Here we go, part two of my 2011 personal recap! George and I spent a good chunk of July dog-sitting in Manhattan Beach for Taco here:
Homemade lattes, every day. Bliss.
We had a bonfire to celebrate Independence Day! Jennie & Jeff were in charge of the grill menu:
Barbra and Bryant are just too cute.
I reeeeeally like to dress for a theme:
Becca, George, and I hung out around Manhattan Beach on July 4th. It was very festive!
Becca and I spent part of the afternoon burning, er, sunbathing by the water – we gave each other these updos afterwards as a solution to our crazy beach hair:
Sunset on the roof:
We celebrated Ellen’s birthday with an awesome homemade rose cake, made by Jennie:
Mom came to visit on her way home from a trip to Hawaii! She got snazzy for tea at the Huntington Gardens:
Do you see the heart?
We strolled the sights of Downtown:
Went wine tasting at Saddlerock…love the vintage trucks they have there!
We watched the sunset from Griffith Observatory:
George’s sister, Mel, also came to visit in July. She’s a Gilmore Girls fan, so we had to go to Greystone Mansion (aka Chilton):
August:
I collaborated with my friend & makeup artist Maggie on a fun, whimsical photo shoot:
 I flew to NH to shoot a wedding and got to experience the joys of home:
September:
I flew back east 10 days after my last trip to photograph two more weddings! This time, however, Becca came too – I showed her some New Hampshire sights.
I also had a little time to spend with my best friends from home and my family! Here are Adam & Lauren, being cute per usual:
Back in California, Megan, Mitchell, George and I went apple picking (have to keep those NH traditions alive!):
This was my first time hanging out with Mitchell, who insisted he doesn’t like having his photo taken. This didn’t really stop me!
All three of us thought apple picking = plaid.
My parents came to visit at the end of the month. They did a cross-country road trip in celebration of my Dad’s 60th birthday! I had to take them to the Getty Center:
Becca came too!
We swung by the LACMA to show off one of my favorite LA spots:

October:
Megan came up with the brilliant idea to celebrate her birthday at the drive-in. I figured star glasses were a necessity for the occasion!
LOVE this girl.
I adore this photo of Melissa!
Oh, I still have yet to make it through a double feature at the drive in without falling asleep. SOMEDAY!

Now for some pumpkin carving!
Becca made these delicious pumpkin cake pops!
I couldn’t stop eating them…
Yes, I did make a Kermit pumpkin in honor of the new Muppet Movie.
November:
Things were so crazy on the work front in preparation for the holidays that I barely shot any photos for myself the entire month! Luckily, I took plenty over Thanksgiving:
We also had a post-feast bonfire the next day. The sunset was beautiful!
December:
This was another busy month. For the first time, I wasn’t able to go home for Christmas, so George and I decided to take a short adventure up to Paso Robles to go wine tasting. It was the best idea ever!
Two of my favorite things: wine from Villa Creek, and my car, Patty. Obviously not together though!
So there you have it, some of the best things of 2011. I’m approaching 2012 with a lot of energy and optimism, and I can’t wait to see what this year brings!