Toni. Pomeroy. Bling.

 

 

I always thought that only the super wealthy had “personal jewelers,” but after working with Toni, I’ve joined the  club. Toni and I are both hometown girls, business owners and  wives and mothers of larger families, so we both play that plate spinning game. But when I went to Toni, said, “I need a birthday present for my mom, and this is my budget . . . ” and she knew exactly which bracelet would be the perfect mix of class and bling and made it FIT  my budget . . . I knew I found my girl. Not a pretentious bone in her tiny body.  Toni spends her days at  Pomeroy Jewelers on Main Street in Westminster (right across from the public library) in her elegant boutique. Stop in and meet Toni Pomeroy . . .  she’s a walking , talking party.

As a mother and a business owner, what are the most important things you do as a mom every day? Show and tell my kids that they are always my number 1 priority.  Sometimes we blur the lines a little and we need to remember what is really important in our lives, and that will always be my family.  Everyday is a clean slate that we get to start all over again.  We beat ourselves up about what we didn’t do yesterday, and in doing that, we waste today. 

 

 What are the most important things you do as a business owner every day? Being honest!!!   I can’t believe how many times people think by telling lies they gain respect.  You give what you get in this world.  Also I love people, all walks and types.  They give me the energy and enjoyment everyday.

What is your favorite part of being a jeweler? Least favorite? Guiding people on their journey through our store.  We are not salespeople; we are tour guides.  We have to listen to our clients’ needs and respond accordingly.    Least favorite?  hmmmmm . . . occasionally we do get some sad stories and I just want to take the pain away from people.   I end up crying with them.  And it stays with me.

What does a typical day look like for you? I get up at 6 am and wake up the first two for high school and make breakfast, start a load of laundry and clean up the kitchen.  Then I  see them off at 7 am and get the youngest up and ready for school.  He loves a big breakfast, so I make him eggs and toast or pancakes. Then I get ready around 8:30 and leave them house around 9:20.  Opps, I forgot.  I get the clothes from the washer into the dryer and leave a list and notes for the kids.

How do you keep your priorities in check? My family and coworkers keep me balanced at times.  I make a list sometimes in the morning of priorities for the day and check them off as I go.  I do forget some things at times.  I try not to beat my self up about what I forget and remind myself about what I did!!!

What do you do for fun? Spend time with my family and friends.  I love that I have 4 sisters and friends from high school that just get my quirkiness.  I love being goofy and fun.

How did you land as a jeweler?  I was 17 years old managing Claires Boutique and the Manager of Littman’s.  David offered me a job. Of course I took it and have never looked back.  I love what I do.  I learn more and more each day.

 

What’s on your ipod right now?Odd mix really.  I love James Morrison, Jack Johnson, The Kooks and really every kind of music.  Music can put you a different place.  Kick off your shoes and enjoy the music. 

Three things on your bucket list. . See my kids grow up and become parents . . .  go to England . . . own a house on the beach and fall asleep to the sounds of the crashing waves. 

 

 

I would like to end by saying every day we have is a true gift.  Some days those gifts are not exactly what you were dreaming for, but still a gift.  What we do with those gifts is up to us.  I happened to be truly blessed by a great extended family and friends, who get me, love me and enjoy all of us being together.  Its not what we do its who we do it with.  Enjoy everyday and every moment.  Don’t waste it!

Pablo. Grabiel. Jazz.

 

Pablo Grabielismo is one of those musicians that demands to be heard. Monday’s  NACE Baltimore chapter  meeting at Sheraton Center City was the venue and I had gone to shoot the event.  The mix was a combination of straight ahead jazz, Latin jazz, and swing. Pablo brought a combo . . . two guitars, an upright bass, a tenor sax. Natural ease with a sense of fun. And that only happens because Pablo and his combo are  at the top of their game, musically, playing a mixture of classic jazz, laced with a well placed “cooker.” The interplay among the musicians was the highlight for me. At one point it was the bass player’s turn to take a solo; it didn’t even sound like he was playing music . . . it sounded like  stream of consciousness  conversation. Seriously. That’s when my jaw hit the floor. And then Pablo answered back with his guitar . . . a serious of wistful lines punctuated by a well placed pop. Musical ambrosia. I knew I wanted to share Pablo with you. And the best part?  His company Grabielismo Productions hosts a cadre  of DC’s best musicians. So, you call Pablo . . . tell him what you want . . . and he arranges everything. In the testimonial section of his website, the one thing I read again and again, is that Pablo listens, Pablo delivers, and Pablo makes whole experience devoid of stress. How’s that for a LOVEMARKS COMPANY?

I thought it would be fun for you to meet Pablo. So here goes.

1.  What is the Grabielismo mission?

 To help clients turn their events into everything they envision with minimal stress.

2.  How has your personal journey brought you to this point?

 I guess the most significant event was when I was 19 and going through a rough patch in my life.  Down and out, I turned to the guitar for peace and to getaway to a “healthy place,” taught myself, and the rest of the journey is a long story.  

3. What is the best part of your job?

 When a bride tells me that the music was perfect, exactly what they were looking for and that it made the event!

4.  What is on your ipod right now?

 Fania Allstars (Salsa), Charlie parker with strings, and Duke Ellington with Charles Mingus and a bunch of Wes Montgomery.

5.  Best read last year.

 ”Effortless Mastery” by Kenny Werner 

6.  Five top desert island must- haves.

1) My Wife & Daughter

2) Guitar

3) An upright Bass player with upright bass

4) Real books (jazz music) volumes  1, 2 & 3

5) a case of extra guitar strings

Bucket List:

1) Record a few albums with my original material

2) See my daughter’s 40th birthday

3) Head into the Alaskan wilderness, again, for a whole summer; it was the time of my life!

 

 

 

In addition to being a business owner and working musician in DC, Pablo is a devoted husband and father to sweet daughter,  Estela. He has worked as a behavior analyst and  music therapist for dementia patients. That rough patch produced some great fruit.

deb edge. sparkles. at evangeline.

 

deb edge. her motto is “i am real.” and  her uber cool name is only one of the many gifts belonging to this amazing woman.

She’s a  Francophile with a capital F. Always has been.

“Paris When it Sparkles,” is her show, now featured at Evangeline at 115 E Patrick St. in historic Frederick, MD.

Carol, owner of Evangeline and deb edge are a perfect complement to one another. The boutique is a sensual escape.

And the photos are so much more stunning in person. I won’t give away any surprises . . . just suffice it to say that if you’re in the area, it’s well worth the trip.

A visual feast. A little sparkle. A lot of deb. 

February 7th from 7-9, join deb for a glass of wine at Evangeline. I know she won’t mind that I invited you . . . it’s art for happy people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

deb takes functional art to a new level. The “gift tag” tree was one of my favs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My cohort on this sunny winter day was Lanie of The Crystal Lenz. A photography show is ALWAYS more fun when shared with a friend.

 

 

 

 

Couldn’t resist THIS one!

 

 

Starbucks with Carla David . . . of Carla David Design

 

Carla David is a California transplant . . . sunny, easygoing, and incredibly talented. I met Carla at a event at the Baltimore Country Club, and happened to be down in her neck of the woods last week for a photo session, so we grabbed a coffee, and I got to see her portfolio and couture wedding album design first hand.

Carla’s been designing since high school, and she has a sleek, modern aesthetic.  Her designs are just like her personality.  Sunny. Easy. Perfect.  

 

Do you want an artist to design a one of a kind invitation for your event?  Check out Carla David Design. You won’t be sorry.

 

 

My New Logo!

   You cast your votes . . . thank you for those that gave me feedback.  Here it is! The logo that I’ll grow up with! I went back to the drawing board twice, and finally sat down one afternoon with my designer, Steve Gibson of Udio Edge,with Starbucks in hand. Well, we finally hammered it out, and I must say, Steve nailed it! It’s exactly what I wanted . . .sharp, clear and simple . . . and I was even able to keep that little red dot to which I’ve grown attached.    So, here’s my $.02 about Steve.   Extremely accessible, great listener, incredible eye . . .  all my interactions with him have been full of grace . . . no question was ever stupid in his eyes (and believe me, I did ask some dooseys!) . . . and, he even went above and beyond when I ran into glitches using the logo online.Have you heard of Kevin Robert’s book Lovemarks?  Well, Udio Edge is a Lovermarks company . . . creating loyalty beyond reason.

Brides Maryland Networking Event at Linganore Winecellars- Berrywine Plantations

 

BRIDES.COM’s  Mary Glorioso hosted a beautiful event last evening at the most incredible location. Her attention to detail made this event both fun and profitable!

The venue was this gorgeous 230 acre estate in the heart of God’s country. It’s the 4000 sq. ft. Abisso Banquet Hall on The Aellen family’s wine plantation located 4.5 miles northeast of New Market, MD. Owner, and plantation manager, Eric Aellen, shared some of his family story with me, and it’s amazing and inspiring. Check out this family’s history at  Lingore Winecellars . . . and spend some time looking at this gorgeous facility. Eric was a warm and engaging host for the evening . . . the Aellens would bring their “family welcome” to your next special occasion.

 

 The event was catered by Dionysus Kitchen.Chef, Paul Dongarra, created delicate and unique appetizers and desserts that were scrumptious. We LOVED the mashed potato station . . . to attempt to describe it would not even do it justice . . . let’s just say, we were parked there for quite awhile.

 

   

I attended the event with Kim Green of Kimberly Brooke Photography and her sister, Becky. The company couldn’t have been better. These are the most gorgeous sisters, and they are even more beautiful on the inside! I love this photo of Kim taken by photographer, Kelly Holder at Love Affair. Kelly captured Kim’s playful spirit . . . I love it! This photo is from Kelly’s Blog . . . Kim has some really exciting news . . . she has a secret project that she’s unveiling soon . . . check her blog! Kim is one of those people who believes that there are no secrets allowed in photography (except for her secret project!) and she is one who shares what she knows and learns. That’s one of the things I love most about her . . . she is secure in who she is and whose she is!  Another little tibit I learned . . . Kim is shooting a destination wedding this year . . . in ITALY!!! How cool is that?  I’m excited to be second shooting with Kim this season. 

Talked with John Rose, who is an alumni of Linganore High School, where my sweetie, Carl, and I taught when we first fell in love. John was an artist in high school (Carl and I still have two pieces of his art from way back!) and he has taken his creative eye to new heights. John is a very successful videographer, and along with his good friend, photographer, Pete Redel, brought life to this Bride’s.com event!  These guys are so much fun together . . . Pete spent much of the evening convincing John to hop on a plane to Vegas with him this weekend to attend WPPI . . . and I think he’s going!

   

John’s buddy, Pete Redel is a photographer who does amazing things with lighting. His aesthetic is REALLY cool . . . he is a photoshop master, and coupled with his eye, his photos are indescribable.

 We ate some mashed potatoes with Shaun Williams of Shaun Anthony’s Clear Focus .I met Shaun at the Pictage PUG in February in Savage.He has some new things up his sleeve for 2008.  Exciting ideas. Check him out! He has the skill and the personality to match! This is Shaun (on left) at the Pictage conference in LA. Check out Shaun’s Blog for more of his work.

 

 I also visited with Mary Gardella and Jennifer Domenick of Love Life Images in Savage, MD. Mary and Jennifer host the Pictage PUG every month in their gorgeous studio in Historic Savage, MD. Their approach is comfortable and unobstrusive. They document life and love. And boy, they do it well!

  

Yeah, this was a fun event!  I love meeting new people . . . it’s energizing . . . and to be in a room full of creative people . . . well, let’s just say that I couldn’t fall asleep for a LONG TIME last night. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories. Life is so rich.      

Dawn Shilling is EVERYTHING NICE . . .

 

Doesn’t it make your mouth water?  This food smelled and tasted INCREDIBLE!! And, it was a ton of fun to do this photo shoot. I went to Towson, Maryland on Saturday to watch Dawn Shilling, owner of 

Everything Nice, LLC

prepare for a large benefit/ silent auction.  Dawn, a personal chef, caterer, and my sis-in law!!,  specializes in custom meal planning and preparation, special events catering, and elegant dinner parties.  Clients include busy moms that want healthy meals to serve to their families, adult care givers who want healthy, fresh foods prepared for their aging or convalescing loved ones, and busy singles that want a healthy lifestyle, but don’t have the time or energy to prepare fresh meals. Dawn also caters events of all sizes and menus. Her business is growing really quickly . . .  and this is her SECRET . . . 

Our family has always known that Dawn expresses her creativity and pours out her love through her culinary gifts. 

That’s been AWESOME for us, because Dawn is always bringing new and beautiful creations to our family gatherings. 

 

 

But now the rest of the world gets to taste a bit of heaven on earth! 

 

 

Dawn has created an extensive and diverse menu of the BEST foods! With the help of her friend, Kristen Glassman, her food is homecooked, amazing, and I’ve never seen food presentation as enticing!

 

Every single thing was YUMMY to the nth degree. (and I did try it all . . . except for the shrimp salsa . . . and I was sorry for that after I heard everyone talking about it!)

 

 

It was so much fun to help with the event. As I was photographing the event, it made me smile to see people coming for seconds and thirds. They were happy folks!

 

 

If you are planning a special event, or if you just want some variety in your menu, you should SERIOUSLY give Dawn a call. I promise . . . you will not be disappointed. Click on this link to go right to her web page.    . . . and, her awesome, new flash website is under construction. Bookmark her. 

Everything Nice, LLC- Dawn Shilling 

 

 

Dinner with Victoria Clausen . . .

Panera was the location . . . the turkey artichoke with chips was our selection . . . and kids, husbands, and our creative businesses were the topics of interest.Victoria Clausen is an amazing artist . . . and her medium is nature.  Let me clarify. ”Extraordinary Special Events” does not even begin to describe what Victoria does. Romance of Flowers  is a highly regarded special event florist in the Baltimore/ Washington corridor.    But one of Victoria’s gifts is her ability to think outside the box . . . to create one-of-a kind designs that reflect the personality of her clients.  I have known Victoria to create centerpieces with kumquats still on the branch, fresh artichokes, and garden picked brussel sprouts  intertwined with fresh cut flowers. Exquisite. I have had the pleasure to spend time in Victoria’s cutting garden . . .  art in itself.  Victoria is the real deal. Wife, mother, artist. Her love for her husband and sons touches my heart . . . and, well, her passion for her artwork speaks for itself.  Her motto is perfectly chosen . . . “touching hearts . . . one petal at a time.”    

WHAT’S A SNORKELKAT?

I don’t know.  But, what I do know is that I had a blast taking their band shots in Federal Hill.  Band photo shoots are the best because there are no real rules to follow. 

 

We went to artist, Lania D’Agostino’s mannequin factory and art studio, and it was one of the BEST spaces I’ve ever shot in! 

 

 

 

We had so much fun getting shots in the mannequins, in the studio, and then out on the streets of Federal Hill at rush hour.

 

 

 

Snorkelkat is a band with PERSONALITY!! If you haven’t heard them, look for one of their upcoming shows.  They are clever, really good, and they play about ten different intruments. It’s off the hook!

 

Check out their site at www.snorkelkat.com 

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

THE BEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS IN THE WORLD CANNOT BE SEEN OR EVEN TOUCHED. THEY MUST BE FELT WITH THE HEART.

-Helen Keller

 

 

 

Now I lay Me Down To Sleep is an infant bereavement photography outreach begun by the incredible, Sandy Puc. 

 

 

 

“Being part of this most important work has been such a blessing. The images that we create forge a precious link between parent and child, giving them a tangible memory to cherish. As volunteer photographers we are truly honored to chronicle those brief, final moments and assist grieving families through this difficult time.” 

 

Our mission at NILMDTS is to introduce bereavement photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby and to help them in their healing journey. We provide parents with the gift of portraiture and DVD recordings, sensitive images that will last a lifetime.

At the family’s request, a NILMDTS affiliated photographer will come to the hospital or Hospice location and conduct a portrait session. We are a non profit organization and there are no fees for this service.

 

I have the privilege of serving as area coordinator for Carroll County, and along with photographer Kim Green, of Kimberly Brooke Photography, would be blessed to serve grieving families in this capacity.  

 

 

 

 

Kim and I are excited to be bringing NILMDTS to Carroll County, and can be contacted via our websites at

www.kathyfreundel.com  or www.kimberlybrooke.com

 

or visit

www.nowilaymdowntosleep.org