Monday Musings | January 2018

Happy New Year...a few musings to begin the year.

I’m curious to try this new grocery of non-branded goods, all priced at $3.

Tough as a Mother | Sweatshirt

Finishing thank you notes from the holidays.  A handwritten note is always the best, and this guide is perfect.

We were traveling and missed the after Christmas holiday sales, but I did find this beautiful candle holder that I plan to use for my Advent candles next Christmas.

This movie.  Creep.  Always my worst fear.  Yuck.  And her funny write up about it.

A storytelling podcast for kids ages 4 to 10. (I always wanted to create a radio station like this when my boys were younger...and oh, healthy drive thru's too).

This essential oil for fighting viruses. 

This fleece vest.

Working to Disarm Women’s Anti-Aging Demon

A searchable database that lets you know whether or not a film or television show is tied to a person who has been accused of sexual misconduct.

Upping my table game with a new pepper mill.

A cool art installation.  Also, his advocacy for the Dream Act.

A couple of my favorite birthday gifts for kids. I love this book and this one.

NPR's Best 100 songs playlist of 2017 on Spotify.

And finally, my retail therapy (in my digital cart...just waiting for the "complete purchase" button to be pushed).  You should go for it though and I will live vicariously through you! This coat, this sweater jacket, this cardigan, and these cult following jeggings (yup, you heard me...jeggings.)

xo

A River Series | Featuring Selah | 2017

A new series.  I have always loved the dark water just as the sun has gone beyond the horizon.  How the light dances on the ripples of black.  It has always been one of my favorite times to photograph my boys on the river. 

I was honored when Selah asked me to take her senior portraits and I knew she would be a beautiful candidate for this project.  Of course she was totally game when I explained my idea. I have always admired her confidence, her ability to push the envelope, her strength and most of all her intellect.  Here are just a few from our session (there were so many even before we got to the river that I will need another post later!).  Thank you Selah. xo

*Is this River Session something you could see yourself doing?  If so, message me at leekriel@gmail.com.  The season is changing, the water not as warm, but come early summer, the conditions would be ideal.  

Monday Musings | October 2017

It is October, but feels like August...here are a few other musings...happy Monday.

Love this sweater.  And this blazer.

Tom Petty, a timely anthem.  [October 20, 1950 – October 2, 2017].

The Florida Project looks good.

Alice Waters

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck has been added to my commute.  This book to my coffee table.

Making this, and adding crabmeat. Love her Snapisodes (snapchat -> whatsgabycookin)....do you follow?

It is Homecoming season.  Love this concept.  Find a pop-up near you. Thank you Samantha!

If you know me at all, you will know why I have tears of laughter watching this.

Come summer camps, my boys are always in need of a good sleeping bag.  This one should do.

The Evolution of Women in Stock Photos.  YES!  Thank you Rachel.

Fun ideas for Halloween.  Also look up #larshalloween on Instagram for more costume ideas.

Meet the Hands (and the Man) that Bring Chance the Rapper to the Deaf

This t-shirt bra is the best I have found in a long time.

Artists Are Turning Neglected Basketball Courts into Giant Works of Art

Mass Shootings in the U.S.  7 Actions You Can Take to Prevent Gun Violence.

xo

Family Photography | The Galbally Family | Avalon 2017

A glimpse into a weekend spent with family.  These kids love hard.  And I got to sit back and watch.

p.s.  If you would like to hire me to capture posed images, with everyone looking + smiling, I am not the photographer for you.  To be honest, I suck at that (as you can tell from this shoot).  But if you like blue tongues, sticky fingers, sand in your hair, tears, grass stains, mohawks, and lots of messy love...I am happy to help you document it.  If you would like the aforementioned, I do have some amazing referrals in my back pocket just for you and I am happy to share their wonderful talents. 

Monday Musings (Personal) | May 2017

As our oldest approaches graduation, the next steps have been weighing heavily on us as to what is next for him, as it does for most parents when their child finishes high school.  We have that in common, however when you have a child who learns differently, you have an added layer of worry. 

Our decisions along the way have always been made with research, heart, gut and help from so many kind and supportive people who have walked this path.  I don't speak much about this as it is personal and I want to respect his privacy, but I have found that by others sharing their experiences, it has helped us.  And so it was time I began my research for this next phase.  I have begun curating articles and ideas that breach this subject and I have found that there are some really amazing people out there doing some really amazing things for children who learn differently...If you know of more, I would love for you to share.

Here are few random things on the topic around the web that caught my eye for this Monday Musing...

Meet the Gutsy Dad That Started a Car Wash to Help His Son Find Purpose

If college acceptance was only about letters of recommendations, no one would turn him away.

Housing options help autistic adults find independence

We Need a Coffee Shop Like This One in Every Town

How a New Supreme Court Ruling Could Affect Special Education.  Advocates for students with disabilities argue the decision could help millions of children.

And although he is not a rebel, I find this to be fascinating research regarding the individual students who perform differently in class.

And for someone who can't sit still or fidgets, these have been known to help focus (and now they seem to be all the rage).

I just finished this book about the gifts of imperfection and loved it.

xo

Monday Musings | March 2017

a few links catching my interest...enjoy.  happy monday.

Are you looking for a unique place to have your next meeting or event?  Try Franklin House in downtown Annapolis.  You will be so happy you did.  You're welcome.

Eager to try these engineer prints.

In the que for podcasts...Missing Richard Simmons...are you listening? 

Description:  On February 15, 2014, fitness guru Richard Simmons disappeared. He stopped teaching his regular exercise class at Slimmons, cut off his closest friends, and removed himself from the public eye after decades as one of the most accessible celebrities in the world. Nobody has heard from him - and no one knows why he left. Filmmaker Dan Taberski was a Slimmons regular and a friend of Richard’s. Missing Richard Simmons is Dan’s search for Richard - and the deeper he digs, the stranger it gets.

This artist and her colorful murals.

My new favorite colors for my home are white, black and green.  These plates would work.

This exhibit.  Hoping to score tickets soon.

On the food front, this concept has sparked my interest.  The downfall, you can't decide which restaurant to choose in this beautiful space.  The upside, there is always an excuse to go back. A description from their site:

"Over the past two years, we've assembled a group of ten chefs ready to launch new restaurants while transforming the old Anderson Body Shop into a 350-seat food hall with roll-up garage doors, booth & bierhall tables, and an incredible neighborhood bar at the center of it all. This is your living room, your kitchen, your office, your new hangout spot, your Baltimore stoop, your happy place. It's R. House."

Are Teenagers Replacing Drugs With Smartphones?

These bath towels, please.

Although my phone is my calendar, I miss the wall calendar for our family to see each days activities.  I like this one. (Sometimes I think my kids are still little.)

If only, I could wear this.

xo