Bennett

Bennett Sleep 8_15_16

Bennett Deacon Strew. August 2, 2016. 4:25 am. 8lbs 8 oz. 22.5 inches

A few days after Bennett was born, we realized he came into the world the same day that our friend, Deacon, passed away 7 years ago. We’ve been planning his middle name for a long time, but this made it even more perfect and special.

I’ve been savoring the nap times slept laying on my chest, the way he latches on like he’s never been fed, the way he contently rests his face on both his hands and smiles after he is full, and so much more…

 

san francisco

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Happy New Year! We felt a little worn from traveling and family holiday functions, so we rang in the 2014 watching Frances Ha and eating pizza in bed. It was perfect. San Francisco had gorgeous weather during our trip. It was clear and sunny each day, and we were constantly soaking in the views – from our rooms, car -even pulling over to catch the sunset, walking, etc. We booked a hotel downtown and rented a car at the last minute, and it gave us a chance to explore more of the city. Some highlights:

Eat & Drink: Tartine (Still dreamin’ of their morning buns), Happy Moose Juice, Taylor Street’s Cafe, Katana-Ya, The Codmother Fish and Chips, Lers Ros Thai

Shop: Little Paper Planes & Owl Cave Books, Dog Eared Bookstore, Gravel & Gold, Mill Mercantile, Daiso ($1.50 Japanese store)

See: Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, Mission District, Japantown

 

june

June has flown by and I’m already halfway through my summer break. A lot has happened: I finished up the school year and completed my 5th year of teaching; we went to New York with my sisters for work/play, we saw Eggleston at the Met, celebrated my 28th birthday with friends, rode the ferry over to Brooklyn, had a lovely lunch with the Dobbin Mews ladies, came back to Houston; and then… I got a new teaching job. As I was looking forward to a summer of “nothing,” things changed quickly. But this change was good. I had a tearful goodbye (all on my end, of course, because I cry about everything) with my former school, and now I’m preparing materials for my new courses. My commute will cut out almost 1.5 hours of driving every day, and most importantly I think this position will enable me to havea much more balanced life. Here’s to a new beginning!

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circus people

My youngest sister Thuy just graduated early from SCAD last month, and she’s been at home working on her portfolio. I’ve been pestering her for the longest time to let me print some of her work. The circus people, one of my favorites, will be available soon. I’ll also post her finished website when the time comes. If anyone is looking for an awesome illustrator/designer she won’t dissapoint.

Thuy’s pinterest || blog

sample sale

One of my favorite dresses from Cacharel in the Steven Alan’s sample sale. I saw it a few months ago and fell in love with the print. But I’m going to just admire from afar and pick up some basics for work. Wouldn’t it make a nice party dress?

I recently got the dresses below (now marked down ever further) on my last trip to NY, and they’re super comfortable and versatile. My older SA pieces have held up really well over the years, so I try to add a few pieces every now and then into my wardrobe.

A handful of images from our day trip to Round Top, Easter meals with Andrew & Bridget and family gatherings, plants for the house, and being inspired by color and patterns.

mai and gabe

I finally developed the some of the pictures from Mai and Gabe’s wedding. It was my first time in a wedding party, and I even got to play florist by putting together the flowers for the bride, flower girls, and tables. It was such a busy but fun time! These are less candid than what I usually shoot, but I thought their wedding brought together a more motley and colorfully Texan group than the typical Vietnamese ceremony, and these shots kind of captures it.