AVAILABLE LIGHT PHOENIX THE WESTERN EXPANSION CONTINUES

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Paulina Villarroel Cruz (she/her/hers)

617-944-6800x130 | paulina@availablelight.com

High Resolution Images are Available

June 13, 2022, Boston MA—Available Light (AvLt) today announced that its new Phoenix studio continues its western expansion beyond Los Angeles, first announced in April 2022. Available Light is an internationally recognized lighting design firm specializing in museum, architectural, trade show/special event lighting design. The new ventures join existing AvLt studios in Boston, New York, and Raleigh.

Founded in Boston in 1992, Available Light is celebrating 30 years of creative achievement and design innovation by focusing on regional growth. “When we reached our 25th anniversary, we commissioned a monograph to celebrate our achievements,” said Steven Rosen, Founder and President, “At 30, we’ve reinvigorated our practice with a strategic growth plan that lets us meet and support our clients at their doorstep.”

Phoenix is a city with a burgeoning health care industry that calls for architectural expansion where scientific research, patient care, and academic study can be conducted. AvLt’s Phoenix studio will be led by Associate Principal Rachel Gibney, Assoc. IALD, MIES, LC. Gibney, who trained as a theatrical lighting designer, is an Arizona native who has been part of the AvLt team since joining the firm as an intern nearly a decade ago. Says Gibney, “From aesthetics, to well-being, to sustainability, we look forward to collaborating with owners, architects, designers, consultants, and contractors to create the best possible architectural and experiential outcomes for everyone who encounters the spaces we light.”

“Rachel rapidly climbed the responsibility ladder at AvLt,” said Rosen. “Over time, she’s deeply absorbed our aesthetic, culture, and design process. At the same time, her desire to enhance our technical skills—generating computer daylighting studies, developing virtual real-time 3D presentations, studying the affect of light on humans, and more—has made Rachel a real boon to the firm. From higher ed STEM complexes to museums, Rachel uses light to tell meaningful and compelling stories with lasting impact. Rachel’s design skills and collaborative spirit will greatly benefit our clients.”

“I’m excited to expand Available Light and offer our lighting expertise in life sciences, commercial and other industries in the Phoenix area,” said Gibney. “In addition to more directly serving clients in the Southwest, we now have an opportunity to contribute to the professional networks that underpin other related regional design industries.”

Committed to professional development, Gibney is active in two IES standards committees: Education, Library, Office Lighting and Theater, Film, and Television Lighting. She has also been deeply involved in Women in Lighting + Design (WILD). A lifelong advocate of teaching and learning, Gibney teaches the Revit/BIM application to theatrical design students at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the Studio School of Design. She holds a BFA from the University of Arizona and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. Gibney has won several industry and design awards.

Recent AvLt projects include the National Museum of African American Music, Amherst College New Science Center, the James Mandell Building at Boston Children's Hospital, and an exhibition at the RSA international conference.

Founded in Boston in 1992, Available Light’s designs create lasting and memorable encounters. AvLt has crafted compelling, innovative, and economical lighting solutions for a widely diverse range of project types around the globe: from science research labs to museum exhibition; hospitality to trade show exhibits/events; and corporate interiors to college lecture halls. AvLt combines modern technology and insight with aspects of beauty, mystery, and design to achieve the vision of its museum, architecture, trade show and special event clients. AvLt’s designers recognize environmental sustainability is the greatest collective challenge of our time.

AvLt supports the cultivation of diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its studios, the lighting design profession, and the world. Modern design lives or dies on transparency and partnership. The language of collaboration is our mother tongue.

Available Light

LISTEN. CREATE. DELIVER.

Boston | New York | Raleigh | Phoenix | Los Angeles

www.availablelight.com

SOMETHING TO WEAR, SOMETHING TO READ, SOMETHING YOU WANT, SOMETHING YOU NEED

Merry Christmas from the Acevedo Family. We hope your holiday is filled with amazing memories with the one’s you love. Our almost two year old sure keeps us busy, so while we’re able to squeeze in a Christmas nap I wanted to share our Christmas gifting rhyme I followed this year, I mean Santa, and it was all smiles on Christmas morning.

It's called '“Want, Need, Wear, Read” according to Google. “The idea is that you only give four gifts to each child: Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.” I found it searching for gifts one day and my list was set. I also like my rhyme better.

Wear: Instead of matching jammies, I opted for these Project We shirts I scored at Old Navy. Photo shoot to come.

Read: This little guy loves to read so picking out a This Little book was hard because we want them all. Presidents was our choice; learn our history and quiz dada for Jeopardy.

Want: Arts and crafts were on the list to Santa, so to keep it clean we got a waterless coloring page. Elmo and his friends come to color with the stroke of a magic marker.

Need: Atlas also enjoys puzzles so a Target dollar spot Christmas puzzle ended up being the most played with toy, so far, and most rewarding. I love seeing his brain work, practice patience and get excited for a win! Sorry nothing to tag, its now going for 4 times the price on a third party reseller. Maybe we should be careful with this gift, A.J, lol.

Also loving our Melissa and Doug Realistic wooden cleaning toys: broom, mop, etc while I am Dyson -ing my whole home, top to bottom. Its a want and need for a Virgo and Capricorn Christmas.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday with your family- off to decorate some cookies and go Suns, tonight!

XoXo

Santa Britt

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS AVOCADOS

Santa! It’s been a great year- how have you been? It is me, Atlas. Almost two now and ready for my second Christmas. I helped decorate this year and the cookies… *chefs kiss*. Hey! I saw a lot of you at the Churchill handing out candy canes; I didn’t take any because I couldn’t trust them. You’re the real deal.

Since you’re THE Santa and I have been extra good this year I know you can get me what I want….a lifetime supply of avocados. How about A year? A grove? A tree? A sprouted seed? My mom try’s with all the composted ones I provide for her but her thumb is not so green.

Also, while we’re at the big stuff can we get some extra kindness in this world. My friend H sings about TPWK and I agree. Our fam sprinkling kindness, but while you’re out delivering all those presents put some extra kindness in those stockings, would ya.

I won’t keep you much longer. I know you’re a busy man and I appreciate your time. I saw special show with Mickey and the Blues Clues one too ; great work. Tell the Mrs I said, “Hello.”

Atlas

PS My mom made my santa letter printable for you to get it into the real man just in time! She’s the best.

BABY PRODUCTS WE SWEAR BY (& ONES WE SWEAR AT TOO)

This blog is LONG over due! But the best part for you is maybe you're not due yet and you just discovered the post you have been searching for your whole pregnancy! With all the baby options out there how do you really know if it is right for you and your family? You dont, unless you try. Good thing we tried a bunch and have our faves and lames list to share!

I linked all the Amazon finds so you can be the Christmas Hero!

Should I get it? Why does every new parent have this? Why is it on everyone list? The answers to your deepest questions answered bellow. Also these products are in no favorable order.

YAYS

• Pack and Play. Why we love it? You need a place to play in a designated area while we are out somewhere or mom needs to do something and you cant get into anything so take some toys and chill in here for a bit. Also it doubles as a bed when we travel!

• Door Jumper- Why we love it? Have you seen Atlas’ quads? Those leg muscles! He didn’t get that way overnight. Practicing jumping and walking at the same time.

• Rocker- at first I was like why are all these expensive gliders and rockers in nurseries? Now I get it! We have a vintage rattan rocker that was in my nursery but it has become one of my favorite chairs and its so sweet to part of the bed time routine.

• Nuuk pacifiers & Doc Brown bottles - know you pacifies and know you bottles - aka know your nipples. Lol. Dont steer from them and when you are ready to size up or switch to sippy or straw, keep the same brand!

• Large Play Mat- Why we love it? It is a clean, soft, foldable play mat that we can unfold everyday for playtime. We can travel with us and it make mom feel safer about floortime play when you cant vacuum, mop and sweep 24/7.

• Touch and Feel Hard Books - Why we love them? They encourage interaction through the touch and feel panels and the hard pages are durable for our avid reader. He will read the same book 10 times a day flipping the pages, feeling the nooks and crannies.

• Kick & Play Piano Gym - You have seen every baby with it. The fisherprice animal piano is the bees knees. Starting week 1 with tummy time all the way through month 15 with the piano colors and numbers. It is used daily and we only had to change the batteries 1 time. What a winner!

• Sleep Sack- Atlas was a swaddle king. He loved it! Once he could get his arms out he kept himself up all night. We quickly got a sleep sack with velcro swaddle sides and could easily transition the arms out. Now we are in the Halo and haven’t looked back. We have a nap time one and a thicker night time one.

NAYS

• Tummy Time Mats- you just need 1- or none, lol. A blanket or mat will work just fine. We got caught up with fun ones to stare at but why?

• Mobile- its distracting and gets in the way of putting your little one in the crib. Why would you want to encourage play time where bed time is?

• Footed Pajamas - Atlas hated his feet confined. Any footed pajamas had to be cut for freedom. He is like his mom, he can’t sleep with socks on I guess.

• Push walker- these are so flimsy. Our muscle man was knocking his down using it to stand up. We had to go straight to a sit in walker for our guy.

If you have any you swear by, comment bellow. Hope this helps any new parents or event second timers wondering what to invest in. Happy Holidays and remember as long as there is love at attention your baby just needs you.

HAPPY GRADUATION - SWIMMING INTO LEVEL 3

Our little fish has graduated level 2 before turning 2! After our final swim class of the year we celebrated leveling up.

We started Aqua Tots Swim School beginning of 2022 as a first birthday present. Coming up on a year, we have successfully graduated 2 levels! On to level 3- one on one with the coach. Although I am looking forward to not getting in a highly chlorinated kids pool every week, I am more excited for his independence and trust he will gain with the coach!

You can read our AQUA TOT ATLAS blog sharing why we chose this swim school and some tips and tricks from us here. Mr Atlas Phelps will be practicing all winter and accepting recruits for his summer 23 swim school. Congrats, again, Atlas. Mom and Dad are always so proud of you!

XoXo

Britt

DIY FOLD IN HALF WALL

Event backdrops you can make! Yes, that’s right! I have the recipe for the pop up walls you’ve been saving on instagram. It folds in half with a hinge, fits in most cars and is lightweight for 1 to carry! Let's get to building.

This makes 1 wall.

If you want to make a shape, slant, or curve thats on you.

How you decorate your walls is endless.

Add pegs, shelves, vinyl, paint, material, etc. 

Materials:

11/32 in. or 3/8 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. BC Sanded Pine Plywood

11/32 in. or 3/8 in. x 2 ft. x 4 ft.

1 in. x 3 in. x 8 ft. 

1 in. x 5 in. x 8 ft.

1 in. x 1 in. x 36 in. Pine Square Dowel

3-1/2 in. Satin Nickel 5/8 in. Radius Smooth Action Door Hinges (Five)

Wood Glue 

¾- 1 ¾ wood screws 

Sandbag

Sand

Directions:

• Cut 4x8 into two 4x3

These are your walls- top + bottom

• Cut 11/32 in. or 3/8 in. x 2 ft. x 4 ft. into 

Two 1’6” x 2’6” triangles for legs

2-3 inches from the base of the triangle notch out a slit for the leg connector

One 3’ 2.5” x 3” for sandbag leg connector

Two 6” x 6” squares for slat holder

• Cut 1 in. x 3 in. x 8 ft. into 4” strips Need 6 

One on top half of cut boards, one on bottom half of cut (left, right and center)

Mark and Pre drill your door hinges make sure your screws go through your wood but not the wall, if it does you will have to grind down. Repeat three times.

• Cut 1x1 into four 6” and two 4” for the slat holders

Glue them in a u shape on top of the the 6”x6” cuts Need 2

Pre drill and screw center of your hinges on the bottom half right at the fold

• Cut 1 in. x 5 in. x 4 ft. into 1.5 foot flats (sand these down for tight fit)

• Align your legs at the bottom of the wall half

Mark and Pre drill your door hinges to make sure your screws go through your wood but not the wall, if it does you will have to grind down. Repeat other leg.

• Fill sand bag will sand and place on center of 3’ 2.5” x 3” for weighted balance.

Thank you to The Know Women for Giving me the creative space to make thesee beauties.

Thank you to my dad for home depot pop talks.

Thank you to my hubby for the CAD work + love.

If you want to catch the vlog to the wall (BONUS: it’s loaded with Atlas cuteness) it’s here:

NON PUMPKIN PATCH ACTIVITES FOR TODDLERS

Not to say a PP isnt worth the photos, but when you’re ready for something new, no matter where you are, save this!

Year 1 we did the PP. It was cute. Mother Nature’s Farm in Gilbert, AZ. He was free- it was worth it, but to save the $15 per person this time we opted for some more budget friendly and free activities!

1. The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park- Scottsdale, AZ but if you Google “Halloween train ride in yourcity” you will get some great results.

   • Great for ALL ages

   • Buy tickets ahead

   • Bring your own food and drinks and make it a party

2. Trick or Treat in the Day- Don’t literally go ask for candy, but instead look at the decorations while the suns out.

   • Day decorations are not as scary

   • You can see all the spooky details

   • Map your treat route- which houses look like they came to play?

3. Paint a Pumpkin- Why carve, when you can paint!

   • Any age can show off their skills

   • Add to a party or just by your self / with your little

   • Pumpkins last longer without a carve or use a fake one and reuse next year

   • No pumpkin? No problem! Hand and footprint spooky crafts are just as fun

4. Make Cookies- Sugar cookie dough for now + freeze for next 2 months of holidays!

   • Decorate pumpkin cookies and skeletons using your ornament and gingerbread cutters from other holidays

   • Make lots of dough + freeze. I have an unbeatable recipe here

   • Make a spooky quesadilla- triangle cute eyes and mouth on a tortilla + burnt cheese bonus

What ever your spooky activity make it a memorable one. Creating holiday core memories have been a highlight of parenthood. Let me know if you recommend any other non patch spooky tings….. Happy Halloween!

XoXo

Britt.

ALEXA PLAY SPOTIFY PLAYLIST ATLAS HALLOWEEN

“ALEXA PLAY SPOTIFY PLAYLIST ATLAS HALLOWEEN” Do it! Tell her!

Since entering the parenting world I try and steer away from the typical children’s songs especially when the holidays rolls around. We hear enough of the classics and I know there are great songs out there- underrated.. dare we say underwraps….

Halloween 2021 I started and now this spooky season Atlas and DJ BJ are ready to reveal this amazing mix of 60 songs that anyone from 60 days to 60+ years will enjoy - it’s proven! You can play at a party, listen to on a slow morning, play in the car, and of course share with your trick or treaters.

Let us know your fave song on the list and if we left any hidden gems out. Happy listening and haunting ghouls and boys.

XoXo

DJBJ

FIVE FAVE TODDLER FINDS AT COSTCO

We know we have a ton of Costco fans on here. I was originally a Price Club attendee sitting high in my cart atop a giant package of toilet paper. Now, we take Atlas, what seems like monthly, to stock up on family snacks and meals. After continuously purchasing the same products, it's time to get a sponsorship, just kidding. Sharing our Costco list with you. 

18 months cruising the isles of Costco with your mom and dad. Heres our FIVE FAVE FINDS! Be sure to save our shopping list to your phone.

Kirklands Applesauce Squeezer

These are great for on the go. 

Some have other fruits and veggies mixed in. 

The ingredients are real!  

Veggie Straws

The whole family loves them, even Winter! 

You can eat them plain or dip or hummus. 

Snacks all day! 

String Cheese

We string it -he eats it up. 

On the go too! 

These are perfect for travel.

Shred them on scrambled eggs.

Par baked tortillas 

These are so fresh and delicious. 

I always freeze one half because you get so many. 

We warm them for all meals and turn them into veggies quesadillas for little man.

Raviolis 

My Italian boy loves his pasta with cheese! 

Extra reward it has spinach! Find ones with mushrooms too.

BONUS! We also stock up on fruits and veggies frozen and fresh. Frozen strawberries and blueberries. Fresh avocados, bananas, and raspberries. 

I hope you enjoyed shopping with us at Costco today. Let me know if you have any foodies suggestions for an 18 month old, please and thank you !

XoXo

Mama Britt

KNOW SUMMIT 2022

Imagine one hundred and fifty women to Know and do business with, sharing, teaching, learning, connecting, gaining visibility and being seen. Throw in a pool party, shopping, Jamie Kern Lima and Alli Webb! It was unbelievable, but Believe it! 

Where was it? The Saguaro Hotel in Scottsdale AZ. But who made it? The KNOW Women! We built walls (blog post to come on this) for backdrops, hung velvet drapes, stapled greenery, pegged walls (maybe got charged for a few damages), and more. All with our power tools and women power- we did it! 

We celebrated with a dip in the pool and a cool drink, but most importantly- being recognized in a room of women I recognize… incredible.

Also let me just humbly say I was not familiar with Jamie Kern Lima prior to Summit. I had that NBA finals Referee Jack Harlow moment when we hopped on a Zoom call with her and her team prior to the event. After meeting her, hearing her story and seeing who she shows up as every day is honorable. I cannot wait to read her book, Believe It! 

Can you sit with us? Of course- what I love about KNOW (of the many things) is you can always sit with us! Summit 2023 is on the calendar and I want you there! 

Learn more about the Know Women here.

Learn about the Top Women across America to KNOW for 2022.

XoXo

Britt