rain drops in the vineyard {photography}

Monticello Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir {wines}

Monticello Vineyards Estate Grown Pinot Noir is my very favorite Pinot- 

it's yummy!

featured photographer - mumm napa valley

so thrilled to be the featured photographer this month in mumm napa's 2012 calendar of photographers, produced by the amazing and world renowned photographer, chuck o'rear. this is the published image. 

happy birthday, little mister!

last week our little man turned FIVE, and we are hardly able to wrap our brains around the lightning speed with which those five years flew by.  the thought of the next five years going by just as quickly makes me want to cuddle up with him and hold him as long as he'll let me in the hopes that i can somehow slowdown time.

it can be tricky to come up with fun parties for winter babies as you have to plan something indoors- you never know if it's going to be 65 degrees like it was this year, or literally the coldest day of the year as it was on his second birthday when we had a petting zoo and pony rides. we almost froze all of our friends. this year we brainstormed for some time then decided that as a lover of both art and gardening, a garden themed party at nimbus arts would be perfect for him...and it was!  from the painting of flower pots to the devouring of adorable ladybug cupcakes from our friends at the model bakery, it was a happy and fun day filled with lots of creativity, laughing and smiling.

•••

it's been a fabulous year!

2011 brought me love, life, opportunity, wisdom + happiness. 

With my family complete, my heart full + my mind bursting with new ideas- 

I cannot wait to start this next year.

HAPPY EVERYTHING!!!

T's little tree {photographs}

every year he get's his very own little tree + he's always so proud.

john sorensen's lobster feeds {my obsessions}

anyone who knows me, knows that i LOVE a yummy meal + john sorensen provides 

one of the yummiest meals in the napa valley- 

a true, get-your-hands-dirty-food-all-over-your-face-butter-dripping-off-your-chin, lobster feed!

whether it be a family birthday party, a private winery event, a wine auction or casual dinner with friends, john sorensen is at the top of our list of people to call.  there's a reason why people in napa valley refer to him as the, "lobster king"...

•••

these eyes {photographs}

{i love how he sees the world}

mother stork's baby book {good taste}

in what almost seems like a lifetime ago, i had a precious little retail business called, petit luxe. i specialized in luxury + lifestyle essentials for women + newborns through four years.  i am often asked for recommendations for the perfect baby shower gift + i always point toward one of my most coveted petit luxe items, the "mother stork's baby book". truth be told, i discovered this book years before i conceived of petit luxe or my first child.  i fell in love with this timelessly classic book + knew in an instant that this was the book in which i would archive my babies' special moments + memories.

i was pleasantly surprised to learn of the family history behind kistner supply, the family owned publisher of this prized baby book, + could not have been happier to make a new friend in the owner, elizabeth brantley. 

mother stork's baby book is comprised of archival quality paper, timeless stories by such writers as robert louis stevenson + ink drawings reminiscent of a time gone by- all of which make this an heirloom quality book + my go to gift for new mothers.

•••

{the details}

{how your book will arrive}

{even a proper pen, a note of congratulations + photo corners are included}

{so lovingly + carefully wrapped}

{a record of life...}

{filled with sweet poems}

{the wording melts my heart}

{of course i do love this page}

twelve weeks {photographs}

autumnal perfection {photographs}

{perhaps THE most beautiful napa valley driveway this time of year}

an amazing moment

my boys. nothing melts my heart more...

bubbles {photographs}

looking back {harvest 2010}