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Out with the OLD and in with the NEW!

2009-03-21T07:42:00.000-07:00

To those of you who take the time to take a peak at what the Maxwell's are up to. We have a NEW blog for you all. It is a Photography specific blog that will allow us to present our Photography in a much better layout. We hope that you enjoy and don't forget to leave comments because we love to read what you think! click here to hop on over:)
I won't be needing this blog anymore, so it will be closing up shop soon...I am a wordpress girl now:)

Mom and Michaels Wedding..

2009-03-02T07:59:00.000-08:00

To M.L and M.G (Mama llama & Michael Garcia)...Thank you so much for allowing my fam to be such a big part of your "DAY". It has been quite a journey seeing your relationship grow since that one day I saw you meet in Los Gatos...cameras in hand..tiny sparks:) Michael, you are genuine, loving, and a man of integrity, thank you for being who you are for my mom. This wedding was but a day in the MANY days to come for you both...family.. dear friends..new little siblings...dips of honey:) just a beautiful day to start it all off:)
It is a very surreal feeling zipping up your own mom's wedding dress...The whole process of planning this wedding has been so very interesting for my mom and I.. For once, we we were no longer thinking like wedding vendors, but as BRIDES. The Dress..table linens.. favors.. invitations..bridal flip flops....we were SOOOO there. There was one word that my mom reiterated to Corrine, the florist of how she wanted the wedding to feel..and that was "enchanted". He exceeded every hope and expectation and created this woodsy, whimsical forrest, with birds nests, water falls, artichokes, eggplants, apples, brich trees, and a few plants I had never seen before..It was perfect. Jason and I were able to help out a bit with some of the details of the day..we made the favor boxes for the candy bar, the name cards, and a few other little things (not pictured yet)..the Maxwell assembly line paid off:) Since I was maid of honor, and mother to a flower girl that needed a bit of "corralling", Jason photographed most of the wedding...here are a few snippets from the day..

Viva Las Vegas..

2009-02-20T22:03:00.000-08:00

So.. this week Jason and I embarked on what we like to refer to as "THE DRIVE". The 8 hour car trip between lush San Jose, and the deserts of Las Vegas. We have made this drive MANY times..Jason lived in Vegas our whole engagement, we lived there for a year and a half, and my dad and little brother Cody live there now. This used to be a time where Jason and I would spend hours and hours telling stories and passing the time with conversation..but since we have 2 kids we like to do the whole drive overnight, so they are sleeping the whole time. Let me reiterate.."WE" are sleeping the whole night:) I really try so hard to stay awake for Jason, but I get so sleepy in the car even in broad day light, the shortest drive can knock me out. So, Jason, Bless his heart, made this trip to Vegas and back only with the company of his sunflower seeds. We went to Las Vegas for WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International). A yearly convention where photographers all around the world head to the bright lights of Las Vegas to listen to other great photographers teach,and speak, and to see an ENORMOUS trade show of the latest photography products, albums,gear, photo labs..etc.. It's incredible.. We went to the trade show only this year..we were going to have limited babysitting time, and we were really anxious to compare the companies were currently use, to all the others that are out there.. This also was a week to visit my dad and Cody:) My dad tries to fly out to San Jose to visit us once a month, or every other month, but we hadn't gone out to visit him in almost 2 years..so we were very excited to stay with him at his house, that used to be "our house" when we lived in Vegas..the house we lived in when Ky Ky was born:) My dad took us to a great little shopping district called "Town Square" which in San Jose, would translate to a "Santana Row"..Where we had incredible lunch and watched the kids play on the most AMAZING little park in the middle of the shopping area..I hadn't posted any recent pics of the kids lately, so here is a few of whom we like to refer to as "brother and sister"..no one really has names anymore..just like the Bernstein Bears:)

My name is Ashley and I'm a Craftaholic.

2009-02-08T21:47:00.000-08:00

Yes. I am. They say diamonds are a girls best friend. I say a hot glue gun is. When was the last time diamonds fixed your purse on your way out the door? Or glued the bow back on your Steve Madden ballet flats when your dog chewed it off? OR..when you had to comfort your daughter as you hot glue her dolls leg back into it's socket?? I know. It makes you re-evaluate the term BFF right? No, but in all seriousness. There are permanent places in ones kitchen for everyday appliances. The toaster. The microwave. The coffee maker. Blender. In the Maxwell house, there is a small blue and white object that permanently rests next to the microwave on a paper towel. Meet Glue gun. Best friend I've ever had. For some, the prospect of taking on 50 homemade birthday cards, 20 baby shower invites, or in this case, Valentines...would simply stress you out beyond belief. But ever since I bought my first hot glue gun in the sixth grade with my allowance, I learned to save the stress for the bigger things in life..like Algebra tests, BOYS...now babies:)There is something purely magical to me about a crafts store. I have to make sure I go alone, otherwise I am too self conscious about the time for whoever is waiting for me, or I feel bad for getting side tracked. The ladies at Beverly's always look at me funny sometimes because I never take a basket in with me, because I always think I am only getting a few things. But sure enough, with every new aisle, a new project comes to mind. Next thing you know, I am balancing a stack of paper, feathers, and yard of fabric...and people are tapping me on the shoulder handing me the miscellaneous nick knacks I am dropping in a trail. I just can't shut my mind down in crafts stores. Too many possibilities. Sometimes I get so excited and have to stop a minute to breathe. I actually find myself checking my heart rate in line at the cutting table. Its like spinning class minus the sweat. I love crafts. This week Hillary and I co-led our MEG group..(which is our Mothers Encouragement Group)..since it was the weekend before Valentines day..it was all about loving our Husbands:) AWWWW....She had contacted all of our husbands throughout the week, and had them hand make valentines for their ladies (no store bought cards!!) So after our little lesson about how to better love and appreciate our husbands we gave each of the girls the Valentines from the boys. It was so fun, because you could see each guys personality come through in their cards.. Kari's husband is an engineer, so he manufactured this 1/2 inch solid metal heart, with the writing engraved onto it..while others cut and pasted what they could find out of their wives scrap booking drawers. Jason of course..Mr. "Over the top creative" took it a step further, and hand made me a journal with the love note inside..Hello, I married a Martha:) It was beautiful..I felt so cherished. Anyways..since our "MEG" group always runs late because we feast on yummy breakfast, tell funny stories about our kids, and then delve into deep discussions about our lessons..I knew it was TOTALLY unrealistic to have time to sit there and MAKE each of our husbands valentines...So, I decided to make them the night before and just let the girls personalize them with their words..Not to say they can't make their own Valentines at home, but they all have way more kids then I do..and I'm pretty sure only 1 of them owns a hot glue gun:)o.k..and I just CAN'T say No to a craft. I can't. I can't. I can't. :)

Dear Anthropologie,

2009-01-23T23:59:00.000-08:00

I drove by you in the rain tonight and I felt my heart skip a beat. The very thought of you bring gives me butterflies in my stomach and a frolic to my feet. Although there were 2 sheets of glass between us, my window and yours, I could still smell the warmth of wool-knit sweaters and tweed skirts galore. Why do you have to flaunt your dresses in the window as I pass by, when you know I simply can't come in tonight. If I only I could live between your 4 walls and and play dress up all day...I'd overcome my welcome, I'd surely want to stay. Oh, to be a blouse on one of your hangers, or a pillow on your shelf. I could burrow between intricate textiles and adorning embellishments to my hearts content. When I step foot through your doors I can barely breathe, for every silhouette is calling my name. I haven't a wallet that deep, or a closet that wide, to have all the dresses that I love and desire. Maybe someday my honey and I, can build us a place where our passions collide. A place to feel pretty in ribbons and lace, flowers, buttons, anything ornate. My very own wonderland of all things frilly, a place to call my own..is all I want, really. Until that day comes, I'll continue to visit, I'll try not to stalk you, but you're just too exquisite.

Yours Always,
Ashley

Jessica and James Engagement Session..

2009-01-22T18:50:00.000-08:00

Here's just a few from Jessica and James Session..I had such a great time getting to know them, and prancing around with our bag of "props".. This was my first time meeting them because they haven't set the date for their wedding yet, so we were just doing their engagement pictures before Jess had to get her braces on:) I kept mixing up their names..so they both became JessieJames:) Thanks for the FAB session guys!

Amy and Brians Wedding

2009-01-19T23:29:00.000-08:00

Amy and Brian's wedding was a few weekends ago at Bethel Church, where I grew up going..memories flooded my head of walking up the church steps in my poofy taffeta Easter dresses, and sliding down the handrails in the lobby..so there was a childlike giddiness I had, as I captured their sweet love. Amy was as delicate as a flower, and Brian treated her accordingly..there was something intoxicating and pure about the way they looked at each other..I love weddings. A huge Thank You to the fabulous videographer Dave Ethridge for helping me carry out the incredible sofa from the church lobby-way to improvise:)

Something Pretty for Kylie..

2009-01-11T22:17:00.001-08:00

I am soooo looking forward to shooting Kylie and Isaac's wedding this year. I was bubbling with excitement the day of their engagement session, I felt like a giddy little kid bouncing around with my camera. Kylie picked up her engagement book a few days ago, and I just had to make her a cute card to go with her cd of pictures..& to say Thank for for being such a FAB model for us..AND for referring us to her friends..You guys are the best Kylie..THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU!!

the Holiday.

2008-12-29T23:09:00.000-08:00

I know Christmas was so "4 days ago" but since my birthday was yesterday, everything between Christmas and today is kinda a holiday blur, today is my first day back to reality.It still feels like Christmas because most people don't take their lights down until mid January. Or..for the select few...they don't take their lights down until August...(we all know someone like that.) There is always something depressing about kickin your Christmas tree to the curb when the festivities are over. We usually wait until the New Year to do so, but our tree has been dead, well, pretty much since December 1st..so we stripped it of its paper chains and tiki lights on the 26th, and it has been sleeping amidst the gutter leaves ever since. Christmas always comes and goes so fast for me..the holidays are always crazy with the Photography business,rush orders, Christmas cards( which we have YET to do for ourselves:), trying to get pictures back in time for gifts..just CRAZINESS.Between that and finding time to wrap the toys without the kids knowledge, I'm always up til 3am on Christmas eve, trying to finish things up. Christmas was at our house again, as it has been for the last couple years..which is great, cuz I don't have to get out of my pajamas...ever. This was Hayden's first Christmas, which was cute..although he really just wanted to chew on all the wrapping paper..at 9 months he hasn't quite wrapped his head around gifts yet,..he was just excited to rock his new Christmas pj's and to mooch on sissy's new things. I'd like to take credit for the knockout smile on my little Ky Ky's face this Christmas morning... However, I would have to pass that award to the beloved Milton Bradley, for creating the game "Hungry Hungry Hippo's" which stole her heart. That's really all she asked Santa for....but her new princess bike was a close second to the hippo's. Her and and I can now do cardio together around the block:) Christmas was a great blend of family, ebelskeivers (a family breakfast tradition), and relaxation..as always. I have 2 days to come up with realistic resolutions. Hence the realistic:) We'll see..Hope your Christmas was Merry and Bright:)

The Grahambini Brothers and I..

Kylie and Isaac's Engagement Session..

2008-12-28T10:21:00.000-08:00

Oh my girls, how I love thee...

2008-12-18T23:35:00.000-08:00

Tonight I had a bit of an empty nest on the homefront...Jason is in Sacramento for a few days with his best bud Walter, and Kyla is having a sleepover at Landons...( because ever 3 year old needs to celebrate with a buddy when they get a new bunkbed..DUHHHH!) So I had myself a girls night..plus Hayden of course...he's always my "plus one". I decided to call it a Cookie Exchange, well, because I thought if I gave it a title it would somehow give people more of a reason to show:) :) Everyone brought 2 dozen cookies, that way when they'd go home, they could have a variety of different kinds..you know... to taunt them in the kitchen for the next few days:) I had a whirlwind of a day leading up to the girls coming over, with a million errands, a wedding concelltation, vacuming, baking cookies, making appetizers, cous cous, and salad...but somehow managed to pull it together. Although a few girls were sick...it was soo wonderful having the few that could come..I realized tonight that I need to have these simple kind of girls nights more often. Life is full of distractions, and schedules, and we all have loved ones:) Girls nights are food for the Soul:) Sitting around my table tonight I realized that I have the most amazing friends ever..hands down. I am so grateful for every moment I get with them. Whether we see eachother every week, or not for 10 months, we never seem to skip a beat. A few things I learned about the group tonight:

1. ME- I am a very messy cook..you can almost guarantee that if I am making things from scratch, I will use more pans and ingredients and utencils, that there is counter space...things will overlap, ingredients will fly....so please enter the kitchen at your own risk....:)
2.) Amanda- She is always so thoughtful..she always offers to come early and help out anyway she can (even with having a newborn to care for)...tonight she came an hour early..brought the coffee I forgot to get, and held Hayden while he ate blueberry waffles off the kitchen floor....Hey, it allowed me to cook! She is always the first to ask how I'm doing, or see when I'm struggling..The sister I never had:)
3.) Danielle- Always goes above and beyond for her friends..tonight she brought enough cookies to feed a small country..which were each frosted differently I might add...and there were like 5 different kinds!!! (thanks for the help Carlos!) Oh, and she brought the sweetest Christmas gifts for my kids....YEAH...it's no wonder they love her to death...she's just a big kid at heart...my little half pint...always the extra mile..I LOVE YOU!!
4.) Betsey-Oh Bets.....She can ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS make me laugh. I hadn't seen her in probably 8 months..and didn't think she would come, but I am SO glad she did. I have known Bets since the 6th grade, and she has always had the BEST sense of humor. Its contagious really. Everything is just more funny when Betsey is around, its a sarcastic-nonchalant-ness about her, and the way that she tells everyday stories, that is just incredibly amusing. Wish I could just bottle her up:)
5.) Emily- OH PEMREY. GIRL. Emily is in a word, just SOLID. Not in a "buff way"-well, that too, very much so..( shes our very own Marissa Miller:) but Jason and I always seem to describe her as just "solid". She is probably the most sincere and genuine person you will meet. She just has it together, and is one of those friends who you don't have to ever question about. She's loyal and endeering, and just seems to always be a good balance for me. Why oh why are we separated by HWY 17?? :)

Between Mad Gab, and peppermint hot cocoa..and seeing my little Hayden nuzzle and cuddle with these girls, I decided that girls nite needs a permanent residence on the calender for the new year.... January anyone???

D.I.Y Christmas Gifts..

2008-12-12T22:53:00.001-08:00

Oh Martha Stewart...once a criminal, yet always a genius. The woman we love and envy above all others. The woman who gets paid millions to do crafts all day. Poor Martha. I'm not bitter. It's Christmas time, I'm not allowed to be bitter. I'm turning my bitterness into gratefulness, because she has the greatest website ever. Considering that Christmas is only 13 days away, and I have YET to do any shopping, nor can I even think of what I would buy if I were brave enough to steer my car anywhere near the mall....I decided to ask myself the inevitable question..... The question that comes to mind for every domestic goddess on a budget. WHAT WOULD MARTHA DO? Thankfully, she had nearly 10,000 pages on Christmas. As I browsed through the gingerbread recipes, the million ways to wrap a present, and how to Martha-ize your dinner table, I came across a couple "NO-DUH-DO-IT-YOURSELF" ideas for gifts..there were a ton, but here were a few faves, which I'm sure I had thought of subconsciously in some form, but I always appreciate a creative Muse like my dear Martha.

   *Velvet ribbon belts* & Vintage tea cup candles*
   *Home baked goodies* & *Make your own blend coffee*
   *Home made bath Fizzies* & Do it yourself Lip balm*
   * Home made Marshmallows & Cute boxes:)

It doesn't really matter what you give, if you wrap it pretty enough...plus, anything short of diamonds inside this gem of a box, will only be a let down.

.Baby Love.

2008-12-09T17:51:00.000-08:00

Just a few pics of me and my little man from Thanksgiving...Although he has tested my patience more than ever these last 2 weeks with his two top teeth coming in..He still manages to make me melt with his adorableness:)

BBQ, BOYS, and Brothers..

2008-12-04T00:15:00.000-08:00

"Step brothers" that is. Yes, tonight was movie night at the Maxwells, and our couches were bombarded with boys and buns. Hamburgers, that is. We decided that in honor of Will Ferrel and the sake of comedy, that we would celebrate the release "Step Brothers" and have some friends over. ( The movie, Hilarious BTW)...Will Ferrel and John C. Reilly humor is most appreciated among the male gender, so we invited over my brothers and some other favorites. Jason fired up the barbie, my brother Tyler made gourmet rosemary potatoes..I made some DE-LISH madeline cookies (papa paul recipe-of course)..and we just enjoyed one of the first nights of actually having people over. We had the adults watchin the movie in the front room, the kids playing in the back room, and the little babies playin somewhere in between ..I feel like this was a major break through for Jason and I. We are always moving, packing, unpacking, painting, decorating, un-decorating...I never seem to want people over because I never feel like we are "set up" or fully decorated..However...Jason has spent countless hours over this last month re-doing our floors, hanging pictures, moving furniture, and "cozying up our pad". Between him, and our fireplace, I feel like we are finally ready to entertain:) There was a moment tonight as I was in the kitchen, where I was filling up sippy cups for the kids, and making coffee for the adults, and all I could hear was laughter throughout the house...and I just felt so "AT HOME". We've been in many houses that we have tried to make home, but this one just suits us so well. I could get used to hosting things at our house.. I feel a movie night tradition starting at the Maxwell Pad...

Good food.Good Friends. Good Times...

Will and Liana's Wedding..

2008-12-02T19:32:00.000-08:00

Black Friday..

2008-11-28T06:53:00.000-08:00

The day AFTER thanksgiving...a day to..

1.) Recover from food coma.

2.) Reflect on the time you had around the dinner table, realizing that you truly do have the best family in the world.

3.) Be one of those people who gets up at 4am, doesn't shower, and waits in the dead of winter outside of their favorite department store, coffee in hand,shoes laced, anxiously waiting to knock down anything and everyone who stands in the way of them and their BIG SALE. It sounds revolutionary and awesome and all, but that is SO not me. I prefer to casually wake up at a decent hour, eat a few bites of leftover stuffing and pumpkin pie for breakfast...but I do love hearing the stories..YAY for the $5.00 you saved!!

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year...it was a great motivation to clean, decorate, and shove things in closets (which is 90% of of what real "cleaning" is, right?) My dad cooked up an amazing menu yesterday..which YES, was as delectable as it sounds...I thought I would post the menu so you could all start scheming for next year, on how you can end up at OUR table for Thanksgiving...Thank you Daddy, It's the meal that keeps on giving..

Maxwell House - 2009 Thanksgiving Menu

Appetizers
Joyful Corn Salsa w/Blue Corn chips
Harvest Polenta Bruschetta
Antipasto plate
Spicy Pumpkin Soup

Dinner
Spinach-Apple Salad with Maple-Bacon Vinaigrette
Cranberry-Mango Chutney
Butterscotch Baked Yams
Garlic-Asiago Mashed Potatoes
Artichoke-Parmesan Stuffing
Traditional Grandma T's Stuffing
Garlic- Rosemary Roasted Turkey with California Riesling Gravy
Honey Baked Ham
Baked Artisan Rolls

Dessert
Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream

I have some great pictures from the day, that I will post later...my coffee and pie is waiting:)

Quote of the Day..

2008-11-23T22:53:00.000-08:00

My little Kyla (3 1/2) has been sick since last Tuesday..the kind of cough that keeps you up all night.....o.k....and everyone else in the house as well...no sleep in the Maxwell house this week. Every day we assess how sick she is, and plan our day accordingly..of course she negotiates with us, and says she is too sick to pick up her toys off the floor..but she is most definitely NOT feeling sick as she sneaks 2 packs of Dora fruit snacks from the cupboard into her room. Tonight as she was getting ready for bed, A.K.A "purple medicine time", she walks into the kitchen as the night time coughs are beginning, and tells me,

"I'm not sick mommy, my ADAM'S APPLE is just sore" ..

CLASSIC. Jason has tried to tell her a million times, that girls don't have Adam's Apples in their throats, only boys do. But she has made it very clear that she is Right, and we are wrong. And when it comes to kids you have to pick your battles...and at the end of a long day, I was happy to smile and nod:)

Something Pretty 4 Jazzy...Baby Caden too..

2008-11-19T16:32:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned before, I went to Arizona for my cousins baby shower this last weekend..I just wanted to show what I gave her...Here is the card that I made her with left over newspaper from a vintage film magazine...and grandma's old buttons..OF COURSE! Then my latest gift envy..the purse..because every mom gets tired of the same diaper bag, and can use a sassy bag in the mix to lug around the diapers...I atattched the brown flower, it is actually a pin/hairclip.
So, I know it is somewhat reserved for "weddings", but I decided to use the "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue" for the gift...well, just cuz..its fun, and shes having a boy:) The Something Old..was three of my favorite onesies of Haydens....one with a guitar that says "rock me to sleep", the next, a "mom tattoo" one from House of Blues in Las Vegas..Thanks Daddy! And the third, an Oh-so-cute Dr. Seuss onesie.. The "New"..a fuzzy hoodie:)
The "Something Borrowed" was two great books of mine...1.) What to expect *The First Year 2.)Porn for New Moms.... ITS NOT WHAT YOU THINK!!!! My mom gave this book to me when I had Hayden, and I was like "what the heck is this!!" But is actually just a book of scenarios of Dad's and the dreamy things that new moms would all love to hear like, on this page this cute dad is saying "No, you relax for awhile, I've figured out how to fold everything one-handed". Its very entertaining:)

The Something Blue...well, Blue Shoes. Everything is cuter when it's miniature:) Good luck on your remaining weeks Jazzy....stock up on your sleep now..

Preggo Little Jazzy J...

2008-11-17T20:08:00.000-08:00

After 5 years of promises, I FINALLY made it out to Arizona to visit my bubbly little cousin and her sweet "Corona Family"..Jazzy is having a baby in a few weeks, I was sooo happy to make it out for her shower..We had an amazing weekend filled with tamales, dear friends, and much needed family time around the table..Jazzy and I had great plans of doing a photo shoot the day before I left, but being 8 months pregnant left her napping til 2:00 in the afternoon...(I was SOO there 9 months ago!!) So, we had to improvise and cram our session into 15 minutes alongside the road, on our way to the airport this morning..yay for Hayden holding our hair clips and pumpkin bread by my feet.. while I snapped pics in hyper speed, and pulled cactus needles out of my leg....Jazz, you are unbelievably cute pregnant, no matter WHAT you say:) LOVE YOU!!

Daddy and Kyky Adventures...

2008-11-15T10:04:00.000-08:00

This was one of those days that you wished the whole family could have been there... but sometimes a little Daddy-Daughter Day is just what the doctor ordered. After dropping Mommy and baby-boy of at the Airport we went to Milbrae so we could take b.a.r.t. aka loud train in to the city. This was Kyla's first ride on a real train and as you would probably guess she was a little excited. The train dropped us off on Mission and 16th, a part of San Francisco which I had never been before. I wanted to check out some of the shops in the Mission District but Kyla was not having it. Maybe that is something that Ashley and I can do on a Mommy-Daddy Day adventure! After a quick stop at a book store that I had read about on another blog, we were on our way to the CA Academy of Science. It was such a beautiful day outside that we decided to walk to the Museum so we could see all the cool stuff on the way. After about 100 yards Kyla decided she was tired and that I needed to carry her on my shoulders. So that is what I did off and on for the next 3 miles. Let me tell you that there was a lot more on than off, and don't forget this is San Francisco and there are not a whole lot of flat streets. After a quick bite to eat we finally reached our destination, and was it ever worth the journey. It would be safe to say that she saw some "cool stuff". If you have not been since it was redone I suggest to make a day trip and check it out, and make some extra time so you can walk around the park. It is a little bit of peace and quiet in a not so peaceful city. After another loud train ride and a quick nap on the car ride home, Kyla and I grabbed a slice of pizza and some banilla yogurt ( I meant to misspell vanilla because that is how Kyla says it) and took it home so we could relax, eat and watch icarly goes to Japan. It Was A Good Day!!

The Allard Kiddo's

2008-11-12T19:40:00.000-08:00

I love photographing kids....You never really know what you are going to get. They are never predictable, and always adorable. I'm reminded of what it's like to be little, and to not want to sit still, or to be too serious about myself. It's the one time where silliness and climbing trees is actually better than a perfect smile. Because being a kid is all about having fun...and I think we accomplished that here:) Talk about cute little kids. We're talkin pinch- your -cheek- cute..the All-American-poster-kind. And all just as sweet as the ice cream we spoke of, when in need of grin:)
.Being seriously silly.

Christina and Brad's wedding..

2008-11-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

A-fun-random-fact-that-no-one-else-besides-me-will-probably-care-about...

2008-11-04T09:37:00.001-08:00

I finally fit back into my favorite True religion jeans!! I guess all the hours of dancin around with a toddler, and never getting to finish a meal because of a crying baby....has paid off. These aren't just any jeans..these are like "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" jeans. Straight up magical. I think I wore them every day last winter and summer, before I got pregnant with Hayden. Most women after they have a baby just try to get back to their "pre-prego" weight..NOT ME..I just cared about fitting in these jeans again...They just make me happy...as shallow as that may sound. I tucked them away in my bottom dresser drawer and have pulled them out every now and again over these last 7 months....but all I would get is a good laugh, and a moment where I thought I was actually putting on a pair of Ky Ky's jeans. But to my surprise I busted them out a few days ago, and I think some where in the far distance, I actually heard trumpets sound. YAY!! So far all of you who are pregnant, dieting, or living with life with a newborn....you will be back to your old self, or a new self....Don't give up:)

Sweet Savannah...

2008-11-03T07:18:00.000-08:00

I am finally getting around to posting a few pictures of Amanda's little love. (Yes, Amanda was the hot prego girl in the red shirt a few months back:) My dear Kyla is convinced that the baby's name is "FUZZANAH, or PIZANNAH"..and I don't have the heart to correct her, because it sounds so endearing when she say's it. Amanda had Savannah Lynn 2 weeks early and she was just the tiniest little thing I have ever seen.. ( just like the dolls Amanda and I used to play with:) but she is quickly filling out her onesies and is getting those little plump cheeks....Amanda and I can't decide which of out kids should get married.. Jack + Kyla, or Savannah and Hayden.......Hmmmm.....

Trick Or Treat...

2008-10-31T23:29:00.000-07:00

This Halloween we had a sock monkey, and a kitty in our house. We had planned on being a whole family of pirates, but Ky ky insisted on the kitty thing..and have you ever tried to get a kid to change their mind about a costume?? It's not easy. We had quite an eventful day today. I feel like we went trick or treating for 10 hours. We started out early this morning downtown Willow Glen, through all the businesses, which was a workout in itself, pushing the double stroller through herds of super hero's and fairy princesses....I don't know who ate more candy today, Me or Kyla. I think she ate 30 lolly pops. Of course she never finished a single one, she just liked to open it, suck on it, until someone else would give her a new color, then she'd pass her old ones on to me:) I have an affinity for chocolate, so I was the mom whispering in her ear, "grab the M&M's!" We had a bit of a sugar coma, so we all napped during the afternoon, but then went for round two of trick or treating with our neighbors down the street. We went to a neighborhood a few blocks down, that closes off the streets, and there is a zillion kids..its very old fashioned with people making cotton candy, and passing out cookies and lemonade...GASP!!! I know....old school style:) Except this one house at the end of the street had the loudest DJ ever, blasting "thriller" and "sexyback"...Ky Ky got much attention as she dropped her jack-o-lantern bucket, and starting shakin her booty in the street. YES, we gave birth to a DANCING QUEEEEN!! All in all, I would say Halloween was a success, and once again, like many years past, ended with RAIN...hope you enjoy that mini snickers bar you will probably be eating for breakfast tomorrow:)

Julia and Tims Wedding..

2008-10-25T23:42:00.000-07:00

Perhaps one of the most colorful weddings I have ever seen....millions of impeccable and yummy details.....

Barnyard Ballerinas

2008-10-24T22:31:00.000-07:00

Today Jason and I had an amazing time photographing little Charlie and Jaemysen...the cutest ballerinas EVER. They are our friend Michelles little girls..We used to work with Michelle in the wedding industry when she was an event planner, but now she works at the greatest stationary store, "Out of the Envelope" in Los Gatos...which you MUST check out if you haven't already:) Her friend was wonderful enough to let us use her property for our shoot, which had soo much character, Jason and I were in heaven when we pulled up. They have this great rustic barn, a water tower, an original little western saloon from the old "frontier Village"..and even a cement hippo from Happy Hallow. FOR REALS. Although there were a few tears and meltdowns, we caught so many incredible little moments with these precious girls..here are just a few:)

A Bittersweet Moment..

2008-10-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

I usually NEVER blog in the middle of the day..I have major writers block:) But I am currently working on a wedding order for one of my brides, and I stumbled upon this picture again. Just a simple moment really, that inevitably happens at every wedding..but it just hit me like a ton of bricks THIS time I looked at it. The few short moments a bride has standing with her dad before she walks down the aisle. It's an intense moment that really can't be summed up in words.. It's your past, present, and future all in an arms grasp with your daddy:) This made me reflect alot about my own wedding...my mom and dad actually both walked me down the aisle..but I have this amazing picture of my dad and I standing beneath the trees at NESTLDOWN right before he gave me away to Jason..It's a black and white picture of us and he kind of kissing my forehead and holding my arm..it's priceless. I can't even imagine what that moment was like for him. His little Babushka who he watched grow up, ready to be wisked away by a cute boy...Jason and I talk to Kyla sometimes about how little girls grow up and fall and love, and get married, and we both get all emotional when it happens... because I know the time will go by so fast..."just stay lilttle" we keep telling her:) I'm sure that's what most dad's wish for their little ones, yet they are so proud of them when this moment of the wedding day comes. The most Bittersweet moment in a daddy's life:) I guess it is true that a pictures speaks a thousand words..

Through the lens of my Lover.... part 2

2008-10-19T21:02:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few more fun pictures that Jason took of me and Baby Boy!!
Click to see larger..

Through the lens of my Lover:)

2008-10-18T23:03:00.000-07:00

I am not in front of the camera very often...almost NEVER. However, Jason has been nudging me ever so nicely, to let him take pictures of me and Hayden. I feel so much more comfortable BEHIND the camera. (For all of you who I have taken pictures of, and have said "just act natural"..I'm so sorry!!! What does that even mean???) It's hard to not feel awkward..but I guess having your best friend take your picture helps out a teensy weensy bit:) This shoot was also somewhat of a celebration of our new-yet-very-old chair that we got at the street fair in Lodi a few weekends back...we just LOVE it..and are happy to welcome it to the Maxwell prop collection:) I love these pics with Hayden..what a CHUBAGOO he is.

Fall Frenzy..

2008-10-17T23:37:00.000-07:00

YES, I'm Alive and well...sorry for the blogger famine:) The serious lapse in blogs was due to the fact that us Maxwells had a bit of the flu LAST week...Mr. Hayden got his first tooth THIS week ..(translation=he wants MAMA all day long=I'm too tired to blog)..and I just have felt a bit "SPENT" lately..BUT..we are all better now and I'm ready to ramble at the wee hours of the night:)
Tonight I felt like window shopping VIA the internet, and was pleasantly reminded that it is Fall.... and I must say, I am sooo excited about FALL. Fall colors, fall nail polish, sweaters, costumes, my dad's pumpkin soup recipe:) Rainy days, breezy days, leaves, scarves, and leggings. I LOVE FALL. FALL FALL FALL.
Here are a few things I stumbled upon that I wish the Fall fairy would put in my closet while I sleep.

A Day With Walter And Margaret!!

2008-10-07T15:27:00.000-07:00

It's pretty safe to say that this is one of the most dope couples EVER. Walt-digity has been a long time best friend of my hubby Jason..and Margaret is a sassy hair dresser from the city who drips with style. They are solid and genuine, and we Love them to death. We had quite the adventure exploring the alleys of Sacramento, and we were ecstatic with our shoot..Walter and Margaret, you guys rock..thank you sooo much!
Click the images to see them bigger:)

alicias.photo.shoot

2008-09-25T23:59:00.000-07:00

Oh Sheesa..I love this girl. I love her wardrobe. Very much. If there was such thing as wardrobe envy, I would most definitely have it for her closet. Not to mention she has the greatest jewelry collection on the planet..HELLO Anthropologie and all things PRETTY. We had quite the adventure doin wardrobe chages in tattoo parlor parking lots and piling on the lip gloss & accessories....all the while chugging Mango Mantra Jamba juices (compliments of Mama D) and trying not to wake the sleeping baby:) Every girl deserves to be able to play dress up and have her picture taken.... and today just happened to be her day....One word for her.....STUNNING! Love ya Sheesh!

Pregolicious...

2008-09-22T22:30:00.000-07:00

I finally convinced little miss Amanda to let me take pics of that belly of hers! It was sureal taking pictures at Vasona where Amanda and I grew up, picking blackberries and making daisy wreaths for our hair. We no longer have to bring our dolls with us when we go down to the creek..we have munchkins of our own..
Amanda was beautiful...the pregnancy "glow" suits her:) Thanks for being such a great model Manny..LOVE YOU!!

The Adventures of Yo-Yo Dieting..

2008-09-18T23:21:00.000-07:00

Ok..raise your hand if you are on a diet............good...a fair share of hands...... Now, raise your hand if are Supposed to be on a diet but you are eating a whole box of Oreo's as we speak.......hmmm....Raise you your hand if you wouldn't really consider yourself to BE on a diet, yet you are secretly trying every trick in the book to get into shape and feel healthy?? Hi..can we be friends?? I'm sure it's a girl thing, but I feel like I have been on some sort of diet my whole life. The Slimfast days, the forcing yourself to eat the gross little Lean Cuisine dinner days, the run 5 miles before you go to bed days, zone diet, WW diet, Adkins diet, Oprah diet, Jessica Alba diet....I could write a novel. After having this second baby, I have been trying to lose the last 6-8 pounds to get back to my "pre-prego- self", and it seems like its never going to happen. I know, I know, I know, it's only been six months since I had Hayden, blah blah blah...I know I truly could just do it if I could commit to running EVERY single day, I know that has worked for me in the past..but man..this MAMA is always tired!! Even just the simple days at home seem to wear me out...so as I lay in bed at 6am when Hayden wakes up, the last thing I wanna do is put on my pink and gold Nikes and hit the pavement. No..I just want to eat cereal and have a HUGE cup of coffee while I spoon feed him banana peach baby food with my eyes half closed. And at the end of the day, once the kids are asleep...I'm completely out of fuel. So on the nights I am lazy and don't run, I usually lay in bed for about 45 minutes before I go to sleep.....some people count sheep...I think about new diets. As I layed there last night, I was thinking of all the diets that I had honestly thought would work if I could stick to them..here's what I came up with.. :)

1.) The Ice cream Scoop Diet: This is good for "Portion control" (I'm horrible at this)...at dinner, when having multiple things on a plate, and you have a tendency to go overboard. BUST OUT THE ICE CREAM SCOOP...one scoop of each thing.what doesn't fit in the ice cream scoop, doesn't go on the plate. (obviously if you are having spaghetti, or some other thing like that...obviously you need more than one scoop) I'm not trying to promote eating disorders, come on now:)

2.)The Special K Cereal Challenge: This is good when you "Have no groceries in the house anyways". You know how they have a women on the back of the box, and she is holding a measuring tape around her whittled little waist, usually wearing white pants of some sort, and is says, "Eat a bowl of Special K with Berries" for 2 meals a day, for 2 weeks, and lose INCHES fast! Hmmmm...For reals, if you can eat 28 bowls of cereal straight like that, you deserve a medal..I get burnt out by the same cereal 2 days in a row..

3.)The Starbucks Frappucino Light Diet: This is good for the "Jet-set girl" who would rather drink coffee than a meal replacement bar while on the run. I have actually tried this. Especially now with their "treat receipts" where you can bring back your receipt from your morning coffee, and purchase a grande cold drink for just 2 bucks after 2pm. Did they create this just for me???? As long as you can afford it, you could drink each grande frappucino light drink for less calories than what a diet or protein shake would be....Ok, Ok...so they aren't as HEALTHY...but who says all diets are healthy, it is just an idea:).....which I LOVE:)

4.) The Only eat 3 bites of Spongebob Macaroni and Cheese and throw the rest in the sink..FAST Diet". This is good for "Stay at Home Moms" who are constantly making yummy food for the toddlers and have to practice self control to not devour their left overs like they haven't eaten since 1999... I could sooo easily eat an extra 500 calories a day, just by nibbling on Kylas snacks...and I'm just a sucker for Mac and Cheese, I got the blue box blues:)

I could sit here all day with these...but, truth is, its 12:22am..and I need to go to bed, I plan on going running tomorrow morning:) HA. We'll see about that:) But for now all my fellow dieters, Cheers to the "Finding what Works Diet"....I'll let you know when I'm back in my favorite pair of true religions that have missed me so:)

Sissy and Little Brother...

2008-09-15T19:39:00.000-07:00

Me and my Girl..through my hubby's eyes..

2008-09-14T20:39:00.000-07:00

We have officially declared Sundays to be "family days"...
Today, Jason decided he wanted to start a "series" of pictures of me and the kids, since I am always the one behind the camera, and I never get to be "in" the pictures with my little love bugs:) Here is a few of me and my sweet "Sabece" as I have always called her:) Later this week he will shoot me and my little Hayden..but for now, here's me and sassy pants:)

Just Because...

2008-09-08T22:42:00.000-07:00

It's late, and I can't stop looking at how cute these snapshots are..in his little old man hat.

Baby Shower Invites for Amanda...

2008-09-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

Amanda. Demanda. Manny. Manny Panny...the names go on:) Amanda has been like a sister to me since I was in first grade..we grew up across the street from each other..played dolls, dress up, made prank calls to cute boys, picked blackberries down by the creek...we finally grew out of our floppy hats and overalls...and we are all grown up:) And part of growing up is getting married and having babies!! Amanda is having her second baby next month..she will be having a girl named Savannah...so precious:) I have been in the midst of planning her baby shower, which stirs up the inevitable question of "Evites...or homemade invitations"??? I chose the latter...as much as I would have loved the simplicity of an Evite..it's physically impossible for me. It's just not in my make-up..My little fingers just need to feel the rush of a gluestick and pink paper at 2am...they neeeeeeeeed to do crafts... So...with some awesome leftover paper and chip board from Hillary, and a few oldie-but-goodie scraps from my cardmaking bins... I give you..... BABY SHOWER INVITES:) It took me like a week to do all 17 of them..just because I worked on them in bits and pieces..but I think they turned out rather cute...I did a couple different versions of them, but the info on the backs were all the same. I LOVE doing this kind of stuff. Anything creative that I can do with my hands. Any one know some awesome investors who wanna help me open my dream store of all my little goodies I make???? Just kidding.
No really though...:)

Something Pretty for Alison and Jen..

2008-09-04T10:52:00.000-07:00

I went to L.A a few weekends ago for my crazy-amazing friend Alison's 40th birthday...Alison has known me since I was born, and helped raise me in the younger years..I only get to see her once or twice a year it seems, since she lives in L.A and is always traveling the world:) So it was sooo fun being able to be a part of her celebration, reflecting on "the big hair days" and everything in between.. As a part of her birthday gift, I took tons of photos at her party, and made her an awesome book from the night...pictured here is just the card that went with it..did I ever mention that I LOVE making cards??

Me and Sassy Al....
This next was a card I made for Alison's friend Jen ( who I can now call MY friend as well, YAY). Jen let us stay with her cute little fam in longbeach during the birthday weekend..it was so sweet of her to let us stay so last minute (Jason surprised me a few hours before we left for L.A..I didn't think I was going to be able to go..Thanks Jason..LOVE YOU!!!)..So Jen and her husband Andy made us feel right at home, and treated us like royalty..and Kyla had a ball playing with their oh-so-adorable son lance, who is 2... this was us at the party with our dessert spoons, which we had a funny story to go with it..kinda one of those "you had to be there things"...Anyways, I was feelin crafty, I always seem to say thanks with paper and bows....:)

A Small Victory

2008-08-30T23:18:00.000-07:00

This week, our little man of the house learned how to sit up on his own. Granted, he can't stay upright all day, but he hangs in there for a few minutes.. that is, before he catches something with his peripheral vision...and over he goes like humpty dumpty. But it is oh so cute seeing him wobble there... I was soooo excited the first time he did it, I was sitting on the floor of our office and decided to just see if he was strong enough to hold is own... sure enough he held onto those little toes of his for dear life as he planted himself there..in his own amazement as well, I'm sure...It's funny how as a parent, you rejoice over the smallest victories..."oh...he chewed his first cheerio...he slept through the night....he learned to roll over.." I guess there is no such thing as a small victory, because the big victories in life are all achieved by stepping on all the small ones to get there, right?

Make room in the budget for.....

2008-08-28T21:42:00.000-07:00

Starbucks. Everyday..without fail..or you will find me with a BIG headache.. If only I could be like Jason who has never had a sip of coffee, so he can easily pass on the occasion because he has never gotten addicted. IF ONLY. But I really can't express to you how much I love my everyday trips to get Starbucks...sometimes I make excuses to go run errands, or I offer to go mail something...not because I am a sweet wife.......because I want coffee:) :) If it is before 9am, my drink of choice is a soy chai. Just ask my mom, who still calls me every time she is bringing me coffee in the morning, "what do you feel like drinking this morning, my love" she says... I pause and pretend to think for a bit, just for amusement, when I know it will be the same every time. "Soy Chai mom"..can't go wrong with that:) But if it is after 10am, and it is tank top weather, my new drink of choice, which I am sooo in love with...is a vente iced coffee with 4 pumps of raspberry, with room for cream. SIMPLY DIVINE. Its more affordable in the long run...I've done the math...Kyla's drink of choice is 99% of the time a "NILLA MILK", as she calls it. I have instilled in her a daily desire for Starbucks. Sometimes its for the experience and to go read books, sometimes its for her milk, sometimes, it's just cuz mommy wants it for the second time that day..or because we like to see how many leftover drinks can stack up in the cup holders of the car before Jason makes fun of us. But really...there are some things I am just truly passionate about..coffee is among them. I hope that doesn't make me shallow:) Its almost spiritual for me:) Anyways, I hope whatever it is that you treat yourself to everyday, brings you as much joy as my iced-pink-confection of wonderfulness.

Sushi, Sac, and the BIG SPOON..

2008-08-18T23:09:00.001-07:00

As many of you may know, the Maxwells take frequent trips to Lodi on the weekends to visit his mom. We have a few really great friends in the "valley" and we are soo willing to drive there if it means we get quality time with them and "nana and papa"....OKAY, and the free baby sitting so we can have a real date night is not so bad either:) This last weekend we were able to go visit Jasons best friend Walter, who lives in Sacramento, while were were down for a few days. Jason visited Walter a few weekends back, and has been RAVING about some sushi that was particularly A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. (Jason and I have just recently grown to acquire a taste for sushi and have been on a mission to find a great, yet inexpensive place here in San Jose that we can call our home...any suggestions???) Anyways..I had a fun date night with the boys:) We have alot of History with Walter...Jason and him go way back just from growing up in Lodi together, but Walter also lived with us for the first year and a half that we were married ( he endured many moves with us, witnessed the start of the traditon of monday night taco salads, first pets...etc :) He is family...so it is always soo great to spend time with him. Ok, but back to the story..to start our night, they took me to the best sushi restaurant in the world..ok, so I have only been to like 5 so far, but who's counting.. We sat at the sushi bar...I felt so hardcore. I'm so new to the whole fish thing, let alone raw fish..I had to keep my eyes on the Olympics on the t.v behind the bar, and not the dead yellow tail fish staring at me from behind the little glass window. To my surprise, the "BIG KING" roll that Jason described everyday for 2 weeks was freakin awesome...It basically had shrimp tempura and cucumber inside, and the top had spicy tuna, jalapenos, thinly sliced lemon, and a special sauce...just to die for..all three of us were in tears because it was soo hot..but I guess that good food is supposed to bring out that kind of emotion..true?? after eating way too much, chattin with the sushi chefs, and feeling like I had conquered my fears of raw fish.. we headed out, so they could show me the town a bit.

The houses in "midtown" and "Land Park" in Sacramento where Walter lives are incredible. It's kind of a glorified Willow Glen, but much bigger, and alot more charm. Tree lined streets, parks that go on for miles, and more industrial, crazy- renovated- wearhouses-turned- businesses and botiques that you can imagine. It was so fun just driving around with the boys..I was in the back seat...which I LOVE. It is definitely one of my "Ashley-isms". If ever given the chance to take shotgun or the backseat..I am SOO in the back. I think it makes me feel like a kid again..I can kind of be a wallflower, not have to really initiate conversation, I can just listen to the people in the front seat, and just stare out the window...It's weird, but I just love it. After seeing Walters cute little pad, and crazy cat, we went to one of the greatest places in the world EVER created. Lets just say, that on the 8th day, God created the "BIG SPOON". Walter said we were going to a yogurt place for dessert. Thats all he said. No grand introduction, or setting the stage. Just a yogurt place. I will give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he may have uttered that it was "pretty good", I don't really remember, I just know that after going to this yogurt joint, I am pretty much ruined for life. Nothing will ever surpass the joy that I had when I walked in and realized what was going on. Its simple really, and maybe you have been to a place like this, or they have this particular franchise near where you live. But just humor me, and pretend you have never heard of this concept, so you can pretend to relive the excitement with me:) So basically you walk in...expecting to look at sign behind the register with maybe the 6 flavors of the day. You choose your flavor, size, and maybe a stale topping to go on top..pay, and thats it..well, here... you go in...pick up your own cup...which are all the same size..practically extra large..then you see a huge wall with a ton of yogurt machines, and you just go pour your own yogurt..then there is another wall that seems as long as a football field, of every topping you can think of...every sauce, fruit, nut, granola, and candy that you can ever imagine. You put whatever combination of things on your yogurt, to your hearts content..you go the register, weigh it...and pay for it by the pound... AHHHH..normally, the endless possibilities for flavor combinations would normally overwhelm me, but that night it was pretty easy to choose...it was random, but heavenly. I had peanut butter yogurt, with the following things on top: marshmallow creme, raspberries, small chunks of cheesecake, graham cracker crust, and whipped cream. it was heavy...Luckily Walter was paying:) we love you walter!!! We sat outside to eat, and Jason and Walter must have gotten SOO sick of hearing about me rave on and on about how I have never had anything soo good, and how I would be in so much trouble if they had this place in San Jose. ( Coffee and Frozen Yogurt are my 2 edible love languages for any of you who don't know:) It was too much excitement for one night...I fell asleep in the backseat before we could make it to our next stop... It was a great night out with the boys, we will definitely be making more trips to SAC for our dining pleasures:) If only I could burn as many calories in a day as Michael Phelps, I could relive this night..every night... But for now, lets just be thankful that Sacramento is 2 hours away:)

Tina's Gossip Girl Dress

2008-08-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

A few months back I posted a blog about how I was making a dress for my dear friend Tina..our inspiration was a dress she saw on the show "Gossip Girl"..soo HOT:) We picked out a super soft denim..had a few fittings on her trips back from Santa Barbara...and WHA-LA:) Our last fitting was super fun..it took like an hour just to figure out where we wanted to put the ruffled pockets, high..low..front..back...one up, one down:) The pockets and zipper arent sewn on in these pics, but I wanted to take a few pics of the almost finished product:) She is wearing this dress for her graduation at the end of the month..loved the stilletos she picked out...very Gossip Girl:) YAAY..

Head and shoulders knees and toes...knees and toes..

2008-08-10T18:46:00.000-07:00

I have had such a busy last week!!..sorry for slackin on my posts...no matter how crazy It gets I always find time for little moments like these..
Baby+blanket+chubby toes=total happiness...

Sara and Chads Wedding

2008-08-04T07:19:00.000-07:00

I never have really completely understood the phrase "cute as a button" until I met Sara. I always thought there were millions of things cuter than buttons, but somehow when I met her the jingle just fit. She has the cutest personality ever, and you can't help but smile when you are around her. I had the joy of working with my mom at Byington this last weekend...one of my favorite places to shoot because it's one of the first places I used to work when my mom was training me back in my high school days. My mom and I have so much fun when we work together. I don't get to work with her all that much, because I am usually shooting my own events, but when I'm free I LOVE teamin up with her. We are ALWAYS..I mean ALWAYS laughing about something during the day, and are continually finishing each others sentences. I'm sure my mom loves it when guests ask us if we are sisters:) Sara and Chad had such a sparkle about them..

*GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN*

Something Pretty for Alicia

2008-07-31T08:13:00.000-07:00

It was my dear friend Alicia's birthday earlier this week...a perfect occasion to do something crafty. Of course, in my normal fashion, I waited until the last minute to do something so I figured hair clips would be the easiest to manage with me and my hot glue guns schedule. A quick trip to Beverly's Fabrics with a handful of feathers in one hand, and a piece of specialty paper in the other was all I needed..all the other trinkets I had at home. I wanted to make some unique-quirky accessories for Sheesa (as kyla used to call her) because she always has the most amazing clothes from Anthropologie and Banana Republic.. and better yet,she ALWAYS lets me borrow numerous amounts of articles from her closet and vintage jewelry collection , so I figured I would make a few little things, I might want to borrow in the future..aren't I smart??
This was a wooden flower that Jasons mom gave me that is made out of pine cones..add a few feathers and say goodbye to that boring pony tail..
This hair clip is made up of a bunch of vintage buttons and old broches that used to be my grandma Teresa's. (You will hear me mention her often..she was an incredible woman with impeccable style..) People always ask me why I give away her jewelry when I use it for cards and gifts like these...the truth is...I have sooo much of it..I've saved a ton of my favorites just for myself to keep..plus, I would rather share a little piece of her with family and friends..I think it's a great way to honor and remember her...so girls..don't throw away your cards and clips!!!
These last little clippies give a quick little punch to the side of your hair..and of course I chose these colors because Sheesha is the jewel tone QU-EEN!!

Routines..

2008-07-23T22:08:00.001-07:00

Life is all about routines. If you have kids you know the importance of "the routine". The eating routine, the sleeping routine, the diapers routine. It never ends. Sometimes the word routine is used in a negative context, when someone is bored in life, and they have begun doing the same monotonous acts day in and day out. Some days I feel like that, yet some days I love knowing what to expect..I have just come to realize that pretty much everything in life is based off of some type of routine...whether you like it or not..Sometimes the days of the week start to blend together for me because they somehow are all crazily similar. I will give you a pretty similar play by play of a day in my shoes, or my flip flops for that matter....(this will probably be VERY boring for 99% of you to read..I wont be offended if you stop reading this very moment, and check back in tomorrow for something more interesting:)
*My day starts at about 6:30am.. Hayden wakes up hungry..( from this moment on, he eats about every 3 hours)..I feed him even though I'm still half asleep.. Kyla joins us within a half hour.. we giggle and tickle and play with the baby, until Kyla wants to watch Dora and eat blueberry waffles.
* Hayden is up for a little over an hour, then wants a catnap for about 45 minutes. Those 45 minutes are seriously very similar to some type of game show for me...like super market sweep or something, where you are being timed to fulfill a certain task within the allotted minutes, and what you don't finish is just lost:) I literally stand in the middle of the house and take a quick 360 around me and have to decide which is most important to be completed..the laundry..dishes..editing pictures on the computer..picking up toys..returning emails..rest??? ya right. rest. I never choose rest as my option, as much as I should.
*Once Hayden wakes up we play with Kyla and when baby doesn't mind being put down, I try to juggle playing with him, and to finish whatever it is that I chose to work on during his nap. I usually pace around the house and make phone calls, this is usually when my girlfriends or parents call to check in:)
*Once 11am comes around we start to anticipate daddy coming home. Even though he technically gets off at noon, he doesn't get home til closer to one..but we still get excited in case it's a day he comes home early.
*Once daddy gets home we make lunch..which is usually one of three things...sandwiches, soup, or on lucky days..burritos:) Kyla is stubborn, so her lunch is usually along the lines of macaroni and cheese, rice, toast and yogurt, or a quesadilla..that sits there for hours, cuz she never eats a quesadilla the first time its offered to her. Weird. Anyways..
*by this point in the day if I have not had coffee, I am starting to get a massive migraine..After I hang out with Jason for a bit, we put Ky Ky down for nap, Jason takes a nap..and Hayden and I usually do a coffee run and do errands I have any. (Sometimes Hayden naps right now for a few hours).This is normally the time in the day that I schedule appointments and photo shoots if I need to..
*Then come 5:00... Jason and I ask each other "what do you want for dinner" about 6 times. Serioulsy. Every night. We call it the "dreaded question", because we always go grocery shopping yet never feel like eating anything we have once dinner time comes. Neither of us EVER have a preference, so usually one of us starts to to get crabby because we are starving, and we finally choose something.( This is usually a 3 part equation..2 frozen items from the freezer from trader joes, and one boxed item from the pantry..from Target) and WHALA..dinner.
* After we do dinner, Jason and Kyla water the plants in the backyard and play a bit. Then we start getting Hayden and Jason ready for bed...funny I know. Jason has to be up for work at 2am so he actually goes to bed before the baby most nights...AWW so sweet:) Hayden usually wakes up at least 2 times before he stays asleep, so I try to get him to sleep before Jason does so they can both sleep peacefully:)
*From then on, its pretty much just night time routine for Kyla..bath...negotiate the terms of brushing her hair..choosing which "Jammas" she wants to wear..play with the puppy for a bit..eat a gogurt, pick the accommodations for her sleeping..(because there are SOO many). Top bunk or bottom? Big polka dot pillow or small striped pillow? Cabbage patch dolly or purple care bear? Rainbow comforter or fleece blanket? Fan on or fan off? The only thing that TRULY stays the same every night is these three things. 1.) Kisses. 2.)after kisses, the phrase we both repeat, which is "Best friend in the WHOLE world" and 3.) Kyla prays. Don't even dare try to pray..she will shut you down every time. Once Kyla learned how to pray that was just it for mommy and daddy trying. When she first learned how to pray, she used to say the funniest things..she would say "Dear Jesus..thank you for....and then she would list the most random things..what ever was on her mind ( or whoever she saw that day)..sometimes she would say "thank you for spongebob, squidword, crabby patties, Dora, boots, Diego, pancakes, Landon, daddy, string cheese, Nana, Donalds (McDonalds:) crocs, love you sooo much..AMEN. " But now her prayers at night time are the exact same, "Dear Jesus, thank you for our food, thank you for my friends, Love you SOOO much..Amen". Seriously at the end of the day, when I am soo tired.. hearing her pray is so cute, and makes me just breathe a little.

You can tell that tonight she was thrown off a little by the nigh time routine, because it was 9:00..Hayden was fussy all day from his shots, and being a little sick, that I couldn't get him to go to sleep for the life of me.. So instead of putting Kyla in bed, I told her to put on a dress and that we were going for a drive. You can tell she is pretty used to her routine at night, because she looked at me so weird and said.. "a DRESS? where are we going??" I said, we are going to drive to Starbucks cuz mommy wants Hayden to fall asleep in the car. She looked at me and said.."Starbucks..at NIGHT TIME??" yes Kyla, I said..hurry and get dressed"..(as Hayden was crying in his car seat)... So we got in the car with Calvin (the pup) and drove to the only drive through Starbucks in the area, which is the farthest Starbucks away, but would guarantee that the baby would fall asleep..and he did. After getting my chai, her apple juice box..and 3 bones for calvin..YES..bones!!...the girl and the window said that they had little bones for dogs as well. Is that normal??? I know they just ventured into offering smoothies last week, but dog bones too? Pretty soon I bet you will probably be able to get pizza and premium denim at Starbucks. You just wait:) Anyways, it was quite the adventure for Kyla..once we got home, I realized I told Jason I would water the plants in the backyard, so Kyla and I did that in the dark, which she thought was so funny. She kept telling me, "we don't water plants in the nigh time mommy..only daytime"..clearly..I was messing with post-dinner routine with daddy:) Once I tucked her into bed (on the top, with the striped pillow, purple carebear, fan on, and absolutely NO blankets)..I gave her a kiss, said we were each others best friend, then I turned for the door...All the sudden I heard her abruptly sit up in her creeky ikea blue bunk bed, and with a totally disappointed tone, she said.."ahh...you didn't let me pray!!" It was so priceless..she was genuinely frustrated with me that I had forgotten that very important detail.( she didn't care how tired I was:) Once she prayed and I closed her door, I couldn't help but realize that even though she is so free spirited and pretty much tries to do whatever she wants..she SO likes her little routine..
*And here I am..this is my routine once the family's asleep. Do I sleep or stay awake? To blog or not to blog? Work on photography or make a card? Sleep..wake up. Repeat. It's pretty safe to say that tomorrow will look alot like today. I don't really mind that too much however..some people hate doing the same thing everyday...I guess that really depends on the people and things that makeup their lives from morning til end. For me..adorable kids that want me to play with them all day long.. a fun husband who just wants to spend time with me...great phone calls from my family and friends..taking pictures..Cleaning, or just adding to the mess...all the while knowing I get to have all those things makeup all of my "tomorrows"....A girl can't complain:)

More 61 Brand...

2008-07-23T00:04:00.000-07:00

Heres a few more pictures of the infamous belts I have been workin with last few weeks. They have actually had alot of action the past few days..thanks to a few friends who were wonderful enough to model them for me:) Thank you Aaron and Janelle for rockin the big hair at Santana Row and just being a hot little couple:) As awkward as you might have felt, you did great:) and Markus, my elementary school friend:) Thanks for helpin me out so last minute, it's always fun catchin up! The whole line of belts and shirts will be available in select stores and on 61's website in the near future...stay tuned for updates:)

Matt and Marilyns Wedding..

2008-07-20T21:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Jason and I shot such a beautiful wedding at Clos La Chance Winery in Morgan Hill. Marilyn and I had yearbook together in high school, and a year or so of basketball:) She has always had such a sweet spirit, and you are somehow just drawn to her...Matt, she's quite the catch:) It was great seeing some old friends from high school.. Everyone is so grown up and collected, each unique with their careers, (and spouses for some). I feel so honored that I have been able to be part of so many peoples weddings this year, its a great excuse to get re-acquainted..
This particular wedding had a "candy bar" like a few weddings we have done this year. Gotta love the candy bar. Usually champagne is what gets the party started..not this one..give people a bag full of gum balls and hot tamales, and you've got a full dance floor. Nothin beats a sugar high right? Normally I'd be ecstatic about the endless supply of sweets...but my high school/college days of chewing 2 packs of cotton candy bubble yum have caught up with me...and my wallet. My few trips to the dentist this year have given me all the reason to resist the rock candy, and save the sugar for my daily coffee:) yikes. Anyhow, it was a perfect day, Marilyn was just a knock out...and so easy to work with. She has filled her life with extraordinary people, and it was evident in all the family and friends that made us feel so welcome on Mare's big day:)

::Meet Calvin::

2008-07-15T17:38:00.000-07:00

Gotta love a spontaneous husband. Sometimes he likes to walk in the door with flowers..somedays, it's my favorite Starbucks drink. Burrito perhaps..or maybe even a new Target dress hidden in the bag of grocercies. Not this time. No, this time my surprise wasn't edible, or worthy of a vase. It was yellow and furry, and likes to bite toes. This particular Sunday I woke up with 2 kids and went to bed with 3. This was the day I met Calvin. You all know we have a history with dogs..we have never been able to keep them because we never had yards for them. Jason has been very sad since the day we gave our chocolate lab to another family...I knew it was only a matter of time until I had to hide my shoes again...that is unless teeth marks are in style...

61 Brand..

2008-07-15T17:03:00.001-07:00

*Designed for Freedom*
I just wanted to post a few pics of my latest little photo project. I'm currently photographing some belts and shirts for a new clothing brand called 61. These are just a few of the pictures I've done so far, I will post more in a few days..You should check out their website..it will be updated with all the new stuff pretty soon..hence the need for pictures:) http://61brand.com/

Jamie and Roberts Wedding..

2008-07-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

I think some of my favorite weddings are backyard weddings...cute, quaint..and normally very low-key bride and grooms. Yesterday was no exception:) I went to high school with Jamie (as most of my brides this year:)..yet I didn't get to really know her until she booked me as her photographer. Between meeting up at Starbucks or exchanging paperwork at swim lessons at the YMCA, I learned that I just love that girl! She is perhaps one of the sweetest people I have ever met, and is just genuinely joyful. My dear friend Alicia worked Jamie's wedding with me yesterday..she has done many weddings with me this year, and is such a talented photographer...did I mention, SO FUN to work with?? We always have a habit of showing up to afternoon weddings without have really eaten breakfast or lunch so we are always talking about food and trying not to fall over..or like yesterday, we shared an apple and 4 red sweedish fish, and about 20 glasses of punch like it was our last supper or something..luckily Jamie had incredible food and we had a few moments to recharge and ooh and ahh over some of our favorite pics we had taken during the day...It was truly a beautiful day...and a happy bride makes a happy wedding..yay JAMIE! You and Robert are amazing...

Oh Hayden..

2008-07-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

These are just a few pics of my little butterball in the backyard and house the other night..I am so in love with each and every roll on that little body of his..he's the most squeezable little thing ever...

What Makes Your Garden Grow?

2008-07-08T13:31:00.000-07:00

Water. Sunshine. Love..AND..a little help from some of my favorite boys in the world...it's as easy and simple as that. Anyone who has recently been over to our neck of the woods..knows that this last month has been all about gardening. We've really never had a yard we could truly invest in, until now..so you better believe we are puttin down some roots:) My sweet daddy was in town a few weeks ago, and he helped get us started..him and Jason went to the nursery and came back with a trunk full of goodies to plant in the yard. My dad has always had a bit of Martha Stewart syndrome in him...HE LOVES THIS KINDA STUFF...and we LOVE that he loves it. So we planted corn, peas, squash, pumpkins, basil, and cilantro. Kyla has already developed a green thumb in a matter of weeks:) From dawn til dusk..little miss garden boots wants to be watering her corn. Her favorite time of day is when the sun starts to go down, and her and daddy get to give the garden some lovin.
My brother Corey hadn't been back to visit in about 6 months, so him coming into town last week was very anticipated on our end. He had never met Hayden, and hadn't seen Ky Ky since New Years, so she has been ecstatic that he has come over to play with her every day that he's been here. One of the many, many things I love about my brother Corey is that just adores his family...whenever he comes down to visit, I know he has a million friends that want to see him.. yet he still puts sooo much of his time and energy into getting the most out seeing us family. This is no exception when it comes to his time with Kyla. He has spent so many hours in the garden with her..teaching her to blow kisses to her plants....doing yoga and stretches with her on the lawn...doodling with chalk on the patio, even teaching her to bowl with a water bottles. I appreciate his love for not only me, but for my kids as well. I snapped a few priceless shots of him and Kyla in the yard, that were just too sweet for words.
We are hoping that as the year progresses our garden and flower beds will continue to flourish...maybe by the fall you can all come over for some homemade ratatouille:) you can lay under the stars with us..and enjoy the simple pleasure of family, friends, and pink garden boots..

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Heathers Photoshoot...

2008-07-02T23:31:00.000-07:00

Here's a few pics from the session I did with Heather today. She is an incredible dancer, who needed some new head shots and pictures for her portfolio. We had fun dodging security at Santana Row, and having a million wardrobe changes in the trunk of her car. She was so fun to work with, not to mention just stunning:)

Burgers, Bliss and our 5th..

2008-06-28T23:57:00.000-07:00

I have officially been married for 5 years!! I'm very sad to say that I don't have any pictures of our anniversary this year..That's kinda Jason and I's M.O..we are horrible at taking pictures with each other. We have the very best of intentions..yet, we don't have a point and shoot camera to fit in my purse, and we don't always want to lug around the big camera with us. I am totally "Forgetful Lucy" and would probably leave the camera on the roof of the car while buckling the kids in. Trust me..cell phones, purses, coffee mugs...just about everything has flown off the roof of my car on the freeway due to my absent mind:) Anyways.. Jason surprised me this last week by taking me to San Francisco for the night. He had to tell me about it before he would have liked, because he needed help squaring away a babysitter for the munchkins:) A little shout out to Bri and her mom for driving down from Lodi to stay at Casa de Maxwell SO last minute..making our little anniversary possible.THANK YOU SO MUCH!! We love you both, and are sooo grateful!! Jason and I stayed at a swanky little Hotel in the city called "The CLIFT Hotel". It was so modern and beautiful....and we hadn't gotten away together in ages, so it was much needed. We had planned to go to "HOUSTON'S" for dinner, since its our "anniversary restaurant". A little back round on that: For our first anniversary, we ended up flying to Miami Florida really last minute...not for our anniversary primarily..but because the last round of auditions for "PROJECT RUNWAY" - the first season, were being held there, and I had already missed all the other auditions in California and closer states:) So feeling a bit spontaneous, we decided to go...I didn't make the cut for the show, BUT we had an incredible time while we were there..just by luck on our anniversary night we passed "HOUSTONS" steakhouse..it was overlooking the Marina, right on the water, and looked oh-so romantic. For anyone who has been to a HOUSTONS, you know that almost all the walls in the restaurant are windows, so it has amazing views of whatever city you are in. For any of you who know me, you know that I am totally "the salad girl" when we go out. It is pretty much safe to say that I will order a salad 99% of the time. So to see me order an enormously large BBQ burger in a fancy dress in a nice restaurant, is very out of character for me. That first night at HOUSTONS is what started the tradition of "Ashley's Anniversary Burger".I guess that Miami heat just brought out the carnivore in me:)It has become the one night that I don't care about calories or a clean face. I would pretty much pay anything for one of their burgers..they are something you will literally dream about. Yeah...they are that good. Jason and I made a deal that every year on our anniversary, we would go to a different HOUSTONS in a different city..one year we went to the one in L.A..and the last 3 years we have celebrated in the City..it's hard to migrate much farther than that with kids:) Hopefully next year we can go somewhere farther since Hayden will be bigger..So anyways..this year I ordered my burger as always..Jason had BBQ ribs.( he had total food envy when he tasted my burger:) We had so much fun just sharing food, conversation and even moments of silence...which isn't a bad thing when you have 2 kids. Silence is wonderful sometimes...and I think that a true sign that you are with the right person, and that you are comfortable with them, is that you can have prolonged moments of silence..and it's not awkward, or weird..you can just "BE" together, and that is enough. It was GREAT. Then we went and watched the new "HULK" movie at the Metron..sexy huh?? We stayed out late..slept in late..ate Breakfast at "STACKS" there in the City.. (you know we are die hard fans for the one here in Campbell..we are stacks HO's..we take everyone there!!) We spent the rest of the day taking pictures for a project I am working on right now..and then headed home..It was so unexpected to get away so last minute, and so needed. Jason and I have come so far together in these last 5 years....hope when we are 50 we will have traveled the world..celebrating each year together.....one burger at a time:)

Jehn and Mikes Wedding!

2008-06-23T15:48:00.001-07:00

I can't even begin to tell you how blessed we were to photograph this insanely hot couples wedding:) (superhot.com we called it:)Jehn and Mike were such a breathe of fresh air, and it was such an honor to work with them. I went to High school with both of them..Mike and I used to be lab partners in marine biology:) and Jehn and I have always shared mutual close friends..so I felt so comfortable hangin with the two of them all day. Their wedding was filled with so much character and personality..not to mention beautiful scenery.. which made my camera and I SOOO happy. Jason got to work with me today, and as always, I was blown away with his creativity and abstract angles he was able to capture. I Love working with him, he keeps me on my toes:) Thank you Jehn and Mike for being so flexible and runnin all over seascape with us..and not minding getting that foxy dress a little dirty..you both are incredible people, We wish you Lots of Love...

Summertime..and the livin's EZ..

2008-06-18T19:22:00.000-07:00

What started as an afternoon with the slip and slide..apparently turned out to be a fashion show with little miss sunshine here. Any of you who know Kyla, know her to be quite the character. You hear us call her "Bunsies" cuz if she can help it, she is running around without clothes. So naturally, this girl LOOOVES the summer, when a swimsuit is the acceptable dress code for day to day wear. I caught a few precious picture of her as she was coming out her bedroom to the backyard. She has these new red curtains from IKEA, which she is UBER proud of. First thing when my friends come to the door, she says "do you want to see my curtains???" (I'm like, please say YES, or you will break her heart:) I'm sensing a little interior designer in her perhaps?? Anyways she is pictured here doing her "SASSY" pose (hands on hips-big grin).,it started the first day I put her in a seersucker pink skirt and pigtails when she was around 2..It was like she was understanding what it means to be feminine for the first time or something..she just started doing the pose..and she likes to bust it out every now and then. Days like today make me me so glad I get to work from home and be with the kids..and c'mon..who doesn't like summer? Iced coffee anyone?

The Cover Family..

2008-06-18T00:06:00.000-07:00

Today I had the pleasure of photographing my dear friend Cori, and her beautiful little family. Cori's Recent addition, Jonah was our lead model for the day:) As a gift at Cori's baby shower for Jonah, I gave her 2 photo sessions to redeem at a later time. The first was for "Prego Pics" and the second was for a photo shoot when Jonah was a couple months. I told her to bring the whole fam for todays shoot..because kids are only little once you know?..and its not every day you get the chance to take a few family portraits that don't include sitting on the floor of your own living room with spit up and sippy cups adorning the photo:) We went to the Ranch..of course..I just can't stray away from that place..the lighting is just always perfect for me!! I had so much fun with them, it's hard to think this is my job..to play in the hay with adorable kids, and capture some of the sweetest moments ever. There were seriously 200 pictures..I just posted a few that made me smile:) Yay Covers! Love you guys!

Fathers Day..

2008-06-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

I have fallen off the blogging bandwagon this last week!AHH! We are still in the process of fully unpacking all of our things here at our new house..( WHICH WE LOVVVE!) and the kids and hubby have both been sick this last week, so I have been soo exhausted...I normally have a few hours at night to myself once Jason and the kids are in bed to journal, blog, return emails..wash the millions of dishes..whatever..but I haven't had the energy to do anything but sleep. So I will try to get some new posts in whenever I can:) Yesterday was fathers day,..Jason and I have this joke that we never do anything but stay at home for lifes Holidays and occasions. We have great intentions, but sometimes we spend the whole day sitting on the couch pondering what to do..we aren't the greatest at planning ahead:) Yesterday I already had made plans to meet up with my friend Jehn Krug in Seascape, to check out her wedding site for next weekend. I'm so excited, I felt so inspired checking out spots to shoot with her and her fiance Mike:) The pictures are going to be so fun, I can't wait:) I dragged Jason and the kids with me, so at least we could all be together..ok, so they sat in the hot car for an hour..but We got to go to Capitola when Jehn and I were done in Seascape. We had a fun, low key time just watching surfers and sea gulls, while Kyla put her feet in the sand..we got some goodies from a cute hole in the wall coffee shop, where I had a banana latte frappe..so weird...and the best oatmeal toffee cookie Jason and I have ever had. Then we got "Tandoori Oven" take out once we got over the hill..one of our favorite places to eat in the world..and just enjoyed our little gang before bedtime..It was a simple yet perfect day..here is the picture I put on the front of Jason's fathers day card, I thought it was precious:)

A Beckam Of My Own..

2008-06-06T12:04:00.000-07:00

That David Beckam. He's all the rage these days. I can't decide if his charm is because he is a phenomenal soccer player, or because he is such a family guy..or both. OK or maybe because he is a little easy on the eyes:) but who notices that right?? :) Jason gets to see him play the San Jose Earthquakes next weekend. I'm so jealous..I can't go because I'm photographing a wedding that day. I think secretly Jason wants to go for the mere chance he might see that POSH little wife of his, Victoria, sporting her Jimmy Choo's in one of the luxury boxes. No, in all honesty, my husband has recently been involved in a love affair with soccer. Growing up he played practically every sport, and snowboarded and biked every mountain in America..but never played soccer. It wasn't until last year that he joined a soccer league with one of our dear friends Alex..and he has been in love with the sport ever since. Lets just say, that for his birthday this year, instead of making him a crazy cool card or album (like I do for every occasion in a calender year), I bought him an authentic Earthquakes Jersey..... Best $90. bucks I have ever spent on that boy, and was worth every penny when I saw the surprised look on his face when he opened it. It was like the kid in "The Christmas Story" opening the Red Ryder bb gun. It was that good. And I have to tell you, he looks pretty sexy wearing it..and that's coming from a girl who thinks that sports jerseys for fashion are ULTRA LAME. He changed my mind about that one really quick. (but for the record, you will never see me wearing anyones team jersey....that is reserved for wearing in high shool when you're dating a jock:)
Anyways...yesterday I got to actually WATCH Jason play soccer, uninterrupted, for the first time this whole year. I normally have both kids with me, so I am more fixated on making sure Kyla isn't running into the street, or stealing another players Gatorade. She was with Grandma this week, so Hayden and I got to Marvel at the athleticism of daddy:) I always hear stories about how he was a great athlete in High School and college, but never got to see it first hand. So it was so fun for me to sit back and watch him play, and just realize how talented he is. He is so cute playing soccer, because he just loves it so much. It makes me adore him that much more. A hot athlete, kickin butt on the field, giving his wife and baby kisses at halftime, who I get to take home with me at the end of the game?? Who needs a celebrity athlete to dream about at night..David Beckam WHO????

In With the NEW..

2008-05-28T21:31:00.000-07:00

Soo... its official:) The tenth move is really happening..in only 2 more days!! We are all ecstatic!! Moving is the perfect opportunity to get rid of the things that cramp our closets and fill our drawers. I think the rule of thumb is that if you haven't worn it int the last 6 months...its time to recycle it.. If you are me, you try to find the prettiest clothes amidst the junk..and try to sell them! If you live here in the bay area, you probably know a little hidden gem that we like to call CROSSROADS....the words buy, sell and trade, always bring a smile to my face. I have been shopping at Crossroads since high school, and I am always so impressed by the things that I find. They will only buy clothes from you that are either a trendy brand name, have the original tags..are fashion forward and in season, or..are super vintage. I always try to sell my stuff there to justify buying myself something new. That last few times I have completely struck out, and didn't leave buying anything..but this time, I totally scored. My mom knows that I have been in a total fashion rut since I had Hayden..with just being between sizes, and just feeling I have nothing to wear. With all this packing, I pretty much separated half my existing clothes for goodwill...I was feeling the need to do a bit of "pruning" if you will, to my wardrobe. My mom and I celebrated a very belated mothers day by going to Crossroads and well, just going crazy. I found so many incredible finds..I was desperate for a few NEW splashes of color to my closets..here's what I brought home..compliments of "Mama D"..Thank you!!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE all of these...I think I have worn flip flops every day for the last year..this will be a little party for me feet:)

So..I know last week I said I was going to make new hair clips with feathers...but I just didn't have time to make it to the crafts store, so instead, I decided to cut up, one of my old Holister jean skirts, an old striped maternity shirt..and the inside polka dot lining from the jean skirt, to make some new hair accessories. I used old clip on earrings from my Grandma Teresa for the jewels. I was given all her old jewelry when she passed away, and I try to use pieces here and there to remember her. She always had impeccable style:)

With all the NEW and pretty things to wear, I was feeling a bit antsy to change my hair. Since I know Jason would have a heart attack if I cut my hair short, I decided to compromise and cut some bangs...myself....with scrap booking scissors... they are so choppy..I keep telling myself that's the fad:) I always hate growing out bangs, that's why I never have them.. but they are fun..even if they are a bit crooked.
Its amazing how a few little changes for yourself can put a little spring in your step. Oh how I love being a girl..

Boy Crazy..

2008-05-26T22:10:00.000-07:00

This weekend was different than most..Kyla was in Lodi at Jason's moms, so it was just me and the boys. There were no sounds of Dora echoing throughout the house..no strawberry Eggo waffles popping up in the toaster... no click-clacking of princess heels on the bamboo hardwood floor....The house was a bit quieter for a brief moment of time. Although we missed her terribly and talked about her incessantly,it was so nice to just be "all about my boys" for 2 days. We took Hayden to his first action movie.."Iron Man"..he did great..he seriously watched the whole thing...he was so fascinated by the bright lights..ok, or maybe it could have been Gweneth Paltrow..:) After that, we went out for lunch at Rock Bottom Brewery, drove by the new house we are going to move into, then went home, cuddled together on the couch, and watched Nacho Libre. With Hayden curled up on the boppy pillow, and Jason eating a bowl of soup by my side..everything in life was just perfect. As Jack Black wrestled in stretchy pants, I listened to the sounds of my husbands laugh, and my baby's snore..... and realized that I am not just in love with these two boys...I am simply CRAZY about them. I used to hate it when I was younger and people would say I was boy crazy... but I don't mind it so much now :) I just LOOVE my two boys..theres just no getting around it:)

The Price of a Feather..

2008-05-21T22:53:00.000-07:00

Tonight I feel like Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City....and NO....it's not because at the end of the day I am sitting in front of my computer trying to figure out men, or ranting of the hardships of being single in New York City..but because I had the sudden impulse to write about Fashion. Like I LITERALLY woke myself up out of bed because all I could think about was feathers. YES..FEATHERS. And why?? Because..even though I didn't want to..and everything in me told me not to...I went into Urban Outfitters today. I -LOVE-URBAN OUTFITTERS. I love it so much that I never go in..because I want everything. And I will never buy anything because most of the time it is something I could totally make myself...and it is way overpriced..It might not be overpriced for a normal person buying something..it may even seem cheap. But having a bit of back round in fashion..and an affinity for thrift stores..I KNOW that an old mans blue polyester vest, sewn together with a worn in yellow daisy blouse..with a bit of tailoring and ruffles...is not worth paying $68.00 for. I could go to savers and buy the same 2 pieces they used for less than $6.80. So no matter how much I love it hanging there on the rack..I will never buy it. Because I know I'm capable of making the same shirt.. the problem is I never get around to doing the project...so I never get my shirt!!
As I began to leave the store my eye caught a bundle of feathers on the accessory table. I knew it was trouble. I decided to torture myself and look at the jewelry anyways..well because, that's what girls do. I saw the cutest hair pieces I have ever seen. Most of them were tiny little hats with netting hanging down..kind of a throwback to the 40's style:)but they were made to be used as a hair clip, like on the side of your head.... But my favorite were these hair clips that were tiny bundles of Feathers with mini jewels on them. Some were very big bundles that were so over the top..which were just brilliant for nights you want big hair:)and don't lie...all girls want big hair..sometimes:) I thought I would just buy a tiny clip.. so I would leave with something to make me happy. But as I grabbed the tiniest bundle of feathery wonderfulness....I realized this hair clip with literally 3 feathers and 2 jewels on it..was $24.00. That's not even THAT expensive..but come on! I could buy like 10 feather boas and a bag of jewels for that price... And that is exactly what I am going to do. I used to make myself hair accessories almost every day when I was in high school. There is nothing I wouldn't hot glue to a headband or bobby pin. Silk flowers, fruit loops..you name it. It was in my hair. So I decided I am going to give myself one week to make a few hair accessories that will put Urbans accessories to shame. So hold me to it! By next Wed. I will post a few pics of my creations. I could use a jolt in my creativity and wardrobe. Being a mom definitely takes a toll on my fashion..I get so used to sweats and a wet pony tail on top of my head.(My husband is so sweet for putting up with seeing me like this for days on end). So I'm hoping to change all that soon, and letting days like today inspire me to do what I love..and that is to LOVE FASHION..and to simply create...anything!
Bag of feathers: $ 5.00
Case of Jewels: $ 4.25
6 pack of plain metal hair clips $3.75
Small bag of randomhousehold trinkets: $2.50
Having hair accessories that none else does: PRICELESS :)

Photo Shoot With Kristin and Michael..

2008-05-19T23:02:00.000-07:00

Today I had the pleasure of photographing one of the cutest couples ever..I met Kristen through one of my best friends Amanda. She is so bubbly and fun... her energy is just contagious! Once I saw her and Michael together at Amanda's wedding I KNEW I just had to photograph them. They are so sweet together, and just so dang hard on the eyes ya know! :) Thanks to the both of you for reminding why I love my job...it hardly felt like work:) If anyone wants to see a few more pictures of them, you can go to my website www.ashleymaxwellphoto.com, click on the "clients" tab, and enter "ranch" for the password. The gallery takes a while to load and it uploaded backward, but it's still fun..

The Evolution of Moving..

2008-05-17T21:34:00.000-07:00

Moving. Maybe you have done it once or twice in the last few years. Oh..3 times? really? Wow.. thats rough, you must be so glad to Finally be situated. Let me introduce you to my family. The Maxwells.. but we might as well change that name to the "Movers". We are PRO'S. Don't hire movers..hire us. We will get the job done:) Yes, my friends, and that's simply because.. we are about to do our 10th move in the 5 years we have been married. I've always loved those cute cards you send out to people when you have moved, and have a new address..the ones with a pretty little house on them...or even the really creative ones that are actually made out of cardboard from a moving box. Yes. They are cute. But only appropriate once...maybe twice. We lost our chance to send those out loooong ago:) If we tried to do that now, our friends probably wouldn't take them seriously, because they'd know that before they even had time to file that address in their laptop, or blackberry..our address would have probably changed again. Its not that we like moving..it really has been a matter of Neccessity 9 out of the 10 times. For those of you who might have missed a chapter or two of our lives..heres the rundown on how it happens..I will start from the beginning..

First move: THE LOFT:"We're getting married!!" Lets get a fun loft at Santana Row that is modern and funky and will be great for entertaining!!! Oh wait..even though there's only 2 of us..we have way too much stuff..lets move into a townhouse here instead!
Move #2: THE TOWNHOUSE: "Love it!!" We have so much more space..we are living above great shops and restaurants..there's always music playing downstairs that serenades us as we go to bed...its perfect!! Oh wait...are we crazy?? This is SOO expensive for just renting..we just got married..I'm thinking we need something a bit more modest for the budget...lets move into an apartment instead!
Move #3: The APARTMENT: "They Take dogs!!" It's perfect for us! It has a loft, but also 2 bedrooms..pet friendly..feels kinda urban being next to downtown..so US...But hmmm..let's do something crazy..let's brake our lease, move to VEGAS..get a cheap house..and just have an adventure. YEAH. Let's do it..we have family out there. (This was the only move, not out out necessity:)
Move #4: THE APARTMENT IN THE MEAN TIME TIL WE CAN BUY A HOUSE..IN VEGAS: "We will only be here for a while". Its totally in the boon docks, but close to the housing development we want to buy in...Gosh..its so hot here..I'm feeling kinda claustrophobic in here..why are there always police cars here for our neighbors? Are those helicopters flying over our apartments because they are looking for someone? Is that a S.W.A.T team I see out the blinds? Honey, I don't really feel safe here...we aren't going to buy that house down the street anyways...LETS MOVE...maybe to a nice neighborhood.
Move #5: THE JERSEY SHORE HOUSE: " It's soo cute!" and it has 4 bedrooms, and its all ours!! Lets stay here forever, I love it. We have enough room for a family here:) Lets have a baby!!! 9 months later.........Its a girl:) Lets name her Kyla..lets paint her room pink, and the ceiling blue...This is our first real house as a family!!...but it still doesn't feel quite like home. Vegas doesn't feel like home. I miss our friends in the Bay area..Lets move back..and as Jason always says.."OK Honey"..we will move..I will pack up our lives in boxes..again:)
Move#6: KATHERINE CT. HOUSE: "I love the Rose Garden"..this house is a steal for what they are renting it for. Great neighbors..close to Santana Row for work..it's Charming. We've been here for over a year, and we will definitely stay for another!!! But..what?...you want to sell it? You want how much for that tiny little thing?? Are you serious?? We have to move right now? Where are we going to go so fast? There aren't any houses available in the area..and we are SO over apartments!!! What Honey??? Lodi??No way! I could NEVER live in Lodi....never!!
Move #7: THE CONVERTED GARAGE-HOUSE IN LODI: " This is so nice of your mom to let us stay here". Its nice being on the same property as your mom, and seeing the town that you grew up in...big backyard for Kyla..lots of home cookin by your mom...we are saving lots of money..we don't have a ton of space..but that's okay, I'm sure you will find a job that you like out here...then we will really be saving lots of money. Oh..and honey..P.S..Im pregnant again. We need more space. Target wants to hire you in san Jose to manage the store? You start on Monday? Awesome..Lets move back.
Move # 8: THE CONDO: "What a blessing". It was a quick process..easy move. It's brand new..so nice..who cares that it has 3 levels with a million stairs..it's close to EVERYTHING we need and love. Kyla is down the street from her best friend..walking distance to Starbucks and dog park..We finally found a place that feels "right"...and the baby's crib will even fit perfectly in our room. Wait...you got a call from who? The landlord? He can't afford the condo anymore and has to put it on the market tomorrow? WHAT!! We have only been here 6 months!! We just finally finished decorating.. it looks perfect! I'm having a baby in like 5 weeks!!! Where the heck are we going to move in such a short time? I can't even help you move.. I can barely bend over!!! We have been staring at Craigslist for last 2 weeks..there's no houses available..and we have too much stuff to move back into an apartment.
Move # 9 THE GARFIELD HOUSE: "Don't let the name fool you..it's an apartment all right". Lets just say I have never been so sure I have wanted to move again until I came here. There are pretty much 3 main reasons for wanting to move..and baby, they are good. One-it's crazy loud. We are talking about hearing every footstep, sigh, breathe, and stomach gurgle that comes out of our neighbors. We have to turn up the volume on our t.v at least 10 decibels when someone else uses their toilet, sinks or showers. It's THAT loud. And if you have been to our house, you will know I'm not exaggerating. Two- There's no cell phone reception in our unit..for reals. That is why I don't answer your calls my dear friends!!! And if I do, I'm usually huffing and puffing because I had to run down the street just so I can hear you clearly. I'ts so unprofessional for me to drop 8 calls in a row with a client:) Moving on:) Three- There's no space. All you have to do is walk in and you will see. No,... the mountain bike, radio flyer wagon, 2 car seats, 2 camera cases, 3 diaper bags, 4 coats and 10 pairs of shoes in the entry way are NOT a decoration. There is simply no rightful place for them. They have no space to call home. It's as simple as that. Its claustrophobic chaos. Need I say more? we are so OUTIE:)

Which brings me to what I believe will be... move #10: THE SCORE: "It was destiny".It came out of no where!! We ran into some great family friends downtown Willow Glen on one of out after dinner family walks (yesterday). We were joking around about how we don't like our current living situation..and they informed us that they had a good friend that was renting out a HOUSE in the area..for a great price. Jason and I's eyes lit up like we were little kids seeing Santa for the first time or something. I called the lady as soon as I got her number this morning..and we met her and her husband at the house just hours later. It was perfect. A 3 bedroom-2bath house with a huge backyard with a covered patio and LOTS of space for us to put in plants of our own, and room for Kyla to RUN and RUN and RUN. It has a 2 car garage with lots of space. Great lighting in the house, lots of new renovation, great landlords, great price. But ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls...the BEST thing about this house, well yes, that is available, but is that the couple is NEVER intending to sell this house..which means, that if they like us, and we are great tenants..is that we will NEVER have to move!!! Well..they said they will keep the house until they die..so lets just pray they stay healthy:) No really, but we could stay until we want to buy a house somewhere.. ( They had the last family in for 10 years). They are such a sweet, amazing couple, and they said they would love us to move in. We are going to sign papers tomorrow and drop them off..so lets just pray it goes well. This could be a house we can grow in, and truly plant some roots in. I would love to end this on going saga of moving that we have built up over the years..because truthfully..MAMA IS TIRED! I want to kick up my feet, make some lemonade..and actually entertain some friends at my house..have BBQ's..movie nights ...just celebrate like newlyweds do when they get their first "Place" of their own. So what if that was 5 years ago for us..I am going to pretend like then is now...because I really feel like this is going to be "HOME" for us for a long while... So if and WHEN we move into this new house, we are going to invite "ALL of Y'ALL" over..and we are going to celebrate...So be looking for your invite..it will be one of those cute little cards with a house on it...:)

-So until then..feel free to send over any boxes you got....cuz the Maxwells-are-a-movin:)-

The Hannah Mae Song..

2008-05-11T23:18:00.000-07:00

In our house there is a little song my daughter Kyla likes to sing..and that is the Hannah Mae Song. It simply consists of saying " Hannah Hannah Hannah Mae..." about a million times in a soft gentle voice...she loves it cuz she is so proud of herself that she made it up:) Hannah Mae is Landons little sister. (who is pictured here.)Any of you who are in our lives, know that Landon is Kyla's best friend
in the whole world. There is NOTHING she would rather do, than to be with Landon. Whether it is finding snails, playing on the trampoline, sharing graham crackers, or talking about getting married someday (for reals)..they are truly inseparable. (it's no wonder she adores his baby sis).I had the pleasure of photographing Hannah at their house while babysitting all the kids one day..and I have to say..the trick to making this blue eyed doll smile? Why yes darling....the Hannah Mae song:)She is truly precious..these are a few I just loved..

About a Boy..

2008-05-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

I decided to post a few pictures of our sweet little Hayden. Today was the first day I managed to catch a small smile from him on camera..just priceless. I forgot how much joy you get from hearing a new baby making a cooing sound or flashing a quick smile...because they get a few months old and it seems pretty normal for them to do that all day long. But for now, I am enjoying the small wonders of our baby boy..and the moments he decides to grace us with a coo and not a cry:) He is just beautiful..I just adore him.

Muse Worthy

2008-05-07T23:00:00.000-07:00

I am a firm believer that everyone has a muse, whether they know it or not. Someone that inspires you, where all you have to do is be with them and the wheels in your head start turning. I would like to introduce you to my friend Emily. Or as we call her in our house "Heidi, Giselle, Marissa Miller.." or, just our supermodel. You will see Ems face all over my website. She is like the ultimate girl next door who has no idea how gorgeous she is. Even though she hears it all the time. She is one of the most grounded and genuine [people I know. I love it when she does something new with her hair or goes a few shades tanner. I'm like "YESSSSS...I can take pictures of you again, and maybe no one will recognize you and I can use your images over and over!" Em..for the last time..when are you going to become a BRUNETTE! :) Anyways..I always have such a fun time with Em when we go out, she is always willing to be goofy and dance around and get her clothes dirty. Speaking of dirty..this shoot that I did with her is something I am trying to promote with my brides..going out AFTER the wedding, when theres no time constraints, and they don't mind gettin the wedding dress a little dirty. A fun time to kick up their feet, let their hair get messy and get some great shots in that dress they spent half their wedding budget on. Not everyone gets to say they wore their wedding dress twice:) So here are a few fun shots that I didn't post on my website or myspace....but were just oh so MUSEWORTHY.

xoxo, Gossip Girl...

2008-05-06T14:46:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the show? Read the book? Me neither..until recently when my friend Tina forwarded a few pictures to me of a dress she saw on the show that she just had to have. She is graduating from Brooks Institute for photography in August, and wanted to wear this dress for her graduation.
Only problem is, the designer, Lorick..only made the dress for the show. Soo, I am going to try to re-create it for her.. I told her I haven't done a sewing project in like a year..but if it had simple lines and sturdy fabric..I'd be on board. So we went shopping for fabric and decided on doing it in some super soft denim that we found..figured it would be pretty timeless, and she could wear it with a number of things. I'm so excited to do it..I will keep pictures posted of the progress!

And P.S the show has a little more drama than I care to enjoy, however, the clothes are fabulous..I can appreciate trying to accesorize with a school uniform..takes me back to Jr. High days when I would get in trouble for wearing socks that were considered to be "too distracting" or thigh highs that screamed "MTV". I guess it was worth the time in detention for the sake of fashion:)

Sugar Pie Honey Bunch...

2008-05-03T23:52:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics that my dear friend Tina took of my sweet Kyla last month at the ranch...Can't believe this silly girl is MINE ALL MINE:)

The plunge..

2008-05-02T23:21:00.000-07:00

I have to say that I have been a bit apprehensive about doing a blog..I've convinced myself that you have to actually have interesting things to say, and be good with words to make be a successful blogger. I've been scared to start one because I am the person that will write a blog on myspace....then take it down 5 minutes later because I think I sounded dumb..and I prayed no one was bored enough to read it.. But somehow when I have a few minutes when the kids aren't needing me and I'm on the computer with nothing to look at, I check two peoples blogs. 2 girls I don't even know, but who are both photographers, like myself, who's blogs are always so interesting. I actually find myself disapointed when they dont have a new post.The first being Raya, who photographed one of my best friends weddings (Emily-who I like to call my supermodel..and muse:) Raya has such a great eye for design, and always has little sewing projects thats shes doing, and cute pictures of her new baby. The other is a photographer named Tanja Lippert. I have never met her, but she takes some of the most amazing pictures, very fashion forward ( I think she used to be a model, so she has lots of beautiful friends to pose for her:) Anyways...I always think that I'm so crazy that I LOVE reading these 2 blogs and how I enjoy following the random details of their lives, and I thought..what the heck..maybe someone out there will find my blog and it might be interesting to them...or it could be for my dear friends who want to see what it is that I'm up to since I don't get cell phone reception in my house...either way..Todays the day for me to get over my fears of online journaling and to take the plunge..yay for blogging:)