Tuesday Tune

Florence Welch has a stunning voice and unique sound and she was quick to set up shop on my top 5 favorites list.  What can I say about her two albums (Lungs and Ceremonials) that hasn't already been said except I think they're simply awesome?!  My sister and I have tickets to her next show in our neck of the woods.  (It's post tax season and I couldn't have imagined a better way to celebrate)!

These tunes have been on my repeat lately (although - in my opinion - there isn't one bad song on the whole album) and I'd love to share them with you if you haven't already heard.  You're welcome! :)


"...in some way, I'm there with you, up against the wall on a Wednesday afternoon... just keep following the heartlines on your hand..."



"...say my name, as every color illuminates, we are shining, and we'll never be afraid again..."




Are you a Florence fan?  If so, you must get your hands on a copy of this new album!  Want more?  I've featured her on Tuesday Tune previously here and here!

Remember

 

 

“Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.”  [Benjamin Disraeli]

Photos from a camping trip during the summer.  It's nice to reminisce about summer adventures during this time of year!

Award Winner!

Earlier in the month I was given an award (the Liebster Blog Award!) by a fellow blogger, Lisa, of Lisa Graham Art.  Her art is colorful, quirky, and inspired - I enjoy seeing her new creations!  


This award is a way to spread awareness about smaller blogs that are still worth checking out.  Here's how this works:


Liebster is a German word meaning "dearest" and the award is given to bloggers with fewer than 200 followers.  The award has a few stipulations:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your five blogger picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Hope that people you have sent the award to forward it on to their favorite bloggers.

And the award goes to...

lemabean.

20 Something and Striving

In the belly of the fish...

the homely place

BollyInStyle

I love all these blogs and am honored to spread the love!

Tuesday Tune

I rediscovered this song - thanks to Lisa! - who reminded me of the artist Broken Bells.  I realized I never knew who the artist was.  Awesome!

Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year, year of the Dragon!  Are you doing anything special to celebrate?

My 2012 horoscope sounds promising!  What does yours say?

Engagement Shoot - Laura & Nich

My friend Laura kindly asked me if I would be interested in shooting her engagement pictures.  They got engaged over the holidays and they really are a sweet couple - I couldn't be more excited for them!  Engagement pictures are so special.  They are a celebration of the special time with your new fiance - just the beginning of the whole 'to do'.  I look back on that time in my life with such fondness.

Laura and Nich were the perfect couple to shoot.  So relaxed and romantic - I could feel the love!  And I tried to capture it on film.  I was so nervous to do this shoot and I got to the location early to scout it out.  We were so blessed with a beautiful day and I am so thrilled with the way these turned out.  Thank you, Laura and Nich!!

Here are some of my very favorite moments.

So, what do you think?  I had SO much fun shooting and even more fun editing.  Thank you Laura (and Nich) for this exciting opportunity!  I hope to get more chances in the future for shooting - it was really a wonderful and exciting experience!

Tuesday Tune

I need some positive music when I'm working out - especially when I'm doing my cardio!  Something that keeps up with my pace and keeps me positive.  This song has been on my repeat list and it doesn't hurt that it reminds me of good times dancing with friends!

Inspiration

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."


[Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.]

Engaged

I was truly humbled and so flattered to be asked by my friend, Laura, to shoot her engagement pictures for her and her new fiance!  How exciting!  And I must admit I am a bit nervous - I want their photos to be perfect and beautiful.  We were hoping for sunshine this weekend and it looks like we'll get it (knock on wood)!  I have a feeling this will be a special experience for all of us!

I'm sharing some of my favorite shots from our engagement shoot (almost two years ago - CRAZY!).

By the way, we decided to have our photos taken at the university we attended.  It just so happens that's where we met!

Tuesday Tune

Jason Mraz is the coolest!  


Oh, and I simply love his new single.  Have you heard it yet?  I'm so looking forward to his future tour because I will be there front row center.  He is so inspiring - and his music makes me feel so very happy, positive, thoughtful, excited, giddy, introspective... he is so creative!  And I especially connect with this song.  Thank you, Jason!


"...'cause even the stars they burn, some even fall to the earth, we've got a lot to learn, God knows we're worth it..."

Creative Courage

I love paper - journals, cards, invitations, garlands, wrapping - you name it!  And as some of you already know I have expressed a desire to own my own paper shop specializing in paper products - mainly cards and invitations.  In the past I've created invitations for our wedding rehearsal dinner, parties, birthday cards, and other miscellaneous projects.

I had high hopes for opening an Etsy shop in 2011 but throughout the year I felt the inspiration draining from me.  This led to my temporary break from blogging.

Where did all my inspiration and creative energy go?  What happened to my motivation? 

I was feeling overwhelmed with the whole creative process.  Randomly back in November I stumbled across (I do quite a bit of 'stumbling' on the internet, isn't it a wonderful place?!) Stephanie Levy's blog and found myself signing up for her Creative Courage e-course.  This class is all about building confidence and jumpstarting your creative drive!  From her blog:  "Creative Courage is a practical guide that will help you clarify your own unique path and give you the tools you need to start making your goals real...".  This seven week course starts on Monday!

Just what I needed.

I received an email from Stephanie today welcoming me to class and announcing that there are still a few spots available.  I want to pass the word along to you!  I believe this will be a very fulfilling experience for me and I'm hoping to find the "creative courage" to continue on my [paper] path.

Pure Delight

"You're never too old to become younger."  [Mae West]


I found this photo somewhere online (cannot remember where, sorry!) and I love it so much!  Pure joy and excitement!  It's hanging on my wall at work and will be a part of my vision board for 2012.

Tuesday Tune

So, I've found another love to add to my short list of musical artist soulmates - Thievery Corporation.  I have continued to stumble across this group (and I even featured them in early 2011!).  I would hear songs I loved on different iTunes radio stations, Pandora... etc. and would later realize they were all the same band.  I'm destined to love this group!  One of their cds, The Richest Man in Babylon, was waiting for me under the Christmas tree this year and I'm already looking forward to completing my collection.  I LOVE this album!  This music falls into my category of "perfect".  (Can you guess who else is there?)

I was listening to it last night and I was conjuring images of myself as a yoga teacher playing this cd during class.... or perhaps a cafe owner... or maybe relaxing at the beach... or... or...

What do you think?

Fresh

Welcome, 2012!  Did another year really just come to a close?  It seems like yesterday it was 2011 - and what a wonderful year it turned out to be.


I started 2012 with a detox yoga workshop and it felt great!  Rather than make resolutions we set our intentions for the coming year - I love this!  I'm also creating a vision board for 2012... more to come.

"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them."  [Galileo Galilei]

Speaking of discoveries, I found these vibrant "sunburst tangerines".  Have you seen these before?  I love their dramatic coloring... and they're tasty, too!