natural selection

the dreary spring weather we've been having finally took a turn for the better last week, and i managed to get outside with my camera a few times. the one thing i can say for all the rain we've had, the grass + trees + flowers are sure looking extra lush.

this month's installment of natural selection takes a look at some fresh late-spring blooms, along with some decidedly warmer-weather fashion.

lush amalgam tank :: anthropologie

the rhon pump in coral pink + beige :: john fluevog

forgiveness dress in sky :: nicole bridger

coin purse/wallet - metallic blue dots :: oktak

silk taffeta lorelei dress in organic green :: j.crew

extra chunky stone age cuff :: bead evolution

etta hat - pink linen :: piper and paisley

ruffled tie-front cardigan in ultra deep pink :: banana republic

izzy top in amethyst :: curator by she bible

sessun sumatra skirt :: penelope's

{don't worry, i wouldn't really suggest wearing these items together necessarily. a bit too matchy for me, just a fun exercise in pairing the colours with the pics. thought i'd throw that out there.}

february

today is february first, which means i've completed the first month of my 365 project. i must say, i've really enjoyed learning a bit more about my camera, but i also see exactly how much more i have to figure out! i guess you never really stop learning in any art or craft, though, which is kind of a fun prospect.

this month, i am going to try and remember to pull my camera out in the middle of the day more often. there were more than a few nights where i grabbed for the camera at 11pm, having realized that i didn't yet have a picture for the day. hey, at least i'm learning a bit about low light! plus, i kind of like the grainy, dreamy quality that low light brings...

winter colours

jan at poppytalk is hosting another winter colours week starting on monday. i am always so inspired by the photography that emerges during these seasonal flickr pools, and it got me thinking about the colours i've been seeing in nature recently. since starting my 365 project, i've been snapping a lot of flora, it is just something that draws my eye. these are just a few that i've taken this past couple of weeks.

just like riding a bike.

i've got bicycles on the brain right now. it seems i am going to be in the market for a new one this spring. not by choice, mind, but rather by necessity. our two bmx's were nicked from our garage this week, and as bike riding is this little family's fave year-round activity, they'll need to be replaced quite quickly.

i had fun pouring through etsy for cute bike pics. while i'll likely end up with a mountain bike this time around, they don't exactly make for a great photograph. vintage bikes + cruisers, on the other hand, are simply adorable. especially in such an awesome range of colours.

images via shops as listed below, top to bottom.

polaroid photograph - beside the little red house - alicia bock :: bloom grow love

bike in the fall :: the flying jib

tour de france parisian bike - 12x12 photograph on canvas :: rebecca plotnick

la bicyclette - paris fine art photograph :: retrospect photo

vintage pink bike (8x10 fine art photography print) :: gabrielle kai

in focus.

i have decided it is time to start improving my photography skills. i finally read the manual after two years, even learned a few new settings i'd like to try! anyhow, i thought i'd follow the pack and dive into a 365 project. the first of the year seemed like a good place to start, so i snapped this pic of my wee one and her dad. he is simply smitten.

i've started a tumblr blog to track my photos. i'll share a few here if it feels relevant, but i hope you'll head over there to visit sometimes!

winter time

a winter's tale - snow gently falling at twilight :: irene suchocki {ISphotography}

snow. something we rarely see this early here in vancouver, softly falling from a crisp grey sky. winter is here.

sparkle

i'm feeling in need of a little sparkle today. can you feel it? the holidays are coming...

images via shops as listed below, top to bottom.

twinkle - fine art photograph :: irene suchocki

sparkle - 5x7 inch print :: abby try again

festival - 5x5 fine art photograph print :: monko photography

the yellow bel air

or, how a chevrolet stole my heart.

the curves, the hubcaps, the shiny chrome grill. beautifully detailed dash + creamy leather seats. sleek rear wings and white-walled tires. perfectly polished mustard yellow finish.

i think i'm in love!

a rainbow of cars

there was a vintage car show in edgemont village yesterday, just up the street from us. my little guy is a total car buff, so of course we went to check it out. it was fun, and also a great spot to practice some photography [i know i've still got a loooong way to go]. while i was editing my pics last night, i came across a veritable rainbow of cars. pretty, no?

want to hazard a guess at my favourite?

summer colour week :: red + white

happy canada day!

jan + earl of poppytalk are hosting summer colour week again this week. today's theme is red + white, very fitting as we celebrate our nation's birthday. here are my pics for today. check out the awesome photos in the flickr group here.

a day in june

this is what a june day should look like. vancouver has had really rotten weather this spring. while i am not a stranger to rain + cooler temperatures

[i choose to live here, after all] i do look forward to some sun in the spring + lovely hot summers. today is the last day of june. it is finally sunny. it may even be warm enough to wear shorts - gasp! and so we are going to the beach. because tomorrow, it will probably rain.

a day in june - 8x8 - fine art photograph :: sherri conley photography

:: edit ::

20 minutes after posting this, there is the biggest, darkest cloud looming over north van. this spring has had the most unpredictable weather. ever.

an ode to spring blooms.

oh how i love spring blooms. don't you? ranunculus, tulips, magnolias, poppies. i just can't get enough.

ranunculus, number two :: sara norris photography

pretty in pink :: photography by lori h.

oh for spring again :: integrity studio

eclosion de coquelicots 02 :: marc loret photos

but my personal favourite, as you may have guessed, is sharing it's sweet scent behind me as i write. my beloved peony. why must your season be so short? perhaps your elusiveness is what makes you so irresistibly sweet.

:: thanks for the peonies, mom + dad. they are perfect ::

oh. and if there's one other thing i'm taking away from this post, it's that i need to carve out more time for photo practice. hmmm.

dead daffodils

i was gifted these two daffodils by my son a couple months back [so sorry to the poor gardener who was missing a few blooms back in march...] and i had put them into a vase with a little water. they have long since dried up, but i'm reluctant to part with them. i love the way they are all crinkled up and papery. how the stamens are still coated in pollen, perfectly curled and boldly yellow.

i've mentioned my fascination with dead leaves here before, and now here i am ogling dead flowers. the daffodils are the perfect complement to that particular shelf, too, all dressed up in black + white + grey.

i kind of like how this last one turned out, it makes me think of a watercolour painting, softly blurred edges and muted tones. i've been enjoying playing with my camera lately, i'd love to take a class or two, but in the meantime, practice practice practice whenever i can.