shannon leith :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: photographer of everyday life based in pasadena, california

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Monday, March 14, 2011

I just learned that I'm into the 70's.

Sometimes i can be so unaware of styles, eras, what's in, what's out, who wrote that song, why that movie was important.... key info that most people think is obvious. I have other strengths. I am really good at recognizing fonts. I can also make a really awesome strawberry cream cheese lemon zest pie.

So! Didn't know I was into the 70's until i was in this couch store, picked out a new couch, and they said, "Oh--- so you want something mid-century modern?" I froze. I wasn't sure what that exactly meant.

Time #2 where I realized this: picking out a coffee table. I had been searching for weeks. I saw this one in a window and knew it was the one. Walked in there and bought it on the spot. "Yeah, this mid-century modern, 70's feel is really great isn't isn't it?" TOTALLY.

All I knew was that I liked it. I told one of my friends that apparently I'm into mid-century modern/70's stuff. She said that she could have told me that 6 months ago.

Anyway. Turns out I'm into the 70's, space age vibe. The time when things were bold and colorful but also minimal and simple. Wikipedia says that "glitter was in vogue". Perfect. Textures were in. I'm into textures. Velvet, sequins, satin, plastic. Yummy. My favorite part is the space-age part. Perfect for someone whose favorite spot is the Griffith. The only thing that I hate about the 70's is crop tops. I have the longest torso ever, and this whole crop top thing that is in these days (I know something!) is killing me.

Want to know what my old coffee table situation looked like?

14 comments so far

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jennifer says:

!!! amazing. love the new gem. mcm furniture makes me weak in the knees!
j.

(03.14.11 @ 01:38 PM)

Natalee says:

It's fab. Totes love it.

(03.14.11 @ 01:43 PM)

jennifer says:

!!! amazing. love the new gem. mcm furniture makes me weak in the knees!
j.

(03.14.11 @ 01:49 PM)

Brian says:

I really like your coffee table, you made a good choice.

(03.14.11 @ 01:53 PM)

Christen says:

inspired to sing: "Meet George Jetson.... Jane, his wife." LOVE it, and it fits you perfectly.

(03.14.11 @ 02:00 PM)

Carson Leith says:

wow! what a cool change. i like your writing on this post. very YOU.

(03.14.11 @ 02:02 PM)

Shelley Leith says:

I too will say that your writing is the gem of this post. Its texture is...sparkly.

(03.14.11 @ 08:37 PM)

Hollie says:

number 1. i love that coffee table, number 2. yes, I knew that you liked 70s style, and number 3. can i ppppllllleaaase have the recipe for your fantabulous strawberry pie? pretty please? love you.

(03.15.11 @ 02:05 AM)

Cafe Pasadena says:

The old ct looks like a coffin, lol ! Did u trade it in for the new?? Btw, where's my Peets or Coffee Bean on this table!?

(03.15.11 @ 04:10 PM)

Tracey says:

I knew I felt this kindred something when I landed on your blog. I am a midcentury modern girl to the core. My Pinterest boards are full of that kind of dreaming. There is a fabulous midcentury store in So Cal called Denmark50. PLEASE go there for me since I cannot. My hubby would kill me for traveling 6 hours to shop for a chair. :(

(03.15.11 @ 08:56 PM)

Tracey says:

I knew I felt this kindred something when I landed on your blog. I am a midcentury modern girl to the core. My Pinterest boards are full of that kind of dreaming. There is a fabulous midcentury store in So Cal called Denmark50. PLEASE go there for me since I cannot. My hubby would kill me for traveling 6 hours to shop for a chair. :(

(03.15.11 @ 09:02 PM)

Janee Lookerse says:

Nice. Love it!

ps, did you draw that little cotton candy that goes next to your blog titles?

xoxo

(03.23.11 @ 09:02 AM)

Janee Lookerse says:

Nice. Love it!

ps, did you draw that little cotton candy that goes next to your blog titles?

xoxo

(03.23.11 @ 09:05 AM)

chris says:

what did you do with the old coffee table?

(04.18.11 @ 06:48 PM)

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my brother is engaged!

daily life

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Thursday, March 10, 2011

my little brother got engaged before me.

we kind of predicted that would happen a few years ago at a family dinner. and yup, totally right. he's engaged before i even have a serious boyfriend. took some therapy to work through that one :) no seriously.

this is the first time our immediate family has shifted. well, in fact, we don't have much extended family, so this feels like the first big shift in general. we're all so excited to add another member to our already huge family! the proposal was one of the best i've heard of. he bought her the actual bench they sat on for their first date at knotts berry farm. translation: he convinced knotts to sell him a bench. he's the man.

they came over the other day to hang, and cosmo decided it would be a great time to break out of his shell and fly over to Paige. this is not normal for him. he's normally magnetized to his cage and won't leave. he's getting bolder by the day. the little sweetie.

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Jessie says:

So my boyfriend had just recently enlightened me of a family tradition (not sure how/where it originated) that occurs when younger siblings marry before older ones. Apparently the older single siblings have to dance in a pig trough at the wedding of the younger sibling. So hopefully you won't have to partake in any of that ;)

(03.10.11 @ 08:44 AM)

shannon leith says:

fyi world: NOT doing the pig trough.

(03.10.11 @ 08:55 AM)

Michelle | gold-hearted girl says:

Aww, congrats to them! He's definitely a baller for buying the bench. First time I've ever heard of someone doing that! I love these photos - your depth of field always mesmerizes me. :)

(03.10.11 @ 10:22 AM)

Janee Lookerse says:

Woah... That was pretty brilliant of him. Congrats to them! I can see why you would feel sufficiently, awkward??, about that. I'm not sure what the right word is.

xoxo

(03.10.11 @ 11:03 AM)

Emily says:

I really really like them. And I like that Cosmo likes Paige. That's great news!

(03.14.11 @ 01:28 AM)

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hi i take ballet at a community college.

daily life

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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

so i'm ghetto, and i guess some might call it cheap.... or creative....

my ballet class? taking it at pasadena community college.

every time i go it becomes a highlight of my week.

this is such an entertaining portion of my life right now.

1. every time i go on campus i have to look at a map to find my way to class,

2. there are 40 people in the class

3. there are 4 guys. one is named irving. another wore bud light pj's to class the first day. another is more graceful than me.

4. the class was only $25 for the whole semester. can't beat it.

5. especially because the teacher is actually, surprisingly, good! love her!

6. it took me a week to figure out how to register.

7. my eyes were magnetized to these bulletin boards all over campus. totally classy.

i'll keep you updated. there is some great material here.

i wonder if any of my classmates will find out that i blog about them?

8 comments so far

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Christen says:

hahahaha.... this post makes me laugh. =) I am always wasting time by getting lost on campus. Love how you captured the bulletin boards. Hey, can I come take photographs of you while you are in class? that could be fun. =)

(03.09.11 @ 10:33 AM)

blythe says:

those boards are intense! wow. i wonder why anyone thinks their message will be seen on there.......time for a new strategy.

(03.09.11 @ 11:40 AM)

Tracey says:

Reminds me of my college days. :) Except I didn't take ballet, I took ballroom dancing. It was my last quarter of my senior year. I took ballroom dancing, golf, a class on dinosaurs, and a statistics class that I never went to but got an A in bc I passed the take home, work from you book, final exam...which was the only grade he gave in the class. Nice!

(03.09.11 @ 12:15 PM)

shannon leith says:

christen: ballet photos of me? i would love it! please please please!

(03.09.11 @ 02:27 PM)

Janee Lookerse says:

I got lost at OCC all the time when I went there. I was there for a full semester and by the end I still couldn't have told you where anything was. SO CONFUSING. But those pin board of yours are definitely ultra upscale...

(03.10.11 @ 11:05 AM)

shannon leith says:

janee, ha, PCC is TOTALLY UPSCALE. its hilarious. these people dont know the real meaning of "community college"

(03.10.11 @ 11:45 AM)

Ketti says:

They're like sheepdogs of information. Love it.

(03.12.11 @ 01:19 PM)

Emily says:

$25.00 ballet class?! I'm a little jealous. I wonder if Saddleback or IVC offer hip-hop classes...Hmm. You're inspiring me all over the place Shannon!

(03.14.11 @ 01:30 AM)

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teaching at SPACE::: field trip to union station,

daily life

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Tuesday, March 8, 2011

field trip #1 to chinatown was such a hit that i decided to take them on field trip #2. union station. the light there has this unique quality to it that i needed them to know about.

kind of hilariously, the 3 boys in the class were the only ones who showed up. i quickly realized what a nice little cushion the girls add. ha.

so, it was shannon + 3 teenage boys.

semi mass chaos.

eating wetzels pretzels dogs was much more exciting to them than learning about the intricacies of light. i will admit, i was kind of annoyed for a few minutes that they were spending so much time eating hot dogs wrapped in pretzel. we were here to learn, dangit. but then i noticed the shining yellow bags and their silhouettes and everything made sense. embrace it, girl. thats what i had to tell myself over and over. i also navigated the art of 13 year old boy banter. ..........entertaining.

one of them took this of me for one of the assignments. adorable.

the classes are held through SPACE art gallery in south pasadena! next week is the last week. portfolio week. can't wait to see their little bound books we're making. people keep asking how i got this job. well, i've become friends with the owners of the gallery over the past few years, and they asked me to teach when they found out about my seeing classes. that's essentially the story. i love that place.

10 comments so far

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Katie says:

You are seriously one of the most admirable people I know. Love this. :)

(03.08.11 @ 08:02 PM)

Katie says:

You are seriously one of the most admirable people I know. Love this. :)

(03.08.11 @ 08:04 PM)

Lindsey Swedzinski says:

oh my WORD shan! these photos are AMAZING! love the ones with the pretzel bags---1st one is my fave! ahhh!!!! glad to hear it's been going well!

(03.08.11 @ 08:33 PM)

Flora says:

I love that last photo--classic. I had to herd a bunch of preteen boys once at a Six Flags who were scared (!) of the roller coasters. We ended up at the bumper cars where they obsessed over honing their "driving" skills. Hilarious.

(03.08.11 @ 09:09 PM)

Carson Leith says:

WOAH. the light in the first couple pictures is magical.

(03.08.11 @ 10:09 PM)

Carson Leith says:

WOAH. the light in the first couple pictures is magical.

(03.08.11 @ 10:12 PM)

Ketti says:

Look at that bag glow!!! Love it :)

(03.09.11 @ 12:02 AM)

greg leith says:

i love how you gave of yourself to these young guys. I think as you move and give in the name of Jesus, you find satisfaction. Thanks for giving out Shannon!

(03.09.11 @ 05:34 AM)

Tracey says:

I have one of those boys and the banter, yes, is entertaining. And the obsession with food over anything else. We'll be having a discussion about something deep (actually me talking about something deep at him) and he will interrupt to ask what I'm making for dinner.

(03.09.11 @ 12:09 PM)

Melissa says:

Shan, these pics are awesome!!! I love your blog. I'm a huge fan.

(03.17.11 @ 02:28 PM)

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deep inhale,

pink house

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Thursday, March 3, 2011

in my ballet class yesterday, the teacher said 'and when you're dancing remember to breathe'

............a good word.

and p.s., ballet is changing my life. i feel so awkward and uncoordinated, yet graceful and free at the same time. i wish i could video it and show you. maybe i'll have a recital some day.

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Tracey says:

I don't get to check in here every day like I wish I could and then when I do you have posted so much I get anxious about what I have missed!
I so wish I lived down there. I'd be at your show, and at your class in a heart beat.
I so appreciate your non-cliche way of photographing the world and people around you. :)

(03.04.11 @ 04:01 PM)

shannon leith says:

aw, tracey! thanks so much.

(03.04.11 @ 10:50 PM)

anna says:

after glimpsing at your blog for some time now, I now see how light influences the composure of a photo, and I'm able to ATTEMPT to translate such detail to when I shoot

(04.11.11 @ 03:06 PM)

anna says:

after glimpsing at your blog for some time now, I now see how light influences the composure of a photo, and I'm able to ATTEMPT to translate such detail to when I shoot

(04.11.11 @ 03:07 PM)

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opening reception, sparkles.

daily life

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Tuesday, March 1, 2011

I want to show you photos of some of my favorite people. These were all from the opening night of my show, and I was floored at how many people showed up. I have been given so many lovely people in my life. Very very thankful.

First, some friends from church! JB, Stacia and Jill. I absolutely adore them.

Roommates! Shaina and Ashley. I do my daily life with these girls. They deal with me running a business from our house. They listen to cozzie's squawks. They let me eat their leftovers. They don't mind my messes. They let me vent. And more.

THE BL'S! blaire and blythe! these girls are some of my closest friends. We're coming up on our ten year reunion. I know----------adorable. I feel like we've been there for each other for everything. They show up consistently. And we do random traditions together like making a totem pole at every event. No, can't show you those. SECRET.

Surprise! Blythe used to have a long red braid.

and,

AND....... I am currently confused as to why I have zero pictures with my family! Dad, mom, Ryan, Paige (soon to be new sister in law!)........ why didn't we get out the camera? Lame! And Rosie, it wasn't the same without you there start to finish. I miss having you in the daily.

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Ro says:

wish I could have come but the sunshine in Scotland can't be missed

(03.02.11 @ 12:59 AM)

tara says:

You could kind of be Cosmo's sister in the last shot, I think. LOVE the top. Love the pics. Congrats on Space. xo

(03.02.11 @ 08:48 AM)

Marilyn Paul says:

You continue to amaze me with your success! I'm so proud of all that you have accomplished! Glad to see what your new roommate looks like. You've probably had pictures of her before, but I finally get to really see her. Do you really have messes??? Oh yes, I remember some of your early ones. A fun one was what was under your bed when your family moved from Canada. OH MY!

(03.02.11 @ 10:43 AM)

Janee Lookerse says:

I'm SO glad your opening went well! I'm sorry we couldn't be there :( I love you anyways though!

(03.02.11 @ 04:43 PM)

hollie says:

rockin' the sequins. you look soo soo sooooooo amazingly gorgeous!

(03.04.11 @ 08:36 AM)

Carson Leith says:

so sad i wasn't there!

(03.05.11 @ 08:19 AM)

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art show at SPACE!

daily life

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Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Art show alert! I wrote a few weeks ago about this show, and have finally had time to let it all sink in. It took me a while because this was the first time I had seen my personal work in this context. I did a polaroid show a few years ago, but this was the first time that I've had real live photographs in real frames. Real mats. A real wall. Guys, you're laughing.... but a real wall is a lot different than the internet! I loved this opportunity and feel really proud of it. Well... it was actually really hard at first. The first time I saw it, I felt like I was about to hurl. It was awful. To see these photographs on the wall honestly made me feel so exposed and vulnerable. I wondered if these eight little photos on the wall was enough. It felt small for some reason. I processed everything on my own, I wrote about each image and that really helped. So. Deep breath. Enjoy looking :)

As I sat with each of the images, I realized this one was the most representative of my life this past year. This is my 2010 self portrait I think.

Everyone had NO idea what was in that yellow and white image. Don't they remember the pie crust blog post?

And here's a gallery of the images i showed so you can see them up close. Just scroll over the thumbnails,

So there you go!

And it was even written up in the South Pasadena paper.

I got two copies.

The show is coming down on March 13th, and there is a closing STORY NIGHT on Saturday March 12th! I will be there! Apparently they are having a writer write stories based on inspiration from the photos. What! Should be rad. Want to come?

SPACE art gallery, 8pm

1506 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030

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Anonymous says:

love the lighting in all of your photos

(03.02.11 @ 05:41 AM)

Jessie says:

love the lighting in your photos.

(03.02.11 @ 05:42 AM)

Christen says:

beautiful. i am so thankful I was able to see this display in person because each piece of art is so sacred. I love that they are having a story night when the show ends... how perfect for you!

(03.02.11 @ 07:10 AM)

Michelle says:

How exciting! They're beautiful, Shannon! Really, I love your work. I want every single one. :)

(03.02.11 @ 09:10 AM)

Carson Leith says:

I was moved by your description of seeing your own photos on the wall at SPACE. The fact that you felt so vulnerable you wanted to hurl tells me what it's like for an artist to come to terms with her own work. Thanks, Shan.

(03.02.11 @ 05:54 PM)

Katy says:

Maybe because it has something to do with the fact that I just finished watching Romeo & Juliet (Leo & Claire) for the FIRST TIME literally 5 minutes ago... but this post brought me to tears. Gorgeous and so special!

(03.03.11 @ 08:12 PM)

Katy says:

aaand I didn't proof read my post. "maybe it has something to do with the fact..." is what it should read. :)

(03.03.11 @ 08:15 PM)

hollie says:

well i just LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE your "self-portrait". that light. amazing.

(03.04.11 @ 08:33 AM)

Christine says:

I want to go! Maybe I will... :)

(03.04.11 @ 10:41 AM)

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