bonjour et au revoir.

wow. the entire month of february and nothing. my photographic year in review for 2012 is going to have a big fat hole in it for the month. it even had an extra day! i just can't seem to find the time lately. i haven't used my big girl camera in literal months. hmph.

recently i decided to take on like 3 more hobbies and i didn't actually have time to add any. i think if you do some complex mathematical calculations, you will conclude these factors equate to no-meaningful-free-time. which means i've been coerced into forced free-time by my exhausted body that can't find the strength to move off of the couch in an attempt to buffer my barely-managing immune system.

man. i just want to do everything.  my body likes to remind me that this is not possible due to the limitations of time, space, and the biological human condition.  i get it, body, i get it. you have my attention.  i'm listening.

all i have to show for the last 6-ish weeks are the following iPhone photos that feebly document things happening around me.

an illustration of low-function-lazy hair vs. hair-with-effort.

the pilates studio and an unwieldy rogue spit curl (over which i have no control).

circus party preparations for the lovely Kelly! who is actually not pictured here because i'm a moron, but who will be forever 32 no matter if she just turned 33. Tara and i are doing our best Kelly impressions with our Kelly hair in honor of our friend.

hmm. i look decidedly sullen in all of these.  i'm just tired. don't worry. it'll be ok. 

next week: PARIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! where i can/will/must bring my camera and take meaningful photos. and will be smiling. 'twill be my first time across the pond.  very excited.  now off with you and enjoy your friday!

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the girl with the whale tattoo.

alt title:  
The Most Elaborate Tramp-Stamp Cover-Up of All Time

so. i spent the last 8 months getting my back upgraded with some Extra Extra Detail by the amazing Matt Brotka of Salvation Tattoo in Richmond, VA. whom/which shall heretofore be referred to as "My Favorite Tattoo Artist Ever"/"My Favorite Tattoo Shop Ever", respectively.

this was a large endeavor.  i met Matt last march after scouring the internet for an artist i really liked.  i told him my general idea about wanting a Moby-Dick-inspired-whale-attacks-ship back piece and brought him some artwork i'd collected for reference.  like so:

he was into it and started drawing everything up and my first session was scheduled for a couple of months later in may.  i told him i was ready to approach this aggressively and just wanted to GET 'ER DONE. so . . 8 months, 11 sessions, and 33 hours of work (and 8 flights to/from richmond!!!) later, it was complete.  

it was all pretty grueling, truth be told. people have asked me what the worst part was and honestly, it was all just . . awful.  but the 10th session was the absolute worst and i have no idea why.  i was writhing in pain and had to actually go next door to get a shot and a beer to get through the last hour and a half. ridiculous.  and after the sessions, sleeping with my back bandaged and sealed in cling wrap was just gross and difficult, as was sitting on a plane the next day heading back down to FL. and then trying to clean/moisturize while healing is a feat in itself when you have to do it by yourself. i probably looked pretty hilarious contorting myself to get to that little spot in the middle of my back between my shoulder blades.  ha.  but it's done and i am ecstatic and it's perfect and exactly what i wanted and my ancient old tattoo is all covered up and i am tramp-stamp free!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i can't say enough about how wonderful Matt is.  he is clearly an AMAZING and talented artist, he put up with my incessant whining, he is hilarious and comfortable, and was just as committed as i was to this project.  i couldn't have asked for more.  for all the time we spent together through this process, we should be honorary best friends.  next time i come up there, we're getting BFF tattoos, Matt!!  you're welcome.

the other reason that Matt and Salvation are awesome is because they let me photograph every single session. i set up my camera to take photos at 1-minute intervals through every session - 1,988 photos in all!!  and then i compiled them in this here video so that you can experience all 33 hours compressed into about 5 minutes!!  yesssssssss.

oh, disclaimer: i will apologize in advance for incidental/gratuitous side-boob.  couldn't be helped.  carry on.

music: "Watch Song" by Shellac

i managed to take a result photo after every session, except of course, the longest, most productive one (session 7).  moron.  oh well, it couldn't be absolutely perfect, but it still makes me happy to watch.  and even happier that it's all O-V-E-R.

and, for reference, a little before and after action for you, click-for-full-size style:


thank you AGAIN to Matt!!!  time for some i-feel-awesome-and-happy-high-kicks.  kbye!

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2011 photographic year in review.

2011 has certainly been quite the year. it is ending much differently than it began and i have faced quite a few major changes. some good, some bad, but i'm not trying to keep score there. i have also met some of the most wonderful new friends this year and have reconnected with old friends (and family!) as well. i am over-the-moon grateful for that.

there was quite a bit of photo-taking in 2011, although may was an entirely lean month photographically speaking . . all i have to show for it is a few iPhone photos. (well, truth be told, there were several hundred photos taken that month, but that's for another project that i am not quite ready to reveal yet, so you'll just have to wait.  oooh suspense!! and that's how you keep 'em coming back for more.)

ok ok ok, so, without further ado, i present to you my 2011 photographic year in review! 

*clickies*

thank you, friends and family. happy new year to all!

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my nephew is my fave.

last friday my parents and brudder trucked it down south to my house for a sleepover, picking up my nephew along the way. he is totally my fave.

i've been dreaming of having him over since i moved into this house . . i could just picture him running around and playing in the pool.  well, dreams do come true.  the weather was amazing, so we had the house all opened up and he could run from the back yard into the house at leisure. he went in the pool several times and stayed in until he got too cold and then was snuggled in towels and blankets to get warmed up and was generally the most awesome kid of all time ever.

it's funny, i've always considered myself a baby fan. i have said over and over how i lose interest in kids after the age of about 4.  i like them from that whole 3 month to 3 years period and then i'm like "eh, you're too much of a person now who has opinions and sasses me, fuhgetaboutit. where's your baby brother/sister that i can play with and make smile/laugh?" i wondered how this would affect my interaction with my own flesh and blood. and clearly, it's blown out of the water because my 5 1/2 year-old nephew is probably the best person i know right now. my brother says he's "the sweetest guy", which is totally right on. true, he will try to trick you into thinking that his "tummy is full, yeah really full" when presented with a plate of thanksgiving leftovers and then change his mind when he finds out there's a bowl of cereal with his name on it ("you have CEREAL? i LOOOOOOVE cereal!!!!"), but gastrointestinal deception aside, he is one spectacular specimen.  

his face in these photos tunnels right to the core and kills me every time.  aaahhh!!!

 *clickies* his little foot sticking up in the last photo! those ears! hahaha!   he was fully into using the pool skimmer in his world o' imagination.  sword and shield perhaps? whatever the case: awesome.

looooooove hiiiiiim.

highlight of the holiday weekend, for sure. glad i got my tree up before he came over too. just made it all the more festive. first time i've had a proper christmas tree in 4 years!! happies.

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west coast weekend.

last weekend i hopped on a plane and mere hours later i found myself on the opposite coast, reuniting with one of my favorite people on Earth, Brittany!!!  we calculated that we hadn't seen each other in 8 years, which is completely ridiculous, but all is well as we have now rectified the situation and have a plan moving forward. which is for Brittany and her awesome husband Wade to use derisive tactics to lure me to the west coast at every opportunity and tell me all the wonderful and amazing adventures we would/could have if only i were a full-time resident of southern california. and for me to eventually give in. it's simple, really.

friday morning i awoke to Britt and Wade's awesome loft and the view of the LBC. i met cats. and we got ready to head out.

 
we headed first to Mozza for the best danged pizza i may have ever tasted. i had the squash blossoms, tomato and burrata pizza and it was pretty much amazing.



then we headed to the Beauty Culture photography exhibit at the Annenberg Space for Photography and it was completely fabulous and interesting and we all left feeling like better people for it.  

next up we went to The Bazaar in Beverly Hills for cocktails and it was easily the coolest place i may have ever been for anything. this place is incredible. they are all about "molecular gastronomy" and have a "process" for everything they make. Britt and I had "magic mojitos" that are made using a huge pile of house-made cotton candy. 





saturday i walked all around Manhattan Beach while Brittany did some hair and i had the best day. i bought lots of things and ate food and walked everywhere. it was lovely.

 
that night we went to a birthday dinner in Orange County then to Javier's for drinks and cougar-watching (though sadly they were not out in force), then to the Prospector (where Wade works) for more merriment and band-watching. we saw the awesome Cowboy and Indian perform, rounding out the evening nicely.

sunday we had excellent brunch at The Coffee Cup Café (baja burrito with veggie chorizo?! yessss!), got some Yogurtland, then met up with another long-lost lovely, Keri ♥ for some shopping on Retro Row in LBC.  we had super-fun times trying on stupid/awesome clothing and accessories and walked around until it was dark outside.
 


sadly, i had time for just one more amazing meal with Brittany and Wade (it's so nice to be hosted by foodies), then headed to the airport for the red-eye back to FL.  i forgot how much i loved SoCal and had such an amazing time with these fwends that i will most certainly be returning soon.  now for a no-travel weekend in FL to gear up for my very favorite holiday, thanksgiving!!  longest post ever!!

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my fall lookbook '11: the perfect outfit in which to meet ryan gosling.

all the heterosexual dudes: GROOOOAAAAAAAAAAN. 

everybody else: EEEEEEEE RYAN GOSLING!!!! 

yeah. i AM daydreaming about wearing this outfit walking through Disney Land and meeting up with my beau, Ryan Gosling, who has been waiting for me on a bench and greets me with a smooch and hooks his arm around my neck as we walk off toward Space Mountain together, giggling and sharing inside jokes and evading the paparazzi. so what? 

  faux leather hoodie, striped v-neck sweater, and jeggings: all from Target! wedges: Blowfish.

i'm heading to LAX tonight to see one of my best girls, Brittany! so you know . . this weekend is my chance to wear this outfit and make it all happen. i dream big. 

BRITTANY, HERE I COME!!!

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catching up, sappy-style.

i'm totally having one of those "OMG I LOVE MY FAMILY AND MY FRIENDS AND MY WHOLE LIFE" kind of times. and NO, i have not been drinking. it just kind of smacks me across the face sometimes.

my only real sadness at the moment is the fact that i don't get to spend as much time with the wonderful people in my life as i would like.  everyone is so spread out.  so when i do get time with them, i'm all grateful and whatnot.

NYC the weekend before last was excellent.  firstly, i strolled around brooklyn with Gavin. then we stuffed our faces with some deliciousness from the V Spot and got snacks at Snice and watched a weird documentary about Dr. Bronner (like the soap). 

  and i got to spend time with my main bitch, iris.   who brought back friendship bracelets from her trip to Belize for her bestest friends (like josh here - who is a TRUE 6'2" *ahem*). this means we are all FRIEEENNDDSSS FOREEEVEERRRRR (it's a song).   and we found some great masks at Ugly Luggage. creep factor of 4.

THEENNNN, last weekend, i got to go to a super-fun halloween party (where i
didn't take many photos because i felt kind of off from getting carsick on the
way there, so this will have to suffice).
 

 

and on sunday, i attended a bbq where 5 year-olds played chess . .  

and kelly asked Siri on my phone dirty things and we laughed like 15 year-olds . .  

and it was generally a really awesome fun time with fwends that i greatly enjoyed.

see what i mean? good times. love you, fwends.

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my fall '11 lookbook: space cowgirl.

SPACE: the final . . thing. 

except probably not final anything anymore. have you seen that "Through the Wormhole" show where morgan freeman basically tells you that science people have been dead wrong and they're all thinking that space is NOT infinite? blowing my mind. i haven't actually watched it, but the preview blew my mind. pretty much anything that is hosted/narrated by morgan freeman has that affect on me. 

the point here is actually not to get into some philosophical physics discussion. mostly because i don't know that much math (because i think that's what it takes? math?) let alone the amount of chalkboard space that would call for. the point is to demonstrate my staunch support for space with these awesome new leggings i ordered all the way from the other side of this planet. which i am/will be wearing this fall. 

 oversized gray t-shirt: Forever 21 (shame); galaxy leggings by BlackMilk; shoes: dolce vita wedges.
these leggings are amazing. they are seriously awesome and i want everyone to see them. everyone in the world. they are pricey, but in my opinion, totally worth the joy i feel when i put them on. they also feel great and seem to be of high quality. 

and because you know how i love to whipmyhairbackandforth, this: 

THURRRRSSSDAAAAAY!!!

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my fall '11 lookbook: here we go.

back by popular demand*! it's lookbook time: fall '11 edition! 

i had lots of fun with my spring lookbook, and it is actually the "most popular"** hit on this blog to date. the summer came and went and now it's fall, and time for wearing the things that i like to wear the most! boots and jackets and scarves and hoodies and sweaters! although, now i am spending the majority of my time in south florida . . which greatly diminishes the need for this collection of items i've cultivated over the last 6-ish years. and items i continue to buy because i just can't help myself. 

*no actual demands received . . 
 **this part is true.

my photo set-up is quite different now as i don't have the space to use my favorite 50mm lens (let alone a 70mm or 85mm like i should be using for this purpose) and get a full-body shot.  and i feel as though the quality completely suffers - i'm cursing the lack of sharpness, the grainy background, arrrrgh. so. not ideal, but i'm totally Tim Gunn-ing it up in here.

now that i've stated all the disclaimers, the real fun can begin. 


bubble hoodie rain jacket: urban outfitters (circa 2005?); jeans: G-star; boots that you can't see: Blowfish.

the difference with the 50mm lens is palpable.  here are some incidental "candids" using the 50mm and ambient light only:  

and that's why i love that lens. 

now if i can just find some time to put up my halloween/fall decorations. time is swiftly running out.  away we go!

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ashleyville, nc.

the weekend before last, i headed up to asheville, nc with the lovely Lori and Faith to see our bestie, Ashley, because she is PREGGERS AND HAS A BABY IN HER BELLY OMG!!!!!!!!!

look, it's bigger than my giant man-hand.

 

the fabulous Lori (lookin' cute in the doorway above) did all of our hairs and we went out on the town for deliciousness and merriment.

waiting for a table outside by the drum circle . . because it IS asheville, after all.

(it looks like i have bangs but i totally don't! it's fringe! Lori made me edgy!)

STILL waiting for a table at the bar next door to the restaurant. making the most of our time.

saturday was a complete whirlwind. so much so that i completely forgot to bring my camera to the baby shower. of course. it was half-way up a mountain and there was no going back for it. i stomped my feet and pulled my pigtails about it, but there was nothing to be done. so i'll just have to tell you that it was fabulous and pretty and i think she really liked it. there was lots of hot pink, if you will imagine.  Faith did an amazing job planning, designing, and sending us PowerPoint presentations of the menu (frealz). the 3 of us together were a crack team.

that night we met up at the Grand Bohemian Hotel, which was extremely awesome. our friend Eric was staying there and i totally want to go back and spend the night. so many interesting photo ops.

Faith wanted some photography tips, so i let her have a go with my camera. not too shabby.

crazy horse head, amirite?

sunday morning, Chad and Ashley came over and i tortured them into letting me take their picture. they hated every second of it and are probably still cursing my name. but still, i got this:

and it was rather fall-y outside. though Ashley is all "no it's not, i'm wearing flip-flops and shorts still," and i'm all "well i'm wearing closed-toe shoes and jeans".

then came the sucky part, which was saying goodbye. i always hate that part.

this photo is kind of hilarious because Ashley and i look the shortest, which is totally Oppositeville, but we were on a MOUNTAIN and it sloped. you just can't see it.  thanks for taking the pics of us, Chad ♥

we had an excellent too-short time and i can't wait to do it again and see that little baby Dylan's face because she is going to love her Untee Raena best (sorry Faith and Lori!). then i will play with her and give her presents and win her favor and then when there is a poopie diaper, i will be all like "oh i have to go now, here is your baby back. kbye."

love ya.  mean it.

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