Last night was the first night of Hannukah, and we surprised Ezra with his first big-boy bed. I had seen a similar bed online, but didn't want to pay shipping (and didn't know how great the quality would be). So I reached out to my good friend Braden.Braden and I worked for years together on the Scotch website photos, and I knew that he was a major woodworker and loved to build things like furniture. And we worked out a deal. And the bed was delivered yesterday and OHMYGOD did it exceed my expectations!The bed is made of solid Ash wood, and it's finished with a white oil (I originally wanted to paint the bed, but Braden explained the error of my ways -- thank goodness!).The bed is all non-toxic and kid friendly and I cannot even explain how solid it is. This is no Ikea piece, let me tell you.If you would like your own bed (or other amazing custom furniture), please, please, please reach out to Braden. We've already commissioned a few more pieces for our living room.Do you watch Fixer Upper? It's like having your own personal Clint, but with a much higher taste level!And now for your internet shares of the day:+ Nature photography that will blow you away.+ An amazing dinner for the vegetarian in your life.+ An alternative to the traditional Christmas tree. I love this, but I will never give up the smell of a fresh fir in my living room. Sorry, guys.+ And this is wonderful and exciting but still super depressing that half the population thought voting for a sexual predator is A-OK.

How hilarious is that kid up there? I had him in the studio last weekend for a shoot celebrating his first birthday. We blasted his favorite band (The Clash, naturally), and threw around some confetti and balloons. What a great time, we had! I mean, he just won't stop smiling! It's amazing!For your internet shares of the day:+ I cannot wait for this movie. CAN. NOT. WAIT.+ I have the same stocking that I used as a small child, so it has never occurred to me to buy new ones. But man there are some lovely stockings out there.+ Travel guide by a seven year old. Amazing.

It's that time of year. The time when you are so busy with work and family and gift buying and shoveling the driveway and yet you keep telling yourself to make more time for the people. The friends. The family.Well, last week Lucy and I made the time for a few of our friends at Superhuman Agency, who have been great at supporting us as photographers. We invited a handful of folks over to our cozy space (a handful is about all that would fit!) and we took an hour or two to unwind, have a drink, snack on some treats and just laugh and touch base. And it was so much fun, and so needed.I'm not gonna lie, it was hard to fit this in. We had them arriving just 2 hours after wrapping up a huge commercial shoot in the space, and we had to put everything back, clean, set out food, etc etc. But it was all worth it.And for those of you reading this that want to do the same, we are planning more of these happy hours! But we're also working on our schedules, so you'll be hearing from us soon. I promise!And now for your internet shares of the day:+ This article about being a woman really hit home for me. If you're a man, please read it.+ Some book ideas if you need gifts for a bookworm like me!+ I made these holiday cookies this weekend and they were so easy and so delicious and I know it's my own recipe but my god get on this!

Whew, what a week!Leslie and I have an amazing new client we're working with (we'll reveal more details about them later), and have three big shoots for them this month. I am doing the styling for each, which has been a ton of fun, and has gotten me back into some of my favorite thrift and vintage stores around town.The shoot I am shopping for now has a vintage/antique/collector theme, so, as one of my first stops, I of course darted over to the always amazing Hunt & Gather to browse the multi-level treasure trove that is their store. I was thrilled to find these really cool old film reels and slides - they will be a perfect addition to the set I'm working on! If you have never been to H&G, it's worth it just for the spectacle even if you're not in the market for anything at all. Here is a grainy/blurry cell phone photo of a corner of the space, just to give you glimpse: H&G is filled with items from several different vintage dealers, so there is a huge, and well curated, variety of themes/styles/etc. There are also always extremely bizarre items that will keep you wondering what will be around the next corner.So, it's a treat to get to go browse spots like this for *work*, and a bit dangerous because it's hard not to walk away with something for myself :)If you're like me and enjoy strolling through vintage shops, below are a few of my favorite in south Minneapolis that I visited today - maybe an activity for you this weekend?-Hunt & Gather-Victory-Valentine Wood-Clarabel 

After showing you the tree lot yesterday, I figured I should show you our tree this year. First off, I have to admit that my favorite tree photos are the blurry ones. Sorry (not sorry), but you get the idea.Also, in case you can't tell, I like my trees like I like my men. Tall and skinny. I always opt for the "wild" firs, as they are sparse like I like and show off the ornaments well (as you can see below). And the smell. Oh man, does my house smell good right now. For your internet shares of the day:+ A wonderful story of humanity during this ridiculous presidency/time in America.+ These fires in California are insane.+ If you have a man in your life who wants a watch for the holidays, Timex has some beauties out right now.

Last night, I was on my way to dinner with my dear friend Nyberg, when I demanded she pull over so I could jump out and take photos of my favorite Christmas Tree stand in the dark. And because she's an angel, she didn't hesitate one bit.This is such a fabulous fixture in my neighborhood, and it brings me joy every single year. But it is *especially* wonderful when there is a fresh dusting of snow on the branches.The stand is run by the Forestry department, and it has been here for 40 years. Charming doesn't even begin to describe its beauty.And for your internet shares of the day:+ Great work, Time. Have you heard about their person of the year? So, I guess Trump was lying. Again.+ This quote is my mantra.+ And in "Damn, this girl has great taste but not the budget to match" news, I have found the perfect holiday wreath to fit my native-Kansan self. And I want to bring in the new year toasting with these amazing glasses that are far too spendy. Let the estate sale hunt for something similar begin!

We've had 16 family photo sessions in the studio in the last four days, and man, is that place getting a workout! The roomba is working full time to get up all the snow/glitter/confetti/tinsel, that's for sure!But the best part has, for me anyway, been the families that bring in their dogs. Holy moly, does that make this girl happy! So for the next week or so, I'll have a few features on dogs all dolled up for the holidays. Like this little lady here. Those barrettes! So adorable!And for your internet shares of the day!+ Here is a list of the best new restaurants in the Twin Cities in 2017. I've only eaten at one of them, so I have my work cut out for me! (That said, I'm hitting up another one tonight, yum!)+ I have always loved Patagonia clothing for its outstanding quality. Now I like them for their outstanding moral compass.+ On kids and cussing. (I'm in big fucking trouble.)

Did you guys watch Gilmore Girls? Well, I did, and let me tell you. Sometimes, it is truly like my neighborhood is verging on Stars Hollow territory. Like this weekend.After photographing TWELVE families on Saturday (ahem), I came home, grabbed the kid and headed out to our neighborhood trolley station. They had everything decked out in lights, there was a bonfire, hot cocoa, s'mores and ... wait for it... Santa.We waited in line for a little under an hour (man that kid of mine is patient... unlike me...) and then we rode the decked out trolley for 10 minutes before heading home.It was fantastic. I loved it when the kid said, "Mama! I'm getting to go on a date with you IN THE DARK!"Yeah, yeah, it was a big hit. The photos? Not so great. But I wanted you to get the idea.The tracks were lit the whole way with luminaries and it really was magical.For your internet shares of the day:+ Realistic birth announcements.+ People ask me all the time what kind of computer they should get. And I tell them a mac. And then they get a PC to save money. And then this happens. (PSA, these friends didn't ask!)+ Oooooh, the life of a screenwriter!+ And how to be a good girl friend.