transitions

s I sit in front of my computer today, the weather outside is drizzly and chilly. This might be one of my favorite times of year.  It's cooled down enough so I can wear boots and cardigans, there's a cozy feeling that comes with rain and fall leaves, but it's still warm enough that I can take the dog for a walk without putting on a ton of layers and best of all, I'm not depressed by the rain yet.  These photos were taken last week, though, when we were enjoying the last summery days.  We probably still have quite a few sunny days left this year before we really get into the depths of the Pacific Northwest's rainy season, but I can tell that our warm days are gone.  We haven't turned the heat on in the house yet, but it's almost time!  I still can't bring myself to wear tights, though.  I love me some tights, but I'm not ready to give up bare legs yet!

Has it started to feel like fall in your neck of the woods?  Back home in Alaska fall is already in full swing and they usually start getting snow by mid-late October.  I remember when I first came to Tacoma in my Winne back in October of 2010 and I was surprised by how warm it still was!  I remember growing up in school we'd always have bets for which day the first snowfall would be.  It is nice to actually get an Autumn though.  Fall is pretty short up in Anchorage, but it is still crisp and gorgeous.  I like having the time to really enjoy the fall colors and season.  I was always confused, as a kid, why Thanksgiving was marked by fall decor.  For us it was always super snowy by then!  Of course, down in most of the Lower 48, Thanksgiving takes place during Fall.  I kind of like getting to celebrate Thanksgiving as a fall holiday!


 

dress + shades/shop ruche :: necklace/free people :: shoes/courtesy of modcloth

ENGAGED // bryan + rachel's downtown tacoma engagement shoot

I've been shooting more clients this year and I wanted to share some of my shoots here on the blog!  I've posted a few of my sessions in the past but haven't blogged most of them so in addition to sharing newer sessions I want to share a few of my favorite sessions from years past.

I'd shot some portraits of Bryan and Rachel in the past so when Bryan was planning to propose to Rachel he asked me to shoot the actual proposal!  A couple weeks after the proposal we got together again to do some more formal engagement shots downtown. We met at Anthem's downtown coffee shop, which was perfect because their first date was at the Anthem in Puyallup (and that's where Bryan proposed).  Keeping things in the Anthem family!

Their wedding was this January and they've already got a little bun in the oven set to arrive in January of 2015, so maybe some new family portraits will be in order after they add their new member to the family!

 


 

a delightful giveaway from becky murphy

Hi guys!  I'm excited to be hosting a giveaway today from Becky Murphy for one of my favorite prints in her shop!  You guys might remember Becky from the giveaway I did last year for her book, I'd Rather Be Short (which you can still get your hands on!).  If you can't tell already, she's a rad gal and today I get to do a giveaway for her Should I Wash My Hair Today? print, which I have hanging in my own bathroom.  One lucky reader will get to take this print home, and if you want to buy any of her amazing prints I have a special 20% discount for you guys to take advantage of!  Just enter "delightfullytacky20" at checkout to get the discount.  The code expires on Oct 1. so head over and pick out your favorite print before then to get the discount!
To enter the giveaway just follow the directions below!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

in with the new

esterday I got to go to CreativeLive's studio to be part of the live audience and learn from some amazing photographers.  They're doing their annual PhotoWeek, which is a week long "conference" full of seminars on all aspects of photography, and it's totally free this week, while it runs live.  I love CreativeLive's classes, so it was really fun to get to go to their studios in Seattle and get to be a part of the production!  They rebroadcast the day's classes after they wrap at 5, so if you work during the day you can still catch the action on the evening rebroadcast.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, transitional seasons always seem to transcend just the changing of the climate.  It almost always feels like a time for life changes too.  Fresh starts.  New projects.  Goals.  Fall always hits me particularly hard with this, probably because for so many years it really was the start of a new season of life with school starting.  New exciting classes, new stationary, new notebooks, pens and pencils, books, new clothes.  As sad as I am to see summer go, fall is such a great time for refocusing and settling down.  I love all the holidays, birthdays, and events that the end of the year brings, it seems like there's always something to look forward to.



dress/modcloth :: cardigan/ruche :: chevron necklace/courtesy of moorea seal long + short necklaces/courtesy of adorn by sarah lewis :: shoes/minnetonka

poached apples

pple season is nigh!  Bring on the apple crisps, apple pies, apple cider, all the apple things.  This little dessert is kind of like a single serving apple pie, sans crust.  I like apple pie, but this is a bit more fancy looking, like apple pie's sophisticated little sister.  Before making this I don't think I'd ever poached anything and I certainly hadn't thought about poaching apples, just eggs.  The first time I did it I poached the apples too long and they turned into a disintegrating mess but the second time they were just right.  You can poach apples in just water, but I saw quite a few recipes that recommended doing it in apple cider, so I opted for that and I really liked the results.
I've also seen some really amazing looking poached pear recipes that I think I might try next.  This poaching thing is so new to me!  Have you poached anything before?  I still haven't poached eggs, so maybe I should try that, eh?  Eggs Benedict anyone?  
Poached Apples with Whipped Cream
(recipe via epicurious)

6 medium Gala apples (about 3 pounds), cored from bottom, leaving stems on
1/2 lemon
1/2 gallon apple cider
1 cup packed light brown sugar

1. Peel the top third of each apple and rub peeled part with lemon half. Put apples in a large 5-quart pot and add cider and brown sugar. 
2. Bring to a boil, covered, over medium heat (this will take 25 to 30 minutes). 
3. Remove from heat and cool apples in cider, covered, about 1 hour.  While apples are cooling, make the toppings.

Candied Pecans
1 cup chopped pecans
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg white, lightly beaten Pinch sal

1. Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in lower third.

2. Stir together all ingredients with a pinch of salt, then spread out on a baking sheet.  Bake, rotating sheet halfway through, until golden, 5 to 6 minutes.

3. Transfer to a rack and loosen nuts, then cool (nuts will crisp as they cool).

Whipped Cream
1/2 cup chilled heavy cream
1 1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 Tbsp dark rum
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

1. Beat cream with sugar, rum, and vanilla using an electric mixer until it just holds soft peaks.

2. Drain apples (you can save the poaching liquid for another use), and put an apple on each plate.  Sprinkle with candied pecans and some cinnamon sugar. Dollop cream next to each apple and for extra decadence, drizzle caramel sauce all over!