My dream "Mommy Moment"

When I ended up in this spot on my blog crawling travels today, my eyes opened wider. Am I jealous? Nooooo (a little bit. yes.) But this is such a perfect dream to me. Me and my Meg, picnicing on the lawn in Paris. It sweetens things to discover that this lovely family is living in Paris for a year, which is, actually, my dream.

Get ready to add another blog to your list!

Home Inspiration x15

This is a quickie post--I have a few hours worth of photos to edit and do not deserve blogging! But this is worth it: Refinery29 has posted a list of  the best home design websites and online magazines and I can't wait to study every last one. Some of these are already favorites of mine (The Shelby, Rue and Lonny are on my weekly list) but some are new to me or forgotten treasures. So here you go, get reading:
Best of the Best: Home Inspiration!

More Vintage Wedding Stuff!

Yes, I guess I'm on a kick. Here is a great fun idea from a super fun couple (who I follow on Facebook, Instagram and via their blog). This is Ron and Dominique, the genius pair behind Love Me Sailor, which is one of the photography blogs I "stalk" on a weekly basis. I can always count on these two for fresh ideas, inspiration, and big fat smiles (I love a photo that makes me smile). When I learned that they were getting married themselves, I was intrigued. What will their own wedding be like? I was not disappointed, and you can see it all on the website of their chosen photography team, Joielala.  The 50's theme was quirky and fun, and full of all the details we would expect from such an inspiring pair! I just adore her partially-vintage dress (his suit is vintage as well!) and shoes and her handmade (by her of course) star headpiece! And don't miss the sparkly pineapple table markers and pink flamingoes!

Get ready to smile!

Wedding, anyone?

No, I'm not getting married (I just celebrated 14 years married my sweetie, so I'm good, thank you very much!). But I've been photographing more and more weddings lately and searching for photographic inspiration along the way. Of course I stumble on so many gorgeous and stylish weddings in my magazine and internet travels, and at some point my girlie-girl heart melts over the endless possibilities. This morning I found this picture of shoe-clips on Etsy, and suddenly I pictured an entire wedding around them! So to satisfy my vision, I made this little story board:

I just adore the idea of a vintage wedding with little details so pretty and photograph-able! I also believe in simplicity and practicality, so why not invest in flower vases and other details that can be later repurposed in your home? I love the idea of something so casual yet beautiful and used to create such a  special warm touch. When done right, vintage can be, of course, completely modern and I love love love.  Love.

All items found on Etsy (as of this morning), click for shop links: diamond ring, shoe clips, Pink Depression glass vase, headswraps and little gift pouch, Avett Brothers necklace (I & Love & U), Milk glass planter

Sweat and Tears

Well, not tears. But a good deal of sweat and hard work has been poured into the creation of my new photography blog! I'm super excited to have a little functioning business happening now but I can always use an addition to my cheering section, so please stop by my photography site and say hello!

Hello Friends

In these last few months I've stepped away from this blog in order to concentrate fully on 1) my photography and 2) my growing, energetic and active five-year old (Who needs something to do every minute!) I've missed this space in my life however, a little pocket of space which allows me to in some way organize my creativity that gets mushed up with the rest of busy life and often gets lost or forgotten. That's what this blog is about for me, and I've missed it!

So my big comeback post is about Richard, the self-described "Real Rasta Man." We met him under a shade tree at the Round Hill Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, weaving baskets. He supports his children by selling his baskets to the guests of the resort. He always smiles and laughs, and after talking to him on our first day he waved and greeted us each time we passed. He was gentle and kind to all the children--teaching a little basket making class in which they got to make a sweet little basket (much loved in our house), and he was always happy to allow me to join him for a chat under his tree.

Maybe it was the fact that this vacation was for me, a truly soulful experience. I had been running on empty for a while and I truly needed a break. Unwinding, being still and quiet and enjoying my family was healing, as it should be. And Jamaica ain't so bad a spot to do just that, let me tell ya. It was the first time in months that I actually felt inspired and thought about writing the blog again. The ocean, the air, the rain forest, the food. . . all of these things added up to "soul food" for me, and cleared a little space in my mind. 

Sitting under his tree with him, I asked Richard how he defined the Rasta Spirit, since he spoke of it so freely. He waved his hand around to indicate everything around us, including his pile of palm leaves to be woven into baskets. "We are all a part of this, of nature. Rasta accepts all that nature gives us. We take life from the trees and the plants and all the gifts the earth has to give us, and we take care of the earth, we give life back. We are all a part of the earth and we all bleed the same blood, we are the same. We respect everything and everyone  in nature." I quoted him on that, but I admit I didn't write it down.  I think I got it about right. In any case, it was a beautiful reminder to me about the specialness of our earth and the preciousness of life and those around us. I don't think I had forgotten, but that's just the sort of thing that often gets pushed to the back of my mind when I am racing around town with the pressures of the world upon me. 

And here is Richard posing with my Meg with his hair down ("Mommy, his hair is longer than your hair!")

I'm Still Here

My last post was on December 12! And here it's March. Sigh . . . okay, but I think my preoccupation is pretty legit. In the last few months I have been spending very much energy developing and redesigning my photography blog, website and plan for business! I think I am finally ready to push myself into that wide and scary world of--wait for it. . . . self-employment. Discipline. Financing. Client Management. Marketing. For me this is a huge and frightening step! Anyway, Muse Margaret is a blog about inspiration. My inspiration: I have enlisted the help of Shari (see her blog here ) who creates gorgeous, unique and fresh blog designs. She redesigned HamtonToes several months ago for my dear friend (and cheerleader), Lisa. So when I decided it was time to clean up my public persona, I enlisted her help.

May I just say what an amazing feeling it has been to see my work combined and transformed into the design that Shari has come up with for my photography blog! I have been so inspired by what she has been able to do with my very own work. I sent her several dozen images to chose from and anxiously waited to see what she would choose. It felt like being naked.

 It's funny how you can stare at yourself for years and not see the very thing that needs to change to create improvement. Then some fabulous stylist or something come along and says how great you'd look with a new haircut. And you do it. And it's amazing. Someone who never even saw you before made you feel new.

Shari has taken my work and made me see it afresh again. She sends me samples and I get goose pimples--how amazing my photographs look in this or that arrangement or design! I'm excited again about photography and about going out on that limb, because I can see new beauty and I can feel new confidence building and I know that this beautiful blog will be backing me up!

I'll let you know when it's ready and I can't wait to share it. And hey, let me know if you're getting married because you know what? I'm a photographer. And I'm actually pretty good at it and I might just cut you a good deal. :)

Thank you Shari, for not only designing a gorgeous new deign for my blog, but for infusing me with new confidence to go out and chase my dream.

P.S. : Contact her. She is wonderful.

Photo Shoot

I'm assisting my brother-in-law (also a photographer) with a wedding in a few weeks, so we went out "shooting" together for a bit of practice. My daughter and sister-in-law were our subjects. We spent a 70-degree-California-December day at a beautiful park in Brea. Here are just a few of our pics. Sorry, MY pics (Ryan's are much better! 

This is Meg inside of a picture frame. We were trying for a something completely different than this. . . but she's five. 

My gorgeous sister-in-law, Rebekah. I love these shots with the chair:

 Here is Ryan shooting Meg. (these were great shots, btw): 

Look at the freckles!! I guess she is mine after all. 

Home-made Christmas

I thought making presents for everyone would be nice this year. I mean--I can sew, paint, crochet, frame pictures that I've taken, combine talents with friends. . . So why not? 

It's December 11th and I'm exhausted! I'm actually pleased. . . and exhausted. It feels amazing to make something--spend the time and and energy, iron each seam, choose each fabric and trim. . . all the while thinking about the recipient. In this case, mostly children will receive my handiwork, perhaps because I'm sure they won't notice the mistakes. The time and energy has been fulfilling--I feel so full when I make a gift as opposed to buying another Littlest Pet Shop toy at Target. 

Mind, I have purchased several Littlest Pet Shops. In fact, I think I am done with my crafting--I made 14 home-crafted gifts this season and while I am satisfied. . . I am done. 

It's December 11th . . . and I am ready to stop sewing and go shopping. 

Time to think about my hair.

Twice a year I have to think of what to do about my hair. My hair is long, and the advantage on long hair is not cutting it so very often as some of my fellow females. It has come around to "hair time" though, and I have started the bi-yearly search for a suitable photo to bring along to the salon. 

The salon. Sigh. There are three ladies and one gentleman on this planet with whom I will trust to cut my hair. The closest of these lives two hours from my home, in Palm Springs. After that they live in San Francisco, New york and somewhere in Paris, I think, but I lost track of him years ago so really I'm down to three. I've learned my lesson about straying from these four individual's talent, so I remain faithful and I do my homework. 

I'm considering a cut somewhat shorter than what it is now, maybe six inches shorter. This lovely, fresh faced, youthful woman is sporting the length I am thinking about. And now, I am considering that cute gray hat as well, thank you very much.

And this one below, and she has some tendrils cut about her face which usually looks best on me. 

Hair color is also a small issue of thought. I have (embarrassed throat -clearing) grays. Far more than I'd like to admit and enough to not be masked by a few highlight anymore as we've done in the past. So the question is. . . blonde or brunette? I'll take this up with Stevie (my Palm Springs hair goddess).

Mine is this long now, but when I wear it pulled back like that I look like a Quaker. Or something.

This is more like what mine looks like most of the time these days, but I think I need to chop a bit off to allow it become healthy again. It has become heavy and flattens itself to my head. 

Thanks for joining me on my hair musings. Completely self-centered and superficial, right? O well, it happens twice a year and requires a pilgrimage to one of the remote locations mentioned above. So, you see, I need to travel prepared--preparation and a fabulous stylist are my key to six months of no haircuts! 

(These photos are all from the Luckymag.com website)

A Rainbow Birthday

As you know, my Meg turned 5 last week and we celebrated on Saturday with a girlie "Rainbow Party!" The best irony was that it rained in torrents all day long so everything that I planned had to be moved indoors (and tweaked slightly), but it was still so cute and really fun for the children! I shamelessly copied rainbow ideas from multiple blogs, websites and good friends, so while not completely original,  I did create the details myself and put the ideas together into a party that was our very own. Here are some pictures:

We loved the Meg Whitman campaign signs, so we used one to identify the "party house." Of course, it required an umbrella for protection!

I bought these plastic "car lot" flags ages ago and had planned to adorn our backyard with them. Since the party moved indoors, the flags came right along, quite nicely I think!

The star of the show--my sister made this six layer rainbow cake (did you see the layers in the first picture?). AMAZING!! And it was tasty, too!

I have to confess that I was going to order pizza. But when asked Meg if she wanted pizza for her birthday dinner, she said (and I  quote--and I swear it came out in one long sentence): "No mommy, I want my favorite.  Spaghetti and meatballs, tomato soup, mac-n-cheese, steak, watermelon, peas and that yummy bread that is crunchy. You can have salad, mommy." So that's what we had for dinner. 

Here are photos of just a few of our activities:

The girls all declared the best activity to be the Rainbow Colors Treasure Hunt. I may post the entire activity by itself, in a day or two. I wrote little rhymes and the girls had to figure out the location and color until they found all the colors of the rainbow, at the end of which they discovered a treasure box filled with goodies. It was super fun, but lasted all of six minutes!

These "to-go" boxes left over from our last party came in very handy. I packed up lots of leftover treats and sent them to our neighbors after the party. Meg thoroughly enjoyed the visits to each house, sharing her birthday treats and announcing her new age five status. 

Happy Rainbows! And my sweet Meg: Happy Fifth Birthday, baby.

Birthday Week

This week, my baby will turn five.

FIVE?

That is half of a decade.

A five year old is a child, not a baby.

I have tried to make her promise to stop growing, to stay four forever, but the lure of birthday presents is too strong to resist. Alas, she must grow.

But she assures me that she will live with me forever. Even when she is a "big and has lots of children."

Meanwhile, I am planning her birthday party, which will occur next weekend. She has chosen a rainbow theme, which makes it easy on ole' mom. We are going to keep the birthday party fairly low key this year, but it still is fun to dream up ways to make the day magical for her.

I'm most excited about the six layer rainbow cake my sister will be making for her!

Birthday week is always busy, but exciting. And bittersweet. . . how time flies. 

Pretty Pumpkins

I so wanted to post this a week--no two weeks ago! It's been waiting on my Blackberry for the moment, and now that Halloween is over, it's kind of pointless except to those of you who (like me) will remember this sweet pumpkin decorated with black rhinestones and try it yourself next year! 

And now. . . bring on the Holidays. (I'm tired already)

Item #468 on my "I Want It" List.

This chair is adorable. From the Re-Trouv辿 Collection designed by Patricia Urquiola (yes, that last sentence was copy/pasted, there's no way I could have figured out that symbol!). I would like to have it. Do I need to say more? It's on Gilt.com right now marked down from $1,084 to $465. Still too steep for me but that's why I have the "I Want It" list. 

Start with a Kernel

Last Thursday, I went to a book signing and talk by Diana Gabaldon, at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena. I have never had the desire to actually attend a talk or book signing before, maybe because most of my favorite books are old and the authors. . . unavailable. I have been reading Diana's books for about a year now ever since my grandmother gave me the first in the series. I don't think I have ever enjoyed a series better, nor pursued a series so long without becoming exhausted by the style or characters (Little House on the Prairie was possibly the last that held my focus so long!) I could go on and on about the merits of Gabaldon's writing, style, depth, characterization. . . but that isn't what I want this particular post to be all about.

This post is about what an inspiring evening this was. I have heard Diana speak before (you can hear her podcasts on her website) but who knew she was full of such "on the spot" wit and humor and wisdom. She took questions from her readers in the audience (the crowd swelled well past the expected attendance and the bookstore staff seemed to be in shock) and every answer was an in depth explanation, containing examples, a little serious secret sharing, established trust and a little comic relief. I admit that I sat in awe of this amazing woman, her ability to command both the page and the room and her cool, even stride not only in this situation, but in life.

 I took away one golden principle on this evening. Diana Gabaldon is a former university professor holding multiple degrees. She knew that she someday wanted to try to write a novel and so. One day. She began. Just like that. She chose a subject matter, she chose a period of history, she pictured one figure in her head (Jamie, our main male character) and then she sat down to write. "Where is he?" She asked herself. She pictured a room. "Who else is there? Who is that woman?" and she "saw" a gathering of men. "What are they doing?" and so, she began. This is not the opening scene in the book, it occurs about one third of the way through, and occurs after the main conflict is introduced in fact,  but this is where she began, without even being aware of what her story would be about. This was her first kernel. The scene began to bloom and blossom around this first kernel, and then she saw another kernel, and began again there. The story takes shape around these kernels of action and drama, which at some point she "flocks" together with important details. I was surprised to learn that Diana does not have an outline for her novels, nor does she know where story is going to end up as she writes, she simply allows it to take her, while her attention is focussed on these kernels of inspiration. I don't know exactly how many books Gabaldon can claim in all, but I know that she has completed seven books in the Outlander series, all of which are enormous and powerful. I cannot imagine a more satisfactory success. She is currently writing book eight.

This principle of the kernel is transferable to multiple creative venues, and is so simple. Sometimes I discard my ideas because I don't believe that in themselves they are enough to complete a piece of work. I never let my ideas get farther than the protective custody of my brain. In doing so, I may be limiting my creative potential, never giving these ideas (or kernels) a chance to develop. Since listening to Diana, I have been challenged. What am I waiting for? An entire book does not appear in her head at one time, nor should an entire finished product appear in mine, no matter what I am working on at the time. But a single small idea, which seems insufficient, could provide the fuel to propel something that might just be worthy. Just maybe. Maybe not. But I ask myself this: when I am feeling the most energized and satisfied? When I am in the creative process. And so, why shouldn't I allow this creative energy to push me along? And so I will. I will begin with a kernel. I will use that energy to create a second kernel. And shall see where these lead. This is such a simple formula and yet risky to those of us who feel the creativity inside but are hesitant to allow it to lead. The fear of failure looms great and the censors scream "you are not worthy! You will never finish well!" But I will see Diana as inspiration, and use her kernel principle as a guide.

Because who wants to write a structured outline? And in truth, how in the world can you allow creativity to freely flow from structure such as that? And so, we shall start with a kernel, and just go. No apology, no censor, just get going with one idea. And then another. And another.

Here we are getting close and personal with Diana Gabaldon. That's my sister, myself, my grandmother and my Aunt (left to right). Sorry about the photo quality--I only brought my little camera!

Thank you, Diana, for an amazing evening of inspiration. And the principle of the kernel.

A little somethin'-somethin' to make you smile.

I've been visiting this blog every few weeks, usually late at night when everyone is sleeping and I'm not yet tired. . . and I start to poke around blog world for something interesting and inspiring. It is called The Unknown Hipster  and I adore this guy. He is a fictional character who "crashes" events and happenings around NYC, and he records everything in cartoon sketches. Some of which I could actually frame and hang on the wall (But I won't because that's not nice):

Given that I love NYC and miss it every day, I like to visit and see where my cartoon friend has been lately and what ruckus he has stirred up in his travels. I also love his style. 

"Born French, Unknown Hipster early moved to New York to become a painter, a poet, or whichever position was available on the Art scene. Once a lead tambourin for « Uneven dusk », it’s unclear what became his main occupation after the band quickly broke-up. All can be said is that Unknown frequently appears at Fashionable and Cultural events without being necessarily on the list."  (from unknownhipster.com)

Happy Apples!

It's that time of year. . . go pick some vitamin C. Keep that old bugger of a doctor AWAY!

I just love a good party!

A few weekends ago, we celebrated my niece and nephew's 5th and 2nd birthdays, respectively. My sister and brother-in-law put so much love and hand-made goodness into the "Country Hoe-Down" theme, and everyone had a real boot-kickin' good time. The party was held at my house (for all my grumbles, I have to say that this house does parties well) but the details all came from my sister's heart!

This was such a happy party, full of fun and joyful details, but take a gander for yourself, why don't-cha:

Here was the scene just before the chuck-line opened. I loved the red and blue checkered fabric that my sister bought in bulk. It became tablecloths and even napkins (my mom hemmed all of these napkins!). The lunch was really so yummy as well, if you can read that menu, every single item was delicious (I made the BBQ sauce) (and yes, Lisa--we "borrowed" your corn and cilantro salad!).

The children each received a boxed lunch:

Goodie bags are an integral part of every country birthday gatherin' and these ole boys were chuck full of kiddie goodness. The desert wildflowers that decorated the whole house were gathered by my parents on the drive "down" that morning. I thought they were so pretty so I left them out for several days after this before we realized they were the source of our terrible allergies. Oh well, they were pretty.

The entrance to the house displayed some cute portraits of the birthday Lad and Lassie (photography by their adoring auntie) and some cowboy hats, in the case that you might a'forgot your own. And some bandanas 'cause country picnics can get pretty darn-tootin' warm. You might need to wipe your brow. 

Oh, hey! There's the birthday mama herself! (This is my sister and party creator extraordinaire) I'm drooling over her boots (thrift store) and her long legs (seriously, we are so genetically different. . . ) and isn't she just adorable?

I had but one job, and that was to run the photo booth. Here is a product of my labor:

Horse piñata 

"Little ones go first--no grabbing--there's enough for all y'all so nobody push--no you may not eat that right now--give some of those to the smaller kids--wow that's a big bag of goodies--DON'T LET THE DOG EAT THAT!"   Ah. . . .piñata aftermath. So classic.

But will you just look at those precious cupcake cups!

And a custom horse-shoe candy on each one.