ON SET W/ CHUDA SKINCARE

Always a good time to be back on set with Chuda Skincare. This was our second time working together and this time we wanted to get a few more environmental still life shots incorporating the products in a lifestyle setting. We worked out of a hotel room that had plenty of marble vanity space and decor that matched their branding. Here's a look at the finished work!

Art direction: Lauren Webster // Photo assistant: Dom Ellis // Styling Assistant: Kelsey Marshall

 

Perfecting the swatch:

Made it work with some pretty tight corners in the bathroom.

POMEGRANATE LOVE NOTES

There's something so special about growing fruits or vegetables with your own two hands. Enter these beautiful pomegranates. A ten year labor of love by my parents, who make their own freshly squeezed juice that's just as punchy in color as it's exterior. A perfect fall treat. The thing I most look forward to this time of year! 

SUMMER STILL LIFE

In the midst of this blazing heat is a summery still life reminiscent of afternoon iced teas, sipping fizzy fruit drinks, picking up fresh produce at the farmer's market, a perfectly packed bag en route to the beach, and finding some solace in the shade.

I'm currently packing my bags for a beach getaway next week and these stills have me more excited than ever! Hope you're having a wonderful summer--and don't forget your sunscreen! x

Styling: Jessie May Graham 

Photography: Tana Gandhi

INSIDE LOOK: PF CANDLE CO

Imagine a perfectly warm afternoon spent walking through and indulging in the scents of PF Candle Co. We were introduced to their newly launched room sprays from Amber Moss to Tobacco and Teakwood and more. I was pleasantly surprised at the fresh scent of the latter but ended up going with the former! 

We chatted about how scents are so closely attached to our memories, which is exactly how I ended up trying out the amber moss room spray-- it reminded me of the canyons and forest that were so close to my college. I'd smell this familiar scent all four years on campus and it was like a dream to revisit those memories through this scent. Try them out for yourself! 

And here's a little look at where I've placed my candles! Even though my kitchen isn't always in use doesn't mean it shouldn't smell nice. :P

RECENT WORK: LAURA MERCIER

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure to create some images for Laura Mercier for use on their instagram. Here's a look at a few travel, still life and self portrait photos inspired by the California sun and beach. Ever since, I've been a big fan of mixing the highlighters--they are a dream! <3 (Direct links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

PICNIC IN THE PARK

What's summer in LA without a little bit of time in the sun and a picnic in the park? One afternoon, Esther and I made our way down to a quiet part of town with cameras, food and blooms in tow! 

Last photo of me taken by Esther.

Hope this inspires you to have a picnic in the park in your own city! 

COTTON CANDY DREAMIN'

hi hi hi i want some cotton candy. yes i do. if i daydreamed about it, this is what it would look like. ;)

PAPER LOVE 03: BELINDA LOVE LEE

There's so much to love about these cute cards from Belinda Love Lee and her sweet tiny lettering. Not to mention, her description of a specific shade of green and blue that she's wittingly tagged #grlue.  I've asked her a few silly questions and was delighted by her answers (especially her fondness of 90s hip hop!):

1. Describe your work in 10 words or less. 
Minimal meets quirky; petite, dainty but not too girly.

2. What's your favorite 90s jam? 
It would definitely be in the category of 90's hip hop for sure, ain't nothing like it! The first song that pops into my mind is '93' Til Infinity' by Souls of Mischief or anything from A Tribe Called Quest.

3. What did you have for breakfast? 
An apple with oatmeal, not the most exciting I'll have to admit.

4. A movie you can watch again and again? 
Toy Story 3 kills me every time. My husband thinks I'm a robot cause the only movies I cry at are cartoons, lol.

5. Coffee or tea?
Chai Tea Latte, anyday.

SUMMER BLUES

We had just wrapped up a shoot for we still write in cursive when I saw all our blue make up imperfectly placed in this cool effortless kind of way. I wanted to recreate what I saw but with some more vibrant backgrounds. I love how the blues subtly pop and now I'll let my my mind wander into brainstorming fun make up shoots.

PEAR AND SQUARE

Let's get things pear and square. Okay fine, fair and square. I always assumed that meant let's get thingss straight. But it also means, in all honesty. And that's where Vrai and Oro comes in, meaning truth and gold. I love the meaning behind their name and this gorgeous square stacker ring.

This little editorial was partly created on a warm afternoon during a photo session with Aiko and on self-timer (see last photo) hoping the reflections didn't show on the ring. Overall, a great experiment in shooting jewelry and I'm quite happy with how things turned out. The white pear just pulled all the elements together. 

SAND ART DRESS

Every once in a while, there comes along a dress that reminds of you all the things you loved as a kid. Remember Raven's Revenge? The sour candy that came in various unforgettable colors and flavors? Sometimes you got to make your own in little test tubes and those designs resembled a little something like sand art.

This dress from the Clashist does exactly that. Can't wait to wear it out this summer!

In collaboration with Clashist