Here’s a little sneak peek from a recent photo session at the peninsula in Long Beach. It’s the perfect place for a baby or toddler photo session…the water is calm enough to dip your toes and it tends not to be very windy.
Have you seen the whole food eating trend? If you look at social media it’s everrrrrywhere. For months I kind of peeked around, thinking certain dishes looked good. I dipped my toes in by trying a few meals with no bread or dairy and the next thing I knew I had jumped in head first and you couldn’t find a carb in my whole house! The benefits of eating real (whole) foods are endless, but I gotta say, I do miss a cupcake from time to time. So, while we eat clean at home, we do like to indulge in treats from time to time too. I love this balance and also the new recipes I’ve found through this experience.
Homemade mayonnaise is something I had never tried before. In fact, I didn’t even really like mayo all that much. But, like so many food items, the difference between homemade and store-bought is significant. The best thing is that it’s made in 2 minutes and has only 5 ingredients.
You’ll need one egg, one cup light olive oil, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, 1 teaspoon salt and the juice of a half a lemon.
A note about the olive oil. The first time I made this, I only had extra-virgin olive oil on hand. While, this heart-healthy oil is fantastic, it is just too strong to be used in mayo. Try looking for ‘light’ olive oil, or if you live by a Trader Joe’s, this brand is very light in taste.
- If you have a wide mouth mason jar, you can dump everything in and blend it. High five for less dishes!
- Use an immersion blender for about one minute to combine the ingredients in the jar. You’ll notice it go from liquids to a fluffy solid.
- If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a hand mixer or a kitchen aid. Make sure you use a room temp egg if that’s the case. And add all the ingredients besides the oil. You’ll slowly stream that in as you blend.
What do I do with homemade mayo!? Well, I hardly even eat it straight on a sandwich. I’ll use it as a base for ranch dressing or dip. I’ll also use it as aioli by adding in sundried tomatoes, wasabi or different herbs and spices.
Taking mayonnaise to ranch dressing is much easier than you think. This recipe is for ‘clean ranch,’ which means it doesn’t have any unhealthy oils or MSG. You keep that creamy blend of herbs without all the bad stuff.
Start with one cup of mayo, half cup of coconut milk, one teaspoon each of garlic powder and fresh dill, half teaspoon each of onion powder and salt. I also added a teaspoon of fresh chives after I took the photo.
Carefully whisk together and chill for one hour. The coconut milk sounds like a very odd thing to put in ranch, but none of the coconut flavor comes through. It’s all tangy and crisp as ranch dressing should be. Give it a try!
(recipe credit: http://instagram.com/amazon_ashley)
These brothers were scene stealers. I came to their house to photograph baby Savannah, but these two gave her a run for her money in the cute department. My 3 kids are close in age, so when I photograph a family that is similarly spaced, I feel like kindred spirits. There’s just something about little boys and the way they interact as brothers. It can be gentle and sweet with hugs and snuggles. It can also be a little rambunctious. And the mix of those things it’s what’s so endearing. Add in a baby sister for them to cuddle and protect and it’s magic.
// These photos were taken by Kristin Eldridge, a Los Angeles Family Photographer.
I just finished up the Neighborhood sessions and I have to say, I’m sad they’re over. For the last 2 weeks, I’ve been walking around my neighborhood, just having fun with all my favorite little people. It is such a simple concept, but sometimes those are best! When there’s only 15 minutes to dance around the sidewalk and be silly it puts the focus less on posing and more on authentic smiles.
// Photos taken in Long Beach by Long Beach Family Photographer, Kristin Eldridge.
Being under the hand of a professional is comforting. There’s just a difference between Super Cuts and that fancy salon you trust your highlights to. And, yes, your pocket book feels the difference too. But, being able to trust the professional that’s in charge of your hair, your car and your taxes is worth the extra change.
I feel the same way about being a photographer. Yes, you can find a photographer for $100, but if you want to hire a professional photographer, you might have to save a bit more. What’s the difference? The difference is trusting your image to someone that has photographed babies, photographed families and has experience with maternity photography. It’s someone who knows how to soothe your cranky toddler and find the most flattering angles for your belly.
So, look at your photographer as your professional image-taker. Someone you trust and someone that has experience in your stage of life. And lucky for you, there are so many amazing photographers in Orange County!
// Photos taken at the beach by orange county maternity photographer, Kristin Eldridge.
I’m starting a new series for the last 2 weeks of June. It’s a simple concept…just my favorite walls around the neighborhood. I’m starting with these three…ivy covered, aqua and rich wood.
Here’s how it works: It’s $150 for a 15 minute session and 15 digital images for you to print and share. This can be for families, kids, dogs, grandparents…whoever you want to fit into your 15 minutes! You get to pick your date and time (June 16-28) from whatever I have available in my schedule.
How to book: Email or call (contact buttons on the left) and let me know your choice of date/time and your favorite wall!
Life doesn’t stay the same for long, does it? I’m sitting here on the eve of the last day of school. Tomorrow will conclude the 2013-2014 school year. In the fall, we’ll enter Jake’s laaaast year of middle school. I don’t even need to tell you what comes after that. After talking with a friend who is feeling a bit weepy about her daughter leaving middle school, I starting thinking about all the new stages of life. Whether you’re in the business of adding a new little baby to your family or saying good-bye to pre-school, elementary or middle school, EMBRACE the change. Love the opportunities that each stage brings.
And most of all, love summer. Because summer starts tomorrow y’all! We’ll be picnic-ing, beach-ing and in general, party-ing!
// At home photo session by newborn photographer orange county, Kristin Eldridge.
I’m back at Rascals to Rebels for summer mini sessions! If you’re looking for child portrait photography, take advantage of this great deal at the store. Just spend a minimum of $50 (which isn’t hard, since there are SO many cute things there!) and you’ll get your 15 minute session for free! I will be at the store June 21 and June 22. Go by the store to shop around and sign up. These spots go quickly, so you can call the store 562-598-3900 to reserve a spot and purchase a gift card to use later.
After your session, you’ll be proofed the photos online and you can purchase whatever you like…there’s no minimum. Hope to see you in June at Rascals to Rebels!
Our friend Megan was over and she was asking me if I had any insights to raising kids that get along. Now, I should preface this story by telling you that my kids are normal and have quarrels like everyone else. But, for the most part they really do love each other. We aren’t short on hugs around here and you’re never too old to cuddle on the couch either.
I told Megan that when my kids are at each other and someone has wronged someone else, I make them talk it out, apologize and then hug it out. I make them hug until someone starts laughing. And that’s when you know it’s all cool. You can’t hug someone you hate. So, just hug it out.
For the record, Megan told me long hugs were awkward. And yes, long hugs are awkward but so is… ‘she’s breeeathing on me’ or ‘she’s touchhhhing me.’ You know the drill.
// Family photo session by los angeles family photographer, Kristin Eldridge.
Sometimes less is more. Baby Beatrix’s mama loves white. Lots and lots of white. She had been walking around art galleries while she was pregnant and the stark contrast of negative space inspired her. We ran with it and used 99% white for Beatrix’s newborn session. The few bits of soft neutrals that popped up still went with the overall theme. I’m so happy with the results. It makes me want to use white more often. It’s so fresh and clean!
// Newborn photo session by Los Angeles Baby Photographer, Kristin Eldridge.
