choosing joy and lemonade

Sometimes life throws you lemons and you want to forget the whole making lemonade shenanigan and throw them right back to the lemon tree who decided it would be fun to launch hard, bright yellow things at you. Not nice lemon tree, I don't really want your sour lemons.

All that to say, these last two weeks have been a little brutal, and by a little...I mean a lot brutal and really lemon-y. But I've come to a place of acceptance because life could be worse and at the end of it all, the important things in life still exist. Like, succulents still make me happy, my dog still thinks I'm the greatest thing on Earth, I learned a really cool way to propagate succulents here, and Pretty Little Liars has 3 seasons on Netflix. So basically all is right in the world and I'm camping out in the land of  "choosing joy," and maybe drinking a glass of lemonade or two.

:)

Please tell me happy things from your life!

Lake Tahoe

Pretty much every year my family takes a trip to either Lake Tahoe or Santa Cruz. I'm more of a beach person so Santa Cruz is my haven...but we have a pretty amazing family cabin in Tahoe that I can't complain about so I'm just as happy going there. We're going there SOON and I can hardly stand it. Time off from work and life is exactly what the doc ordered. And by doc, I mean me ;)

That's a picture of our private beach that we get to hang out on, there's also a community pool area with ping pong and lots of other outdoor games...I seriously can't wait. To see pics from our vaca here last year check out these posts!

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Just for fun, here's some pictures from past family vacations we've enjoyed.

 [Squaw Valley 2012]

 [Mexico 09]

 [Mexico 09]

[Santa Cruz 08]

life lately

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of second shooting with one of my good friends Samantha Jovan Photography. We got to shoot at this GORGEOUS location and the pictures turned out amazing.

Front view of our wedding day playground. Flowers from a wonderful friend, for my birthday :)

Tiffany's earrings from my hubby for my birthday. He's a keeper. I love them and wear them every day!

One of the MOST thoughtful gifts I've ever been given. Each item in here had purpose and I just can't believe how much thought and love was put into this little package :) I am beyond blessed with cool people in my life.

Newest obsession thanks to my MIL. I really can't get enough. Late night chick flick. Safe Haven is not for the faint of heart though, I'll admit I had my share of sweaty palms. I'm a wuss.

The gallery wall is coming together slowly but surely. I haven't forgot about Pt. 2...it's in the making :)

another year older

Today, I turn twenty-five. 

At the ripe age of two-five... I'm happy. I live in a cute, comfortable apartment with my hubby and our sweet Turby. I'm on the brink of full-time photographer and by brink I mean I'm hopeful. I have fantastic friends in my life, both near and far away from me. I'm an auntie to three of the cutest kids I know. I've seen my extended family more lately and I heart that. I'm obsessed with succulents and all things plants. I became a member of our church this year and feel like I've finally found where I'm supposed to be, I heart you B-Way. Jeff is still in the Army and so happened to have drill this weekend, making it the third year [with the exception of last year] that we've been apart for my birthday, but we are so blessed by a lot that has come from the Army. I work at Starbucks and enjoy my free coffee. I listen to a lot of Rend Collective Experiment,  Hillsong, Mumford & Sons, and Ingrid Michaelson. I'm reading the fourth Harry Potter book and LA Candy, because I'd like to hang on to my youth. I'm fully in love with my Jesus like always. 

Twenty-five looks good to me. 

happiness is plants

Our little home is slowly coming together, as in we have nailed things to walls & decided on furniture we want to build. I can hardly wait to see the final products, but I'm thoroughly enjoying the process of making our apartment look less apartment-ish, & more home-ish along the way :)

This was our weekend project that I have been looking forward to for some time now. My hubby is so handy & worked so hard to measure even lines & ensure that everything was level. He did a fabulous job & I am so thankful for him! Now the fun part...rearranging & making the shelves cute. I've kept this look for about 3 hours now so it's safe to say this one will probably last at least a week ;)

Buy yourself a plant this week, I promise it will make you smile!

my first try at in-home lifestyle sessions

This past weekend I had the privilege to take pictures inside these pretty homes. It was my first experience with in-home lifestyle sessions and I had SO much fun. The environment was super relaxed and homey...naturally ;)

I can't wait for more sessions like these!!

my life in 250 words

I am a believer in Jesus Christ to the depth of my soul. I love art, reading, music and decorating. I grew up in Northern California where I still live today. I've been to 5 schools, I've played soccer, basketball, and volleyball. I was only good at volleyball. I've been a cheerleader & dancer at some point in my life…but don’t speak often of those days. I have one little brother and two amazing parents. I got married in 2010 and my husband deployed to Iraq for our entire first year of marriage. I lived in Virginia for 2 months and planned my wedding in 4. We have moved 6x in two years of marriage. I graduated from college in 2011 with a degree in Communication Studies and an emphasis in International/Intercultural Communication. Since then I've pursued my own photography business and supply the coffee drinkers of America with copious amounts of caffeine…in other words I’m a barista at Starbucks.

I LOVE buying new planners at the start of each new year, I make lots of lists but rarely stick to them, I try to be organized but fail miserably, I love dark sodas, I hate spicy foods, I drink a lot of coffee…but mostly b/c it’s free, I am obsessed with my dog, I take way too many instagram pictures, I don’t understand twitter, I journal, I don’t cook often or well, I burn candles daily, I will never leave California.

Oh, and I make a mean caramel macchiato. 

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250 friends....word count it! ;) 

link up with Jenni here and share your life in 250 words!