Malibu Wild

servicing city properties is great because they are all charming parks

I saw no less than 50 squirrels in one park alone

A few weeks ago, I drove up to Malibu with a co-worker to check on a few properties (the city is a client of ours) and while it was a fairly grey day, every location was beautiful.  Most people find the traffic to not be worth the effort, but I love watching the cliffs slowly winding along the coast, and the marine layer settling in low and thick.  It reminds me of living by the shore in Huntington Beach growing up - I adore watching the waves in both sunshine and gloominess.

Bits & Pieces*

this week I made pizza dough for the first time - I was incredibly successful

this photo cracks me up - my mom, just about to laugh (I think she looks quite beautiful) and me, as usual, hating to be the subject of a photo [my little brother took this during a nice meal together]

one of the first photos with my remote, (with my little brother at my side) taken months after I bought it

Fitzgerald is always quite the helper in the kitchen (fresh basil for my pesto sauce for homemade pizza)

I snapped a photo of the" super moon" while picking up sushi for a date at home with my mom last weekend

a gorgeous centerpiece from a graduation party I attended last weekend (cardinal and gold - go Esperanza Aztecs!)

I could live every day in a maxi dress; dinner outside for Father's D


if work needs to get done in the evening, it might as well be done with a glass of wine

my view sunning on Father's day

the light was gorgeous after a work-out last week, just messing around with my camera (trying to get the remote to work, which I couldn't)

A little while ago, I was talking to my mom about a person in my life that was pushing me - pushing me to be free-spirited, to let go of my tendency to remain high-strung, to release my cautious approach to everything.  Her reply? "Good - you're getting old before you're getting old."

I've been working on letting go of my anxiety, and it's definitely a work in progress.  I'm now trying to say "yes" to more things; to try new things and worry less.  It's not easy, but I don't want to become trapped in my fears.   I've seen some of the people I love live a small, lonely life because they are too cautious about their choices; they become isolated and live a predictable existence that isn't filled with enough laughter, warmth, or adventure - all things I want for myself.  I want great memories to keep, regrets from chances taken, and to be a bit more wild.  Youth fades quickly, and I don't want to waste mine.

*Bits & Pieces is something I'm hoping to become somewhat a regular series, to corral all my miscellaneous, forgotten photos/photos of my everyday life

Storcs and Co.

I adore my family.  We definitely do our fair share of fighting and annoying each other, but we all deeply love each other and can make each other laugh like crazy.  Here's some shots over the last couple weekends that made me smile.

my parents are so goofy, it's very sweet

my mom is the cutest

my mom told me this was her favorite shot

that face! Conner is friggin' adorable

the pool feels amazing this time of year

Sammy is a lover

cars are real big with little boys

I love candids of my little brother

a tired Sammy

so mischievous

grandfather + sister Stephanie

Sam was so happy to be with my grandmother

I love the laughter in these shots

Prom 2013

I can't believe I forgot to post these photos last month!  I got the opportunity to snap shots of a lovely prom group, which had their dinner on the beach (it was the most darling set-up), and I had so much fun taking these picture.  This group of kids had the best sense of humor and were very sweet.  I hope you enjoy these just as much as I did (this is just a small sampling, more can be found here)!