iPhoneography
I wish I could take my SLR with me everywhere I go, with as much as I need to take with me at all times, it prevents me from being able to have it at my side. I do however have my iPhone with me. Its amazing what people can do these days with something that fits in the palm of your hand. I took this picture today as I was walking around the heart of Santa Monica, CA. I turned the corner and the wall struck me, after I took the picture, I noticed the mother and daughter in picture waiting for the bus, seemingly matching the colors on the wall and for me adding a hint of mystery to the photo. At first I inteded to take a picture of just the wall after all the cars cleared the road, but instead got this. I like to say I accidentally took this picture and ended up being pleasantly surprised.
Merely Sweets | Brea, Ca
Merely Sweets
260 W Birch St
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 529-9909
Macaron lovers on this side of town, macarons and cupcakes have arrived!! Downtown Brea has been booming with places as cute and quaint like Merely Sweets. If anyone living in Orange County, the IE or San Gabriel valley can now take a trip to this place and get their sugar fix. No, its not AS good as Lette Macarons or Bottega Louie, but its not bad either. I enjoy their desserts and haven’t tried anything I didn’t like. Its not a chain, like the rest of the city, and at $1.50 a macaron, Im not complaining. Their cupcakes are pretty good as well. I’m happy this place opened up, and at a good location too! It’s nice to see more independently owned places in Brea, because frankly I’m over the generic chains.
ChaCha’s | DT Brea, Ca
ChaCha’s Tacos & Tequila
110 W Birch St # 7
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 255-1040
Orange County is full of chain restaurants, so having ChaCha’s in the area is a total perk. Their food is pretty good and so far I haven’t had anything I didn’t like. It is a little pricey but cheaper than Taps across the street, but fairly priced considering they offer live music on certain nights of the week, a full bar and their updated decor and dim lighting make it aesthetically appealing, even for the average Orange County resident. They have specials throughout the week, in which Taco Tuesdays are a favorite. This time around I came for brunch. The website lists the special for Sunday Brunch : Cha CHa’s champagne BRUNCH. Enjoy Live Flamenco from 11:00am to 2:30pm. Special includes choice of any entrée, homemade Chips & Salsa, and choice of Caesar Salad, Organic Green Salad, Tortilla Soup or a Fresh Tropical Fruit Plate. Only $19.95 or add $6 with bottomless mimosas.
The fruit plate was a perfect introduction to brunch, on top of the free fresh tortilla chips and salsa that they are always refilling. Since Renaissance Bistro is gone, I’d say this is probably a new favorite spot for my favorite meal of the day, brunch.
LACMA | Los Angeles County Museum of Art
LACMA // Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 857-6010
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Mini Session – 30 minutes // headshots | engagement session | children
Portrait Session – 1 hour // engagement session | family/children
Little Bear | Downtown Los Angeles
Little Bear has that industrial design aesthetic as you walk in. The beer selection is extensive and their pomme frites are tasty, but I found it to be a tad bit too salty for my liking. I had the Grilled Cheese with bacon and onion marmalade, which was good but not jaw dropping. The Nutella Pot De Creme was smooth and sweet but do not get the vanilla bean rice pudding. It was strange how it seemed as if there was jasmine rice in the pudding rather than sweet rice, the textures in that dessert did not go well together, and neither did its lack of any sort of flavor. I will say my friends and I did enjoy the ambiance but the food sub par. Maybe it needs another go around before I make up my mind and decide that this place is only good for its beers and appetizers. Parking is sketchy if you cant find it right on the main street, but there is a pay lot just around the corner.
Little Bear
1855 Industrial Street
Los Angeles, Ca 90021
Phone:213.622.8100
Contact:info@littlebearla.com
The Original Pankcake House | Yorba Linda, Ca
I’m always overwhelmed when coming here. Which pancake do I get? I opted for a classic, the blueberry pancake. I didn’t have room for a corned beef hash, which I usually order when I come here, they use cream in their hash, but as you can see, one can barely finish their serving of pancakes. If you are in the mood for the hash, the location in Anaheim is better, I don’t know why, maybe they add more cream? The dutch baby is a popular one, as well as their chocolate chip. When it comes to pancakes you really can’t go wrong.
The Original Pancake House
18453 Yorba Linda Boulevard
Yorba Linda, California 92686
714-693-1390
Rialto Cafe | Fullerton, Ca
My favorite brunch spot in Orange County. Its not a chain, its quaint, cute and has great food. Get there early, because it gets packed quick. Another favorite item on their brunch menu, not pictured, is their Stuffed French Toast, I highly recommend that. A special thanks to my BFF Toni for introducing me to this place.
Rialto Cafe
108 W Wilshire Ave
Fullerton, CA 92832
(714) 525-5111
All pictures taken with iPhone4s
Engagement Shoot | Char + Khalief
The love story between these two is so charming and shows that the power of music is strong. The musical talent of Char and Khalief are what brought them together, and I’m happy that I was honored to capture their love on camera.
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