In April my sister Lea (above left) turned 50. Since I was already going to be in San Francisco for one of my Specify Colour with Confidence workshops, I suggested my Mom and two sisters join me there for the weekend.
We stayed at the Westin St. Francis and this was the view from our room overlooking Union Square. My Mom took this photo, she’s such a good photographer!
When everyone arrived, I had arranged for birthday balloons in the room for the occasion!
My sister Lea Junttila | It was not too early for champagne that day!
While the sisters shopped on Saturday, my Mom took in the sights on a double decker bus (above).
I also saw one of the most beautiful hallways I’ve ever stepped into:
Gorgeous blue wavy, watery carpet surrounded by murals of the Golden Gate Bridge. Obviously my iPhone pics don’t do it justice, however it was just beautiful!
Also a great example of classic and timeless decorating! You would have no idea, just by looking at the colours, when this was installed.
Then on Sunday night, we had some photos taken by Catie from Flytographer and she was amazing!
So just to keep it real, it took ALL DAY to get ourselves ready for this photoshoot which happened at 6:30 pm.
First of all, we had to coordinate the outfits which took us days to figure out in advance.
Then we all had blow-outs scheduled before our late brunch that day.
So we jump into an Uber and go across town to our scheduled appointment.
They didn’t have our appointment.
So then we had to go all the way back to our hotel and do our own blow-drying!
We also worried all weekend that we would freeze because it was so cold and windy but thankfully the temperature was okay when we arrived.
Early in the day I asked if we could meet a little earlier as well because we had to wait around a bit to meet her at 6:30 pm.
She texted back that the light was best at that time of day.
And she was right.
Fashion bloggers might make it look easy, but let me tell you, it is not.
Whew.
Another pic by my Mom!
I’m so lucky to live so close to my Mom and sisters!
Hey, what did you do for your 50th?
Terreeia and I leave for Houston before daybreak Monday morning! There’s still time to jump in, my Specify Colour with Confidence workshop starts Wednesday and there’s 2 seats left! New Jersey is the following week, register here.
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Did you dress everyone for the photos? The clothes look so good together. The ultimate litmus test of family love is if your adult siblings will put on the clothes you tell them to when you’re taking pictures for your blog.
Your photos remind me of when I hired a photographer to take pictures of my kids for my blog and it wasn’t until we got to the studio that I noticed my kids both had on dirty shirts, one kid spilled milk on his shorts and the other kid was still wearing his pajama bottoms.
Haha, we certainly did and based on your comment, I added what it took to get ready that day in the blog! It’s hard work getting cute enough for photos that’s for sure!
Thanks for your comment!
Maria
Love this! When I saw the photo in the email, I knew I had to comment that your whole family was wearing the colors of my home, LOL. I also thought as the email was opening, “was the weather okay or was it cold and windy?!?!” My undergraduate degree is from UC Berkeley across the Bay, and I was expecting to love the weather because I love winter in Southern California and I thought I would have more of it, but it was way more than I expected when I first got there during an El Nino year. Lots of rain like this past winter in California. I know we needed it this year, though, so I’m glad for it.
My 50th birthday I went to the Rose Parade. My sister had had a Gran Mal seizure 2 days before from FTD “the cruelest disease you have never heard of” from 60 Minutes
last night: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/frontotemporal-dementia-devastating-prevalent-and-little-understood-60-minutes-2019-05-05/, and the hospital pushed her out on 12-31 at 8:00 pm because her Medicare from Social Security Disability that she had been awarded in September didn’t start until 1-1, but she didn’t get diagnosed for 2 more months afterwards. But my mom said to go to the parade anyway, and because I felt ok when I woke up, I did. My plan got thrown out when I hit traffic near Pasadena, and after I did my backup plan, about 10 happy accidents happened, I sat in a perfect spot and took pics of every float that I could practically touch. Then I went home to my parents’ house on a huge Rose Parade high!
As I’ve said before, spend as much time as you can with those you love and you do! Love you, Maria and family!
Love you and your Mum’s photos! 4 beautiful girls! Gorgeous family.
You have a beautiful family, Maria, and it looks like everyone had a wonderful time. I love color and I love your blog. I look forward to the posts and t’s one of the things that’s helping me through a tough time. Hope to be able to use your services in the future.
I love the pictures of your mom and sisters. This was a great idea. You all look beautiful!
I don’t remember what happened at home but at work I was surprised by a “50’s theme party”. Coworkers had blow up fake instruments and played to rock and roll records. Someone tied a scarf around my neck so I matched their vintage outfits. They had a pot luck. I felt very special and honored.
Those portraits are the look of love for sure. Maria – you always think of ways to bring joy to others. And of curse, it brings joy to you too. Happy Birthday (a bit belated) to Lea.
For me, turning 50 was Hawaii Five O. Went with my sweety and another couple who are close and long time friends. Very special memories. Next big one is 70 – better plan big. !
What a great idea for you all to enjoy the trip. Must have been fun having mom and your sisters accompanying you there and a great 50th birthday for Lea.
Your pictures will make great Mother’s Day gifts for your mom.
Maria
Priceless !!!
Beautiful ladies / beautiful pictures .
And color coordinated outfits .
Only Maria ?
Gosh Maria, everyone looks good but you look Great!!! Like a model!!! I guess with heels and tucked inTop makes you look long and lean. Something to think about when wardrobe planning!!
My neice and sister-in-law came to Austin for my 50th birthday for a surprise and mini vacation. They wanted to stay in a hotel as my sister-in-law was allergic to my cat so I suggested the Renaissance at the arboretum….great fun for them and me too! A real treat for us all!
Fabulous pictures of all of you. The photographer sure captured the best of all of you. Your mom is really quite an artist in her own right by taking the pictures of San Fran! Such pretty ladies and what a birthday to remember for your sister Lea! Your certainly are blessed to have your family close to you.
P.S. The hotel is gorgeous and I love love the carpet.
When I turned 50, I crossed the border from New York into Canada because every body knows that 50 US is only 38 CDN (it was then). Love your posts and I never miss a one.
No wonder you are so beautiful, it runs in the family. You are so blessed to have your sisters and your wonderful mother. AND, they are blessed to have you.
Your sister looks 25. Good genes!!!
Wishing you colorful days.
Diana
Four lovely ladies! What a great way to celebrate your sister’s special birthday! (I LOVE your gorgeous pumps!!!)
Happy times! For my 50th, I celebrated repeatedly with my different groups of friends. One had a Victorian tea party for me, others were a meal out or a gathering at a home. I think in total I had seven different celebrations over a 2-3 month period. It was the best!
What a wonderful family you all have, together! Beautiful photo and, regardless of not getting the professional blowouts, you all look great! Your outfits’ colors blend well, but I like that it’s not one of those family photos where all are wearing essentially identical outfits (e.g. Khaki pants and white shirts–that is not a bad look for a group photot, but this is much more natural and flattering vs. a “uniform.”).
*group photo (oops!)
Great pics Maria. What a wonderful family time. You did a great job coordinating all the outfits for the photo shoot. No surprise there, we are talking “Maria Killam” the most famous color expert around.
I am just starting out and taking your course is on my list of must do’s. I missed you in Toronto this Fall. Do you know when you might be back my way again.