Sunday Snapshots at Penn Treaty Park

Just some lazy day snapshots from my perfect weather picnic brunch at Penn Treaty Park.

The really nice breezes blow through my body and into my soul.
~Astrid Alauda

Two Very Different Venues for Philly Area Couples

I go to networking events in the area when I can. This month brought me to two very different but extraordinary venues that I wanted to share. I can imagine either of them hosting a fantastic soiree. I'm truly kicking myself for not bringing my camera, but I'll post links and you'd better believe I'll have it ready next time.

I attended the Brides.com event for event professionals from the Philadelphia and South Jersey areas at the FUEL House in Philadelphia. It was originally constructed in 1902 as the Girard Corn Exchange Bank and served as the home to MTV's Real World Philadelphia series. When it's not hosting fabulous events, it is the scene for exhibitions "to aid the launch of successful artistic careers by creating a truly unique and singular forum for the display of art." F.U.E.L. is an acronym for Fostering Undergraduate Exposure on Location.

Next door to the Betsy Ross House in Old City, the venue at 249 Arch St. boasts an open floorplan of oak floors, fantastic columns, and floor to ceiling windows. I loved the exquisite mezzanine level marble wrap-around balcony that looks below. The centerpiece to the scene is the enormous crystal chandelier hovering above it all. It can hold a maximum of 450 people. I think this captures the place perfectly,

These stunning architectural details are housed in a multi-tiered structure, creating an intimate yet opulent space where classic form meets modern function.

I could easily see this space transformed into a posh reception hall overflowing with white hydrangeas everywhere and black and white damask accents or simple all white living room setups for guests to socialize. Maybe a hint of Tiffany blue too! I'll leave that up to the wedding planners.

The other event was the Professional Wedding Guild May luncheon held at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove. Built in 1762, it was the historic home of artist, naturalist, and writer John J. Audubon. Most of it remains unchanged and serves as an educational center, museum, and bird sanctuary.

The rental space includes over 200 acres of fields, woods, rolling hills, hiking trails, and all around green serenity. They have a brand new all-wood pavilion for dancing and dining for up to 250 guests. But it was the 19th century bank barn with its exposed wood beams and high ceilings and old cracked and textured walls that did it for me. Just lovely for a ceremony or cocktail hour. Jeffrey Miller Catering is the exclusive caterer to the venue.

A complete 180 from what I can imagine with the FUEL House, I can see a wedding at the John J Audubon Center covered in rich red and orange hues with a casual almost-country feel. Big wreaths of magnolia greens and flower girls with gerbera daisies. Maybe perfect for the bride and groom who opt for the seersucker over the Italian silk. Then again, I'd love to be proven wrong!

I would love to shoot a wedding at either of these fantastic venues. Check them out and let me know what you think!

Happy planning!

Mother's Day in MD

I spent last weekend with my mom for mother's day and thought I'd share some pictures from my time there. She lives in historic little Berlin, Maryland which is right outside of Ocean City, MD.

My mom has quite a green thumb and spends all of her free time in her glorious garden. She can tell you all about everything in there too. And it's this ever changing thing - she is constantly replanting this and that. She tells me it's already changed since I took these pics. Take a look…







We went into OC for a day to check out Springfest and the boardwalk. I was a complete glutton, eating my way through boardwalk fries with vinegar, ice cream, and an apple pie caramel apple. Ah, beach food…







It's pretty awesome to have a mom who lives at the beach. I've been so far away the past few years that I haven't been able to make good use of it. But you'd better believe that I'll be there a lot more this summer now that I'm on the east coast!

“More than any other, this boardwalk brings back that exhilarating teenage sense of summer-vacation freedom and possibility. Throbbing with energy day and night, fueled by Thrasher's fries soaked in vinegar (a true delicacy), the 'walk' features cool reversible benches that flip back and forth, depending on whether you want to gaze at the Atlantic Ocean or the passing parade along the boardwalk itself.”
~ Steve Millburg

Happy Mother's Day

I am in Ocean City, Maryland spending the weekend with my wonderful, amazing, beautiful, smart mother.

I'd write more, but I'm off having fun with mom!

“My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.”
~ Mark Twain

Rain, rain, go away!

I'm all for the green, lush gardens and no water restrictions, but it has rained every day of May so far. I even heard that this is a record number of rainy days in a row for Philly and I'm ready for the sun!

Remember what this was like?


Don't worry, it'll come again. Until then, we'll have to make do with our rainy days.

Being the smart cookie I am, I finally went out last Sunday and bought myself a pair of wellies! In between showers today, the wellies and I went out for a little photo session…









And I got a few shots of the garden too.

“The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain.”
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

May Desktop Images

Every month I feature a new image for download for you to use as your desktop background. Click to download it and see it at its huge size and resolution.

Wow, I can't believe that I've already been here for 5 months. I still feel like I'm getting used to everything. The weather is still nutty but oh how I love Springtime in Pennsylvania. The past few weeks everything has just opened up. I've been driving all over the Main Line for photo sessions and have seen all this lushness everywhere. Happiness is having the doors and windows open and a light breeze blowing through the house. Add my new flowers (pansies, daffodils) right out my window and I'm one happy gal!

Enjoy!




*Please note these images are made available for personal use only.

"The world's favorite season is the spring.
All things seem possible in May."
~ Edwin Way Teale