The N

Hello Lovelies.

I'm not sure if I've introduced you to my little love, but this is my car. It's a 1972 Honda AN600; two cylinder and a whole lot of cuteness. Top speed of 55mph, unless you're going down a giant hill, then it's about 75mph. =P It averages about 40mpg and, is a bit of a project, but it's adorable!! <3

Anthony and I sort of look like giants emerging from this itty bitty bit vehicle, but it's so fun to drive it around. We're trying to find a sticker that says "Respect Your Elders" for the back window. Te-he-he! For those of you who don't know, this is the first car that was imported to the US by Honda. Well, the N360 was, but it wasn't actually sold in the US. The car companies sort of nudged them to make something bigger that they'd actually be able to sell on the great open roads of America. The second car imported by Honda was one you may recognize, at least, it has a more recognizable name because there were dozens produced after it with the same name/lettering. The CVCC, later to become- The Civic! *Gasp!*

Why do I drive this adorably awesome car? Because that, my friends, is history on wheels...

And it's the cutest car I've ever seen! Acquired in March of 2012 from a private seller in Huntington Beach.

Anthony and I rode up on my moto to pick it up and drive it back here to San Diego, and that was probably the furthest that car had ever gone *sarcasm* *Sarcasm!* The ride was terrible! It was loud and shook uncontrollably, the heater worked, but the lights didn't about half way through the trip. We sat on the side of the road without my motorcycle tool kit and managed to grab a tree light and point it into the engine bay, hoping to spot the trouble and head home.

No such luck! We had to leave her the first night in some random neighborhood. It felt like I had achieved by dreams and then abandoned them. TT.TT

We did manage to get home with what we affectionately call "The N", and have been doing minor maintenance to her since. Oil change, spark plugs, about to replace tubing and do a carb rebuild. Small stuff, you see, and I'm slowly learning mechanics with it. My family has never been much for fixing things, but by grandpa can build you a bedroom set! Anthony is so freakishly tech savvy it's amazing.


And he enjoys it.


So! Here we are! It seems like more of a project car for him than for me, because he's essentially doing the work, sometimes twice over showing me how to do things and me screwing it up, but hey!


That's AMORE-EH! <3  

The Oldest Camera (and a deal!)

It's not about the camera.  Anybody who takes pictures for a living knows, and will usually tell you that right off the bat.

Sure, the newest rig on the block has all the bells and whistles (probably more than one whistle, at this point), but does it make you a better photographer?  More than enough has already been stated on this topic, and I'm not one to try to talk people out of a certain religion, just because it doesn't fit where I currently am in life.

What I will try to talk you into, is simplifying.

This camera above is the oldest one that Chelse and I own.  It shoots 35mm film.  It was built in 1945, and is as relevant today as the newest Canon or Fuji or Nikon.

This post isn't about gear, just like photography as a whole isn't about what camera you use or what lights you have or what your favorite aperture is.

Photography is about communicating an idea, about seeing something and wanting to share it with others, or even just about holding onto whatever it is you are seeing for later.  We at Voir L'Amour Photography, want to see your love, we want to help you communicate that idea to others, we want to hold onto those moments for you.  The world doesn't need more cameras, it needs more moments recorded by them.

That's why we take pictures.  That's why we named our business Voir L'Amour.  See the Love.

For all you blog readers, a limited time deal!  15% off our normal couples/engagement session fee if you book with us by July 10th and mention the "Mercury II" camera seen in this blog post.

Email us at info@voirlamour.com to book now!

Lavender Fields: Dreaming

To those of you who know me, you've probably heard the term "retirement goal" escape my lips followed very closely by the words "Bed and Breakfast". Already, doesn't that sound wonderful?


It's always been a dream of mine, since I was about 13 and stayed in this lovely, endearing Bed and Breakfast in Arcadia, Michigan called 'The Grey Hare'. Since my stay, I've never found a website or link to it and have absolutely no idea how my dad found this remote little B&B in the perfect slice of heaven. Lush greenery surrounded this grey stone building. The library must have been 20 feet high and shelved with books galore, a luscious fireplace and an overstuffed chair or two. There was a lake near by, though I never went near it as it was fairly chilly, but there was a lovely garden and rows and rows of grape vines. 


While at some point, I had grape vines intertwined in my dream B&B, it quickly became a field of lavender and has yet to budge. Roses surround the similar grey stone structure and there is a large weeping willow standing near the driveway. Oh yes, it's detailed.

In this dream, I run the B&B with the help of my handy Boyo. I make a breakfast fit for royalty, as that's what my guests will be to me, and tend my gardens the rest of the day. Oh, and the bees. =] I long to be a bee keeper. Funnily enough, the only insect I don't mind a bit. They are enchanting creatures and their lives filled with such purpose! This is, now, after we reckon we can no longer sling the camera gear around and our bones are too weary for distant travel. Could never be idle, even in my imaginary old age. =}

Imagine my genuine surprise when a co-worker informed me of the Key Creek Lavender Farm just a bit north of Escondido. I imagined it surrounded by lush greenery, hidden deep in the valley, but alas, in the bleak desert, surrounded by farmers growing avocados and oranges, herding cows, the land is not so apparently lush, but like a hidden gem, it rests there. 

Boyo and I went and enjoyed a warm sun-burned afternoon just as the farm was closing for the day. We walked through rows and rows of various strains of lavender and scented our clothes with their delicacies. We also stopped into the gift store to purchase some lavender honey and lavender jelly. The honey is kept by a local keeper whom, should they need an apprentice *cough!* =} One can only hope. 

This Saturday is their "Flowers and Music Festival" and they will be harvesting the remaining bunches of their crops soon, so if you'd never a chance before, now is your time! They harvest in July! Or, go to their website and get admission tickets and join us there on Saturday 4pm-10pm! Keys Creek Lavender Farm- Clicky Click!!

 Come and be Merry. =]

Marshall & Melodie Redux

Hey all!

Friends and family really are what this life boils down to.  It might not be obvious, especially if you're a fairly independent entity as some of you are, but really, even those stoic types have to admit that some of the best times they've had on this earth are with others.

Marshall and I have been good friends for time untold.  Lots of miles on the road together chasing epic light and trains, lots of photos taken, and lots of learning something or other, especially how to be a better friend and human being.

He's been off exploring life and northern California for some time now, but he made his way back to San Diego and brought his beautiful girlfriend, Melodie, for some wonderfully tourist-y sightseeing.  I'd be upset at her for stealing him away from San Diego, but she is a great person and her family even played host to Chelse and myself when we headed up for Marshall's graduation from police academy, and I *will* wait patiently for her dad's guitar amplifier cabinets to be back on the market.

We caught up with them for a great dinner and were fortunate enough to get some time in the always wonderful Balboa Park with them as our subjects before chowing down.

Thanks to you, Marshall, for being a great friend, a great guy, and chasing those NorCal dreams.

Marshall & Melodie

L'amour se plaît un peu dans le dérèglement. - Regnard

Love is fond of spontaneity.- Regnard.

Good friends and hearts of gold in them both! The session was filled with laughter; regaling of old memories and wishes. It's such a shame they should live so far away.


The session started off with an attempt to meet at my favorite coffee shop Caffe Calabria which, alas, closed before we made it. We ended up meeting up the street at Claire de Lune and grabbing something warm and delicious there. We then meandered around Balboa park and managed to snap a few shots in between the cracks and stories before trying to grab some grub at Blind Lady Ale House, which was also closed. =P


Finally, we wandered over to Pizza and Wine on Park Blvd., and ate fantastic pizza and continued to discuss futures and planned camping trips.


Long story short: Fun times, wonderful people. Next time, check to make sure the meeting place is open before hand. =]


Best,
Chelsé Ivonné

P.s! Please, click on the images to view them larger. =]