California Love

 

California sunset - Sacramento, CA

A model affair

 

I was in California last weekend spending much deserved time with my family and my best friend. My best friend was gracious enough to pose for me and I think the pictures turned out great.  Of course, a big part of great pictures is having a beautiful model. Thanks again!

electrifying

This was taken with my new 50 mm f/1.4 lens.  It's taking me a bit to get used to it being zoomed in all the time and gauging the distance but overall I'm very happy with the lens.  I did a tiny bit of post production (still just using iPhoto) but I applied a few notches of color boost and was quite satisfied with the outcome.  Here's the original picture:

I like the original colors as well but I've been trying to get more comfortable with editing so I hope you like it!

Feeling crafy

Chicago is hosting the Renegade Craft Fair this weekend on Division street (between Paulina and Damen).  And it delivered!!  It was creativity overload.  There were so many awesome vendors.  If you're around, definitely check it out tomorrow.

The Social Dept. had some pretty cool tshirts.

The above are glasses made from recycled beer bottles by Glass Wares.

These plates are made by foldedpigs and are repurposed restaurant ware.  I found the plates pretty amusing although the ones with the cockroaches are a little too realistic for my taste.

How cool are these bottle openers made by Red Boots Design?!

The ties were pretty sweet. They are all made from reclaimed wood by WoodThumbTies.

The candles and soaps by Something Beautiful smelled wonderful.  The candles had really cute names such as Chicago Summer and Farmer's Market.  Did I mention how great they smelled? 

Cups by Soda by Amy

Bird houses and frames made from reclaimed barn wood by ericerfwooddesign

Art and necklaces by Fernworks by Faryn Davis.

BirdProject makes the below glycerin soaps to help fund groups working on oil spill clean up due to the BP spill. 50% of the profits go to two organizations helping in the effort. Each soap contains a handmade ceramic bird made from Louisiana City to have as a keepsake.  Pretty cool stuff.

Cool rings by Rag Trader Vintage Reborn.

Jewelry by Victoria Bekerman out of NYC.

And of course one of the highlights was seeing Carter Bear who's getting bigger by the minute!

Meet the new member of the family

My camera family that is.  I got my second lens - a Canon 50 mm f/1.4!!  I'm beyond psyched.  Taking such awesome pictures in low light settings makes me very happy.  I've been snapping some pictures at home and cannot wait to see what this bad boy can do.

Peek-a-boo!

Not just your typical Tuesday night

Such happiness

It's Fantasy Football Draft time!  The boys are having so much fun.  I feel like it's a play date for adults. Wings + buffalo chicken pizza + football = pure bliss (fantasy football style)

Pelicans

I didn't think that pelicans were the most 'appealing' of animals but now that I have seen these birds up close hunting and just cruising in the sky, my opinion is forever changed.  Now I think of them as simply majestic.