August Break, Day six.

The balcony was covered in snow when we got back on New Year’s Eve, so we made a mini snowman! Here he is chilling out in front of Croke park.

I then set my tripod up for this shot. Yes, it was freezing on the balcony and yes, I was wearing my New Year’s Eve finery. But it was so pretty, I couldn’t resist!)

This one was taken the following morning – we woke up to blazing sun and I was sure that it all would have melted, but everything was still wearing its snow blanket.

And our little snowman was still there.

One area I didn’t need any encouragement on though was baking. Yvonne, Kel, Ethan and I had a wee baking session one cold and rainy evening and here are some snaps of the results.

These star-shaped cookies were very cinnamon-y and very yum. Closer to Christmas we’re going to make them again but pierce holes in the top and hang them off the tree.

I can in no way take credit for this handiwork – my arty friend Yvonne created and decorated the tree and snowman (reminder to self: be sure to invite Yvonne around for the next baking sesh). I did do the butterflies though..

Love this! Again, Yvonne’s handiwork. And in case you’re wondering, yes, that beaded, iced blob in the corner IS a rugby ball and yes I am responsible…

I let out an audible sigh whenever I look at Arthur Elgort‘s work.

His composition blows me away, as does the sense of playfulness and humour that you get from almost every image. He is truly inspirational.

Head on over to his website and indulge in some more visual yummy-ness. His early work – featuring young start-ups like Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista – is particularly drool-some.

Even if they are starting to get a bit mushy and dangerous.

Speaking of which, I must dust off my blonde 50s wig (Eoghan and I were Mad Men characters at Gav and Ciara‘s awesome fancy dress party last night. You know it’s good when it ends with people dancing to Britney in the living room.) and head over to Ethan, as we’re going to carve us a pumpkin. But before I go, here are a couple more autumnal pics, from last week’s stroll through Killiney Hill.

Happy Hallowe’en!

I loved shooting these berries – I wish I was as fabulously hunter-gathery as Donal, who has a gorgeous Blackberry and Apple Tart recipe on his blog that looks seriously yum.

This reminded me of the scary woods that Snow White gets caught up in…

Loved all the leaves.

So simple – eggs, flour, butter, and then icing sugar, more butter and food colouring – and so much fun. Decorating them is, of course, the best bit. Kourtney, Kel, Yvonne and I went to town with the icing, sprinkles and Smarties.

Donal over at  The Good Mood Food Blog has a fab recipe, if your sweet tooth is craving some cupcake action!

I furiously jotted some nuggets down right after his talk:

“The more you plan the freer you can be, because you’re not as nervous.”

“Hirst’s skull freed us – the pendulum swung back to crafts, to hand-made things, to the artist.”

“No, I don’t think digital photography has diluted the medium – everyone has a pen and paper, right?”

“Do everything – paying the bills gives you freedom.”

Here’s a shot of him, being snapped  with one of the many fans that crowded around after the talk:

And here is the infamous Pieta, featuring Courtney Love:

His American Jesus exhibition is currently on show at the Sebastian Guinnnes Gallery (a really cool space, btw) and I’d really recommend checking it out.

Later that night, Eoghan and I met up with Gav, Michelle and a few other old Observer heads and started a night of chat and banter that ended with lots of drunken Wii gaming sometime around 6.30am. Hence, Saturday was sloooo-w. I spent a lot of time with these guys:

And The X Factor of course

Sunday was a day of spring (autumn?) cleaning and reading. I’m currently working my way through Joe McNally‘s excellent Hot Shoe Diaries. Despite the fact that I’m  a Canon-using natural-light photographer and he is exclusively Nikkon-using and writing about flash photography, it is one of the best photography books I have ever read. A really professional, honest, and funny guide to using strobes – if you’re looking to get some more creative results out of your flash, this is the place to go.

I just seem to be seeing bees EVERYWHERE. I love the wing detail in this one, surprised my lens (50mm 1.4, or ‘Fiddy’ as I call it) picked it up so well.

First of all it was FREEZING. We lucked out with some sun, but Mother Nature wouldn’t stretch to actually giving us the warmth that went with it.

So poor Karla had to frolick around in cute mini dresses and high heels looking like she was loving life, when really she was cursing her photographer and her mental ideas.

I love the shot below, probably my favourite from the session. I love the wistful expression on Karla’s face, the glow of the sun against her hair.

But if you could look outside this frame you’d see that she’s ditched her heels for Ugg boots and can barely feel her fingers. Seriously. What a pro, eh?