light traveling, NYC edition

We just wanted a few days away. Simple, uncomplicated, inspiring.  Here's a quick taste, sights and snaps, from our weekend.

Can't stand to walk by the market beside Central Station without stopping.

I've been obsessive about interesting light fixtures and marble probably since birth. As if you can't tell.

More of the outfits our EC stylist packed for me here.  Only 15 items in my carry on and 90 degree heat... I was changing on the regular!

I'm always looking forward to any slice of time I get to spend with this free spirit. I brought her a new Bite lipstick... I don't think she's gone a day without it since. Oh, I just love her.

China Through the Looking Glass at the MET was so inspiring I literally got lost taking it all in. Even my hubby (who's a commodities trader at CBOT) with literally no connection to fashion LOVED this multimedia experience! It's a must!

Every one of the fancy pants designers has a gown displayed... swoon... but don't touch please.

A break for our feet in Central Park at The Boat House. That didn't stop mine from swelling to the size of a butternut squash. Two weeks since our trip and I'm just easing back into my routine with out limping. Yikes, my body can't keep up sometimes.

Clint and I took the North Shore ferry to Brooklyn but didn't make it further the Shake Shack. I've been meaning to spend more time in Brooklyn but my swollen foot said no. We opted for a cab to Wall Street instead. Ibuprofen became my dear friend.

Spent all our downtime on the patio watching the tomatoes turn red and learning from this NY homemaker about city gardening.

Is there such a thing as a window eater? hah ha. I didn't buy any macaroons but I ate my share of New York Style pizza at Vezzo.  Sarge's cheesecake may have ruined me, this Jewish deli makes it so fluffy and light. Oh, and the seafood lasagna. Ok, I'll stop now.

Thirsty much? St Germain was our weekend favorite, Tina makes them perfect. 2 parts Brut champagne, 1.5 parts St Germain liqueur, 2 parts sparkling water. Stir in a tall, ice filled glass until mixed completely. Garnish with a lemon twist. Pairs best on a patio with friends and your feet up.

G'night Manhattan. You never disappoint me. 

Until next Sunday at 7pm! Laura

P.S. Clint and I are taking my sister to Rome in a few weeks and am thinking about having my suitcase styled for me again. It's a bit of a longer trip so I will need a few more things but living light is something I want to practice more often. It feels so refreshing and carefree. Which reminds me of another project in the Everyday Charming office. We're creating seasonal style capsules, which is a limited set of clothing you are able to mix and match without much effort. I suppose you could say suitcase styling falls in this line too. That's all for tonight friends. More soon, but now some rest. xx

19 weeks to photo pro

Let's push pause on our regular blog schedule for a hot minute, I've some exciting news to share.

We've needed another photographer on our team for awhile now but I've been holding out for what felt like perfect timing.

Brooke reached out to me when I posted needing a photo assistant. It was an exciting, exhausting 15+ sessions in 5 days. Here's the story that made me think maybe I had found a fit.

(As you can see 3:1 and the photographers didn't seem to be winning ... that story over on Charming Child's blog, "You can't scare me, I have kids.") #notmykids

I was caught off guard. This little but mighty girl, could she be what I was hoping and praying for? It takes a special type of crazy to fit in around here and I guess it helps she's a close relative. HAh!

What I've learned in the last year... there are few things as personally rewarding for me as championing creative people hungry to grow into their potential.

You know, just practicing for the hotdog eating contest.

Take a second to send Brooke a virtual high-five as she tackles the role of photographer-in-training the next 19 weeks. #howsmyshot

Not a minute too soon, our EC Stylist/Photo Coordinator, Jaclyn, heads to Rome this Tuesday for the semester. Expect stylish dispatches soon.

January 1st, 2016 is our target. The next 19 weeks will be a crash course in what it takes to jump in head first as a fully equipped photographer. #photoproin19weeks

Training involves food, photos, food, photos... in that order.

Brooke and I began her training last Thursday here in Chicago. We established a photo checklist for each week and settled on 19 goals to go after before 2016, photographically of course.

19 before 16 :

1. Run a 5k
2. Enter a hotdog eating contest .. (in process)
3. Host an outdoor movie night
3. Visit a local festival  
4. Fix my car
5. Solve a rubix cube
6. Make a camp pie
7. Create a Halloween costume for Maisy
8. Become a mentor
9. Attend an ugly sweater party
10. Create a time capsule wardrobe
11. Road trip
12. Make meringue cookies for the first time
13. Trail run with my puppy Maisy
14. Pay for a stranger's coffee
15. Photo journal everyday
16. Plan a zoo scavenger hunt
17. Avoid photographing brick walls
18. Camp-out with my small cousins
19. Buy a new laptop

Brooke's shot from Training Thursday at Snow Dragon Shavery.

I need to apologize to you right now. My face may pop up often the next 19 weeks. I'm doubling as trainer and (uncoordinated) model. I figure she might as well work with a difficult subject, it only makes you better, right? Hah. 

Attempting to multitask. Videoing Brooke's progress for snapchat, modeling and training.

Brooke claims she likes snapping shots of intense concentration. Good luck, while I struggle with my parking app.

This is a good example of when I ask for 50% less posing. #yourgettingyourmoneysworth

Why it's not a good idea to talk too much when modeling. Case #176

Join me in cheering Brooke to new levels each week and offering advice. We'll be keeping it real and posting progress on Instagram here and here. (also on Snapchat @laurarosedavis and @brookenelson18)

Favorite shot from Brooke's trail run with Maisy this week. More on her Insta

So what's our end goal? Brooke is a crazy-cool kid at heart and aspires to join our Charming Child team in 2016. I think it's worthwhile to learn not just one facet of photography, so we are covering all the Charming brand specialties in the next 19 weeks.

Until next Sunday at 7pm - Laura Rose

My NYC weekend with only 15 items.

Thanks for coming along with me on a short weekend getaway. Join me next Sunday for the full story (delicious recipes, stops and more ways I wore these 15 items our EC stylist, Jaclyn Puccini, packed for me). I don't think I will be traveling without her advice from now on. Until next Sunday at 7pm. - Laura Rose

15 items = a cool NYC weekend

We're trying to slip one last summer trip in before fall. Clint and I are taking a long weekend in Manhattan to visit one of the people I adore most in the world. 

It's been a hot minute since we sat on her rooftop overlooking the Hudson River and she introduced me to her homemade Baba Ganoush.

I drink up those raw and honest talks, her and I ... like during a flash shower outside Balthazar's side bakery door. One or both of us pushing away tears. I honestly can't remember the subject but it doesn't matter. She has this way of breaking down normal human barriers and speaking to your heart.

Each time I've found myself at a total loss for what to do, she rings. It's bazaar that she knows but then again it's not. It's just Tina.

If she has a notion to run the Boston Marathon or a Jewish all-girl nursing school she will, but in the most humble way.

I don't care that our careers are worlds apart. Her view of life is refreshing and challenging and I soak all of it up.

It's true we are 30 years different but who's counting?  Not the clerk at Barney's knowing we won't buy the 25k mink we tried on. Oops! Or my pup, Stella, dashing across the station with her at the Coney Island stop.

Snap back to my reality. I'm here in West Town packing and remembering Tina tell me how freeing it was to donate everything under her bed. So, I'm inspired to pack light, live honestly and enjoy simple moments. 

I love this book by Betty Halbreich and her quote, "Great fitting pants are rarer then diamonds."

The 85-year-old legend has worked at Bergdorf Goodman since 1976, dispensing no-nonsense style guidance. Also note she was one of the first personal shoppers and known for her sharp eye and honesty. I think we could all use a friend like Betty.

What questions do you ask yourself when you shop?

I prefer to have a theme to my clothing each season. That way I can have fewer better things yet endless outfit options.

Pictured are the 15 items I'll be taking with me to NYC this weekend. Come along with me on Instagram and Snap  Chat (laurarosedavis) to see the dozens of ways you can wear a few simple pieces.

Photo assistant needed.

Last week I posted on my personal Facebook page that I would be needing a photo assistant. I knew what to expect but I'm afraid you might not have.

It literally said, "Photo assistant needed. July 27th - 30th in Peoria, IL. / Must be flexible + slightly crazy." ...

If you've been following my Snap Chat (laurarosedavis) this week... you might have noticed "slightly crazy" describes #assistanttakeover perfectly. 

Here's a few of the snaps in case you missed it.

These photo assistants had no idea the mega tron size mosquitoes we would be up against. Or the 96 degree heat. ALL. WEEK. LONG.

How could they have known about the sideways rain coming or my method for keeping kids clean. Get your chiropractor on speed dial... yes, we're gonna carry them. You really should have skipped that kickboxing class at 5:45 am.

And you thought Crossfit was tough. Try to hoist a nine year old and smile while your both drenched in sweat. (Photo credits to Luke here.)

Oh, you don't believe in bribery? Check my trunk. It's full of very persuasive items (and M&M's). I have zero shame.

Of course you didn't know MY assistants are DJ's AND clowns. Your cartwheel game is good, right?

You may have so many tasks to manage at once that you lock your keys in your car. No judgement I've been here too.

I know, I know. There was no side note about the cleaning you might have to do.

Or the fumes you'd be exposed to...

I wouldn't expect you to know what to say to the other aspiring photographers at the shoot.

Not to mention the models...

But really, you held it together when Cara D. showed up.

I can't believe I forgot to feed you since breakfast. Hangry isn't pretty.

And look how perky you are when the kids flip the cameras on us...

Then came the scary part for me. I asked YOU how you thought the week went...

Funniest parts :

"I've never had to dance, do kart wheels, or run in circles to get clients to smile for photos! I felt like a dork but it was fun. Gotta do what you gotta do!"

Ah-ha moment :

"Lighting and what kind of colors to look for when snapping a picture are KEY. Just going to each shoot, I've noticed every client has a different style. We changed up our perspective at each session to make it feel like them!"

What inspired you? :

"To see you (Laura) take on that many photoshoots this week, IN HEELS, is awesome. It's inspiring to see someone work that hard yet keep it fun." - Brooke Nelson

Funniest parts :

"(NOT for blog post): you're a poop magnet!!
(FOR the blog): Feeding cheese-it's to the kids like circus animals to keep them calm and happy throughout the photo shoot. Hah-ha! Also, dancing to music with the kiddos."

Ah-ha moment :

"I learned how important the details in a shot are. Fixing things like the hand placement, the one little hair sticking out, and even that little "bunch" in someone's shirt can take a good photo and make it great. I also learned when it is best to use particular camera functions (specifically lighting). This helped me realize what it means to be a great photographer, and not a sub-par photographer that knows how to edit photos."

What inspired you? :

"YOU. How you manage to keep everyone happy and smiley for pictures is a quality I admire. You're professional, confident (making your subjects comfortable), cool and collected. And you are quite the charming boss. :)" - Rachel Lindner

I can't hardly help but get some Snap Chat action of my own when this cutie cut loose during her session. 

Also, I feel like I should explain "poop magnet" we shot in a horse barn on Tuesday. I'll let you guess the ending. Annndd somehow I make poor choices on which parts of grass I should lay in for a shot. Let's just say the Nelson's puppy must have been out that morning.

What a great week. Thanks for coming along with me. Here's just one more video from my Snap Chat... You're not a photographer if this hasn't happened to you.

Until next Sunday at 7pm. - Laura