Welcome to my blog! Here you will learn who I am: what I love, what I do, and what inspires me. This is a continuation of my story, and I hope eventually our stories will entwine.
I invite, nay, encourage you to connect through comments, facebook, or email. I look forward to our time together!
I believe:
Marriage is exquisite : God is bigger than the Boogie Man : Love is Louder : Pie is the new cupcake : Muppets rule all
I value:
Community : Compassion : Honest narrative : My lovely clients : Documenting life : A man who cleans the bathroom
I swoon over:
Warm light : Clothbound books : Yellow shoes : A soulful harmony : Etsy’s handpicked homepage : My superb husband
I pretend:
I’m a hobbit when I wear my weird awesome Vibram shoes : Good beer has no calories : to have mad dance skills
The Muppets | Original Soundtrack | Man or Muppet 18 Man or Muppet Hilarious as he is, I never expected to say the words “Bret McKenzie: Oscar Winner”. Truth be told, as much as I love this song (and the answer to that is A LOT), I thought it sounded a bit too [...]
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Hilarious as he is, I never expected to say the words “Bret McKenzie: Oscar Winner”. Truth be told, as much as I love this song (and the answer to that is A LOT), I thought it sounded a bit too much like his Flight of the Conchords work. However, the Muppet fan in me was overjoyed to see this track win an Oscar. Now if I could only get James to agree to perform this with me at a Karaoke night…
Here is a brief look at my first Indian wedding experience. The colors and the traditions are truly breathtaking. I dedicated a music monday to this wedding simply because I couldn’t stop swooning. Many thanks to Shang Chen for asking me to work as an assistant for the day. I have worked with (and [...]
Here is a brief look at my first Indian wedding experience. The colors and the traditions are truly breathtaking. I dedicated a music monday to this wedding simply because I couldn’t stop swooning. Many thanks to Shang Chen for asking me to work as an assistant for the day.
I have worked with (and raved about) Shang Chen before. This experience was definitely keeping with the last. Shang is fun, focused, and kind. Her open communication and generous advice is a rare and appreciated trait! Also, it’s nice to work with someone who appreciates the fine art of a perfectly cooked parmesean french fry.
Here is a quick peek of our day. For Shang’s full coverage, see her blog post here.
Ellie Goulding | Lights | Lights Lights There is something I can’t resist about a quirky female voice. Ellie reminds me a lot of Mozella, her warm & breathy voice sort of skipping through the equally sunny & fluffy musical tracks. After a weekend surrounded by solemn stories and stressful minds, it’s nice [...]
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
There is something I can’t resist about a quirky female voice. Ellie reminds me a lot of Mozella, her warm & breathy voice sort of skipping through the equally sunny & fluffy musical tracks. After a weekend surrounded by solemn stories and stressful minds, it’s nice to have one more artist to add to my “might get caught dancing alone but who cares” playlist.
One of the perks of slower winters filled with office time is that I’m free to share the remaining Second Nature posts from the 2011 season. Today features a wedding that battled it out with mother nature… remember that freak snow storm in October? It rained & poured, plans were altered, worries arose, but [...]
One of the perks of slower winters filled with office time is that I’m free to share the remaining Second Nature posts from the 2011 season. Today features a wedding that battled it out with mother nature… remember that freak snow storm in October? It rained & poured, plans were altered, worries arose, but at the end of the day there was a very happy couple.
Lead photographer for the day was Kathleen Connerton of Connerton Photography. Kathleen is sweet, thoughtful, and has a subtle manner in which she can calm and engage her bride. Sadly, the only image of her I could squeeze in was when we synced cameras… but this is a pretty accurate depiction of our day together.
Here are a few snippets from the day…
Kathleen, thanks for bearing the storm with a smile, and for making those long blustery drives so fun!
I realize that I linked to this old blog post earlier today. However, as I read over these words again, I realized they are just as true, as vulnerable, as necessary as when I wrote them just over a year ago. I could think of no better day to post them again. If you don’t [...]
I realize that I linked to this old blog post earlier today. However, as I read over these words again, I realized they are just as true, as vulnerable, as necessary as when I wrote them just over a year ago. I could think of no better day to post them again. If you don’t mind a long read, here is a peek into my marriage.
For those who don’t know me well, they might find it odd that my most loved and excessively used nickname for James is something as formal as “Sir”. It is typically spoken with a slight lisp and a very large grin. I myself thought is was one of the more random habits to have surfaced, until the fateful day I revisited this video:
Again, for those who do not know me well, I would like to clarify I do not find my husband akin to Rasputin. I just really really love Bartok the bat. I quoted him a lot in college and it brought me great joy. Upon making this connection, I realized my calling him Sir meant that I was so happy, I brought out one of my favorite quotes without even being aware of it. This makes me smile. It also tempted me to respond to misunderstandings with “oh sure, blame the bat, what the heck”, but I think I will hold off on that for now. ha!
For our one year anniversary, James bought a journal for us each to update every year. It is where we write it all down. The better and the worse, our hopes and our fears. We are only a few years in, but already I enjoy reading through our yearly expressions and seeing how things have change, how we have grown. I am a bit behind this year with everything that has happened, so I have been thrilled to have this time where I am forced to rest. I have sat, focused, reflecting, and enjoying every moment of it. I realized as important as it is to write the thoughts for each other, I don’t always want to stop there. I have been reminded lately how much I cherish what I have with James, and how rare that has become. I would like to take a moment to say publicly what I say at home everyday… I love James, more than anyone or anything in this world.
I love that James is my family. For me, the word family has mostly been laced with pain and bitterness. When we got married, I breathed a sigh of relief that WE were a family, and for once that word was so sweet. Our home is a place where each is safe; safe to love, safe to struggle, safe to be imperfect, and safe to trust the other to redirect when needed. Though our attempts are nowhere near perfect, we try to remember to put each other first instead of fighting for what we want ourselves. That simple question of “how can I serve this person” is not how we are naturally geared, but the more natural that comes, the less headache comes with it. I love knowing that James is here. He is present. I love that we can have our own traditions. I love that he is not afraid to break off from his old life and make our family OURS. I love that we each play our own roles within our marriage, and that we are learning how to respect and value those roles equally. I love that I don’t like sleeping without him there next to me. I am excited for our family to grow… even though I don’t want that for a little while longer ha.
I love that James is my best friend. I love that he encompasses those things that are the most important to me within friendship. Honesty, open communication (even if it’s awkward), support, and accountability. I love that he can make me laugh, really hard, and consistently. I love that there is not a thing in the world that I can’t tell him. I appreciate that he knows when I am being silly just to make him shake his head at me… and promptly shakes it with a straight mouth but a glint in his eye. I love that we can dance like muppets around the kitchen. I love that he doesn’t let me win any game we play AND that he is not a sore loser considering how often I kick his trash at scrabble. I love that I can sit in silence with him in the car, for an hour, and feel at peace. I love that he lets me dream while he keeps his feet on the ground, and I love that with that balance we can make those dreams come true.
I love that James his own person… and that I have remained mine. Naturally marriage changes people, there are traits within each of us now that older friends are not sure what to do with…. and I’m perfectly ok with that. However, we still know who we are. I enjoy that we can take trips solo, indulge in separate hobbies, and essentially hold on the IMPORTANT pieces of ourselves from our past. You know, those things that drew us together in the first place? I love that we can disagree. I love that after all these years we can debate, get flustered, and hold on strong to our differing opinions… and then give each other a kiss. I like that I can tell him to stop being a turd, he can tell me stop being so sensitive, and we know we will each still stubbornly be ourselves… but try to ease up a little. I love that we have balance. It’s what makes us successful in many ways. We can be our own people while still respecting what we have together. We can respect our separate interests while keeping our life together the main priority. I am beyond blessed for that.
I love that James is a good man. I am beyond blessed to be married to someone as honorable as him. James is honest. If integrity could ooze out of someone, I would recommend a good majority of the world to come touch him and hope it rubbed off. He is hard working, and that word almost doesn’t do him justice. James has one of the most respectable work ethics I have ever seen. He comes across harsh to many, even myself at times. A practical man, he is characteristically calm and matter-of-fact. There are times this drives me bonkers… then I remember it’s just what I need when I am in a fury of passion or sentiment. I love that James has mature priorities, and I love even more that he sticks to them. He is responsible. He has taught me so much. I love that he is tender, but reserves that for those who deserve it. He is choosy with who he lets into his life, and he protects me from those who have not deserved their place in mine. I love that he is confident, but not above reproach. I love that he doesn’t put up with bullshit. I love that I need to stop myself here or I will go on forever.
I love James. I just figured it was time to let you all know what I meant when I said that.
I’ve been singing this cheesy Jeffrey Osborne song all morning (click the link at your own risk). Today is not just a day to celebrate love… here in the Moore household, I’m celebrating MY love… because James was a Valentines Day baby! I’m fairly certain his mother would have preferred chocolates over labor that [...]
I’ve been singing this cheesy Jeffrey Osborne song all morning (click the link at your own risk). Today is not just a day to celebrate love… here in the Moore household, I’m celebrating MY love… because James was a Valentines Day baby! I’m fairly certain his mother would have preferred chocolates over labor that day, but I enjoy the overlap.
Normally the musical choices are a bit more sophisticated in this home, but I’m considering making an entire wing playlist for tonight. Suggestions are very welcome. Last night, I informed James that I thought maybe he would enjoy Birthday chicken wings. He then laughed and said he had been thinking I might enjoy Valentines chicken wings (with a side of potato salad, of course. mmmm). After a hilariously shaped sunburn dubbed James “chicken wing” last year, and his fondness for calling me spud, sharing this meal brings me great joy. Well… that and the crack that I’m fairly certain our local joint puts in the sauce. Seriously. These wings fly through my dreams. I can’t wait to sit down with my sweetie over good beer & delicious food, reveling in another year of his life… which is the best part of mine!
However you choose to celebrate this evening, I hope it is meaningful… whatever form that may take.
Happy Birthday, Sir! Thank you for making me laugh & prance & sing silly joyful songs on a daily basis. I love you.
Florence + the Machine | Ceremonials | Shake it Out Shake It Out Tis a great day for a baroque-pop anthem, wouldn’t you say? There is so much to love about Florence and the Machine, but I think it is Flo’s goals and initial influence that draw me to her the most. Her [...]
Florence + the Machine | Ceremonials | Shake it Out
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Tis a great day for a baroque-pop anthem, wouldn’t you say? There is so much to love about Florence and the Machine, but I think it is Flo’s goals and initial influence that draw me to her the most. Her mother is a Professor of Renaissance studies , and Florence was greatly influenced while attending one of her lectures. She has expressed the following vision: “I aspire to something like that but with music. I hope that my music has some of the big themes — sex, death, love, violence — that will still be part of the human story in 200 years’ time.” As an artist, this is something I struggle with. How to produce work that is timeless in an industry that is both frozen in (sometimes useless) traditions while also heavily influenced by every passing fad. True, marriage will be part of the human story in the future, but I often ponder how to tell a story that people will relate to on a deeper level. I’m not nearly there, some days I don’t even know where to begin, but I’m continually motivated by artists who seem to be headed down that path with style, grace, and drive.
My final “shoot” was casual. Spending two nights with my dear friend Chelsea, I was able to enjoy not just our usual cherished conversation, but the added fun of watching her & Dieter with their daughter, Annabelle. I’m so proud of them. Here is a few of my favorite moments with this adorable, curious, Beiber [...]
My final “shoot” was casual. Spending two nights with my dear friend Chelsea, I was able to enjoy not just our usual cherished conversation, but the added fun of watching her & Dieter with their daughter, Annabelle. I’m so proud of them.
Here is a few of my favorite moments with this adorable, curious, Beiber -lovin’ lil lady.
The last few days of my trip were the most joyous. I love Boston, more than I can say, but there are many things I miss about my home state. Friends. Burgers. Sunshine. The children who first won over my heart (and are getting too big) and the new little ones that make it so hard to be away. The best Chai lattes ever. Sports games where the fans don’t semi-scare me. Dogs… lots and lots of special dogs. For these moments, I left the gear packed up and tried to simply be present… though in my weakest times, I brought out my phone for a quick snapshot. Here is a summary of life away from the expensive glass.
Looking forward to a brief trip back in April. Until then, you stay classy California.
I don’t do many family sessions anymore, but, as you can see in this series, I give in when people I love create adorable children. Today I’m bringing you a little Ginger Love! Meet Chris, Layla, & Penelope Henry: This little cutie patootie striking a pose is Penny. I know… a little copper haired [...]
I don’t do many family sessions anymore, but, as you can see in this series, I give in when people I love create adorable children. Today I’m bringing you a little Ginger Love! Meet Chris, Layla, & Penelope Henry:
This little cutie patootie striking a pose is Penny. I know… a little copper haired girl named Penny… I die.
I’m kind jealous that I can’t rock that ruffled jumper.
Unbeknownst to us at the time, this expression was saying “woman… I’m about to give you a big present. Wrapped in my diaper. You are welcome”.
I crack up every time I see this now.
Oh SoCal in November… I do miss your abundant sunshine at times.
For fun, here is a behind the scenes photo from Penny’s solo portraits. There are 3 more people cooing off camera. Go Team Henry!
Layla, thanks for taking time out of your crazy teaching/cooking/mommy-ing/fabulousness that is your life & providing me with a peek into your new family. It still is hard to believe you are a mama sometimes… but I love it!
Peter Bradley Adams | Leavetaking | Los Angeles Los Angeles At the moment, I know nothing more about this song than the following: 1. I left the room mid-conversation because I was so drawn to it that I needed to peek at Pandora. 2. My mood is mellow after a much needed break this [...]
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
At the moment, I know nothing more about this song than the following:
1. I left the room mid-conversation because I was so drawn to it that I needed to peek at Pandora.
2. My mood is mellow after a much needed break this weekend, and this fits the mood
3. The song is aptly titled for the week that I’m wrapping up my California Love series.
