Little Red Riding Hood

It's been almost a month since I mentioned that I did a fairtytale themed shoot with a new friend and some of my hand knits.
Well, I'm finally getting around to sharing the images from the shoot!
Stephanie did such an amazing job on them, even now I am still in awe! She really is one of the most talented photographers I've met and she was so much fun to work with on this project.
It became quite the collaborative effort in fact and I met a lot of awesome people and made a few new friends in the process.
A huge thanks to everyone is definitely in order!
Couldn't have done it without all of these super talented people.

I'm sure you can guess what the theme is without even having to read the title of the post.
(Grandmother... what big ears you have...)
Enjoy the photos!

Photographer: Stephanie Toll of 88 Love Stories
Model: Caitlin Williamson
Makeup: Krista Rose
Wardrobe and Knits: Me

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All pieces in the photos are now available in the shop!

Be sure to check out Stephanie and James of 88 Love Stories and their beautiful photography on their...
 Facebook
See Stephanie's Little Red post on the 88 Love Stories Blog here

California Here We Come


(This is my excited face,  I apologize if it scares you)

Yes, it's true.
I'm going to California! I can't really express how excited I am.
This face is only part of it.
It still doesn't seem like it's actually happening!
It's something that's been in the works since last fall, so to have it finally happening seems unreal.
I can't wait.

So blogging friends, what are some things I must see/eat/do?
I'll mostly be in the San Diego and Los Angeles area if that helps with recommendations!
I do wish I could see the Golden Gate Bridge on this trip, I've always wanted to, but it's too far away from where we'll be.
That's okay though, I'll save it for next time!
We'll definitely be going to the San Diego Zoo and a yarn shop or two (gotta get something for the travel blanket!), but what are some of your recommendations?



Post title courtesy of this song.

The Red Scarf

The few outfit related posts I've done lately seem to revolve around my finished knitting projects.
For example here and here.
I think it's probably only going to get worse from here.
I'm sure my next one will involve knit socks or something.
So prepare yourselves now.



Outfit details
Scarf- Knit by me! Find similar knits in my Etsy shop
Belt- Thrifted
Jacket- Thrifted
Watch: Thrifted
Necklaces: H&M and thrifted
Rings: Vintage
Bracelets: Vintage, thrifted and gifted




 Thanks for helping me take photos Larissa!

My Valentine's Day

heart pbj's
favorite valentine's from when I was little
knitting myself some socks
flowers delivered to my door
frank's funny valentine on vinyl
lewis making valentine's
cookies supposed to be shaped like hearts but turn out like pac man
punny valentines
forget jared's, he went to p.f. changs
dominoes
the best valentine date ever
♥


 Follow me on instagram at @agirlnamedleney

My Funny Valentine

Photo Cred: From our Valentine photos last year by Maria Jones


Oh Valentine's Day.
I could go on and on about how much I love my Valentine, like I have a few different times here on the blog 
(because he's definitely worth going on about),
but I decided that one of my favorite songs would suffice.
Mostly because I've been secretly listening to it all month.

 So in the words of Chet Baker (because his is my favorite version of this song, though true credit should be given to Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart who wrote it), this is to my Valentine...

My funny valentine
Sweet comic valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
Yet you're my favourite work of art

Is your figure less than greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart? 

But don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is valentines day

 ♥

Janelle Houston

Remember my friend Janelle?
Well she recently came to Richmond and had me take some photos of her lovely self to promote a new single she has coming out which she and Ryan Scarberry collaborated on together!
I'm pretty excited about it myself, I really love Janelle's music. 
In fact I had one of her songs stuck in my head the whole time I was with her during the shoot and didn't even realize it until she said "Hey... are you humming my song??"
So there you go.
Anyway, Janelle is not only gorgeous but such a joyful and sweet person to be around. She truly is such a giving and generous person and I've loved getting to know her better and can't wait for her next trip to Richmond!
Her new single is called The Waltman Song and will be out on Valentine's Day!
So keep an eye out for the link on her Facebook page and on her bandcamp.
In the mean time check out the photos from our shoot in the city!

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See more photos here

Follow Janelle on her

And of course you can buy her current album here!

*UPDATE*
You can now download the The Waltman Song here
(Listening to it as I type and it's so lovely!)

Sweetheart Sessions: Bryce + Laura

Bryce and Laura are some very dear friends of mine.
With that in mind, you might think I'm a little biased when I say they're quite the handsome couple. However, I think once you look at the photos you'll see I'm hardly biased. 
I actually took some Valentine photos of them last year and so I was super excited when they asked me to do some again this year!
I love that they wanted to incorporate the heart straws again.
I had so much fun shooting with them.
It's basically the cutest thing ever watching these two interact. The way that Bryce teases Laura and makes her laugh is so funny to watch.
I said something similar in last year's post, but that just goes to show how true it is!
You can definitely see these two really love each other and that they make perfect Valentine's.

Thanks for having me take your photos again this year you two, I love you heaps!
♥

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Check out more photos here.
Interested in getting some portraits of your own done?

Email me for more info: by.leney@gmail.com


Life According To Instagram

This week I...

-Wore my newly knitted red scarf pretty much every day
-Shared another Richmond Restaurant post (hint: pie is involved)
-Picked up sock knitting again
-Added some more strips to the travel blanket (for those of you who don't know, every new place I travel a buy a skein of yarn and add it to a blanket)!
-Shared some photos from one of my favorite photoshoots ever
-Went to a watercolor workshop event at Anthropologie, taught by Laura Trevey of Bright Bold & Beautiful! It was so much fun. Made me want to get back into watercolor, the little that I did a few years ago.
-Finally tried a french macaroon! My life is now complete. I still plan on getting some in NYC though.
-Ate a lot of donuts.... What else is new?
-Had a super fun photo session with musician, Ryan Scarberry in a recording studio! Can't wait to share these photos.
-Shared a favorite quote
-Shared some thoughts on yarn
-Talked about why I take photographs and the inspiration behind it.
-Listed a one of a kind Valentine elephant in the shop! Go get him before he's gone!





 Follow me at @agirlnamedleney


P.s. The winner of the Shabby Apple Giveaway is..... *insert drumroll*

Congratulations Sarah!
Shabby Apple will be emailing you shortly :)



Proper Pie

A few weeks ago my friend Meagan and I visited one of Richmond's newer eateries.
I'd been wanting to try this place out for quite some time and so I was super excited to finally be going.
It did not disappoint!
Proper Pie is pretty much one of the cutest ideas for a restaurant I've ever seen.
True to their name, they serve New Zealand style savory pies as well as some amazing dessert pies. They basically have any kind of pie you could ever want.
It took me a good five minutes to choose which to get, they all looked so good!
I don't remember the exact kind I got, but all you need to know is that it had raspberries and chocolate.
Guaranteed deliciousness.
I ate every single bite.
Unfortunately Meagan and I were in a bit of a hurry so I didn't get too many great shots, but here are a few to give you an idea of the feel of it!
I will definitely be going back.
I mean, let's be honest, who doesn't love pie?


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You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter
See more posts on Richmond eateries here.