Jody Ake uses a historic photographic technique called wet collodion process.
From his website :
“Invented in 1851, the method entails coating a glass plate with collodion
and exposing the plate while it is still wet. The end result are ambrotypes,
appearing on glass in the form of a negative until backed by
black velvet, thus rendering the positive image.”
I think these are stunning. I am happy to see people keeping these historic techniques alive in the age of digital. What do you think?
We read this book quite a lot in our house. It is such a cute book and so appropriate for a San Francisco girl. The pages are made of vellum. On the front side you see shadows through the “foggy foggy forest” and when you turn the page various magical creatures are revealed. Pip loves this book even though the “ogre doing yoga” freaks her out. We just skip that page.
Happy Monday.
Happy Monday. I’m trying to start the week off with a smile after a lovely weekend full of ballet class, accidentally stumbling upon the North Beach Festival, and pony rides at a coastal farm. This video of Nouvelle Vague set to a scene from Bande a Part does the trick. Some highlights from the weekend:
· Finding out that my fried E had her baby and she is a girl! I called it a girl and I’m pretty sure she was secretly hoping for a girl.
· Pip’s response to the news that Auntie E had a baby girl – “And she’ll get bigger and bigger and bigger?”
· Finding out that Pip is indeed ready for the 3 year old division in ballet class.
· Fiore de leche gelato at Naia.
· The frisky goat at the farm trying to eat Pip’s dress.
· Pip’s response to the goat – “Hey goat! Don’t eat my pretty dress!”
What made you smile this weekend?
Or Swoops, the Front Street attack bird will get you! She is just a couple of blocks from my office, so I have to be especially careful. Happy Friday!
Photo via Attack Bird Chronicles
I love fragrance. A lot. I have a nice perfume collection, My best friend refuses to set foot in a bath and body store with me for fear of how long she would have to wait for me to sniff every bottle in the store. It can be a problem. I don’t have a signature fragrance; I usually decide on a fragrance based on my mood. Lately, my mood had been taking me to Hermes Eau de Merveilles. Hermes makes great fragrances and this is one of my favorites. The name translates to something like “Wonder Water” which I love. It is a really unusual fragrance which suits my taste. If you like sweeter fruity florals, this may not be for you. It is not sweet at all. It is really hard to describe. Perfume descriptions can be so esoteric anyway. I’ll just say that it smells a little woody and a little salty to me. I know that sounds weird, but it is really nice. There is a more eloquent description here. I’m not sure why, but it feels perfect for the weird grey weather we have this time of year in San Francisco. The bottle is really pretty too. In person, it looks like it is covered in gold fairy dust. I also like the commercial — so light hearted and fun.
What about you? Do you have a signature fragrance or do you like to mix it up? What are your favorites?
3
I am just getting back from a long weekend. I took a few days off to celebrate three years of snuggles, hugs, smooches, giggles, squeals, sweetness, love and the plumpest cheeks imaginable. Pip turned three on Sunday and three years ago today, we came home from the hospital. I can’t believe she is 3 already and at the same time I can’t believe she has only been with us for three short years. Yesterday she spent at least an hour drawing a detailed map of San Francisco bus routes. She is definitely an old soul.
15
On this day 15 years ago, I had a date with a long haired, tattooed musician that I had a mad crush on. I assumed he was a flakey, party guy so I never expected that 15 years later he would be a business owner and the most wonderful husband and father anyone could ask for. Since that first date, not a day has passed that we haven’t spoken or made each other laugh. Good times.
Today I’m loving Ruven Afanador.
From spit up wipes to slightly creepy fashion photography — you can’t accuse me of being one dementional.
I have a baby shower to go to this weekend and will be gift shopping this week. Something I always include with baby shower gifts is a couple of packs of these. They were one of my favorite things when Pip was a newborn. You know how newborns spit up all the time? And it gets under their chins and is a pain to clean? These clean it up better than anything, are gentle, and smell good without covering up the baby smell. I still use them now that Pip is a toddler and isn’t keen on having a wet washcloth smooshed in her face. I’m not sure if it’s the smell, texture or both, but she doesn’t mind these and will wash her face herself. When I am feeling especially lazy, I use them to clean my face. They are no rinse and they remove makeup.
It’s one of those little things that people don’t think about. Sometimes it’s all about the little things. They have been much appreciated by those I have given them to.
Mustela in general is wonderful. If your child has or is prone to eczema you need this wash and this cream. Trust me. I have eczema and passed it on to Pip. It makes a huge difference.
Happy Monday. I had a busy Saturday and a lazy Sunday. Nice balance. Even though it’s Monday, I’m happy because this is a short week for me. This song always makes me smile. I hope this week treats everyone well.
…your sweet little one says “Mama, you have chicken toes?”
Happy Friday! My weekend will be filled with brunch, a wedding and apparently a much needed pedicure. What are your weekend plans?
Photo by Tim Walker
