I’m madly in love with summer. And it’s drawing to a close, which makes me miss it already. Much like when your honey goes on a trip and you know you’ll miss him terribly and want to spend every moment with him before he leaves. That’s how I feel about the end of summer. No more whites or linens or trips or shorts or suntan lines or 8 PM sunsets. Oh the sunsets. Me, sunsets and Instagram have shared quite the summer.



And as with every summer I have such high hopes and dreams for 3 months we have together. (As with every season, except for winter. The only good thing about winter is Christmas and possibly Mardi Gras. But Mardi Gras is so much better when it’s not in the depths of winter. I’ve digressed…). You know, always a reason to start fresh. Ah, New Beginnings.

It’s coming to a close, my friends. Although, I am looking forward to the boots of fall. Oh a warm happy feeling just went through me at the thought of how perfectly complete an outfit looks with boots and a scarf. But, I really do love summer. It’s just a little love affair with fall clothing. Nothing for summer to be overly jealous of. And, again, off track.

I made a bucket list of things to accomplish for the summer. The list is not where it needs to be and I’ve been very distracted. What was the list? Here’s a link!
What I have accomplished? Decorating the cabinets in my kitchen. And under budget!

What I didn’t accomplish? Working out. At.All. My poor body. I’m sorry for taking you for granted.

Back to the end of summer...
There is one really wonderful thing that comes with the end of summer. Oh, well, my August Birthday Tradition, of course. And that’s this weekend. Unfortunately, two of my favorites will not be in attendance this year. But that is not to say that it won’t be a perfectly wonderful weekend of fun (and PICTURES!!!). Need.To.Find.The.Point.And.Shoot.



Before I leave you. One of the things on the bucket list was ‘The New Orleans Open or Closed Project’. And it’s not finished. But it is started! Here's a taste.



I love you, Summer. And I’m deeply sorry that I’ve not blogged about you and for you more.

Nevertheless, I am pretty excited about these little girls! Just the thing to walk me from Summer right into Fall. And the necklace? That was my birthday present to myself from last year. It’s kind of been a wardrobe stable the last few weeks. It makes me feel similar to the way boots make me feel. Confident and pretty.


Hope you’ve enjoyed!!

Social Media has blow up in the last 8-10 years.

Remember when you use to sign on to your dial up, check you hotmail or aol account, and then check everyone's away messages on aim?!

And with aim came the nerds with blogs and buddy profiles. That's when I was hooked. I'd say it was about junior year of highschool, compliments of Mallory Keating, who I may or may not still be friends with on facebook. (going check...) Nope, not friends. Sad...she left such an impression. LOL

My very first blog was with blogger, whaticalllife.blogspot.com. It's still out there to be found.

I had two xangas between this blog and that blog. rebelgerl8 & love_love_jenjen. Which I will not link and stalkers beware. hahahah Honestly, I just can't check them at the moment...and well...it was college, who knows what you will find on those. Rebelgerl8, though unfortunate by name, probably held most of my life on it. And who's to thank for my xangas? None other than, Lauren-girl, herself. We blogged strong in college. My favorites are still the vague anonymous posts we wrote to very specific people.

Somewhere in late highschool on into early college came - myspace, then facebook and social media exploded. Even the generic-aim-away-messagers, 'I'm away from my computer right now', got hooked to facebook. And then came facebook photos. Oh.my.gosh. The hours of my life that were spent in front of my computer stalking and posting pictures is countless.

Then twitter. Which, then. was more a good way to mass text your friends than a way to get news and stories. Oh how times are changing. LOL

And then we graduated college.

BOOM. 2008
is when I realized how huge the blogging community was and how much it was constantly growing. It's massive. Now there's people who are paid (good money) to blog, who make livings out of it. Thank goodness that Sex and the City came before social media exploded. It just wouldn't have been the same. It's not immature or nerdy to blog anymore, it's almost mainstream - trendy. And considering my past, it makes my heart warm to be able to say I've been there to see it grow.

I'll be honest, I still get taken aback when someone who doesn't have a blog says they read mine. For a long time what happened on the internet stayed on the internet. People didn't talk about it. Was it facebook that changed all of that? No, facebook was around long before blog posts and comments were spoken of outside of the web. It was just understood (#fightclub), what happened on your blog stayed on your blog. That is not the case anymore. And I'm glad. I have plenty of followers who are only connected via facebook links if I show up in their minifeed - and I'm good with that. I love it, actually.

And with that...I'll be concluding this blog shortly. By the way, I have no idea where that all came from. Have I posted a blog like that before? I hope not...that'd be weird.

What I was going to blog about is bloglovin & instagram. I'll be short.

Even if you don't have a blog, bloglovin.com is the perfect way to follow all the blogs you love. This of blogs as free magazine subscriptions, cuz really that's what they are. Except you can't lay out by the pool with your laptop...idea forming...bloglovin for the nook. I'll get my people to get with their people.

http://www.bloglovin.com/

And the first blog you should follow is Start, Pretty & Awkward.
It's three short little tips to better yourself daily. Since I was referred to it, I rarely miss a day.

As for instagram...
I really enjoy what the sun can do for a picture, obviously.
And well...instragram is like twitter for the photo addicted.

May has been a whirlwind and a half. We knew that May was going to be a busy one...and this weekend was quite the conclusion!

May was David's 8th anual crawfish boil, Mother's Day, dad's birthday, sister no. 4s birthday, Grace's birthday, Amanda & Stephan's couple's shower, Mr. & Mrs. Amato's wedding (same people as Amanda and Stephen), and that was just the big things that happened on the weekend. May was also finding out sister no. 3 is preggers, girl time, jet skies, confession, photoshoots, editting out of my mind, and of course the 9-5...

May, it's been fun...until next year -- adios!

This weekend actually started on Wednesday for me. I packed a bag and spent Wednesday & Thursday David's. Wednesday was a crawfish boil at his house. They were, oh my gosh, so amazing....and just to rub it in....

There's just something about a photo that capsulate’s a memory. I'm certain that it helps us recall the events in our life, that's a no brainer. There's something so unbelievably spiritual about the mood a photo can give us from an occasion. It's the art of capturing that mood, that feeling, that makes photography something worth pursuing. At least for me. Sometimes, during the journey of learning my camera I forget what a photo means. What a picture is. A photo has the ability to capture a moment, even a feeling, that could over wise be lost forever. It's the art of providing memory recognition in one of its truest forms. And this is one of the million reasons I fall a little more in love with my Canon every time I shoot.

And...moving on.

Okay, question. How tacky or not tacky is it to bring your DSLr to a wedding that has another paid photographer?  I know, or hope, that one day I will feel like my camera is more of a job than an obsession. But, for now, I wanted an oppertunity to take pictures of the big day. I left the DSLr in the car for the ceremony...but, for the reception, it came out! I couldn't help myself. Sooo...am I tacky?!
Regardless, I can't help but share a few:





By the way, the Amato wedding was one of the best weddings I have ever, ever been too. It was at Amada's (the bride) grandmother's country home, stunningly beautiful, and it literally went on all night long. At least, from 2:00 pm to 8:30 pm when we left that evening. The DJ played everything good, including the 'Boot Scoot Boogy' twice so we could 'practice'. And 'You Belong to Me' by T. Swift as karaoke. And invisible double dutch (as seen above) was the most popular dance move of the night. You are welcome, for that one!! :) LOL It's kind of my stable. hahahaha I'm a dork.
 
And now it's Monday...Memorial Day. And I'm at work.
 

This week is absolutely busy. The good kind of busy when you get to see everyone and do lots of things that you love doing. The kind of week when i wish that someone followed me around with a camera and captured the little moments in my life. Words just can't tell you how beautiful this week has been so far, and it's only Wednesday.

Nonetheless, I will share. {This is more for me than it is for you}

Sunday | David and I had a perfect day. It was one of those days when you feel warm and tingly in your soul. We went to Mass in New Orleans to a beautiful cathedral, St. Patrick's, followed by lunch and driving around uptown talking about how living in one of those beautiful houses on the Avenue is part of our 30-year plan. (I said 15 years, but David told me to be more realistic, LOL).  About 3:00 we decided to put on our running shoes at Audubon Park. I fell deeper in love with New Orleans & David on Sunday. {David is the highlight of my life.} And me and my instagram really had fun...



Monday | was Dad's Birthday. The family isn't actually planning to celebrate dad's bday until Friday, but mom invited me to dinner anyways cuz it was his 'actual birthday'. I was the oldest at home that night which hardly never happens. I brought Dad wine, Kimberly serenaded the dinner table with humming water goblets, and we ended up outside by the pool with a glass of wine and a conversation about how to grow closer to God (you know, the kind of conversation you can really only have with your parents). Later that evening I found myself in the parking lot at Target, sitting indian-style in my car just chatting with Mindy about life & love & babies. (Have I mentioned how glad I am that Mindy has moved back home?) All of these events are like those events that you would see in a movie montage about living a happy life.

Tuesday | was packing and cleaning...sort of. Later in the PM Grace and Mindy arrived at my house. The rest of my week I will not be around for our weekly girls dinner so I had told them they could come over, but I had to be productive. So they came over...but I wasn't productive. LOL We ended up on the sofa in my living room talking about plastic surgey, getting older, girl drama, shopping at Marshall's, how different a pair of glasses can make you feel, how people preceive us and remembering how long we've been friends. Grace and Mindy are two treasures in my life. I love both of them so much and the person I am when I'm in their company. Last night was one of those nights that I hadn't had in a long time. It was like a highschool slumber party, except with no bedtimes and wine. I needed it.
I should have taken out the camera on Tuesday to capture a few moments...
Here's the only photo evidence of Tuesday:
It's looks so pretty, when in fact it was just another day in my life.
Wednesday | is today. And it's just starting. "I'm glad it's wednesday. I still have plenty to do the rest of the week and Wednesday is late enough in the week for it not to be depressing, but early enough in the week for me to still be hopeful to close this week out well!" - as documented by gmail.
This evening I've been invited to David's parents for a crawfish boil. A crawfish boil on a week day? Okay! :)

Thursday | is a girls' night and a boys' night out on the town. A friend of mine, Amanda, is tying the knot on Saturday and we have to bring her out and about before she settlesdown, of course. The boys will be accompanying us down to the city in a party bus before we go out separate ways. I'm sure the night will be full of Pat O's and pictures...and I'm sure Friday morning will come much too soon.

It's not secret at all that I have decorating withdraws on a very regular basis. But, I also have this issue with putting holes in the wall (I know, you wouldn't know it if you looked at my room). Regardless, I've fallen in love with this little collection of frames. They'll be mine. It's just a matter of time. {I love etsy} 

Since then, you can find her on set at almost any of the local movies, indy films and TV shows. She knows the cast and most of the people behind the scenes. In fact, she recently was the Director of Wardrobe for a pilot filmed in New Orleans. And...was she an extra on Twilight?


Lucky for me, she agreed to be the star of my camera last Saturday for a little photo session. And we had a absolute blast! We had 4 wordrobe changes & one bottle of wine. So, before we see how the photoshoot went, let me introduce you to Grace with a little Q&A.




Spill Love: What are some movies that you’ve been in?
Grace: Green Lantern, Columbiana (got my first lines in a Hollywood film), Revenge of the Bridesmaids, Treme, Looper, so many more, and I've {had} lead roles in some indies {&} commercials.

SL: Proudest job so far?
G: When I worked on Columbiana, the director told me to improvise with Michael Vardan {look him up}


SL: Most famous person you met?
G: Ryan Reynolds, Zac Efron, Chad Michael Murray, I caught Samuel L. Jackson checking me out ;), Luke Wilson


SL: Nicest famous person you've met?
G: I hung out with Zac Efron, {he is} the sweetest guy ever!


SL: Why you love what you do?
G: It's in my soul ever since i was young I wanted to act....I told my mom at 5 I wanted to be an actress.


SL: Favorite place to shop?
G: Of course like high end but on a lower budget with a house note....I love Marshalls....you can find great things... expensive name brand stuff for very cheap :)


SL: What is your guilty pleasure?
G: Heels.....dresses....I love them.....I always try an buy a new dress every time I have an events (I guess that's the movie star in her! :) -SL).


SL: What magazine cover do you want to be one?
G: Love to be on Glamour......the shoots look like fun an the clothes are amazing


SL: If you could share wardrobes with a celebrity, who would it be?
G: Probably Kim Kardashian...her clothes are different - love her






 
 

{still the best & fav}


 

{okay, okay...now I'm just having fun}


And that's Grace. I'll admit, she's not hard to take pictures of, she's absolutely stunning. She makes me love being a Photographer.

Truth is, I'd post a blog every single day if I had free time. I love blog posting, LOVE it. And there are so many, many things that I want to share with you. I'm about to bust with all of the ideas, plan, and adventures I have popping up. It makes doing my 9-5 (really, 8-6 M-Th, 8-2 F) so much harder. You know, the concentration level and drive just isn't always what it should be, which I regret. Truthfully, when i have a successful day at the office it makes my much more productive once leaving the office.

I've spent far too much time complaining about my lack of time. Complaining is really just complaining. So the way I see it, you can only complain one time. Then you have to do something about it. If you don't do something about it you become a Complainer (I became a Complainer). Most everyone, except the fortunate-envied few, have a 8-5 job, a relationship, a family, friends, and not nearly enough time to do the things they want. Be it working out, running, taking pictures, building, home decorating, gardening, painting, you get the gist.... And it seems that everyone deals with it in their own way. How do you deal with it?

I think the first time I realized that everyone struggles with this is when I had a conversation with a colleague about working out. He has a family, two kids, the same commute as me, the same hours, and plenty enough hobbies to keep him busy...and he is still making time to work out in the evening.

Then I thought about how much time I DO have. I don't have children, a dog, or any obligations except the ones I bestow on myself. Sure, I have my job, my 'demanding' friendships, and 'time-consuming' relationship, and a family that likes to see me once or twice a week. But I don't have so many other obligations that really could hinder my production level.

It's come down to Determination. Drive. Ambition. Want. & Desire.

Those are the things I need. Not time. I have more time now that I will ever have. Short of my dream job as a house-wife, with a killer blog and awesome design and photography skills who breeds small dogs with great hair and the perfect outfit for every occasion.

I'm praying about it. I'm hoping that new doors are open to me soon that get me one step closer to being who I want to be.

I've been seeing a lot about 'how to get to where you want to be'. So often I feel that I'm not sure where I want to end up, I'm just aimlessly moving forward, which may be half (or more) of my problem. There are so many opportunities out there. There are so many things that I want to learn. I get closer to the person I'm supposed to be every day, but I wonder why on earth it took me so long to find this path. And I blame things on things that shouldn't receive blame. blah blah blah

What I do know & know I love:

- Photography
- blogging
- The blogging community
- All Social Media
- Interactive web design (love & want to learn)
- Vintage designs
- Photoshop
- All adobe design products
- Art, graphic & photo
- Short films (love, & want to learn)
- Running

What I need to do:

- Become better at spelling & grammar
- Create & build my personal website
- Strengthen the skills that I already have before moving on to another. (like build my website before starting to play with video editing).
- Workout more
- Take personal time to better become who I want to be

And that's just off the top of my head...

Until next time...which I'm hoping is today because there are those fun things that I have been wanting to share and may have the spare time to do today!!

Creatively yours,
Jenny

I found this photoshoot on Polkadotbride.com by Jack and Ruby Photography. It is absolutely one of my favorite photoshoots ever!