Tuesday Tunes

I want a band that sounds fabulous and new. M83 is one such band. A little electronic but a lot of fun, this band keeps me in a good mood!

A little painting

When I'm not busy painting at my job I am painting portraits. Laniebird Designs is built around my photography and portraiture business. I love capturing likenesses and wowing people. Here's a few of my works:

Thrifty Thursday

Couldn't find a clean version so watch out for bad words! Today's Thrifty Thursday is a little more whimsical than the usual, enjoy this dorky rap about thrift shopping!

Boy in the Striped Knee Pads

Sweater: Target

Pants: Vintage

Shoes: Converse

Tuesday Tunes

Today I am loving on Grizzly Bear. Their sound continues to capture me and they have been featured on many good soundtracks and collaborations such as Blue Valentine and Twilight (don't care I still love their soundtracks). They even featured Victoria Lagrand, the singer from Beach House from my first Tuesday Tunes in a song called "Slow Life"

Dream House

 

 

 

I am probably a good 3 years away from owning a house, especially as a single mother, so I spend a lot of time dreaming about my dream house. I don't dream too big, I don't want a mansion or a rolling ranch, I just want a small craftsman style home. I found this quite dainty and sweet home that coos "buy me".

Give. Live. Love.

Back again!
Give: Image 3D's view finder wheel. Isn't it darling?  I would put family pictures, engagement or wedding photos for my loved ones.

Live: Carmex lip balm in these cold winter days. My lips absolutely love the cool, refreshing coating and have yet to crack.

Love: new portrait lens. Pictured is Canon's EF 85 mm, a nice bit of change, but with the photography side of my business growing, it could be a rewarding investment in the long run.

 Tell me what would you give, live and love?

Thrifty Thursday

Thrifty Thursday is when I get an opportunity to spotlight awesome thrift store finds. Today I shine onto my boyfriend's vintage camera collection.

The cameras come from a broad range of thrift and secondhand stores in the area, and all of them acquired for next to nothing. The first camera shown is his pride and joy, a Polaroid Land Camera with a sonar feature. He picked it up for only $30 at a St. Vincent de Paul. The others are more common cameras from the 1960s and up, but what they lack in originality they make up with in genuine patina and vintage allure.
  

 

 

Just Hanging with my Flamingo

Julian and his little friends decided to grant me a quick fashion photo session. He is an amazing model, if a model's job is running away from the camera or getting in really, really close. Despite this, he is a natural ham and I am his biggest fan.

Coat: Target 

Denim shirt: Target

Jeans: H&M

Shoes: Converse 

Tuesday Tunes

With perfect luck, I was able to go to The Growlers concert in New Orleans this past Saturday. I love their west coast psychedelic beach rock type sound, something perfect to just dance to. I am in love with discovering new music thru friends and Pandora, and then to venture out to see them (for only $10!).  

 



 

 

Rebecca + Jason - Engagement Pictures

Their hands made a heart <3

All photos copyright of Laniebird Designs and Ryan McCauley

Photoshoot - Just a Taste

Photo by Ryan McCauley


Today I had the pleasure of shooting my dear friends Rebecca and Jason's engagement photos. Due to the rain we moved the shoot indoors to a theater. It was awesome to have free run of the stage, props, and lighting. I absolutely love photography and hope to have more shoots like this in the future. I am still editing the photos, so picture shown is just a taste of the upcoming series of engagement pictures.

Plant One on Me!

A home filled with plants beams with lightness and life. I am currently giddy with excitement that I have a lone surviving Aloe Vera plant. Step in the right direction for me, the plant killer!! My dream is to fill a room with large bundles of hearty house plants. With a toddler, who's current obsession is de-leaving plants, it tends to stay in the dream realm. A mom can dream!

images via: miss moss

images via: modern findings

Give.Live.Love

It's been a rainy week for sure. Hasn't been much sun available for pictures (eek! I'm shooting a friend's engagement pictures Sunday!) so this post is about what I would love to give, what I live by on a daily basis, and what I would love to have.

1. Terrariums  - Wonderful little ways to brighten up a friend's house and are easy to maintain
2. Pyrex - I absolutely love my Pyrex dishware. My pattern is Crazy Daisy, but this is just as lovely
3. Crux Blanket - So warm, comforting and heavy. Blanket of my dreams.

Tea Time

January can mark a time to try new things and give up vices. Personally I am looking forward to less soda and replacing it with hot, yummy, detoxifying tea. Today I tried a loose leaf Jasmine tea. The weather was groggy and there's been a few colds and flus going around, so hot tea was an amazing choice.

Tuesday Tunes

I've been listening to Beach House on loop for the past few months and they are outstanding. I was lucky enough to see them live in New Orleans and was instantly charmed. Considered dream pop music, with their lithe keyboard and soothing, deep vocals, it's become a new genre I deeply enjoy.

Rainy Day Recipe - Louisiana Gumbo

On this cold and rainy Sunday, I decided to bring some warmth (and spice) into the home. For those unfamiliar to Cajun cooking, Gumbo is a classic, homey soup-like dish.

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken - quarters or tenders

1 lb Andouille sausages

1 large yellow onion

3 garlic cloves

Italian parsley

2 green onion

Olive Oil

64 oz chicken stock

3 tablespoons Dark Roux

Sea Salt

Black Pepper

Garlic Powder

Cayenne Pepper

White Rice

Food Prep:

Slice sausage, chop onion and garlic finely. Season chicken with salt, peppers, and garlic powder.

Cooking:

Lightly coat bottom of large pot with olive oil. Once hot, on medium-high heat, add in sausage. Stir frequently until browned. Remove sausage, leave oil in pot. Add chicken and brown till fully cooked. Remove chicken, add in the onions and garlic. Cook until translucent, stirring frequently. Deglaze with chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot. Add in roux and let it low boil for 30 minutes or until roux is broken up completely. Add in cooked chicken and sausage. Simmer 20 minutes. Add in chopped green onion and parsley.

Plate in a bowl on top if steamed white rice. Add Tobasco when needed and enjoy!