Dave still runs the show...

Jordan, Adam, Chris and I drove up to Fuller a couple weeks ago to see Dave Bazan play. It was amazing- not only was the show itself incredible, but we also managed to snag seats in the center of the front row. So we were close enough to shake Dave's hand. Seriously.
Here are a few shots I got. It felt pretty awkward to be literally 4 feet away from the guy and taking pictures with my not-so-conspicuous canon 30D. And I was also a bit limited being so close, because, anticipating a farther seat, I brought my 85mm lens. For non-photo people, that means zoomed in close. But I got some decent ones...


Lately I really enjoy these intentionally blurry shots. The blurriness actually reminds me a lot of Dave's up and coming album's cover photo.

Then his cell phone rang,

ha! That's something I'd do.



The encore,

A couple abstract applause shots

Pictures with the boy

Here's a little collection of photos Jordan and I took in the car on the way to see Dave Bazan a couple weeks ago. These are straight off the camera, no editing. With the exception of one- can you guess which one?

Spotlight on Urban Outfitters, the gift-goldmine

I went on Urban Outfitters' website to look for a specific item (which I never found), and came across all these other amazing little finds. I was inspired to dedicate a whole post to how great Urban is for gifts. They should be paying me to do this, but they're not.
And I'm not trying to endorse them (I'm not getting paid, after all), and I promise I'm not trying to get people to buy me this stuff (Lord knows I have too much stuff!); I just really enjoy the notion that maybe this will help some of you who are struggling to find great, thoughtful, unique gifts.
So, best of luck! Here are some of my finds:
This neato chinese umbrella-turned light fixture:

tons of fun ornaments, like these little robots:

or these cuties,

or these [where have you been all my life?] WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE friends:

and I've never even watched a full episode of LOST, but how cool are these little guys?

A girly-but-not-TOO-girly make up case,


iPod speakers that look like Legos?!

And a couple of my favorite finds, a cassette tape-dispenser

and a cassette tape flash drive:

And I love this little bike bell-

Babushka! I love these, and keep being surprised by new takes on a traditional idea,

How cool is this Learn-a-Language shower curtain?

I stumbled upon this piece by Nate Williams about a year ago, and LOVE it. Here it is now, available on a pillow:


Lastly, these napkins make me wish I were hosting a Christmas party,

Dearests

Dear Urban Outfitters,
Must you tempt me with your free shipping and your ridiculously cute and creative way of telling me about said shipping?


Dear Jonas Brothers,
I saw your performance at the AMAs on Monday. I'd never seen or heard you play before.
SO, what's with the shiny suits and the really bad music? And how do you feel about vocal lessons?


Dear Makers of the Twilight movie,
I saw it last night. I didn't read any of the books, and I know "the book is always better," but the movie really sucked. The special effects reminded me of Smallville, but not as good, the characterization and dialogue reminded me of a Lifetime made-for-tv-movie, and the so-called "action scenes" reminded me of a less-awesome imitation of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the show, not the movie). Are you really going to try for a sequel?

Poladroid!

My friend Brian tipped me off to this fun program called Poladroid. This program takes your digital image and creates high resolution Polaroid-like pictures.

While we (Brian and I) both acknowledge that nothing can beat a real polaroid, this is pretty spiffy, is it not?







Now, I seriously hesitated to post a blog about this- I really was tempted to keep it to myself and revel in the coolness of it, but....I'm too excited about it. Besides, I never would have known about it, were it not for Brian's generosity in sharing the discovery. So, I encourage you to try it out and be excited with me.

Sometimes you gotta dance

I took a ton of pictures last month when I was in Seattle visiting friends, my mom, and attending an old friend's wedding.
I also took a ton of pictures while I spent a chunk of time with my friend Carrie. Like when we went to Stumptown coffee, and when I did the "Project Squared" shoot with her. Well, here's another fun little collection of images that celebrate: movement! joy! spontaneity!



Today's moral: Dance if/when you wanna. (why the heck not?)

Emily's Apartment

I have this fascination with peoples' living spaces. Here's a little series on one of my best friends, Emily, and the space she lives in.

Ah, Anthropologie items...a woman after my own heart!

Babushka!

Cool mirror, huh? Emily made it.

Sweet old autoharp that is more for its asthetic value than usefulness in creating pretty noises.

Daffodils, like the ones she carried on her wedding day. With those same ribbons!

A little bit of truth pops up here and there:

I'm a big fan of artistic clutter.

This is my best friend, one of my oldest friends, in her cozy-little-newlywed-apartment-by-the-zoo.