Creole Wisdom

making my mornings a bit more bright.

There's something really raw about getting up and into the shower by 6am. It's dark, cold, and so early!

But, a few days ago, while shopping at my local co-op, I spied this- coconut milk creamy body wash, and like any decent person, I bought the lotion, too.

 

It's wonderful, and smells like vacation and summer. Exactly what I need on early, brutal November mornings. And it makes me really anxious for breakfast.

so the holiday season begins

And with it, lots of family photographs for the most adorable Christmas cards. I am over-the-moon with how these turned out, but you need to believe me- the subjects were so charming. I love doing this. Here are a few favorites, and if you'd care to see more just head over to my flickr.

 

 

 

 

I was resiting the urge towards "Christmastime," but I looked outside and all the trees were leave-less so I guess we're there. I want to make some cute Thanksgiving crafts for the dining room table.

I'm off to do another photo shoot (this one business related). xoxo CW.

the holiday 2009

My Halloween was... epic. A bit crazy, and I almost lost one of my shoes. I was a ballerina. It was a trip. I pirouetted at the bars. I'm just kidding, but I did do that at Emma's. We're such crazy girls, and I love that I was a ballerina- warm, easy, and totally cheap to do.  I guess that's what dancing all through high school and keeping all your goodies will do for your.

And every girl deserves a day off, so look once, because I took just one Halloween photo of Emma and I. I've taken enough photos in the past few days anyway (more on that later!)

 

Do you think I have enough blush on? Just a touch. So there's a little re-cap and you can imagine the details for yourself.

shush your mouth!

What is it with old men convening at coffee shops just waiting to weasel their way into your conversation? I'm being so real here. It's already happened twice this week. I understand that I have a friendly countenance, but I work hard at shutting it off in certain situations.

Story 1:

Joy and I wanted to have a nice chat at Starbuck's Tuesday afternoon. We ordered our drinks, a signature hot chocolate for me, and sat down in one of those over-sized velvet covered chairs. I was tired, in yoga pants and pontytailed. Not looking hot, and not wanting to talk to strangers.

Joy and I chatted for a while, and the older man a seat away butts into our conversation. I'm not talking about a "hi how are you" kind of thing. I mean a full-fledged diatribe about how wealthy he is, what are the best private schools in the city, how much education all of his kids have, and how nice his life is financially. Nuts. And my personal favorite part was when he told us that engineering is the only way to make money and you have to be in the sciences. Rude. We didn't even know what to say, but gladly left before he ran his mouth much more.

Story 2:

Joy and I planned on having a resume editing coffee date at Dunn Bros. I went in, found seats, and sat down. Then trouble maker sat down nearby. He walked in wearing a pair of "dina blow your horn" striped train conductor overalls and a long white beard. Kind of like Santa meets the FLDS.

Joy came, we sat, and started chatting. I could tell he was eavesdropping, and staring. People are really struggling these days with basic manners!

A while later, an older woman came in, and hugged the man. Then they started making out. Ew. Ow. Ew. As she walked out, and I cannot make this up, she starts singing at the highest decibel

"God bless you! God bless you!"

Almost peed my true religions. Almost.

But wait- it gets better dear readers, much better.

A few minutes later the old man turns to Joy (who has the prettiest red hair). "Can I pay you a compliment?" LOL. "You  have the most interesting shade of hair. It's not copper, it's not gold, it's not red, it's not even strawberry blond. There's a girl who comes in here a lot with hair like that..."

Wow! People are special.

the tights.

I bought these tights at Target on a whim a few weeks ago. They were cheap and I needed something fun for work. I mean, if you're going to be a preschool teacher, at least wear some festive clothes once and a while.

Today I was standing in line, in these very tights, at home depot. I noticed an old friend, a fraternity boy who I had known through lots of mutual people.

"Oh hi!"

"Hi"

We chatted for a moment. He told me a bit about his first year in dental school.

Then he looked down and said, "those are some festive tights."

I don't know if he meant that in a good way. But my thought is: the internal monologue went, what the hell is an adult woman doing wearing Halloween tights at home depot at four in the afternoon.

So I had to give an excuse, "I'm a preschool teacher. The kids need something fun."

But I love these tights, too. So much. Being festive is fun.

eat. drink. and be.

Wednesday night dinner clubs have been going along quite well. I'm loving it, and laughing hard, but not as hard as I was over this. I don't even know what to say... I guess I'll just laugh.

But here is what was making me go "mmm" about a half hour ago-

Oh I just adore dinner nights with the ladies. Fun, fun. And oh yes, I had a good happy hour with a boy, too.

Happy Halloween Week-

And because we enjoy this holiday as adults, it's necessary to remember our past. For me that meant mom making me fabulous costumes year after year. We never went to a store. Mom never said "no" to a request. I felt so lucky. I loved, and still love Halloween. Here is a favorite:

As Pipi Longstocking (my childhood idol) as a 3.5 year old Preschooler.

 

just a little photography update-

 

 

I've been working quite a bit on this- thanks to school ending. I'm hoping to get these out to different areas in the city and suburbs so I can find some new clients. I specifically would love to do some family Christmas portraits. We'll see what will happen. I've got something really exciting brewing with a local business here, but it's too early to disclose anything, but I'll leave you one hint- it has to do with one of my favorite things: organic and natural food. There ya go!

Right now I'm going to be working primarily on getting a website up and running. Although I like Printroom (my current, still in progress site) I'm going to go with a different vendor thanks to talking to a few other working girls turned photographers. People are so helpful, thank you Jessie!

I'm so happy with my business cards, and these fliers should hopefully do well (and excuse the photoshop paint job).

do you have a staring problem?

People used to be ruder when the economy was better, but we haven't made the kind of strides we should. People need to stop staring.

You know when you were (or at least I) a child mom always said, "please don't point or stare." I know it's hard because well- we are visual creatures are we like to look. At whatever. Hot people, ugly people, normal people, single people, married people, children, old men... Staring is to be expected, but it's still not polite!

Thursday's story:

Recently a few girlfriends of mine have started to do happy hour. Since 2009 has been a rough year, especially for some, it's necessary that we go out and have fun. This is so important. To our survival. I'm being serious. There is no way that one could work or not work the craziness that is our lives and not need a "time out." So the four of us decided to meet at Fujiya.

Fantastic place with a great and affordable happy hour. I got a nice glass of wine with a caterpillar roll (8 pieces) for just around $12.00. Good huh?

The waitress seated us at a small table and shortly after two normal-looking (take from that what you will) men sat down- it was kind of strange because they looked very similar- or at least dressed that way down to their elementary school buzzed haircuts and matching rectangle shaped glasses frames. As they walked passed out table they stared at us.

I had to stop mid-conversation with Rachel. We both noticed it, laughed, and kept on with our chat. Then throughout the evening I noticed them staring more. And not just looking, bodies turned and watching.

Um- manners?

I'm not going to get into that they were staring at us because we are a bunch of hot single ladies who are fabulous. Maybe they wanted to eavesdrop on our conversation, but whatever the case, it's rude.

When we finished and got up their gazes (and necks for that matter) followed us all the way out. Emma and Andrea noticed it as well. 

I don't know who raised them, but someone needed to give them the memo that staring is rude.

Yesterday's Story:

It always makes me laugh when I go out somewhere with my mom and dad. People always stare, like- oh here comes an interracial family and their product. Am I on display at the world's fair 1921?

To celebrate dad's birthday we went to Bacio's (which Karen told me translated into "kiss" in Italian) which I love.

I have a whole strategy to avoid the "staring" thing so I usually walk ahead of my parents instead of behind. That way it's less like a visual parade of "what comes next!"

Still, as the hostess seated us I noticed a family- similar to mine: an adult daughter, mom, & dad stop mid-conversation to stare then smile.

Is a mixed family interesting and/or funny to you? I personally love it.

I would be much less irked (if I was offended it would be "old" by now), if someone would just say, "hi, I like your family. I voted for Obama" or something.

Life is funny.

on a cold fall night

I'm watching Marie Antoinette, a film about one of my favorite people in history, with my two fabulous roommates. After all, this is Versailles*. Did they have heat there? Because ours isn't turned on yet, and well, I feel frigid. 

*Not really, but thank you dad for taking me there.