Lifestyle Photography

After reading so many inspirational blogs, and falling in love with their photos, I realized that even if I have my camera on me there are so many times I don't use it. I'm going to get myself out of that by really trying to capture my everyday life, the little things.

You had to have known my cats were included in this. Normally Boots is the one that doesn't want her picture take so I was super happy that, even though she took my spot, she looked up at me for this photo. 

Included in Lacey's gift were these super cute Disney World/ Disneyland magnets. I scrambled to find left over pictures to decorate our fridge with. Now I can remember our wonderful trip every time I walk into the kitchen.

My little 35-80mm I'm trying to use more. 

A friend like Lacey

I have the best "pinpal" in the world. This all started when I was having my "Disney blues" and found out there were people who would pin trade online, if you don't know pin trading is just one of the magical things Disney does, they release pins with everything Disney related which are both for sale and trade. Once at one of the parks you can trade a pin a cast member is wearing for one you already have. Fortunately for those who can't make it to Disney can still participate in pin trading with online traders, I have found traders on Instgram, but others go to Pinpics. Luckily my first pin trade has evolved into a great friendship. Lacey and I began trading in January and through the months have gone from just trading pins to sending Disney related goodies!  

Instructions left on the outside of the package. 

Some of the contents : A nice handwritten card with Mickey Mouse cut-outs!

All of the contents :  Aurora pins, different language maps, Disney magnets, and some other fun stuff!

 

 This is how my journal page turned out, using one of the envelopes as a pocket for the card. 

Birthday Weekend.

My Birthday was on Sunday (March 17th) and I had such a blast! It was so much fun it's going to have to be spaced out between blog posts! Lets start with Saturday.  Mack had been planning a surprise for a few weeks and I was determined to figure it out.  Luckily, after a few hours of driving, I was able to guess it. My favorite vacation spot (after Disney World of course) Gatlinburg, Tennessee! It was a 5 hour drive and we arrived a little after 10am. The day was free until 8 that night so we drove around and took in the mountain air. 

D.I.Y : Road Trip Journal Bags

Happy Friday everyone! I'm starting to pack for a road trip with my sister that's happening in a few weeks and one of the main things on my list to pack is my craft supplies. Since I've been so into journaling lately, I tried to find some "road trip journal cards" and thought, I don't mind buying some I just couldn't find what I was looking for. Then an idea popped in my head! I could make some myself! So here is a D.I.Y. for all of you : Road Trip Journal Bags!

This is what they'll look like when you're done

Okay! Since it's been forever since I've done a D.I.Y. I hope I get this right!

Supplies :

* Scissors

*An old map 

*Washi Tape

Optional - Paper trimmer (I'm terrible at cutting straight lines, this Westcott was a gift from Mack and there isn't a single project that I don't use it)

First : Cut the size map you want, keeping in mind you have to double the width since it'll be folded. I wasn't too picky about how large I wanted it to be.

Second : Pick your washi tape! This is the perfect project to break out your stash.

Third : Fold your map evenly in the back and tape it down with your washi tape. 

Finally : There are 2 ways you can do the bottom : Fold the bottom up just a bit (no more than 1/2 an inch) and tape it down OR don't fold it up and just tape it! 

Happy Crafting! 

Passion.

Journaling has become a passion of mine recently, I didn't even think I would finish it and I'm so happy I did!  I just started my second book, this one is a smash book, and I'm using my own designs to complement the pages.  There have been so many inspiring things lately, it's been hard to take it all in. Joanns had an amazing sale on all scrap booking supplies last week. Some of my great finds were die-cuts from Smash book and Amy Tangerine. The discounts were so great I ended up going back twice to rummage the shelves for more hidden gems. The end result has been two great journal pages. The to see how my life will shape the rest of this journal.

Strong.

I love my family. I've written about 6 different paragraphs trying to find the words, to make the sentences and this is the one I chose : I love my family. I hate that it took such drastic events for me to finally spend more than holidays with them. I can't remember a time when we went out of town together, out to eat, or that I just showed up at their door. I don't plan on making the same mistake again, trust me. They'll be yelling at me to leave. I can already hear my papa saying it now. These past few weeks have been great. I head over there just in time for Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. We normally get about two answers right, or the complete opposite and are totally wrong. It's so much fun either way. A little Castle, some local news, and plenty of laughs! It really has been amazing. My favorite parts are hearing stories from when my grandparents were younger. It's amazing how much I've learned about them in these few weeks. 

This is my Nana, my mothers mother. She is a wife, sister, mother, grandmother, lover of dust bunnies, and now, caregiver. I've been trying very hard to get a picture of my Papa, my mothers father, but he is too busy talking to sit still for a decent picture. Believe it or not this is a candid shot of my Nana (isn't she so beautiful and photogenic.) I love them both so much. They are both my heroes. 

Disney Smashbook

My family and I went to Disney World in October of last year and had a blast. I've been able to keep that magic alive by working on my Disney smashbook. I spent so much time looking at other scrapbooks and getting ideas, I pulled some here and there, but I really tried to make the pages reflect my trip. As much as I love the detailed pages, as a photographer, my photographs speak 1000 words (and lets be honest, the pictures are what keeps the memories alive). I knew the book would be filled with pictures, but also little details (like taking a bunch of maps to include in the book). I hope you enjoy my pages and find inspiration for your own in them. 

This is the front cover of our Disney smashbook. I spent a lot of time deciding how I wanted to put the book together, and in the end the smash book won!

We stayed at the Pop Century for our 5 day 4 night trip, had amazing extra magic hours, and amazing memories to bring back home!

Every ride we went on I pleaded to keep my fast pass. Luckily I was able to get these after we rode it to avoid having to beg. 

I love the shops on Main Street! The only thing I regret is not getting a customized set of Mickey ears (I know! How can you go to Disney without getting Mickey ears.. Simple, when they look way to small on your head) 

My favorite characters were Pooh Bear and Tigger. I feel like somehow Tigger knew I was a cat person, because when he went to hand Pooh my autograph book he dropped the pen and started playing with it! It was the cutest thing! 

100th post!

100 posts! Time really does fly when you're having fun. I want to thank everyone who has every read a post, commented, emailed me, or given me any type of support. I really wouldn't be here without you. Thank you so much.

Freebies (Take 1!)

I have felt so inspired recently (it probably has something to do with the amazing sale at Joanns) but whatever the case, I was finally able to pursue something I've been wanting to try for a while. As most of you may know I love to journal. Sometimes its very hard for me to find what I need or things I like, so why not try to make them on my own? Since I am a beginner at this, i understand they aren't perfect, but hope with time they will be great. Im titling this Freebies because I hope you enjoy them enough to include in your own journal. Please make sure to check back for more.

Just right click and save as!

Love Aiken

Mack had his first Saturday off in what feels like forever! Our original plan was to go to yard sales and antique/thrift stores, but the yard sales were scratched once I realized we just needed big furniture and our car wouldn't be able to carry anything. We did however end up going to Aiken. We went to SPCA, unfortunately the only thing I got was a mini deck of trading cards for 25 cents. After that we just drove around taking pictures and stopping into more stores. It was a very productive yet relaxed day. 

Saw this amazing 1960's Barbie lunchbox.

My Nana's cat Ashley decided to crawl into this bag, I was lucky to have gotten the picture. 

Attempt

So I've been feeling very inspired for the past few days, I feel like I say this often, so let me rephrase, I love exploring new blogs. I have so many favorites a list would be impossible. Anyways, I tried my luck at HTML (HyperText Markup Language) if you didn't know also known as confusion and headaches! I really did try very hard to make myself a new background and banner but it just wasn't in the cards for me just yet. So since Photoshop was already opened I attempted to make some cute patterns/journal cards. Here is my end result : CHEVRON PATTERNS!!

(This is something my mom said while we were out craft shopping.. Isn't she hilarious?) 

Craft Haul!

I love when twists are added to days, like everyday I picked my little sister up and dropped her off with my mom. However, instead of saying our goodbyes we decided to make the most of what was left of the day by going craft shopping!! We went to all of the craft stores in our area (the day ending not quite how we were hoping but still!) 

There was such a great sale going on! 50-70% off! I was able to get all of this stuff for $30!!