Coffee & Lunch with Elaine {4th Street Market}

The day after rain, thunder, and lightning, (I LOVE the morning after the rain!) my friend Elaine and I met up at the 4th Street Market in downtown Santa Ana.  She is the co-founder of E2Beauty so she does make up and skin care at her salon.  Don't you love her blue hair?!  She introduces me to the coolest little places to eat and hang out.  On this day, we split a massive breakfast burrito at the food court, had some ice-cream and caught up.  We talked about forgiveness and not letting bitterness imprison us.

4th Street Market makes it a mission to revitalize their community and act as a cultural hub.  It is artist-friendly as they host events for live music, poetry and other art forms.  Mmmm, sounds like something I’d want to support. I could just sit in one of the comfy couches and work here for hours!  

Alex + Faith

If fairies exist, their names would be Alex and Faith.  Pretty, confident and add a sprinkle of a sass... you would think these two were magical creatures the way they made themselves at home in nature.  We had a morning photo session at the Peters Canyon Regional Trail in Tustin, California.  Not only are these two young ladies were confident in front of the camera, their confidence spills over into their outlook of the world.  Yet, it's not a mean confidence, it's a confidence that is bundled in kindness and in caring for other kids and little babies.  So not only do they take gorgeous photos, they have a beautiful heart.

Happy Two Years

For our second anniversary, we ended up having Korean BBQ for lunch and doing an impromptu photoshoot at the Great Park because we missed the dollar theater show time.  Keeping our celebrations simple.  :)  This private man's willingness to be photographed shows his support for my desire to grow as a photographer.  That's love.  

Simple Yet Meaningful

"I want to live a life that's simple yet meaningful."  

This was written in my high school yearbook's random quotes section by an anonymous classmate.  Maybe I still remember it after all these years because this is how I've always wanted to live my life.

Simple: For me, this means living a life that's not dictated by materialistic desires to keep up with the Jonses or Pinterest.  As someone who appreciates art, craftsmanship and beauty, simplicity turns out to be a balancing act.  Simplicity doesn't have to be drab nor does beauty have to equal excessive luxury.  A large part of it has to do with my heart.  Where are my treasures?  Is there room in my life for the things that matter?

Meaningful: I think we find meaning when we connect with other people and live in community.  Only Connect.  I want to serve and walk alongside others, from my own family to people in completely different cultural categories, as they experience their full creative and created potential.  Learning, growing & building memories together.  Doing life together.  Working through the mess together.