Christmas Traditions and Tiny New Years Goals

Oh My! It's Christmas Eve Eve! Funny Story: I did all my christmas shopping today. Its one of my traditions, and not a treasured one, it just happens every year.

Other fun christmas traditions include opening our christmas eve pajamas, my mom and dad have done this since I can remember and its one of my very favorite things about christmas.

Sticky buns and homemade hot cocoa at my sisters house christmas morning while opening gifts is another one.

Other ones are yet to be made since my family has undergone some serious changes in the past year but Im looking forward to the change. Its always fun to celebrate the holidays with new traditions and new people. Patrick and I started making homemade apple cider together this year, its the little things that make the winter months so special.

On another note I have a ew new years goals to name off! Im making a full list to share but ill share a few good ones now first:
Goal number 1. save money. Im going to live like a poor person this year.
Goal number 2. Im going to start a flickr account and do a self portrait everyday for the whole year. Im really excited about this and I think its an old game but Im ok with that, itll give me a reason to pick up my camera everyday for just a little bit instead of waiting for a shoot or special occasion. I treat my camera like a baby. I only use it on special occasions because I dont want to break it and its not paid off yet:/ but its time. and Im excited.

Happy Christmas eve eve! Im making cucumber sandwiches and hot cocoa! night!

babybaby

i took newborn baby pictures today of lauren and drews beautiful baby boy, Owen. Ok, hes not just beautiful because hes a baby, this kid is model-ready at 10 days old. heres a peak at my favorite photo from today

cute, huh?
today was a very big learning experience for me. i take photos of several newborns each day at work and I consider myself quite good at capturing beautiful images but out there in the big bad world, things are not the same. without the lighting, baby posers, and all around atmosphere of a studio its completely different.
Today the lighting was not on my side plus it was really dreary out so i couldnt even place him next to a window for good light, I had to resort to flash photography, not fun. luckily i had a very cute baby to work with and fantastic color schemes, I think it turned out quite well. But I know what to prepare for next time. I love learning and gaining knowledge about my craft. going through the learning process is something that is very special to me. trial and error leads to a very creative process.
Happy Monday:) Im off to watch Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia Christmas Special!

sick*day

today was a very sick day for me. but im a trooper, after guilt tripping my boss to let me stay home i failed and went in anyway, but only for 3 hours.

It all started yesterday morning on arguably one of the most important days of my sisters life, i woke up brought her starbucks and watched her graduate from college!!! it was such a happy time and I am sososo proud of her! but shortly after, I got sickly. like, puking-green-slime-cant-walk-or-open-your-eyes sick. bummer. and it was my dads birthday yesterday. double bummer. At least I got to attend the ceremony and watch the very first person in my entire family to graduate college. It was sort of a big deal. like, way big. and again, im so proud and inspired by her motivation and dedication, i am at such an advantage to have a big sister that has paved the way for me to succeed. lovelovelove her.




Im wrapping presents and then going to bed. nightnight.

photo inspiration: yarn.

I have a gumball machine. Its true, I got it from a highschool boyfriend for my 16th, its pretty. So I dumped the gumballs out tonight and voila! it became the new home for my yarn and a fashionable one if i do say so myself, very pleasing to the eye. You agree, yes?











and a journal peek, of favorite quotes from cartoons, and happy thoughts I dont want to forget:) Im going to take a bubble bath. night!

Happy Birthday Mom!

It was my Mothers birthday today! She just turned 30! Umm...she started early? Ok, Im lying. I dont know how old she is...she won't tell me. But she doesnt look a day over 30, right?




Us wearing vintage sunglasses. She made fun of them. I thought they were cute. She just doesnt understand.
I just wanted to showcase the strongest woman I know. She's so inspiring to me. I love you, mom!



ive been knitting cute things for cute little girls in my life all night:) and watching girly movies. and of course doing homework. It never ends. Actually it does, in about a week. I cant wait!!!!

December Playlist

Ive been listening to these songs over and over again. I think I have a disorder of sorts. Once I get a couple good songs in my head, I cant stop listening to them. These will last me a good part of december. Happy 1st day Christmas!