Warm Wishes

I really lagged on writing posts these last few months.  Not that I haven't been inspired lately… I have been busy working.

I finished the year off with a commercial and some bed styling.  Now, I am winding down with paperwork and promos.

I am taking this opportunity of procrastinating by writing this post to share some Holiday work I have done this year.

Some pictures are from Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn catalogs as well as a few from a cookie catalog I worked on for Lotus Bakeries.

Wishing you warmth, peace, love and prosperity.

Williams-Sonoma

Pottery Barn Main and PB Bed & Bath

Lotus Bakeries

Thank you to all the friends and colleauges I have collaborated with this past year.  I am looking forward to more work fun.

Happy Holidays!

Naturally

I realized that I have been collecting objects my whole life.  I think it may be an illness but I know that I am not alone.  Most people have something that they collect.

While I am out prop shopping I don't hesitate to buy something I am attracted to.  *When an object catches my attention I pick it up without a second thought.  I am sick.

I love old things typically and I like to mix them with new modern pieces.  There are no rules.  

Anyway, here are some new pieces that I have added to my arsenal of dish-ware over the last two months.  Some I found in Venice, CA others here in San Francisco and Marin plus the cool cutting board that one of the Pottery Barn set builders made out of some reclaimed wood.  A few will be used in my next food shoot with Alexa and Michael.

Each are handmade by an artist out of one of two materials, wood or clay, and are my current inspiration.  

They are now mine.

*of course within reason.

Spooning

Earlier this year, when we were working on a food shoot,  I needed a small spoon to use with some honey.  The ones I had weren't small enough… so we opted for an espresso spoon.  

This was a start to my new pursuit.

I started scouring antique stores and flea markets.  I am pretty quick to see a design I like and I have been finding some interesting patterns making my new collection an eclectic mix.  

I now have some super cool small spoons, shapely forks and various serving pieces.  Well... and a couple of full sets of silverware.  I am trying to slow down.  

I also, have a new appreciation for a well designed fork.

Here are my favorites.

Merry Christmas!

This goes out to all of my Photo friends who are gearing up for the Holidays.

I know that I am jumping ahead a bit because most of my catalog friends are finishing up Halloween or working on Thanksgiving.

Soon the gift wrapping and tree decorating will begin.  I have many fond memories of Christmas Photo shoots and the people who taught me the strategies of keeping a drooping tree looking good in the East Coast humidity.  Many days we left set covered in glitter from all the decorations. I also have honed my skills as a master gift wrapper.

All of this has prepared me for my first "Holiday" styling job.  It has been fun and I will post photos someday… before Christmas time.

What I will share now is my June inspiration.

I wasn't sure I was going to get to use this handsome fellow and beautiful carved wood trees but for the last two months they kept me inspired and excited for this job. 

I have now finished my three day shoot with Lotus Bakeries and their team.  It was not as crazy as days gone past but thanks to all of YOU who were in the trenches with me for so many years (and you know who you are) it went smoothly and was a good time.  Thank you, always.

Stay tuned for more.  

French Fried

May has been a crazy, busy month.  I had to spend some time contemplating what has been inspiring me so I could write something for the blog.

So, what is inspiring me this month?  Breakfast!

Most mornings I make time for making a good breakfast.  I have an easy recipe that I call a "French fried egg".  Toast with dijon mustard and a lightly fried egg with red chili flakes and salt.  Yum!

I top it off by serving it (to myself) on a cute plate.

Here is todays breakfast on a plate I bought this weekend at the Marin Flea Market.

Bon appétit.

Brightness

I am feeling a little schizophrenic this month.  I have been shopping for three different shoots.  

I now need to go to my storage unit and sort through all of the many props that I have purchased these last few weeks.  Before I do, I am sharing some of what I bought this weekend. I have collected quite an array of things and this isn't all of it.

My biggest purchase was this beautiful vintage silverware set, service for six with various serving utensils.  An elegant yet simple design.  Now, I have a full set to mix in with my eclectic collection of silverware.  (I threw in my favorite fork…yes, it's possible to have a favorite fork).

This is not the inspiration I had planned to share for April but I think that the pop of orange brings some brightness to match our beautiful Spring time in the city.

Onward ho!

Soon, I will be sharing another food shoot that is coming up!

Sitting Down

This cover of Anthology magazine has sparked my March inspiration photo.

I love old chairs.  I have always been attracted to the uniqueness of a fine crafted wood chair.  I had this idea many, many years ago that I would have a living room filled with chairs… all of them different.  To create an environment for socializing.  It hasn't come to fruition, yet.  I have a few chairs that I have held onto over the years including this one.  Usually, a palm tree occupies this seat in my room.

On display are some of my favorite collected pieces.  A tin tray, french espresso bowls, a modern organic vase and a new embroidered dish towel.  Lovely neutrals.

Happy Rainy March!

Good Food

I really love food editorials.  I love to see how everything is pulled together.  The plates, linens and flatware that are chosen.  The way everything is arranged on a table.  Enchanting lighting.  I want to be there… I want to do it too!

Michael and I collaborated with a Food Stylist with this editorial concept in mind.  Different from the one we did awhile back with our friend Martha.  I have learned more.  We planned our shoot with Alexa Hyman whom we both have worked with on Pottery Barn shoots.

I had great fun.  This is the beginning of what I hope to be more food shoots… whether with these folks or for hire.  

We did a little bit of everything: cheese plate, drinks, prep, single food shots and then the hero of the full meal.  We are all happy with the results.  

What do you think… would you come to this party?

Thank you to those who loaned and lent items, enthusiasm and support. 

And of course many thanks to Michael and Alexa.

Dark Blues

It's February.  I have a photo shoot in two days that I have been preparing for the last couple of months.  I am using some of my collected props for this months inspiration photo.

People may be thinking of pink and red for this month of LOVE but I am feeling the blues and grays of  Winter in San Francisco.  Mixing in some contrasting color and patterns for an eclectic table top.  

I'm excited for this next project… working again with Michael Bennett and a new collaborator and friend Food Stylist, Alexa Hyman.

Table Manners

It is January in the year 2014.  One of my (many) goals for this year is to post a photo every month of objects, colors and ideas that are inspiring me. 

 I don't know where my inspiration will come from.  I find it in magazines or out shopping.  A lot of times conversations with friends can spark an idea.  

This month it came from two vintage tin trays and various shades of pink.  

Happy New Year!

Jewels

When Lori and I first planned her visit up to San Francisco we had decided it would be a good time for us to collaborate on another photo shoot for her jewelry line Lily Girl.  

We originally had discussed doing an urban shoot but this time we planned on a setting in the woods by the creek… an outdoor tea party.  

Lori and I combined a selection of clothes for the wardrobe.  I had been inspired by current magazine spreads so we chose a sort of Bohemian, Urban hippie chic. 

I asked my friend Alexia to model for us because she has beautiful long black hair and exotic features.  By surprise we had our second model, home from college, pretty Emma.  Who had modeled for Lily Girl this past Summer.

Originally, I wanted to take the girls down into the creek but with an assessment with my photographer we decided it was going to be too tight and awkward.   As the morning went on, before our models arrived, the light in the trees became so enchanting we found our locations.

Pulling the tea party idea together was fun.  I used pretty cups from Mikes grandmother and some of her silver tea set.  I also, bought an array of colored macaroons, some new linens I purchased in New York and roses from the backyard to brighten up the party.  The foundation of the set was finished with my green settee, coffee table, and a borrowed rug.

Once Alexia arrived we started the show… and continued with wardrobe, jewelry and location changes.  These are my favorite shots that Lori took.

Emma showed up a little later and Lori took her out front for these great moments.

Then we got the girls together for their party!

These are my behind the scene photos… the photographer at work.  Over the years Lori has really honed her skill at photography.  You can see her work on her website and blog but here she is in action.  One of the many talents of my dear friend.

It never ceases to amaze me how photo shoots get pulled together.  Always a lesson in being present and conquering obstacles and... we turn out great work every time.

This was another fun time with my best friend.  There will be many more to come!  Stay tuned.



Thank you to Alexia and Emma for being good models and Mike for hosting the shoot at his house and for all of his helpful ideas.

Living Large... in the Basement.

Anyone who has lived in San Francisco for the last twenty years has witnessed much change in our city.   Artists have been segregated to the East Bay and Hunters Point.  Even Hipsters are out numbered in the Mission with the surge of puppy Millennials invading neighborhoods, riding around on their Google buses.

With all of these changes we have seen housing prices go up.  Rents have increased incredibly and since the Air B & B advancement it's harder to find a descent apartment.  Most of us have been lucky enough to not get pushed out of our homes but we hear the stories constantly.  Good luck if you are trying to move.

So, with all of this on my mind I had this idea for a photo story.  If you can't afford to pay the crazy rents you could live under ground.

The space under our building is unfinished and has inspired me to create this vision.  Here is Michaels' and my story of living the glamourous life in our enchanting city... in the basement.


Imagine waking up in the morning and this is your bedroom.

When you get home from work it's time for a sip and to listen to records in your living room.

End the evening with your love.  Enjoying a fresh dessert of fruit in your enchanted dining room.

Michael and I worked for scattered days and it took a couple of months to really finish.  Not only is this our biggest shoot I think it's our best.  I am happy to take a break after all of the hard work... but I am thinking about what to do next.

I want to thank all of the people that in some way participated or contributed to this project:

Mike Richman (support, cleaning & set up), Annie Linton (various props & enthusiasm), Linda Wolkovitch (vintage tea tins),  Vanessa Dina (booze & cordial glasses) Dietrich Ripalski (records),  Nick Wagner & Justin Divine (mattress), Christopher Wahlgren (beautiful rug) and Michael Bennett (photographer & record player).