He is risen

Merry Christmas!

with thanks

October in Instagram

October

October was rainy days and 90-degree days. Pumpkin ice cream and the beach. Voting, pumpkins, and lovely autumn skies.

Why I Suck at Blogging Now

Hey, guys.

Remember when I used to blog with regularity at least twice a week? Me too. Those were the days...posts every Monday and Friday. Sometimes more if I really got on a roll.

Then life happened.

For a couple months this time last year, I was extraordinarily busy with some very important "stuff." Mostly job interviews, apartment hunting, and moving. I got a new job and within a month's time worked my last two weeks at my old job, hosted my BFF for a week in San Diego, found an apartment in Orange County, packed, moved, and started a new job.

It was a very busy time.

I didn't even think about trying to blog or shoot for several weeks while I unpacked, adjusted to a new schedule and city, and set up things like internet service. But now...I moved almost 10 months ago. What's the reason now?

I've been trying to figure out why it's been so hard for me and came up with all kinds of ideas excuses. I thought maybe my new life schedule has something to do with it (earlier mornings = earlier bed times). Or maybe it was because so many of my weekends are spent heading back to San Diego for various family and friend activities, and I don't have as much free time for blogging and photo editing.

Recently, however, a new idea came to me. A new reason for why my blogging has become so sporadic. And it's a good one. One that I'm okay with.

You see, part of the reason I started this photography blog four years ago was because I missed photography and wanted a reason to become active in it again. But another part, a big part, was because I needed a creative and inspiring outlet outside of the office.

I so appreciate the role my last job had in my life. It was a great learning experience and probably prepared me for handling just about any workplace scenario. But it was a hard place to work. It included some long hours, stressful scenarios and periods of time, and often frustration (even anger). I needed photography and blogging as an escape. I needed creative production and fulfillment.

Now, I get that at work in my current role. Don't get me wrong...work is work, and I still want to be photographing, writing, and blogging. I really do. But the urgency is gone. I like my work. I spend nine hours a day, Monday through Friday, doing something that has a creative and artistic bent to it.

When I realized this, it made me not feel so guilty about my blog neglect. I still want to improve in this area and get back to a regular schedule. But if the biggest reason for my struggle is because I'm happy, content, and satisfied with how I spend the majority of my day, I'm okay with that. Who wouldn't be?

Fall Reads

I've always loved reading, and it doesn't matter what time of year it is...but there's something about fall that makes me want to curl up with good book over and over and over again. 

Here are a few of the reads I'm looking foward to diving into this fall!

The Ruins of Lace, Iris Anthony

I Am Forbidden, Anouk Markovits

Some Kind of Fairy Tale, Graham Joyce

A Casual Vacancy, J. K. Rowling--already started this one!

What's on your fall to-read list?

DIY: Chalk Paint Furniture Makeover

When I moved to Orange County last November, I hadn't a stick of living room furniture, except a bookcase (arguably the best piece anyway). I scored big when a family friend needed to get rid of the furniture in their den in preparation for a move across county. Less than three hundred dollars for a couch, loveseat, coffee table, and two end tables! The stuff isn't necessarily my style, but I wasn't going to complain. I had nothing.

I was originally thinking about re-staining the matching coffee table and end table (which I currently use a TV stand) a darker espresso finish. I was intimidated by the prospect--I've never done it before, and I knew it would be a lot of work and a lot of sanding. Then I discovered Annie Sloan's chalk paint. (Not to be confused with chalkboard paint, which is also really cool!)

Chalk paint is amazing because it requires no sanding or priming beforehand. And you can put it on just about any surface! There are also a ton of different ways to use it to achieve the look you want. Be forewarned...it is not cheap. But the ease of use and time it saves is worth it. Plus it looks great when it's finished!

I decided to paint my coffee table and end table in shades of pink, inspired by the pillow covers my BFF got me years ago in Spain. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is available at different retailers throughout the United States (and Canada and Europe). I found mine at La Casa Verde de Granada in San Clemente. If you're in South Orange County, I recommend it--so much fun to walk through!

The goods... The soft wax goes on after the paint is dry. There's also a dark wax, which looks really great if you want to give a piece an aged appearance.

Here's my red and white paint. I made two mixed shades of pink. The gorgeous red is Emperor's Silk and the white is Old White.

Here are the before shots of the coffee table and end table/TV stand. One of the great things about these pieces is they also function as storage space, which is great, because my apartment lacks in that area!

Work in progress! I painted the coffee table a bright pink (equal parts Emperor's Silk and Old White) and the end table a softer shade of pink (1 part Emperor's Silk, 3 parts Old White). I also used the softer shade inside the drawers and top storage of the coffee table. Likewise, I used the brighter pink inside the end table drawer and cabinet space. Seriously, you guys, the hardest part of this entire process was disassembling the coffee table. This paint is so easy to use!

Look how pretty! I love the matte finish of the paint. It's amazing what just paint can do to totally change the look and personality of a piece of furniture.

A little peek inside...

Let's not forget the end table/TV stand. It actually looks a little darker in these photos than it is in real life.

And lastly, the pillow that inspired it all.

I had so much fun with this project, I wanted to go buy all the other colors and find other things to paint! No worries, I have restrained myself. But I'll probably do a few other little painting jobs in the future to update some other pieces of furniture that have seen better days.

sparkle & shine

Brian + Morgan

Just a few lovely snaps from my cousin's wedding a few weekends ago. The two lovebirds tied the knot on Point Loma on a lovely (albeit slightly chilly and windy) evening.

Here comes the bride.

Laughter and smiles during the vows.

Exchanging rings.

Beautiful first kiss as husband and wife.

Married!

So excited!

First Day of Summer

Hello, Summer...