Herb Ritts, Getty Center, Melrose...

Cindy Crawford by Herb Ritts

I have most of my family here visiting from Utah. We have been busy, busy, busy. Yesterday we took a trip down to LA and I had tons of places planned to go but we ended up spending most of the day at The Getty Center. The gardens there are amazing and it was my lucky day...they have a Herb Ritts photography gallery showing right now!

It encouraged me SO much to keep taking pictures even though I may not have the best camera or lens. I feel I have a good eye, steady hand and I'm able to get some pretty good shots.

They had Herb Ritts' very first camera on display. Once he made it big and was able to afford the best of the best he said he still liked to use his original camera. He never wanted to spend too much time with equipment but focus on the view in front of him. Love that!! That's exactly how I feel. I'm not one to edit my photo's very much either. I like to remember the shots as they truly are. I want to see the truth of the moment.

 We ended our day at Melrose of course and I had to stop by my fav Vintage store-Crossroads Trading Co. I found another pair of True Religion jeans for $25.00 and a cute Brio! purse. I never fail to find the best deals there.

So as summer is in full swing...I'm enjoying my family and finding fun and exciting things to do and see. Hope your all enjoying you're summer too!

Found Best Name Brand Deal

I can honestly say that I'm not a big name brand person. I like to find things that are different, things that most people don't have. This can be a little challenging at times, but vintage shops usually help.

Yesterday my son had to go see an LA agency...YAY...that meant I got to stop by Crossroads Trading Co. on Melrose. He wasn't too happy, but if I'm going all the way down there, I'm going to get some fun out of it too.

It was a perfect sunny day, we ate outside, then shopping time.

Jullien sat at the front of the store & I knew he wasn't too happy so I didn't really look as long as I normally would. But I did find an AMAZING deal, and yes, I gave in to the name brand. I found a pair of True Religion jeans for $27.00, yes I said $27.00.

They fit perfect except they're a little shorter than I like. I decided at that price, I'll deal with the length, besides they're perfect for tucking into boots.

Then we headed down to Urban Outfitters for Jullien. They had an everything 50% off sale, we actually stood in a line 30 people back. I've NEVer stood in a line that long!

the line went on forever>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

He didn't mind it so much because while I stood there he continued to shop. Guess that was a payback for making him wait for me. So I made the most of it...I helped the guy behind me and in front of me decide on some of their purchases. I can tell ya, California is a very friendly, laid back place to live.

SO...yes, I broke down, I gave in, I'm now officially a name brand girl.

BUT...

I'm a bargain shopper first and foremost!

Off to LA Today

K, the pics have nothing to do with the story...they're from Christmas Eve, but I finally was able to download them & was anxious to put them up!

Jullien, Elijah & Me (2 of my Boys...missing Josh)

Today I had to drop Jullien off in LA at Alvera St. for a photo shoot. I heard that there was going to be an awesome photography show in Santa Monica so I thought, "PERFECT...I'll go to that and wait till he's done so I don't have to go all the way home & then try to get back in traffic."

I loved the show (PHOTO LA 2010- CLICK HERE)...it gave me so many ideas, not just regarding my photos but also matting & framing. One of my favorite exhibits was the first one I saw when I walked in titled "Created Equal" by Mark Laita. It was a portrayal of people at the opposite ends of the spectrum or similar (i.e. An African American Christian woman & a white supremicist tattooed male prisoner; a fur trapper & a lady wearing fur, vegetarian & a butcher, a dancer & a boxer). It really made you think. We are all created equal...the difference is life choices. It was VERY COOL...I loved the whole concept behind it.

Then I went down to Santa Monica pier & snapped some cool random pics and hung out till Jullien was done. I grabbed something to eat, sat on a bench overlooking the ocean & some fisherman who were directly below me fishing off the bottom area of the pier. A man sat near by playing the guitar and singing a mixture of jazz & 60's music. I leaned back and thought, "This is exactly what I need. I'm always running & racing around with sports, practices, meetings, and work, it felt so good to have no one needing me for a while."

I looked down to see the large crab that the fisherman had caught scrambling around in the metal wash basin. Kids ran over to peak excitedly inside, as the man told them, "Don't touch him...he'll pinch you." Once the kids left, I had to laugh because every time he turned around to fish, a group of pigeons would swarm the basin, trying to get some easy lunch. He was twisting and turning every few minutes to flail his arms at them...it looked pretty funny.

I need to take the family there, they've never been...I wish our pier was like that!

Anyways, Jullien was happy to work with the photographer, Mark Humphrey, (Humphrey Creative), he said he's a really cool guy and easy to work with. He actually did a viral video for the same photographer back in New York...it'll be coming out soon. The designer & photographer really liked him & so they came back to LA to shoot him. Check out the Photographer's work...(He's done a lot of the Budweiser commercials) CLICK HERE.

After he was done, I picked him up and we went down and walked around Melrose & did some shopping. He was getting mad at me because I was taking too long...typical boy. He was supposed to go to a party with his girlfriend and was trying to rush me.

I actually hate to shop too, but I love this Vintage store on Melrose called, "CROSSROADS TRADING CO - Click Here." I bought some cute tops for $8.00 & a black Armani jacket for $12.00! I'm the bargain shopping queen, I love finding cute, funky clothes for cheap. Besides, I can't feel guilty about shopping for myself at those prices.

We left Melrose so late that I thought we'd miss all the traffic, but even at 7:00 p.m. we still sat in it! I could never work somewhere that I had to commute, what a nightmare!

I have to say that it was a really fun day...I always love doing different things. Not to mention getting to spend some time with my son while he's here (heading back to New York the end of this month). I'm definitely not one of those mom's who wants her kids to move out once they graduate. I wish they could live with me forever...I miss not having them all at home. It gets too quiet!

Today's Tip: All mom's should take a couple of days a month to do something for themselves!