Photography

The beauty of photography.



I have always loved photography. It doesn't matter if I was the photographer or if I was the person admiring someone else's photography. It has always amazed me how someone can press a single button and capture a memory, or emotion. In high school I took one photography class and while it was informative I wasn't into the whole here's an assignment, take a landscape photograph, take a self portrait and having to find something ...I like taking pictures of whatever I want because it's beautiful or it captures a fun memory.

 

Zoella Beauty; Review

 

I recently purchased a few products from Zoe Sugg's new beauty line, Tutti Fruity. I've been following Zoella on Youtube and on her blog for a while now and I love her! When I found out she was releasing a beauty line I jumped for joy. I was happy for her and excited to try some of it. I unfortunately did not purchase anything from that line. After the initial line came out she released a third make-up bag, with gold polka-dots and the line, 'Just say... YES.' I loved that so much I purchased it, along with some lashes from Tanya Burr's beauty collection. (excuse the bad pictures..)

 
I have yet to use the lashes but I adore the make-up bag. It is the perfect size for a short get away. I used it recently for a weekend get away and it worked very well. So because I loved that so much when Zoe released a new collection I jumped at the chance to get some of it! I bought the 'Foam Sweet Foam' cleansing shower gel, the 'Candy Cream' softening body lotion, and the 'Kissy Missy' lip balm. I absolutely love all of them, and I'm not just saying that. One, they smell amazing and two, they actually work well. The lotion is very moisturizing but doesn't leave that sticky feeling on your skin. The lip balm is also very moisturizing and doesn't dry out on your lips, meaning you don't have to reapply every five minutes. I've only used the shower gel a few times but I like it so far. It doesn't leave your skin feeling tight and dry. So, from what I've tried so far I love her beauty line.

 

Valentines Day

I hope everyone had a great Valentines Day spending it with loved ones. I did receive a nice card from my parents as well as a gift certificate to a really good restaurant close to us. I know people think that it's a 'Hallmark holiday' but so what. Yes, you should tell the people you love that you love them everyday but it's a nice reminder. I hope everyone was spending the day with loved ones!I of course spent it working. I did have the closing shift so I did have the whole day to myself. It was a nice day in just relaxing. I went to work and knew it was supposed to snow pretty heavily. What I hadn't known was how absolutely horrible it is to drive in a blizzard. By the time my shift was about half way through with the snow had really started and there was already a good 2-3 inches on the ground. Every person who was working, including myself was hoping we would be sent home early because of the blizzard. Unfortunately that was not the case and we all stayed until our regularly scheduled time. When we were let our it took a good half hour for me to clean the snow off my car. I had been out in a snow storm before, the whole snow coming down and wind whipping, but being out in a blizzard is a whole other story. The snow coming down yes, the wind whipping, yes but so much harder and faster. It hurts! Being outside in a blizzard is brutal, and so was my drive home from work that night. Not being able to see the car in front of you is scary. Have you ever been hiking or camping on a mountain and you look around and all you can see is white because your in a cloud? That's what it was like on my drive home, except it was dark and the wind was whipping snow around and I wasn't on a mountain in a cloud. I was in a cloud of snow. It was scary and everyone was driving so slow but close enough so they could see the lights in front of them to make sure they were still on the road. Luckily I made it home safe and sound.

happy valentines day!! <3

catch up con't part 2

The new year started with a trip to one of those indoor trampoline parks with Kaycee. We were having a much needed (for me at least) fun day out. We started with a late morning and then out to the mall and out to lunch at Panera. The night ended at Blitz Air Park. It was some of the most fun I've had in a while.

The rest of January brought a lot of change for me as well as a lot of snow. My dad has been down visiting my mom in Florida a lot recently so that means more time alone for me. I don't mind it too much because I've been so busy with my new position at work. I am now the Men's Department Supervisor. A promotion to a full-time job with a pay raise and benefits. I am very grateful for this opportunity. So, just before I started my new position my friend Jiejie came to visit and we just hung out and spend some time catching up.

So, January got to see friends, got a promotion at work, things were going swimmingly! Then it all came down. Literally, snow came in dump trucks full! First it was a light snow then Nemo came down and buried us! And it's snowing right now as I type this. We've got more than enough snow this winter and everyone is ready for it to stop!

 

after our first snow.

taken only moments ago.

It's February now and like I've said before I really hope to post more often. Valentines day is coming up! I hope everyone has someone to celebrate with be it friends, family or significant others!  

catch up con't

So, September came and went with nothing exciting to report and before I knew it October was knocking at the door. Everyone  else was setting up for Halloween while at work we were stating to set up for Christmas! Crazy, I know. At the end of October I had a procedure done on my toes to correct a problem I had when them. I went through the procedure easily and with very minimal pain.

I healed quickly and then it was time for Halloween! I stayed home and handed out candy, something I've been doing for the past few years now. It's always fun seeing all the different costumes and seeing children light up about the wide array of candies.

our small amount of decoration

I did end up going to a Halloween party with one of my friends and it was a lot of fun. Unfortunately I didn't have a costume planned so I pulled together a very last minute cowgirl outfit. It was still awesome and I had a lot of fun.

 

 

love her! <3

Anna from Frozen and a cowgirl!

October ended with a visit up to see Devyn! She had settled into the college life very nicely and had made a lot of friends. I was very happy to see her and we spent the day roaming around Portland in the rain. We went out to eat at this cool little restaurant and even though it was raining we made the most of the day together!

<3

November was filled with work and a big trip at the end of the month down to Florida to visit my mom for Thanksgiving. My dad and I, along with the dog, piled into the car and drove down.

we're all tired of being in the car!

After two days in the car we made it to Florida! Our time in Florida was spent catching up with my mom and grandfather and cooking. My dad did a lot of cooking. We also took the time to take our picture for our Christmas cards as well as go to one of my all time favorite restaurants down there!

happy puppy!

thanksgiving; puppy wants some turkey too!

our little present!

family<3

reggae shack, yumm!

The trip was over in a flash and it was time to come back home. So dad, DayDreamer and I piled back into the car for another long two days in the car.

early morning; sunrise!

back in the car...

lots of traffic!

south of the border; going north

day two.

The weekend after we came home was spent going to get a Christmas tree! Normally we go the weekend after thanksgiving but we were still in Florida then so when we did go there was slim pickings! But after walking around the lot we finally found one that we decided was acceptable.

liked this one, but it's a bit big! :P

perfect for us!

This whole holiday season flew by for me and before I knew it Christmas was only a couple weeks away and I still had to go Christmas shopping! Luckily I was able to make a couple trips in between work and decorating the house and got my shopping done with a few days to spare! The rest of my time was divided between work and now wrapping presents! My birthday came and I was lucky enough to be working! [sarcasm] I had a low key birthday and after work spent the rest of the day wrapping presents and watching movies. My dad even got me a couple treats!

rose bud cake!

Christmas Eve was busy: working from 7am to 3pm, come home clean the house and put presents under the tree and then wait for mom's flight to land. Work was surprisingly busy, everyone buying last minute presents for family and friends. I had a good time though. My boss bought a bunch of food from various places and everyone who was working got to have a mini feast! I also wore kitty ears made of jingle bells! Mom's flight landed safe and sound and we had a nice night laughing and catching up and even opening a couple presents each! Mom got a new Swiss Army pocket knife, and dad got a little remote control helicopter! Christmas day was a nice quite day with the family opening presents and enjoying each others company.

New Years Eve was also spent working, gratefully it was a short shift so I got to hang out with friends afterward. My friend Kaycee and I went to see our other friend Mallory who had been a way at college. It was great getting to hang out with them. Because we didn't really have any plans we decided to go to the movies. The movie we decided on: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part one. It was really good! The movie ended with five minutes till midnight and we left the theater shouting out "Happy New Year!!"

Kaycee, Mallory &I <3