Class of 2011

Hello cyber friendsss! It's been awhile because, well, I have been in far too many planes, trains and automobiles and off adventuring for the past few weeks. SO FUN, but I'm glad to be back in the swing of things and PUMPED to share with you my latest shoot. This evening I had the privilege of working with Miss Ellis. She was a TOTAL DOLL the whole shoot, not to mention a DREAM to photograph. I love her relaxed style and classic elegance. Ellis- there are SO MANY fabulous shots to sort through, but here is a sneak peak....

Pretty Pretty Princess.

Hello, friends! Just thought I would give you a sneak peak at some of the photos from my latest shoot. So here's the scoop: one of my colleagues has a good friend who is a make-up artist and she wanted to get some shots for her portfolio. So of course, I agreed that it would be a great to have a shoot with the three of us. Well, it just so happens that this friend of hers is not only a make-up artist, she is a VERY talented make-up artist and worked on the set of TWILIGHT :) And apparently, when the film wrapped up production, they had a yard sale of-sorts where they sold off many of the pieces from the cast's wardrobe, that's where this GEM of a dress came from. A VERA WANG gown purchased for next to nothing. Megan looked absolutely STUNNING in the dress and the entire feel of her look was everything that I love: romantic, soft, stunning and nature-y. Ah, wonderful. Enjoy!

Well it's not saturday quite yet, but...

I know it's not technically Saturday yet, however, here are a few more things that I am loving and learning in an image...

Feeling Tiny.

Wisdom.

Special Hideaways.

 via weheartit

Well, that's all for now friends! Something more substantial to come soon...

Yummy.

I have recently become quite addicted to guacamole. Until this summer I was afraid to try it but now I cannot stop eating it!!! My mother makes the best recipe I've tasted, but really I will take whatever I can get my hands on at this point because I love it so much! SUPER YUM! Especially when accompanied by Multigrain chips and a festive beverage. Ooh lala, yes please.

Mama's Recipe
Avocados
Chopped Red Onion
Chopped Tomatos
2 Cloves Pressed Garlic
Dash of S & P
Lemon Juice
Lime Juice

What are your favorite summertime treats?

Things I am Loving in an Image.

Sweet Friendships.

via Simply Bloom Photography

Purity.

via Jose Villa

Remember.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me."

Philippians 2:14-18

A Snapshot Set From Back in the Day.

I love all of these old images because they are so classic and playful. While I'm not a huge history buff, I do enjoy snapshots from these different moments in time. 

all images via Life

Snapshot Saturday

Whoops! Where has the time gone? My sincerest apologies for not posting any juicy highlights from the week, updates to come later. For now, check out a few of the images that have been rocking my world.

via freshnessfactorfivethousand

via stylemepretty

via flythroughourwindow

Snapshot Shout Out.

Hello friends! So I am really excited about starting a new series, every saturday I plan to post snapshots that I love and that inspire my own work. So I figured why not start off with one of my favorite things...WEDDINGS.

via greenweddinghshoes

via oncewed

Racing Daylight.

One of the greatest things about my summer this year is that I have a considerable amount of flexibility in my schedule, which has been both a blessing and a curse. I am all about order and routine, so having much of my life up in the air goes entirely against the grain of what my world usually looks like, yet, in these past few weeks, this flexibility has also allowed me to accomplish many of the fun things I had listed on my summer bucket list. Case in point, watching the sunrise on the fourth of July, an activity that a rigid schedule would not have allowed for. The entire holiday weekend in general was such a treat because I was able to see two of my favorite friends who I love, admire and had been missing for far too long. So, the three of us decided to maximize the few days we had together by starting off the fourth bright and early, at 5:30 a.m. We scampered around the city photographing the beauty of a day's early light and followed up our sunrise adventure with some Dutch Brothers and scripture....perfect? YES.

Crazy Love.

Wow, hello blog! Long time no see. So much has happened since the last time we visited, but most importantly...IT'S SUMMER. While the natural joys of this season itself is super exciting, I am even more excited about all of the perks that come along with it: vacations, spending time with friends from home, frolicking in the city etc. But most importantly, summer reading! I feel like throughout the year I am constantly seeing book reviews and coming across different promotions for the latest bestsellers, all of which look great, but that I don't actually have time to read during the chaos of the school year. So luckily, the time has come for me to dig in and start crossing some of these books off my checklist.

Most recently I have been reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan and let me tell you, what a gem. I feel like it is so rare that I find a book that is interesting, thought-provoking, challenging and encouraging all in one, but this one surely is. The urgency in Chan's message is so critical for me, and I think, critical for the age we live in, as a reminder that I, along with every other individual on this planet, has been called into a crazy love relationship with Lord and creator of the universe. Here is one part that stood out...

Chan told the story of a young girl who was so passionate about the Lord and living her life as a testament to the work he had done in her and her desire that each and every person she came into contact with would come to know this Creator too. Unfortunately, however, this girl was killed in a car accident when she was in high school. Below is a portion of an essay she wrote at the age of 12. 

"I'll live my life to the fullest. I'll be happy. I'll brighten up. I will be more joyful than I have ever been. I will be kind to others. I will loosen up. I will tell others about Christ. I will go on adventures and change the world. I will be bold and not change who I really am. I will have no troubles but instead help others with their troubles. You see, I'll be one of those people who live to be history makers at a young age...(48)"

While it is so easy to push off responsibility and shrug off opportunities I think that the heart of this message is essential. I am an ambassador for Christ and I should live my life as such. The day of this girl's funeral, 200 of her peers recieved salvation from the Lord. To preach the gospel we don't need to achieve a certain status, knowledge or age, the Lord asks us to come as we are and He will bless and use us for His glory and purpose.

Wish I was Here.

Cape Cod is without a doubt the best place I have ever vacationed. I love everything about it, really, the rustic charm of the old towns, the smell of the salt and sea, the relaxed atmosphere, the laid-back demeanor of the local people and the list goes on. I vacationed in one of the small towns, Brewster, a few summers ago with my family and have been itching to go back ever since. Maybe someday... 

Sunshine and Soul Food.

Okay, seriously this weekend was one of my favorites, as in favorites of the entire year. Just to name a few highlights...Friday it was warm enough for me to lay out in my backyard (bitchin) and I got to spend time watching Glee and chatting about life with one of my new favorite people :) Saturday was even more fun-filled I biked a 5K with a few girls from my house for a sorority philanthropy then that afternoon I had a photo shoot with some cutie pi phi's and when we finally finished shooting around seven, we took my friend's recommendation and tried out a new place for dinner, Papa's Soul Food. And let me tell you they have about the BEST. FOOD. EVER. It was a treat sharing new experiences with new friends. Such a blessing. Here are a few photos from our little afternoon rendezvous.

The Best Thing on Television.

Okay, so I realize that television is not alway the best use and is actually often a waste of my time, but sometimes I do find a show or two that I think are worth investing in and GLEE is one of those shows. It's just so different than anything else on television, I love the character development and the hilarious one liners. It's proof that tasteful humor and wit can appeal to such a broad spectrum of people when done correctly. Hate to say it, but I am a GLEEK. Tune in with me for the premiere of season two tonight at 9:28!

Hawaiian Love.

Just a few pictures from vacation, I had a great time toying with my camera and the girls were such good sports for these shots. Our trip was way too short for my liking, that said, I am pumped for what's in store for me this term and the summer awaiting just around the corner :)

Aloha!

Hooray! I'm in Hawaii and living the dream! It's been such a treat to have a change of scenery and time to relax in the sunshine. I even have a tan...kinda :) Well, lets be real I just have more freckles. Anyways, I am loving the time I have gotten to spend with my family and girlfriends and am happy that we have gotten to make some lasting memories before they graduate and that I have gotten to build into their lives even more. It's amazing how much there is to uncover about people, even the ones you think you know so well. My parents even got Kristi out here at the last minute! YAY for sisterbear! I haven't seen her since christmas so I was all for her coming on a whim. Anyways, I'm not quite ready to return to reality on the mainland (my new favorite word): school, work and endless other activities and commitments. Thankfully I have a few more days to bask in the sunshine. Mahalo!

New Beginnings.

I decided it was time to start blogging because it would challenge me to do something new and interesting. I realized recently how, when I am running around at a million miles an hour, it is so difficult to shut out all of the noise and just simply be, but I need to. I don't want to miss the blessings and the people that come my way because I am too busy to see them. So I suppose that's what this space is. I am not a writer, and definatley not a poet, but I have things to say and a voice to be heard. So I am taking this small and simple challenge to do that which is often so scary for me, trying new things. Jesus is taking me on a wonderful, beautiful, tough, but real, journey and I want, more like NEED to write it all down so I forget all of the lessons that this beautiful God is teaching me.