Still Life Perspectives

This weekend as the last of my Valentine flowers were about to fade I wanted to capture thier beauty.  I love both of these perspectives for very different reasons. I am really drawn to the sparseness and use of negative space in both shots. And I really liked the ornate and rustic pattern of the surface I used. A found piece of metal waiting to be thrown out by its former owner.  The softness of the flowers mixed with the industrial surface is what I really love about these shots.

This series of still life shots really got me thinking about new ways to create photographs that are interesting to look at, simplistic in technique and using only natural window lighting. I hope to shoot more in the near future.

Thankful & Updates

  I'm so thankful for the new year and for all the good things that have seemed to be happening lately.  Sharing my dreams and visions with the universe (and anyone who is willing to listen), while abit scary is also what needs to be felt in order to move forward and not only grow but flourish into building the best life you could only have imagined in the past.  I've been carrying this quote on a post-it in my ipad case as a daily inspirational nudge to myself.

Blessings to all who have shared and continued to visit me here in this small space I am happy to call home.  

Some updates that I am happy to share is that I am growing the business into 2 different avenues. One being product photography for small business' while also continuing to grow my other love of wedding photography.  Thank you for your continued support for a helping me do what my heart has called me to do :)

Work gets in the way!

I've had a crazy work week and thus my reasons for being MIA this week. All my body wants is food and sleep...thanks for still being my friend! Tomorrows Friday..yay!! Looking forward to reconnecting next week :)

Dress Details

I've been on a mission (with Pinterest by my side) to narrow down the style of dress that speaks to the way I want to look on my wedding day.  If this isn't it..then I don't know what else can top it at this point. I love the styling of the dress including the delicate beaded cap sleeves and the effortlessness of the dress itself.  No fussy train or big bulky fabric just a sweet, romantic dress to set the mood for the entire day.  To make it all even more special my future mother-in-law Mary Jean is taking on the role as my dress maker!  She took my measurements last weekend and together we will work on creating something truly special and one of a kind!  I'm excited beyond words to be working with her with this!  She's one of the most talented and patient people  I've ever met!  After she jotted down my measurements, she showed me her wedding dress that she made for her big day!  It was so simple with sweet touches added like beaded flowers all along the neckline.  This is one project I know I'll be jumping in my pants to share with you... eekk!  So excited!

MIA

 

 

Please excuse me when I say that I've been in rest and recover mode for this week.  The soreness has been hanging out in my glands like an annoying pest that just won't go away.  Speaking of going away, Joe and I are packing up to head to Cleveland for a long weekend to celebrate in the wedding festivities of Steve and Annie! Joe's known Steve since he was in the 2nd grade!! We hang out with this fun couple (but not often enough) and so I'm looking forward to spending time celebrating them in Annie's hometown of Cleveland Ohio.  So hopefully I'll have some fun stories and photos to share with you next week... until then, have a nice weekend! Stay healthy :)

Inspired by: DIY Wedding Materials

Hanging Decor, Boutonniere, Bunting, Outdoor Love Set

Book Planter, Bouquet, Table Display, Table Numbers

Fabric Garland, Circle Paper Garland, Heart Music Garland

Moss Paint, Planter, Moss Ring Pillow

Quilting Inspiration by Denyse Schmidt

A few years ago I rediscovered my love for quilts and all the comforts that they bring. My curiosity and interest came in the form of the book Quilt by Denyse Shmidt. Her modern take on quilt patterns, color pairings, and simplicity really resonated with my love to create something functional, timeless, and authentic. Around the time I picked up this book I also happened to have a collection of tee shirts, in similar neutral colors of cream, white, grey, and tan that I had a feeling would all pair well together. So fueled with inspiration by this book and a season of Project Runway, I set off into my first quilting adventure. I posted about the finished project a few years ago and included some of the lessons I learned in the process. Patience, finding beauty in the flaws just to name a few. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat and I can't wait until inspiration strikes again! Which makes me curious to know, have you ever taken on a long term project that was so worth the wait?


* First Photos & Patterns by: Denyse Shmidt
* What's In Your Toolbox Interview by Design Sponge

Instagram Week

Happy Friday to you all as we round up the first full work week of the new year! Did it treat you well? I sure hope so!  I find that the key to my best and productive work weeks have been by making time to move my body at the end of most days.  Even if I can't haul it to the gym, an impromptu dance party in my living room always get the blood and energy flowing just as well!  Plus I notice that exercise, in whatever form that may take, almost always guarentees a beautiful night sleep! Cheers to more productive weeks ahead and deep sleep too! Before I head out to start the weekend here are a few Instagram shots that made up my week.
xoxo,
~Liz

Food Bites: Butternut Squash with Ricotta Ravioli

Since joining the local CSA, Joe and I have been receiving a bounty of butternut squash.  So much so that they have taken over the top of our microwave for quite a while now. And besides roasting this veggie (I can only eat so much of this seasonal item) we figured we'd roll up our sleeves and dive into- what else- making butternut squash with homemade ricotta ravioli.  It was all quite simple, just time consuming. 


 To make your own batch of these tasty bites you'll need to roast about 2 butternut squashes (cut them in half lengthwise and discard seeds first) in the oven (450 degrees for about 50 mins). Scoop out the insides into a bowl and add a minced sprig of fresh rose merry, crushed pine nuts, and salt and pepper to taste. This will accompany the ricotta as the ravioli filling.  Here's the super easy way to make your own ricotta. Pretty easy, right?!  Next roll out your pasta sheets, we used fresh, uncooked sheets. Cut them to the size you want your Ravioloi to be.  We played around with a mix of sizes. I liked the bigger sized guys. Next spoon in your squash and ricotta into the middle of one piece.  Next brush the edges with a quick egg wash (this is going to help keep all the filling inside your pasta).  Top your half with another pasta piece and use a fork to seal all of the pastas edges (as demonstrated by Joe). Cook your pasta according to your desired tenderness. I like mine al dente, you know with a slight bite to it where as Joe prefers his on the verge of dissolving as soon as it enters his mouth..I tell him at least he's dentures will thank him in the future..hehehe!  Oh and then the best part of all comes the feasting, yum! We still have a few more squashes in the house, I'd love to hear any tasty suggestions on your favorite way to prepare squash!? Cheers!

Inspired by: Dip Dyed Home Goods

 Antique Spoons, Side Table, Candles, Tablecloth, Baskets, Curtains

I always love to find new and unique DIY techniques to help reinvent and give home pieces a fresh new look.  I realize this dip dyed technique has been floating around the online community for a while but it's only just now pulled me into seeing its possibilities for a certain coffee table that I think would be a perfect dip dye canidate! Do you have any home decor trends that are calling you to rethink any home goods?  

6 Ways to Keep Blogging...

1. If you take public transportation to work everyday, use that time to think, sketch, write, and or plan shots to photograph for your next post. Carry a purse size notebook, use your notes app on your iPhone, iPad, and use it wherever you go.  You never know when a brilliant idea will strike!

2. If its possible schedule an afternoon of photography to add to posts in the making.  For example if you know you want to post a book review and photograph what your wearing for your night out next week, why not schedule to photograph all to photo stories in one afternoon. That way when you finish the writing portion of your post, you can quickly pull out your photographs and edit them into your post.  I find this saves a lot of time and really motivates me to post more when I have good photographs for a few posts already ready to complete my photo story for a post. 

3. Make it an enjoyable habit to photograph daily outings, events, and everything in between. Start thinking of these snapshots of daily life as creative inspiration for future posts.

4. Schedule posts over the weekend. This has worked really well for me in the past. Set aside a Sat/Sun morning to write, photograph, and schedule posts for the coming week ahead. I know your weekend time is precious, so really commit yourself to editing posts you'll be proud to publish.

5. If you have a Google email account (and are away from your home computer for most of the day, like me)

start writing future posts in Goggle docs.  When you finish them, you can just cut and paste them into your blog when you return home from the office later in the evening. 

6. Blog during lunch.  I don't really do this much (because I love to socialize with my lunch ladies) but when I have something so exciting to share with you that it can't wait until night, I happily eat at my desk and blog away! 

Those are just some blog tips that continue to work for me while I commute to and from the city everyday to my job as a commercial photographer/stylist . Do you have any advise or tips that have worked for you as a blogger and 9 to 5 er? I'm not going to dismiss those who stay at home to raise there families either! I give you mama's lots of credit because your job's are probably just beginning when 5pm rolls around.  I'd sure love to know how you manage to keep it all in balance too!!

Let's Connect via Instagram!

I can't think of a better way to end the first week of the new year than by following each other through Instagram, how about you? 

I know since the BYW fall course Holly introduced her students to use this friendly app as another way to share and connect with other fellow bloggers and I have to admit that since I joined over the holidays (on my iPad) I love taking photos and playing around with the fun photo filters that you can select from.  But the best part really is being able to share with other Instagramers  (this is where you come in!) So whadda ya say? Let's share and connect beyond the blogosphere walls and really get a sneak peak into each others daily happenings!!  Ready? Okay I'll go first, follow me and my photos @ evphotogal. Happy weekend to you and hope to meet ya via Instagram ladies and gents!