The most wonderful time of the year

I think of Christmas as such a romantic time of year. I get so excited thinking of all my couples who will celebrate their 1st Christmas as Mr. & Mrs.  You know those photo frames that say "our first Christmas"? I confess to finding reasons to buy them for others. Yes, I am that girl.  

However, I gotta say that the whole Christmas card thing is always a huge dilemma. I love, love, love getting and receiving cards and of course the holidays are the perfect occaision. Here's the problem: as a single girl, I'm never quite sure what to do. The photo Christmas cards I get with cute little family photos, or couples on the front are just so stinking adorable.  But I don't think me dressed in red & green in front of a Christmas tree will have quiiiiite the same effect. Some may even think it's a sympathy card; as in please have sympathy on me for standing here. alone. looking totally lame. Yep, definitely not the look I'm going for.

Then I thought, maybe I can make some cute and crafty cards and send those out.  Well, I made the cards, but instead of them looking artsy; they say "I like glitter glue".  Fail. again.

Sooo this year, I think I'll pass on the whole Christmas card thing and stick to what I know and love: photography.  I know, it's a novel idea :)

And really, while I do feel like receiving the 1st Christmas card helps to officially mark the start of the season (people who have holiday cards in the mail by December 1st~I am in awe!), there are so many other things that help me feel that Christmas is here.

For me it's not Christmas until: I drink some apple cider, bake some holiday goodies, attend a holiday get together, eat a candy cane, listen to Christmas carols, shop for gifts, listen to the Christmas story, attend the Christmas eve service, eat a yummy meal with my family, and sniff a tear or too as I agree with George Bailey, that yes, It's a Wonderful Life.

So whether you send cards or not, and whatever the holidays mean to you, and however you choose to celebrate them, I hope they are filled with much joy and laughter!

My new life motto

image credit

I can't stop talking about Sherri Shephard's book Permission Slips:  Every Woman's Guide to Giving Herself a Break.  Reading it was like sitting down with a good friend. You know the friend who has literally been there and done that with eeeeehhhhverything.  She's the wiser sister/cousin/aunt/friend who tells you that it's okay even if you've screwed up REALLY big. You can still make it.

One of the most memorable parts of the book (and there were a lot to choose from) is when she's talking about the ups and downs of being a stand up commedian. After a rough experience she was scared to go back on stage, and someone said to her "if you're scared, do it scared."

Talk about an a-ha moment.

I love that line. It is my new life motto & I  quote it constantly (I apologize to the close family and friends who hear me sounding like a broken record).

This year I challenged myself to become more visible in the photography community.  So far it's been a really great experience, but I'm far from fearless in the process. Driving to networking events, emailing new contacts, or dreaming outside of the box, intimidates me at times.  Who am I kidding, it scares me each and every time.  But, I won't let that fear stop me.  I may hide in the bathroom for a moment or two, but then I pull myself together and do what needs to be done.

I've always been a reader, so another challenge I've given myself is to read outside of my box (remember this post about nonfiction being my kryptonite). Reading about successful women has encouraged and motivated me. Sometimes it takes a little while to get to where you want to be, but success and hard work always pays off!

Sooooo, what about you?  Who's inspiring you?  What things are you scared to do, but "do it scared" anyway?  Talk to me :)

How I met Carley

"There's Carley, I want to take a picture with her."  

I looked at my dear sweet sister like she surely had to be kidding.

We'd just enjoyed a fabulous evening of networking at the Dallas Knot Party and were making our way towards the door when my sister spied Carley Roney co-founder of The Knot.

Yes, Carley of "Ask Carley" on theknot.com,  The Knot magazine, The Nest, and The Bump.

My sister wanted to take a picture with THAT Carley.

My thought: um, it looks like she's standing in a special VIP area or something to keep people like us out.

Clearly, I was wrong because  5 minutes later, I see Carley round the corner and come stand next to my sister.

After my sister had done all the hard work, of course I was going to cash in and get my photo taken too.

Do I look ecstatic or what???

Carley was very gracious and immediately asked me to tell her about my business and encouraged me to submit my photography to The Knot magazine, saying that they enjoy diversity and want to reflect all of their audience in their images.  I was encouraged, motivated, & excited to say the least!

The evening had already been a hit but getting to briefly chat with Carley and have our photo taken with this amazing woman, was the icing on the cake.  And I have my persistent sister to thank for that :)

Being the pro that she is,  Carley took my name tag off right before our photo was snapped.  I kind of wish I'd remembered to take mine off in this shot!