Holiday Family Photo Session at Cavallo Point in Sausalito

Sometimes we feel like we should have a more regular workout schedule, but then we're reminded that our job is to carry around heavy gear and run after adorable little kiddos. Baby Lily really made sure we got our Sunday workout in and, we had the best time running loops and sprinting down grassy lawns with this darling adventurer. Cavallo Point is a dreamy location for a family photo session in the Bay Area, because it has everything you could ever want -- beach, trees, lawns, and historic architecture. 

Enjoy this peek into this super active and playful holiday session with Lily and her wonderful parents :)

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Indian Wedding at the JW Marriott Union Square in San Francisco

So many of the brides we talk to at the end of their wedding night say they had such a great time that they wish they could experience their party all over again. What's great about South Asian weddings is that these celebrations usually last several days and may even span the world. At this recent Indian wedding reception we photographed at the JW Marriott in San Francisco, the couple, S + K, were able to have their cake and eat it too, and then eat it again, and again, and again! This party was the grand finale, the last in a string of celebrations honoring their love.

The grand banquet hall looked absolutely stunning with laurels and fine fabrics draped over every surface, and roses - roses everywhere - heavy and plump like they had just fallen in a floral monsoon. Behind the sweetheart table and on the stage was a regal white couch for lounging and watching guests perform. And perform their guests did. Talent had been doled out generously among the crowd, as even the youngest belted out songs, the old standby, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to adoring relatives, while a family of three took on the modern MJ classic "Thriller." We love photographing Indian weddings because it's great to see the bride and groom relax and have plenty of time to see everyone. There were also opportunities for the newlyweds to sneak out for a short moment, while we took couples photos. What we learned is that there are so many great nooks and crannies at the SF JW Marriott for a pair of lovers to make-out in!  Whew! These two know how to crank up the romance!

Congratulations S+K! In addition to endless parties, we wish you endless days filled with happiness and love!!!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Wedding Vendors

Wedding Planner: Denise Rice of d. Royal Engagements

Photography: Bowerbird Photography

Venue: JW Marriott Union Square

Catering: New Delhi Restaurant

Rentals: Prime Party Rentals

Cake: Pretty Please Bakeshop

DJ: Toofan Sounds

Hair & Makeup: Be Glammed

Menus & Signage: Creative DNA

Holiday Family Photo Session in Berkeley at Live Oak Park

Every year, we get the incredible opportunity to ramble through beautiful spaces with the Schrader family and take their photos. Ok - while there is definitely some rambling, there is also plenty of rolling, running, and twirling: their adorable daughters are dynamos full of so much goofy energy. After chasing them around Live Oak Park in Berkeley, we don't feel any regret about swapping gym class for a bowl of ice-cream and a movie. All jokes aside, we adore these folks. Whether Cate is showing off her latest dance moves she insists are "tricks," or Abby displays the best cascade of giggles, or Grant and Lex allow us to ask them once again for some clutch parenting tips, this family has a big place in our hearts.

Lex + Grant, congratulations on your beautiful family! You two are raising two wonderful, strong and hilarious girls :) Enjoy these photos from their winter photography session.

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Taiwan Family Travel Guide to Hualien City and Taroko Gorge // 台湾家庭旅行指南花莲市和太鲁阁峡谷

The last leg of our loop around the island was a two night stop in Hualien City. The lovely Star and Mist B&B invited us to be their guests. This bed and breakfast is so sweet. It is outside the bustle of the busy downtown, with a gigantic green mountain behind it and cozy rooms, with big comfortable beds and a balcony looking out over the garden. After checking in, we took a quick ten minute taxi ride into town and began a culinary adventure. First -- awesome wonton soup, followed by an exotic smorgasbord vegetarian meal in a quirky tchotchke-packed dining room.

The next day, backpack stuffed with steam buns and fruit, we caught a bus to the gorgeous Taroko Gorge, one of the most beautiful places in all of Taiwan. There are several trails in the park and we decided to take the Shakadang Trail, which goes along the river and has incredible ledge cave trails carved into the side of the mountain. Juniper loved it and actually hiked a large portion of it on her own :) Before catching the bus back to Hualien, we indulged in a much needed ice cream cone at the visitor center. You're never far from some delicious treat when you're traveling in Taiwan, even when you're off and away in a national park!

We hope you enjoyed this travel diary from our trip to Taiwan and found it useful in planning your trip to this beautiful island with your family! We're already starting to plan several trips for 2017, so stay in touch :)

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我们在岛上的最后一圈是在花莲市的两个晚上停止。可爱的星星和雾M＆B邀请我们成为他们的客人。这床和早餐是如此甜蜜。它在繁忙的市中心的喧嚣之外，一个巨大的绿色山在它后面和舒适的客房，有舒适的床和一个阳台，俯瞰花园。登记入住后，我们乘了十分钟的出租车进入城市，开始了一个烹饪的冒险。首先 - 真棒馄饨汤，然后在一个古怪的tchotchke包装的餐厅，一个异国情调的smorgasbord素食餐。

第二天，背包里充满了蒸汽馒头和水果，我们乘坐了一辆公共汽车到华丽的太鲁阁峡谷，这是台湾最美丽的地方之一。在公园里有几条小径，我们决定采取Shakadang小径，沿着河，有令人难以置信的壁架洞穴小径雕刻入山的一侧。 Juniper喜欢它，实际上是在她自己的大部分徒步旅行:)在赶上公共汽车回到花莲，我们沉浸在一个急需的冰淇淋锥在游客中心。当您在台湾旅行时，即使您在国家公园外出旅行，您也不会远离某些美味的食物！

我们希望你喜欢这次旅行日记从我们的台湾旅行，并发现它有用的规划您的旅行与这个美丽的岛屿与您的家人！我们已经开始计划2017年的几次旅行，所以保持联系:)

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam + Juniper

Baby's 1st Birthday // A Farm Themed Birthday Party for Hunter

Remember those farm nursery songs from your childhood you used to sing? Grab yerself a hay bale, take a swig of root beer, close your eyes, and find yourself transported to toddler's heaven with all the "Quack-Quack-Quacks," "Oink-Oink-Oinks," and "Baa-Baa-Baaaas" you could want.

Michelle and Greg get the blue ribbon for putting on the best farm party in the city to celebrate their son, Hunter's, first birthday. Hunter arrived to the party in style, wheeling it in his miniature blue Mustang convertible. Hobby horses, red bandanas, and cowboy hats hung off the fence rails and chairs. The tables were festooned with cowhide print tablecloths. The centerpieces featured farm scenes with animals and a barn, stuck into mini haybales, with "Happy Birthday, Hunter" signs. His birthday cake was decorated to look like an adorable red barn, and the party favors were custom cookies shaped like barns as well. The snack table was farm themed with "chicken feed," "tractor wheels," and "baby apples." Hunter's photo display hung on a rustic wood pallet. They also got a food truck to serve "The Hunter," delicious chicken and waffles served up hot. Did we mention, there was also a live petting zoo set up in the yard with alpacas, goats, ducks, a tortoise, and bunnies!!! Forget Pinterest, all your farm-themed party ideas are right here.

We are so excited to celebrate Hunter's first birthday. The party was fantastic. Friends and family were able to relax and have a darn dootin' good time, grateful to have this great guy in their lives. To many many more wonderful years! 

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam