• Moments in Real Life {Using Photography to Find Beauty in the Every Day}

    Sometimes I think there is just too much “put together perfectness” on the internet. And then we can start believing our messy, real life lives are less than. Not as good. Just don’t measure up. I do this. Often. Too often. I remember telling my sister-in-law awhile back that when I look at my stove and it’s dirty, all that I hear inside my mind is “Failure!” As if it were a measure of judgment on my character. I feel that way when I see laundry piled up, toys strewn all over the living room, dishes overflowing in the sink, etc. A failure because every moment of my life doesn’t…

  • Taking Great Vacation Photos with an iPhone

    Vacation season is upon us! And if you are like me, no doubt you will want to capture some great shots to remember your trip. But what if you don’t want to lug around your DSLR or other camera the whole time? Can you really capture quality memories with just a phone camera? Last month, my family and I went on vacation to Myrtle Beach. I shared some photos taken with my DSLR here, but the majority of the time, I just kept my phone handy, so I didn’t have to be bogged down by stuff while we were out having fun. I currently have an iPhone 4S (*affiliate link), which…

  • Family Vacation to North Myrtle Beach

    Last week, our family had the pleasure of going on vacation to North Myrtle Beach along with my mom and sister. The drive down to South Carolina from our home (outside of Rochester, NY) took us about 15 hours including stops. Even though I was a terrified of the trip down with little ones, it wasn’t as bad as I had imagined it would be. We spent a relaxing week by the beach, sight seeing and making memories. I know that generally, people find it boring to look at other people’s vacation photos, but I like to do posts like these, more for myself, to have a collection of our…

  • Fall is in the Air

    Can you feel it?  Fall is in the air. The weather is getting a little bit cooler. Sweaters and blankets are a warm welcome in the early mornings and late evenings. The leaves have just started to turn.  I have been opting for boots over flip flops… Long sleeves and flannels over t-shirts and tank tops. Coffee in the late afternoon is a pure delight. And, I can already feel the anticipation and excitement in my soul for the season ahead. Autumn is upon us. I know it may not be this way where you are, but I can’t help but boast and be happy. (After all, you might get…

  • Thoughts of Fall on My Mind

    I don’t know about you, but fall has been on my mind for awhile. It always happens once August hits: I begin dreaming of those beautiful autumn days that are on their way. We are approaching my favorite time of year, and I can’t help but get excited. I can hold off, of course, on the winter’s cold for quite awhile, but oh, how I wish I could make fall stay longer. It seems it always comes and goes like a gust of wind…a dance of leaves…and then it is gone. I guess that is why I start dreaming about it early…in hopes that I can make it last as…

  • A Visit to a Country Farm

    Last week, the kids and I had the opportunity to visit a friend of mine down on her farm just over a half an hour away. Hazel and Owen were so excited to go and see “all the animals,” and I was excited for some adult chat with my friend Julie while our children played. Julie and I went to high school and college together and had plenty to talk about since both of us are stay at home moms with two kids, and she recently joined the blogging world. I was also looking forward to photographing some of the beautiful surroundings and farm animals, but alas, children can foil…