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

September: Thumbs Up x10.

I'm not even going to go there with why I haven't been blogging. I suck. You get it. We're all good, right?

Since today is the start of a new month, I am starting a fun monthly tradition that I will surely only do for 2 months max and then die out of it because, let's face it, that's what I do around here.

It's called 'Thumbs Up x10'. It's going to be my top 10 Favorite things that I'm loving for the month. Little dumb? Yes. But I'm doing it, so like it. k?

#1 iPad 2. I love this thing so much. It's amazing and I take it everywhere with me. It's a little piece of heaven and I love all my fun new (FREE!) apps. I can have clients sign contracts in person on it, email them and myself a copy and I can accept credit cards. Big props to Apple.

#2 Pintrest. Yes I'm full fledged addicted and am inspired to do so much crafting it's ridiculous! I can't wait to put into action some of the awesome things I've found. If you have it follow me. If you don't, leave a comment with your email address and I'll invite you to join!

#3 Kelly Moore Bag. I bought the Posey style and use it as a purse, a camera bag and a clutch when we go out. It's perfect in every way! It doesn't quite replace my Shoot Sac for weddings and portrait sessions but I love that I now have a camera bag that can hold a camera. Profound, right?



#4 Sufjan Stevens. My favorite album right now is Seven Swans. His lyrics are beautiful and I love his voice even more.

#5 Kuerig coffee maker. I've saved so much money, time and energy by making coffee at home. I received this from my parents as a birthday gift this past February and I cannot explain my love and delight with this product. It's fast, so good and just makes life easier. Tommy doesn't drink coffee so the single serving K-Cups are great. I thought it would help me to drink less coffee but man was I wrong. So terribly wrong. I'm okay with my coffee consumption though.

#6 Homemade beer. My husband and I and two of our closest friends have been brewing beer together. It turned out so well that the four of us brewed a shitton as favors for Trisha and Adam's wedding this past July. It is so very yummy! We recently just brewed a Pumpkin Spice Ale that will be ready in mid October. Full review to come! Our "brewery" name is Grandesco...a combination of our two last names.

#7 Urban Decay De-Slick. This product is my secret trick to keeping my makeup on all day while shooting a wedding. Especially in the heat we've been having in STL lately. You spray it before your makeup and then again after you finish and put on mascara. I can go all day out in the heat and only have to apply a little powder before the reception. What a joy! I used to have to reapply all my makeup to look fresh again. I have very oily skin so this product is heaven-sent for me!

#8 Lulu Lemon Wunder Under Pants. These are by no means cheap but they are worth every penny. I don't have the best ass in the world but I look like J.Lo when I put these bad boys on. They are reversible so divide the price by 2. They're instantly cheap! Go buy some!

#9 J.Crew Vintage Cotton V-Neck. Love these shirts. They are so soft and wash really well. They come in a lot of beautiful colors too. Big fan of these with a pair of cropped skinny jeans and a pair of Toms.

#10 Something Borrowed. The book not the movie. I read this book in two days on vacation with my friends this past July. I then passed it on to Erica, who read it and passed it to Trisha. Within a week or so we had all finished it and loved it. So we were anxiously awaiting the movie but Kate Hudson was so-so, Ginnifer Goodwin was beautiful and great, John Krasinski was amazing, per his usual, and Colin Egglesfield was hot, hot, hot. But as usual, the book was much better than the movie. I highly recommend this read.

Hope you enjoy!

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

My Favorite Things in September

I currently have a lot of things that I'm loving so far this month and I thought I'd share. No, none of these companies are giving me a kickback for the free advertisement. I just love hearing about new products and thought you might too!

First of all, I must say I'm SO not a hairspray girl. I never have been. I have naturally curly hair and when I straighten it...it can be a huge mess with the lovely Midwestern humidity. I spray Aveda Control Force on the palms of my hands, rub them together and smooth it over the top of my head (where I tend to have a lot of frizz). With my job, I'm outside a lot and my hair often looks like poo within minutes. When I use Aveda Control Force hairspray, I have minimal frizz. It's awesome but awesomeness comes with a price and at $21 a bottle....it's real expensive but I figure as little as I use, it will last me at least 6 months and if I spread the $21 out over 6 months, I'm only spending $3.50 a month on hairspray. Totally do-able.

I love these Rocket Dog Clover Flats. They are super comfortable and really cute with jeans, shorts, or a casual dress. Love them! I bought mine at Macy's for $39!

 

To say I'm in love with my new phone is not an exaggeration. It's amazing! I recently upgraded my junky Palm Pre to the HTC Evo and so far, I'm super impressed. With my Pre, the email was unreliable, the battery life was non-existent, and it would randomly turn off. Not good things for someone who runs a business that requires me to actually be able to take calls and answer emails remotely. I was 2 minutes away from switching my business line to AT&T to get the iPhone. When I called Sprint to cancel my plan and told them my intentions of switching to their competitor, they sugar talked me into staying with Sprint, trying to their new droid phone, the HTC Evo, and told me if I wasn't satisfied, they'd still let me out of my contract. How could I not give it a try, after all, I've had the same phone number for almost 9 years...I was attached to it. I've had the  HTC Evo for about 2 weeks and it is amazing. It's user friendly, I can send/receive email easily, it has great coverage and the battery life is not bad at all considering how much I'm on it. It has every app known to man, just like the iPhone and I get to keep my cherished phone number.



 I am making a conscious effort to be better at documenting our lives. As you read about before, I am taking more personal photos and creating yearly photo albums. I figure when Tom and I are old and grey, we;ll enjoy seeing how attractive and fun our lives were in our 20's. I bought a Polaroid camera in order to quickly create fun photo books. I love this camera. It's super cute and fun to use!

Who doesn't love a pair of "great ass" jeans?? I am loving the Gap Real Straight jeans are so cute and fit me very well. I have the dark and light washes and love them both!

Trader Joe's Inside Out Carrot Cake Cookies. Amazing. I dont really feel the need to elaborate on these. Tommy picked some up while on our weekly TJ's trip and we are obsessed. They are amazing and perfect and I'm not saying anything else. Go buy some now!

We've been taking advantage of the gorgeous weather (and trying to be more "green") and have been riding our bikes to the gym. The gym is only 6 miles from our house so it's a 10-12 minute ride but I've really been enjoying biking. As clumsy as I am, I should invest in a helmet and maybe a horn or bell but so far, so good.

That's all for my first ever favorites post. Hope you enjoy and find something new that you may love too!

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

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

Spring!

Every few days we get a beautiful, sunny, warm (mid 60’s) day and it puts me in the best mood! There is no reason to waste a beautiful day being crabby, right? There are so many reasons I am looking forward to Spring and since I love lists so much here is what I’m looking forward to this Spring:


- The end of tax season
- Having more time to blog (and hopefully regaining some of my old commenters back!)
- Long walks with my Ozzy boy on the bike trail
- Celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary
- Trips to the zoo with my nephews
- Turning off the heat/air and opening the windows (and saving money!!)
- Spring cleaning – I know, I know…totally nerdy but I LOVE a clean house
- Picking up produce, fresh herbs and flowers at our new CSA on Tuesdays from May – November
- Wearing light jackets, jeans and maxi dresses
- Seeing my best friend try on wedding dresses (eek!!)
- Eclipse. Need I say more?
- Sunday morning brunch outside (cannot wait to head back to Rooster with Tommy and Osborne!)
- Taking photos is beautiful weather (I’m currently booking for April 16 and later – email @ info@lt-photos.com to book a session)
- My beautiful website {finally} going live after hours and hours of hard work
- BBQ-ing on our deck
- Some amazing weddings

What are you looking forward to this Spring??


Cheers,
Lynsey

24th Birthday.

This birthday will start like any other. My husband waking me at midnight to whisper in my ear "happy birthday babe" and I will roll over and say uh huh and go right back to sleep. The next morning, I will sit down at work with a cup of coffee and open my email. I'll find an e card and sweet message from my parents. A text will come from my brothers, sister, and her boys ordering me to the best 24th birthday ever. Throughout the day I'll receive texts and calls from friends and most importantly, the phone call. The phone call from my mom and dad that I have gotten every year since I have not woken up in their house. During that call, they sing the birthday song to me. Really, that's all I need to make a birthday the best day of my year.

As I've mentioned before, I love birthdays. The feeling you get that it's your day and yours to do what you want with. I love that feeling and I love the feeling that another year of life has begun and wondering what it will bring and what it will mean for me. I have many hopes for my life, most of which I will not list on my blog since I'm not 100% sure who my audience is. But I can tell you this: I have a lot to accomplish and create in my life and I'm not waiting for specific things to happen before I start accomplishing and creating.

Here are a few extra's that would be icing on the cake:

· Anything from Target’s ‘Yes to Carrots’ and/or ‘Burt’s Bee’s’ line of products

· Thick, nice quality, full leg length leggings (black, dark gray, chocolate brown)
· Coffee carafe (fun color maybe like yellow or lime green)
· Coffee press
· Tea pot in a fun color

· Flip Video Camera (in white)
· Camera Neckstrap
· New Shootsac covers
· New drawing pad and colored pencil set
· Garmin Forerunner
· Brooks running shoes
· Lomography Film
· Polaroid Camera and Polaroid Film
· More Film
· And More Film
· “Mommy-wood” by Tori Spelling

· Subscription to Real Simple magazine
· Cool business card holder I can put in my camera bag
· New Balance Shoes (grey)
· 30 Day Shred

My life is exactly how I dreamed it would be just as I'm saying goodbye to 23 and welcoming 24. Bring it on!



Cheers,



Lynsey

Woman vs. Time

If only I could stop sleeping maybe I could cross things off my to do list instead of just adding more to it. Anyone have a cure? Don’t say to make lists, prioritize and stick to the schedule. Done, done and done. I am probably the most organized person most people would ever meet. I have a filing system and budget spreadsheets that would knock your socks off. The problem? I work 8 hours a day. I spend a total of 2 hours in my car commuting to and from work. I insist on having a sit down dinner with my husband 90% of weeknights. I feel like I check 2 things off and I add 5 more. That doesn’t make a girl feel productive. I am always tired, I under eat and over stress . Odd thing is I wouldn’t trade my world for someone else’s ever. I would, however, take a million dollar investment to my bank account. The profit margin on this particular investment is low. So low, it’s scientifically proven there’s a 0% rate of return.

I am looking to vent and to hear others vent so please, tell me your bitch story about you vs. 24 hour days.

Cheers,

LT

Time.

5 years ago…
- I was an excited 18 year old on the brink of graduating from high school.
- I was insanely in love with Tommy T. Still am.
- My sister had just moved home after living in Chicago for 8 years. My best friend was a mere 25 minute drive away and it was so good to have her back.
- I had no idea what I wanted to major in but knew I loved fashion, math and photography.
- I knew exactly what I valued and still do today.

4 years ago…
- Keller was brought into my life and gave love a different meaning I never knew existed. He will forever be a best friend.
- I met two women whom I lived with that would help me document the ever-exciting college experience.
- I cried and missed my parents often after finally realizing how right they always were.
- I snuck into my first bar with a fake ID (look away Mary)

3 years ago…
- My best friend proposed to me. I said yes. Obvi.
- I fell into the best group of friends I’d ever dreamed of. They are a large part of my happiness and I love them to pieces.
- I realized nothing is set in stone in life. You can be one thing this year and another the next. Jobs can change, houses can change but as long as the people you love are steady, life will be fulfilled.

2 years ago…
- I realized a hobby can turn into a passion.
- I realized that a small gesture can make someone’s day. My great friends Erica & Trisha taught me this so I try to be as thoughtful as often as I can.

1 year (and less) ago…
- Beckett was born and I realized that I really want to be a mother. Instantly, Keller was like a friend to me. We are connected that way. And Beckett, he helped me to realize a maternal instinct I didn't know I possessed. I know more about diapers and breast milk than I ever thought possible but I truly care about it. I'm more mature with Becks. Whereas, Keller's charisma brings out the child in me and I love that about him. No one in our family realized how much we needed Beckett in our lives but we really, really did.


I’ve always thought that reflecting on the past is essential to moving forward into the future. Reflecting but not dwelling. I have no regrets, only past situations that have molded me into me.
Life is good and love is good. Loving life is even better.

Cheers,
LT

Epiphany # 732

So if you haven't caught on by now, periodically, I have revelations and come to these life altering, feng shui mile markers. Sometimes they occur weekly, sometimes with few months in between but lately I have really been taking a hard look at myself and have been trying to be the best person I can be. Which brings me to my favorite part of my revelations…my bullet point lists:

• I have been spending WAY to much time on my phone. I am obsessively checking my email, personal and work, FaceBook, and my blog. Sometimes while at work, sometimes while in bed, and often when I’m driving in the car. Also, my texting has become out of this world. Today I spend about an hour texting back and forth with my best friend. We could have easily held a conversation during this time but instead texted for one hour. This has to stop. As of April 1st, I am canceling my Sprint Vision package (internet) and canceling my texts. Yes, friends, I know it is easier to text someone “on my way” or “do you know where my car keys are.” But I am becoming more and more bothered with the entire being that is text message. Too often I will text my husband and to say love you and can’t wait to see you tonight. Both are things that are too meaningful to say via text where there is no emotion. When I tell someone and am told “I love you” there should be the emotion of a voice backing that up. Is it too much to ask? (wow that was way too much for a bullet point. But theses are my bullet points so please, do not judge)

• Random acts of kindness. The other day leaving the grocery store, I saw a gentleman in his 70’s scratching a lottery ticket that he had just purchased. No one was around and I said “Did you win big?” He looked at me with the largest, sweetest smile and said “Nope! Not tonight” It was adorable and he looked so happy that a young girl spoke to him. What has happened? Two weeks ago, I would have been too busy checking my email as I walked out of the grocery store to my car, as if I am so important and people need to be in constant contact with me that I would be getting an email since 5 minutes ago when I checked it waiting in line. I need to attempt to be more personable and social.

• Church. Slacking is an understatement to express my laziness that occurs sometime after Saturdays at midnight. It’s not like I’m sleeping in until noon (trust me, I cannot sleep past 7:30am anymore) but I think Sunday morning church is especially hard for me because Sunday is the only day that is my day. I don’t have to work (This year I’ve been working full days, Monday through Saturday) and I am being completely and utterly selfish by staying home. But I deserve that right? Wrong. Going to church makes me feel incredible and fulfilled and I’m denying myself of that because I don’t want to change out of my pajamas.

• Side note: My dog has way too much fiber in his diet and has horrendous gas. Is it safe to give a puppy Gas-X? They’re liquid gel caps? No?

• My husband. I am not devoting half of the time I should to him. I wake up at 5:30am and don’t get home until nearly 6:30 in the evening. I haven’t been making time to devote to him outside of our home. We need more date nights again because we love going out to eat. I need that in my life again.

• My home. I have been so preoccupied with my professional career, that I have not taken the time to decorate much beyond painting and having furniture delivered. I obsess over cleaning. I vacuum the house once a day (partially because the Dyson animal was created by Gods) and clean the kitchen, in detail, every day. I literally get in a funk if my house isn’t up to par with how clean I think it should be. Every Sunday I clean in detail and organize something. I need to stop sweating the small stuff. That’s been on my list of annoyances with myself for years. I am OCD and anal retentive. I am stubborn and don’t listen to anyone but the voice in my head. I’m going to get over it.

Moral of the story is that I am devoting my extra time and energy into being a better me and trying to analyze myself on a regular basis so when my “revelation” periods come in, I am not feeling down on myself but good about the progress and changes I’ve made/am making.

Does anyone else go through these phases when they realize their life isn’t being lived to its potential? My worst fear would be to die and have people saying that I didn’t live up to the potential I have. I need to thrive on my strengths and perfect my weaknesses.


Cheers,

LT

Weekend Update with LT

1. I have 326 unread blog posts in my inbox. Totally out of control.
2. My computer is currently being rebuilt by my awesome brother to suit my graphic design needs. I’m not quite ready to shell out $3k for an iMac so Paul is designing a PC for me to run Photoshop C4 at an uber quick rate and without any delays. Also, he’s creating a 3 fold backup system which is extremely important in order to keep my panic mode at a 1 or 2 (versus the usual 7 or 8). Sad story is no computer for another week or two.
3. Website is FAR from being finished. Usually I beat myself up when I don’t meet personal deadlines but I am attributing my slack on tax season.
4. I’m pretty sure I’ve lost some inches around my waist. My clothes are fitting looser and looser. I am eating 100% the same so it must be the running. Love. It.
5. Yesterday was my 23rd birthday and I can’t express how loved I feel. I was contacted via phone call, text, facebook, email, and voicemail and it was truly appreciated. 23 is everything it’s cracked up to be!
6. Facebook is the #3 referral site for my blog. Interesting! I had no idea so many of my F. Book friends were reading this.
7. Ozzy is growing at a rapid rate. We can already tell he’s filled out and gotten taller. I can’t wait to post some of the adorable pictures I’ve taken of him lately. Monday is his 4 month birthday so happy birthday baby!
8. Z Gallerie at the Galleria is closing on Saturday. Doesn’t really have to do with anything but I’m sad about it. This beauty should be arriving at my doorstep in the next 2-3 weeks. Love. It. Perfect office décor!

9. My mom dropped off the most fab ooey gooey butter cake at my house yesterday for my birthday. I will HAVE to get the recipe from her and post. It is too good!
10. Sunday evening is my first photography workshop with Pro Photographer Kelly Manno and I couldn’t be more excited. Also, on Saturday, I will be the owner of two Canon new lenses that should help a lot with indoor photos. Cannot wait!

Favorites

I found this list of favorites from Alyssa at AlyssAmazing and added a few questions of my own. I'm so excited for Christmas this year; to decorate our house, bake cookies and spend time with family and my husband on our first married Christmas.


Favorite Christmas song: Winter Wonderland when sang by Harry Connick Jr.

Favorite Christmas movie: A Christmas Story. Christmas Vacation. Charlie Brown's Christmas.

Favorite Christmas food: Mom's home made ravioli.

Favorite Winter Drink: Hot chocolate with salt.

Favorite Disney movie: Alice in Wonderland.

Favorite chick flick: The Way We Were.

Favorite Commedy: Dumb & Dumber. Austin Powers...all three. Mean Girls.

Favorite clothing store: Urban Outfitters. Anthropologie. Saks 5th Avenue. J. Crew. Blues.

Favororite non-clothing store: Target. Crate & Barrel. Pottery Barn.

Favorite state {other than where you live}: Alabama.

Favorite town in your state {other than where you live}: Chicago

Favorite room in your house: kitchen.

Favorite Starbucks beverage: Chi Tea Latte. Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Fellow bloggers: What are your favorites?

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