Keyes Audi of Valencia

Here are some recent shots from a beautiful new Audi dealership in Valencia, CA designed by Dennis Flynn Architects. (No relation). Just kidding, I'm proud to say there is absolutely a relation. Good job, pops!

Dia de Campo

 I never really know what I'm walking into when I get assignments from Travelzoo, however this restaurant turned out to be an exquisite exception. This little gem is called Dia de Campo, located in Hermosa Beach, CA. 

Maybe this place makes me happy because it reminds me of my home-away-from-home, Austin, and I felt like I got to escape the grip of LA for a few hours. Whatever the case, I'm obsessed with the decor, I'm obsessed with the food presentation, and I'm obsessed with how this all came together. And I hope you're a little obsessed with it too.

Now go buy the Travelzoo deal for this place and treat yourself to a wonderful weekend brunch!

http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/Beach-Cities/Restaurant/161883

 #sorrynotsorry for all of the pictures of that incredible pancake.

Brighten up!

It may be winter, but these little beauties remind me of the warmth of summer. 

Blood Oranges

Blood Oranges

Can you taste them yet?

The Getty + Hollywood Sign

It is safe to say I am obsessed with my new Panoramic Holga. If you're into film and/or Holga cameras, you should definitely order one. They run about $100. The only down side is you go through film like crazy. Because each shot uses 2-3 frames of film, you can only get about 4-5 shots per roll. I find myself constantly loading and unloading film!

 All of the following images were shot on 120 film (Lomography ISO100). 

The J. Paul Getty Museum (a.k.a. my only happy place in LA)

The Hollywood Sign 

Cinnamon Apple Muffins (Gluten Free and Nut Free)

When I decided to make cinnamon apple muffins last night at 10pm on a whim, I did not expect to end up with something so wonderful that I would end up doing a photo shoot and writing a blog post about them. But it happened. And I know I came up with something awesome because my Dad and boyfriend (whom are not particularly passionate foodies, nor are they gluten free) we're raving about them. So I had to share it with the world.

 I made a few changes to this amazing recipe: http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2012/09/gluten-free-apple-cake-muffins.html based on what I had in my kitchen and preferences of mine. Although the original recipe is nut-free as well, I wanted to make a point of stating this in my blog post for all you nut allergy sufferers out there (I feel your pain).

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups Trader Joe's Gluten Free Flour Blend (Mix of Brown Rice, Potato, Tapioca) (Did you know there is a proper way to measure flour? Get your baking mind blown here!)
• 1 1/2 tsp  Baking Powder (make sure it's less than 6 months old!)
• 1/2 tsp  Baking Soda
• 3/4 Cup  Light Brown Sugar
• 2 Tsp Cinnamon 
• 1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice (Because why the heck not? You can also substitute nutmeg)
• 1 Tsp Xanthan Gum (Omit if your flour mix already has this)
• 1/2 tsp sea salt (the finer the better)

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup organic low fat milk (Substitute soy or rice milk if you're diary free)
• 1/4 cup unfiltered apple juice
• 1 tbsp Vanilla 
• 1/2 canola oil 
• 2  large organic eggs
• 2 cups peeled, cored, and diced apples (You'll need approximately two apples. I used Honey Crisp, which are my favorite. I did a rough dice, because I enjoy chunky apple pieces. It helps to keeps things extra moist)

Garnish:
Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top before popping into the oven. Best sugars to use are raw cane sugar, turbino, or other dusting sugar. 


Instructions:
Line a twelve cup muffin tin or spray muffin tin with canola oil spray.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, sea salt, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and brown sugar. (If you're using a kitchen aid mixer, use 'stir' setting)

Add the eggs and oil, and beat to combine (speed 2). Add the milk, apple juice, vanilla extract, and continue beating for a minute or two until the batter is smooth and elastic (speed 2).
Stir in the apple pieces by hand (stir setting).

Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups and garnish.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20-22 minutes, until the muffins are domed, and firm.

Cool on a wire rack for five minutes, then turn out the muffins from the pan to keep them from getting soggy. Continue to cool on a wire rack.

Try not to eat all of them at once. Enjoy!

Chapman University Ad

Who would have thought that my first national ad would be an environmental portrait? Not this girl! Thank goodness Brooks drilled into all us the importance of being well-rounded and knowing how to take a portrait.

Client: Chapman University
Ad Agency: Orange Label Art + Advertising
Publication: The Chronicle of Higher Education

Baby Austyn

Yesterday I got to meet the newest addition to the family: Austyn Arlene! My cousin Nichol and her husband Jason did a great job making this little cutie, who is now about 9 weeks old (born 10/22/14). I don't consider myself much of a portrait or baby photographer, but here are a few cute snaps that came out of our visit yesterday:

Such a beautiful little girl!

Happy in her mama's arms.

Turning her charm on

Cousin Khyla gets a smile out of little Austyn

Cousin Makenzie taking her turn feeding Austyn