Sunsets & Silhouettes | Statesboro, Georgia

Last week, we called in an order for sushi.  The kids and I waited in the car while Michelle went in to pick it up.  It must not have been quite ready, because we had a good fifteen minutes to exit the car and stare up in awe as the sky saturated with color.  I started snapping photos and showed them the camera back - their silhouettes, opaque against the brilliance of Georgia evenings.  They twisted and jumped and kicked and clapped as cars passed, their drivers looking curiously at us as we snapped away on the desolate lawn of the strip mall.  Then we all sat down in the grass in front of the car and watched and chatted until Michelle returned with dinner.

Georgia, you do sunsets right.

the Best Date I've Ever Had

Two weeks ago, I packed up my car and drove the nine hundred ninety-nine miles to my mom's house in Statesboro, Georgia.  It was the first time in months that I'd had enough days between shoots to take the trip, and I don't like being away from her for so long.  I stayed long enough to hang out, celebrate an early Thanksgiving, get her completely addicted to Friday Night Lights and spend a Saturday afternoon with my two favorite munchkins.

I asked Jax and Celina if they'd like to spend a few hours with me - just the three of us - on Saturday afternoon.  "Yes!" they shouted excitedly.

"Great!" I said. "It's a date!"

At the word date, Jax scrunched up his nose and slapped his forehead, groaning with disgust.  He is very against that word and anything that goes along with it, which is why I always make sure to ask him if he has a girlfriend.

We went to BlissBerry and topped our frozen yogurt with way too much candy, took silly pictures and threw coins into the fountain outside (we said our wishes out loud and they all came true, fyi).  Then we piled back in the car and drove to the movie theater to see Wreck It Ralph in 3D.  Celina and I were practically comatose halfway through it, so she climbed over and snuggled up on my lap.  Jax held my hand to warm it up as he giggled through all the silly scenes.  Two of the characters kissed toward the end, and Jax was audibly disgusted, causing some laughter from some of the adult guys in the back.

I'm constantly amazed by how intelligent, eloquent and sweet my niece and nephew are.  They are exceptional kids and I feel so lucky to know them.  I wish I could see them every day, but I think we're pretty fortunate to have these little dates; their infrequency makes us appreciate them even more.

all photos from my instagram

favorite kids, meet favorite burger.

I have managed to get an exceptionally large percentage of my friends completely addicted to Poppy's burgers.  It's become common for friends and relatives to sigh across the miles that separate us, mid-phone chat, "I want Poppy's," they'll say.  To which I'll reply, "uh, ok, but can you finish the story you were in the middle of?"  As for the friends of mine who have yet to sample the Hudson Valley's best burger, they know what they're missing.  "When are we going to get this burger you're always talking about?!" they say, immediately upon seeing me.  "Hello," I say.  "Nice to see you as well.  What has it been, three months?"

If you haven't gone, go.  You won't be sorry.

My go to is the BBQ Bacon Burger with a side of fries.  If you have multiple people with you, get the sweet potato chips, too.  They're delicious.  

I tried a bite of the veggie burger on this trip too and I had the overwhelming desire to serenade it with the karaoke version of this song.

I know.  I'm weird.

Don't say I never taught them anything.

How great is that face?

Reason #4 that I love my job.

Jax, me and the BFG

taken by my sister, Michelle

Statesboro, Georgia

August 2012

Telecommuting.

I wasn't originally going to make this a Reasons post, but it really is one of my favorite parts of my job, and it makes coming up with a title for it pretty simple...

ten things my sister, Michelle, is really good at.

Chellie with Celina & Jax at Celina's 4th birthday party.
 May 2012, Statesboro, Georgia.

1. Making me laugh.
2. Design.  Decor.
3. Telling stories.
4. Being pretty.
5. Quickbooks.
6. Making light of awkward situations.  (Awkwarddd!)
7. Chasing kids who bullied me in second grade around the neighborhood in her sports bra, with our sister, Carrie.
8. Having really cute kids.
9. Cooking delicious meals.
10. Being a really, really (really) good big sister.

I love you, Chellie. I hope this year is your best yet.

xo

Independence Day

As previously mentioned (here and here), I spent the 4th in Georgia with my family.  It was a quick trip, but it was filled with all the good stuff - sparklers, fireworks, Dad's famous steaks on the grill, and my whole immediate family spending plenty of quality time together.  It was also really hot there.  Like, intolerably hot.  The pups were not fans (see below).

My mom's neighborhood had their own fireworks which were set off from a picnic table beside the community pond.  As we sat there (for a whole ten minutes - ahh, the attention span of 4 and 6 year olds!) my father wondered out loud about the whole wood and fire combination taking place across the way from where we sat.

The next morning, the picnic table was gone; in it's place was a smoldering heap of ash and embers.

Here are some more photos, if you'd like to see...

Jax & Celina: playing at Oma's house

Celina Monroe

Spring 2012

Statesboro, Georgia

I just found a few pictures of my niece and nephew from a visit this past spring.  They have special toys at Mom's place (which they absolutely adore) and yet, they find amusement in the simplest things...

the past month (through instagram)

Route 218

Cornwall, New York

My last instagram post left me just arriving home from Europe.  With everything that's been going on since, I feel like that was a year ago (which means it's time to go back, right?).  Here's what I've been up to....

family. [NY>>GA]

Over the next week, a few of my favorite things are being combined, which means it is likely that I will be one very, very happy girl.  On Saturday, I'm packing up my pups and driving all the way to Georgia with my dad.  Usually, it takes about fifteen hours, but we're taking the scenic route (81 & 77 through the mountains - seriously beautiful).  

I know a day on the road doesn't sound that appealing to most, but I'm a weirdo who loves road trips, air trips, train trips, boat trips, etc. and my pops is good company; plus, at the end of it, I get to hang with the crazy crew pictured here for a few days and celebrate my favorite country's birthday!  Having my entire immediate family in one place is rare, so I'm really excited.

There is also a rumor that my Mama, my sisters and I may sneak away to see this, because we heard it has a really compelling storyline.  Has anyone seen it yet?

Lately. And why this week is so great.

morningscapes // rainy daze
the studio got a serious cleaning yesterday // being one with the turf at Dietz Stadium

Lately

 (via my iPhone)

• Last night, this beautiful lady called me at 9:30 from the Florida Keys with some very exciting news.  For someone who deals with engagements quite a bit more than the average individual, you'd think I would be a little more collected and less like a thirteen year old girl.  I can't help it though.  I'm so, so happy for my friends - it's hard not to jump up and down with excitement!
• I spent last weekend with my Mom and the rest of my Georgia family.  My niece had her fourth birthday party (photos to come) and I spent all of Friday night and Saturday covering things in glitter, hanging crepe paper and icing cupcakes.  Then, on Mother's Day, I parked myself right next to my Mama and stayed there until it was time to go to the airport.
• I checked in for my flight on my phone en route to Savannah and found that I had somehow ended up in first class on BOTH legs of my trip home.  I'm not really sure how it happened, but I certainly wasn't complaining.
• This week is the last week of the 2012 lacrosse season.  It's hard to believe I'm wrapping up my fourth year of coaching - my very first freshmen girls are graduating this year!  How did that happen?!  As much as I'm sad to see them go, I couldn't be prouder of them.
• My favorite San Franciscan magazine editor is heading into New York this week and I fully intend to monopolize a few hours of her time on the East Coast.
• And as if this week wasn't already awesome, I'll be wrapping it up on a plane, on my way to see my best friend, some of my favorite clients and a lot of wine and croissants.

Glitter wine bottles inspired by Bijou // photos of Paris from an old album of my grandmother's.
Yogi tea & croissants // little feet in sparkly shoes

hydrangeas at my Mama's // airplane essentials
delicious Poppy's burger // surprise visit from my favorite Germans

sleepy puppy // fueling my recent Paul Newman obsession
MacCarren Park with one of my fav photog friends // concoctions in the kitchen

pretty city // Tito's in Beacon is delicious
Behind the scenes at a Bijou shoot // Bannerman's print - a gift for my papa.

SWF>>SAV

Jax, Celina & I

San Diego, California

February 2011

I'll be spending this weekend in Statesboro, Georgia, where I'll be celebrating the birthdays of two of my greatest loves and the fact that I have the greatest mom in the world.

I'll get back to everyone as soon as my weekend love fest is over.

Updates

Things on the ol' blog have seemed a bit sparse as of late, eh?  Contrary to how it appears, I assure you, I have not been hibernating.  Here's a little recap of my last few months...

Suze after snooze // graffiti from the Move On MS event at American Trash // the studio all dressed up for Boudoir sessions

a casual Friday evening serenade // Easter hair // 'tis the season - I've been spending my afternoons outside with my favorite teenagers.

Blueberry Pie // homesweethome: my father's advice on raising daughters //  a Hemingway cat!

letter books from Katrina // Rocco! // the Click crew being British

street art in NYC // big brew selection at the Hop in Beacon // sampler tray from the Hop

Brooklyn Bridge // doggy pile // street view from High Line Park

super cute mini-Jen! // #ladieswhobrunch // pretty flowers for a birthday girl

puppies!! // NYC from the air // Saint Patrick's Day with friends

jumping Bean // hugs from my favorites // silly faces with Celina

Snoop dee-oh-double-gee // photos of the munchkins on mom's vanity // a Classy Cowboy

silly Jax // pages salvaged from the hurricane flooding // munchkins in Georgia

lovely note from my very sweet friend, whom I miss dearly // flying dog // magazine cover

view from the top // Bank Square is so cozy // prized possessions

coffee in a jar // my neighbor's horse // red jeans

a mug I love // East River // Mexican Style Corn

stickers // Cafe Habana, SoHo // Benny Marchant

train station // Susie is part parrot // hike

Grand Central // batman birthday // Donte in Richmond on my birthday

Granny's locket // we won best of! // envelope love from Miss Betsi

Detroit airport (such an epic tunnel!) // Sahara Smoke trade show // Las Vegas

fuel // Peter Lik's gallery // layovers

layovers // Zuri in New Paltz // Meg's furbaby

Kyle <3's 'merica // Poppy's burger! // Poppy's wisdom

first Bijou meeting: January 13, 2012 at Le Bouchon // the Violet's Green Monster // Dallas from the Sky - last flight of 2011

Updates:

• There are so many exciting opportunities that have come the Click way recently and it is going to be a very hectic year (in the best way possible).  I just mapped out my calendar and it looks like there won't be much downtime until December (ahh!).  Hint: there are going to be a lot more airport Instagrams coming your way ;)
• Bijou is taking off.  Jen & I have put together a team of individuals that are creative, talented, smart, funny and so wonderful to work with - we couldn't be more excited about the first issue, launching on April 30th.  In the mean time, we've been posting a ton of content on the Bijou Blog (like this swoonworthy proposal video!)
• I've recently become more involved with the ALSA, greater NY chapter, and have met such incredible families who are going through the same struggles as my own.  I'm in the process of developing a project that will raise awareness about Lou Gherig's disease and I am really, really excited about it, so keep an eye out!
• While the ALS is progressing, Mom is doing well.  She taught me how to crochet during my last visit, spent this morning putting together Easter baskets for the munchkins and she was able to join in on the last ALS meeting from a thousand miles away via Skype!  Aside from my hand covering the computer's microphone during a portion of the meeting, it worked very well :)  Your continued support means the world to us - thank you so much for all of your kind words and sweet thoughts!

I hope you're all having a wonderful Easter!

Thanks for reading :)

xxJac

I miss you most...

On days like today.

Jax & Celina

Statesboro, Georgia

Celina

My niece's third birthday was on May 2nd, and since she was way over on the left Coast while I was here in New York, I immersed myself in the video footage I took of she and my nephew while we were in Vegas back in February.  This video is the product of that afternoon of missing her.  She's a pretty incredible kid.

Happy Birthday, Celina!

 

These are screenshots of a video interview I did with my niece, Celina, back in February.  Hard to believe she's only been in this world for three years - I can't imagine life without her.  Happy Birthday, Bean!

Here are some photos of Celina over the years.

Munchkins - San Diego, California

I spent the weekend in San Diego.  Upon my arrival, I enjoyed a slice with my favorite people under the age of five and taught them how to eat pizza the right way (the New York way).  Now they're old pros.

Really adorable four- and two-year-old pros.

This was my greeting/workout that day...

photo taken by my sister, Carrie.

Jax & Celina - San Diego, California

I am very, very excited to see these two faces tomorrow.

the Bean

This is my niece, Celina.

Celina & I live on opposite ends of the country, so we spend a very limited amount of time together.

I am happy to report that during our short visits, she has picked up a few very important lessons from her Aunt, including (but not limited to):

Silly faces make for much more interesting photos.

Straws & chopsticks double as walrus tusks.

I'm also convinced that she's been sneaking in episodes of America's Next Top Model between Wow Wow Wubbzy, because this girl has perfected the art of smeyesing.

xx

a lovely afternoon.

{my adorable nephew, Jax}

{my glamorous sister, Michelle}

{Michelle, with her beautiful children}

{my sisters, Caroline and Michelle}

{Jax}

{Caroline and Michelle}


{Caroline, Michelle and I}

{Michelle with her gorgeous Celina}

{Michelle and Celina}


{Stunning Michelle and Celina}


{Jax with his Aunt Carrie}


{story time}