// a few things that make the list of my happies //

starbucks // family night watching the oscars // my little guy cozied up on mounds of blankets // my favorite books // clippings from our yard // warm march days with blue skies // my little guy soaking up some sun // coffee date in a garden courtyard with a great photographer friend

+ stay tuned for another installment of conversations :)

life lately & some news (i'm not with child)

chai with good friends // this book at anthropologie is on my "to buy" list // mid-century dresser that Jeff didn't think we needed tear // we went back in time to winter for one day [we've already moved on to Spring in Cali] // good book.. green tea lemonade..and great company at Starbucks // family kisses before daddy goes to work.

I have news! We are moving again.

This will be our 6th move in our first 2.5 years of marriage. I know what you're thinking...we are beyond nuts. You're probably right, but each move has had significance in our individual lives and marriage as a whole. Yes, I'm going that deep with houses we've lived in. We're still pretty young and learning to navigate our way through life as a married couple. It's challenging, scary, fun and most of all it's rewarding. The rewarding part, really? Yea, it's rewarding because Jeff and I are learning how to do life together and make decisions together. Let me tell you...it's an absolute REWARD when a married couple can agree on big things in life. I'm certain that this move will be our last for at least a few years...as is Jeff, reward.

I have mixed emotions over it, but honestly I'm more happy than not. I wrote about some stuff that happened when we first moved to this house here. Since that first weekend we have been questioning a lot of things. Namely, should we have ever moved here? To say we never should have moved here is silly because clearly God had a plan and He's using this as a stepping stone to our next place in life. However, there are an overwhelming amount of reasons why we're moving. The bottom line is that we shouldn't be living here and we feel that it's been confirmed in more ways than one. Though we're excited for the next step in our lives, we do feel strongly the 7 months we've lived in this house were nothing short of God's perfect plan for this time of our lives.  We matured in different areas that never would have been addressed had we not experienced this home. So, we've listened to our hearts and have faith that it's in our best interest to leave our little 1940's home and venture back to apartment life.

Bring on the noisy neighbors and upstairs inconveniences! Just kidding, I'm so excited to be above ground again.

40dayfast

I'm twenty days in to our church-wide 40 day fast. Our church elders have been intensely praying over revival in our region and seeking ways that we can be ready when revival hits this place. In doing so, we've joined with other churches for the first 40 days in January of 2013 for a period of prayer and fasting.

I joined in a week late, because I had been praying about what and if I should fast. After a few days I felt God telling me that instagram took up too much of my personal time. Though a lot of people probably think that's crazy...it's more than true. Thus, I've been instagram-less ever since.

Any way, I'm really excited to see where God is leading our region and how He's going to use our church [and many others] in the coming years. We're reading through the powerful book of Isaiah, where Isaiah rips apart and warns His people of God's coming judgement [much like every other book in the Bible]. But it's SO powerful, there's a lot of prophecy of the latter days and Christ's second coming which is rad.

The second coming used to terrify me, and it hasn't been until the last year or two that I've been ready and excited to hear that trumpet and see our King take His throne in the new Jerusalem. I'm seriously stoked.

I just wanted to update on this silent journey of fasting because I've found that my days are much more productive and meaningful now that I've subconsciously made a point to replace insta time with prayer time. It's been a wonderful growing experience, and I'd like to fast from other things through out the year because of it. We shall see what will come of that.

tis the season

to be jolly...

So naturally that means there will be a lot of Christmas music playing, hot chocolate consuming, Christmas movie watching, Egg-nog steamer drinking, pretty picture taking, and church Christmas program going. 

I've slowly added more Christmas to our house each day, searching tutorials on Pinterest and creating with items I've found in my craft boxes. This is just a sneak peek of the transformation our little home has seen so far. Once everything is set in place and I decide whether or not I want to a red ornament, red and green ornament, or randomized ornament tree...we'll have some pictures up. The dilemmas I face as a home makin lady, man oh man. 

The days over here are spent playing with my new iPhone 5, [and by playing I mean taking and editing hundreds of pictures] because this camera is AMAZING. Mingled in there are editing real life pictures that aren't just instagram squares, working like 25 hours a week...give or take, and lots of family and friend hang outs. It's pure joy. The holidays are in full force and I'm ready to embrace it all. Last year around this time I was cramming for finals and working more than my holiday thumping heart could handle, so this year I'm soaking in all things jolly and bright.

Oh and one more thing...who else thinks it's the coolest thing ever that among Jingle Bells and Rudolph songs, like 95% of people are also subconsciously singing songs about baby Jesus every day this time of year? I like that.

Here's to lots more Christmas music and glitter-ized everything.... :)

insta life

So I'm way behind on updating about regular...uhh life? Yea. Life. I've been photographing a lot of sessions lately, and I've updated a few of them here. That's been awesome, amazing, and all things wonderful. The not so wonderful part of photography = business photography. Holy moly, understanding how to run a business has been less than glamorous. But in the end I'm so grateful to be pursuing such a rewarding career. 

In other news I've become slightly obsessed with potting. I have like 10 potted plans...give or take. I love it, the greenery, the challenge to keep them alive (only killed one in 2 weeks, and successfully returned it to home depot), and the freshness it brings to our home. I'm also starting a plate wall in our kitchen. I haven't really figured out whether it's going to be a certain kind of plate or a hoge podge of plates. I'm leaning toward the latter. I don't want it to match, I want it to be an eclectic collection of an assortment of plate styles. I think it will be fun. 

More life updates...ummm...If you don't remember, I transferred to a new Starbucks when we moved, and it was a hard transition at first because I struggle with change. But now I'm thoroughly enjoying my new store and all the people in it. The regulars are pretty cool too..it's strange and cool all at once how you can become friends with the people who come in. 

Here's to a happy mid-October weekend...and lots of pumpkin spice lattes!

life lately via instagram

latte art by a friend | flower mart in the city with ms. michaela noelle :) | hobby lobby sale knobs, be still my heart | found my old paint supplies, be still my creative heart | gorg sunset after saturday night church | silly pictures on our anniversary dinner

life is sweet. i have a job, i have a husband, i have creativity and art, i have my health, i have so much love, i have the cutest pup, i have a loving family, i have photography, i have books to read, i have a stellar church, i have a bible..that i can read whenever i want, i have tv..woot!, i have clothes, i have a house.....sometimes reminding ourselves of all that we are blessed with is necessary :)

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in other news i have a few features to share with you all! i was featured on michaela's blog last week sharing what i love and don't love, check that post out here!

AND

one of my dear friends kyla featured me on her blog today, here!

family vaca: day two

Mid-day walks to the windy pier and evening lattes. I'm officially relaxed and hoping to finish Potter by the end of this trip, but with 11 people in the house..things get a little distracting ;)

Ribs..chicken..salad & watermelon for dinner, then I think we'll finish out the night with some more cribbage or a huge game of Catan. Either way, family vacationing is in full gear...decks of cards spread on all tables, empty soda cans everywhere, and a bowl of watermelon freshly cut, ready to be consumed. Here's to hoping that latte kicks in so I can enjoy some mountain star gazing tonight and sleep through the woodpecker next to our window tomorrow morning!

wine tasting

The other night, I went wine tasting with my mom, dad, Mr, my dad's boss lady and my bess fran. The first Wednesday of every month a local restaurant {yes, it took me 4x to spell restaurant correctly..the spelling makes no sense, ask anyone} has wine tasting for $5. We tasted 4 different wines and ate some delicious flat bread pizza. I wouldn't say that I now LOVE wine, but Mr and I have popped a bottle or two since our wine tasting adventure. However, Mr has definitely become a wine connoisseur {there was no hope for that word..it was all spell check}... he swirls, swishes, and examines the "legs" just like he's supposed to. Love that husband of mine.

Oh, and we made friends with our waitress and got free banana creme pie out of it. Get in my belly.

If you have some time, head on over here and read my guest post on redefining beauty! 

& so it begins

Pleasure reading was put on the back burner for most of the last 5 years, since I was busy reading skimming textbooks and writing papers on the cultural adaptation process of immigrants {bleck}. But now that I have a little time on my hands, it's time for some good ol' fashion fun.

I recently read Jenni's posts on her visit to Harry Potter World, and another friend of mine is making her way through all the books, so I felt inspired to give it a go. I've had books 1-5 neatly on display for a few years now, and although I enjoy their decorative contributions to my bookshelf, I'm much more excited to pick up where I left off in the magical world of Potter. Book Four: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

postscript: please excuse my blog's identity crisis :)

life lately via instagram & other things

consignment store dresser in her new home :) | thrifted quilt, you can bet we'll be picnicing soon | thrifted 1950's camera | Mr and little bub | antique store | vegan burger on my birthday | antique store X2 | decorating momma's kitchen | trader joes peonies

While I write, this song plays in the background and feeds a part of my soul that aches for piano, strings, and whimsical music. I am inspired after finishing this book, by the always full of life kelle hampton. I may or may not have linked her book in like my last 5 posts, but that's beside the point :) The way she celebrates little things in life daily is certainly the type of life I want to lead. 

Buy a new quilt? That calls for a picnic! Stumble upon a hole in the wall antique store? Stop and take pictures! Freshly cut flowers scattered around your house? Invite the girls over to enjoy them with you while you watch sappy chick flicks and sip on delicious drinks. Bottom line is, small things call for celebration and should be honored accordingly...it makes life colorful. 

life lately via instagram & other things

I haven't shared my life via instagram lately so I wanted to catch all of you up on some of the latest :)

1. Anyone else read 23 books at one time?  Okay not literally 23 but you get the idea. I like to keep it interesting with more than one book at a time. 2. New Essie colors. 3. New jewelery in the mail, hand made by this lady...you should read her blog, and buy her stuff...you won't be disappointed. 4. My signed book plate came in the mail from this other cool lady, her book Bloom just came out and I'm just about halfway through. It's one of those books I'm taking my time with because I'll be sad the day it's over. Absolutely amazing and inspiring on so many levels.  5. Sticks I found in our complex, turned indoor decor. Fun? Strange? Neutral? I'm not sure, at the moment I'm leaning toward fun...I see many possibilities for holiday fun with these! 6. Red pants and floral shoes..duh. 7. Soft serve from Big Spoon, with gummy worms..duh. 8. Last class of Senior Seminar was held at a restaurant and bar, where we all drank margaritas and bought our professor shots. Highly appropriate? Yes. The evening out was followed up with an email the next morning from our professor,

"High priority

The papers were awesome! You all got As, though a couple papers lost a few points for APA or typos. But they were OUTSTANDING papers and I am very, very proud to have been your instructor.

Dr. Z"

Just pointing out that our group wasn't one of the few to lose points for APA/typos...just saying ;). I'm feeling good, only one more final to finish out the semester...but it's a take home final so I'm practically DONE!

and last but not least, 10. Showing some love to my little man. I can't even handle his cuteness.

life via instagram and other stuff

1. iced vente vanilla soy shaken black tea latte #hightmaintenance 2. blueberry muffin at school 3. my future old town home 4. a nicely made bed to start the day 5. how i "fold" my fitted sheets 6. new ikea snack bowls

One of these days I'll settle on a blog design, or maybe not..I like to keep you on your toes. My weekend is coming and that means I have to conduct my first interviews for my senior seminar project, insert slightly awkward and nervous stutter. Our group is interviewing immigrants about their time here in America and then writing a 30 page analysis on our findings..yowza. Wish me luck! I'm less confident than I should be when it comes to school and papers, but I'm working on it.

In other news, I have two photo shoots coming up and possibly a third and I'm so excited to pick up my camera again! I have so many posts to catch up on, like our trip to Squaw Valley ohh I dunnooo 3 months ago, our trip down to Long Beach last month and lots of other cool stuff. But for now I should sleep, tomorrow will be here before I'm ready to wake up..seeing as how it's 3:25 in the am!

Goodnight and Sleep tight to whoever is reading my late night thoughts.

little school updates

I think my least favorite part of posting blogs is figuring out how to start out.

So let's skip the attention getting, jaw dropping, clever introduction and jump straight into my good news. I just had my last first day of school

ever! 

Thanks for being excited with me. I'll be a college graduate in about four months time, Lord willing I pass all 16 units of class I'll be taking.

 gag  

 Anyway, Mr is back in school this semester also and it's his first time in two years. He was a little excited to get back into the school routine since it's been so long. So we spent the night before school putting together our backpacks, binders and going through the few hundred or so pens I've hoarded accumulated. 

I made sure to have a healthy breakfast for my last, first day so I could start the semester out right.

[vanilla greek yogurt, sliced bananas & granola with some sort of dried berries]

I know this semester is going to be tough which is why I'm so glad I have a five hour break on Mondays and Wednesdays. It's the perfect time to get homework done and head over to the campus gym..which is totally what I do...

And what I totally do not do is..check the clock every twenty minutes..treat myself to subway sandwiches..blog instead of read textbooks..or take shameless self portraits.

Here's to productivity and last semesters.

Instagram: #janphotoaday

I'm sort of obsessed with instagram, Mr can attest to this. So I thought I'd share my #janphotoaday collection thus far.

(from top left to right)

Day 1: me

Day 2: Breakfast - scone and coffee

Day3: Something I adore - my Rebel (D series soon please!)

Day 4: Letterbox - our mailbox

Day 5: Something I wore today - secret's out..I'm a Starbucks barista and I make a mean caramel macchiato

Day 6: Makes me smile - Mr and his silliness at our first Five Guys experience

Day 7: Favorite - time with my family

Day 8: My sky - Vacation at Squaw Valley

Day 9: Daily routine - I light candles every single day

Day 10: Childhood - Baby Cole

Day 11: Where I sleep