here comes summer

A few beach essentials.

1. A cozy beach blanket

2. A boho gauze shirt

3. Polka dot bikini

4. a great Straw tote 

5. Denim cut-offs

6. Black skinny flip flops

7. Organic sunscreen

8. Nice lip balm with SPF

With the unofficial start of summer approaching us this Memorial Day weekend  I thought I would post some  beach  staples. I welcome languid lazy afternoons in the hammock, followed by a tall glass of ice tea loaded up with mint from the garden, ice cream for dinner, and bare feet. June 1 is my birthday and all I want is a beach day. Here's what I did last year on my birthday, It will be hard to beat. I've already planned a few trips to the beach this summer, and couldn't be happier. What are your go-to beach items? Also, just a side note, Goggle reader will be extinct shortly, so if you are following me on blogger, make sure to switch over with Bloglovin .

Have a fun Memorial day weekend! xo-kate

grape hyacinth

I am about to bombard you with more flower pictures (tis the season). I love the smell of grape hyacinth. The dark purple, periwinkle and white are so pretty when paired together. It almost has an ombre effect. I bought the vintage test tube vase  almost 15 years ago in Boulder, CO, and sadly one broke. When pairing flowers for cuttings, think about graduating variations of the same color (works well with lilacs too).

I took these with my iPhone, using the VSCOCAM App, you can download the app here. I was telling a friend, who wanted to take pictures of her flowers, that if set up well, in natural light you can get good shots using your iPhone (you don't need a fancy SLR). I love editing on the go with VSCOCAM and my iPhone.

If you are looking for something similar I found this on Anthropology . Or if you are feeling ambitious  you could make your own. 

pear salad

This is one of my all time favorite salads, perfect for spring, and the Bartlett pairs are best for this recipe.You can serve it for one or two, but this recipe serves 4-6. 

1/4 cup pecans (about 1 ounce)
3-4 cups mixed baby field greens (torn)
4 bartlett pears (sliced thinly)
2 ounces goat cheese (crumbled)

Dressing:

1 juice of a lemon

2 cloves of garlic

Extra virgin olive oil

This is my go-to dressing, and is great on kale salad too!

To prepare the dressing squeeze the juice of one lemon in a bottle (I like to use old jam jars to keep for making dressing). Use equal parts  EVOO and lemon. Mince the garlic and add to the bottle. Shake, drizzle and serve! This is the easiest salad that somehow comes off as having done a lot of work, but truly, it takes five minutes to make. I have also substituted the goat cheese for blue cheese crumbles, and it is equally good, but obviously has a stronger flavor. 

one fine day

Happy Monday all! And welcome to the official One Fine Day blog (aka Kate Uhry photography) I hope you all got a few days to catch up on sleep, cozy at home, eat good meals with your loved ones (and all those good things that come with a weekend). I am tirelessly working on updating the blog now that I have a new name for it! I had a wonderful time at the gallery opening in Southport at Sotheby's. It was a packed house, and so many people showed up (thank you)! I haven't shown in a long time, so it was really a thrill. In the meantime, Blogger is giving me a huge headache and not allowing me to post a logo (which I am currently working on). I love the circular images lately, so I am thinking of something like this. But still working on some more traditional  logos as well. In the meantime is anyone else having trouble with blogger?  I'll be sure to  post some more flowers on the blog this week, along with a new recipe, so stay tuned. And thanks to all my readers who have stuck around through all these changes! I hope it just keeps getting better!

P.S. Preparing for Jury Duty this week and I need some good book recommendations. Please chime in! xo-kate

welcome baby diana

I love these girls, when the eldest (Natalie) was born I took her picture at three weeks, as well, as Victoria. So it was with great joy  that I got to photograph their new baby sister, Diana, at three weeks too!

Welcome, baby, Diana, you already have two sisters who adore you! 

the trickiest part

March Farms Orchard

I recently re-read my New Years blog, which not-so gently reminded me of all the things I said I would do, or try differently in 2013. The trickiest part to stating things publicly, is sticking to them. It nudges me back to trying very hard (as we are almost half way through the year) to be true to those things. Easier said then done. Have you looked back at your goals, or resolutions? How are you doing? Some I have held true to, but so many I have let go of. A reminder to myself that I need to stick closely to my goals and those promises I made to myself back in late December. My biggest fail has been # 6, spending too much time on the internet (computer ). How do I remedy that? I suppose the warmer days will lend themselves to more outdoor time. And for some inspiration around the web, here are some links for your weekend.

1. If you are a serious coffee connoisseur. Look no further New Yorkers.
2. Why we can't keep up with New Years resolutions. There is a science to it.
3. A cute DIY photo booth idea
4. Have you seen "Family Tree" which premiered this week on HBO? I was so excited, I am huge Christopher Guest fan, and was not disappointed.
5. If you were a Madmen Character, which one would you be? Take the quiz (I was Betty...yikes).
6. I love this food blog. Check it.
7. inspiration: some boho-chic for this summer.
8. Infectious laughter from kid president.  I know.

Have a lovely weekend and enjoy these beautiful late spring days!

apple blossoms + lilacs

I love the crabapple tree in my yard. It is perfectly shaped, and delivers these beautiful blooms each May. The lilacs are one of my favorite blooms, but they don't last long when cut, and brought in the house. A friend gave me a tip, that works: if you crush the stems with a hammer before putting in water, they last longer. The same goes for any woody stem. Placed in old milk bottles, or mason jars, they make for the nicest country/rustic bouquets and table settings. Perfect for a spring wedding, or party.

You can wrap your flowers in brown craft paper. I love cutting flowers from the garden and bringing them to friends, but until this year (after seeing something like this on Pinterest) didn't think of this simple way to wrap them. If you have raffia, or garden twine you can tie them neatly. I used an old-fashioned brown tag to tie when bringing to my mom for Mother's Day. It is so simple, but makes for a nice presentation.