Blah,Blah,Blahg

I LOVE THE RAIN

 

We had a little storm last night in the City of Angels.  It was really little (maybe 5 minutes max) but I wish it would have lasted the whole evening because I love the sound and smell of rain. The sky couldn't have been more beautiful, it was a deep blush and orange color and the air was so balmy and warm. I had to make a pit stop at the drug store to buy face wash before I could shootI (when you wear as much mascara as I do, a good face wash is pit stop worthy). I bought a product that promised to do 7 different kinds of anti-aging, plus it was on sale, I was in a word chuffed. 

I came home, shot, took a shower, uploaded my photo's and had the Fancy ask, "Are you wearing men's cologne?" Verdict? I will have younger looking skin but will smell like an elderly gentleman, is it worth the trade off? I think so. 

We are coming to an end of our Souvenir Foto School session and I am feeling blue.  I have rather enjoyed this session and was pleasantly surprised that I wasn't kicked out of class for not completing my assignments (as I have been known to procrastinate and all).  I had really great feedback from my students that they felt more creative and I have to say I did as well.  I really want this feeling to last as who knows when I will shut down from my day job drudgery and find myself in the fetal position or rocking back in forth in a corner?  I played with a new technique and I don't know if it will go anywhere but I had fun doing it.

Here's to you and me not subcumming to the florescent lights, k?

 

IT'S HOT

 

Even though it has been inferno hot in the City of Angels I have been finding hints of autumn here and there.  It has finally cooled down to double digits (92 degrees yesterday!) and I am ready as I have ever been for there to be a change in season.  It won't happen any time soon of course, Los Angeles doesn't follow the same weather rules as the rest of the country and it should probably remain warmer than I would like for a little while longer...

IT'S MONDAY AGAIN!

Toi emailed me this image and I love everything about it.  The photo itself is pretty darn amazing but the capture?  Look at that tongue and trust me I am always tempted to gnaw on Bella's turkey leg all the time.  I wish I was at the beach today instead of going in early to the office but at least we have photo's like this to take the edge off  of Monday, no?

HAPPY DANCE, IT'S FRIDAY!

It's supposed to be in the triple digits this weekend in the City of Angels.  I don't like extreme weather conditions, but I am hoping that my garden is happy with all the sunshine and that my plants don't spontaneous combust (or myself for that matter). I was hoping to take my new (to me) film camera out for a spin, but I found out last night it doesn't work, even after the lady at the garage sale assured me it did, grrrrr. I know where you live lady and don't think I am above complaining. Seriously, if she said she didn't know if it worked I would have accepted that, but to tell me emphatically that it did, well, hmmph! She's lucky I am too lazy to make my way over there.

Saturday I am going to try to get to the beach and visit mi madre, it's always about 20 degree's cooler where she lives. It will be fun to leave my zip code for a day and she walks so slow that she never complains when I stop and take a snapshot because she is about 80 paces behind me. The relationship works, what can I say? G.G. my 3lb bunny dog and I will probably head to the flea market again on Sunday, but this time we will go earlier so I won't melt like I did last weekend. G.G. didn't mind the heat last week because she was being toted in my bag, my arms  hovering over her head as a human shade shielding her from the relentless sun, fanning her face whilst I got another bout of heat stroke and sunburn. Oh, I hope to come back in another lifetime as my dog...

Wishing you all the happiest of weekends!

MAGNOLIA BAKERY COMES TO TOWN

  

Shhhhh, don't tell anyone but I don't like cupcakes (or any cake for that matter), I feel so off trend. My Fancy on the other hand will let you know that he loves cake in all its incarnations.  I stopped by Magnolia Bakery last night, it just opened in Los Angeles and picked up some of the world famous cupcakes.  Before bed I asked him if he tried the cupcakes his answer, 'Oh, they weren't as great as I imagined".  "Really?' I asked astonished, he is the sweet expert in our household after all  I figured I would try a bite to see what the world was raving about but the person who thought the cupcakes weren't 'that great' ate them all...

Souvenir Foto::Photo Rx Actions used:: Insta-light|Paint with Light:Bright

PHOTO RX:: CURE FOR THE COMMON CAPTURE

You will have to forgive me as I load the Blahg up with samples of the Souvenir Foto::Photo Rx Basics new Photoshop actions (I am too lazy to create another designated blog).  If you have an underexposed or overexposed image that you want me to use as a sample I am happy to try it out and post on the Blahg (send to missb [at] souvenirfoto.com), or better yet if you have a dull and listless image that you think could use a little 'pep' I would love to give it a go.  The actions are in the beta stage right now meaning we are still testing, playing, naming and getting them ready for their official debut. This one 'painting with light::brighten' is one of my favorites because it gives me a lot of control (and I need control). I use it a lot to work on eyes in my photo's and  it works to banish the dull + bloodshot eye symptom which is not a good look on anyone (even a cute pup).

This action is completely adjustable and will not permanently effect the original image. I am hoping that the actions are used to achieve subtle enhancements so you look like an amazing photographer and not someone that has gotten their hands on a photo editing program. I mentioned that these would be great for Etsy sellers, but it shouldn't be relegated to just Etsy, they work great for your blog photo's as well. Sign up to be notified of launch!

BRINGING THE FARM TO YOU

Yesterday was a happy day, I got my first delivery of produce from these people (thanks to everyone that recommended them).  We opted for the mixed box of both fruit and veggies and I am glad we did because I can only imagine what a veggie only box would look like.  The concept is simple, the farm delivers fresh fruit and veggies to your door per your preference (we chose the twice a month plan). Now we are scrambling to find creative ways to cook our bounty.  I took lot's of photo's last night that were supposed to grace the Blahg this a.m. of the harvest that was our delivery but those images are on my jump drive somewhere, but not here (figures).

Not a radish fan, but I have already had many suggestions from my classmates in our Souvenir Foto Class, I really liked my Argentinean classmate Flor's idea of eating them with lemon juice and sea salt (I do like my lemons). Some of the produce delivered was Swiss Chard, which I am really not familiar with but from my research last night we have to eat it stat or else it will be rubbish.  I am going to try it sauteed with garlic ala Heidi from 101 Cookbooks this evening.

We will have to come up with ideas for arugula, I am thinking arugula pesto, which definitely has a bite, the only problem being that our food processor died and hasn't been replaced (I blame the economy and my mother, I like to blame her for most things). It seems the farm included an inordinate amount of bok choy, I found this chicken and bok choy recipe that looks pretty tasty (minus the 1/2 cup of bbq sauce, wha?) and since it looks like we won't run out of bok choy anytime soon maybe we should try this, this and this as well. A bushel of rappini which I have been craving was part of our pack, it's not for everyone it's on the bitter side, but I love it paired with Italian sausage (the chicken or turkey variety) sauteed with a little olive oil and garlic.  Happy indeed.

PHOTO RX::CURE FOR THE COMMON CAPTURE

When I was working full-time on the Bright Side Project with Jules, my job was to pull together all the graphics for the site which included the daily prize images.  I spent what seemed like hours making poor photo's look decent on the site.  I realized that most of the contributors were not photographers, but if they did slight tweaks to their images they could be that much better. I had threatened Jules with coming out with a set of Photoshop actions targeted at Etsy sellers to help them take their images to the next level.  That was many moons ago and I had been side tracked multiple times and it fell by the wayside as 'Miss B. great idea 1,0001' (note: I have a bajillion 'great' ideas a day).

Lately, I have taken a huge step back from the BSP because we are currently looking for a buyer for the project.  Yes, indeed!  Both Miss Lindsey and I don't have the time to put into the site that it deserves, so if you are TRULY interested in possibly being the new owner please shoot us an email: hello[at] thebrightsideproject.com. With my stepping back it gave me some precious time to pick up where I left off on some of my projects. I finally finished the first set of basic actions and my Souvenir Foto School class is starting to test them out.  The feedback thus far has been really positive and I am getting pretty excited about launch.  I plan to make the basic action sets affordable enough for Etsy sellers to be able to purchase without guilt and hopefully we can figure out how to make them work for those with Photoshop Elements and the free, Photoshop-esque, Gimp.

If you want to be in the loop when these babies launch, put your name on the waiting list and we will let you know the second it does. Sign up to be notified of launch!

HAPPY MONDAY!

Who knew that chipmunk tongue could be so darn cute?

//PHOTO VIA LILITH1313LAUNCH//

FRIDAY'S MAKE ME BLUSH

O' Friday, how much do I love thee?  Why to the sun and back of course.  My little flat has been gracing me with the prettiest light lately, I am planning on reveling in every minute of it this weekend.  I will play with my girls and lift my face to the sun.

I will read lot's of books from the library on edible gardening in my garden of course!  I love saying that--MY GARDEN.  Yes, MINE.  It's coming along quite nicely, even though I only have 5 plants out back and I can already feel that the air has become quite a few degree's cooler.

Have a happy weekend and I hope you enjoy it as much as I will.