You Live So Intensely

     If you've been following my blog for some time, you might remember that I want to be a novelist.  I have no more ambitions in life.  (Okay, so that's not true, but I'm trying to make the point that it's an important dream of mine.)  Since I was assigned a fiction writing project in my 7th grade English class, I have not stopped creating stories and trying to get them out on paper.  (In my class, we were broken up into groups, but I was pretty sick for a few weeks so I was in a group all by myself.  I had full control of the different fairytale stories we were supposed to write.  Looking back, I'm pretty sure that assignment changed my life.)  So from what I can remember starting in 7th grade I would write and write, not necessarily about the same stuff and reading what I wrote back then now makes my stomach cringe a little.  However, I can remember the movie in my head I'm trying to describe and acknowledge that it was a valiant effort.  These past few years as an English major (and growing into my perfectionism) have gotten me a little off track.  What really matters when you're writing is that you're writing for yourself, not for others.  I have gotten stuck in wanting to create the best masterpiece I can.   I look at the novels of Jane Austen, Ayn Rand, Oscar Wilde, F. Scott Fitzgerald.  These books have withstood the test of time and they are still so important in the English world today.  I strive to want to have just one masterpiece like that.  For a while I thought the answers were in the books themselves so I wouldn't let myself write until I had read x amount of classics.  That didn't take because I have yet to finish one classic.  I'm trying a new approach that has everything to do with November and passion for telling stories.
     Since I first heard about National Novel Writing Month that takes place in November two years ago, I've tried to complete this crazy challenge of writing 50,000 words of a continuous piece of fiction.   NaNoWriMo as its fondly called is pretty awesome and intense.  The first year I heard about it (through my loving sister) I started a brand new story and poured all my feelings out in the story.  I had just been through a break-up and well it was pretty cathartic (but the general story and writing wasn't that great).  Plus my dedication sort of fizzled when studying for classes took precedent. Last year, I honestly can't remember what I did.  I'm pretty sure I didn't even attempt it because I wanted to focus on graduating and making good grades (but I did promise myself that I would take part in it again this year).  My promise to myself was the only thing that let me calmly accept that my participation last year would just be a mess and not productive or helpful.
     This year I have a game plan.  It's not much of anything, but I ran across an old story of mine that I started in high school.  It does have some contents that are worth saving, but I'm completely reworking it.  While NaNoWriMo strives for their participants to have new, original material, my old story and the new one I'm starting to plan writing won't have much in common except for some similar story lines in the first few chapters.  I'm going back to a story that has filled my dreams so many times.  I can already see some of the scenes that will take place.  All in all, I'm excited and looking forward to November so I can finally write something.  While I'm not expecting any kind of literary genius, I just want to write a good clean story that maybe some people will want to read, but most of all it will be something that I want to read over and over again just so the story can play out in my mind once again.
     While I'm not so naive as to think this will be an easy task, I'm looking forward to seeing it through. And I'm trying to figure out a way so that most of my free time can be taken up by this project.  I'm cutting out all of my favorite shows for the month (I'm DVRing all of them so I know I'll be able to watch them once November is over).  Wish me luck because this task is not one I undertake lightly, especially now that I've told you about it.  Now I won't be able to give-up.  I have to make it to at 25,000 or I'm going to have to hide in shame for a little while because I know that the only reason I didn't finish (or at least get half way) was because I mishandled my time and was lazy.  I won't let that happen.  Or so I say now, come the end of November and I'll be full of excuses!

This next month is going to be pretty intense.  But if I get too stressed out these cute guys will always be here to help me get my head back on straight.

Although I love the a capella version of this song both versions are almost equally as awesome.

Title: "Unlike Me" by Kate Havnevik

A capella version:

Inspired by the Place

     Sometimes all you want to do is sit and watch the trees blow in the wind.

     If only we could all be this lazy.

Title: "Sailor Man" by Ewert and the Two Dragons

(Berlin Sessions!!)

Never Play It Safe

     Have you ever been blown away by design?  As in there was one moment where you just stare in awe at the said design whether it be a poster, flyer, image, or business card.  I can hear in my head a kid saying "WHOA!" really slow and almost under their breath.  Then again, I am known to have some geekier moments fairly often.
     I've recently had that reaction to a couple of different designs, more specifically to two designs that I can remember.  Of course, I'm not going to share the awe-inspiring designs. One design more than the other has really stuck with me as just beyond comprehension.  Once you see the image and then a close up, you'll understand.
     Meet the "Tree Rings" poster for Animal Concerns Research & Educational Society.  They wanted to "raise awareness on the plight of Earth's animal species due to deforestation."  So what they came up with provides the insight that the lives of animals start and ends with trees.  All of those rings you see of the tree, yeah those are individual animals.  Below the poster is an up close image where you can really see the animals.  How awesome is this poster?  (And how creative?)

(Photo Credit)

     The second poster is more applicable to my own life (and can serve as an inspiration).  I recently volunteered to create a flyer for an upcoming event.  (I'm hoping I can convince them a poster type something would be awesome too.)  This poster is for a local event (proceeds are going to buy wigs for women going through chemotherapy who can't afford them).  I think my favorite part about this poster is the women's silhouettes.  Also, I love the company that created this poster, Harvest Creative.  They are out of Memphis, TN (which is really close to me)!

(Photo Credit)

Title: "Push and Shove" by No Doubt featuring Busy Signal and Major Lazer

I Wear a Demeanor Made of Bright Pretty Things

     Now that I know how to really make photo collages, I have a feeling it might become a weekly feature.  However, I'm pretty sure next time I'm going to talk about each of the things instead of just giving you the links.  I thought about giving you examples of every item in my last post, but I figured some (actually most) of the items you could picture on a model.  I do have two favorite items that I have been looking for just the right piece so that it fits me just right and makes me look like the gals in the pictures below.
     I've been looking for high waisted jeans that fit me just right (not too low and not too wide-legged).  Trying to find jeans for me like that are pretty difficult.  I have to find just the right cut so that they don't add unnecessary bulk.  I would so much rather have a high waisted flare too.  I just love the look ever since I ran across the picture below in a magazine years ago.  I'm pretty sure the jeans are vintage, but I love the whole look of the outfit.  It looks very put together but effortless.  A look that I love.  Plus anyone who knows me knows I'm a huge sucker for a hat.  I have one like this will a smaller rim, but I would love another hat that has this exact rim size.

     The other item I wanted to include was a denim shirt.  There are so many ways that you can wear a denim shirt, especially if it's from the men's department.  You can wear it as a jacket, as a blouse, as a cropped shirt, and as a tunic.  Basically, if you get it large enough you can do anything with a denim shirt.  While I love the free people tuxedo style shirt, the men's shirt might win my vote.  (Maybe I can get both since they're so different!)  I love a good button down that you can layer, particularly in the fall/winter time.  I know that I could never live somewhere like Hawaii because fall is my favorite season.   I love wrapping up in sweaters and layers and FLANNEL!  Oh my goodness, flannel is one of my absolute favorite fabrics.  I have to limit myself to one flannel piece a year.

Four ways to wear denim shirts:
1.  As a jacket layer
2.  As a blouse
3.  As a cropped top
4.  As a tunic

Title: "Something In the Water" by Brooke Fraser

It's Nothing But the Truth

Five Things I'm thankful for this week:

I was able to relax this weekend

Just me and the animals

I think I'm getting things set up a little more professionally on here

So I'll be posting the morning instead of night
(In case you're unsure of what this is... it is the blog post I have written and set to post tomorrow)

(Photo Credit)

I only have 3 weeks and 2 days until my 23rd birthday

Which will mean when I accidentally tell people I'm 23 I will no longer be lying
(Yes, I want a birthday cake.  No, it doesn't really have to look like this one, but it is cute, no?)

(Photo Credit)

This will be the second week in a row that I do not work on Monday

Yay!  I don't think that will happen pretty much ever again
(Not how I feel just an extremely awesome "Monday" named company.)

(Photo Credit)

I'm a beyond inspired fashion-wise for fall

Now for the weather to start cooling off!

Title: "All I've Got" by Lucy Rose

Stay Young at Heart

     Remember back a couple dozen posts ago when I talked about the comeback of boy bands.  Well, apparently I'm not the only one to notice.  I ran across an article on Glamour's blog, can it even be called an article when it's on a blog, anyway, the blog post I ran across discussed boy bands, namely The Wanted and how things change but they always stay the same.  It compared a 98 Degrees' video to a video from The Wanted.  I have to say some of the points she made were pretty valid.  The videos don't have much of a plot besides they are at some kind of major festival, women are fawning over the band (because they are just such good dancers), both endings are a little strange (98 Degrees' more so than that of The Wanted), and they are pretty much all shirtless at one point.  One of the main differences is that in the latest video there is alcohol (and lots of it) even though some of the members of the band don't completely look of age (and one of them isn't).  Oh and there is the whole 98 Degrees band looking like they spend hours and hours at the gym while the guys from The Wanted are a little more natural.  You can read the whole blog post here. The only thing she doesn't cover is exactly why 98 Degrees added "una noche" (which I'm guessing is Spanish for "one night") to their song.  It doesn't add much more meaning to the song or make it more sensual.  Maybe that was during the whole Latin-Spanish takeover by Enrique Iglesias, Marc Anthony, and Ricky Martin.

"Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)" by 98 Degrees

"Glad You Came" by The Wanted

     I think from now I'm going to keep a small notebook (a Moleskine, of course) that has a running to-do list.  I've lately been dropping the ball on remembering really important things and I think that maybe, just maybe if I have a constant to-do list then I'll keep up with things better.  I'm not even contemplating putting my to-do list in my phone because I know I'll never look at those notes.  Instead I need something tangible.  

     I'm also thinking about trying to get back into writing.  I'm thinking maybe starting (another) notebook of just small writing assignments that I get from a writing prompt.  I found this website that has links to a bunch of different places on the internet that have writing prompts.  My thought process is that even if I'm not writing a book/story/whatever, it will be good for my creative juices to start flowing again.  Actually it would probably be good even if I am still working on a book/story/whatever.  It will make me have to be more creative and not always writing the same story can bring a new perspective (or something like that).  I don't know if I'll have the time or energy to do it every day, but I guess if it's something I really want to do then I'll just have to make the time, right?

     Last but certainly not least, I found the party section in Target today (you know the section that has all the party supplies, aka adorable napkins, plates, etc).  In this party section I found the most adorable napkins!  They are blue and green striped but some of the stripes have a different amount of transparency to them.  I want to make a canvas that copies this.  How adorable would that be?  It would also be something would look wonderful on my wall.  If I can ever find the time to make this, I'll let you know, but it's going on my to-do list (not at the top or anything, just somewhere in the middle).

"Gold Forever" by The Wanted

And I'll Just Keep on Stumbling

     I don't know if you've noticed this about me yet, but I love planning.  I love planning and coming up with awesomely amazing ideas almost more than I love actually going through with the ideas.  While Mom and I were making sure the furniture we had picked out in the store would fit well in our game room she mentioned that she wanted to get rid of all of the blankets.  She hates the ones that Will and I love to use.  They aren't very pretty but they are so dang comfortable and cozy.  So I volunteered to knit/crochet a blanket or two or three for her to use up in the game room.  We saw one that I really loved at Pottery Barn already completed but I couldn't bring myself to actually buy it when I knew I could make one (maybe not as cost efficient as the one on sale, but it just means so much more when it's handmade as opposed to hand-bought).
     So Mom and I are going to try our hand at making throws for game room.  I'll keep you informed on how successful we are.

Pottery Barn inspiration:

 Mom is going to try her hand at knitting this:

Hip to be Square Blanket Pattern

I'm going to try and turn this scarf into a blanket:

Lamar Braided Scarf

To make something like this:

Cable Blanket Pattern

Red Blanket Photo Credit and Blue Blanket Photo Credit

This blanket is also really awesome.  

The yarn suggested on this blog is rather expensive, but I think I might have some yarn that will be a wonderful substitution.

Hudson Bay Inspired Crib Blanket Pattern

This is just a baby blanket, but I definitely would want to make it bigger (it's definitely possible).

Title: "o0Oo0O" by Oberhofer

Put On Your Dancing Shoes And Show Me What To Do I Know You've Got The Moves

     I'm always on the look out for inspiration:  how to get it and how to keep it.  So I can tell you guys how awesome I am at it and teach you a little something about it.  Okay, that's supposed to be funny.  But in all seriousness without ever thinking about it I am always on the hunt for the next thing that inspires me.  It might be a really amazing outfit in a magazine that makes me want to wear something like it or it might be a picture that makes me want to capture images just like that.  Our constant search for inspiration has led to the popularity of pinterest and millions of collages worldwide.
    I have numerous ways of keeping things that inspire me.  None of which are particularly better than the other.  

   There's Pinterest that I've already mentioned.  But I have 18 boards none of which have any specific rhyme or reason or that I really go back to.  I just want to make sure I can get back to that specific thing if I really want to.  Which leads me to sporadic pinning at best.  I guess that's a good thing since it has taken over so many people's lives but sometimes it leaves me wanting for more.  

    Which leads me to my next way of keeping inspiring things.  My "Inspiration" notebook.  It's just a composition book that has torn out pieces of magazines pasted in it.  Well, not exactly pasted.  I have used double sided tape because actual glue leads to those unseemly crinkles.  (If you're going to do something why not do it correctly?)  But I can spend hours on this and I rarely go back and look through.  Plus when I don't have time to go through magazine I end up with a pile I have to go through in one sitting.  Like I said before, it's a lot of work.  However, I love the idea that I can just flip the notebook open to any page and it would be something that I liked.  Plus to me fashion is just something that adds to each other (and it's all about your personal style) so things that I liked in fashion magazines back when I was in high school I still like/still could wear (if you really can wear anything straight out of a fashion magazine anyway).  What I'm trying to say is that my notebook is not really dated.  Well, maybe 10 years from now I'll look back on it and say wow that's what I was into?  Crazy! 

I said earlier that when I didn't have time to put things into my notebook my magazines ended up in piles.  

Hello, piles.  I just can't bare to throw them away before I have a chance to go through them at least to tear out whole pages!

I then neaten it up when I have a spare time or am really trying to procrastinate. 

   Then there is my current obsession and it maybe an obsession no one else shares, but its a website/app called 500px.  It's AMAZING.  All it is photographs uploaded by other photographers.  Man am I blown away by all of these photographers.  Most of them aren't even from the US most of them are actually from Russia or Germany.  But these pictures.  WOW.  I love them.  It makes me want to take more photographs.  The ones that I love the most are usually just portraits but the way you feel when you look at the photographs.  I'm not even sure I can even explain it.  Check it out for yourself.  You will be amazed.  But please don't be fooled by the photos on the homepage.  The photographs you find there are more like the ones below or the ones found on their blog.  And the popular, editor's pick, fresh, and upcoming photographs change constantly so you're always seeing new photographs. Some of the photographs are breathtaking because of their simplicity and others because of their complexity.  Either way it makes me want to get out there and take more pictures, especially portraits.  Heck, it even makes me want to go to photography class after class if it would mean I could take pictures like this.  I am INSPIRED.  

P.S. the photos below do not do the real thing justice by any means so please click on the link to see the real picture.

Untitled by Dmitry Kuznetsov

“I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination. by Jorge Moreno Jr

snowgirls by Serafima Mayakowskaya

   But I'm sure you have your own way of being inspired.  Something that speaks to the very core of who you are just like the fact that this website inspires me speaks to the photographer in me.

Title from the song "All My Own Stunts" by the Arctic Monkeys.

Instant Happiness

           Music can instantly change a mood.  It can make the dullest day sunny, no matter where you are, especially when it's the right music.  I am not embarrassed to admit that at least half of my time driving my car is spent dancing.  (But I usually am too embarrassed to have a dance party with actual passengers, so I'm not sure what that actually says about me.)
          Starting in high school, I made my friends mixes.  I was always a bit proud of them.  I liked to think of myself as a music connoisseur (p.s. I did just look up how to spell that correctly and one thing that popped up was Wiki How to Become a Wine Connoisseur... because of course I looked up "wine connoisseur").  But back in the day (because I'm so grown up now) I definitely thought too much of myself and instead of actually spreading the word about the band, I always got a little defensive when other people had heard of the song/band.  I guess it meant that I wasn't so special?  I don't know (so glad I grew out of that these past 4 years).
           I always glean songs from TV shows, I don't know who has the awesome job of picking out music but the best (and most addicting shows) have really amazing people who do their job wonderfully.  I used to actually have a few running playlists for One Tree Hill and Grey's Anatomy (my two favorite shows still).  I would get so excited when I recognized a song on the show, it always felt like I was apart of this special club.  Like I got the scene so much better because I knew what song that was and I already liked it... I didn't need an "awesome" stamp of approval (but I got it anyway).  I know I'm way cheesy and get excited a little too easily, but it's the little things (like I've said before) that mean the most.  So when Peyton Sawyer (from One Tree Hill) said this quote it was like she got me (and was speaking directly at me).
"You know I've got this theory, there are two kinds of people in the world. There are lyric people and music people. You know, the lyrics people tend to be analytical. You know, all about the meaning of the song. They're the ones you see with the CD insert out like 5 minutes after buying it, pouring over the lyrics, interpriting the hell out of everything. Um, then theres the music people, like Brooke. Who could care less for the lyrics as long as its just got like a good beat and you could dance to it. I dont know, somtimes it might be easier to be a music girl and not a lyric girl. But since Im not, let me just say this. Sometimes things find you when you need them to find you, I believe that. And for me its usually song lyrics." -Peyton Sawyer, One Tree Hill 

<--- Peyton Sawyer  (Photo Credit)

        But then again, I believe in fate (to a degree) and if you look for meaning in song lyrics, you're going to find them.  This quote (her artist angst, love for Lucas, blonde ever-changing hair, and numerous other things) made me believe that Peyton and I were kindred spirits.  If I was any character from One Tree Hill I would be Peyton, no questions asked.  (You know you compare yourself to characters on TV all the time, or hey I may be the only one.)  However, the older I get the more I realize I'm Brooke.  I love some songs for their lyrics, but sometimes all you need is a song that has a good beat to cheer you up. 
       Anyway, I completely got off on a tangent.  What I was really going to say, is that I quit making mixes at one point.  I'm not sure when it happen, but I found one of my old mixes at exactly the right time.  Just by playing certain songs I became energized in a way I haven't been in a while.  My spirits were lifted.  It was a few days before Valentine's Day so I immediately started planning a Valentine's Day themed mix.  And I immediately started looking for more music.  
        I'm a person that is pretty much against the radio.  I hate how much the radio DJ's talk, how many commercials play on a regular basis, and especially the fact that the radio will play a song out.  I'm a huge fan of plugging in my iPhone and listening to my music.  I want to have completely control over what I'm listening to.
        This school year, I finally gave into the Pandora craze.  And honestly, I don't mind it when I'm not really paying attention to what I'm listening.  I love just putting it on my "How I Roll" (yes, by Britney Spears) station while I'm getting ready if I need to be pumped up or putting on my "Pride and Prejudice Soundtrack" station (the latest one with Keira Knightley) while I need to concentrate.  
       However, just today I joined the Spotify trend (it's all over Facebook... So-and-so listened to this on Spotify fills up my newsfeed).  I have been reluctant to use this application because I do not want everyone on Facebook to see what I am listening to.. if I want to try out someone else's playlist I think that should be my business and my business only.  But I joined and am IN LOVE.  It allows you to find new music while playing what you want to listen (not like Pandora).  I'm definitely going to use it to make all of my mixes from now on.
      Which brings me full circle, from now on I want to make my boring days more fun by having Holiday Themed mixes...  And of course I'm not going to make this simple because that's not how I roll.  Here's an example of the mixes I've made so far:  
                The Five L's of Valentines:  Lewd, Lust, Like, Love, Loss
                Drink, Drank, Drunk & For the Hangover (2 separate CD's for St. Patrick's Day)
In the process:
                Refreshed, Renewed, and Easter Bunnied
I love the CD's I've put together.  (7 CD's altogether) But now I'm running out of ideas for mixes.  The Easter mix totally reflects that.  I'm not going to lie, I'm not 100% certain how this next CD is going to turn out, but I guess we'll see.   


Resolution #4:
Make a mix for every U.S. holiday (except maybe memorial/labor day?)

Mad Men Makes Me Swoon

MAD MEN!

Photo credit: The Art of Manliness Blog

        It doesn't take too much to get me addicted to a TV show, especially since Netflix came along and now has oodles of TV shows streaming.  This means I can multitask and watch TV on my computer and actually be productive.  It also allows me to become addicted to way more TV shows than I ever should.  Too much access.  I'm not even sure I could name all of the TV shows that I follow on a regular basis.  
        But Mad Men is a head above the rest.  I love the portrayal of the '60's and as one of my college professors remarked, it actually is a commentary on the '60's while still being about the '60's.  Something that other TV shows trying to mimic it don't quite understand.  
        That and I'm 100% IN LOVE with the fashion!  I almost wish that I lived in the '60's so I could wear some of these awesome clothes.  I guess I will just have to be a fan of the vintage-fashion that is present in today's society.  (And maybe find a way to dress up as one of these fabulous ladies for Halloween!)

(Or dye my hair this awesome red color!!)

Photo credit: Art is Not Dead Blog.

(Or Fashion like this! Where women took a whole day to get their hair done for a night out)
Photo credit: Season 3

New Additions

If you read my list of five things that made Spring Break bearable you might remember an adorable picture of a puppy. I have finally convinced my parents (whom I am living with) that we need a playmate for our current puppy Jack.

Jack is a 3 year old Golden Retriever, who is a loving dog.  However he sometimes has problems with being hyper and bouncy (he's the dog in all of the pictures I've posted on here and he is pretty much the star of my Instagram feed).  Jack will walk around the yard with his toy bone in his mouth whining because he doesn't have anyone to play with.  It's really sad.  So we're getting him a puppy!

After much consideration and research we've decided to get a Goldendoodle.  We want a dog that will stay outside (something that usually hinders us from adopting a puppy from animal shelters) and my dad would prefer to get a dog that is just a puppy.  (Jack was found in vet's parking lot when he was 6 months old and there are clear signs of abuse that will probably last his whole life.)  

I've been searching and searching for the right puppy for us.  I know that whatever puppy finally makes his way to us will be puppy we're supposed to have.  (The situation with Jack and the Golden Retriever we owned before him proved that-- they were both dogs that needed a good home and literally through one way or another found his way to us.)  We think we might have the right puppy in our sights, but time will tell.  

One thing I want to make sure of is that I document this new puppy's growth and development.  I want to be able to look back and see how much he grew, etc. I recently came across pictures of Dante as a teeny tiny kitten that made me wish I had more pictures.  (Dante was so small he could fit into the palm of your hand and now he can barely fit into your lap.)  

As I've said before I fail at scrapbooking, but straight from the blog that inspired me to start blogging again comes a new way to Scrapbook.  Mini Books.  It's just made from paper held together with book rings and completely left up to your imagination.  The best blog post explaining it that I could find is found here.  But there are so many different ways to create a mini book.  And Elise Cripe has post after post of what she has created.  Each one can be as unique and different as you want it to be.  I think I'm going to start one when we get our new puppy (maybe just not put it together for a little while as I don't really have any workspace).

Elise Cripe with just a few of her mini books. 

(Photo credit: Elise's Blog)

 Just another picture of a mini book.  

If you want to see more check out Elise's detailed posts about how she puts them together.

(Photo Credit: Elise's Blog)

Resolution #2:

To create a mini book centered on the new Goldendoodle puppy and his new life in our family.

It's the Little Things

Today I wasn't sure if I was going to have time to post anything.  I've been gone almost all day today (shopping, MRI, work, and then more errands).  The MRI was nothing like on House or Grey's Anatomy, its loud and cramped and noisy and towards the end you feel like the board you're on is moving (or at least that's how I felt).  And of course, I had a migraine before the MRI, did I mention that it was really loud?  I think you get the picture.  But hopefully, the images will be clean and then it'll just be something that's over and done with.
I was able to have a few brief moments at home (okay so it was probably like an hour and a half).  During these moments I found myself outside with my camera in my hand taking pictures of my kitty, Dante.  My instagram feed is full of pictures of my puppy dog, but my cat somewhat gets ignored because I can't get close enough with my iPhone to take a good picture of him without the dog running him off or trying to get in between Dante and me so that he (Jack) get all of the attention instead of Dante.  
So today, while I was taking pictures I thought up this profound blog idea about the details in life.  I tried to specifically focus on the yellow pollen on his front paws.  I am not an original thinker for this focus on the details, just a scroll down my Facebook newsfeed shows at least one photographer's blog about the little details whether it is in their work or in her home life. (I use her as a generalization, I mostly follow female photographers.  I guess I am a little sexist.  However a good many of them work with their husbands in some way, just another generalized side note.) But no matter who is saying it, the little details are sometimes the most enjoyable pictures.  Sure, you want to see the big picture, but it's really the little things that count right?

This picture is still my favorite from the day.  It just fits the personality of my cat: lazy and relaxed.  

But he can be a mini Simba when he's feeling naughty.

Boudoir

Inspiration.  It's what this week is all about for me.  While most college students, including my family, are on vacation during Spring Break I want to use this week as a jumpstart towards a more productive lifestyle.  I recently graduated college in December with an English degree (and a History minor).  If you ask in person what I plan on doing with that degree I usually end up awkwardly chuckling before responding with anything but teaching.  In reality, I am trying my hand at starting up my own photography business, Anna Peterson Photography (such an original name I know). 

I'm not sure what it is about Boudoir photography that draws me in, but there is just something about a woman feeling gorgeous about her body.  When my mom hears Boudoir she immediately thinks Playboy and photos from magazines that you might find underneath some randy teenage boy's bed.  When I hear Boudoir I think of something inspired by this:

Yes, I know they're pin-up girls and they have clothes on.  But Boudoir for me is about a woman embracing her beauty and her body.  Nowadays, growing up girls are bombarded with the epitome of beauty being models that are stick skinny.  If you aren't skinny then you can't be beautiful.  Boudoir is embracing your body, embracing your curves, knowing that you're beautiful no matter what size you are.  However, Boudoir is just a category, I have seen many different photographers take the category of "Boudoir" many different places.  I've seen some photographers push more towards the way of playboy, but then I've seen some photographs where the woman is fully clothed.  Like I mentioned before, it's about the feel of the photographs and the feel of the woman embracing her body, not necessarily how many articles of clothes she has on.  

I have yet to actually take any of Boudoir photographs myself, but it is something I am really looking forward to.  This photographer in Virginia helps her clients get into the mood by having their makeup and hair professionally done.  I'm pretty sure this is something that can be pretty common, especially when the Boudoir session takes the place of a Bachelorette Party.  I mean how awesome is that?  The only downside is the photographer who offers that is all the way in Florida.  This photographer is the one who really sold me on Boudoir photography, her photographs are usually always classy and a celebration of a woman's body.  Here are just a few of her photographs.

All photographs are from her Facebook: Pin Me Up Photography

You can find more information on her website.

I have tons of ideas for the setting/props for some future Boudoir shoots, but my only models right now are in Oxford, MS in college at Ole Miss and I'm in Olive Branch.  So I have to find a time to actually get down there, but I will eventually take some.  When I do, I'll share.  

One day into it and I've already kept my resolution.  (One day down, a million to go!)