PINCH ME, PLEASE


So I like to travel someplace for my birthday most years. And my favorite way to spend the day of my birth is to receive intimate messages from those closest to me who already KNOW it's my birthday (and not because they saw it on Facebook), having a relaxing day doing the things that I love (cough cough... massages), eating amazing food and feeling special in the eyes of whom I love most.


Turning 44 on February 23rd was no exception.


Heidi and I took a roadtrip to Dallas, which is a super easy drive from Nebraska. We took Zeke (Heidi's dog) and rented an air b&b for a long weekend.


In hindsight we wished we would have maybe stayed in a hotel because our rental was sort of in 'the hood' (witnessed some homelessness and lots of trash - didn't feel safe to walk at night). But it was clean, a good price, and close to the things we wanted to do at least.

A black dog sticks its head out of a car window while stuck in traffic on a busy highway.
A series of selfies taken in a car showing a person in sunglasses with their happy black dog making silly faces together.

THANK YOU, COUSIN JESSI


My cousin, Jessi, used to live in Dallas and gave us a shit ton of recommendations. She's a bougie foodie like we are and knew of so many amazing places. None we tried from her extensive list disappointed. Highlights: having our tin type portraits taken at Ruby Bellows, shopping vintage, and birthday breakfast at Sadelles. We were also able to meet up with a family friend of Heidi's, Kirsten (who's a mortician!) and her cute little corgi, Willow.

Black painted brick wall with illuminated marquee letters spelling out 'PVD' in a dark industrial space.
A hand holds up a decorative 'Birthday Girl' banner or sash against a beige textured background.
Sequence of latte art being poured into white coffee cups on marble surface, showing heart and leaf designs.
A wooden serving board displays sliced smoked brisket with sides of mac and cheese, coleslaw, and barbecue sauce.
A series of four similar photos showing people interacting in front of a tan brick wall and concrete floor.
Film production crew working on set with lighting equipment and red backdrop in a studio space.
Person in black attire stands in a studio space with red carpet and professional lighting equipment.
Behind the scenes photo shoot setup with lighting equipment and red carpet against white backdrop in studio.
Behind-the-scenes photo of a film set with red curtains, lighting equipment, and crew members working in a dark room.
Professional studio microphone setup with shock mount and pop filter shown in multiple angles against a dark background.
A view through a large format camera ground glass showing a circular target pattern and image frame.
Someone in black clothing bends down to interact with a white and gray cat sitting on a red carpet.
A series of old photographic negatives displayed on a dark red background with dramatic lighting.
A row of vintage photo slides displayed on a light table with a bright red background illuminating the frames.
A sequence of photos shows a dog performing tricks on a red and blue patterned rug in front of red curtains.
A brown and white Corgi dog wearing a green harness looks at the camera with bright colorful lights in the background.
A corgi puppy sits playfully on a concrete floor near a brick wall with people standing in the background.
Rows of western cowboy boots displayed on wooden shelves in a retail store, showing various leather styles and colors.
A sequence of photos showing a person walking a black dog on a sidewalk during autumn with golden trees in the background.
A navy blue sleeveless dress with pleated details hangs on a clothing rack against a rustic brick wall.
Mirror selfie showing someone wearing a black flowing jumpsuit and sneakers against a brick wall background.
A collection of vintage framed photographs and artwork displayed on wooden shelves in an antique store setting.
Elegant floral centerpiece arrangement with pink and purple blooms displayed on white marble counter in restaurant setting.
Modern restaurant interior with white tiled floors, hanging pendant lights, and abundant green plants throughout the space.
Modern bar interior with dark wood shelving, glassware displays, and polished countertops in a minimalist setting.
A plate of biscuits with butter and jam served at a restaurant with green trim on white plates.
A series of concrete steps and retaining walls create a terraced pathway through a grassy hillside near modern buildings.
Mirror selfies showing someone wearing black denim overalls against an exposed brick wall backdrop.
Person in red sweater and brown blazer wearing pink sunglasses shown in multiple sequential shots.
Display of white mannequin heads with painted features and wigs arranged in a retail setting.
A bottle of Topo Chico and margarita cocktail sit on an outdoor patio table in sunlight.
A glass cup casting a dark shadow on concrete, shown in a series of photos with changing light angles and positions.
A line of margarita cocktails with salt rims and fresh garnishes sit on a wooden bar top.
Breakfast spread on turquoise plates featuring toast and sandwiches with coffee mugs on a wooden table with a TV remote.
A nighttime street scene shows illuminated business signs and storefronts with people gathered on the sidewalk.
A dimly lit restaurant interior with wooden tables, bench seating, and warm ambient lighting creating a cozy atmosphere.
Cocktail glass with a lit birthday candle in a dimly lit restaurant setting.
Pan-seared fish fillet served on a bed of roasted vegetables and sauce on an elegant white plate in dim restaurant lighting.
Someone pours chocolate sauce over an elegant dessert of profiteroles dusted with powdered sugar at a dimly lit restaurant.

MORE ABOUT THE TIN TYPES...


I think I started a thing for myself. To have my portrait taken on my birthday by either a new photographer I admire or new method.


In case you have no fricking clue what a tin type is, it's basically an 1860's polaroid. You get ONE chance so you best not blink. The smell of chemicals weighs heavy in the air and it's magical to watch your portrait appear before your eyes.


Two weeks later after our little 4x5" tins had tried, they arrived in the mail. A lot of thought was put into their display. Not sure where they will live, but for now they are hanging out in the lobby as a conversation piece.

shadow box display


I liked the idea of displaying them this way so you can see and appreciate the material our images were taken on. Also, we can add little trinkets inside if we want.

A wooden arched photo frame holder displays two vintage black and white photographs on a white surface.
A curved wooden wall art piece with multiple panels stands against a white wall decorated with framed photographs.
A gallery wall of black and white framed photographs displayed above a wooden dresser with plants and decor.