post by: Ashleigh, production manager

“When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole life does.” from the movie “You’ve Got Mail”.

As the daughter of a children’s librarian, my entire life has been surrounded with children books. I have spent countless evenings in her libraries pouring over every story I could find.  Even before I could read, I would sit with my tiny Fisher Price record player and little headphones listening to books all day long.

It delighted me when, during my interview with melanie to be her production manager, she brought along a book about incorporating happiness and good will into the workplace.  She couldn’t have picked a better passage or a better way to introduce me to her company.

Now, as I stand on the brink of motherhood (only 4 and half short months) my years of knowing and collecting children’s books is about to pay off.  My greatest childhood memories are the simplest ones.  When my mother or father would take time out of very busy schedules to read to me.  This gift of time really made a difference to me.  I so look forward to gifting my children with as many storytimes as possible.  I hope that a few of my favorites might encourage you to make time and snuggle with the little ones you love.

While you can never go wrong with including classics like Goodnight Moon and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, my favorite children’s author is the current award-winning Mo Willems. 

The Knuffle Bunny Trilogy might be one of the cutest series I’ve ever seen (the third book is due out this september!).  I gifted the first book to Melanie’s daughter before she was born and I think it has a unique and special charm (it takes place in New York City!).

Judy Schachner’s Skippyjon Jones is a perfect series for young boys.  His imagination takes him from being a a Siamese Kitten to all kinds of exciting adventures.

Also, Miss Nelson is Missing by James Marshall is the perfect “classic” for the mischievous child in all of us (this was the first book my husband remembered).

I adore classic’s such as Madeline and the Peter Rabbit Series (my copies are almost falling apart, they were read so often).

Books that are interactive, can always bring a sense of “activity” to reading.  The Jolly Postman series is not only fun, but it is filled with pages that turn into games and puzzles (the christmas version is my favorite).

If you love to travel as we do, Miroslav Sasek’s  This is New York or This is London are two of my favorites. After living in both cities, I think they are a great translation for children.

Lastly, my mother’s favorites recommendation is The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.  It is a story that parallels how life changes and how we can adapt.  Truly beautiful. The author Kate DiCamillo also wrote the current classics The Tale of Despereaux and Because of Winn-Dixie.

warmly, -ashleigh-

PS: As I used to tell my dear parents, “don’t forget to read the character’s lines in the funny voices!”

happy spring! we’re enjoying the longer days with walks in the evening, gardening adventures & general spring fun!  it’s so nice to pop in with a hello and share a wedding we love!  I was immediately taken with summer, she’s a jewelry *and* interior designer with impeccable style and her firm was involved in the restoration of the Henry Clay, hence a gorgeous and yet familiar location to bring guests to.  I adore a day that reflects a couple…and this one did in such lovely ways.  one was in the use of soft pink…her dress was a pale pale pink, as were her shoes…and the cake :)  see, who can’t adore summer?

hope you’re having the best best spring!

wedding notes:

location: Henry Clay in Louisville, KY

florist: Magnolia of Louisville, KY – 502.585.4602

caterer: The Silver Spoon of Henry Clay in Louisville, KY

cake: Desserts by Helen of Louisville, KY

ceremony music: Commonwealth Musicians

reception music: Endless Summer Band

we are so incredibly touched by the recent feature of megan & jesse’s dreamy wedding at the inn at palmetto bluff on classic bride (a wonderful style resource for brides to be). put this inn on your list of places to go!  as i scouted the property the day before, i was stunned by the beauty…and in the tiny town where this resides (bluffton, sc just minutes from hilton head), there’s a great casual little seafood spot owned by two university of kentucky alums (we went there twice it was *so* yummy!).

from sarah at classic bride:  “Megan and Jesse’s wedding made my heart skip a beat and took my breath away all at the same time! The darling couple wed on August 1, 2010, at the jaw-droppingly gorgeous Inn at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina – one of my all-time favorite venues. Together, they incorporated vintage and classically Southern details to create a most beautiful event.

I don’t think you could squeeze another ounce of charm into this Southern venue if you tried – Can you get over how deliciously cute that little chapel is? I am loving every single detail.”

thank you, thank you, classic bride!

dear friends,

let’s chat!  i feel like so much is going on and i’m bursting to share.

i just got back from teaching at a workshop for 70 photographers – and while it’s a little hard to wrap up several enriching days in a few short words, suffice it to say, it was beautiful.  the pace of how the days unfolded was perfect (not too slow, not too fast).  at the airport on my way home, Kim, a workshop attendee and I chatted for a few minutes and then she said “I’ve followed your work for a few years.  A client came into our studio [several states away] and mentioned you and how hard it was to move and need to find someone new so immediately after she left, we googled you :)” Then what she said meant a lot, “People say all sorts of things but I knew from that experience that when you were speaking, you walked the walk.”

I’ve been surprised that by sharing what’s in your heart, you can see it even more clearly – it’s an unexpected little surprise that I’m grateful for.  It gave me a chance to study & dive deep on subjects that mean a lot and because of that, I feel as though my vision for my life is clearer.  you know that sparkle that comes after you wash windows and they are perfectly clear?  exactly how my heart is feeling.

may i share something that struck me on the plane ride home…

you know you have fully experienced love when you turn into love-that is the spiritual goal of life.

[ deepak chopra ]

reading that felt like the perfect capstone to the workshop.  here’s an image of the other workshop speakers who i’ve grown to feel an incredible amount of affection for..leaving them felt much like the last day of school when it lets out for the summer and you know you won’t see your friends as often.  i so hope that it’s not too very long before i spend time with these women again.

davina, millie, shannon, elizabeth, susan, tim & brandi – thank you for being cheerleaders for me :) this is sounding a little like an acknowledgment page but i can’t help but feel grateful for all you’ve done.

so looking forward to more of 2010…we’ve started a wee little garden with strawberries, asparagus, carrots & cherry tomatoes etc and i’m looking forward to the adventure!  gardening tips?  please share – it’s been many many years!!  warmly, -melanie-

incredibly lovely chalkboard above by xandra y. zamora

(who i’ve yet to meet in person but am absolutely convinced is the bees knees)

p.s. our april & may calendars are completely full – jot us a note soon if you’re thinking of a summery portrait shoot!