What have you been reading lately?

I recently finished and loved The Remains of the Day.
Right now I'm in the middle of A Novel Bookstore,
and I'm liking it very much.

I need some new recommendations for Autumn,
the season of colorful leaves
& cozy hours spent drinking tea and reading.

Thanks so much for all the sweet comments about my new studio, guys.
I feel very lucky.

Over the weekend, we went to see Local Natives.
It was amazing, and reminded me: it's time for an Autumn music mix.
I hope there is song on there that makes you smile.
Here's to a happy Monday.

Sienna, Rust, & Iron - Autumn Playlist, 2010
+Woodcact - Tunng
+In Every Direction - Junip
+Calm Down - Psapp
+Elinore With The Golden Hair - Grand Hallway
+Black Eyes - Shearwater
+Parisian Dream - Laura Veirs
+Yes, I'm Cold - Christ Bathgate
+Airplanes - Local Natives
+This Fiction - Adelaide's Cape
+The Best Thing - Doveman

Guys, I'm so excited.
I'm so excited.
I wasn't even looking, and then the universe dropped it in my lap:
a studio!
It's a huge, high-ceilinged space,
with an attached darkroom,
a 5 minute bus ride from my home.
I'll be sharing it with a friend of mine
(she is a 3-D artist extraordinaire),
two photographers, a ceramicist, and a mixed-media/videographer.

I feel like a little kid looking at the most amazing playground they've ever seen and being told, "Go. Play. Explore. Do".

I moved some supplies in last night--this weekend I will get the space ready to make things in.

I'm so excited.

We stop to visit the boy's beloved cactus room whenever we're in the area.

I first took him here a few years ago--it seemed right up his alley, and I was right.
It sparked quite a succulent fascination/collection.
Now it feels like our succulents take up more room in our apartment than we do!
They are taking over, Jumanji-style.

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Live Wire Farm: Timber hooks
OtchiPotchi's new doily pebbles
I'd like one of each, please.

Taking advantage of some sun to do a last few summery things: a visit to the dahlia garden.

About two hours after I took these photos the sky turned dark, dark grey and rain poured down for the rest of the day.

My whole life, I've considered myself a dog person.
I used to not really care for cats.
I didn't dislike them, but they were fussy, too stand-offish, they wouldn't love you like a dog would--all of the usual reasons.
I even used to think that I couldn't ever truly understand someone who loved cats over dogs--we'd be separated by denominational differences, if you will.

But then we adopted Echo.

I can't imagine our apartment without her now.

Food lately:
a moat of syrup,
a ring of sushi,
and baking this.

Changing colors.

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Two photographers:
Hisham Akira Bharoocha
Minna Kulmala

Stephanie Renee of the lovely Dores is the winner of the celebratory print giveaway! Stephanie, I'll be getting in touch with you soon.

Thanks to all of you guys for your sweet comments.

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Margaret Howell: exactly how I'd like to dress, &
An interesting take on the "Fall Essentials" editorials every fashion magazine seems to be doing.

End-of-summer feasting,
first (on film) at an outdoor concert with friends
and then a beauty from my own tomato forest.

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José González's new band, Junip.
Album is out September 14th.
Completely perfect for Autumn, it seems to me.

It makes me very excited to announce that I am now selling prints of a some of my favorite recent film photos in my Etsy shop! I hope you like the ones I chose.

To celebrate, leave a comment here telling me which print you like best by Tuesday, 9/14 at 12 PM Pacific time and I'll select one person to send a free 5x7 print to!

"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."
-You've Got Mail, Tom Hanks

I can't believe it's September.
Can you feel the changes in the wind?

Part II