"It's Not My Fault; This is How My Mama Raised me..."

 

 

 

 

 

"I've been magnetic since I was a baby..."

-SPW

Krewe of Attakapas Mardi Gras Ball 2012

Glitter, music, drinks, friends and debauchery...

Carnival season is in full swing...

Found on Pinterest

Food For the Soul

January 18

Spaghetti

 

January 19

New toys!!

 

January 20

This may be cheating, because it's a screen

shot of my Nook, but this is the photo for the day

 

January 21

With the beautiful bride-to-be at the first 

pre-wedding party

 

January 22

Brunch at Another Broken Egg

 

January 23

The greatest thing I could have ever seen yesterday

 

January 24

Blackberries brought to me at the office

 

As I go through my photos from week to week, I realize how frequently, the one image to describe that day is of food. But, then I laugh because I am Southern and our lives are dictated by food. Whether it is just an amazing meal or a fabulous excuse to connect with people I adore, everything revolves around food. 

Even if you aren't doing this Photo-A-Day project, what would your days look like??

Literary Hunger

 

This is where I have been for the past few days...

Lost in the pages of Suzanne Collins' brilliant work that has taken the world by storm...

It is so hard not to get lost in the stories of Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark and the rest of the indescribably multi-dimensional characters that make up The Hunger Games Trilogy...

 These are truly some of the best books that I've read in awhile, 

and considering that I am unapologetically, a serious nerd... 

they've had some seriously tough literary competition to stand up to...

But, I truly love these books and; although I'm only in the middle of Catching Fire, 

I cannot wait to see how things continue to unfold...

Have you read the series yet??

Wedding Season; Round 2

Well... it's that time again...

Wedding Season...

I must say, however, that this time around; I am actually looking forward to the festivities that celebrate one of my best friends and her future husband; and am truly honored to be a part of this momentous time in their lives. Brandie and Parker compliment each other remarkably well, and to see a man who truly adores my friend; well... that is indescribable. Saturday night, we all gathered for the first of many pre-wedding celebrations to honor my sweet friends. It was a lovely and intimate affair where everyone was truly just overcome with love and well wishes for the couple. Seeing my friend so in love, and so genuinely happy, is one of the greatest gifts in this life.

What a beautiful way to celebrate the tremendous love of two extraordinary people.

In honor of a woman whose talent will be unmatched forever...

Rest in Peace Etta James...

Thank you for sharing your gifts with us all...

You have certainly made the world more beautiful...

Products I LOVE!

Here's a little secret about me...

I cannot paint my own nails properly.

This is not an exaggeration.

It gets really messy and ugly when I try to paint my own nails.

This does not, however, keep me from attempting such a risky project.

But, awhile ago, I picked up my first bottle of RGB Nail polish

from my hair stylist.

Que the sound of angels singing

FINALLY!

Someone came up with a polish that even I cannot screw up!

RGB has some of the most fabulous colors,

and it dries within a minute or so...

This is perfect for impatient, restless people like myself...

Not to mention, that this magical little product was somehow created

so that excess polish can be easily wiped from your fingers

and the brush is a perfect size for even short (nonexistent) nails like mine...

This is when you close your computer

and run out to buy some...

I'll be here when you get back...

Living on Love and Caffeine

      

After 4 and a half days of absolute bliss; writing, photographing the world around me, sharing coffee, great food and superb conversation with people I absolutely adore... I am back to my little apartment and the tasks of every day life. Still, I feel like someone shot excitement into my veins... excitement, hope, joy, gratitude and love... The last few days stirred my soul and reintroduced me to myself. It probably also had something to do with the amazing hearts that I got to reconnect with in the middle of one of my favorite cities in the world. Sometimes, you don't have to wander very far to find absolute rejuvenation. You just have to wander and trust that your heart is leading you to the place you were looking for all along...

Let That Little Voice Guide You...

The next few days are some that I have been anticipating for awhile now. Thanks to the encouragement of my friends and family, I am taking a break from "real life" to focus on the things that feed my soul; photography, writing, and all things that bring beauty to the world. The first part of the weekend will be spent in Baton Rouge, where I am writing to you... I am enjoying the gorgeous weather we are having here in Louisiana, and spending some much needed quality time with my family and friends here. It is extraordinary how just a few modifications to your normal schedule can make such a profound difference. Tomorrow, I leave for New Orleans for the Imaging USA Photography Convention. There are not words adequate enough to describe how thrilled I am to spend some time letting my creative mind free. Days filled with brilliant, creative minds all trying to expand their knowledge of their craft. I am trying to shift my priorities to allow for more time spent honing my skill in photography and shifting my career focus in that direction. Who knows how long it will take, or what direction I will go... All I know is that I am letting my heart and spirit guide me for the first time in a very long time...

My Life One Image at a Time

January 6

The Mardi Gras Krewe that we are members of, had its annual 12th Night Party...

12 nights after Christmas is the official start of the Carnival Season here in Louisiana...

It was a beautiful evening with wonderful music and very dear friends...

January 7

The boy and I called it quits. 

I hope that it is not forever, but we decided that right now is just bad timing...

We have a lot of things to figure out as individuals...

So, I wallowed for the weekend...

January 8

Sunday was spent at the coffee shop reading some classic Fitzgerald with S...

When all else fails, coffee, a great book and an amazing friend make everything right again...

January 9

I spent a rainy night at home watching the worst game in the history of the BCS...

No matter how much I hate to admit it, LSU was out-coached and out-played by Alabama.

It was still a great season...

Geaux Tigers!

January 10

I coordinated a blood drive for work, and of course, I was the only one not afraid of donating...

We had a great turnout overall, though and the day ended with a pretty comical story...

Yep... yours truly passed out cold not long after I was finished donating...

Have you ever had ammonia put on your nose to wake you up when you pass out? 

I don't recommend it... Pretty traumatizing stuff...

Today, my arm is black and blue... Apparently the genius who took my blood burst my vein...

Oh well... We all got a laugh out of it later...

January 11

We had a meeting with the athletic department of my Alma Matter...

Considering that I worked in athletics during and after college... being there; in that atmosphere...

It was like coming home...

Celebrate The Beauty of this Life

    

    

  

    

Just a few pictures from my "Friend-Family" birthday celebration last Thursday night...

There was a lot of wine...

Insanely delicious food...

A lot of laughter...

Some seriously inappropriate but hilarious conversation...

And memories that I will hold in my heart forever...

Thank you for making this birthday a joyful one my loves...

XoXo

We'll Take a Cup of Kindness Yet, For Auld Lang Syne...

Natalie and I joined some friends at the Geaux Entertainment Party at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans as we all welcomed the New Year...It was a night of extravagance, wine, champagne, sequins, vodka infused whipped cream, laughter, dancing, old friends and new, and the hope of a new year to get it right... These are a few pictures from that evening...

Better late than never... 

Chasing the Sun

This year, I've decided to challenge myself to do something I've wanted to do for a few years now. Every day, I will take one picture that will sum up that particular day. Those who have made it through the entire year end up with such wonderful and unique views of that time in their lives. 

So, here are my pictures from the first five days of 2012...

January 1

Natalie and I carried our very hungover selves to the Superdome 

to cheer on our Saints as they crushed the Carolina Panthers... 

PERFECT New Year's Day...

 

January 2

I celebrated my 27th birthday with my family 

and the best friend drove in to be there...

Yeah... I'm blessed...

 

January 3

A sweet message from my wonderful coworkers...

 

January 4

A "friend-family" birthday dinner at one of my favorite restaurants...

Too many glasses of Chardonnay...

Sweet potato bread pudding (you don't get more southern than that...)

Tons of laughter...

Inappropriate conversations...

Pineapple upside down cake shots...

And joyful memories I will carry in my heart forever...

 

January 5

Yeah... This is how my morning looked today... 

Perhaps sharing these images with you will help me to keep up with this little project.

It sure has been entertaining so far... 

XoXo

Another Trip Around the Sun...

Goodmorning friends!

I hope you all had a spectacular New Year!

I promise to have some new pictures posted 

from our whirlwind weekend.

It was a time which drew a close to one year and 

joyfully welcomed a new year...

To add to this time of celebration,

there was a birthday on Monday...

Yep...

It was my birthday!!

I am officially 27 years old.

It's exhausting having your birthday and the New Year

so close together,

but it was a lovely time shared with

extraordinary friends and my wonderful family...

I will have the stories and pictures here for you,

at least by the end of the week. 

For now, there is another birthday dinner to be had

TONIGHT!

Yayyyy!!!

XoXo

Image via Pinterest