Thursday, January 21, 2010 Posted in Things
Homemade Lavender Vanilla Soap
The award for most unique, beautiful, creative—and completely unexpected—Christmas gift for 2009 goes to my wonderful friend, who also happens to be an amazing artist, Rachelle Tiner. I was expecting a card from her and I definitely got a card…and a bunch of other amazing stuff: personalized hand towels, handcrafted pine soap holders and aromatic handmade soap.
Jon quickly went to work using his “Hot Jonny” towel (inside joke) and his handmade Vanilla Sandalwood bar of soap. I grabbed his towel out of the shower and you can see it’s still a bit damp in the photo above. And his soap? Long gone. He quickly used it up within a few days. So you’ll just have to be content with a photo of my beautiful little round Lavender Vanilla soap. I can’t believe Rachelle made all this. When I first opened the package a few weeks ago, it looked so professional I was sure she bought it from a boutique. The soap dishes and soaps themselves came with professional looking labels of which Rachelle also made.
Hooray for creative gal friends! Oh Rachelle, how I cherish your creative skill and spirit. I’m so blessed to have an artist friend like you!
My Lavender Vanilla soap smells SO delicious! It reminds me of the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted: Honey Lavender ice cream from Molly Moon’s Ice Cream in Seattle (Wallingford neighborhood) See the two photos from my Molly Moon’s trip here.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 Posted in Travel
View from Silver Star Mountain - WA
There’s a good chance that it’s raining in the Pacific Northwest right now. I lived there for over two years and experienced the wonders of everlasting rain and gray skies. However, when it wasn’t raining I could definitely see the beauty in that corner of the nation.
My good friend, Vicki, and I would go walking in the woods as often as we could. I just love this photo I snapped of her in her pink sleeves and puffer jacket. Also, for some reason, every time I view this pic I have to have it doubled. One pic of Vicki just isn’t enough. I need two!
I have more beautiful photos of the Pacific NW, particularly of the Oregon coastline, but I’ve gotta run! See you next time!
Sunlight through the trees at Oswald West - Oregon
I was just beside myself with the beautiful food styling of Chef Chris Goossen this past December. When shooting food, a great food stylist makes all the difference and I must say that Chef Goossen has incredible skills when it comes to food. Not only can he whip up a fantastic tasting gourmet meal, he makes it look incredible on the way out to the table.
Chef Goossen, thank you for working with such care on the following dishes. Your artistry and skill is very much appreciated!
Roasted Tomato Soup, Wild Arugula Salad, Arancini
Tuscan Hummos with Pizza Bread, Grilled Italian Sausage with White Beans and Escarole, Berkshire Pork Chops with Homemade Apple Sauce, Proscuitto Crostini with Brown Butter and Sage
Look at the carefully placed pieces! Oh the perfection! And those PERFECT grill marks!
See how the cheese is melted just so on the Crostini! The sheer beauty of every dish is MAGNIFICENT!
- Chef Goossen preparing a beautiful spread for a holiday party -
Below: Two of my favorite shots from the table above. I love good cheese and fruit!
This was my first experience with the science of pairing dried fruits with cheese and the melding of flavors was DIVINE!!!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 Posted in Food
Bottega Louie Hot Chocolate...and Peonies
Hot chocolate is usually the same ‘ole same ‘ole. But not this hot chocolate. I don’t know what divine spices they put in it but it has a delicious little kick in it for sure. Stephanie (the stylist) said it tasted like Mexican hot chocolate.
I’ve never had Mexican hot chocolate, but if this is what it tastes like than I want it!
Creative Director: Leah Faust / Stylist: Stephanie Castro
Leah and Stephanie did such a fabulous job pulling together all the props, flowers and whipping up delicious hot chocolate. Such teamwork. Couldn’t have done it without you two!
Monday, December 14, 2009 Posted in People
This was shot using an acquaintance’s Canon 7D and a sweet 85mm 1.2 lens. I love this shot. Totally cracks me up only because I know the people and how silly they can be.
We were at a Christmas party and these fine individuals were students at the ARISE Institute. For four months they traveled quite frequently together, going into the community for outreach and giving Bible studies. After all their hard work spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and all the freeing truths to be found in the Bible, they took one last “family” photo together with, from left to right, Caitlin as “Daughter”, Lachlan as “Son”, Noemi as “Mom”, and Joshua as “Dad”. So many laughs that night. So much fun!
–Fun– That’s the way photography should be.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009 Posted in Food
Alright. I’m finally posting a giant set of food photos created by Chef Marvin at Bottega Louie.
Better view these on a full stomach or at least have some snacks nearby…
The Shrimp Scampi (top right) is such an elegant looking dish:
Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese:
My first glimpse of the Caprese Salad took my breath away. Such a striking dish. Great use of color:
Marinated Shrimp:
I’m not a big salad eater but I love pizza & salad together:
The Modena Salad reminds me of a blossoming rose:
Arrancini:
White Beans & Red Onion:
Calamari:
Sauteed Spinach:
Portobello Fries. Delicious.
These Heirloom Carrots are AMAZING! I can’t believe carrots can taste this good. And they’re so pretty, too. Great texture & color.
And let’s not forget the bread bar:
Okay, I’m all blogged out. Next up: Sweets & Treats from Bottega Louie!
Tags: arancini, asparagus, beets, bottega louie, caesar, calamari, caprese, Food, heirloom carrots, modena, mushroom, pizza, portobello fries, salad, sandwich, saucisson sec, shrimp scampi, spinach, white beans
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Posted in Plants
Alright, so this is just a shot for me. These ranunculus were ailing and on their way out by the time I showed up at Talented Creative Director Leah Faust’s office in LA. I love ranunculus with their romantic and delicate ways. I just had to snap a shot since I hadn’t seen fresh ones in years (okay, wilting but beautiful nonetheless). Ranunculus, spray roses, peonies and hydrangeas…my top favorite flowers.
Friday, November 13, 2009 Posted in Baby
These were taken at the end of June 2009 in Athens, Alabama and I’ve been needing to blog them for ages. This is a family member and her baby boy, Kyler, who was just 5 weeks old when we did this impromptu photo shoot in the morning. Kyler is adorable and such a good ‘lil model! So alert and content. Such a cutie!! I love his sweet little face.
–Bonus Pic– Jon & Kyler. This one makes me smile. Look at Kyler’s incredulous face.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 Posted in Food, People
Meet Chef Sam Marvin. He’s the mastermind behind the gorgeous dishes I’ve photographed in the past 3 months (many of which are still awaiting their shining moment on the blog). He makes a gorgeously elegant Shrimp Scampi and a beautiful Modena salad that reminds me of a blossoming rose.
Chef Marvin, thank you for bringing me into your kitchen and for treating me with such courtesy even during the most stressful moments of the lunch rush. I do appreciate your professionalism.
Chef Marvin. Gettin’ things fired up in the kitchen.
Kitchen Duality.
I tucked myself into a wall crevice to take this shot featuring the hustle & bustle going on behind the scenes vs. the chefs up front where the customers can view the dishes as they’re created. I’m a fan of diptychs and I love the wall separating the two similar yet different worlds.
Chef Tony Calderon cooks up a meal.
I shot for about 2.5 hours during the wildly frantic lunch rush at Bottega Louie. I was right on the line for most of it, up close & personal with the inner workings of what it takes to feed an explosion of hungry people at a popular restaurant. I don’t know how the chefs do it. It’s like Hell’s Kitchen in there. They must all have high blood pressure. It’s incredible the speed at which they work and the pressure they work under to produce beautifully plated items in a timely manner. All I can say is, “WHEW!!” I definitely respect them for what they do. It’s an art, for sure. I have to say thanks to all the chefs I came in contact with. They were always courteous to me, even when under pressure. I do appreciate their professionalism.
Friday, November 6, 2009 Posted in Food
I love the whimsical beauty of this dish. Reminds me of the fanciful, slightly odd, yet endearing movie Edward Scissorhands. Bottega Louie’s Burrata & Grape Tomatoes is quite the imaginative dish for me. I just love the simple beauty of this dish.
by Melinda
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