Jin here (that's me) with another amazing episode of Tea Time with Jin! This time sitting down with one of my absolute favorite Fashion Bloggers and amazing friend, Tanya the "Style Spy Girl."

Check it out!

I was so lucky to join up with this Seattle native on her FIRST trip here to Los Angeles! Join us as we recap on her amazing shopping experience in the World-Famous LA Fashion District, chat about her recent trip to Europe, and of course share photos and clips from our adventures together in Santa Monica (the Pier, the Beach, the Promenade.. we did it all!).

And it wouldn't be a very good fashion interview if I didn't get the Style Spy Girl's list of the top Must-Haves for the upcoming Fall Fashion season!

Click below for more pictures, a TON of awesome links, and the story of how this lovely lady and I first met!

Hello all!  I've been stopped up in Idaho the last week and had a rare chance to get "off the grid" and enjoy some day-drinking and fast cars at the rally races up north.  Enjoy!

And of course, I have plenty of photos to share... Click below to see!

Let me just start by saying..
I LOVE STEAMPUNK! Unfamiliar? You should change that!

©Whetstone Imagery 2013

Steampunk is a fascinating fashion and subculture, inspired by Victorian Era wardrobe (Yay!! Corsets!) along with the idea of a post-apocalyptic society in which all power is generated by steam. Oh, and apparently it's very, very windy in the future/past of Steampunk life, because goggles are a necessity.  It's like Sci-Fi meets the 1800s meets the inside of a clock. Want to see more Steampunk JNT? I know you do! Click below to see the rest of this gorgeous photo set, plus my behind the scenes video!

During one of my frequent trips to Boise, Idaho, I had a chance to work with Photoshop GENIUS Rachael Slick of Slicks Photography.  Before I show you photos though, I'll start this blog with a small disclaimer.  There are plenty of folks that don't enjoy the 'Before' pictures when it comes to elaborate fantasy shots like this. So I'll start with a beautiful, fully shopped, 'After' shot to wet your appetite...

This counts as a bridal shoot, yeah? You'll never guess where this photo was taken... A castle! J/K read on if you want to know the real answer...

If you're still curious, click below to see how the magic happens!

Now that I am officially returned from my trip to Boise, I feel comfortable posting about my purpose in this visit.  While the reason for my Idaho trip was in fact due to an upcoming film project (a documentary/reality/behind the scenes project! Stay tuned!!) I got to pick the dates for my visit.

I very specifically timed this trip so as to be in Idaho on April 3rd...

You see, it was one year ago on April 3rd, 2012 that my mother died.
On the year anniversary of that date there was no place I wanted to be more than with my two little sisters in the Meridian cemetery where our mother is buried. 

A purple butterfly, our mother's favorite. I'm the top foot followed by my two little sisters. We were 23, 20, & 17 when she died. Our mom was two months away from 46.

I won't get into the details of our Mother's passing, but this post is definitely on the more personal side.  As with most of my posts though, I do in fact have a photo set that I would like to share with you.  These photos were actually taken only a couple hours after leaving the hospital where, after 6 weeks of tests, tears, and prayers; we took our Mother off of life support and held her hand, and each other, as she slipped away into a new existence; one free of pain, free of suffering, and free of the injustice she had fought for so long.


If I am an artist (I am) then my body is my canvas.
These photos are for my Mom.

Click below to see.

It is amazing how many times in life, one opportunity will lead to another. While filming "Honor Among Thieves" in Boise, Idaho back in the summer of 2011, another door was opened to me, one that I had always dreamed of. 

Most of the filming took place at a glorious mini-mansion owned by an incredible artist and dear friend Peter Iverson. One day, while on set in my 'I've Lost My Mind' make up, Pete asked if he could paint me.

Promotional poster for "Honor Among Thieves" Written by Will Schmeckpeper and Directed by Andrew Ellis

"It's about damn time!" was my response.

Want to see how the paintings turned out?
Click below =)

The Line: Bourgeios Chic
The Accessories: Refinerii
The Night: MAGICAL

SUMMER

CR Simplicity Photography 2012

CR Ben Jacobsen Photography 2012