(new posts will appear below this one so scroll down if this is old news to you!)
2009 is all about simplicity- for us & for our clients. The kind of simplicity that brings peace, simple joys and sense of family.
I know we have been pretty quiet lately on the blog. We have been pondering what changes we wanted to make for the new year. It was worth the wait because we have some serious changes coming your way!
I have so loved watching all our inky-dinky-do kids grow up and document their lives. We also have become part of the Bakersfield community since moving here and we aren't too proud to acknowledge that economic times have impacted our area and many of our clients. So many of you have become like a big extended family for us and of course would love to still see the kids grow and share in the little joys that happen. So we have reached a decision. We are opting to close our boutique on Calloway Drive and focus soly on the studio and creating the best value for our clients. Sure the boutique was nice, but at the end of the day staying affordable to our clients during a tough time is more important. Angela will still be scheduling and thanks to modern technology she can do that virtually anywhere. Previews will happen at the studio instead of the boutique. So the only difference is you get to come back to the studio and visit me twice! I'll make sure that candy bowl is refilled! The studio will be as it has always been by appointment so that we may give you our full attention.
Because we are moving stuff around (you notice there is no photo of boxes piled high!) we are essentially closed until the 9th of Feb. Now don't panic, orders moved over and we will be checking them in next week, appointments will be scheduled, we are just buried in boxes. My office is looking suspiciously organized thanks to Kim today! The studio is getting a face lift and we are getting excited about the new set up. Sometime, I'll have to tell you all about my trip to IKEA... never been in one and they sent me alone... you can only imagine!
So in review.... the boutique location is closing and we are revamping things at the studio to give our clients the best possible value and keep inky-dinky-do portraits an affordable luxury. Prints are at the studio and scheduling will continue with a slight break for remodeling. Watch for updates and new stuff to come!
The path to the studio door. Ok- when it isn't winter! The roses should be great this spring!
So this summer I had Virgil Miller at Video Memories transfer all our old 8mm and VHS movies to DVD's! I hadn't seen many of these since my parents tortured us as children forcing us to watch them every decade or so. Well now that I'm "older" I can't believe how cool it is to see the backyard I grew up in covered in snow and plastic bags on my hands because I couldn't find my mittens. Even funnier- my older brother riding a bike in deep snow. My grandpa dressed as Santa and I can't believe it, but my Mom was hot! Amazing when you look back not as a child but as an adult. My parents had the only copies of so many of these memories and 1 fire and they would all be lost. So Virgil's team made me a complete DVD set and one for my parents. It is so nice having volumes of these now that I can watch and maybe embarass some family with. (Yes, the film of my older brother and Ryan, David... all in dresses as little boys could be sold for profit these days I'm sure!)
So because I am so moved by this I talked to Virgil and he is such a cool guy that he has agreed to pass on an exclusive inky-dinky-do discount to our blog readers! So if you have film that you want to be able watch again then you should check them out. Here is the film page. You can get details on how they do this. Now even better.... my readers can get a duplicate copy for free! So for Christmas you can make a copy for your family and keep one for yourself. Now that is good. :) Thanks Virgil! Keep in mind the deadline for Christmas delivery is Dec 15th so I would call him ASAP! 661-398-7075
Ever wonder how to play a song? Check this out! It has some interesting bands and you can learn to play the song by watching the video. Kind of cool!
So while watching Guns and Roses Paradise City you can see the chords to play along. It also have a key for how difficult the song is so you know what you are getting into before you try and scare your dog.
This is definitely an evolution from the air guitar days! you can choose Bass, Guitar, Drums or Piano.
You can check out some of the free content from up and coming bands if you are wanting to just see if it is for you with out plunking down any $. The tutorials are from about 3-15 minutes and they have over 300 tutorials available. Download in MP4's or Windows Media Video- and they can even come ready for your ipod... although that seems like a tiny screen to be doing this on to me.
Abba, Bon Jovi, Queen- and a host of names I'm not cool enough to know as well.
So if you have worked Rockband or your Guitar Hero to the point that you are convinced you are the next master- well this is the next step. Plug in your amp and have some fun!
**as a Mom with a teenager with an electric guitar I might regret this post**
Check this out! It works. And to imagine my Mom had those encylopedias sitting on a shelf for us "back in the day"! Free (for now) mobile answers- anytime- anywhere. For example....
Ask: Who are the five people first in line of succession to the president of the USA?
Answer: After the President, the succession is Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore, and Secretary of the State.
Ask: What's the fastest car in the world?
Answer: The Thrust SSC is a British jet propelled car, developed by Richard Noble and Ron Ayers, which holds the world land speed record at 763 mph.
Kind of cool if you need an answer or the go or just have lots of time to burn!
I don't always share sites, but this is kind of cool. Our Gen Y'ers will especially like this site.
We came across Chictopia. via TeenVogue. People can upload and share their style, find out about current trends and see fashion in the real world not just on fashion models You can even search for and find fashions that are great for your age/ body type. Members can set up their own blogs to share outfits, tips and great finds.
Check out the style gallery.
An interesting site for our Fashion Forward Gen Y crowd!
UTube Movie
Theo Jansen's The art of creating creatures. These "creatures" are amazing and kind of freaky. You really have to watch the video to fully appreciate what he has done. The fact that they self preserve is a bit freaky, but how amazing is this. Now 50 years from now when they take over the world I might not think them so cool!
OK I just had to share this! Check out the tumbleweed webpage These tiny little houses are 65 ft to 774 ft. Most hook onto a truck! Now I must say that this would be really hard to do with a family, but a little tiny cabin in the woods would be just too fun. It is a simplier lifestyle for sure! Maybe Mike and I will retire and just go park our house somewhere..... OK I can't even finish that sentence without laughing! I'm way to much type A to just sit on a porch and enjoy the great outdoors!
Simply enter the address you will be leaving from and click "Get Directions"
