Some lovelies soaking in the Sonoma sun.
sonoma
We spent our second day in wine country in Sonoma. I had heard it is far more laid back, but didn't really know what that meant till I got there. It is far more casual, smaller wineries, less manicured, but just as good! We shopped in Sonoma Square - adorable shops and tasting rooms all along the square. Shop. Taste. Chocolate. Shop. Taste. Lunched at the Red Grape (yummy pizza!) and then over to Ravenswood for another tasting. And finished with dinner at The Girl and the Fig. Perfectly lovely day! 
napa
Finally got to editing some photos from my napa trip. I didn't take anywhere near what I would have liked to, but sometimes you just need to stay focused on things without a lens in between, you know. We spent our first day in Napa - started at Opus One for a tour of their facility - upon arrival it seemed a little stuffy, but our guide was really great and down to earth. We learned a lot and are completely inspired to come back during harvest. Would be completely amazing to see all those grapes in motion! Totally amazed by how much of the work is still done by hand! And enjoyed two glasses of their wine 2009 vintage of Opus One and their lower level Overture, both very good. 
From there we headed over to Oakville Grocery - perfect place to pick up gourmet snackin's and they have a great wine selection too! Stop there for lunch - They have picnic tables outside so you can sit among the vines and enjoy.
Then it was over to Domaine Chandon for bubbles! It was crazy busy in the tasting room, so we bought a bottle and sat on the patio enjoying the day... and some chocolate covered strawberries! I loved the reserve so much, I bought a bottle to bring home with me! Ohhh I do love bubbles! 
We ended the day with dinner at Tra Vigne - their mozzarella is made in house and is ridiculous good! Let me just say ... one day in Napa is not even close to enough time. I wish I lived closer so I could just pop in for the day and do a couple of new places each time. And be able to take photos of the beautiful vineyards. ... Will have to go back!
forty
Today I am forty. Seems forty is an age where everyone asks you the big questions - Are you happy? Are you freaking out about turning forty? What will you do with the next forty? I say fu*k forty! It's just a number. I have never been one to get all upset about turning another year older. I mean, why do it? You cannot stop it. You cannot go back. So, I say own it.
I have been incredibly fortunate in my forty years. I have a small, but lovely family - I knew all four of my grandparents and one great grandmother. They provided me with a childhood that was simple and happy. They helped me become who I am today by giving me the power to make choices and supporting me weather they were right or wrong.
I have been able to fly. Near and far ... The big apple. Stonehenge. Paris. The canals of Venice. The Charles Bridge in Prague. Bourbon Street. Vegas. Hawaii ... and so much more.
I have had fun. A lot of fun! I have amazing friends that have provided me with some of the best moments in my life. Final Fours. Spring Breaks. Weddings. Children. Festivals. Concerts.
I fell into a job that challenges me each and ever day and I don't know what could beat that! Do I have bad days? Sure. But in the end, I make a difference. I am helping people.
So how do I feel about the first forty? Fabulous. Fun. Fortunate.
Here's to the next forty!
Haen wedding
What a beautiful day! I shot my first wedding in ages for my dear friend Barbara and her husband Steve. I have the utmost respect for wedding photographers - this is seriously hard work! I took over 2400 photos - many burst shots, so lots to cut with eyes closed and folks looking the other way and such - and paired it down to just over 500 I felt best captured the day. I think there are some keepers for sure. Hands down my biggest photo challenge to date. I shot with three lenses - 24-70, 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.4. I am rather surprised at my gravitation toward primes ... LOVE the 50mm! Here are a few of my favorite photos from a beautiful wedding day in January! Thanks to Barbara and Steve for including me in such a special day and trusting me to capture some of the most important moments as you begin your journey together.
10 on 10 { feb 2013 }
I remembered! I remembered! Today I snapped a LOT of photos, but made sure to grab one per hour so I could be true to the 10 on 10 challenge! Spent the day at the Museum of Science and Industry, my favorite Chicago museum, with the Pittman's! I wanted to go to catch the Peanuts exhibit - and crazy -Holly, Jeff and Bella had never been before... what!?! They totally loved it. YaYa always knows the best places to go!
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| breakfast and facebook |
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| selfie after getting ready for the day |
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| allergy shot - four years of these and still counting - damn cats! |
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| Peanuts exhibit was really great |
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| I have always wanted an original Peanuts cel |
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| Sloane LOVED that piano. |
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| We watched the movie Born to be Free in the Omnimax Theater - it was fabulous! |
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Went on the U505 tour - the claustrophobic in me did not enjoy this much
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| 'twas a dreary day here in Chicago, but I really cannot complain ... rain in February is not normal |
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| target |
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| finalizing plans for birthday trip |
snow!
![snow branch by YF [ yffoto ]](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8359/8320525562_51da47fa8d.jpg)
It was so great to wake up Christmas morning to snow. Is it silly that I still get a little excited when that happens? It was just a dusting, but in the last couple of days we've gotten a few more inches - that really wet variety that sticks to trees and bushes and that looks super pretty. { love }
50mm 1.4 dream
![look away by YF [ yffoto ]](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8503/8319463225_a85013fd4a.jpg)
Testing my new lens today after work and I am really loving it. I was never a fan of the 'nifty fifty' but the 1.4 is so fast and just soaks in light ... it's dreamy!
test shooting
This is the place where I will be shooting a wedding reception. Cute little spot for a foodie couple don't ya think? Took a few shots with the SLR to see if I could get anything w/out flash .. I am going to hope they turn off the fluorescents in the coolers!
10 on 10 { nov 2012 }
Ahhhh finally the tenth lands on a weekend! So happy to be able to photograph something other than work! Sadly, the day was filled with repair men, errands and furniture moving to prepare for painters tomorrow. I am so happy to finally be getting a fresh coat of paint, but I have waaaaay too much furniture to move around! Maybe it's time to donate some stuff!! A huge thanks to my awesome friends, the Robinson's, for lending me some muscle! I could not have done it without you! Hoping the painters can finish in a day so I can get everything put back together! Happy Saturday peeps!
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| tea ... always tea |
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| phoebe hiding under the furniture |
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| the awesome Robinson's |
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| all of my belongings piled in the middle of my living room |
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| I saved one tiny spot in front of the TV so I had somewhere to sit |
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| spotted on my neighbor's door - cute |
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| just some ivy - don't you jut love ivy? |
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| Two trips to Lowe's and one to Home Depot to fix the flush handle on my toilet - ridiculous! Do not buy a tank that has the handle on a 45 degree angle. Just don't! |
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| hate that it is completely dark by 5 pm * frown * |
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| Lucy looking at me like ... what the heck are you doing to our home? Huh? |
all photos processed with VSCO LR4 presets