People think I am crazy when I admit my biggest fear. I wouldn’t say it goes so far as being irrational about it but I certainly wouldn’t choose to live at sea level. Don’t get me wrong I am not opposed to an evening on the sand, an afternoon car ride down the coast, or even an occasional session at the beach. You may have read or heard me talk about having dreams of giant waves since I was a young kid. I’m not ashamed and those that have said I was crazy….am I? I never squeal over bugs, spiders, snakes or anything really…. so point, laugh and roll your eyes all you want. I can take it. There are not many things that suck the air out of my lungs quite like the footage that has been swirling around of the events that have taken place in Japan.

Growing up in Orange County California earthquakes have always been our most common threat of a natural disaster. I actually don’t mind them….as long as they stay small. Those of us that grew up in Southern California we are not strangers to the talk of the big one. It’s difficult to hear the testimonials of the survivors, relive the footage, and watch the devastation continue to unfold in unimaginable ways. With food shortages, inclement weather, missing family and friends, lost pets, non existent homes to go home to, topped off off with nuclear melt down it’s just about as bad as it gets. It makes my heart beat faster and hug my dog a little tighter. We simply have no idea what the people are going through physically, mentally or emotionally as we sit cozy in our homes. As humans we have an obligation to give what we can.

The photography industry and blogging community is a powerful force of some of the most giving people around and I feel so lucky to be a part of such an amazing group of people. Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours have joined forces to help raise money for those directly effected. All donations will go towards emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies via shelterbox.

It’s Monday and I missed the boat on the day of silence as I had not seen this yet. It’s not to late to help out and no matter the size of the donation every little bit helps.

From the shelterbox page:

We’ve all seen the images and videos rolling in of the devastation from the Japan earthquake and tsunamis. While aftershocks and tsunami scares are still happening days later, the nation is in for a long long road of recovery. So far, the death toll is estimated to be 2,800. In just one town, 9,500 are missing. Not only do the survivors have to suffer the loss of loved ones, but as temperatures fall, electricity, water and food are now scarce to none. Many have tried to go back to their homes and to start picking up the pieces, only to find the tsunamis have plowed their homes down and there is literally nothing for them to come home to. Convenience stores have lines hours long and a limit of 10 items to each person. The second crisis has only begun and so many are left helpless.

We are not ones to sit and do nothing. While as much as we’d like to hop on a plane and fly there to help with the search and rescue, the immediate need for help for those in Japan is the dire need for shelter. This fundraising page is specifically geared to help with that. Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours have handpicked shelterbox as the organization to donate to.

ShelterBox provide emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters at the time when they need it the most. Each large green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items. A whole box costs $1,000 (US), so we’re hoping to raise enough to send 5 boxes.

Please join us. We know it won’t save the nation, but we strongly believe every little helps. Whatever you can contribute, we truly appreciate.

Here’s how you can help:

Donate by clicking on this link to For Japan with love or shelterbox.

Share this on your own blog.

The initial goal was to make $5000, in order to send 5 boxes. The current total is nearing $55k. Let’s get it even higher – let’s send 100 boxes to Japan!

Thank you Angie for taking the time to whip this up and  for this new perspective outside of my own.

All the clothing in the swatches can be found at Old Navy & J Crew: Crew Cuts.

Let’s talk  color!

Mustard and Cement. Sage and Rhubarb. Crimson and Bluebell. How about Poppy, Papaya, and a splash of Turquoise? All delicious combinations of color. Spring is upon is with a brightly colored palette just waiting to be taken advantage of!

So often the portraiture of the past has us playing the matching game. We remember growing up, the dreaded family photo shoot that had mom dressing us in the exact same thing. Often times the kids mirrored one another with mom and dad changing it up just a smidge (think jeans and white shirts, or khakis with black polos). Were your images be horrible? Most likely no, but they probably lacked some things. Personality, life, color.

One of the great things about custom photography is you have the opportunity to hand your children, your family, over to an artist whose eyes are trained to see what is beyond the norm. We see past the terrible twos and the shyness of your six-year-old – we are able to capture the tiniest of details with precision and care. What better way to allow us to get to know your family than through fantastic attire that screams YOU? Embrace the uniqueness of your children, allow their personalities to shine through with colors and textures that fit them. Is your daughter spunky and full of life? Would she love to wear her new polka dotted dress over those little jeans you just got her? Perhaps your son is an old soul, full of eclectic wonder and curiosity… he would look dashing in his favorite cargo shorts with a plaid shirt, rolled up sleeves and a funky vest.

When it comes to my own art I’m often inspired by what nature shares with us. The fruit of a blossoming tree, a freshly picked basket of blueberries, perhaps even the glow of the sunset over the Pacific. Each person has a story to tell and a color palette all their own. Enjoy the stage your family is at. Desire to capture it. Think past the traditional khakis and polo shirt. Make it fun, make it real, and make it rock.

~Angie

Not only is it super cute. It is totally cozy and with the perfect amount of stretch not to squeeze your brain out of your head. Pretty safe to say it’s a must have. Visit her shop Hello Cherie and grab a few. Ya, know….so you can be fashionable and send a girl and her cute boyfriend out for coffee and thrift store shopping.

…and while you’re poking around stop by and see my current give away.

I saw this trailer on Hulu and in my dorky fashion actually squealed as soon as I saw Tim Burton’s name. As you may know along with Tim comes Johnny and Danny. Oh sorry…we are on a first name basis. Ya know, Johnny Depp and Danny Elfman. My favorite part is that the three of these guys really make it their own to where you can’t even begin to compare it to a previous version. For example. Charlie and the chocolate factory. LOVE them both. Sweeney Todd = Nightmares for two nights in a row. I probably shouldn’t admit that but they were tolerable as far as slashing throats go. Anyway, I love when artists put their own spin on things. Ya, know actually have creative vision. My only gripe….Are you seriously going to make us wait until 2010?? That is just mean!

Reminder: Just a few days left to enter THE CONTEST OF THE YEAR!!

I would love to hear your opinions. I know everyone has one.

Happy Sunday.

There are many things that we can do everyday to eliminate waste here on this here planet of ours. I stumbled upon Kaboose today and thought it had some cool ideas for green crafts, great recipes on a budget, with parenting and health sections as well. Maybe you have all heard of it before and I have been in the dark. Please feel free to suggest cool blogs and websites for me to check out. I found this Good Morning America Highlight on You Tube today.  Kind of scary!

Reduce your footprint.  These are a few things I have done recently toward a more green lifestyle.

• Cleaned out all of my  closets. Got rid of everything I don’t wear.
• Reusable shopping bags. Plastic is bad!
• Eating more fresh fruits and veggies.
• Turning off the  TV|Computer and going  outside more!

As for this…. I told Shryner that today was Earth Day. He said, “say what?” and then took a bite. I was lucky enough to have captured this conversation.

This whole blogging world seems to be a word of mouth whirlwind of amazing talented people I thought I would share and hope you will too. You just never know what you will find – a funny story, fantastic photography, or a cute little birdie necklace that you just can’t live without like this one by Figs & Ginger in Asheville, NC. You can’t beat something that was made with love and by hand here in the good ole U.S.A. Check it out I am sure you will see something you love!