Thankful A-Z

Apple butter.

Beckett

Cooking at home.

Dresses.

Eternal love.

Freedom.

God's Grace.

Hand holding.

Ice cream sundae's.

Jokes.

Keller.

Laughing.

Music.

Nutella.

Osborne Cash.

Photography.

Quiet time.

Red wine.

Simple life.

Trust.

Unconditional love.

Vision.

Warmth.

Xpedited shipping? [X's are hard...]

Your mom. [...sorry I had to]

Zombi [okay so Z's are hard too]

Today got off to a rocky start and I needed to remember the good things. Give it a try...I promise it will make you smile.

Cheers,

Lynsey

These are my confessions....

Usher anyone? I have had a lot of thoughts on my mind lately and without blogging, only my best friend and husband hear them so I'm going to put it out there. Feel free to comment on my confessions or offer up your own. I swear it made me feel much better to get it off my chest. Some are goofy, some are small vents. Don't take anything personally.

• During the week, I drive from IL to downtown St. Louis to work at my part time job. Every time I realize it's Tuesday, I turn the station to the local rap/r&b station to listen to paternity test Tuesday which always falls during my 20 minute commute. For this, I love Tuesdays.
• I despise the fact that some people do not send a simple thank you not for gifts. Hello? Did I not take the time to drive 30 minutes to the closest Babies R Us and listen to a mother scream at her kids for touching the breast pads? Did I not pop ibuprofen while I attempting to figure out where the toys you registered for were located? So yes, I feel as though I deserve a $.44 cent stamp and a line or two thanking me for spending my hard earned money and time on your gift.
• I love writing things in bullet points? It makes me organize and gather my thoughts.
• Love handles suck. How do you get rid of them? Why must they latch on to my hip bone and and implant themselves for life.
• Using the excuse that you're busy. Everyone is busy. Life is busy. Get over it.
• In our pre-cana class (marriage class for all your non-Catholics), a couple from our church that practically invented NFP, spoke to us. They might as well been green with two heads because Tommy and I were all "Um, that's irresponsible." "Have they heard of a new invention called the pill?" "What a dumb method of birth control." Well fast forward 3.5 years and guess who just bought a book on the subject? This girl. I am very interested in the natural factor of it. Then I had a conversation with my sister, that changed my idea of it's effectiveness.

            L: I'm thinking of giving NFP a whirl. Thoughts?
            K: We tried that.
            L: How did it go?
            K: We ended up with Beckett.

• I was irritated that Barack Obama name dropped Biggie and Tupac during the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner. Did you do it because there are celebrities in the audience? Did you do it to announce your street cred? And dissing Matt Damon? No, Barack. Just no. I found it quite irritating. At least he announced that for the status of his presidency, the honeymoon is over. Indeed.
• And I'll end on a high note. Last night I dreamt that I was pregnant...and I told everyone it was Justin Bieber's baby.

Cheers,

Lynsey

Total Blog Cop-Out, I Realize

Yeah, yeah...I know this is a cop-out but as of right now, I feel like I dont have much to offer the blog world. Everytime I go to write, I stop and think "I bet no one cares to read about that" or  "wow, am I posting about cheese? That's uber lame." So...I'm opening up my blog to any questions you may have for me. I will answer anything...about wine, coffee, my husband, my job, etc...anything is up for grabs. You can post questions in the comment box below or email me me at my personal email address: lmholo[at]gmail[dot]com.

Oh and please ask me something...I mean, I'm going to feel like the Mayer of Loserville if I dont get one single question... *Sad trombone*


Until then, cheers!

Lynsey

Recap of 2010

2010 was...

 

1. The year I took a leap of faith, quit my full time job and officially started my business
2. I met amazing families and couples I would have never had the chance to meet otherwise
3. We built a new deck that is perfect for entertaining and fenced in our backyard for Osborne
4. Ozzy babe turned 2
5. We vowed to live a greener lifestyle
6. Kept my schedule jam packed with photography work
7. My best friend asked me to stand next to her when she gets married next July
8. A year I definitely got the least amount of sleep in my life, thus far (see #6)
9. I ran my first race - a 10k
10. The year I turned 24
11. My best friend had a beautiful little boy
12. Keller turned 5
13. Beckett turned 2!
14. Spent 7 days in paradise in the Dominican Republic
15. The year my godson turned 1 

 

Hopes for 2011...

 

1. Join a local CSA
2. Finish our basement
3. Travel to Europe this summer
4. Order canvases for our house
5. Run a relay race in April with 3 of my closest friends
6. Have professional photos taken of Tommy and me (April!)
7. Plant an organic garden this spring (with help from my handy dad who is making us an awesome fenced in garden out of old headboards!)
8. Run my first half marathon
9. Take family photos of my entire immediate family
10. Design and print custom labels for Tommy's homemade beer brew
11. Work with an amazing graphic designer in Indi to have a professional NEW! logo made and re-design my website and blog
12. Our 3rd wedding anniversary (8 year together total)
13. Spend more time living and less time dreaming
14. Join the local library and rent a new book monthly
15. Make the decision to be happy every day when I wake up. Life is a gift and should be valued and not taken advantage of.  

"Happiness is not a destination. It is a mood, it is not permanent. It comes and goes and if people thought that way then maybe people would find happiness more often."

 

Cheers,

 

 

 

LT

Doubts, belief and the push I needed

I will always remember the day. The day the big doubt set in. Can I do this? Can I thrive in this profession? Will I be successful? How can I leave an impression with the work I do? How can I touch people's lives with my work? I'm never going to be as good as [insert amazing photographer here]!

And I will never forget what he said to me. He said "you'll be great at what you do because you love it. Love is enough to get you to where you want to be." He is amazing and not only is he my husband, he's my best friend. I am lucky to be married to someone who believe in me and makes me feel like I'm great on days I don't feel worthy. I can now say the words "I am a photographer" when someone asks me "what do you do for a living?" because he told me to buy a digital SLR camera, because he told me to quit my job, because he pushed me to follow my dream, and because  he believed in me. Nothing in the world will mean more.

Ever heard the saying "you can pick your friends but you can't pick your relatives?" (It's the standard saying when you're complaining about your crazy family.) Well I got to pick my friend and my husband and I can proudly say I did a damn good job.

photo credit: Trisha Seelen

photo credit: Clary Pfeiffer

photo credit: a drunk friend

photo credit: Trisha D :)

Cheers,

LT

My Wants, Wishes & Goals in a List!

I came across this website and was instantly inspired. There are so many things I want to do with my life and it’s hard to have all those thoughts organized in my head. The ‘101 in 1001’ list is perfect for me because it will hold me accountable for the things I want to do in my life with a clear cut deadline in place. So this is super personal for me to be posting but I figure I put everything else out there, why not my life goals, huh?

Here are the rules:

The Challenge:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.


The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part).


Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a 'Bucket List'. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips, study semesters, or outdoor activities.




START DATE: September 10, 2010
END DATE: June 8, 2013




1) Go to Europe with Tommy (in process - summer 2011)
2) Go sledding on Art Hill
3) Take our honeymoon
4) Host a fancy dinner party when Dad finishes our dining room set
5) Take photos with my Grandma Marie
6) Eat dinner 2 times a week in our dining room
7) Try a new recipe once a week for a year
8 ) Make all my own household cleaning products (in process - almost done!)
9) Pay for the meal of a stranger (drive thru counts!)
10) Join a local CSA
11) Take photos to print on canvases for our home
12) Learn how to cook my Grandma Marie’s famous risotto
13) Make DVD pocket folders for branding
14) Adopt a family at Christmas
15) Order a stamp of my photography logo
16) Go to Las Vegas
17) Watch the Dexter series
18) Direct and create a video with my Flip camera
19) Create a coffee table book of our trips (past & future)
20) Spend an entire day with Grandma Marie
21) Take photos of all my friends together
22) Practice yoga once a week for an entire year
23) Put a bun in the oven
24) After #23, write in a journal and take photos weekly for 9 months
25) Learn to knit
26) Start a garden with my Dad
27) Start a family cookbook with my Mom and Sister
28) Becoming certified to teach yoga
29) Train and run a 10k (in process - October 17th)
30) Train and run a half-marathon
31) Put flowers on the graves of my deceased relatives
32) Take family photos of my immediate family
33) Adopt another doggie brother/sister for Ozzy
34) Eat at a new restaurant once a month for a year
35) Learn how to cook with a pressure cooker
36) Ice skate in St. Louis in the winter
37) Attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve every year
38) Blog personally and professional 2-3 times a week each
39) Create a collage of prints of my travels; hang them in the living room
40) Have Tommy and I’s photos taken professionally
41) Create pricing booklets - wedding and portrait
42) Fully integrate ShootQ into my business
43) Make handmade gifts for 50% of Christmas gifts
44) Work on SEO for my Web site
45) Try to work out in the morning 3-4 times a week for one month
46) Take a Zumba class
47) Shoot my first birth photography session (in process - approx. Nov 19th)
48) Go to a Jasmine Star workshop in CA
49) Attend WPPI
50) Take a spinning class
51) Go to Colorado with Tommy in the winter and stay in a cabin with no TV, clocks or cell phone reception
52) Create holiday card templates for clients to order
53) Introduce new line of guest books and albums
54) Re-do our deck
55) Begin using QuickBooks
56) Implement client surveys to get their feedback on how I’m doing
57) Finish our basement
58) Book a destination wedding
59) Go camping
60) Take a family vacation - Holloway’s & Tedesco’s
61) Keep a gratitude journal
62) Tie a note to a balloon and let it go
63) Plant a tree in the middle of our backyard with Tommy & carve our initials in it
64) Hang a hammock up in our backyard
65) Die my hair dark red
66) Purchase the 50mm 1.2
67) Purchase the 70-200 2.8
68) Purchase the 28mm 2.8
69) Purchase the 85mm 1.2
70) See a drive in movie
71) Order custom DVDs with my photography name and logo
72) Attend the Schlafly ‘Hop in the City’ and sample ALL of their beers
73) Tour the AB brewery
74) Join PPA
75) Write a note to myself to open in 10 years
76) Attend free concerts at the zoo and History Museum in STL in the fall
77) Donate my time to Stray Rescue 6/12 months of the year
78) Donate wedding photography services to a couple who needs it
79) Tailgate before a Ram’s football game
80) Have my photography work published on a style/wedding blog
81) Have my photography work published in a magazine
82) Begin fostering relationships with vendors I work with
83) Switch over to all reusable bags
84) Create a birthday list of family’s birthdays and send a card out to everyone for their birthday. On time…for a change
85) Make a mix CD for a different friend every month for a year
86) Watch all 100 movies on AFI’s 100 Greatest American Movies list
87) Have a date night once a month with my husband for an entire year
88) Revamp my family room
89) Decorate our master bed and bath
90) Fence in our backyard (in process - approx. Sept 20th for install)
91) See 10 classic movies I’ve never seen
92) Learn to play golf and play 18 holes with Tommy
93) Play in a sand volleyball league with friends
94) Learn to do something new in PhotoShop once a month for a year
95) Don’t complain about anything for one week
96) Go on a picnic
97) Influence a person to make a ‘101 in 1001’ list
98) Write a short story
99) Sing karaoke at a bar
100) Get a tattoo
101) Go vegetarian for one month


So some of these are silly, some are wants and not needs and some are real things I want to do before I die. I am a very goal oriented person so hopefully in 2.75 years I can say I’ve done most, if not all, of the things on my ‘101 in 1001’ list.

Oh and PLEASE let me know if you choose to go to this website and create a list of your own. Then I can cross #97 off my list. What things would be on your list? Have you done anything on my list? What advice can you give me???


Cheers,
LT

Top 10 Reasons today is a great day

1. My puppy was extra snuggly with me this morning.
2. I’m having a great hair day. (it’s the little things in life, folks)
3. It was 72 degrees in St. Louis this morning. Win.
4. I woke up with a lot of energy.
5. Driving into work in silence with a warm cup of coffee with a gorgeous view of the arch.
6. Realizing during my drive that all my friends are taken care of so well by their husbands/fiancés.
7. The last image I saw leaving my house this morning is imbedded in my mind: my husband and sweet pup cuddled up on one side of our huge bed.
8. My job. It’s magical. I take photos of people who love deeply.
9. Excited about plans for a coffee date with both of my parents this afternoon.
10. Running outside since the temps are starting to cool down.


What’s your favorite thing about today??

Cheers,
Lynsey

Work: Past, Present + Future

As I wrote about before, I ended my career in public accounting as an external auditor on May 28th of this year. Typing those words, I sighed a sense of relief and had a huge smile on my face. I didn't really go much detail on the specifics of this before, so a month into self-employment, I will revisit the subject.

To say my previous career was demanding was an understatement. I felt constant pressure and anxiety on a daily basis. And the feelings didn’t end on Friday when I left work…I felt awful all weekend because I knew that Monday morning I had to go back. This career was hard on my relationships, my emotions and on my health. I start becoming sick physically. I didn’t want to give up on my dreams of someday being a photographer but I was starting to feel depressed and like I would just never be one of those people that loved what they did for a living.

I knew I needed to quit my job and follow my dreams but with the current state of the economy, I felt like I should just be thankful I was employed. Plus, I was scared. Scared of the unknown, scared to try something new, and scared to take a chance on my family's livelihood. See, something you should know about me is that I have really strong workaholic tendencies. I loved my college job so much, I agreed to step up to a management position even though I knew my school schedule of 18-21 credit hour semesters wouldn’t cut it. I was really good at the job and I felt a huge sense of pride in the work I was doing (I was a manager at Urban Outfitters for those who care to know) and loved the people I worked with.

So my day would look something like this:

5am – catch up on homework and study before class at 8
8am – 1pm – class
1-1:45 – get ready and drive to work
2 – 9pm – work at UO
9pm – quick dinner
9:15pm – back to work on setting floor displays or running sales reports for upper management
2 am – drive back to my house on campus at Lindenwood
2:15 – 3am – study my butt off and try to make sense of everything I learned from 8am - 1pm that day
3am – 5am sleep

I don’t think I realized how ridiculous my schedule was but I was working 40 hour weeks while going to school taking 18-21 credit hours so I could graduate in 3 years. It was unhealthy for me but at least I loved what I was doing, I was genuinely happy and I dressed really, really well. I mean seriously, when I would be dressing mannequins and displays…it was all part of my wardrobe planning strategies and at 40% off …why wouldn’t I buy everything in the store, right?


After I graduated and went into the corporate world, I was in shock. You mean I get to sit all day instead of run around carrying boxes and arms full of clothing? You mean all the work I did training my feet to run in heels is useless??

The job was everything you would expect from the accounting world. Tedious work, long hour, great pay, lots of overtime, and nights away from my husband and dog. I was miserable to say the least. I felt like it was so hard for me to act happy because where I spent the majority of my days, I was in utter hell. For comparison purposes, let’s take a look at my day as an auditor.


6 am – wake up and get ready for work (I get ready insanely quick…not normal for most people. My husband takes twice as long to get ready)
6:15 – take Ozzy for a quick walk – (less than .25 miles…his normal is 1 mile two times a day)
6:30 am – make a quick breakfast for my car ride into work – either toast with peanut butter and honey or oatmeal
6:30-7:30am – 45 mile commute into work
7:30 am – grab a cup of coffee in the office and start working
10:00 am – morning snack – usually oatmeal
11:30 am – eat lunch while continuing to work – bell pepper, feta and hummus wrap and wheat thins
11:30 – 6:00pm – work
6:00 – 6:45pm – 45 mile commute home – usually a shorter commute since it’s after rush hour
6:45 – 7pm – love on Ozzy and tell him how much I missed him and love him
7-8pm – gym time
8 – 9pm – spend time with Tommy by making dinner together
9-11pm – catch up on house chores and do anything photo related I need to at this time such as respond to client emails, send contracts, edit photos, blog
11pm – shower and go to bed for the night

I literally had no time for myself, other than cooking dinner, cleaning up the house, and going for a run (on the occasion that I had time and energy to do so). My new schedule took a lot of getting used to but I am finally into the swing of things and really enjoying this new life.

6:30 -7:00 am - get up and walk Ozzy (1 mile walks now and we are both much happier!)
7:30-8:40am - get ready for work, make breakfast and lunches for both Tommy and myself, check email, clean up the house
8:40 am - leave for work - 18.1 mile commute!!!
9:00 -noon- get into work, check emails and start my day
12pm - lunch - usually cottage cheese with tomatoes, an apple and cheese and turkey sandwich on wheat
1pm - my work is usually totally done by now, so I'll respond to client emails, write up contracts, write a blog post and read several blogs
2pm - drive home - 18.1 miles
2:20pm - change clothes and take Ozzy for a quick walk (.25 miles)
2:30pm - 6:30pm - work on the computer - edit, blog, email, etc.
6:30pm - go for a run - it's usually cool enough out at this point to run without having a massive heat stroke
7:30 - 8:30pm - time to eat dinner - Tommy and I eat dinner together 4-5 nights a week. This is something that we really value and even if we're just eating something small or leftovers, we wait for one another to eat...even if this means eating right before bed
8:30pm - another 1 mile walk for Oz! Did I mention he is loving my new schedule?? sometimes we'll take him to get frozen custard
9:00 pm - take a quick shower then it's back to work for another few hours. I recently purchased a laptop and will sometimes work from bed while we watch tv
11-11:30pm - turn off the lights and cuddle with my boys before we all fall asleep

On occasion I work until 1 or 2am but I can honestly say that I enjoy the work that I'm doing. I feel like I'm giving my clients quality products with a quick turn around time...both of which are very important business practices to me. I'd really like to get in the habit of running in the morning before work but I haven't quite figured out how to do that yet.

So there you have it. My life in a nutshell. It's busy and pretty eventful but I love it. I have never been happier than where I am right now in my life. For anyone out there reading this that and can relate with my less happy times in a bad career, I empathize with you and understand how frustrating it can be when people tell you to "hang in there" and "it can only be better" or the worst..."be happy you have a job." Where all of these statement are completely true, it doesn't help to tell a miserable person that they shouldn't be miserable.

My life isn't all sunshine and butterflies but it is a great feeling to wake up everyday excited to start my day and go to bed the night before, anxious to see what the next day holds.

Do what you love and your life will be happy. I am going to end this mega-long post with one of my favorite song lyrics by the Avett Brothers.

"Decide what to be and go be it."

Cheers!

Lynsey

Putting it on paper.

This post is just my random thoughts organized in a list. Enjoy.

1. I have this weird love for John Mayer. The more arrogant and cocky he acts, the more I love him. And the tattoos…don’t even get me started on those.

2. I dislike the color pink. Most people think this is unheard of.

3. I dislike cinnamon. Every onethinks this is unheard of.

4. I laugh so hard when couples who live in the same house write on each other facebook pages. Um don’t you see each other every day to tell your wife you love her? Cracks me up!

5. I am completely obsessed with the new She & Him album. I can listen to it all day every day. And who doesn’t love Zoe…how cute is she?? (this tidbit can count as MM for the week since I just realized it COMPLETELY skipped my mind yesterday).




6. I went to the chiropractor on Monday since I realize I could no longer stand the awful neck pain I had been having (for two weeks…I hate going to the doctor. Don’t judge). I found out I have a slipped joint causing inflammation around my vertebrae. As my doctor so kindly pointed out, I “the neck of a 50 year old.” Standard. (FYI: My neck and I are only 24 years old.)

7. Having mentioned my neck issues, I’ve stopped lifting any weights but I’m still running. Averaging 3 miles per run. If you know me, this is good! I have a terrible attention span and lose concentration and focus during runs…basically I get bored out of my mind and stop running because of it.

8. Thursday is April 15th. Did anyone else hear angels sing when I said that???

9. I’m off work this Friday, April 16th (as a reward for spending all of January, February and March working) and I’m not sure what to do with myself. I have so many home and crafting projects that I want to tackle but I’m not sure where I want to begin. So excited! (Anyone ever make curtains before? I may need some advice. I know how to sew pretty well but I am still really nervous about it. Any advice is welcome!)

10. Osborne has been so good lately. I can definitely tell he’s transitioning out of the puppy-chewing-on-all-my-shit-and-tearing-up-my-couch phase. So happy that’s over. He goes right into his crate when asked, he’s been leash walking really well and don’t even get me started on the Ozzy morning cuddles I get every day. It’s the best way to wake up! Tommy and I always talk about how lucky we are to have him. I don’t even want to think about what would have happened to this sweet boy if we hadn’t adopted him. Another reason I am pro-adoption and anti breeders but that’s a whole different post. Wow…I really went off on a tangent about Ozzy. Just another reason to believe he deserves a whole post to himself. Maybe I’ll ask him to be a guest blogger again.

11. So I realize #10 really makes me sound like a freak who talks to my dog all the time as if he were my son (which I do every day). So those of you who are not puppy mama’s, just ignore me and those of you that are, I’m sure you can totally relate and don’t think I’m insane, right?

12. I really need to figure out how to post some of the videos I’ve taken on our Flip to my blog. Anyone know a good site with instructions?

13. I am excited to start some home renovation projects soon. We bought our home in December 2007 and always planned to finish the basement and expand the deck. Now seems like the perfect time so in a few weeks, we are going to break ground! Well technically, not really, but we are going to start our projects! Whoot!

14. I’ve kind of been at a loss on what to write about lately. Any suggestions? What do you want to hear about?


Cheers,
Lyns

Athena.

This post is more of a dedication to a family member that passed away. Our beloved Athena, aka Tina, passed away. She was so important to everyone in my family. Here is the first picture we took of her when my brother in law and sister rescued her from the street.

She was a beagle and dauschund mix and had crazy bowed legs. Man she could howl! Here you can see how bowed her short little legs were.

We always referred to Tina's as my dad's girlfriend because when he would go to bed, she would sneak up before my mom so she could lay in her spot in bed...under the covers! She was a Mary-wannabe.

Her death was shocking and out of the blue and I still cry when I think of her. We knew she was getting older but it's still so hard on all of us. She's buried on my parents 7 acres where she loved to roam. My brave dad decided that's where she would want to be.

Cheers Tina baby! We love you!

Lynsey

Poop.

I walked past dog poop in the middle of my family room. Thrice. And didn't notice. Sounds like someone's preoccupied.

Questions. Answers.

The ever sweet and adorable Lauren over at LiveLaughLove has come up with some interview questions for me. Here it goes...

When did you become interested in photography?

When I was 7 or 8 years old, my Dad dusted off his old analog Canon, some black & white film, and gave me basic instruction on light and focus and told me to walk around the neighborhood and see what I could do. Two hours later I came back and we ran up to Walgreens to have them developed. This was before 24 hour processing, so about a week later we picked up the pictures and turns out I wasn't so bad. Good framing, decent focus and an eye for detail. I've been in love ever since.

If you could choose 1 famous male to go out with on a hot date, who would it be?

Gerard Butler. Maybe it's the accent. Maybe it's the movie 300. Either way, I'd go on a hot date with him anyday.

Ryan Reynolds is a close 2nd.

Where would you like to be professionally in 10 years?

Photographing the beautiful, important moments in people's lives. A child, marriage, children, families, love. I want to be there for it all and give people the same thing I see when I look through my camera: beautiful love.


Do you prefer hamburgers or hotdogs at a BBQ?

I'm the girl that eats a cheeseburger, two hotdogs, potatoe salad, cole slaw, corn on the cob and chips in a single sitting. I love food in general and eat a lot of it.


What is your favorite quality in your husband?

Tommy is extremely charismatic. He can hold a conversation and relate to anyone. The first time we went to the mall together, I was taking a long time buying a charm for my best friend's birthday. Tommy walked into a shoe store to sit down and I remember looking over to see him talking and laughing with all three female employees. He's adorable and so quirky and that's what I love about him. And the man has beautiful bright blue eyes.

Thanks for the great questions Lauren. If you want to give the interview a try, leave me a comment with your email address and I'll send you 5 questions to answer!

Cheers,

L

Music Love.

I could listen to this song over and over because of what I think of when I hear the beginning guitar cords. I think of riding in the car with my husband in the fall with all the windows down, hair blowing, sunglasses, with no where in particular to go. Just together. My favorite place to be.

Cary Brothers - Ride

Enjoy!

Cheers,
L

Epiphany.

This week, I am in Southern Missouri on a business trip. My days have been generally the following: at the client by 7:30, quick 30 minute lunch, dinner around 7 and back at the hotel by 8 to work again for another hour or so and then to bed. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

I called my sister, Kimm, in an attempt to lift my spirits a bit. During this conversation, Keller sang me a song (that made me cry, I'm so sentimental when it comes to him growing up) and Beckett cried to me on the phone and immediately stopped when he heard me say "hey Beck-a-boo!" (someone loves his Momo) Instantly I envied her life. I wanted to be at home, making dinner with two amazing, beautiful boys. I kept my envious opinion to myself and proceeded to tell her that I had just ordered room service from Houlihan's...shrooms, a salad and a glass of chardonney. She told me she wished she had a night in a five star hotel room to drink wine, watch tv and have some alone time. (I reminded her I was drafting financial statements and she wasn't so keen on the idea but that's indifferent)

It hit me: everyone wants what they dont have. I wanted to be in a big loud house and she wanted some quality alone time in a small, swanky hotel.


If we have straight hair, we want curly hair.
If we have curly hair, we want straight hair.
A cups want D cups and D cups want A cups.
Short girls want to be tall and tall girls feel akward.

Why can't we just be content with what we have? I know I never am. Can I blame it on constant self improvement? Probably not.

Just a thought to put in your pipe.

Cheers to loving the imperfect you,
L

Lesson Learned.

I’ve learned that no matter what happens or how bad it seems today, life goes on and it can only get better tomorrow.

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second change.

I’ve learned that even when I have pains I don’t have to be one.

I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decisions.

I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.


Cheers,

Lynsey

Attitude Overhaul

The past few weeks have been filled with emotional stress, loss, and just a down and out attitude. Today I've decided that I need to snap out of it and adjust my attitude. Life is not long enough to spend it in a terrible mood. So, blog-reader, you ask what does make me happy? Here's a short list of my happies:

• Starbucks Coffee
• Music...seems to always make me better. Today on the traffic jam home I heard Ozzy Osborne's Crazy Train and my world was flipped and I was belting out tunes only good enough for Tommy T and Pauly R to be proud of me.
• Keller and Beckett, my gorgeous beautiful nephews. They're the cure to the common bad mood.
• DVR
• Brie cheese with Rosemary and Olive Oil Triscuits. Yums.
• Pictures. They always make me happy, make me cry and make me laugh.
• Vino Verde from Trader Joe's. The. Best. White. Wine. At $4 a bottle, I stock up.
• Love. Unconditional, endless, beautiful love. I have a lot of love in my life. From my husband, parents, my sister, my brothers, nephews, amazing friends, extended family and from myself.
• My fireplace which tends to be my 'blog spot' lately.
• Shoes. Oh I love shoes.
• My camera. On Thanksgiving day my family discussed what we're thankful for and my camera was right after family, friends and health.
• I'm happy to have support. My people have supplied me with enough support and praise lately to shoot my ego to the moon. I appreciate it.
• Snow. I'd like to see some more of it. It makes me happy.
• The start up of my new company really makes me happy. I'm working my booty off now in hopes of being uber successful in the near future.

Thanks for the support, love, happies and for making me realize life is too short not to live it and love it.

Cheers,
Lynsey

100 Things

Well I've been thinking about writing a blog for awhile now. Call me narcistic if you wish! Who doesn't love to learn new and random things about someone? I read a lot of blogs and I've seen the '100 Things' post many times and thought it would be a good way to get started with my blog. I may have to dig deep on this one so bear with me. I'll add pictures for a more ascetically pleasing read. Here it goes...

1. I've experienced 4 major life transitions in the last year: buying a house, graduating college, starting my first job and getting married.
   



2. I love my house. And I adore the man that lives with me.



3. 
   
   I got married on April 5, 2008.
   
   
   
   

   
   

   




(photo (c) Clary Pfeiffer Photography)






4. I was very upset to be going from 'H' to 'T' in the alphabet when I got married. I was always pretty close to the beginning when it came to alphabetical order.



5. For as long as I can remember, my grandpa Joe always played cards with me when I'd go to visit. After he passed away my mom told me how much he hated to play cards but always loved to play them with me!
   



6. I used to put on 'shows' for my parents. I would ask them to tell me when a commercial would come on and I would run in with my boombox and perform the dance I had been working on for the last 2 hours. My parents clapped and ooh'ed and ahh'ed every single time as if I was an amazing dancer.
   



7. I don't read books and I love to watch TV.




8. I love coffee. I used to hate coffee with a passion. Growing up, every morning my mom would make a fresh pot of coffee and every morning when I smelled it I would gag. Now, I would wear it as perfume if SJP bottled it up and sold it at Macy's.





9. I love fashion. I went into college as a fashion design major but when my classes consisted of 'Intro to Sewing', 'Pattern-Making', and 'Tailoring.' I quickly realized I just wanted to sketch clothing, have someone else make it and slap a $500 price tag on it and become rich...not exactly what they teach at school.




10. I worked at Saks Fifth Avenue as a visual display artist at age 18 and at Urban Outfitters as an assistant manager at age 20. I rocked those jobs! Someday I'm sure I will get back into it.
    



11. I am an staff auditor at a large CPA firm in St. Louis.
    



12. I want to adopt a dog but Tommy says we're not home enough to give it the attention it deserves. I then offered to quit my job.
    



13. I have two older brothers and a sister. I love being the baby of the family and I milk it for all it's worth! (Isn't that right Daddy??)
    



14. My favorite thing to type in an email or text is "..." For example --> Tom and I went out last night...and I had an amazing steak!




15. I go to Soulard Market 2-3 times a month to stock up on groceries and flowers. It always puts me in the greatest mood. I could walk around there all day. Right Trish?



16. I am a master of lists! I have a list for everything and I leave them in my purse, on my desk at work and at home, in my car, kitchen, bathroom, etc. I couldn't live without pen and paper.



17. I am slightly OCD, anal retentive. It's all true.




18. I am obsessed with Microsoft Excel. I have an Excel spreadsheet for everything complete with formulas, graphs (bar and pie) and color coding. It makes me so happy to make an Excel spreadsheet.
    



19. I've wanted to cut my hair short since I was 13 and I finally did at age 22. I was scared I wouldn't look right. Turns out it's not so bad!






(photo (c) LT Photography)






20. I talk to my mom and sister everyday. There's a void in my day if I go without hearing from them.
    



21. There is only person who can make me smile every single time I see him or if I'm having the worst day possible, he makes my world seem not so bad. That person is 3 years old and is one of the funniest people I know, Keller Joe.
    





(photo (c) LT Photography)





22. I would eat sushi for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I didn't think I would get mercury poisoning. It's my favorite and I'm so happy my husband likes it...now.
    



23. I took Tommy on his first sushi experience shortly after we started dating. Back then, he was really only a chicken fingers, pizza and fries kinda guy. He ate a few pieces but didn't say much. On the way home he asked if we could drive through Jack in the Box for tacos. His tastes have really changed a lot...thank god!
    
    


24. Craisins and goat cheese are my two favorites things to put in everything right now.



25. Trader Joe's is the best grocery store. I do 90% of my shopping there and get the other 10% at Schnucks for the brand names you can't buy at TJ's.
    



26. Cooking is one of my favorite things to do. If I'm in a bad mood there are two sure fire ways to fix me. 1 is my nephew, Keller (see #20) and the other is going to the grocery store and going home to cook while listening to a happy, soothing iPod playlist in surround sound across our house. Weird? Yes, but it works like a charm.



27. My birthday is February 26.



28. I own 4 pairs of Ugg boots. For those of you living on Neptune, Uggs are furry, suede, heaven for your toes. I can't get enough! I wear them inside my pants, outside my pants, with jeans, sweats, leggins. I adore them and their Australian sheep-skin goodness.



29. It peeves me when people call their non-Ugg brand boots Uggs. Ugg is the brand, boot is the genre. It's like calling a tissue a Kleenex. Kleenex is the brand, tissue is the genre.
    
    


30. I have opinions and I stick by them. Some people see this as a bad thing. I would rather be opinionated than lack one and stand for nothing.
    


31. I'm really brave from over here. Start a fight with me and watch Lynsey run. That's why I have tough friends.
    


32. I despise the group of women who pushed for a woman's right to work. What happened to expecting a woman to cook, clean and bear children all day? I'm down.




33. I love food. Trying new restaurants is such an exciting experience. Tommy and I have really expanded our list of favorite places. I think we've turned our friends on to some great places as well.



34. I would love to live in St. Louis, but never will. I am very happy where I am...5 minutes from my parents house and Target.
    


35. I am addicted to my cell phone and iPod.



36. My group of friends has changed and evolved in the past decade into the best group of people I could imagine surrounding myself with. I always have a great time with them. Always. I am lucky.



37. My parents are amazing and even though I'm married and moved away, I rely on them for a lot still.





38. My dream job would be to open a business with my Dad.



39. When I was a baby, I had very curly dark brown hair. Now my hair is a medium brown and only gets curly on the right side.
    


40. I worked at a hair salon and spa for two years and had the time of my life. It was really hard to leave when I graduated college.
    


41. I have this dream to be a runner and have a runner's body. I somehow can't get off the couch to make it happen.
    


42. Cheese is my favorite food of all time. Hands down.
    


43. I love to be pampered in any way possible. Pedicures, massages, facials...oh my.
    


44. My sister and brother-in-law took me to Ireland as a high school graduation gift.








45. I believe everything happens for a reason. It's really hard to see sometimes but but even out of a horrible situation, there is a lesson to be learned at the least.



46. I would consider it the greatest compliment in the world if someone told me I was like my Grandma Marie.
    


47. I love mindless TV. I grew up with Bill O'Reilly on in the background but I have terrible taste in TV. I must get it from my mom because we both love the Girls Next Door, Dr. 90210, Rock of Love and other pointless reality TV.



48. I've gotten two tattoos and I currently have only one. I had one removed since it wasn't in the most subtle place. I got a tattoo on my wrist during an emo/rocker chick phase when I was 20.
    


49. The terrible thing is that I want more and if it was socially acceptable, I'd have them all over my body. And if someone promised they would disappear by the time I'm a grandma. Grandma with tats on her arms isn't so sweet.
    


50. One Tree Hill makes me cry every week.



51. If I could choose one celebrity to look like, I would choose Keri Russell. She is naturally beautiful and an amazing actress. What's not to like?
    
    


52. In the last five years I've become really comfortable in my own skin. Ironically, I began dating my husband five years ago.



53. I've never broken a single bone.



54. My music taste is all over the board with the exception of classical music. I have my husband to thank for that as well.



55. My mom is the most beautiful person I know...inside and out.



56. I have no athletic ability whatsoever. Really. Can't catch a ball. However, I do admire those who possess athletic ability.


57. I want to learn to golf. The clothes are adorable and I can't find a better reason to drink beer at noon on a Sunday.




58. My 21st birthday was one of the most memorable nights of my life. I was surrounded by people who loved me and I really felt it that night.
    
    
    
    


59. I strongly believe in karma. Do bad things and you will get what you deserve.



60. 70% of the bands I listen to are not top 40 and most people have never heard of them.




61. I have corrupted one of my best friends into being a wine-o and I couldn't be more proud. (Love you Erica!)
    


62. I literally remember the instant I fell in love with Tommy. We had a bonfire dinner (Ravenelli's) in my parents backyard and I knew that he was my lobster (Friends reference).







63. One of my dreams was for Tommy to get to coach wrestling and he is now.



64. I have a passion for expensive designer jeans: Seven, Citizen, Joe's Jeans, True Religion. I'll take one of each please.
    


65. I cry over anything. A good love song is a sure fire way to make me tear up.



66. I dont mind doing laundry but I dispise matching socks together.



67. I am so excited to have children. I want four and I can't wait to be pregnant and have babies with Tommy...in a few years.



68. The band Incubus is extremely important to me. When my husband and I first started dating he was in college (40 miles away) and I was in high school. There were a few Incubus songs we would text and email to eachother through the day until we could talk and see eachother. The first song we danced to as a married couple was Incubus "Dig" and we plan to name at least two of our children after Incubus songs.



69. My sister Kimm is amazing. We are very similar but so very different. We've always been best friends, since I was a baby. Our relationship is a very unique one and even though life can be crazy, we see eachother every week and talk everyday. I see so much of my mom in here which makes me like her even a little bit more.





70. I hated cinnamon until I tried it in a sample at Trader Joe's. Now I'm in love. I still can't do a full fledged Cinnabun but I make apple pies with cinnamon and I love it!



71. I have an older brother who just turned 30. He's a big dork but that's why I love him! Our relationship consists of me making fun of him and him telling me I"m ugly. Wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.



72. I have one of my Grandpa Joe's shirts hanging in the front of my closet and I smile every morning when I see it.


73. I started a part time photography business.



74. My sister just had another baby boy, Beckett Charles and he is pretty sweet so far. He is 4 weeks old and already has a personality. He is adorable and very worthy of the great parents and brother he has. Keller and I are going to teach him to dance someday!








75. I drink a gallon of milk per week. No osteoperosis for me.



76. Satsuma oil from The Bath Company is what we burn in our house most of the time. It smells up the entire house and makes it feel more like a home.
    


77. The alarm clocks in my bedroom are set 10 minutes fast. I learned that one from Kimm.



78. Most of our friends send out cute Christmas cards with pictures of them and their husbands/boyfriends and dogs. Tommy and I buy inappropriate cards from Urban Outfitters. Stay tuned family and friends...they're coming.



79. I love sleeping in a warm bed with lots of down covers when it's cold outside the covers. It makes it pretty hard to get out of bed though.



80. We save a lot but I never feel like I am saving enough.



81. I love wine. Both red and white. I'm an equal opportunity drinker.



82. I've wanted to start a blog for a long time but never actually went through with it. When I started reading a lot of photography blogs I became entrigued.



83. If I had an excuse, I would get married again...to Tommy of course.



84. My husband always brings me ice water to have by my bed at night because he knows I always get thirsty in the middle of the night.
    
    


85. I hate denim on denim. Jay Leno's casual wear is my worst nightmare.
    



86. My friends and I are not at all shy around eachother. We talk about everything...probably more than we should. That makes our relationship special and it will last forever.
    


87. When my Tommy proposed, I didn' t know what he was doing and insisted he get off the floor.



88. My dad gave me my first camera at age 9 and I fell in love. Thanks Dad!



89. My dad was an administrator at my high school but retired before I graduated. I always wanted him to give me my diploma but knew it wouldn't happen because he retired. When I walked on the stage, there was my daddy, standing there with my diploma. I started balling and hugged him, slowing down the processional.



90. My first concert was Harry Conick Jr. at the Foxx with Kimm. He wore black leather pants and we were in love.



91. Will & Grace is my favorite TV show of all time.



92. When I was in gradeschool, I put ice in my milk to keep it extra cold.



93. I didn't have Jack in the Box tacos until I was 17 years old.



94. Two of my best friends, Sarah & Jeremy, had a baby in June named Landon. I love their little family.



95. I've never had to clean a toilet in our house. Not because I won't but because Tommy doesn't trust I will do it as well as he would.



96. I completely and utterly feed into any tabloid magazine I read. I enjoy watching and engaging in celebrities lives.



97. My wedding dress was the third I tried on. I tried on 783 after that but ended up with the dream dress.



98. Water is my #1 favorite cold beverage. Red Bull is #2.



99. I am the happiest now than I have ever been before. I only expect things to keep getting better.



100. I really hope my blog attracts a lot of viewers. I really enjoy photography and the aforementioned "LT Photography" is me! I am starting small doing senior pictures, family and baby portraits...unposed portraits. I love taking pictures and having my picture taken. For now I'm enjoy getting as much practice as possible.

Thanks for reading (if you're still with me after my list of 100!)

Cheers!

Lynsey