“Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop.” -Ansel Adams

With things they way they are now, we are all trying to determine where our money is going.  I want to remind you to consider budgeting in professional photography.  Even though right now it may seem like a superfluous expense, over the next few years and then generations to come, your investment will pay off repeatedly.  I love looking through old photo albums and scrapbooks.  As fun as the snap shots might be all out of focus and distracting, the great professional photographs reveal so much more personality and clarity.

So keep an eye out for the updated pricing page.

Where to go from here is the question. . .

I wanted to share with you all the “green” aspects of this frame. I have been looking for a great frame at a reasonable price that is either made from recycled wood or bamboo and here it is. The frame is made from 100% bamboo grass which is a self-renewing sustainable resource, the finish is water-based stains with no oils or chemical solvents, the mat board is made from recycled paper and is biodegradable, the backing board is made from recycled wood pulp, and the packaging is made from recycled paper and can be then recycled with other cardboard materials. How much better can you get?

I also love the different styles they offer, all of which are clean lines with a natural yet modern look. I purchased the Windsor Antique Black 8×10 frame for Scrap Pink to display and sell my photography. I plan to purchase the other styles and sizes for the rest of my photography. I hope to soon have enough to use as my sole frame in gallery settings and selling pieces. They have definitely found a loyal buyer and I do hope they keep coming up with more styles and ways to help the Earth.

“Visions” revisits the 2005 exhibition “Sustained Winds : before – during – after”. The exhibition –organized by Rose Macaluso Courville and the Acadiana Center for the Arts in 2005– aimed to support Louisiana artists after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Exhibition gave local and displaced artists an opportunity to respond to their new environment or reinterpret past work. Four years after that ill-fated day on August 29, 2005; this show features work by Brad Benisehek, Tim Best, Lucius A. Fontenot, Annette Elizabeth Fournet, Emily Kincke and Heather Weathers. Catalogues from the 2005 show will be availabe at the front desk.

Meade’s muse was talking to him the other day and he created this delicious beverage with some samples from Tales and some thank you bottles. It was such a treat because it tasted like I was drinking a cold, yet warming melon. So simple in make seems too easy, but those are usually the best survivors.

Check out his website – Face Of New Orleans – for the recipe and more photographs to come.

Rain Organic Vodka was one of the first promoted “organic” vodkas on the market and I remember seeing it on the shelf thinking how cool. Now they’ve expanded their organic line to include flavored vodkas. Their tasting room at Tales was my favorite because of their setup. They had tables in each corner featuring the different flavors. At each display, they had samples of the product pure and then after you tried it straight, they created drinks that paired well with the snacks at each station. What’s better than a pure taste, a mixed drink, and some cheese, chocolate, or mini quices? How about adding in a free back massage?! Those ladies did some great work in a quick five minutes. I felt relaxed and rejuevenized. Ready to get a good feel for each flavor.

My personal favorite was the Red Grape Hibiscus because it had just a hint of floral with an overwhelming sweet red taste. I know that might seem to be a strange way to analyze, but it made me happy because the aftertaste reminded me of my childhood vitamins. (I loved them like candy.) Some may disagree to that being appealing, but for me it burned so sweet, I was happy.

Now I would say the group’s overall favorite would have to be the Cucumber Lime. (As you can see, the first bottle to be emptied.) It was the mildest amoungst the rest. I say it felt like you were drinking a cucumber with a kick. Meade was pleased with the general feel even though it was slightly bitter, but still good.

As for the Lavender Lemonade and Honey Mango Melon, those were good as well, but in my opinion too much of a good thing and not enough of a blend. They were both surprisingly strong and stingy, but the Lavender Lemondade was all lavender and not any lemon as was the Honey Mango Melon – too much mango, not enough melon, and no hint of honey. I still enjoyed them, but not as my top selection.

I unfortunately did not get a chance to try but one of the mixed drinks, but I’m sure they were delicious because the base had so much flavor. You don’t have to do much to enhance this vodka.

This photograph below gives me such a true sense of the product because the lighting just rains down. Specifically highlighting my favorite, Red Grape Hibiscus. I had fun with these as the plastic sample bottles were a challenge. I would love to work with the real glass bottles and a drink made with any one of them. I’m sure I can convince Meade to use his powers for Rain goodness soon.

I’m not a huge fan of lavender, especially when people infuse it in drinks and products, but Loft has done a great job by keeping it simple and clean. I actually enjoyed not only they drink the created with the Lavender Cello, but also the liqueur by itself. The subtle lavender appears just enough to bring about a floral, yet not overbearing flavor.
As for the Lemongrass Cello, that was wonderfully devine. Sweetly strong that you just need to give it a taste for yourself. We’ve already made our way through one of their sample bottles and getting ready to go through the other.
I’ve enlisted Meade to create some Loft beverages. So be prepared for some tasty Cello drinks.