DIY Pine Tree Holiday Decor Canvas Wall Art
I created new holiday decor canvas wall art!
…
DIY Pine Tree Holiday Decor Canvas Wall Art Read More »
Christmas Decoration Inspiration
Christmas is my single favorite holiday to decorate for, hands down. I change up some of my decor for every season and holiday, but I do so much more for Christmas and generally, just get a lot more excited about it.
…
Christmas Decoration Inspiration Read More »
Milwaukee Events – December 2016
Holiday events
Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival: Nov. 17, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017. The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 17. It features music, dancing, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa. For just $1, take the 40-minute Jingle Bus ride, which showcases the lights displays as well as iconic downtown landmarks.
A Cedarburg Christmas: Mid-November – Christmas. Cedarburg transforms their quaint downtown with tasteful seasonal decorations and thousands of twinkling lights to put everyone in the holiday mood while they shop and dine. There are events taking place every day, including Festive Friday Eves, the Rivoli Theater’s Holiday Film series, and the Cedarburg Artists Guild’s Holiday Art Fair.
Deck the Streets of Old Milwaukee: Nov. 19-Jan. 29. The Milwaukee Public Museum transforms the Streets of Old Milwaukee into a holiday wonderland with a Victorian-era touch featuring holly, ribbons, wreaths, garlands, bells, and more. The exhibit kicks off on Saturday, November 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with musical performances, holiday programs, and family activities.
Candy Cane Lane: Nov. 25-Dec. 25. There are more than 300 homes that participate in the annual Candy Cane Lane. View decorations in West Allis from 92nd to 96th Street between Montana Avenue and Oklahoma Avenue. The event is free, but donations to the MACC fund are always appreciated.
Fantastic Forest: Dec. 2-29. The Milwaukee County Zoo features a Fantastic Forest in the U.S. Bank Gathering Space with 63 evergreen trees, all filled with animal ornaments. Milwaukee youth groups create these ornaments as part of the Zoological City of Milwaukee’s Trim-a-Tree project. The initiative is sponsored by Hawks Landscape. Admission is included with general zoo admission.
Miller Valley Holiday Lites: Dec. 2-17. Miller-Coors decks out their premises for the holidays, complete with a giant tree made of 150 beer kegs. The Holiday Lites mini tour includes the factory opening video, iconic Miller Caves, and of course, the lights. Tours are free and open to all ages. They run every 20 minutes from 4:40-9:00 p.m. You must be 21 or order and present a valid ID to sample beer.
Christmas in the Ward: Dec. 2-3. The 28th Annual Christmas in the Ward is a great time to find savings on unique items in the local Third Ward shops. The event features live music, holiday refreshments, horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa in Jolly’s Outdoor Gingerbread House, fireworks, costumed characters, and live reindeer.
Pabst / Riverside and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
holiday shows / performances
Nov. 29-Dec. 24: A Christmas Carol
Dec. 2-3: Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Dec. 2-4: MSO Holiday Pops Spectacular
Dec. 3: Cirque de la Symphonie – Family
Dec. 7: K-Love Christmas Crowder with special guests Mac Powell and Unspoken
Dec. 7: Brillion Hometown Holiday
Dec. 8: Straight No Chaser
Dec. 12: R. Kelly Presents 12 Nights of Christmas Tour
Dec. 14: Celtic Women Home for Christmas The Symphony Tour with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Dec. 14-18: Handel’s Messiah (14th – Concordia University Mequon, 15th – Cathedral of St. John, 16th-18th – Basilica of St. Josaphat)
Dec. 18: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
Don’t forget to pick up tickets for The Nutcracker as well! The Milwaukee Ballet offers 10 performances at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts from Dec. 10-Dec. 22.
Are you looking for even more things to do in Milwaukee on the cheap?
Check out Free Things To Do In Milwaukee WI.
[Disclaimer: I do not work for the city of Milwaukee. I am not paid to promote any of the events listed on this page. I’m simply a resident of southeast WI who loves Milwaukee and enjoys attending and generating exposure for events in Milwaukee.]
Milwaukee Events – December 2016 Read More »
Holiday Gift Guide for Photographers
Welcome to my first holiday gift guide of 2016! I’m starting with a holiday gift guide for photographers. Next week, I’ll be sharing non-photography themed gift guides for her and for him. I’ve stayed away from the obvious camera bodies and lenses because most photographers shoot with specific brands (i.e. Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc.) and know what they want. I’ve also avoided most standard accessories, such as camera straps and flashes. You can see all of my general gear recommendations over here. Today I’m sharing a more fun selection of accessories that photographers may not purchase for themselves but will enjoy and other (mostly) practical photography related indulgences.
Artifact Uprising’s Wood Block + Prints
Artifact Uprising offers a wide selection of really beautiful photography products including prints, cards, photo books, wall art, and calendars. If you haven’t browsed their site before, please check it out. The wood block + prints makes a great gift for family members and friends to display photos of loved ones and favorite memories. If you aren’t sure which prints to order for a gift, pick up a gift card.
Domke Protective Wrap
I inwardly cringe every time I see a camera stuffed haphazardly in a purse or diaper bag without any protection. I also completely understand that people don’t want to take their camera bags with them every time they want to shoot. (I’m the same way.) The Domke Protective Wrap is the perfect solution for on the go shooting. When you’re at the zoo or walking around Chicago on vacation, most likely you don’t need a ton of gear. Wrap up your camera body and 1-2 lenses and you’re good to go. The Domke is available in multiple sizes and colors.
LensPen
Camera lenses and LCD displays get trashed quickly, with dust and fingerprints everywhere. The LensPen is simpler and more convenient to pull out and use for a quick cleanup than a lens cloth. It also gets into the small crevices more effectively. Keep it handy in a front bag pocket for easy access.
SanDisk Extreme 64GB Card
You can never have too much memory. You never know when you’ll run out of the house without a memory card in the camera or your memory card will decide to fail. Keeping an extra memory card or two in your bag ensures you’ll always have ample memory. SanDisk is a reputable brand, and the Extreme 64GB card is an ideal size for most photographers at a great price point. (And yes, I have covered this topic before. A couple times. It’s really important.)
Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan
I’m still a little wary about the transition to renting instead of owning software, but overall, it’s a positive switch. Yes, it does feel like Adobe owns a little bit of your soul. (A great endorsement in a gift guide, I know.) But you get automatic updates and other support, ensuring you always have up to date software, with basically no extra effort on your part. The Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan includes Lightroom and Photoshop for $9.99/month. It’s a great gift option for photographers who are using outdated software or who haven’t taken the plunge and invested in professional software yet.
Camera lens cups
The DSLR camera lens cups are just fun. Someone walks up to your desk and thinks you have a high-end camera lens sitting there…until you pick it up and start drinking coffee out of it. I’m linking a Canon 24-105mm lens cup because I’m a Canon girl, there are also Nikon cups available.
Professional photography website subscription
Professional photography portfolio websites, such as SmugMug and Zenfolio, enable photographers to create professional portfolios and make high-quality prints available for clients. They also allow for comprehensive personal and professional photo backup with folders and keywords so you can find photos again later with ease. Even if you’re not planning to take on clients or sell your prints, having a SmugMug or Zenfolio subscription is worthwhile. I love having another photo backup and frequently print photos for myself and to give as gifts.
A subscription to 500px is also a great gift for a photographer. You can create a 500px account for free, but there isn’t much you can do with the site unless you pay for it. They have three different subscription plans. The highest plan includes the previously mentioned Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan, which is pretty cool.
Vintage Canon AE-1 or Pentax K1000 with film
The Canon AE-1 and Pentax K1000 are two of the most popular film SLR cameras ever made. As a result, there are still lots of working AE-1 and K1000 cameras floating around that you can pick up on eBay for less than $200. Regardless of your photography background and current skill level, shooting with a film SLR camera, especially a classic model like an AE-1 or K1000, is a really neat experience. You appreciate the simplicity and ease of use of the dial controls, and you take time to create each image, manually focusing the lens and carefully composing each shot. Both Amazon and B&H offer 35mm film. Consider Kodak Portra 400 (color film) or Kodak Tri-X 400TX (black and white film).
FujiFilm Instax Mini Instant Film Camera
On a similar subject, if you love the idea of having tangible photos but aren’t in the market for an SLR film camera, a Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 Instant Film Camera is a great option. It’s really fun to attend a wedding or family holiday function and be able to snap photos of loved ones that you can give them right on the spot. It may seem silly when you can take photos on your smartphone, but there’s something different about having a photo you can put up immediately on the fridge or on your desk. Don’t forget to pick up some Instax film, too.
Alisa Burke’s Snap Shot Delight
I love to give experience gifts (i.e. local restaurant gift certificates, flex concert tickets, StubHub cash). Getting new gear is always fun, but learning a new feature of your current gear or taking on a new challenge can be just as, if not even more, rewarding. There are so many photography classes out there, many of which are affordable and convenient, aka local or online with a work-at-your-own-pace format. Alisa’s Snap Shot Delight falls into the latter category. In this class, Alisa shares her favorite tips, tricks, prompts, and more for using a camera as part of the creative process, which is applicable to virtually anyone in a creative field.
50 Do-Able DIY Photo Backdrops | http://www.thinkingcloset.com
Photography backdrop
Photography backdrops can be a huge asset for almost every type of photography. From a product shoot for an Etsy shop to a studio session for a high school senior, the right backdrop will take your shot from average candid to polished and professional. Vinyl backdrops are fairly affordable and extremely versatile, durable, and portable. A few great Etsy shops that sell vinyl photography backdrops: InkAndElm, PrintSignsQuick, and MyBackdropShop. If you’re crafty, consider making a couple backdrops. There are numerous backdrop tutorials on Pinterest. (I’ve linked a great tutorials roundup above, too.) For photographers who do a lot of smaller shoots, a DIY lightbox is also a great option.
Photography bags
I know selecting a photography bag is a very personal decision. The two options I’m including here are the Timbuk2 Classic Messenger line (the top four listings under Messenger bags) and Tenba Messengers (check out both the DNA and Photo / Laptop lines). All three bag collections are lightweight and extremely versatile. If they don’t work as photo bags for the recipients, most likely the recipients would be able to find other uses for them.
Of course, I also have to mention the two bags I use right now: the ThinkTank CityWalker 20, which is my around town camera day bag, and the Lowepro Fastpack 250 DSLR Camera Backpack, which is my airplane carry-on and walk around bag on trips. I’ve been using the Lowepro backpack since late 2012 and am so happy with it as a travel bag. I’ve been using the CityWalker messenger since mid-2016. It’s a fantastic bag. In time, I’m confident I’ll figure out how to best use it to fit my specific photography needs. Both Lowepro and Thinktank are staple photography bag brands and have tons of other options if neither of these bags fits the bill for the photographers in your life.
Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
Photography book
For a new photographer who’s looking for a few technical resources, a how-to book, such as Tony Northrup’s DSLR Book or Pinch of Yum’s Tasty Food Photography, is a great choice. For a more seasoned photographer or someone who is simply looking for inspiration, the options are endless. artbook is a great resource for photography books. I’ve linked their new fall 2016 features. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. Many photographers find inspiration from a wide range of imagery, which may not be what they shoot all the time. For example, a family photographer may love The Space Within: Inside Great Chicago Buildings and can learn a lot from the architectural compositions.
[Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this post. Using affiliate links to shop for photography gifts and any other products of your choosing is a simple way to support my blog without costing you anything extra. Thank you!]
What photography items are on your wish list this year?
Feel free to share links in the comments!
More gift guides!
Holiday Gift Guide: Gift Ideas for Her
Holiday Gift Guide: Gift Ideas for Him
Holiday Gift Guide for Photographers Read More »
My 7 Favorite Staple Crate and Barrel Kitchen Items
It’s not a secret that I’m a big fan of Crate and Barrel. I am always excited to get their catalogs in the mail, and I routinely share inspiration from said catalogs on my Facebook page. Of course, I love to browse the store as well. Jake and I registered at Crate and Barrel for our wedding and consequently, have been using a number of Crate and Barrel kitchen items for a decade now. Today I’m sharing my top seven staple Crate and Barrel kitchen items, which are a mix of older and newer gifts and personal purchases. All of these items are simple but high-quality and make food prep and meals a more enjoyable experience.
Essential Dinnerware
I first mentioned our Essential Dinnerware dishes in this post. As I had discussed previously, I am so impressed with how well these dishes have held up over the past 10 years. Originally, we received 32 pieces and have only had two break. We use them every single day, putting nearly the entire plates collection and many of the bowls through the dishwasher every week. After looking through the current Crate and Barrel dishes sets while writing this post, I would still choose the Essential Dishes because I really love simple white, round dishes. If you love the round dishes aesthetic, too, but want a bone china set, check out the Bennett Round Dinnerware collection.
Grand Hotel II Flatware and Serving Sets
When I was 23 years old and planning my wedding, high-quality, matching flatware wasn’t a priority. So we didn’t register for it. For years, it didn’t bother me that we were using an assortment of decent quality, mismatched flatware. It was functional and not ugly. It was only really recently that I finally bit the bullet and ordered the Grand Hotel II Flatware. I love the beaded detail and the weight is just perfect. It also matches the Grand Hotel II Serving Set, which we did register for and have been using weekly ever since. I regularly use it at social functions and put it through the dishwasher, and it still looks great 10 years later. I use the two serving spoons by far the most. If they were sold separately, I would order a couple more of each of them.
Swoop Serving Bowls
At the time I was creating a registry, I had absolutely no idea what size and type of serving bowls I would need. I was just finishing my undergrad degree and had never cooked for anyone besides Jake and my college roommates, which needless to say, was pretty basic cooking. For many years, I made do with our random wedding assortment. In the past couple years, I’ve finally slowly expanded our collection and couldn’t be happier with these Swoop Serving Bowls. I have two of each size. Honestly, I could get by just fine with two each of the medium and small sizes. I have used the large bowls, but I haven’t figured out what to serve in them on a regular basis. The medium size is perfect for popcorn. The small size is perfect for fruit, veggies, chips, pretzels, nuts, and crackers.
Teak Cutting Board
If you’ve never used a wood cutting board, you don’t know what you’re missing. Purchasing this teak cutting board (the small size) convinced me that I’ll never go back. I don’t mind using a plastic cutting board for certain types of kitchen tasks, such as rolling out dough or shredding chicken. But the teak cutting board is my go-to for all of my routine chopping, slicing, and dicing. Pick up the block oil so you can keep your wood board in top condition.
Stainless Steel and Red Nylon Measuring Spoons
I have no idea where I got my first set of measuring spoons. They were cheap plastic, and I lost the tablespoon before 2008. I don’t want to talk about how long I got by with the 1/2 tablespoon and three other smaller spoons. One day something snapped and I couldn’t deal with the cheap measuring spoons anymore. Needless to say, I should have bought Crate and Barrel’s stainless steel and nylon measuring spoons years ago. The set is high-quality and has more spoons that the average cook will ever use regularly. I love having a storage ring so the smaller spoons don’t get lost in the shuffle (or you know, the large tablespoon just disappears).
Bavaria Salt and Pepper Mills
My immediate family and I have slowly gifted each other salt and pepper mills over the last few Christmases. My parents, my brother and sister-in-law, and Jake and I each have our own set now, most of which are the Bavaria mills. (You may remember me mentioning them in this post.) Continuing the slightly nerdy food gift trend, I’ve also gifted refill salt and peppercorns. In the past, I have used the disposable grinders. They’re okay, but the grinding mechanism is never great and you have to keep buying new ones. I love having higher quality mills I can refill as needed. When I bake, I still use bulk ground salt. When I cook, I always use the mills.
Dish Towels
We registered for several Crate and Barrel towels and are still using them a decade later. Yes, they have some wear. It’s to be expected when you use them extensively and put them through the wash every week for 10 years. So many of their dish towel designs are classic with beautiful colors. The towels we registered for are most similar to the Cuisine Stripe collection. This season, I picked up the scattered leaves towel, 12 Days of Christmas dish towel, and embroidered guest towels.
[Disclaimer: I was not sponsored to write this post. The product links are affiliate links. Thanks for your support!]
Do you have any favorite Crate and Barrel kitchen items that you use all the time?
I’d love to hear about your favorite products!
My 7 Favorite Staple Crate and Barrel Kitchen Items Read More »