Photo du Jour - I just really feel like shopping!

A little image of the Rubin Chapelle boutique in New York City. I love all shops that put chandeliers outside!

Christmas in Paris!

OK, we had a lovely holiday in Paris and here's some of my favorite photos from the trip! We had planned a 3-day trip but since we were snowed out of New York we stayed an extra 2 days! Big thanks to my friend Lavanya for all of her expertise and great advice! Everything was lovely and it is quite a magical city. We ate croissants, chocolates and macaroons, amazing cheeses and some new things! One of my favorite restaurants was called Le Roi du Pot au Feu. I tried to take photos of the food but ate it too fast! Our servers were Abu and Eric and fed us well and luckily a fellow eater gave us the the menu translation!

We did take a ride on the ferris wheel that gave an incredible view of Paris. We walked a lot and one of our favorite parts was Montmartre - we went there on our last night. I think my husband love the hot wine and I quite enjoyed the crepes! Something for everyone here!

Here's a few of my favorite pix!

This was this great restaurant Kong designed by Philippe Starck right off the river. Here's the lobby but the bar and restaurant are beautiful! Super-modern with classic vintage Parisian touches. Lovely service and really fun!





Even the subway entrances are beautiful!

Lots of empty coffee cups! The coffee was amazing and we needed it to keep warm.

The view from our hotel the Abbiatial Saint-Germain in the Latin Quarter - we really like it!

Mmmmm, yummy! These shops are everywhere!

My hubbie and what I think is the narrowest building in Paris! How awesome is that?

Antiques!

Place Vendôme, oh la la! I love their holiday lights - they look like sparklers!

Moi!

The light is always beautiful!

And night time is gorgeous!

Right after I finished this coffee a couple whose wedding I shot in August walked right into the cafe! I've either shot a lot of weddings or it is a small world!


That was a tart tatin!

Abu and Eric!

Love locks on the bridge.

I love these exteriors! All the doors in Paris are enormous and beautiful!

Cookies!

OK, no photo work today - I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies!  I'm visiting some friends and don't want to show up empty handed!  

Photo du Jour - My Honeymoon Part 1

I actually took my camera on my honeymoon to Cozumel and wanted to post a few images from time to time.  Of course the weather was AMAZING in October and the diving was even better!  I didn't have the time to put together an underwater outfit so I could shoot the actual dives but that worked out perfectly as we were mostly drift-diving and I needed to watch where I was going!  We saw amazing creatures including 2 sea horses, a pipe horse, spotted eagle rays, stingrays and my favorite - sea turtles!  We also saw at least 1 nurse shark on each dive.  

Our dive instructor Victor Brito was incredible - so visit his website if you plan on visiting Cozumel - he's got his own boat and takes you to reefs that the usual dive shops don't usually dive.  Actually getting a hold of Victor is a bit of work - he'd rather be diving than answer the phone.  But be persistent.  That's all I can say.

We stayed at the Wyndham which was right on the water.  We treated ourselves to a beachfront room so we could look out at the sunset every night and hear the sound of the ocean.

Here's a few images of the beach at the hotel.  Ahhhhh..

The pier in front of our hotel in Cozumel.
The horizon from our beach!

My husband takes a jump from the pier.

Our wedding in Stationary Trends Magazine

So fun - our wedding at the Brooklyn Pop Up Chapel is in the new Stationary Trends magazine.  Matthew, our amazing photographer, did not know his work would be featured!  Lovely Matt!

Here is our New York Daily News announcement!

Oh, my dreams of becoming a Bronx socialite are coming to life!   

Once again, I think Matt was an amazing photographer!  Thanks Matt, and to all my amazing guests!  Cheers!  Oh, we just had our 2-Monthaiversary.  How stunning is my bouquet?  Thanks Earth Gardens!  My designer, Gina DeSilva, owns Adrienne's Bridal on Orchard Street.  Sweet!

V. Sattui Winery

I was in Napa Valley a bit ago and shot at the V. Sattui Winery.  Here's some of my favorites from the day!

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Hoedown 2009

I was invited to a hoedown upstate Saturday and took my camera along for the fun.  We had an amazing time and I square danced for the first time ever - I'm hooked!  Too bad Denim & Diamonds is gone!  Anway, we all had a blast and I posted an online gallery for friends - email me if you want the link and passcode...

Inauguration at The Apollo Theater in Harlem

I was fortunate to attend the inauguration telecast at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem with my friend Leah, who got up at the crack of dawn to find tickets!  It was a great crowd and it was my first time in the theater.  I loved it!
The iconic Apollo Theatre in Harlem.
Leah! (who also has a great budget gourmet cooking blog:  http://recessionistagourmet.blogspot.com  Check it out!
The crowd inside The Apollo

Me out front!

Help Aaron!

Aaron this past summer.
Aaron, me and Cousin Kate!

My dear cousin Aaron Brisbois of Seattle, Washington is battling cancer and I am auctioning off some photography services to help!

Here's the deal: Aaron, who just turned 39, has Stage IV bladder cancer that has spread to his liver and lungs. He is starting radiation within a week to help ease the pain but he had to give up his job as a massage therapist to help himself recover full-time. He's uninsured but being treated by the University of Washington Medical Center. He is seeking assistance and disability but frankly this will take a while to kick in and he needs money for living expenses - tout de suite!

Want to help?

I have three ways you can get involved:

1) Bid on a Fabulous Photography Session from me - two will be auctioned off! Each session is 1 hour for either a personal portrait or family photo - just in time for the holidays! I'll photograph kids, a family, a couple, or portrait! Hey, even a pet portrait! Want a great photo for online dating? I'll do that too! Just get engaged? I'll document it! Check out my website if you haven't seen my work: http://www.lilykesselman.com

Opening Bid: $10

Images will be included on a DVD and you can choose 1 8x12 color or black & white print! This session is for personal use only - no commercial work! The session can take place in New York City! If you live outside New York, email me with regards to travel.

The winner of the auction will send the money to Aaron via PayPal directly.

2) Send any donation to him directly: www.friendsofaaron.wordpress.com There is a way to donate via PayPal.   The email address is: donations4aaron@gmail.com Any amount will be appreciated. I'm sending this to all my friends so if everyone sends $5 - 10 it adds up! If you want to skip paypal and send a check or note send it to Aaron Brisbois, 1643 South Weller Street Apt. B, Seattle, WA 98144.

3) Keep Aaron in your prayers (free!!). Send your good thoughts his way.

If you know someone who might want a photo session or you think might want to help go ahead and send them a link!  I do not wish to intrude and I totally understand if people just can't help financially. I love my cousin and am doing this to help him and raise some money to cover his living expenses. He's a fabulous guy and is so appreciative of all the love and support he has received thus far.

Thank you so much for reading this and helping if you can. The auction will end at noon EST on Friday, November 14th. I will post auction bids as often as possible. I don't have any real auction bidding tools on my blog so just email me your bid or add it as a comment with your contact information and I'll post the highest two bids each day!

Home Sweet Home

I was trying out a Nikon PS lens and took some photos of our new house this morning - OK, the trash is out in front (shows we recycle!).  Doesn't it look like Mr. Rodger's neighborhood?  I love this kind of lens!!!!