SOCIAL MEDIA

7.31.2013

Chris & Lori's Handmade Backyard Wedding

Today I wanted to share some photos from a wedding I shot back in May! It was actually my cousin Chris' wedding, and I was very flattered that he asked me since he works in the film industry and I'm sure has real "professional" friends that would be more than happy to do it. But alas, he chose me! This was one of my first weddings (I shot my uncle's when I was 16, but holy moly I am so much better now!), so I was pretty nervous. But, I think that things turned out pretty well. My boyfriend, Dai, was my second shooter and it was so helpful having a second set of eyes/hands. I couldn't have done it without him!
It was a backyard wedding, simple and pretty much completely handmade. My favorite kind! Its simplicity exuded the personality, humor, and sweetness of Chris and his bride, Lori.
I wouldn't expect anything less from Chris.
Lori and her girls were simply glowing!
Because why wouldn't you want to get Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle ice cream bars from an ice cream truck at the park on your wedding day?
Chris and Lori made all of the centerpieces, and everyone was given a personalized mason jar to drink from the whole night and to take home as a souvenir. So thoughtful! Especially for a mason jar loving gal like me :)
Oh, and there was a food truck! Say what?! Yep. And believe you me, it was AMAZING. Like, next time I am back in San Diego, I am finding this truck and ordering everything on the menu. It was so great to have them come to the house. There was no mess and they were super kind!
All in all, it was a great time! The whole thing was completely them, and not overdone one bit. It's exactly what you would expect from Chris and Lori, but even better.

Looking back, I can already say that I know a lot of things I would do differently next time I shoot a wedding (like upgrade my camera), but I think for not really having experience with this kind of thing, everything turned out great. It was a learning experience and I am happy with how things worked out. I can't wait to shoot more weddings, and just hope that they are half as wonderful as this one was!

Congratulations to you guys (Lori, I know you're reading this!), and when can I come visit? Maybe I'll even bring Dai :) Love you both and hope you're enjoying the married life!


7.30.2013

Shapeshifter

I am not a person who likes change. I feel like I am always saying this, but it is true. The past two years of my life have been especially filled with change, and I would be lying if I didn't say it has been difficult. I don't know if this is something special that only I have been cursed with, or if this is natural for people my age, but I felt like everything was changing at once, and that I would look around and wonder where my life went.

It really all started with the summer before my senior year of high school. I spent that summer studying at a summer art school in LA. It was great, but I was homesick at times and realized that I did not fit the "artsy" stereotype that my peers did (I realize now that they were all mostly trying to be what they thought was "cool" and how "artists" were supposed to be. That's just not me.). When I returned, school started, and my dad had become more serious with a new girlfriend.

School quickly became stressful, with my demanding art class and college apps, oh yeah and pretending that I was actually doing school work. I mean, it was senior year. Once I finally had a little room to breathe, my dad tells me that he is engaged. Engaged. Let's just let that one sink in. I hate to say this, but I cried. Not tears of joy. I was appalled and shocked and sad and a whole lotta other feelings. Now, don't get me wrong, I wanted my dad to be happy. I really did. But, all I could think was how my life was changing forever, in more ways than one. It has been just my dad and I together for over ten years now. He is the most important person in to me. I am a daddy's girl. And always will be. So, naturally, I worried that my relationship with my dad would never be the same, and that I would be replaced, and ultimately forgotten in a way.
Spring arrived, along with college acceptance letters, and I finally made a decision about where I would go: I decided that I was moving across the country for school. This was a hard pill for me (and everyone else) to swallow. I was extremely excited. And extremely scared. But I was going to do it. 

I graduated, left my high school days behind me. That in itself was a strange feeling. Shortly after I graduated and started to prepare myself to leave for college, it became apparent that it wasn't going to work out financially. I was crushed. But, I signed up for community college, got a job as a nanny, traveled a bit, bought my first car by myself, and now here I am in Texas with my dog for the summer, of all places.

My dad got married this past June. I left three days after the reception. It was a beautiful and difficult time for me. My throat was always tight, threatening with tears those few weeks. I cherished each moment with my dad, knowing that it was possible that things would never quite be the same. Somehow, I could tell that he was sharing in those moments with me at times, hopefully cherishing them as much as I was.
I have now been gone for six weeks, and I can say that I have adjusted to yet another change. A new state, a new job, new climate, and family that I have not spent time with in years. It was definitely rough at first, but I feel stronger than I did before. I feel more independent, and even more loved. As I talked to my dad on the phone the other day, he choked up as he told me that he missed me and that he loved me. And I realized that I was still his little girl, even if there is now a ring on his finger and someone else sharing our home.

Though I say change scares me (and it truly does), I believe I can also say that I am resilient. I adjust. I do the best I can with what I am given and figure out the small stuff later. Or simply just let it go. Now, here I am, heading home to CA in a couple weeks, to a home that is my home, but that is also now someone else's. A home that has already been undergoing change while I have been away. The dishes my dad and I picked out together and saved up to get have now been carefully wrapped and put away for me to love when I have a place of my own. Pictures are being replaced with ones of new family. Walls are being painted, and I am sure furniture is being rearranged.

But even as though all these things in my life are changing (and will undoubtedly continue to do so), I know that I can change with them. As I perhaps may not be going home to the same home I left, I know that I will be able to find my place in it all and that everything will be okay. If there is one thing I have learned this past year, it is that you must do the best with what you are given. If you do that, other opportunities will come your way, and you will slowly build the life you want to have.

I don't really know what compelled me to write this, other than these photos I suppose. Sometimes photos do that. They bring things out of you that you had been trying to forget or hadn't known you felt. That's part of their beauty though, I'd say.


7.29.2013

Weekly Wishes #1

Well, it's Monday. Not my favorite day of the week, not by a long shot. But, I thought I could make things better by introducing something new to this blog, something called "Weekly Wishes."

"Weekly Wishes" is a link up hosted by The Nectar Collective that is meant for bloggers to share their goals and hopes and wishes for the week. I think this is a great idea to help myself be more focused and thoughtful in how I approach my week, and to simply be happy with the choices I am consciously making. Additionally, it is meant to be a way to meet and connect with other bloggers, and to encouage them with their own "Weekly Wishes." This is my first ever link up for this blog, so I'm pretty excited to see what it does for me personally and for growing friendships with other bloggers!

Now let's get started, shall we?

- Make new friends in the blog world. Oh, hey! This link up will help with that! 
I think it is really important to get to know other bloggers, as it can help you and your blog grow. I would love to get to know the people behind the many lovely blogs I read more, and to maybe team up and do things together, or to simply just have friends across the country, maybe even world!

- Make some decisions and tie up lose ends for my work situation this fall. I am sort of starting a new job possibly, but also need to talk to my nanny family I had this past school year about leaving, and those conversations are just hard to have. I'd also like to find out for sure if I got this other job before I tell my current family if possible. It's just a lot of waiting to hear back from people. So wish me luck with that!

- Take walks with Marly every day during the week this week (and hopefully every week!). Except maybe for Monday since it is already 9pm... Oops...
It's great for him, and it's great for me. I just need to plan and prioritize a little better to accomplish this. We are both so much happier when we get out for a walk. It helps me clear my head and recharge, and he just loves smelling/peeing on everything. Win-win (in a kind of gross way).

- Spend time reading every day. I love reading! I really do, and I am hardly ever able to read things that I would like to when I am in school. I know I should, again, just prioritze and plan better, but at the end of the day, my brain is just not up for it when I have all my other responsibilities. And I always fall asleep if I wake up early to do any reading haha. So, I'll just make the most of my last weeks of summer and hope I can integrate it into my every day life. I'm currently reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed. It's great so far and makes me want to just pack up and head into the wilderness!

Well, that's all for this week! So far, I think I really like this :)
Do you have any wishes or goals for this week?



The Nectar Collective
7.28.2013

You and Me, We've Got Our Own Sense of Time



Hannah Hunt by Vampire Weekend

I have been pretty much obsessed with this song lately. You can blame my Aunt Jenny. Darn you, Aunt Jenny. And I haven't really been much of a Vampire Weekend fan in the past, so go figure? No, but really guys, it's GOOD. I don't know exactly what it is, but I just like it more and more each time I listen to it, especially when I am driving and can make it nice and loud and pretend that it is just me and the music in the world. 

I guess one of the reasons I like this song so much is where around 2:40, the high pitched piano comes in and then I love how he starts singing after that. But again, darn you Aunt Jenny, because she is the one who told me that is why she loves this song. But at any rate, I have listened to it many times after and have to agree, and add that I do enjoy the lyrics. I don't know. This song just feels right, you know? That's good enough for me.

Hope this fine Sunday is treating you splendidly and that this song will find you well throughout your day :)


7.27.2013

You Know You Want To...

I know you've probably been hearing this for months, but there's some funky stuff happening with Google reader and apparently it is going away.

That being said, please consider jumping on the Bloglovin' bandwagon! I personally made the switch, and I love it. It is so much easier to browse than my Google feed, and it was super simple to import all my reads. So, if you haven't already, head on over to Bloglovin', make an account, import your reads, AND be sure to follow Foreign Room so that you will still be updated on the happenings of this blog. You wouldn't want to miss it, would you?

Follow by clicking this link, or click that lovely button on the sidebar that says "follow us on bloglovin'"

Have a wonderful day!
7.26.2013

Gloomy Friday

(This post was meant for last Friday, but alas, things happen. Still just as important)

It's a gloomy, thundering, and rainy Friday here in Houston. And those are my favorite kind. These gloomy Fridays are perfect for ordering in, watching many episodes of a favorite show, drinking tea, and staying in your PJs. And for babies and puppies to sleep on your lap.

I will say this though: the rain is kind of strange here. It is that warm summer, southern rain I have only read about. It is not cold or threatening, but it is restorative and freshening like an afternoon nap. It sets in quickly, changing the sky from clue to grey when you aren't looking. It is the kind that you could happily sit on the front porch and listen to, the thunder clapping like a dog barking at nothing. I just may miss this when I return to California.


7.25.2013

The thing about Texas...

So now that I have officially been here in the Lone Star State for five weeks (and I'm pretty sure I'll get kicked out for actually calling it that), I thought I'd let you know my thoughts on this place. I am a California born and raised girl through and through, so being here in the hottest place on earth (I'm sure of it) has been quite the experience.
(And if you're wondering how I got to this place, read here)
1. Let's start with the most obvious: the HEAT. I'm just gonna go ahead and say itit sucks. Let's be real. No, but okay from time to time I may suggest that they put a dome over the whole state and keep it heavily air conditioned, BUT if I'm being completely honest, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. Surprisingly. Some days are better than others though!

2. The clouds. I don't know what it is about them here, but goodness I am in love. They are just comforting and sprawling, not like in CA. They make me feel as if I could go on forever. Where that is, I'm not sure, but I'm okay with it.
3. The accents. My family members who live here only have maybe slight accents, so it is greatly entertaining when I am in public and meet people with fabulous accents. I just love them. It's quite endearing. I also think that "y'all" is a wonderful word. I mean, think about it. Which is better and easier to say: "Do you all know what you all want to do tonight?" or "Do y'all know what y'all want to do tonight?" Just admit it! ;)
4. Cowboy boots are acceptable. As much as I have been coveting a pair for myself, I just know that they won't be as wearable in CA. But here, oh go right ahead and have several bedazzled and embroidered pairs and wear them with jeans, shorts, dresses, and whatever else your little heart desires. Part of me is very jealous that I don't have the confidence to rock them in CA, but maybe, just maybe, I'll talk myself into it.

5. Pick-up trucks. Everywhere. Never have I seen so many people drive pick-up trucks. Like, as their everyday car. I guess that's just something we don't do in CA!

6. The mosquitos. Or bugs. Whatever the hell that has been eating me alive! At one point, I counted over fifty bites on myself. 50! They say that the mosquitos are the worst around dawn and dusk, so I try not to be outside during that time anymore, but gosh, I feel like they have gotten worse. Hopefully I won't have any scars!

7. People here actually have stereotypes of Californians. I never would have guessed! I mean, I suppose we stereotype other states, but I never realized that others stereotyped CA too. Pretty funny actually!

Examples:
- We only eat frozen yogurt, not ice cream
- We eat soy everything
- We are health and fitness nuts
- We only eat organic things and shop at Whole Foods
- We are all veg-heads

(These stereo types are courtesy of my cousin's husband's mockery)

I can't believe how quickly this summer has been going! I only have one more weekend left here in Houston, one weekend in Austin, and then I will either be going home the next weekend or heading to Florida for a week (I haven't decided!). And then, BAM, back to school. Just like that.

I will miss Texas, I must admit. It's different here, but I like it. I could perhaps even picture myself living here one day. In a place with a superb air conditioner, that's for sure, but yeah, maybe one day...


7.24.2013

Galavanting

I love to explore. I love to go out wherever, anywhere. I do enjoy being home as well, but I hate feeling like my day has been wasted. There's lots to see in this big, bright world and I want to see it for goodness sake. My dad has always called me a "galaventress," which now I realize would have been a great name for this blog haha. But anyhow...
On Saturday, I went exploring into the country side with my family. We stopped at a couple small towns along the way and I found this lovely brick wall. I was told that the greenery growing on it is poison oak, so I didn't get near. I don't know anything about plants, but I figured I wouldn't take my chances! 
I got this dress at Cotton On last week and really love the pattern and colors. I think it will be great with tights and flats in the fall too. I thrifted the belt the other day for only $2! I like good deals, what can I say?
This was a hot day, let me tell you. You see that dot by my mouth? Yeah, that's sweat. It just rolls down your face and you look like you're crying and your makeup melts and you wonder why you even bothered. The things we do for fashion and photos... I got in the car immediately after I was finished with these and looked in the mirror. There was a hot mess starring back at me. What can you do? Not go outside, that's what.
I have decided that these babies are my favorite shoes. Or my favorite sandals anyway. I get so many compliments on them and they add a nice pop of color to any outfit. They are pretty comfy too! Marshall's, people. Sometimes they have A+ shoes.
Dress - Cotton On // Belt - Thrifted // Shoes - Madden Girl via Marshall's // Watch - Guess
I hadn't taken outfit photos in so long, so this was kind of challenging, I must say. But let's blame the heat and the fact that I was melting ;) I definitely want to get back into the swing of things with outfit photos though, so there should be more soon!

How's your week going so far? I've been working on a project that I'm SUPER excited about and hope to be sharing with you all very soon! I think you'll love it :)