Weekend Wishlist - Anything is Possible

Anything is Possible by c-russell on Polyvore

I (for the first time I believe) actually knocked a few things off my wishlist from last week.  I acquired an amazing new lens, received my business cards in the mail, and pulled off a photo shoot I am super excited about.  This photography thing is really becoming real.  And I couldn't be more excited to see where it goes!

I thoroughly enjoy reading those questions for professional photographers...you know the ones...What did you wish you knew starting out?  Or what would you tell a photographer just starting up?  Words of wisdom and tidbits of advice.  A couple months ago all of it seemed so overwhelming, and although it still is very much overwhelming, it's manageable.  I can do this.  I have so far to go, but I've also already come so far.  

I know in this business (and honestly any business right?) you will never stop learning.  There is always more to learn and understand.  And as my quote says "With enough coffee, anything is possible."  All I need to do is sit down at my computer with a warm cup and put on my headphones and learn something.  Work on something.  Anything.  Just to be constantly improving myself.

There are a few more things I need to take care of to make this business official, but it's so close!  I'm beginning to realize that professional photography involves a lot more paperwork than it does as a hobbyist.  I've got forms to iron out to keep up with all the legalities.  Heads up to Kelly Moore, I may even need a bigger gear bag soon!

If you're interested in seeing my photo shoots, head on over to the Captured by CJ Photography blog where the photos are posted.  And stay tuned for more of my Weekend Wishlists or check out past installments here.

Weekend Wishlist - What's Next?

I haven't posted a weekend wishlist in a while, and it's high time I explain where I've been!  If you've noticed, I also haven't been around to update my photo of the day page.  It's not that I haven't been taking photos, because trust me...I have!  Tons of them!

I'm working on taking this photography hobby of mine seriously, and am looking forward to move from hobbyist to professional!  I'm excited about the prospect of client photo shoots and finally generating some income for my family.  And the ability to do that by doing something I love just excites me!

Ready for the Next Step! by c-russell 

I compiled this version of the weekend wishlist on Polyvore as a pictorial reference of where I want to go.  I'm working on acquiring some new equipment, honing my post processing software skills, and getting outdoors and taking photos!  And looking forward to that future pay day!

I have been adding posts to my photography blog and my photography website is up and running.  I'm also posting updates on my Facebook page.  I'll continue to update this blog with the usual fun stuff like preschool activities and recipes, and I'll keep my photo shoots to the photography page!  Check them out and follow me there too so you don't miss a thing!

Weekend Wishlist

A day late, but hey it's still the weekend right?  Spring is here and for probably the first time ever I'm in spring cleaning mode!!  I have done so much over the past few days, and I am trilled with how things are looking so far.  I've also been without my camera for the past few days because I had to send it off for repairs.  Who knew you could get so much done around the house when you don't have hundreds of pictures to take and edit?!

Well most of my spring cleaning has been concentrated on the kitchen so far.  So that's where my wishlist focuses.  Thanks to a dear friend, I discovered FlyLady this week, and I am hooked.  I never thought in my wildest dreams that some stranger sending me emails would motivate me to clean more, but she does!

I've rearranged cabinets, cleaned out drawers, organized, thrown away junk, and shined my sink!  I've got plenty more on my to-do list in there, but a little at a time goes a long way.  Now I just keep daydreaming about all the things I'd really like to do with the kitchen.

Kitchen Dreams by c-russell featuring Trish McEvoy beauty products

First off, I still need to clean the stove which has me wishing I had a flat surface cooktop instead of the coils and drip pans!  I also wish we had a tile backsplash!  That would make such a big difference!  And I wish I had more kitchen towels because we go through so many of them now!  

I have probably a thousand plastic grocery bags that we save and reuse but I honestly don't think we'll ever use that many!  I'd love to make the switch to reusable grocery bags and REMEMBER to use them every time we go to the store!

I also wish I had a window above our kitchen sink.  I want to look out and see a beautiful tulip tree blooming right now!  Our kitchen sink faces the living room so instead I see the TV, which is nice too but not like looking at flowers!  Instead, I can stand at the backdoor with my cup of coffee like the woman in this picture.  I watch the birds and bunnies that are almost always in the backyard.  But seriously, I still wish we had one of those trees.  If I had my camera, I'd be stalking it like the paparazzi right now!

So what's your wishlist for this weekend?  I'm heading back into the kitchen to finish up my to-do list and probably fix another cup of coffee!  Hope you are all enjoying this beautiful weekend!

Weekend Wishlist

What's on your wishlist this weekend?  Since I got my haircut last night and it was styled with the most beautiful curls, what I want is for it to look like that all the time!  I wish I could do my hair like my stylist does.  He is amazing, and I don't know why I wait a year in between haircuts!  See for yourself?  He makes me look great!

I feel pretty, oh so pretty.  I feel pretty, and witty, and......where was I?

Spring is here and with the lovely weather and these fresh cut locks, I want to feel beautiful all the time!  I think it's definitely time to pick up a working curling iron so I can at least make the attempt at getting my hair to look like it does when I leave the salon.  I'm pretty sure it's also way past time to replace some of my makeup.  One day I'm going to splurge and replace my old Mary Kay compact with a new one filled with pretties!  I'm also ready for manicures and pedicures and flip flops and sandals.  I'm ready for skirts and capris, and most of all, the sun on my face!

Beautiful Curls by c-russell featuring a h & m

Old Navy fitted dress
oldnavy.gap.com

H M h m
$6.08 - hm.com

Special-Edition† Beauty That Counts Mary Kay Compact Mini (unfilled)
marykay.com

Conair Instant Heat Curling Iron, 1"-Black Silver - Best Price
soap.com



With that, I'm slowly building back up my motivation to lose the weight I want and get back to eating healthy again.  I have some wonderful warm weather clothes that I don't want to go to waste this year because they don't fit!  Monday's check in may not be the best, but I'm hoping after this week they get progressively better.  There's something about getting a little sun that always gets me in the mood to do better!

So there's my weekend wishlist.  Now I wish that all of you feel beautiful and have a great weekend too!!

Weekend Wishlist

This installment of weekend wishlist is featuring my favorite animal in honor of this very special holiday weekend.  I absolutely love this time of year because you get to see bunnies everywhere you look.  I know bunnies have absolutely nothing to do with the real reason for the holiday, but its an added bonus for me!

That Not My Bunny by c-russell 

THE ORPHAN S ARMS pattern sweater
asos.com

Flat
lebunnybleu.com

Dogeared sterling silver chain necklace
bloomingdales.com

Tech accessory
nordstrom.com

Handpainted Bunny Bookends
anthropologie.com

Jellycat Bashful Beige Bunny Large
diapers.com

Booktopia - That's Not My Bunny by Fiona Watt, 9780746066928. Buy this...
$13 - booktopia.com.au

Above are links to some of the awesome items featured in this wishlist.  I've had the lebunnybleu shoes on my wishlist for a while.  I actually have a few pairs on a Pinterest wishlist board!  The Anthropologie bunny bookends are quite adorable.  I'd use those to hold up all of our bunny books including "Guess How Much I Love You" and "Bunny, My Honey", two of my favorites!!

I keep telling myself to get one of those adorable bunny iPhone cases, but I always talk myself out of it because it'd be impossible to put in my pocket or purse with those big ears and tail.  But it's just so darn cute, that talk is getting harder and harder.  Even if I only use it around the house, I think it'd be worth it!

Hope everyone has an amazing Easter weekend.  I'm hoping to see some real bunnies while we are out hunting for Easter eggs and enjoying the spring weather that has finally arrived!  Until next time....

Weekend Wishlist

How would you spend a sick day?  When you and everyone else in the house is sick, I'd say there's nothing you wish for more than quiet, rest, and a speedy recovery.  Well, and maybe to not run out of tissues.

Best Sick Day Ever by c-russell on Polyvore

On this sick day, I would totally rock those Doctor Who pajamas with my red and runny nose.  I'd curl up under a blanket on the couch and turn on series 2 of Doctor Who, since it starts off with David Tennant in pajamas too after all!  Then, I'd take a nap and dream of being whisked away as the Doctor's newest companion.  Allons-y!  Yes, that sounds like the best sick day ever!  

Too bad moms don't get sick days.  I'm just hoping maybe I get to sleep in a little longer.  I will be spending my weekend blowing kids' noses and also my own, rubbing vapor rub on chests, and maybe making some chicken soup.  Dreams of the Tardis will have to wait.  Here's to hoping we are all better soon!  

Weekend Wishlist

This week's Weekend Wishlist is keeping with my motivational trend this week of getting back on track!  Working out, eating better, and hoping to see a smaller number on the scale on Monday have been on my mind all week long.

I still have the bulk of the weekend to go, but so far I'm optimistic!  It's way past time for a change too.  I know what I need to do, and I've known it all along.  It's so easy to go for that unhealthy snack or cozy up on the couch barefoot instead of putting on tennis shoes and hopping on the treadmill.  It's easy that is, until you go to put on your favorite jeans and they don't fit anymore!

I'm pretty happy with how the set turned out this week.  I didn't use a premade template on Polyvore for this one.  I created it from scratch.  The link below the picture will take you to the set on Polyvore.

Get Fit Now by c-russell 

So low
shopbop.com

Timex
macys.com

Century Vinyl 12 lb Medicine Ball
dickssportinggoods.com

Nike Performance Graphic 5mm Yoga Mat - Purple, ONE SIZE
nike.com

UNIQLO Airism Bra Camisole(Geometric)
$22 - uniqlo.com

Armus - ABEO Sandals - TheWalkingCompany.com
thewalkingcompany.com

Women's Cool Max Ankle - The Walking Company Socks -...
thewalkingcompany.com

This wishlist has a lot of things I don't actually need in order to get fit, but I would love to have.  That's why it's a wishlist right?  Let's start with the heart rate monitor.  I need to be keeping track of when I'm in my target range and for how long so I make sure I'm maximizing my workouts.  Not included here, but another gadget on my wishlist is a pedometer.  I'm think using one will help me stay more active throughout the day.  I'd see the number and aim to do better each day than the last.

Unless you're doing yogo or some other barefoot workout, a good pair of shoes are definitely key.  I love my Saucony running shoes, but these new Abeo shoes here have me intrigued.   The gray and turquoise is also more appealing than the gray and pink ones I currently have.  Not that the color of shoes I wear actually matters in my workout.  But no reason you can't look your best when you're working out to look your best!  Makes sense right?

Only a couple more days till my result post on Monday.  I'm looking forward to a great weekend to finish of a great week.  What do you do to stay motivated through the week or on the weekends?  When is it hardest to stick to your plan?

Weekend Wishlist

Ready for another round of my weekend wishlist?  I will be after my first cup of coffee.  I find it hard to really be ready for anything until after that first cup.  As I type this I'm sitting here with my favorite cup, Donut Shop Coconut Mocha with sugar-free hazelnut creamer.  I can't have coffee without creamer!

This collection is full of amazing coffee love.  I used a template made by derya-altun on Polyvore.  Then I started looking for my favorite coffee related items.  The tiny coffee cup on the bottom right is a miniature dollhouse coffee cup I'll be picking up for Maddie sometime soon.  I've been working on setting up some "rooms" for her as backdrops for when I'm taking photos for my shop.  Soon I'll have her sitting at a little table drinking her coffee, reading the newspaper, and modeling my newest hats or bows.  She's quite the little multitasker.

The large photo on the top is something I want to try my hand.  I love coffee art and bokeh together.  A good friend of mine recently did her own coffee/bokeh photoshoot and has a canvas print available in her Etsy shop.  Check it out here.  I'm not sure I have the right equipment to get my own amazing bokeh shots just yet, but it's on my to-do list!

Lets Go Out for Coffee by c. russell

Scarve
beklina.com

Santa's White Christmas® - 12 oz Whole Bean | Barniescoffeekitchen.com
barniescoffeekitchen.com

Bodum 8 Cup Brazil French Press
thecupboard.net

Knitted Coffee Cozy Picture & Image | tumblr
luvimages.com

One of these days when we get around to our kitchen remodel, I want to do a coffee theme.  Nothing over the top, but a nice mocha color on the walls, a coffee bar, and some coffee art.  Hopefully by that time I'll be good enough that it will be my art that goes up!  I love the idea of creating our own coffee bar, and that may happen sooner rather than later.  We have a small cabinet/counter area in our kitchen that really only gets used as a catch-all/junk space because it doesn't really have any other good function at the moment.  Turning it into a dedicated coffee space would stop the clutter from piling up there, and who wouldn't want their own coffee bar?

No matter how great your coffee is at home or how awesome your coffee bar is, sometimes you just want to go out for coffee.  At least I do anyway.  I miss Barnie's that used to be in our local mall.  I loved going in there for a Cool Cafe Blues Coffee Cooler or Santa's White Christmas coffee in the winter.  I also love going to Starbuck's for my favorite specialty drinks.  I haven't mastered a no-water Tazo chai or a Pumpkin Spice latte quite like they have.  And believe me, I've tried!!

So what's your favorite type of coffee?  Hot or Iced?  Can you stand it black?  Where do you go to get your favorite coffee drink?  My cup is almost gone now, and I'm thinking it's time for another.  Have a great weekend!

Weekend Wishlist

This week's Weekend Wishlist is based on a template by "calamityjade" on Polyvore.  As I was scrolling through the various templates to choose this week's selection, I stopped immediately when I saw the Tardis.  I just couldn't pass up a chance to use this one!

Initially, I was going to create a wishlist based on the things I would wear if I was the Doctor's companion.  But as I started to put it together, I could only think about the previous companions.  I have no real style myself!  I kept coming back to one look, and one person in particular.  Elisabeth Sladen aka Sarah Jane Smith.

She was my favorite companion, and my second favorite character in the entire series.  (It's going to take a miracle to oust David Tennant from number 1 on that list!).  I love her style, her mannerisms, everything about her character, and she was as beautiful back in the seventies as she was while doing her spin-off "The Sarah Jane Adventures" which started in 2007.  This collection is based off the more recent Sarah Jane.

Sarah Jane Smith by c-russell

I've watched all of the classic Doctor Who episodes I could find, and I've been watching the Sarah Jane Adventures on DVD.  When I got to the last one, Season 5, I wondered why it was so short.  I didn't realize until the official Doctor Who Facebook page posted on her birthday this year that she had passed away a couple years ago.  Now I know, and it makes me sad.  No more chance of seeing her reunite with another Doctor or hearing her say "Mr. Smith, I need you!" ever again.

So where does my wishlist come in?  Well I wish other people knew how amazing Elisabeth Sladen was.  I wish everybody loved Doctor Who as much as I do!  I wish I had my own sonic lipstick!  And most of all I wish to be as brave, honest, selfless, and amazing as Sarah Jane!

So who was your favorite companion?  And since I couldn't come up with my own style I'd like to hear yours.  What do you think you'd wear if you were the Doctor's companion?

Weekend Wishlist

Some bunny is having a good morning!  Here is Round Two of my Weekend Wishlist created on Polyvore.  This is what I imagine as a most comfortable and relaxing weekend morning.  I'd stay cozy in my pajamas, slippers on, curled up with a good book and a hot cup of coffee.

The awesome pajama pants are from Punjammies.  I've had my eye on these for a while, and the story behind them is incredible!  It makes me want to order everything on their site!  Also, in every good morning there must be bunnies.  Last year I bought an adorable bunny ring off Modcloth, but I'm secretly (or maybe not so secretly) obsessed with every bunny ring I find now.  The cute little silver one below is from HideNSeek on Etsy.

The oh so sweet bunny template that sparked the inspiration for this wishlist was created by forever-young-ugne on Polyvore.

Weekend Morning by c russell

Black knit sweater
$25 - fashionunion.com

J by Jasper Conran ballerina flat shoes
$12 - debenhams.com

Sugarboo Designs For My Honey Bunny
insideavenue.com

Interlude Design Aficionado Coffee Table Books – N
insideavenue.com



So how do you spend your weekend mornings?  Do you stay comfy in your jammies or get up and get going?

Weekend Wishlist

Have you tried Polyvore yet?  It can be addicting just like Pinterest, Etsy, or even Facebook.  But it's certainly the most fun for your wardrobe!  I decided to start a little themed post from Polyvore, on my blog.  I'm calling it my Weekend Wishlist.

First up, this set is what I want to wear on my next photo shoot.  I love this premade template from Polyvore, and the slogan "A Photograph never grows old" reminded me just how much I want the Kelly Moore B-hobo bag when we finally get a new camera.

It's a gorgeous gray handbag, that I would certainly carry every day with or without a camera in it!  Also part of this fun but classic collection is a pair of Dansko professional clogs in grey flannel.  My lovely little puppy recently decided to chew up the back of my black clogs.  Luckily it's in a spot hidden by the back of my jeans most of the time, but it also makes me really wish I had this pair to switch out to.  And little did I know, my favorite Dansko retailer, The Walking Company, no longer carries this style!  I found this listing on ebay!

The other pieces are just wardrobe staples for me, a nice pair of jeans, simple white tee, and a gray sweater.  One can never have enough gray sweaters right?  Topped off with just the right makeup and a sweet but subtle scarf, and I'd be ready to take pictures anywhere!

Ready for a Photo Shoot by c-russell

A Wear cocoon sweater
$23 - awear.com

7 For All Mankind flared jeans
bergdorfgoodman.com

Hobo handbag
kellymoorebag.com

Vila
$19 - vila.com

Dansko Professional Clog Vegan Charcoal Flannel Size 42 US 11 5 12 New...
ebay.com

A Photograph Never Grows Old Laser Die Cut
scrapyourtrip.com

bamm bamm rocks shopping in CB2 accessories
cb2.com




So what's your favorite piece from this set?  Have anything new on your wishlist this weekend?