Photoshop Actions From the Pioneer Woman Save the Day

Last weekend I got to see my niece and nephew again, and boy are they growing! My entire family (minus my husband who had lives to save) went to Colorado and being the doting Auntie that I am, of course I took a million pictures of them. The difficulty of this task is enormous. They can walk now so you have to be ready to put down the camera to save them from falling off cliffs, drowning in rivers, chasing dogs, eating mulch and other perils at a moments notice. Did I mention there are two of them? Oy vey! They also don't really enjoy facing the sun. Luckily they sat still for a few moments every once in a while, so even though they weren't facing the light like I wanted them to (probably not a good idea to burn their retinas in these formative years) I was able to capture some in-focus shots of them. This my friends is a very big deal. I am not so good with my camera, but with the help of the Pioneer Woman's Photoshop Actions, I was able to touch up some of them and am really happy with the results! ** Just a disclaimer, these kids are constantly smiling, the fact that I have no pictures of them with smiles is not representative of their demeanor **

Straight out of the camera (his handsome face is hiding in the shadows)

Boost + Lighten (just on his face) + All about the Eyes = Much Better!

Straight out of the camera (this isn't doing her rosy cheeks or her blue eyes justice)

Boost x 2 +All About The Eyes + Lighten = Oh so pretty!

Beautiful Bridal Shower

Beka Rendell from Innove Events recently posted photos from a bridal shower that she planned for her cousin and it was such a cool idea I just had to share. From Beka's blog: "...instead of the same old luncheon we teamed up with Thallo, an amazing floral company, to create an interactive event where guests learned from the designers how to create a floral centerpiece and then at the end of the day they could take it home as their favor." Okay, someone needs to invite me to a party like this.

All Photos by Jus Cowland

Ice Cream and Berries - the Perfect Combination

My husband has forbidden me from buying an ice cream maker because he is afraid he will gain a hundred pounds or get diabetes. Every time I find a delicious sorbet or ice cream recipe I shed a small tear knowing I will never be able to make it without a machine... Until I found this on Tartlette!

Raspberry Parfait Lollipops from Tartlette

If I could be anything in the world besides a graphic designer, it would either be a food stylist or a pastry chef. Helen from Tartlette is both!  You can find this recipe and a million more mouth watering ideas over on at Tartlette.

Friday Photos- Peonies!

Peony by Carl Christensen

The Light is All by Kitty Rogers

Sorbet by Alice B Gardens

Peonies are one of my favorite flowers, their heady floral scent reminds me of my childhood babysitter Erna. I look forward to their return every year as a reminder that a summer filled with bbq and trips to the beach is on the way. One of these beautiful photos would keep that feeling around all year long.

Clinic at an elementary school- Gualán, Guatemala

My favorite day in Guatemala was Wednesday. The temperature dropped to a comfortable 90 degrees, and we set up clinic outside of the elementary school in Gualán.  I let my husband get his clinic station set up and took a few minutes to photograph the school children and their families.  I plan on sending prints of the kids back to the school.

The students quickly realized that they had visitors

and ran to the wrought iron bars that separated their classrooms from the open air.

This young man stood still and stared at me while I snapped away.

They patiently waited in line for their turn to have their teeth varnished with fluoride and to learn how to properly brush.

Girls stood in one line, acting far more mature than their seven years

While the boys did their best to entertain the guests!

The adults chatted in another area while they waited for the numbers to be handed out.

Stickers always help break up the wait.

Delicious fried bread with hot sauce will also do the trick.

I loved taking pictures of the kids in their uniforms.

And their great grandparents as well.

The cute kids were abundant...

and that was my Wednesday with the studious, vivacious, and lovely people of Gualán.


For more about my Guatemala adventures, check out my post on a day in the medical clinic here

A day at the medical clinic - Zacapa, Guatemala

You arrive and there are people waiting, for some this is the first time they have seen a doctor. 

The doctors, pharmacists and helpers start unloading the medicine and organizing their stations

The dentists prepare their tools, and find a somewhat private area to pull teeth

You start to realize that their are dogs everywhere, but nobody is petting them. You let the nice ones sit under your chair while you see patients.

You see little kids with sore throats and allergies...

and mothers who could really just use some tylenol.

You see men who work hard in the melon fields even though they have crippling arthritis. You give them something to alleviate the pain, but it will only last for a month.

Sometimes you have to tell a person to eat less salt, but keep the fact that they are in heart failure to yourself because there is nothing to be done without proper testing and medication; something we weren't prepared to do and she can't afford.

Sometimes the only thing you can offer people is a lollipop, and they are grateful.

Sometimes there are emergencies...

...and other times it is purely fun. 

And sometimes a person comes in because they cant see...

...and if you are really lucky, you can actually help them...

...and you thank this woman for giving you the opportunity to give opportunities to someone else.

Home!

Escuela Primaria Gualan,Guatemala

We returned from our week long trip to Guatemala last night, which is always bittersweet. Every time we come back it really makes us take stock of what we have and to be grateful for: education, a roof over our heads, water when we are thirsty, or aspirin when our heads hurt. It makes us realize how much we consume, how much we judge, and how truly lucky we are to have our basic needs met. I hope you don't mind if I spend a part of the next few weeks sharing some of my experiences with you. To be honest, it is incredibly difficult to think about weddings and shopping and design for a couple of days after returning from a place where people struggle to feed their children. I promise to continue to bring you more design as well, but I think you will find my adventures to be inspirational (and quite unconventional).

Wedding Recap- Part 3

After our "first look" we ventured out around our South Philadelphia neighborhood and had a blast taking pictures. I was stressed out in the days leading up to the wedding that I hadn't put enough thought into where we would go, but our photographer was amazing and made even the most ordinary backdrops look extraordinary. 

We live in an area filled with really cool mosaic murals and went to a little alley that was covered in them.

All pictures taken by the wonderful  Alyssa Maloof

For more pictures from our wedding, check out the first two posts here and here.

Friday Photo-Zacapa, Guatemala

Gallo Corriendo 

In two weeks, my husband and I are returning to Guatemala for our second medical service trip* and I can't wait. Last time we went we had this really old Nikon from the '70s that had a broken counter and inaccurate light meter, but it took the best pictures. I am sad that we cant fit him into our luggage this time.

* I of course will not be seeing any patients, even though I am quite good at diagnosing parasites and chicken pox! My job is to translate for the doctors, and to play with super cute kidlets.

First signs of spring

It is snowing today. Again. For the three hundred millionth time this year. Growing up in Minnesota a lot of times spring would come none too soon and tiny crocuses would pop up from right underneath the snow! It was always so nice to be reminded that it would soon be time for short sleeves. This beautiful photo is giving me hope that warm weather and sunshine are on their way.

Crocus Print by Maria Kallin