Author Archives: Ali

Better than coffee.

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I’m sitting at my computer doing my morning rounds on the internet which consist  of e-mail, blogs, calendar and news when I notice I’ve added a new daily viewing to my list.  It’s a video that I came across a couple weeks back and bookmarked because I knew I had to share it.  I’ve found myself watching it daily, mostly in the morning, and it has this strange little jumpstart/caffeine effect for me.  Besides that, it’s just so beautiful.  I recommend making it as big as you can on whatever screen you’re watching on.

First, here’s what the creator had to say about it:

This was filmed between 4th and 11th April 2011. I had the pleasure of visiting El Teide. Spain´s highest mountain is one of the best places in the world to photograph the stars and is also the location of Teide Observatories, considered to be one of the world´s best observatories. The goal was to capture the beautiful Milky Way galaxy along with one of the most amazing mountains I know El Teide. I have to say this was one of the most exhausting trips I have done. There was a lot of hiking at high altitudes and probably less than 10 hours of sleep in total for the whole week. Having been here 10-11 times before I had a long list of must-see locations I wanted to capture for this movie, but I am still not 100% used to carrying around so much gear required for time-lapse movies.  A large sandstorm hit the Sahara Desert on the 9th April and at approx 3am in the night the sandstorm hit me, making it nearly impossible to see the sky with my own eyes.  Interestingly enough my camera was set for a 5 hour sequence of the milky way during this time and I was sure my whole scene was ruined. To my surprise, my camera had managed to capture the sandstorm which was backlit by Grand Canary Island making it look like golden clouds. The Milky Way was shining through the clouds, making the stars sparkle in an interesting way. So if you ever wondered how the Milky Way would look through a Sahara sandstorm, look at 00:32.

 

 

I feel like as adults we don’t get or take the chance to wonder at things all that often. That’s what this seems to do for me and it really kickstarts my day with positivity and appreciation.

Here is the link to the artists vimeo page where he has several other incredible videos as well as short and informative commentary.  I hope you enjoy!

Weekend Recap.

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This past weekend was deliciously indulgent for Jon and I in more ways than one.  The main reason being that my weekends are usually filled with something that could be called the opposite of indulgent…work.  Problems are created where having fun is concerned because nearly everyone else on the planet has the opposite schedule.  However, this past weekend I was blissfully free.

I did have to work Friday afternoon/night but, I finished up early and went to see a late movie with my girlfriend Ashley.

We indulged in some popcorn and chose to see one of our favorite books that the movies chose to ruin.  Alright not ruin, but change.  For several years now, when anybody asks me for a book recommendation, I excitedly push them towards Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer.

The book is wonderful and one of my all time favorites, though i’ve heard from others that it’s tough to get started.  I believe that’s because the narration of the book comes from inside the mind of Oskar Shell, who is a smart, funny and sometimes heartbreaking nine year old boy.  It’s a unique point of view for a book, but surely not the strangest.  Well they went ahead and made a movie of the book (of course) and Ashley and I went to see it.

It’s got a big name cast, centers around a big event in history, and is sure to be a big success in theaters.  It’s just not as big as the book.  Read the book.

Saturday morning Jon and I got up bright and early to walk down the street and meet friends for brunch at Lola.  We were celebrating our friend Ryan’s 30th birthday with delicious food and even more delicious flavored mimosa’s.  Brunch turned into neighborhood bar crawl which naturally turned into beer pong.  It was a gorgeous 58 degree sunny January day, so indulge in it we did.

My skills in beer pong proved once again to be pathetic, so I bowed out gracefully and let the real champs go to work.

It would be tragic if I left out Nick and Leah’s adorable dogs who are one of the main reasons I want the kind of dog I want.  A mini poodle.  NOT a toy poodle.  A mini one.

This is Remy.  He posed nicely (by nicely I mean for 1/4 second) for a few photo’s.

This is Mojo.  He had zero interest.

It was a great afternoon.  Happy Birthday RyGuy!

Jon and I got home starving so we decided to walk 1/2 a block (I love our neighborhood) to one of the most popular and well reviewed restaurants in Denver, Z Cuisine.

Jon had been there before with a client, but this was my first time.  Don’t get me wrong, he has tried to take me numerous times, but they don’t take reservations and it is ALWAYS packed.  It’s described as a French Bistrot and Parisian Wine Bar and it’s about as authentic as you can get.  If you live in Denver and are reading this…GO – but please call and invite me first.  It’s incredibly cozy and romantic, the waiters are intimidatingly knowledgeable, and the food is to die for.  We indulged happily in a beautiful cocktail, delicious wine, and the fact that even on the website they encourage you to linger.  No rushing through this experience allowed.

I can’t wait to bring my dad the next time he visits.  It just might be the place to finally convince them to move here.

Finally on Sunday Jon and I indulged in some lazy alone time at home of which I will spare you any boring photo’s.  We lounged around, did some Hawaii research, I blogged/facebooked and of course we watched about 45 hours of football.

I wish every weekend could be just like this one.

Happy Sunday!

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Like I said last weekend, Sunday is my favorite day of the week so today I’m posting some favorite finds of mine from around the web:

Some of these comparisons are so creative.

This kid is either going to love or hate his dad when he grows up.

A funny reminder of how nice it is to NOT have to date anymore.

C’mon.  Ada is totally better than you’re lame hometown.

I wish I were creative enough to make a video like this.

Mesmerizing, terrifying and insane.

Lastly, I realize these videos have been making their rounds on the internet over the last few weeks but it would be tragic if somebody missed them.  Mom I’m looking at you.  There are probably 100 different parody’s on the original, which is the first video here, but the following are my personal favorites so far.

Engaged and of Age.

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This past Saturday we had the pleasure of celebrating the engagement of our friends Taylor and Amy.

I know.  They’re HIDEOUS.  : )

Taylor was a groomsmen in our wedding and was one of the first people Jon befriended when he moved to Denver.  Shenanigans.

Amy is his breathtaking future bride.  They are part of why we’re going on vacation next month.  February 29th, the first February 29th in four years, is the date of their nuptials on the beautiful island of Maui.  We are pumped : )

Everyone gathered together on Saturday to celebrate them – it’s fun to celebrate people isn’t it?  Especially when love is involved.

Part of the reason I’m posting these pictures and this event is because I will be shooting Taylor and Amy’s wedding in Maui.  I’m really nervous to shoot such beautiful people in such a beautiful place ; )  I brought my camera with on Saturday just for fun.  It was pretty dark in the house for non-flash photo’s, but my amazing new Nikon lens did just what it said it would.

Their amazing cake – Hawaii theme of course!!

They had no way to plan this, but the Bronco’s played in their second playoff game that night.  They lost.  BIG time.  We watched until the bitter end.

The pain of the loss was curbed by delicious cocktails consumed.

It was a night filled with good friends that in getting older and moving into their own lives find it harder and harder to get together.  It was really lovely to spend the evening with them.

Her gorgeous ring is Taylors grandma’s diamond in a new setting.  It was fun to see them so in love.   It took me right back to what it felt like being engaged.

With this group – it’s not a party until the after party.

CONGRATS TAYLOR AND AMY!!  Can’t WAIT for the wedding.

Shopping and Dreaming.

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I know I promised this yesterday, but Jon and I had an engagement dinner Saturday night for some great friends of ours (pics to come).  The happiness was swelling, the laughter was abundant, and the drinks were flowing.  Less eloquently, I was hungover and exhausted the day after(Sunday).  It’s my first blogging blip and and I’m certain it will not be my last.  Alas, here are some of my favorite recent acquisitions, where to get them, and my current lusts.

The first is a long awaited, two years in the works, WORK OF ART by Grace Bonney of Design Sponge (one of my favorite blogs of all time).  This is a beautiful hardcover book full of DIY projects, before and afters, entertaining ideas and much much more.  The website is clean and easy to navigate but the book is really something to behold.  I can not wait to finish bookmarking my pages and get a real start on our condo.

I picked this book up in Anthropologie about a million times, but the roughly $50 price tag was just too much to justify given the extensive and thorough website.  It’s been recently discounted on the Antrho website to $35 but I got it for a steal on Amazon for $16.50.

Speaking of steals, I bought this scarf at one of the most up and coming clothing stores in the country…Target.   I saw it from about 30 feet away and it was love at first sight. They have it in a few other patterns and shades in store.  Here’s what is great about this scarf.  I could make you touch it, tell you it was form Michael Kors, and you would envy and believe me.  I got it for $15 and it’s PERFECT for my upcoming Hawaii trip.  It’s worn, soft, beachy and perfect.

Speaking of my upcoming trip – I’m constantly on the hunt for cute and reasonable accessories to brighten up an otherwise plain outfit.  The scarf was one and this recent steal from Anthropologie is another.  I bought these earrings in one color (Hawaii appropriate turquoise) a few weeks ago and went back for the other color (gold and diamond) right before new years because of the great price.  I couldn’t find them on the website but I know there’s still some in the store.  I paid about $14.00 per pair.

Another recent Antrhopologie steal was this adorable little clutch.  Well I’m making it a clutch – I believe it’s actually meant to be a make-up bag.  Whatever it is, it’s incredibly well made with beautiful detailing and the perfect size.  Again, I can’t find it on the website to link it for you, but I know they had quite a few for sale in store in both blue and red.  I got it at an additional 20% off sale price last weekend for around $17.00.

Finally, my last steal to mention.  I’ve been on the hunt for one of these since Jon and I got engaged.  I have to give my mom props because she found it first and bought the dog version for my Aunt Megan for Christmas.  It is a bedside jewelry dish and it is whimsical, adorable and only $10.00 (!) at Anthropologie.  I love mine.  Aside from serving a practical purpose (aka not giving Jon a heart attack by placing my rings on the edge of my bathroom sink) it is a subtle and sweet accessory to a room.

Even with all of those recent purchases (steals!) what is life without a couple of lusts.  Here are my current two:

Can’t get off the Hawaii planning train – it’s where my brain lives.  This coverup is perfect for jumping from beach to boat and back:

Jon and I were out for Sushi Friday night and this was playing on all the T.V’s.  It reminded me of my Grandpa Pete as it stars his favorite band.

Sacha Baron Cohen NEEDS to play Freddie Mercury in a movie.  He’s PERFECT!  Great voice, great band, GREAT classic music DVD.