Left-handed and upside-down

So…a certain little puppy has kept me too busy over the past week to get to this post. Meet Rufus - our 12 week old Boston Terrier! He has kept us on our toes and is a lot of work, but he’s worth every second.

This weekend he was a champ on his first road trip, traveling to Philly with us. We debated throwing him off his schedule and into unfamiliar territory so soon, but there was no way we were going to miss our dear buddy Nate’s 30th birthday. Rufus slept both ways in the car and was the hit of the party. The rest of the weekend, he enjoyed many long walks, lap naps, skype dates to meet the grandparents, and lots of time laying in the sun on the patio. Although I hate leaving him for work tomorrow, I think a few days of rest will do him good after such a big weekend!

Much more to come on the ole blog from Mr. Rufus…get pumped.

OK, here goes…I really hate to admit this, because I always thought Lilly Pulitzer clothes looked like a sorority girl barfed up her cupcakes, BUT…they’re kinda killing it this season with these frocks! Heck, I’d even consider wearing that 3rd one for my wedding.

More shots from last week in New Orleans - such a COLORFUL city.

I can’t stop staring at the gut-wrenching images of the destruction in Joplin this week. Even though we’re becoming too accustomed to all of the disaster that’s happpening around the world these days, the desolation in these images has been especially haunting to me. 

Thoughts go out to all of those affected as they try to rebuild their lives…

{source: AP}

In New Orleans I was BUSY - not just with work, but with trying all the delicious Nawlins cuisine there is to try (and drink! in open containers while walking the streets!):

Beignets and cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde

Abita Purple Haze while listening to Rebirth Brass Band at Maple Leaf Bar
{photo}  

Cooter Brown’s oyster po boy
{photo}

And the finale…one of the best meals ever at John Besh’s August 
{photo - one of his signature dishes that we started with - foie gras 3 ways} 

Outside of volunteering one afternoon and a few dinners, most of my time in New Orleans was spent inside a conference room. I refused to leave without snapping some photos of this picturesque city, so the last morning, I headed out at 7am for a stroll around the French Quarter - yes, a very different view of Bourbon Street than most revelers get! Here are a few of the things I saw along the way.

Looking forward to strawberry season. I love ‘em plain, on granola, or in a fruit salad, but here are a few more unexpected uses I’ve come across recently:

- layered with peanut butter, in place of jelly, on a sandwich
- drizzled with balsamic vinegar for a snack or dessert
- in a spinach salad with walnuts and feta

{photos here and here} 

A few more favorites from this shoot…

Inspired by some photogs I’ve been admiring lately such as Tiffany Arment, in the post-production, I went for a more desaturated, warm look than I normally do and am digging it.

(part 1 favorites here)

From Harlem to Central Park for a very quintessential New York couple. I am really happy with how the photos turned out. Can’t wait for August, love you guys!