Greg & Melanie

These two have known each other for 13 years. Since high school. Since Melanie's mom picked him out of a crowd of teenagers in her home. Mom picked Greg first -- the nice boy who helped clean up the kitchen. Through the years, Greg dated Melanie while her little brother, Mark, played ever-present youthful chaperone.

Mark is STILL with them, now as friend more than chaperone.

My niece will marry her high school sweetheart next month, on August 15, in

San Diego. I wish them joy as they pursue their new life in marriage together.

Love endures all.

Greg & Melanie

Love IS an exuberant journey!

For all the wedding shower pictures, click here.

Almost Capacia

Weddings are a great thing, aren't they?

Next month, on August 19, 2009, Ronnel and Lauren will be married in Las Vegas. My nephew called last week and said they decided not to wait for a big wedding in two years. Too long. I'm overjoyed for them and look forward to watching them grow in their new life together.

Welcome, Lauren. You're almost Capacia now.

Sprinkles Cupcakes

We drove to Sprinkles Cupcakes in Newport Beach during a break in one of Lauren's basketball tournaments. I quickly shot these (it was crowded and cramped in a small area. Also, people give you a funny look when you photograph your food).

I heard the buzz about these uber-decadent cupcakes that originated in Beverly Hills. The Sprinkles trademark is their modern dot (or Belgian chocolate sprinkles, or sugar decorations), indicating the flavor of the cupcake.

This is the sign outside the entrance

Tangy Key Lime

Chai Latte

The sign on the glass window showcasing the cupcakes

Dark Belgian chocolate sprinkles

Strawberry

Marshmallow

Rows and rows of cupcake mixes

This wall is behind the counter -- printed with their cupcake flavors.

This one (or that one?)

I wanted ONE cupcake, but couldn't decide.

Kirk had to decide for me.

What a pretty label

My treat was wrapped inside this glassine bakery bag

Ta da! The selection is ... Key Lime.

Goodbye, Sprinkles Cupcakes.

Ahem. My soon-to-be-married niece promised Auntie Nems and me that we'd get cupcakes from the reportedly-better original Beverly Hills location. Mel?

Pinkberry-lishous

Stopped at Pinkberry at The District in Irvine couple weeks ago. For me, it's the ultimate in fro-yo goodness!

When I see this sign, my heart kinda skips

I like the clean lines and modern feel in this shop

Cool pattern of green circles on the order counter

Oh. Kirk's already got his order! See the GPS in front of him?
He's trying to figure out where we go from here.

Love the clean wavy lines of this beautiful fixture

The furniture is clean and artsy. The chairs remind me of lime lollipops.

The green dots on the glass cast a pretty colored shadow inside

So many fresh and delicious toppings. How to choose?
My very favorite is pomegranate and original flavors swirled together. Then, toppings of blueberries, mango, and mochi.

Yumm! Worth the wait!

Grunge Photo Mask (Clipping Masks)

Day Four Assignment from Jessica's class was about clipping masks. We used a grunge photo mask to create a distressed edge to photos.

Last weekend, we were in the backyard when Lauren was pulling her hair into a ponytail. As she lifted her hair, the sun flared behind her head and I shot it. Kinda cool. Not sure why the pink splotch appeared on the cheek, but I think it has grunge-appeal.

Vintage, Hand-Tinted Look

This is the Day Three Assignment (homework caught up!)
I'm not sure if I like it. Maybe the wrong picture?
Maybe operator-error? The goal is for a soft antique feel.

The original unedited photo

The vintage photo (reduced the color saturation and added a pale pink tint to cheeks and lips).

I remember pictures of my mother with VERY pink cheeks and lips.
Long eyelashes hand-drawn, too. She looked beautiful.

You know, Lauren's vintage picture is starting to grow on me.

Celebrate

This is my Day Two Assignment from Jessica Sprague's Class. I learned how to use the brush tool to load in custom brushes. In the picture below, the blue frame and the word "celebrate" are brushes (used like a rubber stamp) to embellish a picture.

Kirk & Lauren

Sassy

This is my Day One Assignment from Jessica Sprague's free 2-week Photo Editing Class (thanks, Jessica). I learned to how to use a frame and a word art brush
(Sassy is a "stamp" she gifted us) to embellish a photo.

Rental Car

Our friend, Scott, gifted us with a rental (and the gas) for our girls' three-day basketball tournament in Chico last weekend. Cool, huh? He had a rental for himself, then picked this one up one for us.

Way cool. Sure made a nice drive of that 4-hour one-way trip.

Hood ornament of the rental
We spend a lot of time doing this...

Scott -- thanks for the classy ride!

Beach Friends

"Mama, can I see the pictures you took at the beach?"

I doubt she meant HERE, but here's are a few shots. A couple weekends ago, the girls' basketball team played at a tourney in SoCal. They had some downtime and the team went to Newport Beach for the afternoon. Yes, when you live the hot valley, going to the beach is a very special treat.

Lauren with Kristi & Kelsey

Ahhh, yes. Summer, waves and friendship.