletter. By the way, her chocolate cake is to die for. By far, the best chocolate cake I’ve ever tasted.

Today I am featured on a favorite interior designer’s blog of mine, SB Long Interiors. Topic up for discussion? In-home photo galleries. Please join us!

SB Long Interiors Blog

Lisa and I met about 8 years ago when we were both NYC residents. I remember coming across her wonderful Cocoa Crayon website and calling to place an order for a baby gift. We got to talking and before I knew it we were arranging photo shoots of her girls, and once Conner arrived, playdates. She was a big inspiration to me when I was starting my business and even though she has moved to California, we will still keep in touch. Because Lisa makes ordering through her SO easy, I always order baby gifts for my long distance friends from her (which arrive beautifully wrapped, with a gorgeous note) and often add in few extra items for myself. I’ve also purchased ALL of the boy’s Dwell bedding through her. Lisa’s helpfulness, attention to detail and customer service is unparalleled and keeps me coming back every time I need something special. A few of my favorite items include:

Wallcandy Arts Wall Decals, I especially love these polaroid-style frames

Lafco Candles

French Bull Melamine Tableware

Swoop’s Play Mat/Toy Bag

A variety of Dwell items including bedding, towels and toy storage

A little bit about Lisa and Cocoa Crayon…

How long ago did you launch Cocoa Crayon?

I started Cocoa Crayon in 2003.

What gave you the idea?

I have always had a passion for cool, modern, unique things. When I had my first daughter in 2001, that passion naturally transferred to cool, modern, unique things for babies and young children.Some of the best baby gifts I received were from friends in Australia, England and Italy. They were things that weren’t available here in the United States. Similarly, there were great things for babies and kids here in the United States that I knew weren’t available elsewhere.  People were starting to shop more and more on the Internet, but traditional shopping cart sites didn’t (and still don’t) allow for much flexibility with how things are wrapped and where things are sent when ordering numerous items. And it’s impossible to find a US website that will ship anywhere in the world. I created Cocoa Crayon to fill that void. I do beautiful gift wrapping that is no charge. I ship anywhere in the world and I am totally available by phone or e-mail to offer assistance with selections when needed.

What did you do before Cocoa Crayon?

I had careers in marketing and advertising and then moved into editorial work for Condé Nast for many years before starting Cocoa Crayon. These previous roles were ideal platforms to jump into e-tailing from.

How do you find all of your amazing products?

Various sources. Searching on the Internet and trade shows are a big part of it. New designers send me their product information all the time. But one of my favorite sources is from customers. I have customers e-mail me regularly to let me know about something really great that they received as a gift or found while travelling somewhere that they think would be a good fit for Cocoa Crayon and I always really appreciate that.

What do you enjoy most about Cocoa Crayon?

I get to speak with interesting people all over the world and help them in making the perfect purchase whether it’s something for them or a gift for someone else. I truly love everything that I sell on my website so what I do is true to my heart.

What do you think is most important to Cocoa Crayon’s success?

Offering stellar customer service, being meticulous about details and communicating well. Over the years, I’ve had customers ask for some pretty tall orders and I always do my best to be a “yes” gal. I’ve chased UPS trucks down the street to get something to someone in a pinch. I’ve driven miles to someone’s house to help with birthday gifts for their child’s party. But it’s never a pain – it’s my pleasure as I’m just wired that way. I love helping people.

Do you have any plans for Cocoa Crayon in the future?

I sure do! Cocoa Crayon will be expanding in the next few months. The best way to stay informed and in the loop on all the exciting news is to “like” Cocoa Crayon on Facebook  and/or e-mail (lisa@cocoacrayon.com) me requesting to be added to my e-blast list. That way, you’ll be the first to receive special offers and exciting product news.

LISA IS OFFERING 15% OFF ALL PURCHASES FOR MY READERS THROUGH 3.15.12.

www.cocoacrayon.com

I recently switched gears and photographed food. Say what? Yes, carrot soup, chocolate espresso biscuits and sea-salted bourbon vanilla caramels were my new eager subjects. At first I felt a little out of my element not chasing around a toddler or trying to get my subject to look at my camera, but I got used to it very quickly. Although it was very nice not having to pull tricks out of my back pocket to provoke a smile, food photography sure isn’t easy. You need a whole new bag of tricks, good light and props, props and more pretty props. I quickly learned pretty props are key. Props and multiples. Can you tell we liked multiples?

I got together with my dear friend Lisa Nicklin, who recently graduated from the Institute of Culinary Education in NYC, for a little shoot in her newly renovated house. She offers private catering as well as private cooking and baking lessons to individuals and small groups, either in your home or hers. These photos are for her first newsletter, which of course I will share here. In the meantime you can reach her by email:  lisa@lisabillarddesign.com.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day this year with my boys, I’ve pulled together a few items below that I know they will love.

I came across these adorable Valentines for Conner and Tyler’s classmates on Dandee-Design’s blog, and knew they would be a big hit. We made them yesterday, pairing them with candy and wrapping them in cellophane bags sealed with bug stickers.

Brendan picked up strawberry frosted donuts last tonight for their breakfast today. They are my absolute favorite. I know, not so healthy but when else can you eat a pink sugary donut?

I spotted these foam pirate sets in the toy store while picking up the plastic bugs for their valentines. They are obsessed with pirates right now so I figure these will be a big hit too. And the colors were perfect for Valentine’s Day.

And for the husband? I’m surprising him for lunch in the city with one of these in hand.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

One of my favorite gifts this Christmas was a book my husband gave me, Vivian Maier’s Street Photography. Inside he inscribed a sweet note, saying her photography reminded him of mine. Sigh. While my photography is not quite on par with Maier’s, I sure was inspired to dig out my Hasslebald and shoot black and white medium format film again, just as she did. The book blew me away.

This past Friday I picked the boys up from school and headed into the city. We met Brendan at the last day of the Vivian Maier’s exhibit which was everything I expected and more. I soaked in her rich black and white fiber prints, ranging in price from $1800-$8000, and was so inspired and reminded why I am a photographer. You never know who will look at and appreciate your work one day when you’re not around. To leave something behind, is often why I take out my camera. To inspire someone like myself, in a small museum in midtown Manhattan is more than a dream for most photographers. Maier passed away in 2009 and I can only imagine how she feels looking down from heaven today.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Maier’s story, she was a nanny for close to 50 years in Chicago and New York, all the while taking photos with her Rolleiflex. Her lack of self esteem held her back from ever pursuing photography as something more than a hobby. Luckily John Maloof purchased many of her negatives through a local auction house and has since collected many of her negatives, prints and videos, making it possible for us all to be inspired be her amazing body of work.

What impressed me the most was when I read Maier often took only one frame of each photo. To be that quick with your focus, framing and exposure and for all that to align on the first try is truly impressive. Especially with street photography. To be able to seize the moment with a Rolleiflex, in my mind, is pure talent. Remember, this is not the day of the automatic focus digital camera with a zoom lens and a little work in Photoshop afterwards.

Next we took the boys to FAO Schwartz and then moved onto to PJ Clarkes for my favorite burger on the planet. I’ve decided we are heading into NYC, Fridays after school once every few weeks. I miss it there.

A few of my favorite Maier photos…