banter banner.

I am smitten with these banners I saw on A Cup of Jo the other morning. I couldn't resist the temptation to have a couple of these on hand. Wouldn't they be fun for a photo booth, portrait session or a celebration? I can't wait to use them for a photo shoot. Oh, the possibilities!
(Photo credit: Banter Banner)

hello april.

Hello April. Hello April Fools' Day.

 PS: If you'd like to view our other hellos, please click here.

coffee + kolaches

Simply put, a kolache is a bun filled with sweet or savory goodness. This is true, yet to me, it holds a few more meanings. It is the Czech Stop in West, Texas. It is me and my siblings as kids piling into my dad's station wagon. It is a road trip from my hometown of Fort Worth to Austin, never complete without a pit stop for kolaches. My favorite was the plain cream cheese; I am a little more adventurous these days. (As you can see above, Isabella enjoys the Nutella the best). Imagine my sheer delight when I discovered a kolache shop - a tiny sliver of Texas in my new town of Portland. The adorable and creative owners, Mary and Danny, moved from Texas and opened up this sweet little cafe, Happy Sparrow, after falling in love with Portland during a previous visit. They not only have delicious kolaches and coffee, but will greet you with a warm smile and a welcome the size of Texas. It's a little reminder of home and this place is full of happiness and sunshine, despite any Oregon rains.
(Click on the photos to view larger. I think they look nicer that way).

lanterns.

If you are a local Portlander, don't miss these beauties that are gracing our city at the moment.

(at the Portland Art Museum as part of China Design Now).

kitty wigs!

Oh my goodness gracious. Allow me to introduce my dear friend, Jill Johnson. She is not only a creative and talented photographer, but this girl has heart and soul like no other! She always brings the sunshine with her wherever she goes. She took me under her wing while I was in Texas, and she is a woman and photographer I truly admire and feel thankful to have as a friend.

She has been a busy bee working on an exciting new project with creator of Kitty Wigs, Julie Jackson - a new book called Glamourpuss. I felt compelled to share this fun -filled sensation with you. If you need some laughter, check it out! Available at kittywigs.com and Amazon!

From Chronicle Books' press release:

"Get ready for the first photo book of its kind, featuring felines sprawled out on sofas, gazing out windows, and striking some serious poses, all donned in the hottest new pet accessory; Kitty Wigs. Glamourpuss showcases over 60 stylish portraits of cats as you have never seen them before, exposing their true diva selves and basking in the limelight. With profiles included on all of the model felines as well as captions accompanying each photo shoot, we promise you won’t be able to pick up this tome without laughing."