Recent Posts
Monday, May 28, 2012
Show Off Your Shot: Maternity Photography
Here's a photo from the maternity & family session I had the pleasure of doing at Duke Gardens over the weekend. What a sweet family, what a fun afternoon, and what a sweet husband I have to assist me on my photo shoot. Someone has got to hold the dancing teddy bear behind my head so the toddler will look my direction while I photograph.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Memorial Day Style
A preppy pulled together look all while feeling relaxed and casual. Yes, ma'am!
Let's see what all would I tote in here? People Magazine, Baked Lays Ruffles, camera, Country Living Magazine, Nivea Lip Balm...
With denim shorts I think this would be the perfect Americana look for a cookout. Add a hat and some top siders and the look is complete.
This is the cutest preppy dress I think I've seen all season. If it goes on sale for a good price I might have to consider nabbing it up for our beach vacation. I wonder if the J. Crew outlet might have it?
I have a thing for stripes. They make a simple loose fitting dress or tunic looked pulled together and stylish. This $14 price tag isn't bad either. It's a little short for me though, maybe with leggings.
Maxi dresses, the perfect summer essential because they can be causal for day or dressed up for night.
I like the loose fit and the details of the braided neckline.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Happy Anniversary
"I promise to love you with patience and with kindness, without envying and without boasting. I will not be rude towards you. I will not be easily angered. I will keep no record of wrongs. I will rejoice with you. I will always protect, always hope with you, always trust you, and always persevere with you."
It's humbling to consider how many times I've already fallen short on those vows. I've been easily angered, rude, and kept a record of wrongs more times than I'd like to admit. I've lacked in patience and I've lacked in kindness. There's been times where I focused more on life's roadblocks than on hoping and trusting and persevering.
But I am so thankful for forgiveness. It's something I've encountered more in marriage than I ever imagined. While I'm no pro by any means, I do look back on those early days and remember a lot more times I said things I wish I didn't or didn't say things I wish I did. After two years I feel like I've grown so much as a person, and learned how to do a better job keeping those wedding promises.
It just keeps getting better.
Happy Anniversary, love!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Winnie
A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh series of books and poems remain my favorite children's stories. Perhaps it's because I find bits of wisdom for my adult life in these classic children's tales.
More often than not I wake up thinking about what I have to get done during the day, or what I have to do but am not looking forward to. But in this little excerpt I'm reminded that each day I need to rise with excitement about the possibility of the exciting moments that could happen. One of my pre-kindergarten students reminds me of this. Everyday for the first several months of the school year he always had a Pop-tart in his lunch box for snack. Though it was an everyday occurrence, he never failed to open his lunch box with pure excitement and joy and exclaim, "I got a Pop-tart for snack today!". It was as though each day was the first day he got this special treat. Everyday can hold hundreds of tiny miracles and moments of joy, but I often let myself become too busy to notice.
I think if I had the attitude described in this Winnie the Pooh story and exhibited by my Pop-tart eating student more often I'd be open to notice the exciting moments everyday, rather than letting them pass me by as I remain wrapped up in my to-do's.
I think if I had the attitude described in this Winnie the Pooh story and exhibited by my Pop-tart eating student more often I'd be open to notice the exciting moments everyday, rather than letting them pass me by as I remain wrapped up in my to-do's.
How do you take time to slow down and recognize the joy in everday?
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Wearable Wednesday
Because I never leave home without it.
Whether it's heels and a dress or sweatpants and an old college t-shirt, one thing I never leave home without is a bag. I'm that girl who always totes everything she might possibly need with her. While it might seem cumbersome to some, at least I always have a snack when hunger strikes, tissues for when coffee spills, or bobbi pins for "one of those hair days".
I got this bag 2 years ago at Ann Taylor Loft. It was my treat to myself before we got married...I wanted to wear it on our honeymoon. Since then I've worn this purse most spring and summer days and it's still in fabulous condition. Worth the $50 I spent. Though I do love the classic look of Longchamps, this bag just might be my favorite of all the bags I've had. It's roomy and looks pretty which is often not an easy combination to find.
Where do you shop for bags and what do you look for in a good bag?
I'm generally not a big splurger when it comes to bags. The nicest bags I own have been gifts. The most I've spent on a bag has been the $50 I spent on this bag. I look for a bag that has a compartment for my phone and another compartment that zips. Roomy bags are definitely a must for me. And I have to be able to sling it over my shoulder.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Hey, Girl!
Today I'm linking up for I Heart Faces' May Photo Challenge with the theme "Hey, Girl", you know ala that whole Ryan Gossling "hey girl" photo trend all over the internet.
This is one of my favorite photos from Caitlin's senior portraits...
As always, I value your feedback.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Saturday Morning Bliss
Decaf Starbucks coffee & Country Living Magazine.
What are your favorite relaxing Saturday morning rituals?
