San Diego Wedding Photographer [Daisy Varley Photography] LOVE . LIFE . ART

NEW BLOG!!!

2010-10-28T00:03:00.000-07:00

Hello friends!

I am saying goodbye to this blog and saying hello to my fresh new blog. Blogspot has been a wonderful home these last few years, but it's time for a change... I have moved on and chose a new blog design that I will hope best show off my style and personality better. So without further adieu, please click on this link to visit my new blog :)

Daisy

San Diego Wedding [Kaleena + Eliseo]

2010-09-29T23:48:00.000-07:00

These two are so sweet together. Their intimate ceremony was held at Sunset Cliffs, one of the most beautiful spots in San Diego, in my opinion.

I had fun hanging out with Kaleena and her family before the ceremony ;)

Her two little boys are so adorable!

Thank you Kaleena + Eliseo for being so kind and sweet and for entrusting me to document this special time.

Much love,

Daisy

The Condor's Nest Ranch Wedding [Lucy + Say-Ho]

2010-09-09T22:41:00.000-07:00

08.21.10

This is a wedding that I feel so blessed to have been apart of and documented. I learned what incredible individuals Lucy and Say-Ho are during their engagement session. Their wedding was heartfelt, genuine, thoughtful and filled with lots of laughter...the most essential ingredients and the only things that matter.

Lucy put a tremendous amount of thought and attention to the details. She designs the cutest earrings on etsy, so naturally she bought a few etsy pieces for her wedding. Everything turned out beautifully.

Have I mentioned how much I love this venue? Because I do, I really do! :)

To see more of Lucy and Say-Ho's wedding, please CLICK HERE FOR THE SLIDESHOW.

Wedding location: The Condor's Nest Ranch
Photographer: Daisy Varley
Coordinator: Lisa Doherty (Lsdoherty@yahoo.com)
DJ: Jake(blasterjake@hotmail.com)

Thank you Lucy + Say-Ho. I have no doubt that you two will have a very warm, fulfilling life together :)

Much love,

Daisy

[prelude] The Condor's Nest Ranch Wedding [Lucy + Say-Ho]

2010-08-30T22:52:00.000-07:00

08.21.10

[As a photographer] You know when you walk away not only from a wedding, but an amazing couple and you're smiling from ear to ear...you feel like you were apart of something very special. That's how I feel about Lucy and Say-Ho's wedding.

More to follow soon...

Daisy

San Diego Riverwalk Golf Club Wedding [Kelli + Nate]

2010-08-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

Some things I realized while looking through these images:

Backlighting is so pretty.
Cocktail hour during sunset is the best.
My camera is attracted to people who convey their emotions.
...and those who aren't afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves.
Big hats are cool.
I like toasts with lots of laughter.
I really, REALLY like second shooting for Gabrielle Fox.
She's awesome :)

Cheers to everyone,

Daisy

Wedding location: Riverwalk Golf Club

Flower Farm Inn Wedding [Rachael + Chris]

2010-08-10T20:56:00.000-07:00

07.17.10

I arrived in Loomis, California, a town just outside of Sacramento, for this beautiful country style wedding at the Flower Farm Inn. A big red barn, lots of chickens, quaint houses and charming details. I don't usually take to heat very well, but being around such a positive, happy group of people totally made it worth it. So much fun!

The Flower Farm Inn was the perfect country setting for this wedding.

To see more of Rachael + Chris' wedding, please CLICK HERE FOR THE SLIDESHOW.

Wedding Location: Flower Farm Inn
Loomis, CA
Wedding Photographer: Daisy Varley
Wedding Coordinator: Tres Fabu Event Planning and Design
DJ: Dominic Fournier of Extreme Productions
Cake: Divine Desserts by Aguirre
Florist: Bella Bloom Flowers
Officiant: Reverend Jeri Murphy

Rachael + Chris, thank you! I wish you two lots of love.

Daisy

[prelude] Flower Farm Inn Wedding [Rachael + Chris]

2010-08-01T22:15:00.000-07:00

07.17.10

Loomis, California

Despite the 100+ degree heat, I had SO much fun photographing this wedding! I love it when people know how to have a great time!

More to come soon...

Daisy

Dream

2010-07-26T17:28:00.000-07:00

Music credit: "Dream" by Priscilla Ahn

Daisy

splash!

2010-07-23T09:14:00.000-07:00

I [heart] this kid.
She [hearts] water :)

image taken with my Nikon Coolpix p + s

Daisy

San Diego Natural History Museum Wedding [Nicole + Andrew]

2010-07-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

06.26.10

I met these two for the first time during their engagement session last year and I was immediately excited for their wedding. Not just because it was at the San Diego Natural History Museum, but because these two are...what are the right words...AWESOME! They are so sweet, playful and so in love. You can feel it when you're around them and I think that's what makes them so special.

We started with the girls getting ready at the Gaslamp Marriott.

We then headed to Balboa Park to see Andrew.

The wedding theme was non other than dinosaurs.

Some of the guests really got into the spirit of the dinosaurs ;)

To see more of Nicole + Andrew's wedding, please click here for the SLIDESHOW.

Wedding Location: San Diego Natural History Museum
Museum Events Manager: Rachel De Quesada (619.255.0182)
Wedding Coordinator: Brenda Swann of Swann Soirees
Florist: Rae Florae

Nicole + Andrew, THANK YOU both so much for not only allowing me to document your beautiful wedding, but for getting the chance to know you two. I feel like a lucky gal :)

Much love,

Daisy

prelude . San Diego Natural History Museum Wedding [Nicole + Andrew]

2010-07-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

06.26.10

The best part of my "job" ? Documenting people in love. And Nicole + Andrew are so genuinely, faithfully in love.

More to come soon...

Daisy

San Diego Engagement Session [Lucy + Say-Ho]

2010-06-21T20:21:00.000-07:00

We met bright and early on a Sunday morning and went for a walk on a trail. These two seem like they would be up for any adventure that came their way.

Lucy + Say-Ho, thanks for hanging out :) Can't wait for your wedding in August!

Much love,

Daisy

pieces of my life.

2010-06-14T19:20:00.001-07:00

I love our backyard.
I love drops of rain, falling from leaves.
I love their eyes. So bright + so curious.
I love my life.

Much love,

Daisy

San Diego Engagement Session [Lucy + Say-Ho]

2010-06-09T23:38:00.000-07:00

sitting in a tree...

Daisy

St. Malo Beach Wedding [Jaclyn + James]

2010-05-30T20:17:00.000-07:00

05.15.10

I love this wedding for many reasons...beautiful details, gorgeous location (inside a community of french homes), warm people + a fun, loving couple. I was totally blown away by this hidden gem (St. Malo) and its residents who've known each other for years. Such an awesome group of people!

To see more of this beautiful St. Malo Beach wedding, please click here for the SLIDESHOW.

Thank you to the wonderful wedding professionals who all came together to make this wedding so special!
Location: St. Malo Beach, Oceanside, Ca
Coordinator: Platinum Weddings by Kerrie
Caterer: Waters
Photographer: Daisy Varley
Band: Mattson 2
DJ: Bryan Davidson (Bryan_Davidson@att.net)
Hair: Detour Salon
Florist: Passionflower Studios
Bakery: Carlsbad French Pastries Cafe

Thank you, Jaclyn + James, for allowing me to document your beautiful wedding. I enjoyed it so much!

Wishing you both much love + happiness!

Daisy

prelude . St. Malo Beach Wedding [Jaclyn + James]

2010-05-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

05.15.10

Such a beautiful wedding! Can't wait to share their story with you.

only two frames for now...

Much love,

Daisy

the city by the bay.

2010-05-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

05.01.10

I love this city. Great food. Interesting people. Endless diversity + art.

Our first day in the city, we decided to check out the exploratorium, which was awesome! It really is hands-on. Perfect for kiddies...big + small ;)

I swear we walked for miles...

The kids looked uber cool in their shades ;)

And then we did more walking...

China Town was one of my favorite spots. The BEST Chinese food!

Haight-Ashbury. So much personality!

It was Pablo's 7th birthday the day we left, so we were super excited when the pilot invited the kids to sit in the cockpit! Oh, and it was a total bonus when everyone on the plane sang happy birthday to him :)

Much love,

Daisy

San Diego Wedding [Chantelle + Eric]

2010-04-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

04.03.10

The sun did not shine.
The clouds came out to play.
So we sat on a boat.
On that cold, cold day.

They were cute + a wee bit nervous too :)

These trees were wicked. Love 'em.

Much love,

Daisy

Nonpareil Mag [issue 02]: color me inspired

2010-04-21T23:11:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun contributing for Nonpareil Magazine's second issue. You can read the full post here.

I worked alongside two awesome ladies, who helped our ideas come to fruition.

Kristen is the talented gal behind Dear Clementine [creative invitations]. She is a true artist.

Leigh Anne is the amazing gal behind The Floral Lab. She did such a beautiful job on the floral designs.

Leigh Anne came up with the idea of using air plants, and I thought it was a brilliant idea. We kind of ran with that idea and thought it would be cool to use it as a hairpiece.

If you're getting married, this online wedding mag is a great resource for planning your wedding. So please, take a peak :)

Daisy

prelude . San Diego Wedding [Chantelle + Eric Wedding]

2010-04-17T22:35:00.000-07:00

04.03.10

More images from this beautiful wedding to come soon...

Daisy

the desert.

2010-03-29T18:41:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, the family + I drove out to Superstitions in the desert + met up with the Coalson clan. Lucky me, I got to ride with a crazy driver in a thing called a "rhino" and finally learned to drive a quad! SO much fun!

The desert has its own kind of beauty.

The toys :)

Go fish!

Miss Lynnette.

The goofy, fun + adorable Coalson family!

And the 3 of us girls getting dirty + having a blast!

Can't wait for the next trip to the desert! Maybe next time, I'll get past 2nd gear on the quad ;)

Much love,

Daisy

green.

2010-03-21T23:09:00.000-07:00

I go through phases where colors seem to take on a different meaning and period in my life. This phase I shall call green :)

I am drawn to anything green. And recently, I've been buying florals and plants, particularly succulents and ranunculus, that seem to bring a breath of fresh air into our home. I've never been into flowers, but I see myself changing and my interests evolving. It's fun discovering this new side of me!

I found this old and tattered dresser at the thrift store and painted it olive green :)

I love this tangerine tree in our background. I wish I could find time to plant a garden with my favorite veggies and fruit.

Much love,

Daisy

shattered.

2010-02-16T01:38:00.000-08:00

to break into pieces, as by a blow.

Inay.
I miss you so much.

This was my home growing up. I love this backyard, this tree. Much like my family, it's chaotic, unorganized, cluttered, yet it has its own charm, unlike any other. It was home to me.

I have never had to deal with the death of someone that I love dearly. My grandmother, Inay, passed away 10 days ago in her home. We sat by her, whispering in her ear "I love you," until she took her last breath. My heart shattered as I watched 7 of her 9 children fall to pieces right before me. It's a pain that I don't want to experience for a very long time.

Inay was the core of our family. I will miss her cooking, her scent, the way she smelled me as she kissed me hello, her smile, walking to the grocery store together, drinking chocolate milk with bread, her soft skin, her humorous personality, her warm embrace and so much more...

I know you're happy, finally at peace, but I miss you still...

Daisy

[ FEATURED ] The Bride's Cafe

2010-02-02T17:39:00.000-08:00

Wendy + Jon's beautiful fall wedding was featured on The Bride's Cafe! I love this couple so I was super excited to see them featured.

Thank you to the wonderful, Janie, for being so sweet :)

Much love,

Daisy

ultramageddon.

2010-02-01T09:39:00.000-08:00

I feel inspired.

I left last Tuesday for Jeff Newsom's AWESOME Ultramageddon workshop in San Luis Obispo. Lush green hills...so beautiful!

Random facts:
This kitty likes jeans.
Scratch her on the back
and she'll scratch you.
Me = not big fan of kitties :)

Thank you, Jeff, for being so open about your work and your love for making art. You are truly one of a kind and I thank you for sharing your insight.

If you're considering attending a workshop, please sign up for Jeff's. It'll blow your mind...to pieces :)

Much love,

Daisy

animal art.

2010-01-23T09:46:00.000-08:00

I love going to museums. Last year, I discovered the New Children's Museum downtown, and not only do my girls love it, but I do too. It features the work of local artists and I think the different rooms and activities are just brilliant. Can't wait to see what they come up with next!

Much love,

Daisy

feeling inspired.

2010-01-19T18:19:00.000-08:00

I feel calm while hearing the rain pour and the wind blow against my window. I love the sounds and smell of rain. It's days like today that I feel the most inspired.

For months, I've been ripping pages from my favorite magazines, hoping one day I can organize them in such a way that I can look back at them and find inspiration. The images that I chose definitely evoke a sense of emotion and feeling, something that I aspire to show through my own images. I realized as I was ripping away, that I started to tear out more of the design elements. I've discovered how much I really love and appreciate the little details. I totally admire those who are crafty.

Lately, my favorite magazines/catalogs are from Marie Claire, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters. I can spend hours walking through Anthropologie. I'm in awe of all of the quirky, cute objects + art that are randomly placed throughout the store.

And so, a few days ago, I was at Barnes + Noble (no surprise, there) and found the perfect journal for these images. Love it!

Thank you to my little sweetheart for letting me borrow her scissors :)

Much love,

Daisy

An Artist [Exposed]

2010-01-12T19:45:00.000-08:00

Every so often, I crave a fun shoot with style, motion and a wide array of feelings. I was hoping it would rain during the shoot, but was happy nonetheless with overcast skies. Mmm....soft, even light makes me happy.

Hope you enjoy looking through these images as much as I had fun creating them :)

Make a wish!

I'm only happy when it rains...

Thank you to my beautiful friend, Melissa, for coming out and totally rocking it in front of the camera!

Much love,

Daisy

Glamour This! Interview

2010-01-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

01.12.10

I was interviewed by the amazing and talented designer, Kelly De Luca, behind the super chic blog Glamour This! Go check out her blog for some fun and creative ideas for your wedding and more...

Thank you, Kelly!

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS [[Serenity]]

2010-01-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

01.11.10

We love to walk/hike and just be outdoors. Yesterday, we decided to head to Lake Cuyamaca, which is about 40 miles east of San Diego. The spiraling drive up there is absolutely gorgeous.

The walk around the lake is 3.5 miles. It was so serene and beautiful.

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

An Artist [Exposed]

2010-01-11T21:58:00.000-08:00

It was supposed to rain that day. Instead we were under a massive cloud of gray...and I loved it!

Melissa has so much to offer

A New Beginning...

2010-01-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

01.01.10

As every year, we all have our ups and downs. Luckily, I feel very blessed to have my health, a home and a family that loves me. There are many things that I need to improve on as an individual - I am definitely a work in progress. In the meantime, I am enjoying life, taking everything in and savoring every moment. I hope you're doing the same.

Happy New Years!!!

Much love,

Daisy

Happy Holidays

2009-12-30T15:58:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays!

We spent Christmas up in Big Bear. I don't think there's anything better than spending this time of year with family and friends in the snow! Our days are filled with snow fights, sledding, making snowmen and having a great time. Our nights are spent playing board games, drinking hot cocoa with marshmallows, watching movies and sharing stories by the fireplace. I love every minute of it!

I loved seeing all of the Christmas lights hanging up all around the Village.

On our last day, we headed to the Bowling Barn where I was defeated by the kids :(

Thank you to our family and friends, especially Michael, Cybil, Joaquin and Pablo for joining us in Big Bear :) You guys are a blast to hang out with! Looking forward to next year!

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS [[Victory]]

2009-12-21T11:26:00.000-08:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

12.20.09

“There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”
- Nelson Mandela

Last week, John's client gave him 2 tickets to the Charger's game yesterday and he invited me along :) This was my first time going to a football game and I have to admit, I've never really understood the game much less enjoyed watching it. With that said, I wanted to go more than ever in hopes of learning about this sport that is so greatly loved by our country. We were surprised to find that our seats were right on the East end of the field! It was incredible! The energy among the crowd was infectious and even I was excited. The entire time, John was explaining the rules and reasons behind each move and maneuver. As each pass, interception and tackle became clear to me, I realized I actually enjoyed watching the game. Me? I had closed off this game long ago and accepted I would never like football, but I was wrong. I'm even planning on getting a girl's jersey with the number 83.

As the crowds erupted in applause when the Charger's won, I realized how any sport can bring a city/nation together. Strangers would high-five each other. You can feel the pride that each person wore on their sleeves. Victory is a wonderful feeling.

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

An Artist [Exposed]

2009-12-14T16:08:00.000-08:00

12.11.09

Dandelions.
Overcast skies.
Umbrella.
Large coats,
Crickety chair.
Instant film.
What more can I ask for?
Oh yes, a few drops of rain please...

More images from this fun shoot to come soon!

Much love,

Daisy

Raining Cats + Dogs!

2009-12-09T19:53:00.000-08:00

12.07.09

She likes the rain.
She likes her boots.
She likes to run.
She likes to splash.
Her smile is never-ending.
Her name is Sophia.

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS [[Weathered]]

2009-12-08T11:13:00.000-08:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

12.07.09

"Nothing is more beautiful than the love that has weathered the storms of life."
- Jerome K. Jerome

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

Ja Jolla Family Portrait Session [Lippuner-Henen Family]

2009-12-07T15:16:00.000-08:00

11.24.09

I first met Jeni + Rolf when they hired me to document their wedding. Since then, they've welcomed us into their home, invited us to their baby shower and now allowed us to photograph the new addition to their family, the sweet Leylah Mae. I feel as though this friendship just began and now they are leaving, embarking on a new journey in their lives. Rolf got a big promotion and so the family will be saying farewell to San Diego and hello to Nevis, an island in the Caribbean! It's bittersweet, but I know wherever life leads them, it'll be an adventure!

Leyalah Mae is one thoughtful, curious + amazing little person. I loved watching her explore + absorb everything in sight.

There was no doubt in my mind that Jeni + Rolf would make wonderful parents! They have so much love to give. This little girl is very lucky :)

We're going to miss you three!

Much love,

Daisy

THANKSGIVING: winter wonderland

2009-12-01T13:27:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving, a time of giving thanks, spending time with family and friends + eating...LOTS of eating!

This year, just like the previous years, we headed up to our family cabin in Big Bear. When we arrived, the colors of Fall graced us with its presence.

The next morning, we peaked out of our windows to find snow falling! We were super excited, to say the least!

She warms my heart.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS [[Change]]

2009-11-24T00:36:00.000-08:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

11.23.09

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
- Reinhold Niebuhr

A friend once told me that you can show compassion without having to carry their burden. Often times, I want to help out a friend or family member in need and I will compromise something else to do so. I've come to realize that there are some things that you can change and others you can't. In the end, I think I've learned that the best thing to do is to offer your support and just be there to listen. Because ultimately, you may change the situation, but you can't change the person. It's up to each individual to make the change in themselves.

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

Downtown San Diego / Coronado Engagement Session [Jazz + Brandon]

2009-11-17T09:04:00.000-08:00

11.11.09

I had so much FUN during their engagement session! I knew Jazz in high school. She is one of those people that you can't help but gravitate to. Her energy and smile is infectious. Brandon, on the other hand, is somewhat quiet at first, but once you get the ball rolling, you can't stop him! I loved learning more about what makes these two click and the history that they shared. I especially enjoyed hearing about how they first met :) Not the most conventional, but hey, who said that you couldn't meet the love of your life at a Wendy's drive-thru?

These two are HILARIOUS!

Love her smile!

Thanks Jazz and Brandon for opening up and having fun!

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS [[Feeling Good]]

2009-11-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

11.03.09

"Birds flying high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by you know how I feel

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good"

- Nina Simone

I hope everyone had a fun + safe Halloween. A few of these images are from Halloween night in downtown San Diego. It was a challenge shooting with my iPhone at night, but I had fun with it nonetheless. It goes to show you that you don't need the best camera with the highest megapixels to tell a story.

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding [Wendy + Jon]

2009-10-30T00:44:00.000-07:00

10.18.09

Jon and Wendy are two people who wear their heart on their sleeves. One thing that stood out in my mind throughout their wedding was the constant attention and love for the children involved in their day. These two would stop whatever they were doing to make sure the kids were happy and interested. I especially loved watching Wendy interact with her nephew.

I enjoyed every minute of this wedding.

I LOVE Wendy's hair!

Jon sent Wendy a heartfelt message in a bottle.

The first sight of each other.

Thank you Jon and Wendy for inviting me to your beautiful wedding. Wishing you two many more amazing adventures together!

Much love,

Daisy

Wedding Location: Rancho Bernardo Inn
Wedding Planner: Nicole Williams of Tami Austin Weddings
DJ: Tim English
Florist: Adrianne Smith Floral Design
Guitarist: Anthony Garcia

MOBILE MONDAYS [[Life in Color]]

2009-10-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

10.26.09

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

The City by the Bay

2009-10-25T23:21:00.000-07:00

We flew up to San Francisco a few weeks ago and I fell in love with the city. This was my fourth trip there, but my first time truly exploring all that this beautiful city has to offer.

Until next time San Francisco...

Much love,

Daisy

[ FEATURED ]

2009-10-24T11:54:00.001-07:00

I was so ecstatic to hear that Kristen + Matt's gorgeous fiesta wedding was featured on two different blogs! I am a fan of both of these blogs and highly recommend them if you're in the process of planning your own wedding. They are simply amazing with an abundance of great tips and information!

Ruffled Blog

Elizabeth Anne Designs

A big thank you to Ami and Amanda for featuring this wedding!

Much love,

Daisy

prelude . Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding [Wendy + Jon]

2009-10-21T13:35:00.000-07:00

10.18.09

Love this couple! These two are the epitome of style, fun and genuine love and kindness for others :) Can't wait to share more from this beautiful wedding!

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS [[Autumn]]

2009-10-19T21:46:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

10.19.09

I love watching the colors of leaves change. This is my favorite time of year.

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

San Diego Family Portraits [Coco's Family]

2009-10-16T14:10:00.000-07:00

09.20.09

Fog. cypress trees. blue chair. sweet family. I love this session!

Time for an outfit change! Isn't she adorable?

Thank you Coco's Family for inviting me into your home and allowing me to document this special time in your lives.

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS [[Fleeting]]

2009-10-12T23:15:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

10.12.09

“To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It's at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.”
- Henri Cartier-Bresson

Every day, I think about how fleeting life is. Every time I look at my daughters, I notice their changes, their developments and then I realize that these moments only happen once. Tomorrow is a new day and life just seems to be fast forwarding at an increasing speed every day. Luckily, I am always with camera, and many of these fleeting moments are documented. Yet, I still wish time could just slow down a bit for those precious times.

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

San Diego Day After Session [Erika + Eric]

2009-10-09T14:50:00.000-07:00

09.19.09

A beautiful couple and a perfect setting by the ocean.

Much love,

Daisy

Yosemite Photography {Half Dome: the journey]

2009-10-06T19:17:00.000-07:00

09.27.09

It's 3:45 in the morning. I peak my head out of our tent and the cold breeze whips me in the face. Ugh! I dread waking up this early. Why did I agree to hike up Half Dome with John? What the heck was I thinking?

He's already packed. Typical. I move about slowly as I try to gather what I can. Let's see: water, power bars, climbing shoes, carabiners, climbing harness, sunblock, camera. Okay, ready to go. Bruce, John's long time friend, meets us outside. We drive to Happy Isles. I quickly put on my North Face jacket. Before we begin our trek to the trailhead, I look up at the sky which is pierced with stars that seem to dazzle like diamonds. I'm in awe. We notice a few shooting stars and I make my wish: please let me make it from Half Dome alive!

My flashlight is sweeping from side to side. The guys are slightly annoyed and ask that I keep it facing ahead of us. I comply, for the most part. My fear of bears and mountain lions attacking us is overcoming my judgment at this point.

Official start time: 5:12 a.m.

The first 30 minutes seem to drag on. It's an uphill battle that doesn't seem to give us any breaks. I feel like turning back already. The Mist Trail. So steep and scenic. Not a good combination. Plenty of onlookers have fallen off accidentally. Not gonna be me. We take a break midway and I gaze at Vernal Falls. It's absolutely beautiful. You can feel the power of the falls as it rushes down with such force and magnitude.

8 a.m. We reach Little Yosemite Valley. It's so serene, isolated...and so FLAT! I'm in heaven! I catch my breath and take it in. Shortly after this point, Bruce decides that he's ready to turn back. With a bad knee, he never really had any intentions of hiking up Half Dome. We understand. I was ecstatic to be experiencing this with John.

11:30 a.m. Nothing but steep switchbacks on the last leg of the journey. Now let's not forget I haven't worked out in about 7 months and gave birth to little Gianna just 4 months ago. I was exhausted. No, that's an understatement...I was dying out there. Totally unfit for this strenuous hike. But I made it. I thought of my two little girls and the will to make them proud overpowered any fears or exhaustion that I was experiencing.

12:30 p.m. We're standing at the base of Half Dome looking up. The Dome was staring me in the face and beckoning me to the top. I see cables bolted down along 600 feet of granite rock. We remove our hiking boots and replace them with climbing ones. I leave my backpack behind a big rock. I pull the climbing harness snugly around my waist and clip the carabiners to my rope. I look up again. My thoughts: do NOT fall to your death. Must grip onto cables firmly. Take your time and clip those carabiner clips! Easy does it right?

We walk over to the crevice in the rocks where previous hikers have stashed dozens of used gloves for future cable climbers. For this, I am thankful. I rummage through the stash and find matching worn leather gardening gloves. These should do.

I make my first clip. As people start to ascend, some examine our harnesses and the expressions on their faces reads one of anxiety and a hint of jealousy. "You are smart," several people have said as they pass us by. I am relieved that John went through the trouble of preparing us for this moment. So many people have died on these cables, falling over the cliff and dropping 1800 feet to their death. The thought has plagued my mind for the past week, but I block it out for now.

I try not to look down. My shoes are slightly slipping and my gloves are almost useless. I would be freezing up at this moment if it weren't for the harnesses which provided me with such mental comfort. I'm relying on my arms to do the pulling, but I am having a hard time gripping the cables. Should have gone to the gym. Should have trained. Should have spent the money on those overpriced belay gloves!

This is a rush!

We reach the summit! I want to scream at the top of my lungs, but I'm just too exhausted. We conquered that majestic beast called Half Dome and we did it together!!!

We head back down in style: sliding on our butts. That's right folks, sliding...on the buttocks. I smile on my way down, relieved that the descent is almost effortless compared to what I just faced 30 minutes prior.

The last quarter, I took the advice of another and walked backwards, which was surprisingly easier...and less dorky-looking ;)

When we reached the base, we noticed our hiking boots were missing. I wasn't bothered too much by it, but poor John...his feet were too big for his climbing shoes and he was left to walk bare foot - for a whole 5 hours! It was a major challenge and I am so proud of my husband. He is the most amazing, toughest person! I am incredibly lucky to have someone in my life who encourages me to step out of my comfort zone, allowing me to experience life to the very fullest.

Aside from the unfortunate circumstances, I found it hilarious that his jeans were ripped from sliding on his butt. He couldn't care less :)

This was the scariest and one of the most rewarding journeys that we have ever faced. I would totally recommend this hike to anyone who's willing to challenge themselves physically and emotionally. But please, PLEASE bring a climbing harness and two carabiner clips. It'll save your life!

We spent 5 days in Yosemite, one of my favorite places ever. Here are some images from the rest of our trip.

------------------------
- Half Dome Statistics -
elevation: 8,800 ft.
distance: 14-16 mile round trip
time: 10-14 hours
deaths: More than 20 deaths on Half Dome itself. If you count the trail leading up to Half Dome,
the number leaps to more than 60.
-------------------------

Until next time Yosemite...

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS [[Perseverance]]

2009-10-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

10.05.09

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on
- "Franklin D. Roosevelt

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

prelude . San Diego Family Portraits [Coco's Family]

2009-10-01T21:30:00.000-07:00

09.20.09

This was my very first early morning family session and I am so in love with the lighting at this time. Fog with a little bit of sunshine filtering through :) I'm excited to show you more...

Much love,

Daisy

prelude . San Diego Day After Session [Erika + Eric]

2009-09-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

09.19.09

Loved this session by the cliffs. Many more to come soon...

Much love,

Daisy

The Condor's Nest Ranch Wedding [Kristen + Matt]

2009-09-23T18:47:00.000-07:00

09.12.09

I knew the moment Kristen and I spoke over the phone, this would be an amazing day and I have to say, I was blown away! The entire day, I was giddy. Every photographer hopes to be fortunate enough to meet two wonderful people, who are not only creative, fun, spunky, hilarious, generous but also two people who possess such warmth and love as Kristen and Matt do.

I met Kristen and Matt at Cat and Loran's wedding, also one of my favorite weddings that I've photographed :) Secretly, I had hoped that she would call me one day when the time came to look for a photographer for her wedding. I had been looking forward to this fiesta-themed wedding for a while. Kristen is the creative mastermind behind all of the unique details that adorned the wedding site. And Matt...is the creative mastermind behind everything that is spontaneous and funny! I absolutely adore these two.

Please bear with me. This is going to be a loooooooong post.

LOVED her "something blue"

Kristen, practicing the song she would later sing to Matt.

While the girls were getting ready, Matt decided to take a dip in the pool :)

Guests camping on the ranch. Genius!

...and party time!

Thanks to my buddy, Brett, for all of your help ;)

These people could dance!

Kristen surprised Matt with a song. She has an amazing voice!

Thank you Kristen and Matt for inviting me along for your special day. I will always look back on this day with wonderful memories of you two and your crazy, gorgeous fiesta wedding!

Much love and happiness to you both!

Daisy

wedding location: Condor's Nest Ranch
wedding coordinator: Stephanie of Amorology
d.j.: Alex Roberts
florist: Lily Pad Floral Design

MOBILE MONDAYS [[Maison]]

2009-09-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

09.21.09

“I long to be at home wherever I find myself.”
- Maya Angelou

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

La Jolla Family Portraits [Williams Family]

2009-09-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

09.11.09

I love this sweet family, especially Tyran, Austyn and Kaden, who just turned 1!

Love.

Much love,

Daisy

prelude . Condor's Nest Ranch Wedding [Kristen + Matt]

2009-09-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

09.12.09

LOVED this wedding! From the original details, the wild array of personalities to the gorgeous location and more! This wedding had a fun and lively vibe from the start. I can't wait to show you the rest of their images, but for now, I will leave you with one.

Much love,

Daisy

prelude . La Jolla Family Portraits [Williams Family]

2009-09-16T16:23:00.000-07:00

09.11.09

It was so nice seeing this family again. I can't believe how much these kids have grown! So cute!

More to come soon...

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS [[L'artiste]]

2009-09-15T00:40:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

09.14.09

I am drawn to all different types of people. Some are complex and others are simple. As for my friend Melissa, she has many layers to her. Every conversation we have, we go beneath the surface to deeper issues. She is an artist. She paints, photographs, designs, creates and will be exploring a new form of art very soon :)

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

Soaking in the sun

2009-09-09T21:03:00.000-07:00

09.07.09

Labor Day at La Jolla Shores with family, friends and the sand beneath my feet. Heaven. Sometimes I forget how truly blessed I am. San Diego is absolutely beautiful.

My little adventurer as she prepares to head out in the open ocean on a kayak...with daddy of course :) As much as I want her to experience life to the very fullest (at the age of 3), I felt an overwhelming sense of panic as I watched my little girl brave the waves. I couldn't help it if I tried.

We then walked a mile to La Jolla Cove. I couldn't keep my eyes off the water.

I hope everyone had a fun Labor Day weekend!

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS [[Reflection]]

2009-09-07T23:40:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

09.07.09

“The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.”
- Thomas Merton

I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

MOBILE MONDAYS

2009-08-31T23:54:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

08.31.09

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

San Diego Engagement Session [Nicole + Andrew]

2009-08-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

08.16.09

I had such a fun time getting to know these two. The most important thing I tell couples is to be themselves and just ignore me (except when I'm talking to them :) And they did just that. They were at total ease in front of the camera. I absolutely loved photographing them!

We met in Little Italy for their session.

Thanks Nicole and Andrew for a great time...and all the laughs!

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS

2009-08-24T20:36:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

08.24.09

“Our lives improve only when we take chances and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves.”
- Walter Anderson

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club Wedding [Gretchen + Bass]

2009-08-24T17:49:00.000-07:00

08.09.09

I love being apart of a wedding and witnessing two people like Gretchen and Bass, who I feel are truly meant to be together.

And lastly, one of my favorite moments of the day...everyone dancing soul train style!

Thank you Gretchen + Bass for allowing me to be apart of your big day!

Much love,

Daisy

venue: Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club
florist: Cherry Blossom Floral Designs
dj: Scott Butler

prelude . San Diego Engagement Session [Nicole + Andrew]

2009-08-20T22:34:00.000-07:00

08.16.09

I had so much fun getting to know this cute couple! Can't wait to share the rest of my favorite images from their engagement session in Little Italy.

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS

2009-08-17T19:24:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

08.17.09

After watching The Soloist last night, I learned that there are about 90,000 homeless people living in the greater Los Angeles area. Almost everyday, I drive by these people, who walk amongst us, almost invisible. It saddens me how many times I've walked by them and have never said hello. I need to be that person who steps out from the crowd and asks "how are you doing today?"

If you walk along Harbor Drive, you'll notice a sidewalk lined with quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr. Such beautiful words...

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

prelude . Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club Wedding [Gretchen + Bass]

2009-08-17T12:36:00.000-07:00

08.09.09

These two are simply beautiful together. More to come soon...

Much love,

Daisy

Paradise Lost [The Salton Sea]

2009-08-12T10:08:00.000-07:00

08.08.09

The Salton Sea. Once a paradise and a retreat for vacationers is now a place of abandonment and desolation. Yet, there's a calmness and beauty that still resides.

At first, this place seems to be teeming with life. I was sad to discover the huge amount of fish carcass washed ashore.

I'm looking forward to the next trip to Salton Sea. Who knows what I'll discover.

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS

2009-08-10T12:34:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

08.10.09

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
- Martin Luther King

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

ZLAC Rowing Club Wedding [Michele + Michael]

2009-08-05T19:32:00.000-07:00

08.01.09

I had so much fun photographing this wedding with the talented Gabrielle Fox at the ZLAC Rowing Club. And let me just say, shooting alongside Miss Fox doesn't seem like work at all. It's always a good time :)

This location definitely had a certain charm.

The lovely and talented Jasmine Commerce and her brother provided some great music for both the ceremony and cocktail hour. Loved them!

I am drawn to certain cute subjects :)

Gabrielle Fox showing off her pretty smile.

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS

2009-08-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

08.03.09

This week, I decided to switch it up with low saturated images. Kind of gives them a vintage feel, of which I am loving.

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

MOBILE MONDAYS

2009-07-27T12:23:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

07.27.09

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

Balboa Park Family Portraits [Uribe Family]

2009-07-24T12:01:00.001-07:00

07.19.09

I had so much fun during this family session. They are so adorable!

We met at Balboa Park right before sunset and the light was just perfect!

Kids will be kids :) It seemed like half the time they were dipping their hands in the fountains or running around. Love these girls!

As soon as they sat down together, their faces lit up. I loved how playful he was and her smile...so cute!

Love you guys!

Daisy

A Midsummer Days Dream Picnic

2009-07-22T23:40:00.000-07:00

07.22.09

Today I joined my Southern California wedding industry peers, including wedding coordinators, photographers, DJs, florists, hair and make-up artists and more in Santa Ana at the Heritage Museum of Orange County for a fun picnic. I met up with old friends and created some new friendships which I hope will only blossom through the years.

If you're planning on getting married, then you'll definitely want to check out these amazing individuals.

On the right is Rachel from Skybox Event Productions.
Loved what this bag had to say.

Kacee Geoffroy (hair and make-up)

The lovely Bonnie Tsang (Photographer)

The awesome Cindy of Orange Turtle Photography
Thanks for being my balloon toss partner. I got pretty soaked!

It was so nice talking with you Marianne (Photographer)

Stephanie Williams (Photographer) and her adorable dog.

Aww...the food. Can't forget about these delicious desserts. Yum!

Brian Khang (Photographer)
Hmm, wondering if he's twittering? Or is tweeting?

The lovely hosts.
Left: D*LSH Design and also Utterly Engaged
Middle: Bonnie Tsang
Right: Carissa Jones of JL Designs

Now for some fun! Did someone say water balloon toss? I'm so in!

I'm guessing if Bonnie's anything like me, we are never far from our iPhone.

Hanssie Trainor (Photographer)

I loved watching Isaac and Stephanie interact with Venise, all the while trying to catch the balloons without dropping them and soaking themselves in the process. They were the true winners of the day.

I had a lot of fun! Can't wait to do it again next year!

Much love,

Daisy

prelude . Balboa Park Family Portraits [Uribe Family]

2009-07-21T19:52:00.000-07:00

07.19.09

Love this family!

More to follow soon...

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS

2009-07-20T18:19:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

07.20.09

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

Levyland Wedding [Hilary + Dave]

2009-07-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

07.11.09

I had the pleasure of second shooting with Gabrielle Fox at the gorgeous Levyland estate in Carlsbad. The wedding was beautiful and everything went off without a hitch, thanks to the wonderful Nellie Chan of both Occasion Consulting and Stems Design Studio.

This was my first wedding that I've photographed this year and let me tell you, it felt so good. I had fun experimenting and challenging myself creatively. I hope you enjoy the images!

Here's Hilary's adorable little girl.

There was an abundance of super cute babies at this wedding. Loved it!

Much love,

Daisy

New logo!

2009-07-14T22:18:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! I have finally done it! I have a brand spanking new logo to represent me and my photography. I decided to stick with the red because it's my favorite color. To me, red symbolizes love and passion, which is exactly the way I feel about photography. And of course, I had to include a daisy flower, of which I think is nicely incorporated into the "i". I hope you like my new logo!

I want to say a huge THANK YOU to the wonderfully talented Meaghan Thiede of One Dimple Designs who created my new logo. Thanks Meaghan!!!

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS

2009-07-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

07.13.09

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

MOBILE MONDAYS

2009-07-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

07.06.09

I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful 4th of July weekend!

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

Instant love

2009-07-03T10:39:00.000-07:00

It was love at first sight.

My new Instax mini 7s by Fujifilm. It doesn't quite have the feel of the traditional polaroids, but it gives you the same instant gratification and is wonderful all on its own. The film is credit card shaped and is just adorable! I will definitely be taking my new mini on various outings so look out for some fun, random posts in the future.

I jumped up and down like a kid when the package arrived in the mail.

Say hello to mini!

Luckily, I found two willing girls to be my first "mini" subjects :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July weekend!!!

Much love,

Daisy

the Fair!

2009-07-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, the "fam bam" (as originally coined by my older, yet adorable sister, Christy) headed to the San Diego County Fair. We enjoyed our share of kiddie rides, overcrowded bathrooms, the smell of bbq, banana splits and swollen ankles. Yup, my feet were definitely aching by the end of the day. Good times at the fair!

Jason definitely won BIG!

Yes, I am still a big kid at heart :)

Much love,

Daisy

MOBILE MONDAYS

2009-06-28T23:30:00.000-07:00

: [ a visual diary on the go ] :

This will be my first MOBILE MONDAYS post. I've really enjoyed perusing other photographers' weekly posts on topics that interest them, such as:

Jasmine Star's Kisses and Disses
Chenin Boutwell's The Cat's Meow
Jackie Wonder's Things I Love Thursdays

Since getting my hands on an iPhone, I've easily taken more than 1,000 photographs. I bring it everywhere I go, and so I thought, why not share some personal + not-so-personal images from my life as it unfolds?

My goal is to post a collage of images, taken throughout the week, each Monday. Hopefully, these images will make you laugh, wonder and feel something.

I love feedback! So, please feel free to leave a comment...or two :)

Happy Monday!

Daisy

: [ images courtesy of my iPhone ] :

Happy 4 year anniversary!!!

2009-06-25T16:22:00.000-07:00

Four years ago today I was walking down the aisle to Pachelbel's Canon in D. I was nervous and fidgety, but all of that seemed to melt away the moment that I saw John standing there with his warm smile. And yes, I cried. I cried like a baby. This was a wonderful day and I was so fortunate to have my family and friends there to witness as I became Mrs. Varley.

I couldn't have asked for a better partner in life. John is not only my husband and father to our children, but he is my best friend.

Here are just a few of the many reasons why I love you, John:

1. You challenge me to be a better person.
2. Your zest for life is contagious.
3. You always know how to make me laugh.
4. You are beautiful, both inside and out.
5. You are a man of your word.
6. You are extremely generous, sometimes to a fault.
7. You are my biggest supporter, always lifting me higher.
8. You are an AMAZING father, so kind and patient.
9. You make me feel so pretty.
10. Oh, and I love the way you dance :)

This has been by far the best four years of my life and I know it'll only get better from here.

Much love,

Daisy

Pinus torreyana

2009-06-24T19:21:00.000-07:00

06.24.09

Today was the day that I decided to take some extra steps toward getting back in shape. I am not a huge fan of the gym. I would much rather be walking, hiking or swimming outdoors. Anything to avoid the monotony of exercising side by side with strangers on the elliptical.

And so, I took the girls, invited the Yeum gals and hiked up to Torrey Pines State Reserve. If you haven't been, you should! The view from atop is breathtaking.

The following images are courtesy of my iPhone.

Much love,

Daisy

Children's Portraits [The Uribe Girls]

2009-06-18T10:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I got to catch up with an old friend and hang out with her little darlings. Seriously, it seemed like only yesterday Hannah and Sophia were crawling around together in their diapers :)

I love Dannie's spunky personality!

Here's the 3rd installment of the Uribe girls...Irelyn! Love that name.

Last but not least, the adorable Hannah.

Much Love,

Daisy

My Family: the Bainters

2009-06-09T11:35:00.000-07:00

I value quality family time.

My mother, siblings and their kiddos came down to San Diego for the weekend and we had so much fun catching up, relaxing and enjoying each other's company.

It's amazing how far "the Bainters" have come since first arriving in my home town in Central California. We've grown from our tight unit and expanded with little ones of our own :) Good times abound when we get together.

And so, we spent some time on Saturday at La Jolla Cove soaking up the sun.

Josiah. Such a character.

My younger brother, Michael, can only hold a serious expression for so long. LOL!

Here's his little tough guy, Mikey, showing off his guns.

The oldest of the grandkids, Alycia and Sophia are the best of friends.

Love you guys!!!

Much Love,

Daisy

Window

2009-06-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

“A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside.” - Denis Waitley

Much love,

Daisy

Treasure

2009-05-28T11:33:00.000-07:00

"No one has yet fully realized the wealth of sympathy, kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure." - Emma Goldman

Much love,

Daisy

Gianna

2009-05-11T15:18:00.000-07:00

Gianna Alexandra Varley was born on May 3, 2009.
weight: 6 lbs. 12.8 oz.
height: 18.75 in.

In the early morning of Sunday, I felt little contractions as they came and went. I brushed it aside because the pain was minimal. I thought, "hey, it's just a false alarm. Nothing to worry about. I still have 3 more weeks." Boy, was I wrong.

It's 5:30 a.m. and the pain has intensified. I'm still unconvinced that I'm going into labor, so I take a nice, soothing bath. What the heck was I waiting for? Was my threshold for pain that high? I call John who comes running in like a mad man and tell him to call the doc a.s.a.p. Now, imagine being in John's position, trying to pry a woman in labor from the bath tub, dress her and get her into the car all the while stopping every 2 minutes because she feels like the walls are caving in and crumbling around her. He was amazing.

We rushed to the hospital at 100 mph with the window rolled down. We arrived at the hospital at 6:20 a.m. I am trying my best not to push, because that's exactly what you want to do at that point. The security guard assists me out of the car and into a wheelchair. He blazes through the lobby and into the elevator where my water breaks. Yeah, it was wonderful. At the triage, we find out out that I'm already 10 cm dilated! What...the...f...??? Can I get my epidural please?! "A little too late for that, honey," says one of the nurses.

They transport me to the delivery room. I barely notice John and Sophia in the corner. Everything's a blur. Nurses surround me in a flurry. There's not a doctor in sight. As the next contraction comes, one nurse tells me to push. I close my eyes, grip the sidebars and give it everything I have. Can anyone say "ring of fire," because I just experienced it. Five seconds later I hear the sweet sounds of her cry. My eyes pop open in total shock. John and I stare at each other, our jaws dropped to the floor. Whhhaat? Not only did I give birth in a nanosecond, but I did it all natural. It was unbelievable.

And so that's the story of how Gianna came into this world. This past week has been so surprisingly pleasant. She's given me more sleep than I expected, she rarely cries and she has such a sweet smile. I feel so lucky! Motherhood is the BEST gift.

Okay, enough babble. Without further adieu, I would like to introduce you to my newest little darling, Gianna.

Thank you to all of our friends and family who have been so supportive and loving during this time.

Much love,

Daisy

Anticipation.

2009-04-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

We are eagerly awaiting our little one. Only 3 more weeks to go!

In the meantime, here's a collage of my little girl and her endless amount of personality and energy.

Daisy

Carlsbad Photography [The Flower Fields]

2009-04-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

04.26.09

Yesterday morning, I met up with Bonnie, Miss V, and Cindy at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad. The weather was perfect, the company was great and the flowers were gorgeous!

The two princesses bonded right away.

mother + daughter = love

Cindy was all smiles :)

Thanks for inviting us along Bonnie! It was so good to see you again and to finally meet Miss V!

Daisy

Italy Photography [when in Rome]

2009-04-13T23:39:00.000-07:00

. . . do as the Romans do.

(December 2004)

After spending a few days in Paris, we hopped onto the eurail and headed for Rome. Traveling on the eurail, Europe's popular train transportation, was one of my most memorable and favorite parts of the the entire trip. We slept in this tiny room with bunk beds, a sink and a window. What more could you ask for? Well, it would've been nice to have a shower, but we survived. Each of us brought one piece of luggage and a couple sets of clothes. We were really skimping, but it was well worth it.

I remember waking up in the early hours of the morning, looking out our window and seeing white everywhere. We were passing through the Swiss Alps...it was beautiful. I could stare out that window for hours.

On the eurail, we met some interesting people from all walks of life. We even had an interesting situation where two men tried robbing a cart next to ours. I remember getting on the floor, our room completely black and the only thing I could see was the light peaking from underneath our door. Luckily, they were arrested. Whew! There's always an adventure around the corner.

When we arrived in Rome, I felt immediately overwhelmed by the history, grandness and beauty of the city.

The Coliseum.

One of my favorite sites, the Roman Forum.

Inside the Vatican museum.

We ate plenty pizza, pasta and drank lots of wine. It was so much fun!

During our last night in Rome, John couldn't sleep (around midnight) and so he wanted to go for a walk in the city. Of course I wanted to tag along. We walked, unsure of where we were going. After thirty minutes, we turned around a dark corner, probably expecting to get robbed. To our surprise, right before our eyes was the Trevi Fountain. It was GORGEOUS! There was not a person in sight, just us. I wanted to jump in and start dancing around like in "La Dolce Vita." Of course I didn't, but that moment is one I will never forget.

We then boarded the eurail and made our way down to Venice.

This city blew my mind. Everything is afloat and transportation is by boat only. I loved it! We stayed at the Danieli Hotel, thanks to John's friend Steven. Old and authentic, I was in love. I truly felt our room was haunted, but that made it even more exciting. Vintage furniture and paintings adorned our room. This place was decorated to perfection. I felt like I traveled back to the 14th century.

We fed pigeons in St. Mark's Square. John put a little too much seeds on top of my head and I was bombarded by an army of pigeons, which freaked me out. I'll spare you those images. Instead, I'll conclude our trip in Italy with an image of me jumping, which kind of looks like I'm dodging those pesky pigeons :)

More images from our last stop in Barcelona to come soon.

Daisy

Happy Easter!

2009-04-13T00:35:00.000-07:00

04.12.09

What a wonderful day!

Daisy

France Photography [j'adore paris]

2009-04-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

In late 2004, I went on one of the most wonderful trips of my life. I went to Europe! I just bought my new Canon DSLR and I was giddy with excitement. Growing up in a small town, I only dreamt of traveling to far off places, but never imagined it would actually come true. I was lucky enough to find a man who has the same desire of traveling as I do. And so, we set off on our 2-week journey with some family and friends and had the time of our lives.

On the first leg of our trip, we explored Paris, the city of lights. This was during Christmas so there was an abundance of beautiful lights and decor surrounding the city. It was breathtaking.

Just a little background info, I studied French for 3 years and felt pretty confident that I could converse with the locals. Much to my dismay, I struggled trying to communicate with the parisians.. Some of them just laughed and spoke English to help me out. Was it that obvious that I am American? LOL.

Lately, I've had a lot of time for reflection and thought it would be fun to share some (a lot!) of images from our time in Paris. More images to come from our next stop in Rome!

Right below this bridge is where Princess Diana was killed :(

There's nothing like seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up at night.

Arc de Triomphe.

Inside the Louvre, they were really strict with their no camera policy while viewing the famous Mona Lisa, but I just couldn't resist. If you squint your eyes, you can see the painting in the background.

The Notre Dame cathedral was was so beautiful and a little eerie with all of the gargoyles hanging from above.

The image above is the inside of a McDonald's restaurant right near our hotel. I didn't see any greasy fries or burgers here. It was unlike any fast food restaurant.

The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower was gorgeous...and COLD!

And a few of John and I.

Daisy

New Children's Museum Photography [Childsplay]

2009-04-05T13:56:00.000-07:00

04.04.09

I love being surprised.

I am not a morning person. In fact, I can be very cranky at times. So, when my sister calls me early yesterday morning to invite me to the New Children's Museum in San Diego, I kind of brush it aside, cut the conversation short and quickly fall back into slumber. After I was fully awake, I checked out the museum online and was actually excited about going. I usually make the same rounds of playgrounds, play rooms, bookstores etc. with Sophia, which can quickly become redundant and boring, so I was eager for a change.

As soon as we entered the museum, I was blown away by the magnitude, uniqueness and creativity that this place exuded. This museum was total eye candy and we had so much FUN! I highly recommend you bring your little kiddie(s) here for something a little different...

I can't believe Christian's already 10 months old! He is the sweetest little boy and I love his smile :)

Sophia's best friend, Emma, came along too!

There are like 20 rooms, all with quirky, cool little themes. This particular room casted shadows and silhouettes against the walls. It was fun playing with light.

I think my sister had a little too much fun.

The wall climbing / graffiti room.

I think I had almost as much fun as the kids. We will definitely be back to do more exploring.

Daisy

"Living within your means"

2009-03-26T15:08:00.000-07:00

I learned this phrase early on in life. My single mother raised the four of us kids in a dinky apartment. I was taught to spend only what I could afford, which was next to nothing - hence why I'm so frugal to this day. Although we grew up with scarce money, we leaned on each other, our family, for love and support. I feel that family is the most important thing. My life is rich because of them.

I really believe that growing up in the environment that I did has kept me grounded and allowed me to be grateful for what I have. Every now and then I have to check myself and ask "am I living within my means?"

Last year around this time, John graduated law school. So, we decided to move to L.A. for four months so that he could train at a law firm. Instead of renting a short-term apartment, we bought a 30-year-old camper that fit perfectly on his 8-foot-bed truck. Although it was old as dirt, it was comfy and quaint. It was our home away from home. We slept, cooked, ate, watched movies and laughed inside our camper. We were essentially camping out in L.A. and although it wasn't always convenient, it was ours. It doesn't matter what your living situation is, if you have good family and friends by your side, you can make it through anything.

After the four months were up, we intended on selling the camper to an older married couple in Ramona. We learned that they owned a camper almost exactly like ours, but had lost it tragically in the notorious San Diego Wild Fires. John, out of the goodness of his heart, gave the camper to them for free. My heart just melted and I realized once again how fortunate I am to have in my life. Sometimes we don't necessarily benefit from our good deeds, but the happiness instilled in those received are far greater than any monetary gain.

Our beloved camper . . .

Daisy