I have always been fascinated by photography. I have spent countless hours studying photographs of people, while considering the angles, the lighting, and the editing the photographer used. I love the fact that photography has the amazing ability to transport us to a different time, or place with one single shot.
It was not until I started blogging that I decided to take photography more seriously. With camera in hand, I started experimenting with photographs of my apartment, of friends, and family. It was after experimenting in this way that I realized my passion for photography. I have no formal training or background in this field, but I realize that passion can open your eyes to the impossible, so not only did I invest in the proper equipment I also spent the necessary time to learn everything I could to enhance the skill it takes to be proficient with this passion.
I enjoy, and appreciate the opportunity to photograph bloggers, couples, influencers who make an impact in their profession, families, and also lifestyle type setting. I take an individual approach to each person I photograph. I make every effort to embrace and highlight the focus of what they are trying to convey to their audience with each session.
I look forward to working together and capturing the potential magnificence of your moments through my eyes and the lens of my camera.
Yes, I am still rockin’ the red! I told you, when I like something it borderline’s obsession. I haven’t had time to think much about what I am wearing lately (the weeks have been so full) so having something like this red Regent blazer, which can dress up the simplest of outfits, is really key! Another reason I am wearing so much red? I am changing up my look today and will have to keep the red to a minimum. I am dyinggggggg to tell you what I am doing but I think I might just wait and show you via Instagram or tomorrow’s post. This has been something I have wanted to do for the past year and I finally am just going to do it! Don’t you love those moments – where you finally throw caution to the wind and just doing it. The hubs just looked at me and said, “my little rebel” when I first told him about what I was doing. Eek, can’t wait! Stay tuned!
I am not sure I have ever been so excited for a book release. How to Be a Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habitsis a collaborative effort written by Caroline de Maigret, Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, and Sophie Mas. Being that I am completely captivated by the Parisian culture this book is sure to become my new guide. What I love most about it? It is a little less sugary sweet than past Parisian books. While I always gush over the Parisian women’s style, I rarely talk about what I love about their culture. And there are so many things. Being a proud American that might surprise you, but I so appreciate aspects of their day to day. One such appreciation is their unique ability to convey their message without saying a word – be it a pleasant one or not. Being that I am an open book, I often wish I was a bit more reserved. Not giving it all away up front. Where as I feel the need to be open and honest with everyone, they feel the necessity to be private. Caroline De Maigret explains,“People think that everything falls from the sky, but we just don’t talk about [certain] things, because it’s not very sexy to know that someone is on a diet or that someone has had plastic surgery, and it’s not very interesting anyway. French women may indeed get fat from time to time, but they sure as hell aren’t going to bore you with the details of their new regimen.” This is something I have been working on but there is definitely room for improvement!Another thing I love about the Parisian woman? They embrace their flaws, blemish, and age. She see’s these imperfections as character, and beautiful in their unique identity while I tend to pick apart every minor detail that is out of place. While these are a few of my favorite things, I will let you find your own. I share with you tips from How to Be a Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits
ON BEAUTY
“The Parisienne retains her little imperfections, cherishes them even (the gap in her smile or her slightly crooked tooth, her prominent eyebrows or strong nose): these are the signs of a certain strength of character and allow her to feel beautiful without being perfect.”
“In short, you’re not a slave to the cult of the perfect body—so learn to make the best of what nature gave you.”
“Au naturel is the fruit of hard labor, meticulously passed down from generation to generation.”
“Even if the Parisian can come across as a little nonchalant, she nevertheless respects the universal principles of femininity: well-cared-for hands and feet.”
“Parisian women never try to appear to be something other than what they are. In truth, more than wanting to look young—which is but a fleeting illusion—they want above all to become the best possible version of themselves, outside and in, at any age.”
“Falling asleep with damp hair will give it a more interesting shape when you wake up.”
“The skin of your face must be treated as a canvas. Start with a moisturizer . . . then hide any imperfections (bags under your eyes, the sides of your nose, pimples) with concealers (such as Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche Éclat) or a BB cream.”
“Be generous [with mascara] on your top and bottom lashes, to accentuate your look and disguise any bags under your eyes.”
“Short, clean nails, sometimes worn with nail polish—but not always.”
ON LIFE
“Like Coco Chanel, do your utmost to avoid dinners with more than six guests around the table. In Paris, an evening often starts with a bottle of champagne, served with ice. If possible, get the conversation flowing with a controversial political statement […] While your guests are savoring your chicken, redirect the conversation to a Parisian’s second favorite dinner topic: sex.”
“The secret to making a man know you need him: Of course you can open a bottle of wine by yourself. But let him do it. That’s equality, too.”
“Don’t use abbreviations when texting. (And emoticons should be only for your girlfriends.)”
“Take time to take time, because nobody else will do it for you.”
“Cancel your gym session to have a drink with your friend who’s just been dumped.”
“Eat croissants and buttered toast for breakfast—because it’s Saturday morning and you burned enough calories last night, damn it.”
“In truth, more than wanting to look young—which is but a fleeting illusion—they want above all to become the best possible version of themselves, outside and in, at any age”
Have this conversation:
“I think I’ve gained weight.”
“Really? Are you on a diet?”
“No I keep failing”
“Are you working out?”
“Nope. I don’t have time.”
“So what are you doing about it?”
“I’m going to buy myself a long coat”
ON ATTITUDE “Always be fuckable: when standing in line at the bakery on a Sunday morning, buying champagne in the middle of the night, or even picking the kids up from school. You never know.”
“Be aware of your qualities and your faults. Cultivate them in private, but don’t obsess.”
“Embrace your inner snob. (Because let’s face it, that’s who you are.)”
“The Parisienne is never satisfied.”
“The Parisienne is arrogant.”
“The Parisienne already knows what she must think: the opposite of what you think, no matter what.”
ON AGING “Enjoy the face you have today. It’s the one you’ll wish you have 10 years from now.”
“Anticipate, prepare for the future, but never totally correct.”
ON STYLE “When it comes to revealing herself, she follows one golden rule: less is definitely more…A skirt that rides ever so slightly up her thigh when she sits down in a café; a wide-necked tee that slips down her shoulder as she waves for the waiter; the surreptitious hint of her breasts when she leans down to pick up her bag.”
“You don’t have to spend a decade’s worth of salary on your wardrobe, or flaunt designer brands the whole time. All you need is one signature item: the one you wear when you need to feel strong.”
“If the Parisienne could wear just a Burberry trench and nothing underneath, she would be in heaven.”
unknown image source. Please let me know if it is yours so I can give credit
I wasn’t going to write about this but in the midst of trying to think about fashion or travel my mind just can’t go there. Last week the world lost a beautiful and adventurous soul. I found out about the news yesterday and my heart was heavy. His name was Ben and he was one of my sisters dear friends from college. Ben was the kind of guy you would want to know. I still remember one of the first times I was around him. He had a two-door black Bronco and I felt so cool riding around in it, with the music blaring, and my sisters other “cool college friends” beside me. I was a freshman in high school so being with cute college kids was just about the best thing I could think of. Fast forward four years and I found myself at SMU in Dallas. Being that he was born and raised in Dallas he invited me to dinner to make sure I was adjusting to the city okay and to let me know I had someone there if I ever needed anything. He was just that kind of caring guy. He was always so happy and so kind. Down for any adventure. In the words of my sister, “If he wanted to do something he did it. He was never scared of getting hurt or fear of the unknown. He had a gentle soul – quiet and easy going. He lived his life to the absolute fullest. Fulfilling every passion he had.”
This tragic news comes three years (almost to the day) that I too, lost someone very special to me. Talking to my sister took me back to that exact point of utter shock, anger, and absolute devastation you feel when first hearing the news of the loss. Those are all still feelings I feel to this very day. I used to think I would eventually accept the loss but as years tumble on I realize you can’t accept something you never wanted to happen, you just live with it. You carry on but with a little piece of your heart missing. I am an extremely sensitive person and I often times feel like I take things twice as hard, so hearing of another great soul lost has my head and heart spinning. It is hard to find a reason behind tragic loss, or any loss at all, but if there is one, it is to realize just how precious life is and how quickly it can go. This past week I was able to spend time with my parents, babysit my niece, and celebrate some very exciting news for my family – these are the things I will cherish daily. These are the things that I am reminded are important in life – your family and your friends. The people you surround yourself with, that you love and they love you back no matter the situation. So, this Monday I hope you can squeeze your loved ones a little tighter and take the time to enjoy your day a little more. We are all here for an unknown time but we can all take time to appreciate, love, and take-in the small moments, not taking anything for granted.
Since I am a quote fanatic I wanted to share this one for you, Ben. Though a short life, it was jam packed with love, kindness, passion, dreams, and adventure – something we can all learn from.
“The cherry blossom falls after its short beautiful bloom. It floats gently down to earth. Its life is over, but the limitedness of its existence is one of the biggest reasons the blossom is so gorgeous. If we knew that the blossom would last forever, it wouldn’t have the same poignant beauty, and we’d take it for granted.”
