Unknown

As the semester quickly comes to a close, I find myself wishing for more hours in the day. I have to give a speech at a research conference, put together a media kit, take exams, and finish my photography portfolio - and that is just the half of it.

As you can tell I don't have much time to write - but after I get back from Italy this summer - I hope to be snapping hundreds of photos a week! But I try not to make promises, just in case (better safe than sorry)!



For all those who read and check my blog. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love taking photos, and I love the feedback I get from all my friends.

Good luck to all those who need it, for whatever task(s) you are trying to accomplish in the next few weeks. Some goals are big, others are small, but all are important.

"And when you feel like giving up, remember why you held on so long in the first place," unknown.

Something I ALMOST love more ...

I have no new pictures to share with you today, but I do want to share something almost as exciting. Something I love almost as much as photography is fashion! I obsessively shop online - to inevitably buy nothing. With that said everyone has their own style so for those that love vintage inspired clothing these stores are for you.

These are my top 3 favorites:

RUCHE
Spotted Moth
Francesca's Collections

These stores are "relatively" inexpensive - and by relatively I mean dresses priced around $40 - which for a poor college student is still expensive. Forty bucks could buy me a couple of meals here at school or one dress, and many a times it is a struggle to decide which is more important.

I also enjoy looking at three websites that sell designer clothing that is deeply discounted. They offer new items each day but are on the pricey end. The sites often carry designer jeans such as Seven for All Man Kind, Joe's, and Citizen. They also carry menswear and clothing for children. If you have more money than I do (which I am sure is the latter) you might want to sign up for these sites:

HauteLook
Rue Lala
Ideeli

I hope some of you enjoy fashion and will find these sites useful - if not just, it can be a fun waste of time.

"Snapshot" of Time

So it has been entirely too long. I've been so wrapped up in school that I have completely forgotten to do the things I LOVE - take photos and blog about them. Here is a quick "snapshot," no pun intended, of the past couple of weeks:

My best friend and roommate for life turned 21!! We did some really exciting things! Sarah drank a beer, I drank 1/3 of my beer and we were asleep by 11:30 - I know, I know!


The day after Sarah's birthday I made the 8 hour trek back to the one and only, you know where dreams come true - Jersey !!

Was greeted with beautiful flowers and butterflies.


Soon after I arrived back in Blacksburg I attended my first ever lingerie party. Shopping for it was extremely stressful, but it was all worth it because I simply love the girl I was shopping for. I am so happy that she is getting married, but so sad I won't be there to take part in the amazing day.


These past couple of weeks have been rough! There are only 5 or so weeks left in the semester and between now and then I have more work than humanly possible to complete. Last week was awful and found myself on the verge of tears. However, Friday morning I woke up and found a note on my door - that completely changed the way I felt, it was amazing.

I hope I still have some people following my blog - I apologize for the lapse of time - and hope to get better.

Keep in mind: We all find ourselves struggling, thinking all is lost - remember nothing has been lost, just important things forgotten.

LIFE (of the party)

As you can tell my blogging has suffered from lack of time. A lot has gone on these past couple of weeks, but I am glad it is over. Good news, the spring break count down is almost to single digits, meaning the semester is almost half over!!! Bad news, the next week and a half are going to be rough.

Highlight of the past few weeks:

Everyone's favorite little girl turned one last week - and quite frankly I cannot believe it! It was great to be invited to her birthday bash. She was all laughs and loving life.

I found myself leaving her birthday party wishing I looked at life the way she does!


A couple of photos I hope you all enjoy!

What do you Miss Most?

So you pick yourself up time and time again and head back to the place you feel so alone.

I've come to realize that no matter what you tell yourself life will never be EVERYTHING you pictured it would be, but it is up to you to make the best of what you have. There will times when you just don't think you can take another second of your current situation, but take it from me, I promise that you can.

I miss it all. I miss friends, family, loved ones, but most of all I miss the silence that falls from the utter chaos of home life.

The Little Things in Life

It really is the little things in life that put smilies on all of our faces. Whether it is an unexpected surprise, having class cancelled for the day, or a child.

This picture has got to be one of my all time favorites, and I figured I would share. If you are having a rough day, hopefully you can find something (big or small) that will make you smile!

Have You Ever Looked Fear in the Face and Said, "I Just Don't Care?"

As I attempt to do all the work I put off this weekend I decided to take a "break" (well really Facebook stalk) and update my blog that has suffered severely since classes started.

For all of you who know me, YES, I have started making index cards.

With that said, I am trying to remember some of the important things in life, like coming up for air. Friday night, while all the normal college kids were out drinking their week away, I snapped a few photos

For all those who check out my blog every now and again, thanks it means a lot

As aside while I was taking photos I listened to my new favorite song. Since I was 12 I've thought P!NK was kick ass, so I am about to offer up some free publicity for her. Check out "Glitter in the Air," or you could buy the album "Greatest Hits ... So Far," because it is THAT GOOD.

The Beginning of the End

In all of our lives there are times that we become overwhelmed and consumed by things that are relatively insignificant. It is vital to step back, breathe, and remember the eloquent composition of life.

Tomorrow is the beginning of the end for me. School will become my life for the next four months, and with time, I am sure I will realize that 19 credits was a big mistake. As the projects, papers, and exams start to line up I will do my best to update posts and pictures. My goal for this semester is to learn - to take better photos, become a better writer, and to stop and look, really look, at this life I am "living."

Not Enough Hours in the Day!!

Simply their are not enough hours in the day to accomplish the things you need to, let alone to do the things you want! As I was packing to leave for school I realized not only was I running out of time, but I didn't even want to pack. As winter break quickly disappears, I always find myself wishing I had at least another week. Needless to say I have been busy, and sadly photography has not been the cause. Classes start on Tuesday, and I can only hope that I have time to not only snap some photos, but also upload them and update my postings.

While winter break was busy I had time to take some (what I consider decent) pictures. It is while taking pictures that I realize how much I love it, how amazing the world is, and that our surroundings have so much to offer. You don't have to take photos to immerse yourself in the beauty that surrounds us every day.

Engagement Extravaganza

My first opportunity to shoot anything of importance was a BIG deal. I was asked by an amazing friend to shoot her engagement photos!! While I had never been more excited for anything in my life, I was also beyond scared. I was honored and dumbfounded at the same time. I had absolutely no experience with photography, but for whatever reason Meredith and Trey were OK with letting me capture (or attempt to capture) such an important moment in their lives.

I had a blast getting to spend the day with Trey and Meredith. The two of them are complete goofballs making them simply perfect for one another.

It was so hard for me to try and pick just a few photos that I could term my "favorite," I guess that is something I need to work on.

Most of my photos turned out like this one, as Trey cracked jokes and Meredith cracked up.

We lucked out and had a beautiful day to shoot photos, it wasn't too hot, it was comfortable as were the two of them with one another.

This last picture posted on here is one of my favorites - for real!!

Congratulations Meredith and Trey!! Thank you for putting up with me and giving me an amazing opportunity.

What if?

Life is filled with "what if" moments. What if I had done this or decided not to do that?

Regardless of life's circumstances those are the moments that never leave us, we always think about the "what ifs," and question our final decision.

Photography, I don't know if I am decent at it, or where it will take me in life, but I do know that if I cease to grab hold of the opportunity it will become a "what if" moment in my life.

Taking photos is something I love, and I am hoping it is something that will take me far. I was given a beautiful camera - from someone who not only cares for me, but believes in me. My hope is to take photos that touch others and create an individualized story to each person who views them.