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

Home Tour | A Kitchen Renovation | January 2018

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a home tour | The Murphy Family | a kitchen renovation

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This beautiful space was designed by Jenny McGeorge of JGMG Design of Ardmore, Pennsylvania for her twin sister, Jill and her darling family.  You can follow Jenny on Instagram to see more of her work or request sources.  

Would you like to share your home in this series?  I would love to photograph it. Reach out to leekriel@gmail.com. 

Life Lately | 2018

I have had a blog since 2007.  It first began as a way to document my boys daily with a little bit of my work too.  I remember being intimidated by the thought of having to "write" as I thought that was only what a blog was...and I am not a writer, but I was willing to communicate through photos, so I ventured in.  For three years I documented my boys daily...with small smatterings of work that I was doing as well as motherhood hacks here and there.  Although the site was there, my goal wasn't to build a following.  I didn't even know that was a thing.  I didn't really give notice to an audience and was fine with keeping a journal for personal family history.  Who knew that blogging would later become a six figure income for some!

In 2010, I began using Instagram...thinking it was only a photo editing app.  It wasn't until my 10 year old son told me, did I know that it was a social media platform and I was sharing photos.  I had resisted Facebook and thought this would be my compromise. Then, in 2013, I lost my blog when I tried configuring it to a new platform.  Six years of data was lost.  Luckily I had printed my 365 daily blog posts of my family into books so there was tangible evidence that it had even existed.  

Over these last few years, my blog has been a place for my career in photography, with some musings along the way.  As an artist, I have always struggled with putting my work out there to be judged, which then led me to post less and only share it privately with those who I was collaborating with.  Lifestyle photography is so personal for me...and I try my best to see the narrative of each job I am on.  I also know it is personal for my clients and I respect that. I agonize over the photos I want to post over the photos the client might prefer I post.  It is time consuming (the struggle in my head, that is) and I always find a way to talk myself out of putting anything up. 

What I have enjoyed most recently is scouring the web finding links to things that I find interesting and that you might too.  I am no longer a mother of toddlers but a mother of teenagers in college and high school and my interests have grown too.  I am interested in growing old gracefully without enhancements, I am interested in civil rights and politics and what is fair, I am interested in lifestyle topics such as fashion, interiors, music, movies, books, podcasts and all the while, still raising happy, healthy, kind young men.  

So this year, I am circling back to my blog and finding a place for my work and my voice.   My hope is to be more courageous and raw.  And to share more.  Photographs and musings.  Thank you for following along.  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

Monday Musings | September 2017

Schedules change as the season does...feeling a little overwhelmed, but excited for what lies ahead.  Here are few links catching my attention...enjoy.

This is the stage I am in with my boys (hence being overwhelmed), but made me laugh.

My sister and niece have been boxing and love it.  Here are 6 mind-body benefits of the workout.  Have you tried it?

On my nightstand to read.  In my car to listen.

I don't need any new denim, but I am loving the hint of a boot cut coming back (the most flattering pant in my opinion)...and if I did need more, I would buy these, these and these.

Our dog loves the ice cream dog treats at Rita's but I can't wait to have him try this at Starbucks.

Tretorns.  In velvet.

Why Teachers Need Their Freedom.  YES!

Roasted Butternut Squash, Spinach & Black Bean Tacos.  Yum.

still life real life is a long term project focusing on the relationship of two sisters.

Making cinemagraphs on your phone for Instagram (a tutorial).

This beautiful store of vintage finds.

This and these.  Hours of old fashioned fun.

My friend Heidi gave me a heads up on this new launch from Glossier...and I love that they used real women for their campaign. The product looks divine if my skin could look this good.

A co-worker honorably wears red every Friday to Remember Everyone Deployed...(here's a little background on the subject).  How have I missed this?

The Best Street Style From New York Fashion Week Spring ’18.

This PJ set, in ivory and navy, please.

Celebrating the Fiskars Orange-handled Scissors 50th Anniversary (love the history of a household product).

xo