A little photography & a giveaway!

A few days ago, I went on a photography adventure with my friend Ashleigh Muse.  She is stunning and has the most beautiful skin complexion & eye color & I knew that she would be just perfect modeling some of my vintage.

I tried to be selective about which photos to post, but I was just so in love with so many of them! I really am trying to get behind the camera more.. I would really love to do a photo shoot with a lovely couple & I have several ideas brewing right now & just need a little planning & a willing couple!

In other news, I am featuring the hat in these pictures in a giveaway at Rockstar Diaries! Be sure to head over & enter before the giveaway ends Friday! 

& in case you are wondering, the dress is for sale here at my shop!

&& more pictures from this photo shoot to come tomorrow(?)! Different outfit & different location!

ps- in other news, I got a formspring! Ask me anything!

Down to the river

Hello, all! I have risen from the dead. I've actually been thinking a lot about the amout of time I spend blogging.  I REALLY wish that I had more time to do it, but with my schedule right now, it's just not happening.  When I started the blog, I would try to update my blog everyday no matter what, but it really started to stress me out and I want to view my blog as something I LOVE doing rather than more of a chore. So, I have made a conscious decision to choose quality over quanitity.  I hope you will stick with me, but by now you should be used to the update schedule!

I've definitely been exploring photography more and more. I'm thinking of getting a film camera, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to get the Diana or Holga. Anyone have any experience with either of these or have other film suggestions?

My friend Catey Owen of Radiant Photography has asked me to assist her with a wedding in two weekends.. meaning my first paid gig! Honestly, I would have done it for free because a) I am obsessed with weddings b) I haven't seen Catey in forever and she's such an inspiring person and c) I'm dieing to see what kind of equipment she uses & watch the genius at work! I'm excited to have her give me some pointers and hopefully come out with some great advice, especially lighting!

Dress from shop in Williamsburg, estate sale necklace, Target sandals

This necklace is my new favorite. It's a green jade necklace I bought at an estate sale last weekend. I believe she comes from Italy. I want to name her.. I seem to have an affinity for naming all of the animal accessories that I love..! Do you guys do the same?!

Buy One, Get One Sale!

Finders Keepers is having a Buy One, Get One 50% Off Sale till Friday, June 25! Be sure to head over & check out all of the amazing things I have stocked up! Click here to check it out!

*50% off applies to the lowest priced item. Convo me before purchase of items so I can apply discount or I will refund you via Paypal!

Love at the Pier

Right down the street there is (was) a fantastic pier, the Lynnhaven Pier. The Lynnhaven Fish House (an amazing restaurant that serves local seafood) and the Pier Cafe, a small little cafe with outdoor seating and an amazing view, are some of the best kept secrets of Virginia Beach located on the Pier. Sadly, a big chunk of the pier was destroyed during our nor'easter this past fall. It is still a sight to see, though!

 thrifted dress, Target headband, antique mall necklace, TJ Maxx wedges

I think this was one of Patrick's favorite outfits. He kept telling me that I looked so pretty! He mentioned it was very Julia Stone-esque and while driving a few days later I watched one of my favorite videos by Angus and Julia, "And The Boys" and realized that this outfit is definitely inspired by the end of the video, with the bohemian feel and golden tones. 

My dress is from the shop & being sold here! The humidity here is the summer is INSANE. I'm serious. It's ridiculous. It's a challenge to find outfits that are weather-friendly & stays true to my style! Honestly, lately I've just been throwing on shorts and a tank top when I don't have much going on that day, so it's nice to change it up a bit.

Our lunch.. fish & chips, softshell crab sandwich, & calamari. Delicious!

I am so in love.

I told Patrick a few days ago that I missed when we wrote notes to each other in the beginning.  

We used to leave them on our car windshields at school since we couldn't see each other, or leave them with coworkers so we would find them at work. 

And lately I've just been missing them.

Not like it matters, because we tell each other how much we love each other every single day.

But there's just something about those darn love letters!

So I wrote him one at work yesterday. Just simple, and truthful, and loving.

When he came to my house yesterday, I was a little upset that I didn't get one back.

And he saw that I was upset and handed me a note and said he was trying to save it to leave for me so I see it first thing in the morning.

Oops.

I think it was the sweetest note he's ever written me.  And I say that almost every time, but they really do get more loving & sincere each & every time.

"As you read this note, as with any that I have or have yet to write, always picture me smiling as I hunch over the very paper you hold and know how much I care for you with every stroke of ink. You are everything to me."

Gosh, how lucky am I?

The real me

I was going to have a really deep post today, but the more I wrote, the more I realized I was just going in circles.  So, to get out of a somewhat depressing mindset for today, I'm going for a more lighthearted theme & I thought I'd do a fun random facts post, inspired by the lovely Keiko Lynn.

 -I am terrified of someone breaking into my house at night. I sometimes get up multiple times in the night to make sure all of the doors are locked.

-I desperately wish I could get some wild, sparkly manicure, but my job doesn't allow it.  My whole Seattle trip, I'm going to have different nail shades!

-My better half is also the better chef. I'm spoiled by his cooking!

-I don't have that many girl friends.. at all. In fact, I don't have too many friends I hang out with on a regular basis in general. Maybe it's because I'm more of a loner (loner in this case meaning I'm either with Patrick or alone).  This is actually what this post was going to be about.  I just don't connect with most people my age, and I think it's because I'm at a completely different stage in my life. But I'm very at peace with this!

-I wish I was more of a heel girl, but let's be real.. I am the biggest klutz ever. At 5'2, I could use the height, though!

Forever 21 hair pin, thrifted romper, etsy necklace, vintage shoes

-I literally lay on my bed and just dream about my wedding day and being married. Obsessed with wedding magazines & blogs, yet I've made a vow to myself since I was a teen that I won't actually buy a wedding magazine until the day I'm engaged!

-I can't sleep without some sort of blanket/sheet/comforter over me! I love blasting the fan and cuddling up with my body pillow (Pat made it for me for my birthday!) & the bear he gave me for our first Valentine's Day. Hehe, so dorky but true!

-I've lived on the beach my entire life.. beach girl through & through! However unfashionable, I live in my flip flops, bathing suit, & black sundress (it goes with every bathing suit I have!) in the summer.

-I had a nightmare about an overpriced antique mall filled with everything I've ever wanted a couple of nights ago

-I am not a religious person by any means. I'm not sure about my beliefs fully, honestly, but I don't ponder about it too much and I go by the religion of "live every day to the fullest." 

-I am naturally a worry wort & uptight when stressed.. this is my weakness. I've learned to go with the flow, but I'm still getting there. I think moving across the country will help me abandon some of my inhibitions.

-I've always considered myself a somewhat creative person, but that's a side that I need to explore more deeply & this blog has helped me explore art, photography, & fashion..it's my creativity diary.

-I used to have major body image issues.  I now feel more beautiful than I've ever felt in my life. 

-My go-to color is blue.

-In an attempt to join the trend, I highlighted my hair blonde for a while. It wasn't very pretty.. at all.

-I'd rather hang out with you one-on-one or in a small group rather than in a large party setting. It's not my scene.

But enough about me. Tell me a random fact about you!