Studio Update: Lighting Test Subject

Testing some new lighting equipment.

Ugh, that reminds me. 

I need to trim his nails.  My most unfavorite part of his grooming routine.

Studio Update: Finished Spaces

Remember when I told you I was remodeling my studio?

It's coming along now, so I thought I'd photograph some finished spaces.

The hardware installation station has gotten lots of use so far and I'm really loving the cupped drawer pulls. They really transformed some basic drawers into something a little more vintage-esque.  :)

My photography station is pretty simple.  Table with white paper draped on top (actually, it's the backside of a page from this Stendig calendar) and three lights and diffuser umbrellas.  I just move the table over when my husband or I model a bag. 

I'm still working on the sewing stations, cutting table, office, and the little living space.  It's a mess right now.  Fitting 3 sewing machines, a cutting table, my office stuff, and a couch in a way that allows for effective workflow (and napflow) is posing to be quite the challenge for me right now.

I think it's time to bust out the paper and ruler and start rearranging!

But that's another day.

It's Friday.

Brain break!

Boy and Hubert

What is it about my husband holding cute, fat things that gets me all giddy?

I finally nagged Boy into modeling the Briefcase in Dark Shadow Waxed Canvas since we were decently dressed for one of our weekend outings (best time to bother him, I've found).

And look who decided to visit the photo shoot!  Fatty fatson, Hubert.

Funny thing. People often think Hubert is a small pug.

Then they see him in person, then realize he's quite large.

24 lbs large.

Pure muscle. ;)

Happy Monday!

Love,
Jenny

Friday: Link Love

It's been a while since I've done some link lovin'.

I know, I've really let my Friday traditions fall by the wayside.

Fashion Friday.  Flashback Friday.  Link Love.

Tsk tsk.


Well, here's to some link love from the interwebs:

15 secrets to a great marriage.

Great words of wisdom by Conan O'Brien.

I really need this rinser toothbrush.

Using sour cream in scrambled eggs?  Genius.  (We usually use milk.)

Pretty dresses made from maps!

Calculating a dog's age in years (it's not just multiplying by 7!).

I could really go for a quarter muff right about now.

I'd love to look this cute when I'm pregnant in a bathing suit.  (Also, a DIY tutorial!)

I'm flawed.


Photo: Chipotle Tuna Tartare, Bulgogi, and Lobster Mac & Cheese w/ Truffle Oil from my birthday dinner at Tamari.

Baby Bag

I received these photos of my nephew on my birthday ('kaki' means paternal aunt).

Isn't he super sweet?

There's nothing I want to see more on my birthday than a happy baby, playing in his Archive bag!  This may be the best customer appreciation photo I've ever received. :)

(Baby cheeks, bellies and toothless smiles are my favorite.)

You know, this gives me a great idea on how I can steal this baby from his parents...

What's in your bag?

Well, Hello 26.

Dress: H&M

Bag: Baby Ruche in Java Brown

Today, I'm 26.

To be quite honest, it doesn't feel all that different from last year.

Well, except I'm married, a bit more lady-like, and a few pounds heavier (muscle mass, clearly).  ;)

I've dyed my hair a little lighter, too.  And I straighten it more often.

And I think I'm running my business a bit smarter. 

Otherwise, same ole Jenny. :)

Want to know how we spent my birthday weekend?

Well, my friends, I'm a simple girl with simple needs, you see.


To ensure a happy Jenny, you need the three following ingredients:
1. Steak (cooked rare, served on a bed of mixed greens, alongside a glass of dry red wine)
2. Craft beers (IPA is preferable)
3. Something that appeals to my artistic side

Boy also gifted me a month of unlimited Bikram yoga, which makes me extra excited as I've never tried Bikram, and I haven't done yoga since I taught it in college.  I'm hoping it will revitalize my love of yoga and help me regain some lost flexibility.

Happy Monday!

Love,
Jenny

Shop Update: Summer Travelers

Let me explain something, my friends.

I've been rejecting your wishes for Travelers in the shop because once I introduced the Archive to the shop, things got busy and there's just no way that I can keep up with seven different bag styles at once and still keep my sanity intact.

I had to remove one of the styles.  That was the Traveler, sadly.

Well, I've been made very aware by so many of you that summer is the time that you want to...
...travel across the country and dance through the airport knowing your passport is safe.
...go on hiking trips with your friends and keep your essentials at hips reach.
...and run around the yard waving your hands in the air.  Wave them from here to there.  Wave them like you just don't care.

I hear ya!

Thusly, I've made Travelers in four really awesome summery fabrics just for you.  I think you'll like at least one of them.

They are in limited numbers, so you should probably nab one before your next trip (to Italy, to the park, to work the vendor fair, or out for a photography excursion). 

Happy Travel[er]s!  Teehee.

Love,
Jenny

Boy and Nephew pt. 2

Ugh.  This kid KILLS me.

He learned a new facial expression when he came over for Boy's birthday.

Cutest.  Thing.  Ever. 

Can you believe it's already been two months since this picture of them?!

Time truly flies.

Bright(er) Bathroom

I'm never short of "I'm not really happy with how it is in its current state" projects.

This past weekend, it was the hallway bathroom.

I dragged Aparna with me to Target and convinced her to update her hallway bathroom, too.

We were actually supposed to get stuff for her baby's nursery but we got side-tracked.   Boy and I ordered a crib for them, so we decided to wait until the crib arrived for a nursery shopping spree.

At least that's what we decided to tell our husbands when we came back with a car trunk full of bathroom stuff.

Ah! Felt like going back-to-school dorm shopping or something. :)

Unfortunately, I didn't take 'before' pictures.  But it was outdated.   My mother-in-law said she last updated it nine years ago.  So.  Yeah.  It needed some refreshing.

Here's what I got:
Shower curtain 
Shower hooks
Rugs
Towels
Clock
Wastebasket

What'll it be next weekend?

You'll have to wait and see.

I like to keep things spontaneous. :)

Happy Birthday, Lover Boy

Photo from 2010 when Boy and his co-workers decided to grow different types of mustaches. Details here.

To my better, more rational half,

I'm glad I made you my manager despite the fact that I don't pay you and I only follow a fraction of the things you tell me to do to make my business successful which is why I'm not as successful as I probably should be because I keep hoarding supplies that eat into my profits and I'm really stubborn but you already knew that when you married me. 

Sincerely,

Your wife

p.s.  I was watching this video about the Marshmallow willpower test, and you're totally the kid that would keep redoing the test to accumulate 6 marshmallows and then give them all to me.  :) 

p.p.s.  I know you're going to say no, but what do you think about a rosey blush pink leather for the shop?  :)

p.p.p.s.  Nevermind, I just bought it.  :(