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The following is a text message from my best friend from law school, Dan, last Friday night:
If you had stayed in law school, you would have just found out you passed the bar. I’m happy you found something much better to do.
As I read the message in my hotel room, the small iPhone screen illuminating my otherwise dimly lit quarters, my stomach flip-flopped. So much has changed since law school.
The last time I was in San Francisco, it was a last minute decision. I had been accepted to UC Berkeley Law School and, part of being a prospective student on a full-scholarship, I was invited to stay a week and participate in law school mixers and things of that nature. A few days into the trip, I called JD crying. I was homesick and missed Southern California. I felt unbearably out of place and even if I wore bright yellow polka dress and green cowboy boots, I couldn’t have stuck out more.
JD booked a last minute flight to San Francisco and we met in the city, throwing caution to the wind and wandering the chilly streets together.
Just a few years later, JD and I wandered the same chilly streets. However, this time around, I was much happier and content…with a fresher outlook as to where I’m headed, both personally and professionally. We sipped tea in Union Square, watched the Christmas tree illuminate against the black foggy sky, and—with many thanks to my amazing client, Jenny—ate the most delicious food. Ever. Jenny compiled a list of her favorite cafes and restaurants, so our entire weekend was centered around our reservations! ;) It did nothing but bad things for my new diet, but I rationalized that with all the walking I did, I could pretty much eat a horse and be calorically guilt-free. Sort of.
I’ll be blogging the engagement pictures soon, but I just wanted to thank Jenny&Andrew and Helen&David for being such wonderful hosts and tour guides. I experienced San Francisco in many new ways, so thank you! And a special thanks to JD for never letting me roam the hilly streets of San Francisco alone.
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W ell, I arrived early this morning and I'm tucked away in my warm hotel room editing. I walked around Union Square before I grabbed lunch and enjoyed the beautiful weather. I know I'm totally spoiled living in warm and toasty Orange County, but every so often it's nice to experience fall weather. It gives me an excuse to order warm drinks and wear oversized jackets! :)
I realized (for the umteenth time) that I need people to survive. No, really, I can't stand being alone for prolonged periods of time. I've spent all day walking, shopping, and eating alone and I'm so over it. I guess I like the touch, the smell, the sight of people I know and love. I'm pretty much a touchy-feely kind of girl! :) I'd probably feel more lonely by myself up here, but I'm totally stoked because JD is flying up late tonight and joining me for the weekend. It'll be more of a relaxation trip for him, but it's lovely to have someone to enjoy long dinners and late-night movies...even if I do have to work a little! :) Speaking of JD, he booked an AWESOME room for us at the Westin St. Francis right in Union Square...he's a Starwood Preferred Member, so he was totally blessed with a special offer running this exact weekend for this particular hotel...10,837 bonus cool points for him! ;)
Happy Friday!
**I've been trying to post photos from today, but the Internet here at the hotel isn't the best...sorry!** |
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Golden Gate Bridge, China Town, Clam Chowder...
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Helping the Needy Survive
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H e moved with fluid motion from the pantry to the countertop stacking cans. JD asked when the canned food drive was announced. Umm, it was some time last week while you were in Houston, I responded barely peeling my eyes away from the computer. JD glanced back at me with a furrowed brow and asked, Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I’m not sure we have enough to donate…
There were at least 937 cans neatly stacked in rows. By the looks of it, he could have fed a small nation.
JD laced Polo to his leash and the two of them made their way to The Clubhouse. He was carrying bags of cans. See you in a bit, he said as he raised a heavy arm and smiled broadly. Even though I tried asking why he was giving away almost everything in our pantry, he ignored me. Well, no, he actually gave me a look that telepathically said If-you-even-THINK-of-giving-less-you’ll-be-worse-than-a-lump-of-coal, so I sunk back into my leather chair and let him stack to his heart’s content.
But that’s just JD. He gives and gives and gives. And continues to give, even when there’s nothing left. And just as freely as he gives cans of soup to the needy, he gives cans of love to me. He gives and gives and gives. And even when he thinks there’s nothing more left to give to me, he finds a way to hand over more.
To be completely honest, this past year has been very hard trying to balance our relationship and business. It’s quite easy to answer ooooooone more email…edit oooooone last picture…return ooooooone last call. But it’s impossible to ever get a quiet evening together on November 14, 2007 again. I’m slowly understanding this. Slowly. And until I’ve perfected this notion, JD continues to stack cans of love for me.
He’s always willing to help the needy survive.
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Nicky and Nick : Wedding
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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L ast Saturday I had the distinct pleasure of photographing Nick and Nicky’s wedding with David Jay at the Bel Air Bay Club in Pacific Palisades. The day was just beautiful and watching two people very much in love pledge their lives to each other made for a stunning November nuptial.
Nicky was one of the sweetest and kindest brides, and her smile was infectious. I believe what draws people to her is an inherent longing to possess what she gives freely: love, generosity, and compassion. Together she and Nick will make a beautiful life together and I wish them the best!
Here are a few of my favs…
We met the ladies at Forme Salon in Santa Monica for their wedding preparations... |
| The radiant Nicky...as shot with the much coveted 50mm, 1.0 lens...so buttery smooth... |
| Again with the 50mm, 1.0...DJ literally had to pry it out of my hands! ;) I told him that if the lens just happened to find itself in my Shootsac at the end of the night, it was A TOTAL ACCIDENT! ;) |
| Kimberlee and I then headed over to the Viceroy Hotel for the groom's wedding preparations...this hotel is beyond sick...I could've shot there all day! |
| Nick has this air of gentleman regalness...he was gracious in allowing me to follow him all morning long :) |
| Dean, Nick's brother and Best Man, came to the rescue and tied everyone's bow ties... :) |
| All the florals were designed by Tricia with Hidden Garden...who was also the wedding coordinator...LOVED her! :) |
| Nicky looking stunning... |
| Just being announced as husband and wife... |
A special thanks--again--to David Jay for allowing me to shoot alongside him and watching him work his magic. I'm so blessed to have met him and I'm honored to call him a friend...he's done SO much for JD and I and we're completely and wholeheartedly indebted to his kindness.
**On a completely unrelated sidenote, I'm so unbearably swamped with emails. If you've emailed in the past eon or so, and haven't heard back, my bad! I'm gonna try to hammer out a chunk of responses today...thanks for your patience as I've been away from home for the past week...** |
2013
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2012
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2011
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2010
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2009
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2008
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2007
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