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Back in August, I spent a long weekend in the Berkshires, to attend my cousin Lindsay's wedding. (Technically, she's my mom's cousin's daughter, but that makes my head hurt.) The wedding was in the most beautiful spot -- right in the mountains, with the reception held inside a barn. It was great to spend the weekend with the family - we all live so far away we only see each other about once a year.
Her wedding photographer gave me some great pointers -- completely unsolicited! I didnt want to be one of those annoying wedding guests who pesters the wedding photog for advice while he's trying to do his job -- but while Linds was getting ready, he encouaged me to join him, told me how best to set the camera, where to point the flash...and assured me I wasnt in his way. I was really happy with the shots I got -- helps that Lindsay was an absolutely beautiful bride.... ; )
Then we headed ouside for the family shots....
There's the groom, Josh, with his mom, dad and step dad.
The ceremony was beautiful. Very....them.
After the seed planting (in lieu of a unity candle) it started to rain just a little. Not enough to really bother anyone, just enough to water the seeds the wedding party had planted. As you can see...the rain couldnt begin to put a damper on the event...
Congrats, you two... And welcome to the family, Josh... I coudnt be happier for you guys.
Greetings from the Portofino Hotel in Redondo Beach, CA... I'm here for the AVP Manhattan Beach Open this weekend - one of our clients is a sponsor, so we're here for work. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it... ; )
We flew into LA this morning and had a very uneventful flight. Our hotel is beautiful -- right on the water, with balconies off each room. I took a couple pictures, which I'll share, but I'll get better ones in daylight when I can get the view out the back. There are even sea lions out in the harbor -- they're kinda noisy, but the hotel provides free earplugs if it bothers you... : )
We didnt really have any work obligations today, which was nice... But one of my favorite radio reps drove up from San Diego with her husband, one of my favorite DJs/promo directors, to take us out to dinner. We had a great time with Tina and Geoff -- it's too bad they live so far away. Tina and I have worked together for 3ish years now and she's one of a handful of radio reps who has really become a friend over the years. We had a wonderful time at dinner and I'm so glad they were able to meet up with us.
As if taking us out for dinner wasn't enough.... For as long as I've known her, Tina has been talking about Sprinkles cupcakes. Apparently all the celebs eat them and they're just to die for. So Tina and Geoff braved the miserable LA traffic to stop by a Sprinkles on the way to meet us.
I promised Tina a full recap -- with pictures -- so here you have it....our first Sprinkes... The one with the pink and yellow dots on top was lemon, the white icing with chocolate sprinkles is called the "black and white" -- a combo of dark chocolate and white chocolate icing, and the dark one was "mocha" -- chocolate cupcake with mocha frosting.
We each had to sample all three of them...Molly did the honors of splitting them up...
Yeah, they were pretty freaking good. I liked the lemon a lot more than I thought I would, but I think I'd have to say that my fav of the three was the black and white. I'm a big fan of icing, and it was really fantastic. What am I saying...they were all fantastic...
Many, many thanks, Tina and Geoff, for coming out to see us. And for dinner. And for the cupcakes. And for the station goodies and CDs. And for making my job SO easy every summer. And just for being two of my favorites! : )
Didn't I say that it would take me AGES to post the entire France trip? I wasn't kidding!!
Day Four took us to Versailles and Chartres....
Versailles was the home of Louis 14th. This was the first time I've been there so early in the day. I've never been able to get a clear picture of the building with all the people in the way. It really was a treat to be one of the first groups in the place. Tho I was able to get a "people-less" shot, without a much wider lens, you cant get the whole thing in a picture. It's just huge.
I dont think I can express how completely over the top it is. Every inch is decorated -- and so elaborate. The ceilings are particularly impressive.....
In one of the first rooms, there's a painting on the ceiling with all the Greco-Roman gods in it.... Then each of the next rooms is dedicated to one of the gods in particular, with the decor and paintings relating to that god.
Then there's the Hall of Mirrors.... The last few times I've been here, this room has been under rennovation. I think this is the first time I've seen it in its entirety. Wow.
Anyone who knows me knows that I dont like random people in my photos... But I couldnt resist this shot down the hallway. Again, I've never been in the building so early, and usually this hallway is PACKED. So even tho there are people, there are far fewer than usual! (on the left with the backpack is our tour guide, Evelyn).
Oh, and they use Swiffer Dusters to dust the statues. We all thought that was pretty funny.
Here's the canopy over the Marie Antoinette's bed. I'm pretty sure that would go great in my bedroom...
The gardens in the back go on as far as you can see. Unfortunately the one time I was there with enough time to really explore, it was freezing and raining, so I didnt venture far.
After Versailles, we drove to the town of Chartres.
A little side note... One of the first times I was in France, I took a train by myself out to see Chartres. I got in a little trouble on the train because I didnt know that I was supposed to have gotten my ticket validated. But my very basic French (that only got worse as I was getting yelled at) and completely clueless expression made the guy realize I wasnt trying to scam my way onto the train...it was an honest mistake and he didnt throw me off. Anyway, I had a wonderful day strolling through this quaint little town and I have to say it might be one of my favorite places. The church is beautiful. It's old and looks it. It's as peaceful as it is eerie. It's dark and cold...and yet comforting at the same time. Definitely the highlight of every trip, I think.
I didn't take many pictures of the outside... There was scaffolding on the front of the church too, and I have a zillion pictures from previous trips. I did take some of the windows from the inside. Chartres is famous for the blue in the stained glass -- sort of makes the whole church glow...
We stayed that night in Tours. Day Five we went to Chenonceau and Chambord....maybe I'll actually post those days before the end of the month.....
There's the groom, Josh, with his mom, dad and step dad.
The ceremony was beautiful. Very....them.
After the seed planting (in lieu of a unity candle) it started to rain just a little. Not enough to really bother anyone, just enough to water the seeds the wedding party had planted. As you can see...the rain couldnt begin to put a damper on the event...
Congrats, you two... And welcome to the family, Josh... I coudnt be happier for you guys.
We each had to sample all three of them...Molly did the honors of splitting them up...
Yeah, they were pretty freaking good. I liked the lemon a lot more than I thought I would, but I think I'd have to say that my fav of the three was the black and white. I'm a big fan of icing, and it was really fantastic. What am I saying...they were all fantastic...
I dont think I can express how completely over the top it is. Every inch is decorated -- and so elaborate. The ceilings are particularly impressive.....
In one of the first rooms, there's a painting on the ceiling with all the Greco-Roman gods in it.... Then each of the next rooms is dedicated to one of the gods in particular, with the decor and paintings relating to that god.
Then there's the Hall of Mirrors.... The last few times I've been here, this room has been under rennovation. I think this is the first time I've seen it in its entirety. Wow.
The gardens in the back go on as far as you can see. Unfortunately the one time I was there with enough time to really explore, it was freezing and raining, so I didnt venture far.
After Versailles, we drove to the town of Chartres.
I didn't take many pictures of the outside... There was scaffolding on the front of the church too, and I have a zillion pictures from previous trips. I did take some of the windows from the inside. Chartres is famous for the blue in the stained glass -- sort of makes the whole church glow...
We stayed that night in Tours. Day Five we went to Chenonceau and Chambord....maybe I'll actually post those days before the end of the month.....
