girl loves a good friday.

After a week of sneezing, coughing, sore throat misery, I am finally on the cusp of feeling better.
I don't have much of a voice but hey, my energy and spirit are reemerging.
Just in time for the weekend.
I'm excited about tomorrows photo shoot and the "borrowed" lens that should arrive on my doorstep today.
What do you do when you when you are on a super low budget and trying to start out as a photographer.
You rent expensive glass.
It's funny. After buying my 50 1.4, I thought I was done. But then I wanted a macro. After getting that, I thought I was done. But then I wanted an 80 1.8 and then I would be done.
Nope.
It so doesn't work that way.
By the way, in my opinion, you really don't need both 50 and 80mm lens. I'm not at all happy with my 80mm purchase and will probably throw it up on Ebay or something.
Which lens did I rent?
A 35mm 1.4, 24-70mm and the 45mm tilt shift.
I really really really want all 3 in my permanent kit but it's just not going to happen anytime soon.
If anything, I'll probably get 1 for now. Renting will help me decide which one I need now.
I'm thinking the 24-70 but oh do I love a prime.
I'll let you know my reviews next week after returning them.

Onto girl loves.

My 2 favorite things in the whole wide universe.
Polaroid & scarves. Whaaat?! (found: Oh Joy)

I'm alway intrigued with a photographers creative process.
I love Sharon Montrose's video interview. I watched it twice.
 
cool quilt. (found Hi + Low)
Carrot Cake. (found Pioneer Woman)
Cream cheese frosting and lot's of it.
  
The sparkle in her beautiful dark eyes. 
This little one is my niece in law. Is that right? Niece in law?
 
Happy Good Friday and Happy Easter. 
Tina

Polaroid Tuesday

Days like this give me the utmost hope for a beautiful summer garden. 
Winter tires came off over the weekend.
Patagonia down parka has been traded for my J Crew cargo jacket.
Uggs have been tucked away.
Flats are making an appearance.
Seeds and bulbs have been planted and tucked away in the small greenhouse my husband bought me for my birthday.
Fiercely embracing spring. 
xo
T 

girl loves friday!

Especially the friday that kicks off my birthday weekend! Hola!
Not to mention I will be taking Monday off as well.
I will not be kicking and screaming when midnight of the 28th hits and I officially become 32.
I'm actually welcoming it. Not that I don't miss some aspects of being in my 20's.
I just find I can handle certain things a whole lot better now.
Things roll off my back a easier.
I'm more confident in the decisions I make.
I'm accepting of who I am, what I look like (thighs and all) and more importantly, accepting of those around me.
I love and appreciate life and loved ones so much more.

I don't really have a long list of things I want to accomplish in my 32 year.
My list is simple and is constant.
Learn new things. Better my photography business. Streamline my mornings.
Become a quality person, inspired by this blog post. This quote will be stuck with me throughout the year.
"Life is to be lived well in whatever circumstance we find ourselves.  There should be no waiting period."

That said, onto to girl loves

+++lost camera. (this guy cracks me up)

because I did think I knew it all in my 20's. (via Design is Mine)
 
LOVING off the shoulder sweatshirts and tess. (via Garance)
 
Carved crayons. (found here.)
 
How to Make it in America. love the cast. love the show.
 
April's Studio Calico kit! Going live midnight of the 27th!
  
Iphone sunflare.
 
Happy Friday!
T
 

girl's risotto recipe

 

The only thing I actually measure is the Arborio rice. Everything else is sort of thrown in.

Pour a box of good chicken stock in a sauce pan and keep it to a simmer.
Finely chopping 1 large shallot. (you can also use an onion but I didn't have one)
Saute in a generous pat of butter and a little olive oil for about a minute.
Add 1 cup arborio rice. (I actually add a tiny bit more)
Saute for a couple of minutes on medium heat.
Add a few glugs of white wine. Maybe about 1/4 cup. Stir until the rice has absorbed the wine. (you can omit this but I always keep a bottle in my fridge for recipes that call for wine)
Add a pinch of salt, pepper and dried thyme.
Add 2 ladles of the simmering chicken stock to the rice.
Stir, stir, stir.
This is something you can't just walk away from. It needs your undivided attention.
Add another 2 ladles of stock when the rice has absorbed the previous 2 ladles.
Continue on stirring and adding until your stock is gone.
Your rice should be thick and creamy and slightly al dente.
Add a handful of frozen peas and some asparagus (which I blanched quickly beforehand), a generous handful of parmesan cheese and some more black pepper.

Scoop yourself a bowl, sit back, relax and enjoy.

***I don't always make big dinners every night. Sometimes it's just a bowl of cereal for what I like to call "survive on your own" night. I like making this dish on Sunday afternoons when I've finished cleaning the house and all my other "to dos". Turn on a movie or a show I've dvr'd and have a little me time. My husband actually likes this as well but it's more of an appetizer than a meal for him. :)

Happy Thursday!

kp sketch winner!

Comment:
This class sounds fun! Best wishes for you and your husband tomorrow... lots of luck to you!! P.S. Your niece is a cutie pie. =)
Commenter name: Susan C.

Congrats Susan!
Have fun with all the new sketches!

There's still time to register for the class. Featuring new sketches that are sure to jump start your spring scrapbooks. Registration ends March 26th, Class starts March 29th.

I also put up a quick tutorial on how I create petals out of punched circles. Check out the Studio Calico blog to see how I create them.

Happy Sunday!

girl loves friday.

oy.
what a week.
things can only go up from here.

onto to girl loves.

I know we're all over Edwards glittery body but I'm still excited about the dvd release of New Moon.
I'm seeing Saturday night on the couch with my sweetie, handful of popcorn, phone turned off watching what will hopefully be a better version of the book.

The relaxing scent of this oil perfuming our bedroom surely brings sweet dreams and washes away any negative thoughts from the day.  

This photo and the feeling it brings me. (found on Tumblr) 
The creativity put into this couple's save the dates blows me away. (via Green Wedding Shoes)
A future "to do". Creating my own font.

Layers, cool accessories, messy hair. Even though tomorrow is officially the first day of spring, it's still layering season in these parts. (via The Satorialist)

Anthropologie + wedding? woah. It might be time to renew our vows.

The return of Polaroid.
 
 

girl out yo.
happy weekend.

 
I feel like a ball of negative energy and worry this morning.
The usual suspects are to blame.
Money, or lack there of.
Wondering if there's a baby brewing.
Work. Work. Work.
It doesn't help that as soon as I step foot into my office at 5:55 am, I'm bombarded with inquiries and task even before booting up my computer.
This has been the overall mood all week.
This also explains why I've been posting lot's of photos of my niece and nephew.
They make me realize life is precious and meant to be lived to whole heartedly.
Writing that sentence and glancing at the photos of them I have pinned to my board eases my tension.
Just like that.
All I can do is breath, and go forward.

xo
Tina

TtVeeptych and giveaway.

haven't messed with ttv in awhile due to the awkwardness of taking such photos.
my neck is already tweaked. working with a contraption makes it worse.
but it's still fun to bust it out every so often.

Reagan the Explorer.

IUI will actually happen tomorrow.
st patty's day.
i'm taking it as a sign and I do hope the luck of the irish will shine down on me as I lay on that oh so comfortable paper lined table, knees up in the air, staring at the kitty poster with the slogan "hang in there".

ok, there's not actually that particular poster but it's something of the sort. 
thanks for the well wishes and prayers. i will tuck those away for tomorrow. :)

before i kick the rest of tuesday bootay, i have special give away for Kelly Purkey's upcoming sketch class.
 
Sketchbook is a 12 day class filled with fresh sketches, easy instructions, beautiful examples, and lots of fun.  Beginning on March 29th to April 9th, a PDF will be delivered to your inbox each morning so you can work at your own pace.  By the end of the class, you'll have a complete sketchbook of 12 sketches and over 30 example layouts.  For each of the sketches you'll be receiving an example layout from Kelly Purkey, along with one or more example from a member of the incredible Studio Calico design team.  All of the examples are brand new layouts, exclusive to this class... you won't see them anywhere else!  Sketchbook will also include a private message board for questions and sharing ideas, as well as two scheduled chats - all on the awesome Studio Calico website. 

register here
sneaks

I'll choose a random winner Sunday morning!

tina

pink flowers and puffy eyes.

right now:
will not be showing any kind of self portrait this morning.
my eyes are so puffy and tired.
damn you daylight savings.
coffee is strong and sssoooo good but not quite doing the trick.
later today:
possible 3rd IUI.
feeling kind of "eh" about it.
not that I'm not feeling hopeful. just not excited about it.
haven't spoken about this for awhile. maybe because I'm tired of writing the "i'm not pregnant again and need chocolate cake and retail therapy" post.
tonight:
will post sneaks for April's Studio Calico kit.
so good.
  

 
laters.
t

snow angel.

xo.
t
  

girl loves friday and backtracks on previous post.

It's that time again.
Ah yes, friday.
Tonight i will have my hands full with both my niece and nephew and my mouth full of Moose's Tooth pizza. The best in my opinion. Jeff also wants to watch that movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs with the kids. I'm thinking they're still too young to sit through a whole movie but my husband thinks otherwise. We'll see.

On the subject of my previous post.
I thought about it afterwords and realized I sounded like the type of photographer I loathed. The one who is so stuck on the logistics of photography. What's proper, the perfect exposure. The person who has every gadget there's to be had in the world of photography. The one who poo poo's the onset of fresh new, everyday photography and looks down at the scrapbooker turned photographer.
That's not me and I think I could have stated my message in a more humble manor.
There are times where I'll post something I may regret saying. But that's the beauty of blogging your opinions.
 The comments and emails I received afterwords where all positive but there was one that stuck in my mind because it was spot on.
I'm surprised that it irritates you, because you clearly have different potential clients.  They will certainly not convince people looking for artistic work to come to them with that title.  In fact, I think it's good for you, because it sounds like what it is.
It's nice to hear this type of honesty and constructive criticism on my previous point of view.
Reason #97 on why I love blogging.  :)

Onto girl loves.

color on a cold parisian day. (found via The Satorialist)

 
a uber romantic city hall wedding. (found via A Cup Of Jo)

 My 25 Biggest Mistakespost on the Two Photogs blog.
 
My interview on the Little Red Suitcase blog.

 this little munchkin. always & forever.
 
simple, stunning layoutsvia Paislee Press.

words of wisdom worn around your wrist via Kate Spade. (inscription reads HAVE COURAGE) i do love a bangle.
 

don't forget.....Studio Calico sneaks go live tomorrow night!  I should have some sneaks posted by Monday.

Lastly, I've got some new TTV and Polaroid products in the works. Hopefully I'll have the shop updated in another week.

Enjoy the weekend!
Tina

girl gives opinion on cheap photography.

 

So.
Many of you know i'm trying to break through as a photographer.
There's still a lot to learn. I don't want to be just another gal who buys herself an expensive digital camera and calls herself a pro.
A pro i am not.
What i am is passionate, creative and driven when it comes to photography.
I'm taking on my first wedding next month and although i'm nervous, I'm that much more excited. I
know not every photo taken will be worthy of a bridal magazine although I secretly hope to at least publish some of my photos on a certain wedding blogs. I know that my natural ability to capture something creative and unique will shine through.
I've been spending a little time scoping out other Anchorage area photographers and there are a handful that are well known and very good at what they do.
What i'm having an issue with are those I find on Craigslist.
Those who use the title "cheap wedding photography". This bothers me to no end. It completely devalues the art of photography and what it stands for.
Out of curiosity, I also checked out the photos they linked to their "cheap photography" and it is just that,
cheap photography.
So don't be fooled. if you feel the need to not spend the money on a photographer or seeking out someone who is less expensive due to less experience, be cautious. There are a lot of newbies out there with emerging talent, like myself. :) but I would not classify my photography as "cheap". I hold a lot of value in my photographs and what they mean to not only myself but to the person I am photographing.

That said, I am currently accepting clients for the upcoming spring/summer season.
My first love is working with newborns and children. I am not taking on any more weddings as this point as I want to see how my first 2 will pan out. Weddings are experimental for my portfolio.
Any other requests such as family, engagements, and Senior portraits are welcome. I also love working with still life and photo styling so if you have shop/bakery/cafe/clothing store you would liked photographed for a website, I'm your woman. Or maybe not. I have a specific style of photography that may not appeal to you. That's ok.
Hopefully I'll have some kind of portfolio up soon. You can view my Flickr page for now.
Contact me at lifelovepaper@gmail.com for pricing.

girl has it locked down.

my desk. 12:58 p.m.
 
2 things.
first, I work better in chaos.
second, there's always time for a polaroid.

that's all.

card winners!

this girl loves cupcakes!

Posted by: kayla | February 26, 2010 at 12:38 PM

Hello! (I'm a lurker, but follow your blog in Google Reader) I enjoy your photos so very much...Thanks for the opportunity to win a collage of them!

Posted by: mollie | February 26, 2010 at 08:39 AM

Please forward me your mailing addy's ladies!

Thanks for all your comments. I've decided to hold a reader appreciation give away on the first of each month. Who know's what next month will bring. :)

Tina

good morning.

 
I decided to extend the give away until tonight. I certainly could have used at least another 4-5 hours yesterday so I do apologize for not getting around to choosing last night.

I wasn't around for the SC reveal Saturday night and I heard it was quite eventful. The gallery is amazing. These girls never cease to amaze me.
Here are my layouts from the March gallery.

 
 

 
This kit was so much fun. Unfortunately the main kit is sold out but the is extra paper from both the add ons and the main kit as well as Wedding Ring & Patchwork add ons are still available. 
 
I'll shall return tonight with the card winners!
Tina
 

girl love friday and hates drama.

hate is a strong word but is an appropriate feeling to have on the subject of drama.
not drama as in i'm in the mood to watch a drama.
i'm talking about the type of drama that drains you and that is quite unnecessary. kwim?
it's something i avoid at all costs but i know at some point in my life, it will arise. it's all about how said drama is handled. i think hope that i have handled this minor bump in the road as best as i could. will things be the same after the smoke clears? possibly but life goes on to more positive things.

my husband. my partner. my bestie for life.
me: laying on the floor taking photos of the pup napping.
him: watching me take numerous photos.
me: thinking he's just watching the game on the flat screen behind me.
him: "you're really happy taking pictures, aren't you?"
surprised to find out he's been watching me this whole time. I blush and lovingly smile at him.

convos with long distance friends.
garance blog. i know, too many garance references. but i love her and knowing that i only have a moment to check google reader each day, her blog is on the top of my list.

valentine inspired weddings

this greeting card.

cool cupcake designs. 
another reason to add to my "why I can't wait to have a baby" list. i can imagine a bunch of these for his or her birthday party with other little kids running around my house while donning pointy birthday hats. 
 
an idea for a future layout.

is this not genius? and it doesn't have to be about your spouse or partner. could be about a pet or your child. i love it. don't be surprise to see this idea used for a layout.

and lastly, a couple of sneaks for the March Studio Calico kit which goes live this weekend!!

oh boy, my half caf latte is starting to kick in. time to get the friday done and over with. before I sign off, I wanted to thank those of you who visit daily and leave nice little comments. I don't always get a chance to respond right away but that doesn't mean I don't care. In appreciation of the time you take to visit, I would like to give away 2 of my collage cards. Just say hi and I'll choose a winner Sunday night.
happy happy happy FRIDAY! 
be safe and enjoy your weekend. 
tina

oh joy...another monday.

I'll be back later this week with girl loves and updates. Just not feeling the blog lately. I seriously need an update...new banner, new buttons. It kind of feels like that day you throw on an outfit you are so sick of but there's nothing else to wear but you know you just afford to go and buy pretty things right now. And it's not just about low fundage but being in between seasons. Spring could not come fast enough at this point. I'm so ready to chuck my Uggs for pretty flats.

happy love day.

 
ah..that holiday you either love or loathe.
I'm sort of in between this year for no other reason but it creeping up on me.
jeff came home friday with 2 dozen of my favorite creamy pink roses knowing I don't go for the traditional valentine red. that's all I wanted. no cheesy card to throw away. no box of chocolates that I absolutely do  not need.
 
the thing I love the most about this weekend is having monday off. :) that makes my heart flutter.

spent some quality time with some paper, photos & rub ons yesterday which i desperately needed. creative therapy has taken over retail therapy.
This layout I created using the new Studio Calico rub ons:

"girl survives winter" will actually be a future blog post listing my favorite winter survival products.

some sneaks from the March SC kit:

 
I'll also have some new cards in the shop this week:

 a collage of my favorite polaroids and ttv shots from the past year. 5x5 flat card. printed on art recycled paper. $4.
 

I now have a bag of Haribo gummy bears and a movie to attend to. 
happy love day to you all.
xoxo
t.
  
 
 

girl leaves heart in Seattle.

I had pondered the thought of taking a side trip to Seattle on my way back from CHA.
I decided against it as I wasn't keen on the idea of wondering around by myself.
But as I was crunched between 2 other passengers on a full flight to Seattle, I thought, what the hell.
1. I'm not ready to go home yet.
2. I'm here, why not stay a few days.
I immediately got off the plane and headed to the very kind lady behind the AK Air kiosk and changed my flight back home and kept my fingers crossed that I was able to get the one piece of luggage I had checked off the flight to Alaska.
I was fully prepared to do without it but thank the travel gods....they managed to get my luggage off the flight.
Took a cab downtown, checked in to the Mayflower, showered off the ucky plane germs, ordered room service, snuggled in bed and called my sweetie. Wished he could have been there with me. We always have so much fun when we're in Seattle and to this day we throw around the idea of moving there. Of course we've been talking about it for years now.
Why do I love Seattle so much?
There are too many reasons but the biggest one is that I just feel like I'm home.
As much as I like living in Anchorage, I've never feel settled.
To this day, the home that I've been living in for almost 10 years is still not really decorated.
I always feel ready to pick up and leave. This surely stems from growing up a military brat and relocating every few years.
The sole factor that makes me stay up here is family. Not only because my father and in laws are up here but if I were to ever get pregnant, I would want to raise my child here. I would want my child to grow up with his or her grandparents because he or she deserves that. I was blessed to be close enough to my grandparents as a child and I will forever be grateful for that. 
So here I am again, planning for an unknown future.
Oh, before I post photos from my trip, I have to gloat a little bit. Several months ago, I received an email from the editor of Artful Blogging. I was stunned that I would be featured in this very beautifully put together publication. I was super nervous about actually writing my own article but I wrote it like a blog entry so hopefully those who read it will enjoy it and not bash my writing style if I do have a writing style.
You can a copy at your local bookstore. I know our Barnes & Noble and Borders carries it.
I made the cover! 
 
 
now for seattle sites.
and she's off!
first stop, Pikes Place for breakfast. I love eating Lowells. It's exactly what breakfast should be...cheap and GOOD.

tulips were everywhere!


 

the end.
(all photos taken with Canon Xti and Polaroid SX 70)
 
happy wednesday! 

girl loves friday.

   (self portrait, Canon XTi 50mm 1.4, Mayflower Hotel, Seattle)

It's funny how a simple vacation away from normalcy turns a girl into a lighter brighter human being.
Things tend to roll off my back a little easier. Things that would normally make steam shoot out of my ears. Maybe I'll turn back into a grumpy office worker again in a few weeks but I never liked that person so my only solution is to take more mini-breaks.

In efforts to save for said mini trips, I have cut down my Starbucks spending spree to once a week and even then I don't get the $5 latte. I opt for the less expensive brewed coffee which I actually enjoy more. I'm also tired of spending $10 a day for lunch. Seriously, $10 for a freakin salad?! Why it's taken me this long to realize that is a ridiculous amount for lettuce is beyond me but I'm starting to see the light. Ultimately I chalk it up to laziness. 

My use to be once a week retail therapy sessions had turned into a daily occurrence. I really don't even need to do it once a week. I'm cured! The only kind of therapy that guarantees to work are mini breaks away. Shopping is only a temporary fix and I'm so tired of having all this stuff in my house. I remember when we first moved in, it was so bare and empty. Now it's filled with odds and ends that we do not need. I'm sure this stuff will find a better home. That is what I will be doing this weekend. Purging like there's no tomorrow.

Traveling with one suitcase and camera made me incredibly happy. It made me realize I didn't need all those materialistic things. Doesn't mean I will completely give up shopping. I'm just done with impulse shopping.

So what does this girl love today?
Simplicity.
My new Canon 5D Mark II. Yes, this guy was delivered to my doorstop yesterday and man, is he a handsome fella. Those of you who are waiting for their freebie photo shoot will hear from me soon.
Dare 157

many bobo's(kisses) from my niece and nephew after being away from them for a few weeks. 
Crunch roll from Dish. I should have ordered 2.
teeny tiny banners.
 (American Craft Dear Lizzy booth)
 Haribo gummy bears. 
 Photographers who share their secrets.
Coolest business card ever.
 

Many more loves but the most is just being clear minded and in the present.
Happy Weekend everyone!
Tina