Baby Whitman

I had such a great time photographing this little nugget for baby announcements.  

Marie's Senior Photos

I have known Marie since she was about six years old. I am so honored and excited to have had the opportunity photograph the beautiful, kind, and smart woman that she has become. May this next chapter in your life be all you've wished for and more.

Denver Restaurant Review: Zengo's Summer Nights Menu

Chef Richard Sandoval's Zengo has recently launched a Summer Nights Menu. An exclusive three-course menu that is available Monday - Wednesday, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm for $35.00 per person. This deal includes your choice of a bottle of sake or wine, an appetizer to split, an entree, and a desert to share. What better way to spice up a week night, than treating yourself to some good food and wine at a reasonable price? With a variety of options to choose from and a sleek atmosphere, you can't go wrong.

The shrimp vegetable potstickers were our absolute favorite dish of the night. 

We were lucky enough to try a bite of the popular empanada appetizer as well. 

There is no better way to round off the night than with this Modern Mexican Bar. 

Small Plates & Bottomless Cocktails - Brunch at Tamayo

Tamayo has launched its new Bottomless Margarita Brunch menu just in time for summer. Enjoy the rooftop patio alongside bottomless, hand-crafted cocktails and an unlimited feast of Latin-inspired plates made to share. Tamayo's Modern-Mexican Brunch is available Saturday - Sunday, 10:30 am - 2:30 pm for $39.00 per person. The menu overflows with a variety of Soups & Salads, Tacos & Tortas, Starters, Cazuelas (traditional pots), Specials, and Brunch Plates that keep coming until you say, "when!" So if you are looking to venture away from the traditional brunch basics, and have a soft spot for sensual, Latin American flavors, Tamayo's Bottomless Brunch is your new weekend spot.

I couldn't resist starting out with a Bloody Mary, my absolute favorite drink. With flavors reminiscent of a zesty gazpacho, this BM officially made itself a home on my list of best Bloodies in Denver.

If you favor tequila over vodka, make sure to go for the Bloody Maria with its spicy rim of salt.

Nothing says summer more than the Grilled Watermelon Salad. It's a light and refreshing start to wet your pallet for the dishes ahead.

The Migas Nortenas is a recipe wrought with tradition. These savory, scrambled egg-drenched tortilla chips bring back childhood memories for Chef Oscar Padilla as this recipe comes straight out of his grandmother's kitchen. This dish is a definite "must order," my favorite of the day. 

The Ultimate Guide to Festival Camping

 Lawson Hill Campgrounds, Telluride

This past weekend I attended my first real music festival - i.e., multi-day camping and coin showers. As a festival rookie, I had a difficult time making a packing list. I wanted to make sure I had all the necessities, being careful not to cross the high-maintenance threshold. You see, this was the first trip I had taken with my boyfriend and I didn't want to be, "that girl" - the Cher amongst the hippies -"as if..." I packed my sleeping bag, sunscreen, water and the other basics, making calculated efforts to abbreviate our list.

Once we arrived in Telluride, we hauled our minimal belongings to the camping area and scouted out the perfect spot to set up camp. Having arrived on Thursday, before most other festival goers, we had our choice of prime property plots. Naturally, we decided on a grassy area next door to a cannabis entrepreneur and his wife who happened to have the largest, most defined tent in the camp. I thought of their tent as a landmark, our North Star that would lead us back to our tent at night. Our two-person tent practically set itself up, so with little time and effort our camp was done and dusted.

We headed off to the concert for the rest of the day only to return to a highly urbanized city. Our campground had gone from rural village to sprawling metropolitan in a matter of hours. Five-person tents equip with luxurious foyers had built themselves into one another. Having had a beer or six at the concert, we struggled to find our one bed, one bath studio apartment amidst the high-rises that had popped up all around us.  We stumbled through alleys, tripping over random tent stakes and eventually stumbled upon our very humble abode with the help of our neighbor's flashing lights.

The next morning, we took a stroll around the campground, looking at all the new developments. I quickly learned that festival camping and true mountain camping are two very different things. Mountain camping requires the abbreviated list I had prepared with, while festival camping and glamping are easily synonymous. These festivarians took camping to a whole new level. They brought air mattresses, meal-prep tables, lounge chairs, decorative lights, and most importantly, shade tents.

Needless to say, this trip taught me a lesson or two about the art of packing... and what is a lesson learned if not shared with others? So here is my ultimate guide to festival camping. Enjoy!

Telluride Blue Grass Festival 2015

The Ultimate Festival Camping Packing List:

• Tent - Preferably one with standing room. No need to so shimmy into fresh undies each morning.
• Sleeping Bag 
• Sleeping Pad or Air Mattress - It's not about practicality, its about luxury and comfort.
• Lantern or Head Lamps - Great for finding your way back home at night.
• Camp Chairs
• Sun Tent - Especially important as our campground had not trees, thus no shade. Place over tent or use as a lobby that feeds into your chic camp residence. Perfect for relaxing, cooking and pre-gaming.
• Cooler - If you are one of the lucky few who are able to spend $300+ on a cooler, invest in a Yeti. We packed our old Colman with ice and ice packs, but it had no chance against our sun tent-less camp and the 90 degree weather. Our food went bad after the first day. You can only imagine how that smelled...
• Trash Bags
• Water Bottle 
• Paper Towels
• Wet Wipes - We opted against showering in general as I'm a firm believer in the foulness of community showers. Wet wipes come in handy for multiple reasons if your catching my stanky drift...
• Batteries - Back up for all electronics. Remember festival camping isn't about roughing it. All real-world accessories are welcome.
• Portable Phone Charger
• Utensils
• Pots & Pans
• First Aid Kit - You never know...
• Lighter
• Plates
• Stove - I'd recommend getting your hands on a Jetboil
• Music Player
• Table - Great for food prep; a huge necessity if you choose to get fancier than a bag of Ramen. 
• Hand Sanitizer 
• Biodegradable Soap
• Ice - and a lot of it
• Water
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Bug Spray
• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Facial Wipes
• Chapstick
• Swim Suite
• Tickets to the Concert
• Beer & Liquor
• Fanny Pack/Bag
• ID 
• Cash/Card
• Blanket - Preferably a Tarpestry
• Games
• Hat

Feel free to add to the list in the comments section...

Simon & Jake Senior Photos

A Visitor's Guide To Denver

Having just returned from a girls trip in Chicago, I've decided to pull together a Denver visitor's guide that highlights the best things to do, drink and eat in Denver. While planning my trip to the windy city, I searched high and low for a list similar to this - one that highlights a city's attractions from a 20-something perspective. Here is how I would eat, drink and play in the Mile High City...

Do:

Red Rocks - Photos via bassnectar.net

Denver Art Museum
Address: 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver, Colorado 80204
Hours: Monday Closed, Tuesday - Thursday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Friday 10:00 am - 8:00 pm, Saturday - Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Price: General Admission for non-Colorado natives - $13.00 

Clyfford Still Museum
Clyfford Still is a famous pioneer Abstract Expressionist, who experimented with bold brush strokes and large scale.
Address: 1250 Bannock Street, Denver, Colorado 80204
Hours: Monday Close, Tuesday - Thursday  10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Friday 10:00 am - 8:00 pm, Saturday - Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Price: General Admission - $10.00

Rockies Game
We all know the Rockies are far from the best MLB team but Coors Stadium is still worth a visit, especially now that the new roof top deck is open.
Address: 2001 Blake Street, Denver, 80205
Price: The roof top deck is $14.00 with $6.00 towards drinks/concessions.

Red Rocks Amphitheater
Red Rocks Concerts, Film on the Rocks, Yoga on the Rocks, and the Red Rocks Fitness Challenge are among the many things the Red Rocks Amphitheater has to offer.
Address: 18300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison, Colorado 80401

Denver Botanic Gardens
Grab a bottle of wine and head to the gardens for a picnic or one of the famous garden concerts. With rotating exhibitions and beautiful views, the Botanic Gardens are a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon.
Address: 1007 York Street, Denver, Colorado 80206
Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Price: Adults - $12.00, Children - $9.00 (Children under 2 years of age - free)

Union Station
Denver's railway station was recently renovated to host the city's top restaurants, bars and shops.
Address: 1701 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202
Hours: Open 24 hours a day

Drink

The Cruise Room - Photo via Westword

Punch Bowl Social
Located among the favorite South Broadway bars, the Punch Bowl is a hot destination for bowling, food, drink and games.
Address: 65 Broadway, Denver, Colorado 80203
Hours: Monday - Friday 11:00 am - 2:00 am, Saturday - Sunday 8:00 am - 2:00 am
Price: $

Forest Room 5
This hip, artsy bar with a rustic indoor and outdoor atmosphere is great for artisan drinks and draft brews.
Address: 2532 15th Street, Denver, Colorado 80205
Hours: Monday - Friday 4:00 pm - 2:00 am, Happy Hour 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Price: $ - $$

The Cruise Room
Located downtown, in the Oxford Hotel, The Cruise Room is a post-prohibition Art Deco style bar with hand crafted cocktails.
Address: 1600 17th Street, Denver, Colorado 80202
Hours: Sunday - Thursday 4:30 pm - 11:45 pm, Friday - Saturday 4:30 - 12:45
Price: $$

Ace
This ping-pong hall serves up Asian dishes and a fun night life.
Address: 501 East 17th Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80203
Hours: Monday - Friday 11:00 am - 12:00 am, Saturday - Sunday 2:00 pm - 12:00 am
Price: $

Denver Breweries
With over 200 breweries, Colorado is one of the most brewery-heavy states in America. With such diversity, it's hard to choose a select few. Some favorites in the Denver-Metro area are as follows:

Denver Beer Co.
Great Divide
Epic Brewery
Infinite Monkey Theorem
Stem Ciders
Our Mutual Friend
Strange Craft Beer

Eat:

Linger - Photo via thegoodlifedenver.com

Little Man Ice Cream

This 28 foot tall, vintage cream can dishes up the best ice cream in town. The lines tend to be long but a scoop of the salted Oreo is well worth the wait.
Address: 2620 16th Street, Denver, Colorado 80211
Hours: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm daily
Price: $

Rosenburg's Bagels & Delicatessen
Located in Denver's up and coming RiNo district, Rosenburg's serves up Denver's best New York style bagels. Having transformed Denver water to match that of New York City, Rosenburg's bagels rival the texture and flavor of your favorite NYC spot.
Address: 725 East 26th Avenue
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 6:00 am - 3:00 pm 
Price: $

VooDoo Doughnuts
This cash-only bakery from Portland serves up quirky doughnuts - the maple blazer blunt, the gay bar, cock-n-balls, and the old dirty bastard to name a few.
Address: 1520 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80218
Hours: Open 24 Hours
Price: $

Denver Biscuit Company
Real Southern, Real Good. The Denver Biscuit Company, also known as DBC among the locals, is a hot breakfast spot. Get your biscuit in french toast form or smothered in gravy, no matter how you take it, you are in for a buttery, flaky treat.
Address: 3237 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80206
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 2:00 pm & Saturday 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Price: $$

Linger
Linger, an old mortuary turned restaurant, is located in the trendy Highlands area. The unique, small plates are meant for sharing, bringing a variety of worldly flavors to your table.
Insider Recommendation: Not interested in the full dining experience? Check out the famous roof top bar for happy hour and amazing views of the city. Happy Hours: Tuesday - Friday 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm. (The reduced happy hour menu can be viewed here)
Address: 2030 West 30th Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80211
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm & Friday - Saturday 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Price: $$$

Lola
A modern Mexican restaurant located in LoHi (Lower Highlands) was voted one of the Top Five Places To Drink Tequila in North America. This famous cantina serves up coin style margaritas, table-side guacamole and impressive highbrow cuisine.
Address: 1575 Boulder Street, Denver, Colorado 80211
Hours: 
Price:$$$


Illegal Petes
Similar to Chipotle, Illegal Pete's is a home-grown "Mission Style" burrito restaurant with all natural, local ingredients. Inspired by burritos from San Francisco in the 60s and 70s, Illegal Pete's sets itself apart with its beer selection and potent margaritas.
Insider Recommendation: Make sure to try the popular fish tacos and breakfast burritos
Address: Multiple locations - Denver, Boulder & Fort Collins
Hours: Monday - Wednesday 7:00 am - 12:00 pm, Thursday 7:00 am - 1:30 pm, Friday 7:00 am - 2:30 am, Saturday 9:00 am - 2:30 am & Sunday 9:00 am - 12:00 am
Pice: $

Cherry Cricket
Denver's long-time favorite, The Cherry Cricket, turns out classic burgers and fries alongside hoards of green chili. An old dive bar with great vibes and even better flavors.
Address: 2641 East 2nd Avenue, Denver, Colorado
Hours: Monday - Sunday 11:00 am - 2:00 am (Daily Happy Hours: 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm - midnight)
Price: $

The Source
An 1880's foundry building turned artisan food market is home to a French bakery, taquiera, brewery, floral and produce shop, wood-fired restaurant, coffee roaster, gallery and specialty food market. Located in Denver's River North District, The Source is a community full of great flavors and Denver's top artisans.
Address: 3350 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80216
Hours: Monday - Sunday 8:00 am - 11:00 pm
Price: $$$

Park Burger 
Park Burger is a neighborhood hot-spot known for its prizewinning burgers, fries, shakes and beer.
Address: 1890 South Pearl Street, Denver, Colorado 80210 (there are four other locations but this is by far the best)
Hours: Sunday - Wednesday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm & Thursday - Saturday 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Price: $

Uncle
New-style ramen bowls and steamed buns are this neighborhood restaurant's specialty.
Address: 2215 West 32nd Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80211
Hours: Monday - Saturday 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm & Sundays Closed 
Price: $$

Biker Jim's Gourmet Hot Dogs 
From street food vender to restaurateur, Biker Jim's turns out one of a kind wieners.  Rattle snake and pheasant to duck and vegetarian dogs.
Address: 2148 Larimer Street, Denver CO 80205
Hours: Monday - Thursday 11:00 am - 10:00 pm & Friday - Saturday 11:00 am - 3:00 am
Price: $