Music has healing properties that can’t be articulated, only felt. By sheer coincidence, (and completely tongue-in-cheek) a team had prepared to sing Neil Diamond’s America. They chose it the day before the Marathon, so it wasn’t like they were pandering. And you know what? Every f-ing person in that bar (with the exception of (2) 20-somethings who had never heard this American classic) had fists pumping, singing loudly to the chorus. It was beautiful. We all felt united to seek lightness in dark. Banding together as a community of silly people with an affinity for costumes and 90′s hip-hop, we made each other smile and hurt a little less. After all, fun is life affirming.

So, for Caroline & Ashley, who didn’t know the song, but clapped along anyway – an encore. But seriously, ladies, learn your history. Neil Diamond is an American Treasure!!!

Check back soon for images from Roxie & Hugo’s cherry blossom engagement session. Roxie. You gorgeous little doll, you.

Her recently opened Shanghai bridal boutique is charging $482 to TRY ON her dress. Imagine. To stand in front of a mirror for 5 minutes, draped in awesomeness, Chinese brides have to cough up a substantial fee. The company says it’s an effort to manage the number of customers in the store and protect the copyrighted designs. Critics of the policy claim it’s racist to single out the Shanghai market.

UPDATE: According to this Reuters article, she has nixed this policy.

You guys! Game of Thrones is back. If you follow my celebrity crushes along at home take note: I might MIGHT be back on John Snow. I mean I’m definitely on Robb Stark, but I was iffy on John Snow. Then this happened:

Source: Glamour via US Weekly

Oh, meow.

So on Sunday Mad Men returns. Have you read the Rolling Stone article on Jon Hamm? He debates the Beatles vs. The Rolling Stones and he answered correctly: The Stones. They are always the right answer.

Alright. I don’t think I mention my connection to Jon Hamm nearly enough. We both grew up in St. Louis. So there’s that. BUT ALSO….I dated a boy with the last name Hamm. They were probably distantly related. So basically I dated Jon Hamm. That’s what I’m going to start telling people. No one fact checks such things.

These images are from a quick stroll through the National Botanical Gardens yesterday. I love how much access I have to beautiful places in DC and I take full advantage. My favorite time to explore is Monday mornings. Parking on the major streets is allowed after 9:30 when the morning rush ends, so it’s easy to drive in for a couple of hours. Last week I had an espresso in the corridor that connects the Art Museum with the Modern Art Museum. There is seating next to this really great waterfall built into the architecture. At that time of the day it’s a peaceful respite from the noisy city.

Be sure to check out my new Wedding Song board on Pinterest curated along side Kristen of  The Future Mrs. Darcy. We love a good collabo and this is right up our alleys. If you have any suggestions for the board, do let me know. In the meantime, I’ll be obsessively adding songs as they float into my brain. What are you listening to right now? I have two obsessions lately. First – Mikky Ekko, the male part in Rihanna’s new single “Stay.” His stuff is great and I think I might be hot for him. I can’t decide. He’s one of those guys who is all arty and intentional downplays their adorableness, but when a record label sends the stylist, watch out. He’ll be like – regular hot. Hot and talented. He’ll be the new Jeff Buckley. Wait. Is that too much praise too soon? You decide.

My second obsession is a group in seriously heavy rotation, Gossip.

In other news, I’m tempted to repaint my living room again. Yes, this will be the third time in 18 months. Yes, I have a problem. Something’s just not working and I can’t figure it out. The starter color was a very lovely, albeit medium greige neutral. We added a white marble dining table and more contrast was needed. Then I painted it Nature’s Retreat, a medium to dark, desaturated grey-blue. It’s pretty, but I’ve used it in other living spaces and I think I’m bored with it. After adding a blue rug now the room seems a bit masculine and dark. Maybe it’s the effect of spring-fever, but I want to lighten things up. On the flip side, my bedroom is calling for a deeper and greener blue. Right now the walls are Cafe Blue, a very simple denim blue. When the weather allows for open windows, I’m going to attack that as well.

Promise I won’t do anymore rogue graphic design.

I’ll be getting my D.A.N.C.E. on tonight with some friends. A new outfit is required and I found it at Madewell. The very 20-something sales clerk eagerly dressed me in a Lycra skirt of horizontal stripes and a tucked-in silk patterned blouse. She repeatedly told me how young I look, which FYI, 20-somethings, has the OPPOSITE effect of what is intended. I know I look good for my age. Avoiding cigarettes and the sun for 30ish years, suffering the teasing of my paleness by tween boys, will keep the wrinkles at bay and builds character in the process. I didn’t choose the skirt, but she did convince me to buy jeans 1 size too small. So, basically I can’t breathe, but hey… I look cute. Or so she said. Repeatedly. Right up until the point I threw my debit card down.

 Oh, hai!

This is probably two days passed timely, but we had a few friends over to watch the Oscars. And…OMG…the dresses were so great this year. Naomi Watts’ was THE BEST. I also loved Jane Fonda’s bright dress. She was taking a page out of the Helen Mirren dress book, which is ALWAYS the right decision. Did you see Jennifer Lawrence? Her dress was gorgeous, if not a little bridal, but it’s exactly what a young girl would want to wear. I want to renew my vows just to stick Jennifer Lawrence on top of the wedding cake.

It was a pretty safe year as fashions go. I can’t even snark. Ok, that’s not true. I could snark about Ann Hathaway, a box of Franzia and a Lifetime marathon of Pretty in Pink, but really…who am I to judge? On any given day I have at least one coffee stain on my shirt. Floating around is a photograph of me from 2000 with an Olsen twin hair flip, a bright tangerine oxford and…wait for it…iridescent eye shadow. Ann Hathaway wins at life. She would look amazing in a Hefty bag.

I served our guests the amazing recipe of grape jelly, chili sauce and meatballs. Would you believe I served Ikea meatballs…two days before the infamous IKEA MEATBALL SCANDAL broke. I’m pretty sure my friends will never EVER EVER eat at my house again. A vegetarian diet is looking mighty tasty right about now.

Hey all,

It’s been a while since I blogged. I’ve been traveling a bunch. I spent a week in Atlanta at the Professional Photographers of America conference and last weekend I went up to Pittsburgh to photograph Gayle & Ian’s engagement session. Aren’t they cute? The above diptych with the yellow brick is outside their house, which looks exactly like where you’d raise the love child of an Anthropologie catalog and that other magazine (the name of which I can’t recall, but it’s all cool & hipster like.) The magazine makes me think I too could build furniture out of reclaimed wood or UPS boxes… and then I remember that I’m bad at math and domestic sticktuitiveness.  I bet Ian could. He’s exposing the brick in their 1912 house. By himself. Hat’s off, dude. That’s a big job.

On the road trip to Pittsburgh I was accompanied by one of my favorite people in the world, Susan. She said that she lives through Gayle’s hipster life vicariously through Facebook. Basically, these two are way cooler than us. Well. At least me. Susan’s pretty cool.

Tonight we’re going to a cooking class. I’m excited. So, I gots-to-go.

Oh and this weekend is the Oscar Party, which is my Super Bowl. Let’s meet next week to snark on fashion!

The wedding of Tina & Dobromir was so lovely, I had to share these images with you. Don’t you love that purple and green combo? Gorgeous, right? Just like Tina. The look on Dobro’s face when they walked down the aisle as husband and wife was so touching. It was my favorite moment.

Enjoy the photos!

Okay, listen. I’m picking up a trend. Just hear me out:

• 90210′s David Silver* had a baby with Megan Fox and eschewed Hollywood’s usual wackiduzy name choice, instead opting for something totally normal. He’s named after neither fruit nor fighter jet. A name that will not automatically eliminate the presidency from future job options, though…let’s be honest…how likely is it that the progeny of Megan Fox becomes president? Sorry, kid! Blue Ivy will clean up delegates. * The original 90210, not that spin-off that even I can’t watch. And trust me… I watch Vampire Diaries, so I’m not the most discriminating.

• Kate Middleton wore a wedding gown with sleeves and lace.

• Ali, upon marrying Dave, wore her mom’s wedding gown.

I think this makes a compelling argument that tradition is the new avant garde.

Wearing your mom’s gown is significant. Added to the fact that Ali included her mom in her wedding party and it was one of the sweetest weddings. One very non-traditional element Ali & Dave incorporated was the assignment of the celebration’s own Twitter hashtag, #hipsterunion.  (<—– Side note: link to a really awesome article by Slate’s Julia Turner on the economic genius of #s.) I believe the father of the bride was live tweeting.

(Admission: I’m not into to Twitter. I have a bird-like attention span already focused on the shiny, shiny of Etsy & Pinterest. Maybe if you engage me @ModernToile I’ll love it. Go ahead. Pity follow.)

Speaking of Etsy, I recently listed a new print.

Dress: Rosalin’s Bridal Boutique

Cake: Cakes by Long

DJ: DJ Eskada from Scratch Weddings

Photo booth: Traveling Photo Booth

When I arrived at Linh’s parents house to photograph the traditional Chinese tea ceremony, 7 languages filled the home. It was a family reunion drawing from all points across the world. A bridesmaid was called on to translate, from Mandarin to Cantonese, a poem referencing a mother brushing her daughter’s hair and wishing her good luck in her marriage. Linh wore a rose emblazoned, candy pink Vietnamese wedding gown brought over by an aunt for the occasion. The ceremonial hat, which served as the background for the above ring shot, was a rolled and weaved work of incredible craftsmanship. It was really beautiful.

Later we headed to the Hyatt for the formal wedding ceremony and reception. The party that ensued was a dance dance revolution lead by the very awesome DJ Eskada from Scratch Weddings. If you read my blog, you know I love music and I think she is my favorite DJ that I’ve come across. Plus, she wore hot pink earphones. As much as the bride loves pink, I’m sure Linh was tickled. <—- See what I just did there. They also had Blue Steel Lighting Design bathe the ballroom in pretty color awesomeness. Traveling Photo Booth was there providing feathers and sequins to a very receptive crowd. In the final picture, you may recognize former bride Katrina. She’s the one wearing a beer keg on her head. Her husband Jesse’s face is obstructed by the giant, red velvet pimp hat he’s wearing. YOU GUYS!

Anyway, I hope Chris and Linh enjoy the photos as much I loved taking them. You know how in public some couples are gooey romantic and some couples are jokesters. They definitely fall into the latter category. Chris looked at his watch during the first dance. He’s so funny, and the perfect foil to Linh. Underneath Linh’s lady-like exterior is a dry humorist who will just as likely stick out her tongue totally deadpan than smile beatific into the camera. She’s dry. He’s physical humor. Yin. Yang. Perfectly complimentary. They’re going to have a happy marriage. And please. They had a Domo cake topper! Awesome.

This past weekend I photographed the wedding of Dave and Ali out in Virginia’s wine country. So beautiful. Check back soon for that blog post. I’m really looking forward to this weekend’s wedding with Tina & Dobromir. As you can tell, I’m a little busy processing these weddings, but I will totally make time if you want to discuss my new favorite show Nashville. Please. Singing. Big hair. Dreamy song writers. Clearly, I am their demographic. It is. AWESOME. And just in time as Glee – ugh, Glee! So bored. I’ll never understand the American television multi-season model that bleeds the heart out of every good show. Maybe I just have a short attention span.

Fact: It’s a successful shoot when you don’t get arrested for trespassing.

These are some images from an upcoming book authored by the model, Ann Weaver. I’ve worked with Ann before on another book project, so it was fun to hang out with her again. She graciously granted me permission to post some of what we shot while the book is still in production. It’s a project that follows her first book of knit patterns inspired by Moby-Dick. Did you know that dj Moby got his name from the book written by his grandfather, Herman Melville? Why do I know that? Oh, right! My brain is entirely made up of song lyrics and useless pop culture trivia.

Oh, Moby! I used to listen to him ALL the time. Let’s reminisce over the 90′s……That was nice. The 90′s are the theme for this week’s District Karaoke. I am a fully committed member of my team, but I draw the line at recreating the infamous lip liner / clear gloss look of yesteryear. What are your favorite 90′s songs? My list is way shorter than my 80′s favorites list. I am not nostalgic at all for the 90′s. Granted hip hop was in its heyday. Sometimes The Smashing Pumpkins will come on the radio and I lunge to turn it off. I. Just. Can’t.

For me, Linger was the song. Way more than No Doubt’s Don’t Speak.

But really, I was obsessed with Tori Amos. I even dyed by hair Ronald McDonald red before a show once. It is a testament of my then-boyfriend-now-husband’s affection for me that he didn’t laugh in my face. Because it was ridiculous. Even then I knew I had crossed the line.

I am anticipating the Lauryn Hill comeback.

And finally, Hole covering Fleetwood Mac.