I Moved!

Guess what...I did it. Please, come check out my new home. Just click HERE!

If you want something fun to look at beforehand though...here you go. It was a challenge to get this little guy in focus but I finally caught him. :)

Who's this little stinker?

Friends...true friends...this group I was lucky enough to find in college. The guys lived above the girls and just like that I was welcomed in. We spent every waking moment together and vowed to ALWAYS be friends. We were like the cast of Friends...only in real life...and funnier! Seriously funnier! And just like Monica and Chandler, Beth and Brady fell in love and married. They are best friends and love to laugh and their happiness is abounding and it totally shows. Their little stinker will be born any day now and has two wonderful people to call mom and dad. I am extremely appreciative to be able to document this very special time in their lives. I hope you enjoy the photo's below...these two are 100% beautiful!

Happy Friday!

PHOTOGRAPHY NOTE: While shooting I really tried to think about the angles I was shooting in. Is it interesting? Does it make sense? Is it flattering for my subjects? If you have any suggestions please let me know. :) yours...sb

It's Friday and the sun is SHINING!

So I'm trying to rid myself of bad habits in order to live a happier, healthier life both personally and professionally. This week I decided to set some goals to get me started. The goals were...

1. Do not work overtime.

2. Do not miss deadlines.

3. Do not wear jeans to work.

4. Do not stress.

5. Do not eat out more than once.

I am very pleased to be entering Friday with all goals completed! Yay for me! This is my favorite outfit of the week. I had a challenging meeting and needed a little boost of confidence to get through it. I call this my powerfit as I feel professional and powerful every time I wear it. My friend, Ben, just happened to match that day so we snapped a picture with his iPhone. Don't we look good?! I feel like we should work in a bank. "Hello, how may we help you?" hah!

I've been searching the web for recipes lately as I am tired of my cookbook. May I suggest to everyone in the world to go to The Picky Palate. I've never made something from this chick that didn't turn out absolutely delicious. This weeks menu included the BBQ Chicken Crusted Smoked Cheddar Mac. It's a meal all by itself! I decided to go the easy route and use Gates BBQ sauce on the chicken. And when I make it again (because I definitely will!) I will make more chicken than it calls for because it's just that good. Go ahead, splurge and buy the more expensive smoked cheddar...you will not regret it. And if you're trying to cut a few calories as I am, use skim milk. It's still a-ma-zing!

I took this picture from the website because I forgot to take a picture of my own...it basically looked like this though. Thank you Picky Palate!

This morning I had 8:00am training for my favorite wood line. Steelcase EE6...love it! I kind of get excited about this product. (Check it out...it's beautiful!) Anyway, that in itself was a fun way to start the day but I won this awesome new coffee mug and received a Sharpie pen too! I know, I know, you're probably thinking "Pa-lease Shannon, it's a cup and a pen." but these are extraordinary items! The mug is porcelain white and is made in Europe. It's taller than most mugs and doesn't have a handle which, I suppose, would technically make it a cup and that is even more fun! The pièce de résistance of this baby is the brown, ribbed, rubber that wraps it. Hello Starbucks, that's hot! And the Sharpie...come on...who doesn't love Sharpies!? It's the Apple of the marker world and now they make pens as well. Rocks my world and work for that matter. I only wish I were back in college taking notes in American History. This pen would make even that enjoyable...I'm telling ya!



Oh and did I mention that the sun is shining. I ADORE the sun these days and although it's only 40 degrees outside a part of me wants to run home, put on my bathing suit and catch some rays. Weekend plans...I'm not sure but it's supposed to rain so I doubt they will be too exciting. I'm working up an Easter surprise for my brother in law that I might try out this weekend. And I've got a couple bolts of fabric that I've been itching to get creative with that I might play with. We'll see where the wind takes us. Hope your day brings you lots of joy! Cheers!

Oh, and I apologize for the semi-poor quality of the images...it was point and shoot or nothing. I knew you'd understand!

Life Update!

Oh blogworld...it has been too long. TOO LONG. Where does the time go? Really...has it really been since 02/22 since we talked last? So here's a quick catch up to life.

1. I'm an aunt!!! Baby D (here on out known as Baby H) was born on Feb. 26th and it was love at first sight. She's absolutely adorable, incredible, unbelievable, lovable, wonderful, etc, etc, etc! She makes me giggle every.single.time I look at her. And Sister D and Mr. D are doing wonderful as parents. I am oh so very proud of them. Introducing...Baby H!

Check out these eyes...

Doesn't Mama look good!?

Daddy's in love...

Look at this little stinker!

2. I am a year older!!! Yes, I turned 27 yesterday. Happy Birthday to me! I gave up sweets for lent but God doesn't mind if you break it on Sundays so Sister D, Mr. D, Mr. C and I had some chocolate after our photo shoot with Baby H. Lot's of chocolate. Put me in a coma on the floor of the nursery amounts of chocolate. It was delicious. Beyond the chocolate, 27 was definitely my toughest birthday yet. I am no longer in my early-20's or even my mid-20's. I am now in my late 20's. After crying like a baby reading some ever-so-sweet birthday cards I vowed that I would rock this year! 26 had some pretty amazing surprises so I can't wait to see what 27 has in store.

In other news...our clocks have sprung forward and Spring should be on it's way. Lot's of upcoming fun to be had. Stay tuned!

Happy Tuesday to you all!

Discouraged Monday

I am very discouraged today and finding it rather difficult to sit in my seat. In an attempt to make the day go faster I've been prancing around online checking out photographers. Is it possible that you can see too much of other peoples work? I now feel like I have no shot at my dreams. I mean, these people are amazing! The clarity and color and composition of each and every one of them...beautiful! How on earth can I even hope to compare?

I'm looking forward to this evening as it will bring some Rockchalk action my way. woop-woop! And just as I hoped blogging is making the day a little better. Blogging = Happiness

Here are a few random pictures from around my apartment. I find lots of truth in my photography journal today...Design is Impatient. Yes it is. Love you all!

it's never too late to spread the Love

So, I know vday has come and gone but I thought I'd dedicate a post to it anyway. I'm not a huge fan of vday. While I Love the sentiment I think it's little silly. 'Love me more on this day' Why? Why not Love me more and more everyday? I do Love taking red and pink and white construction paper and making my own valentine's...that is probably my favorite. That along with decorating sugar cookies. Mmm...Love me some sugar cookies.

This vday season was exceptionally full of the Love. Love each other, Love your neighbor, Love those who don't get enough Love from others. As community service my work friends and I made vday cookies and cards with the kids at Synergy to give to the Ronald McDonald House. This was such a great way to spread the Love. And I felt the Love in return. (Partially because my Love gave up his time to come along and spread some vday joy. Have I ever mentioned that my Love is wonderful? Well he is.) Mmm...Love me long time.

On the actual vday my Love and I had a wonderful day of goal setting, cozy couch time, cooking, and wine. I couldn't help but grab my camera and snap a few shots. I totally recommend Cupcake Vineyard. This was the first time I tried it and I have to admit that I chose it partially because of the pretty label (the way I choose most wines). It exceeded my expectations though. It was smooth and full of flavor. Mmm...Love me some wine.

So, I may change my opinion of vday. Especially if vdays to come can all be this Lovely...

Below are a few pics...enjoy!

Winter, winter go away

I am abnormally happy and optimistic today. Not that I am usually a grumpy pessimist, but I keep laughing out loud at nothing at all and it feels real good. Remind me of summer...oh how I miss summer. I love those moments when you just want to take a step back and freeze time. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from last summer when I did just that. These are my favorite because they encompass some of my favorite things...family, friends, and photography. Hopefully they make you feel a little warmer just like they did me.

This shoot was such a fun afternoon. I sat the timer on camera and ran back and forth in the sand probably 50 times and we laughed the entire time. I love my family to pieces!

I may not be related to everyone is this one but they sure do feel like family. This is the camping crew...at our finest!

Happy Thursday!

Starting the morning off right

I'm not a huge fan. I mean, add a splash of champagne and I'll rarely say no. But, ordinarily orange juice is not my morning beverage of choice. I'm more of a coffee and milk kind of gal. But this morning this was in the kitchen. Odwalla. Ingredients: Orange Juice. That's it! This stuff is pure and oh boy is it good. Just the right amount of pulp and sweetness. Mmm...I highly recommend trying it. Your morning will thank you.

It's a work of art...and it's all yours

You love it...every part of it. The sleek lines, the smooth paint, the shiny chrome and the aromatic leather. It's your pride and joy. It's where you spend your weekends...and weekdays. It takes time away from your work and eats a hole in your pocketbook. But still, you wouldn't trade it for anything. It's your car and if you look close you can see yourself not only in the paint, but in the wheels, grill, and steering wheel. You are everywhere in this vehicle and somewhere along the way it surpassed being 'just a car'...and it is now, a masterpiece.

I did this collage for my good friend David. I really love documenting the things people are passionate about. Taking their art and making art of my own. If you have any suggestions or something you adore that you'd like documented let me know...I'd be happy to.

Colby, Colby, Colby...

So I woke up this morning and Colby was looking at me with his sad eyes. He brings out the sad eyes when he wants something. Dinner, a treat, his belly scratched, a hug, me to stay home from work and play...lots of stuff. He knows that his sad eyes will get him almost anything. But today it was something new. He wanted me to post a few pics from his recent photo shoot on my blog. I was all, "Heck yes I will! " So, without further ado...Mr. Colby Bichsel.

Colby is a very contemplative dog...he spends a lot of time in deep thought.

Oh yes, the sad face again. Don't worry, shortly after our photo session we went for a walk.

BIG STRETCH!

My personal favorite.

Lemonade?

Is there a copyright on blogs? Does anyone know? I would like to blog about another blog. Is that legal in this cyber world? Seriously, I'm new here so I don't know the rules. What do you do when you don't know the rules? You do it now and ask questions later I guess.

I wanted to share this little clip...Lemonade the Movie. It's wonderful...watch it and feel the inspiration boil up inside you.

Love to you all this Monday morning!