You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby

Hello again Philly girls, after a VERY long hiatus! I must admit I have been cheating on the blog with Facebook, and a girl only has so much time to spend staring at a screen and typing her way to a carpal tunnel coma. Some things have changed...better apartment, better job, but same good man and vertically challenged dog. And while Facebook is undeniably addictive, I always knew I would return to the blog when I had something important to discuss. And now, I do! For you see I must tout the brilliant talent and discerning photographic eye of my dear friend and all-around good guy, Chuck Anerino.

Chuck is one of those lucky people who stumble upon hidden talent in the most unexpected ways. Around the time he was becoming a dad he got a top-of-the-line digital SLR, read a few guidebooks, and presto - instant artistic genius was born. He found he could capture the innocent beauty of babes and breathe new life into the tried and tired family portrait. When you look at Chuck's work, you don't just see cute kids - you see joy, laughter, ambition, and struggle. You see real feeling. You see a window into their souls.

So for all you Urban (and not-so-urban) Mommies out there - and I know there are a lot of you - who are dreading waiting on line with thirty fussy three-year-olds at the Sears Portrait Studio, give Anerino Originals a try. And don't worry, Chuck's not some snooty artiste where it's his way or the highway - he's a regular guy and devoted dad, and he knows that parenting comes with plenty of its own hassles. Portraits should be easy, and he'll accommodate to your needs - he'll travel to you, or help pick a good spot if you need inspiration. All at very reasonable fees. Let Chuck show you how beautiful your baby really can be!

Anerino Originals
http://anerinooriginals.blogspot.com
anerinooriginals@gmail.com
302.798.0757

Form + Function = Fabulous

It should come as no surprise by now, dear readers, that i have a closet full of really fun shoes. Gold ones, pink ones, leopard print, raspberry-suede, forest green patent leather. Sadly, most of these pretty pairs never see the light of day. Many are displayed inside the office, but must be cast aside in favor of a more sensible option to face the nooks and crannies of the streets of Philadelphia. Yes, I am that girl, put-together from head to...mid ankle. And just peaking out from under my Marc Jacobs trench and freshly pressed Banana Republic pants are my $10 flip flops. Or crocs, or fuzzy Merrell clogs. It's embarassing, but must be done. My feet are very sensitive and I have to walk a LOT! Excuses aside, I was one step removed from the ubiquitous white ankle socks and Reeboks over nude pantyhose. I needed help.

So as the leaves began to turn I decided to turn over a new one for fashion's sake. I will never be one of those women who can wear 3.5 inch heels all day everyday. But I found a little piece of hope in the form of La Canadienne boots. My mom first told me about this miraculous brand she found at Benjamin Lovell, where the boots were waterproof and fleece-lined and believe it or not, actually attractive! I did not believe such a product could exist. But alas, I was wrong and to my great surprise I quickly found myself with a pair of black leather "Tahra" boots that fit my leg perfectly, looked great and felt great too. I am finally free from the fuzzy Merrell for I have found a winter shoe that I can actually walk in and stay in style.

Benjamin Lovell has a number of locations around Center City, the counties, and South Jersey. I found my Canadiennes at the Glen Eagle Square location in my hometown of Chadds Ford, but no doubt they carry this product at most locations. Happy winter walking!

Benjamin Lovell Shoes
Multiple Locations
http://www.benjaminlovell.com/

Tiiiiiimber!

Have saw, will chop (yes that's really me!). But where does a Fairmount princess find herself a fresh tree for the holidays? Well, some things just must be done outside city limits. Luckily, having grown up in the beautiful countryside of Chadds Ford, I am familiar with where to go - far far into the woods to find the perfect tree to bring back to my urban nest.

Ok, so my mom actually discovered the place, but I will assume transitive credit. Schmidt's Christmas Tree Farm in Landenberg, Chester County, is where we found our firs. Landenberg is probably about an hour's drive from the city, beyond the Ford and Kennett Square. Actually it is quite close to Newark, DE but one would never know it by the rolling hills, brooding bovines and quaint 1-horse towns along the way.

Schmidt's Farm is everything a Christmas Tree farm should be. You are transported by tractor-pulled wagon from the main shop over the hills and through the woods to the trees, chauffeured by Mr. Schmidt himself. Once you've surveyed every Fraser, Douglas, and Blue Spruce and found The One, you saw it down and have it shaken and baled by friendly, young, strapping lads. The trees travel back down the hill separately from you, at which time you feel a pang of anxiety that there is a possibility that yours could get mixed up with someone else's. But fear not, the system is failsafe.

Back at the main shop you can sip free hot cocoa and cider whilst perusing hand-made ornaments and chatting it up with the two resident reindeer, aptly named Fraser and Douglas. They don't fly, but they do make you feel just a little bit closer to Santa.

Schmidt's Christmas Tree Farm, 1741 Flint Hill Road Landenberg, PA

610-274-8560

www.schmidtschristmastreefarm.com

Adventures at Linvilla Orchard

Apple, Apple..Pick, Pick..PLEASE (which is toddler for immediately if not sooner)! The true sign of fall...The toddler's persistent and enthusiastic request to go apple picking. Philly mommies answer this call by packing up the bugaboo and heading to bucolic Media, PA home of Linvilla Orchards. Owen has been going apple picking since he was in utero but this was the first harvest season that he was an active participant. Linvilla Orchard received a resounding two thumbs up from all parties involve in our picking adventure. The orchard is about 40 minutes from center city and is well worth the drive. There is plenty of fun to be had picking apples but Linvilla offers much more than just fresh fruit. Owen had a blast at the petting zoo where the deer happily ate corn feed out of his little hand. He played hard on their impressive playground but opted out of a pony ride and face painting. He enjoyed climbing among the giant pumpkins in their festive and aptly named "Pumpkinland" display. We happened to be visiting on the day of Linvilla's annual applefest so Owen had the added pleasure of seeing Dora the Explorer and attempted to rush the makeshift stage as Elmo was doing the Hokey Pokey (he's got a bit of punk rock edge at the tender age of 16 months).

Owen was not very patient while I perused the Orchard Store's baked goods, marinades, fruit spreads and generally delicious goodies as well as their gorgeous collection of mums and other plants but hey a mom needs to shop! He was, however, very focused while sampling apple cider doughnuts (do not pass these up they are incredible) and the wide variety of fried delicacies available in their grill and picnic area. Once fortified by our deliciously unhealthy lunch (yes, I ate an entire chocolate covered caramel apple and declared that my lunch while insisting that Owen eat a few bites of his grilled chicken...I figure I have about 2 more years of being a hypocrite before he can really call me on it so, I better take advantage of it while I can) we began the task at hand...apple picking. Owen rode on his dad's shoulders and became very adept at picking the most perfect apples and then hurling them with all of his might into the basket thus turning them into less then perfect apples.

I must say Linvilla Orchards set the scene for one of my favorite days with my family. It was a beautiful day filled with fun activities, new discoveries, hilarious moments and fantastic photo opportunities! We have to go back because Owen was too tuckered out to attempt the hayride or the corn maze! The best time to go is weekdays because it is far less crowded but we still had a great time amongst the Applefest hordes!

Linvilla Orchards, 137 W. Knowlton Rd. Media, PA 19063, 610-876-7116, www.linvilla.com