The lights are up, the cloths hung, photo objects sorted: We are up and ready for business! I am oh so proud to share a first look at Bear & Dragon Studio. Amazing light, 4 meter ceilings and a clean white look to keep those rays of sunshine bouncing. The have six gorgeous families in the studio this week so stay tuned. TA DA!
Its Sunday. In San Francisco, where I am from, Sunday morning means one thing: Brunch! Whatever shenanigans you got up to Saturday night can always be soothed with an “all-you-can-eat” pancake, Eggs Benedict, bacon, and Bloody Mary extravaganza. When I moved to Brussels, I would mark each brunch-less Sunday with a strong cup of coffee and a small tear. That is until I discovered the deliciousness that is Brunch at Parc Egmont.
The Orangerie at Parc Egmont is ideally located between Sablon and Avenue Louise. One thing I love about Brussels is how you can go through a doorway or up a staircase and immediately be transported to a different world. This is how it feels when you enter the calm of Parc Egmont, completely surrounded by a tall brick wall and take in the charming restaurant, grand old trees and gently sloping lawn. The setting is worth the trip alone and the Parc makes for a perfect and safe run around zone for the little ones to play in.
Besides the bountiful spread of pastries and breads, salads, made-to-order omelets and fresh juices, there are a variety of adult breakfast beverages a la mimosas and long-lost Bloody Marys. You can sit inside the pretty dining room (they have high chairs, yeah!) or on nice days enjoy the patio and take in the sun.
Come spring you are sure to find us camped out, debating whether to squeeze in one more chocolate muffin. Bon Appetite!
Where: Parc d’Egmont, Brussels, 1000
When: Saturday and Sunday until 1:30
Momma’s mommas, one of the most wonderful things out there. Though I love living abroad, I sure do miss my momma. Just thinking about that special lady and all she has done for me. She has a special bond with Zoe and can’t wait for her to come visit this summer (hint, hint mom)! I took these shots during our summer visit to California and they never fail to warm my heart.
So call your momma today and tell her you love her.
The first 10 sessions are booked with Bear & Dragon. Stay tuned for some gorgeous families and lovely little ones in the coming weeks.
Our website is nearly finished as well. We’re a-moving and a-shaking over here!
Over the holidays I had the extreme privilege of taking portraits of a family living its way through cancer. Johan is almost like family to us and I am grateful that I was invited to spend the afternoon with this incredible and kind family.
A beautiful love story and now many years and six kids later, they nestled in for the holidays to celebrate life, love and family. In our thoughts and prayers too.
Update: Bengt passed on February 9, 2013 surrounded by his family. I am proud to have met him.
Oi, feeling down with a never ending cold has got us stuck at home. Besides munching on some oh so delicious Chocolate Sables and playing with newly rented toys, there is nothing Bababoo loves more than throwing each and every book in her considerable collection on the floor. Huzza!
I present the evidence for your review. It is Zoe’s world and we are all just living in it.
On rainy days like this, it is hard to get up the motivation to go outside. That turns one’s eye to available indoor options AKA toys and games. Well as much as I love new toys, and I DO love new toys, it gets to be a bit much when they are stacking up and Bababoo gives them no more than a fleeting glance. So what is a rain-avoiding momma to do? How about check out some new digs at the Ludothèque in Etterbeek.
The Ludotheque is a Toy Library where you can check out toys. I was turned on to this resource back in the early fall and since selecting the “Musical Escargot” have been going regularly back for more. For the highly reasonable price of 0.50 EUR per week, you too can take home a new and exciting toys for your little one. Hooray!
In addition to toys, there are lots of games and puzzles for the older set. You can try before you rent in the small but well organized play space. Selecting your new friend is fairly straight forward in the catalogs where you can see pictures of the toys, their name and the recommended age. You can also preview the catalog and toys here.
Some of the toys are a little old (I am looking at you Sony cassette player!) but they are also classics. So stay dry and let the good times roll!
Where: Avenue Auderghem 233 – 1040 as well as many other locations. Check out the nearest here.
When: Hours vary by location but here is Etterbeek
Monday: 16h – 18h and Ready playroom
Tuesday: 15h – 17h and Ready playroom
Wednesday: 14h – 16h30 and Ready playroom
Thursday: 15h – 17h and Ready playroom
Saturday: 11am – 12.30pm and Ready playroom
Ahh, here comes Valentine’s Day. After a failed Christmas experiment (we bought an lovely, very large bed and decided it was our Christmas present to each other AKA super duper boring Christmas Eve, boo!), I have decided to go all out for Valentine’s Day. After all, aren’t holidays those wonderful bright spots in the year that give us something fun and festive to fix our minds on?
That said, the Bear’s gift is ordered and evening menu in the planning phase (think oysters and champagne, and my next blog post about emergency medical care for puncture wounds incurred when shucking said oysters). Here is a sweet image to jump start your heart on the romantical journey towards All Heart’s Day.
Dear friends and unsuspecting test audience. You vote counts! My lovely and brilliant friend Nina Peacock recently penned a very helpful go-to guide for being pregnant in Brussels called the Brussels Baby Book. Being as how things are prone to change rapidly around here, she is up for a second addition coming out soon. Nina has kindly asked if Bear & Dragon Photography would like to make its advertising debut in said pages. Of course! So I collected my favorite model and captive audience, Zoe, and here are the fruits of our labor/fun.
Here is where you come in: I have four very different images and not sure which to choose. Please vote! Just add your thoughts in the comments. THANK YOU.
Life of Bear and Dragon 