happy thanksgiving!

wishing you all a wonderful day.
xx

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the winemaker

an artist's only concern is to shoot for some kind of perfection, and on his own terms, not anyone else's. 

- j. d. salinger

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terra valentine winery {heaven in the hills}

when i got the call from good friend and wickedly talented, second generation winemaker, sam baxter of terra valentine winery, asking if i could shoot the vineyards and estate, i didn't hesitate to immediately jump into my car and head up spring mountain road.  not only does sam, with the support of his great crew at terra valentine, produce some of the tastiest wines found in napa valley, the grounds are beyond phenomenal and not to be missed.the combined properties offer some of the most unquestionably spectacular views of the napa valley, secret gems of hidden hillside vineyards, sweeping views of pleasingly pristine and symmetric rows of grapevines, and truly remarkable stone structures in both the guest villa and winery itself.  i absolutely enjoyed every moment i spent shooting these properties- the lazy light evening, the stormy sunrise, and the bright crisp afternoon, whatever the circumstance or weather conditions, terra valentine is a remarkable place to spend your time and i'm beyond grateful for the time i was gifted there.

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{the villa}

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{rear view}

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{mount saint helena from the wurtele vineyard}

 

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{wurtele vineyard rows}

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{sunrise over saint helena from the villa}
 
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{estate vineyard from the villa entrance}
 
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always on my mind {food}

i consider myself beyond extraordinarily fortunate to live in the napa valley. as a mother, i can't dream of a more ideal place to raise my children.as a photographer, i could not ask for a better source of inspiration combined with unlimited opportunities.as a foodie, this valley is like a candy store offering endless tasty treats and delectable delights to satisfy any craving or culinary desire. whether it be the crême de tomate en croute from  bistro jeanty, the fried chicken from ad hoc, the english muffins from the model bakery, the ken's roll from go fish, or the macaroons from bouchon bakery...  i am always happy when i'm eating at one of my napa valley favourites.

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{model bakery | saint helena}

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{famous english muffins | the model bakery}

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{bistro jeanty | yountville}

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{patio | bistro jeanty}

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{bouchon bakery cart | yountville}

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{preparing the macaroons | bouchon bakery}

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{ken's roll | go fish}

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{vegetable tempura | go fish}

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family fun + holiday card shoots {life + love + laughter}

shooting the raw beauty of vineyards and the visual fabulousness of food are just two elements of my photographer's life that i love, another is having the honour of capturing a family's love and spirit. i have so much fun following families around while they laugh and play together, and particularly love capturing those endearing and not-so-obvious moments that warm your heart.  here are a few images from a couple of wonderful family holiday card shoots.

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autumn | napa valley {colours}

autumn or fall, whatever you like to call it, i LOVE it.
you might even say that i'm obsessed with it.

i love everything about this time of year in napa valley- the colours, the smells, the rain, the clouds.

here is a little collection of some of the
glorious autumnal colour that i've captured this year.

i hope that you enjoy it!

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chasing the light

light makes photography. embrace light. admire it. love it. 
but above all, know light. 
know it for all you are worth, 
and you will know the key to photography. 
- george eastman

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{mount saint helena}
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{napa valley}
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{howell mountain}
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{saint helena}
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{howell mountain}
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{eastern hills of napa valley}
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petit luxe {revisiting an old life}

my present life has inspired me to revisit an old one, the one that revolved around the baby and children's fashion world and everything that is fun and fabulous about dressing and pampering your little miss or mister.

it seems many moons ago now, but when i was pregnant with my son i founded a luxury children's retail business, petit luxe.  my collection was thoughtful and edited, consisting of luxury and lifestyle essentials for newborn through four year...and i loved and obsessed over every piece that i carried! my mission with petit luxe was to stay true to my own aesthetic and to only carry lines and products that i used and would dress my own children in, and believe me, there was a lot of dress up at my in those days! 

as a significant part of my napa valley life is to share my obsessions, i have decided to add a new section, bon bébé, that highlights this other world of mine that i love.  it will consist of a listing of the designers and products that i love and carried for petit luxe, where you can buy them now, along with other discoveries that i've made along the way.

below is just a glimpse of what i have to share.

i hope that you enjoy! xx

{mother stork's baby book by kistner supply}

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{bonpoint}

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{white matelasse moses basket by sweet william}

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{baby cz cashmere layette}

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{lulla smith nantucket seersucker bedding}

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{petit bateau kimono wrap onesie}

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{sophie la girafe}

*images via manufacturer/designer/retailer