Sneakin’ this one in under the wire ;)

1) Land’s End Canvas line: I got this catalog in the mail a few weeks ago and I was all, “Oh, hello, who are these cute people?” And my first thought? A new J.Crew mag. Or maybe American Eagle. Definitely did NOT have Land’s End in mind (formerly known to me as ‘that brand that owns one section of Sears, a.k.a, that store no one under 50 shops at any more.’) But I started flipping through and fell in love with a lot of what they were offering — a kick-butt new brand, cool classic clothes and pretty people. Advertising that made me stop in my tracks. Then blog about it. Well done, Lands End, well done. Now how about you hook me up with this raglan crewneck pullover, in navy please?

2) The Town: Remember that Friends episode where Rachel makes the trifle and she puts all those random ingredients in it but Joey’s all like, “What’s not to like? Custard, good…jam, gooooddd, meat? good!” Random segway to say Joey’s sentiments are in synch with my feelings for this movie. Like, it’s got Ben Affleck in it? Good. Jeremy Renner? Good. Jon Hamm? Gooooooddddd. Bonus points that it’s a flick that will make men AND their ladies leave the theater pleased. How often does THAT happen? ‘Cause I knowwww Nick’s not going with me to see that new Katherine Heigl-Josh Duhamel flick (which, for the record, looks super cute).

3) Jenny and Johnny’s “I’m Having Fun Now”: Great album that I’ve listened a LOT to over the course of September. Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley has such a distinctive voice, one I’m kind of addicted to (I own most of her stuff). I love how she harmonizes here with her boyfriend on this new side project of theirs. Stand out tracks: New Yorker Cartoon, Slave Driver, Big Wave.

4) The Girls in Grey headbands: I have one fun headband to my name (thanks Courtney Reece!) and now I have two, thanks to the fun gals behind The Girls in Grey. Jessica is an Indy photographer I met earlier this year and got to know on Facebook, and I think this business of hers is so fun. And I love how she and her biz partner and cousin, Claire, have taken something so many of us lady folk wear every day (those versatile stretchy sports bands) and given ‘em a fun kick. Friend ‘em on Facebook if you want more details on how to get your own!

<5) One Day by David Nicholls: Oooohhh….this BOOK. I.SO.LOVE.IT. Not to keep dropping Friends references in this particular post, but I love Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhem the way I love Ross Gellar and Rachel Green. As in, LOTS. I have this tendency of recommending sad books and I won’t lie—there’s more than a fair share of sadness to “One Day.” But there’s also a lot of brilliant, witty dialogue, characters that jump off the page and a novel that reads like a screenplay. The film adaptation that’s in the works? Well, I’m head over heels as to who’ll bring these two characters to the big screen. I’ll stay mum and let you find out on your own if you want, so as not to spoil it for any of you who like reading books without Hollywood actors already in your head. Trust me, this one’s a good one to pick up!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

“If I gave you a sweater, and you loved it, I would know because you would wear it so much you’d be on the verge of wearing it out, because you loved it that much. It would be the sweater you wear on Christmas and to get coffee and that you sleep in sometimes and that you drag around in the back of your car and tie around your waist. It would start to smell like you, and it would get snags and get all stretched out, and just looking at it would make you tell a thousand stories of where it’s been and who you’ve been in it.

That’s what I want my life to be, like a well-loved gift. I think life, just life, just breathing in and out, is a great gift. God gives us something amazing when he gives us life, and I want to live with gratitude. I want to live in a way that shows how much I appreciate the gift. If life were a sweater, I would wear it every day. I wouldn’t save it or keep it for a special occasion. I would find every opportunity to wear that sweater, and I’d wear it proudly, shamelessly, for days on end.”

– Shauna Niequist, excerpt from her book, Cold Tangerines

A profoundly beautiful book read in the month of September. So many thoughtful gems on life, love and Christianity like the one above, which I want to remember always. So many chapters resonating so closely with where I am at this time in my life. Thank you to my dear friend and soul sister Maya for the borrow. Looking forward to relishing Shauna’s next novel as much as this one.

And for the record, yes, that is indeed my favorite sweater :)

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

Supppeeerrr sweet family I photographed over the weekend. Holly is a budding photographer herself and I went to high school with Nate. And folks, if you think Nate’s ear-to-ear smile is fake, let me tell ya, this guy is just all-around happy. And I love that about him. Oh, and did I mention that they brought their cutie patootie son Evan along? And that Nate’s Ford Falcon might have been a big part of the shoot?

Yeahhhh, I promise you, you’re gonna want to stick around for the full post. It’ll make you smile. Maybe even as big as Nate :)

Hold tight Decker Family…more images are on their way!

Cutest kiddo shot of 2010? I think that might have to be YES!!!!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

Wow…not going to lie — it’s surreal to write “The Gorjup Family.” It means my best friend has her OWN family. Not just a husband anymore. But a fullblown FAMILY :) And I couldn’t be happier for her.

When Tracy told me she’d had her baby and it was a GIRL and her name was MALLORY, I felt as excited as you could be without it being your own kid, you know? Like, tears in my eyes, big smile on my face, can’t-wait-to-meet-the-kid excited. What a milestone moment for them. We took a bit of time on a recent Sunday afternoon to capture a few photos of this new threesome. After all, there are birth announcements that need to get sent out and more than a few folks who want to meet this precious little baby.

So here she is. Say hello to Mallory :)

Smooshy goodness, that’s what that is right there :) Trace, she’s so so beautiful

Babies—so challenging but so rewarding. Or so, that’s what all my friends who are parents tell me…hehe

Love these next two images. That sweater that Mallory is wearing is a sweater Tracy actually had when SHE was a baby. How cool, right? Look out Suri Cruise…there’s a new baby in town who rivals your cuteness (when I told Tracy I thought Mallory was Suri’s little clone, Tracy said, ‘I always thought my baby would look like her – dark hair and blue eyes.’ Good call T, good call!)Daddy’s girl. Always. Makes my heart melt. Well Gorjups, OBVIOUSLY this won’t be the last time I get this little girl in front of my camera. But you knew that already, didn’t you?

Much love,

G

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.

There is a lot, lot, LOT more to share from this week’s session (one that will go down in the books because of what happened during it). But for now, just a few sweet sneak peek snaps of some awesome friends—Chris (a super talented photographer), his amazing, woman, Eileen, and the two pups they love, Oscar the Crazy Boxer and Harley the Peaceful Lab. :)

SOOOO excited to share the rest with you soon!

See more of Gail’s work at www.gailwernerphoto.com. Become a fan of Gail’s work on Facebook. Follow Gail on Twitter.