Random but lovely

Current Happenings

We are back safely from our trip to Canada. The holidays were wonderful this year, I must say. We enjoyed the mild winter and enjoyed the outdoors as much as possible. Went on nice walks and ice skated a few times too. It was perfectly lovely. I miss the winter season and all it's magic. Although, living in California has many fabulous benefits. Alas, some things just cannot be forgotten in this Canadian girls heart!  


Here are a few fun pictures of our time in Canada...hope you enjoy this little peek into our Christmas.

Banff, Alberta, Canada

More Banff

New Years!

Skating day and night

xoxo

Holiday Card Time

It was last year I finally decided to get my act together and do some festive cards! They turned out super cute and my family and friends loved them! This year we are hoping to do it all over again. We ordered them through Shutterfly last year, which we loved. I might go through them this year, although I am secretly hoping to design my own and make it even more personal! Depends on time I suppose!


I do a little bit of photography on the side and this is the time of year I start getting a lot of calls! People are hoping for a session to get those Christmas cards ordered on time! I don't blame them, it took me four years to finally get organized! Here are a few cards I designed this year, it was a lot of fun putting these together! We shall see if anyone would like to use my templates or not. Either way, there are always TONS of companies you can order your Christmas prints from! 

I used my sweet nephew as my poster child and my husband and I in the above images! So what do you think? Are you going to do the whole Holiday card thing this year?! Perhaps you already do! 

xoxo

City in a Tree

This week I decided to try something new. I submitted a design to Threadless in hopes it might be approved and printed! So far, it has gotten approval and is currently up on display. I am super excited and hoping it will be picked for print! Here is what I get if this happens!  

• $2,000 in cash
• $500 Threadless Gift Certificate (can be redeemed for $200 cash)
• $500 in cash each time your design is reprinted
• Alumni Club membership including a Medal of Honor and other goodies

You can help this happen by simply scoring my design a 5! I would appreciate it more than you know, I have never done anything quite like this before. Even if it doesn't get printed, the experience has been a blast! There are only 3 more days left in the running, so let's see what happens! Thank you to all my family and friends that have been so supportive. 

xoxo

Vacant Walls

*An old photograph of our home

I've been in some homes where the walls are left untouched and I can only imagine what they would think if they traded spaces with us (by the way, can I just say "us" and you just know I'm referring to myself and my husband?? I kinda get tired of having to explain that I am talking about him and not some split personality). Ok, so as I was saying....oh yes.....anyways our home has 20 walls that have the potential of being utilized. Yes, I counted how many walls. I can confidently say that every one of those walls has either a picture or shelf on it. Is that bad? I am not entirely sure. 

Let's just say I am a lover of art and anything that could be considered art. I have pictures all over my home. Only one of any worth, which was a wedding gift,  some from your ordinary Ikea store. Others are my own photography, old pages from books, Audrey Hepburn memorabilia, a hand drawn portrait from a good friend, and even a large landscape picture that we bought from a garage sale for $5 to put over our bed. Yes, we have it all. 

I came across this site that is wonderful for anyone looking to buy art for the first time or add to their collection. I am not a rich woman by any means. I don't go to art galleries and put a large sum of money towards someones masterpiece. I see potential in a lot of things. I am not claiming in any way to be a pro at this, I am just someone who appreciates a lot. 20X200 is a wonderful site to check out. You can get a great sized piece of art anywhere from $20 to $200 (hence the name). Best part is, if you are looking for something specific, you can browse based on color, category, price or artist (if you know of one). I have been browsing a little and thought I might buy something for my sweet nephew who is turning 1 in September, but that can be a little risky. Seeing as, I am not too sure what mom or dad would think of my taste. Better play it safe. These are just a few that caught my eye.  A couple pieces I thought about purchasing for my little nephew. He has an adorable nursery that has a beach/ocean theme...seeing as they only live 10 minutes from the beach (a few actually)! 

I hope you enjoyed this blog and found it helpful. Let me know what you think! 

xoxo

4 is the magical number

Since I won't be here tomorrow to dedicate this post to my brilliant husband, I will do so today! Tomorrow marks our 4th wedding anniversary. I cannot believe it. I know we are still in the early years of our marriage, but it doesn't feel that way at all.  Most of our family members and friends know that we have been through all sorts of tribulations in the last 4 years. Some, I don't know how we ever got through except by the grace of God. I am so blessed to have such an amazing man in my life. He has stood by my side through thick and thin. I have fallen more in love with him through these difficult times in our marriage, thinking it to be impossible. 

This year, just for fun, I decided to design a little card for him. I wanted it to have a little vintage and retro flare, but I added a little extra as well. I'm not too sure if I will try this again or if he will even like it (I guess he will love it no matter what, cause its from the heart), but why not? 

So, to my dearest and most precious husband. I love you more and more each year we spend together. I am so excited for what the future holds for you and I. I know that no matter what may come, we will be just fine if we stick together. Thank you for all you do for me and the love you show each and every day. I'm a lucky girl! 

xoxo

Interesting photography: always a good thing

I came across this photographer through another blog I am following. Jason Powell is a popular photographer and a bit of a history buff. In this collection "Looking into the Past", he combines old photos with modern day ones in a unique fashion. I love history and the past. I'm sure I have mentioned it before in my previous blogs, but I have always been slightly obsessed with the old'n days. I guess that's why I love to collect antiques and vintage pieces. Here is a sample picture of Jason Powell's latest collection. Circa 1963: March on Washington. If you are interested in more, feel free to visit here! 

Enjoy your Monday! 

xoxo

Instagram: Photo of the day

Yes, I am now one of the many users of Instagram. Took me long enough, right? I'm hooked and loving it! Ever since we got our new iPad, I have been loading down a lot of really interesting apps. I never thought I would become such an apple geek. But I am. 


I love this app because I can take the simplest picture and transform it into something mysterious or story telling. I love the vintage wear and tear of a photo, so this suits me just fine! This morning I was standing in front of our sliding door, feeling the cool morning breeze, sipping my first cup of coffee and staring down at my hot pink flip flops. I was wishing I was at the beach today, enjoying the crashing waves and smelling the fresh air off the ocean. Hope this picture takes you somewhere similiar today too! 

xoxo

Foto Fun

It's a relaxing day today. The temperature is perfect for leaving the windows open and getting some of that nice summer breeze circulating in the house a bit. I love these kinds of days with my husband. We can just sit and enjoy the company of one another without expectation or chatter. 

It's a humorous sight in our house right now. Each one of us occupies a couch, as we doodle and play on our toys. I decided to have some fun on Illustrator. What my husband is doing, I do not know. A silly game no doubt! 


Hope you can have some of these days as well. They aren't too often, so enjoy! 

xoxo

Into the Wilderness

The first week of this month, my husband and I took a little trip to Yosemite. The most amazing place I have ever seen so far in my life. It might be sad to some of you, especially if you have travelled the world! For me, it was breathtaking and I was awestruck. I felt so small next to the monstrous mountains, raging waterfalls and was humbled by it all. 

I love to be outdoors and get some fresh air! Unfortunately, for me it doesn't happen very often. I live in a place where the air quality is rated the worst in the country. Amazing, right?? So of course, any chance I get I pack my bags and head for the mountains, trees or ocean. 

Recently, my husband entered a video contest here in the San Joaquin Valley. They were to make a 30 second video describing what it is they do to contribute to helping the environment and reducing air pollution. For us, that was easy. Not too long ago, my husband bought an electric lawn mower that looks a lot like a Fisher Price toy. It's cute, colorful and works like a charm. We just charge her up to get her going again. It's actually amazing. Not just that, but my husband has also been riding his bike to work for the past few years. He's been getting some good exercise, but also not using the car as much as he can. Yes, here in this city you get a lot of weird looks. People often ask him if it's because his license has been suspended or if he just can't afford a car. It's sad. But what can you do. In the video contest, my husband wrote a rap/song talking about what his change was. We waited for a few weeks for the votes to come in. While we were enjoying the beauty of Yosemite, my husband won the contest. I am so proud of him! Can't complain about the prize either: a new iPad. Maybe if I'm lucky, he will let me use it! Thanks friends and family for your votes! Your support is appreciated. 

xoxo

Ah, Summer

I have to apologize for these long breaks in between my posts. The bottom line is, my life is crazy right now! So, I will do what I can when time permits! Thank you for your patience and loyalty.

June has flown by so quickly. It worries me a bit. Makes me think that summer is going to come and go sooner than I anticipate. My husband and I took a trip to Canada to see family the first couple weeks in June. We went on a nice road trip from Alberta to British Columbia. The drive never grows old, the beauty of the mountains never cease to amaze me. We went for a 5 km hike along Emerald Lake, which is known for it's color and beauty! The lake is surrounded by mountains and lush trees. There is something about being in the quiet, away from the hustle of nearby cities. We hiked mostly in silence and took in the peaceful sounds only nature can provide. It was a great way to clear my mind of negative thoughts and distractions. 

 If you have the time this summer, I urge your to get out of you house, town or city. Find a place that you find peaceful and just relax. I think we all need to get away sometimes from all the distractions life brings. It reminds you of what really matters and where our priorities should be. You will feel rejuvenated and at rest. It doesn't have to be a 5 hour drive to the nearest mountains, but even a quiet trail where you can take a nice walk to think and clear your mind. That's what I'm trying to make my summer good for anyway. A time to relax and reorganize my mind a little!

These are just a few pictures of the scenery. I hope you enjoy. 

xoxo

Best Job Ever?

If I were to pick one thing I would want to be and be the best at, I would have to choose being a mother. Sometimes that's not always something you can do. I wish it was as easy as going to college and getting some four year degree and receive a fabulous diploma I can frame in my house. It's a bit more complicated than that. It takes time and patience. So, until then there are other things I can work hard at. Let's start with school and assignments.  Photography and building confidence. Being a better wife, friend, daughter. Can't forget working on my day to day attitude (that's a big one for me!). 


Here are a few jobs I thought would be interesting and fun as well! I am a huge fan of Modcloth and thought I would share it with you. They have an interesting post on  what they believe is the best job ever. Plus, they have almost everything you might be looking for! Let me know what you think! 

xoxo

Hmm.

I've been trying to figure out  a lot of things the last few months. Going back to school was a really good thing for me, but it got me wondering. I originally went back to get some more experience with the different forms of digital art so that I might improve as a photographer. Then I realized how much I was loving it all, which made it hard to pick a major. So, while I remain major-less I keep playing with the idea of what I want to call my future photography business and what my identity might look like. For now, I just call myself L Photography. Which is extremely unoriginal and uninspiring. In one of my classes, we were set out to design a web page and what that might look like. I decided to make a mock up of my photography site page. This does not exist and may never will. It was a fun experience though! I also played with names. I evolved from L Photography to L Foto. Wow. Big change, right? Ok, baby steps people! It was all in good fun anyway! 

By all means, if you have any suggestions for a photography business I'm all ears! 

xoxo

Updates! 

Dearest friends. I know I have been missing for some time now. I know that this is the number one thing NOT to do when you are trying to build a network of friends in the blogging world. Unfortunately, life gets busy and there isn't a whole lot you can do about it. Just wait it out. So, I've been waiting for my life to slow down, find the energy to get back on here and plug in again! Thank you if you are still one of those people just waiting. I truly appreciate your commitment. 


As for updates, I am officially two weeks away from being done my semester of school. This has been the longest one ever! Break couldn't have come soon enough. It's been so amazing and I have learned a lot! Tomorrow I will be registering for a few more classes starting in August, but hopefully by then  I will be better at multitasking! 


Our little store Vintage Peach is still up and running. We have sold a lot more things in the past few months. Who knows why it picks up or slows down, but we are grateful to see our little treasures find new homes! We finally made a $20 profit, so we were pretty happy about that...sad, isn't it. We do it because we love it though! 


Another thing that has picked up is my photography. I am so grateful to all my faithful friends who call me up time and time again! Not to mention, passing my name on to others. I love what I do! Recently I did an engagement session for two very good friends of mine! They turned out wonderful! I also did pictures for a friend who just had their little girl a few weeks ago. She's beautiful and so sweet! 


So, there it is. A little update until I can actually have the time to get back to fun projects, crafts, cooking or baking up something. In between school work, editing pictures, doing photo shoots and keeping my home organized I am afraid I have no energy! But, a promise is a promise. I will be back here more regularly once everything comes to an end at school. Again, thank you so much for sticking with me. Love to you all! Drop me a line, let me know what you've been up to and I will drop by your blogs to see! 

xoxo

Happily Ever After? 

Recently, one of my projects for school was to create a modern myth of sorts. I loved this idea and had a lot of things running in and out of my head. Eventually, I settled on a thought. I decided to do a piece on what happens after "Happily Ever After". 


I think it's sad how every fairy tale begins and ends the same. A helpless beauty, an evil villain, a prince who comes to save the day and of course, a Happily Ever After. I thought about the years in which most of these Disney movies were made and found a lot were during eras in which woman were seen as powerless or not as important as men. Not to mention, I wondered if women were truly happy in the lives they lived. I mean truly happy. Satisfied. Loved. Needed. I decided to focus on the idea of what happens after Happily Ever After, when fairy tales aren't always as happy as they seem. What happens after the beautiful princess has been saved by the mighty prince. Is he everything they make him out to be? Is it everything she imagines it will be? Most of all, what are these fairy tales doing in the lives of the boys and girls who watch them? I know for me I always wanted that kind of ending, but in the real world you have to fight for happiness. 


I got a lot of my inspiration from Dina Goldstein's "Fallen Princesses" series! Check it out, there are some very eye opening issues to be seen. 


Here is my piece on What Happens After Happily Ever After....

xoxo

Metaphorical portrait

I have been in the lovely land of chaos this past week! So many things going on, but I've survived. My second week of school has been fun. There are so many talented people in each of my classes...it's so refreshing to know we all have a different eye for design and it comes from different inspiration. 


We were asked to create a Metaphorical Portrait. That is, a portrait of ourselves that is not a mere picture of our face. Rather something that expresses who we are from within. This was challenging at first. You have to know what part to reveal and which to keep safely hidden inside. I finally bit the bullet and created something that is completely me. As we approached the day we all critique ones work, I was a bit nervous. I didn't know if people would understand my work or if they would hate it. But it was my self portrait and I knew there could be no wrong in that. As I listened to my prof and classmates express there thoughts on my work, I realized they understood it completely. They could see exactly what it meant to me. 

It still has much improving, but I am so thankful for the suggestions and opinions of some amazingly talented people. Feel free to share. Let me know what you gather from this! 

xoxo

Bamboo Pen and Touch

After a long day of work, I was greeted by a strange box outside my backdoor. It was addressed to me and I was very curious....? Once inside, I quickly opened up the box to discover an amazing belated Christmas present from my wonderful friend, Jenelle! Too bad she is so far away (living in the whimsical land of Canada), otherwise I would have given her a BIG hug!!!! She knows I am enrolled in the Graphic Design program and start my classes this Monday, in fact. Crazy! So, she bought me the most amazing piece of technology....the Bamboo Pen and Touch. This little thing is going to be SO useful in my classes and assignments. It can do all sorts of wonderful lovelies: edit pictures, draw, paint, doodle, make personalized cards by creating embellishments and borders, digitally handwrite greetings and even play a few games. I am touched by her thoughtfulness and generosity.....thanks my dear friend! If you are interested in design or photography, be sure to check out this new tool. I'm sure you will be finding it very useful, I know I will! 

*note: photos are not my own

xoxo

Limelight Foto

A couple months ago, my husband and I made a trip to Canada. While we were there, we were asked by a sweet friend of mine if we would mind getting our pics taken. I almost felt guilty for saying yes, because I knew just how wonderfully talented she was. It was sheer joy to have her take our pictures! As an aspiring photographer, it's so nice to learn from others with similar passions and talents: the use of different equipment, techniques and overall ideas. She was so easy to work with and we felt totally relaxed. Her personality is bubbly and you can't help but feel yourself around her (I've also known her since 6th grade). If you are in the Red Deer, Alberta area be sure to give Limelight Foto a call for all your photography needs. She specializes in wedding and lifestyle photography! You will love her, promise! 

xoxo

Snapshots

For Christmas this year, I was spoiled by my husband and brother in law. They both pitched in to get me a new wide angle lens for my camera. I've been wanting one for a while, but knew it would take me a while to save up. I was so happy when I realized I could put it to use sooner than I thought....thanks boys! 

I'm trying to fill my walls with my own snapshots. Although I have a few images from various things, I like to have some stuff that is a bit more personal besides pictures of my husband and I and our family. I love photography and design, I am super excited to start my design classes and hope to create more amazing images. Can't wait to see where that takes me. For now, I will enjoy the simplicity of  picture taking and not get too crazy with graphics (yet!)  

I have an obsessions with old houses, particularly old Craftsman or Victorian homes. The architecture and design are beautiful, down to every detail. Recently, I captured some pictures of the Carson Mansion while up in Eureka, CA. This historic Victorian mansion is beyond words...it is a picture of perfection! Although I took a lot of snapshots of the home, I decided to frame the little details. The Large doors and the hardware alone were unique in design. I also took a quick snapshot of an antique phone booth as we were walking down the street from the mansion. It was just too cute! I did a deep black and white effect on the images to give it a mysterious feel. I love the outcome and I think they would look beautiful in large matted frames. Wish I could just do this for a living....  

xoxo