Jeff & Emily's Snowy Engagement Session at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park Memphis

I was so so so excited when Emily contacted me a few weeks ago about shooting her wedding. She and I were on yearbook staff together in high school, and I hadn't seen her in years. We used to have so much fun on staff! Those days seem so long ago, and now we're all grown up. And she's getting married! It was great to meet Jeff too, and they are so great together.

We set a date for the engagement shoot and planned to meet at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park near Memphis. Little did we know if was going to snow a few days before. It turned out to be perfect because the roads were clear, but the park is wooded so there was still plenty of snow! I honestly could have stayed out there and shot for hours, especially if I had been wearing proper footwear. Suede flat shoes don't work well in the cold, wet snow, just FYI.

Aren't they adorable?! They are so sweet together, and I barely had to tell them what to do. I love when couples interact so naturally. We went out for coffee after the shoot to warm up and talk about wedding details. It was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Hope you guys enjoyed the photos :) I took a few film shots as well, so I'm excited to get those back. It's rare that I get to shoot in the snow here in West Tennessee!

Nava(SNOW) Jacket

It's still November here in Tennessee and we are smack dab in the middle of a snow storm! Ok, "storm" is an exaggeration... it's just snowing a lot. I heard a couple of people mention that it might snow today, but I was like "pshh, yeah maybe ONE FLAKE." Well, I was wrong...it's full on snow!

We usually get this kind of snow way later in the winter, so I was definitely taken by surprise. I was glad that I decided to wear my new wool blazer today. I am nice and cozy! Oh, speaking of MY NEW WOOL BLAZER...check this sucker out:

I have to say, this is probably one of my favorite items in my wardrobe. I got it from the wonderful DearGolden on Etsy. She posted a link to the listing on Twitter and sent me into a spiral of "should i? SHOULD I?!" for the next several hours. I ultimately listened to my print-loving heart and ignored the tiny bit of frugal-ness that I have in me. Since the print is so spectacular, I went totally simple with the rest of the outfit. It's perfect for frolicking around in the snow!

Something about snow makes me act like a little kid! My silliness is out in full swing today. I'm talking weird dances, crazy voices, needless squeals, the whole shebang. I don't know what it is! But out of all the silliness came my blog title (thanks, Scott). We're great at puns. 

details:

jacket- DearGolden

scarf- handmade by my grandma

pants- Target

shirt- H&M

boots- Rack Room

snow surprise

 This morning I went to work a little annoyed because it was raining, and I really hate starting the week off with rain! It eventually turned to snow, which I had no idea would happen...I didn't check the weather today. Sarah and I had to run a couple of errands around campus, so we ventured out and it was TERRIBLE! I could barely open my eyes it was snowing so hard, and a lot of snow fell into my car when we got in. It was quite the fiasco.

I work at a university, and they ended up closing campus at noon, so I came home! I actually waited until it stopped snowing before leaving, so the roads weren't bad at all. It's always nice having a day off, especially when it's so lovely outside. The big group of trees near my house looks so neat! I walked around and took some pictures just for the blog, so I hope you all enjoy them <3

Those last two are from my backyard

Tried to take a picture of myself. It's really difficult with a fixed 50mm lens!

I hope you're all having a great (white) Monday!

too much snow to handle

These pictures are actually from last Thursday, but it just snowed AGAIN last night. This winter has brought an uncharacteristically large amount of snow to my neck of the woods. I'm just glad it's not the kind that lingers for days and days. I'm not a big fan of snow, so I'm just ready for it to stop. While it's actually snowing, I think it's the most gorgeous thing in the world, but once it becomes a slushy mess I HATE it.

I was so excited to find these BCBGeneration shoes at Marshall's for only $20! I almost always get my shoes there. I'm so rough on my shoes that I feel bad spending a lot, but this way I can get decent quality shoes and not feel bad for wearing them out! The necklace was made by my dear friend, Amanda. She doesn't make jewelry regularly, but she keeps it up as a hobby. I think she's great at it! I wish I had a closer shot of this necklace. It's made of individual wire squares.

This was pre-haircut. I am a much happier person now, without my unsightly dead ends. Also, I'd like to thank Sarah again for taking my pictures! There was no way I could set up a tripod on my back porch in the snow...without killing Chuck (my camera). Luckily Sarah was dropping by to pick something up anyway! Thanks, friend!

details:

shirt, vest, jeans - Express

shoes - BCBGenration (Marshall's)

necklace - handmade

earrings - years and years old, from my childhood

Snowy Church Gathering

I attend a home church each Sunday that actually meets in my living room! We have four families plus me and my cousin, and we have wonderful visitors occasionally. One great thing about having such a tight knit church is that we are all very close. For Christmas this year, we decided to have a get-together at one of the other members' home, and it happened to be the first day we got snow this winter! I made a short little video showing a few clips of the snow with some clips of our gathering.

Doesn't it look so fun?! It's actually a little deceiving...the music makes it seem much more calm than it really is. With all the children we have there, it's rarely calm! But we love it that way :)

 The snow back at my house. It didn't stick, but it was so pretty!

Mike making our coffee for the day...French press yummmmmm

He got to go around this year and say all he wanted for Christmas was his two front teeth! 

 Had to include this adorable little booger. The baby...not Mike :)

This is what I contributed to the meal. I just bought a bundle of asparagus and baked it with olive oil, basil, and Parmesan cheese.  It was really yummy! Tabitha made this amazing butternut squash soup that was possibly the best soup I've EVER EATEN!

Mike and Tab have some interesting Mary and Joseph sculptures from a nativity scene( i think.) They are pretty much the ultimate conversation piece! Angelia does a pretty good job imitating Joseph, don't you think?

I hope you all enjoyed the pictures and video from our Christmas gathering! I certainly enjoy each moment that we all spend together.

On a separate note, it snowed again! Today is REAL snow, though. It's a few inches deep, so there's no school (or work for me!) and I'm going to be shooting a Survivor audition video for a friend! I have no idea what to do for the video, but I think it'll be loads of fun shooting in the snow.

Merry Christmas!

It's a quiet morning here in West Tennessee :) There's a tiny bit of snow of the ground and it's coming down nice and slow. I woke up with the nice warm wood stove keeping me cozy! After opening gifts, we ate sausage balls and coffee..well we drank the coffee. So far that's all that's happened...but I already love this day!

Here's a few of the things my mommy and guy (step-dad) gave me. Some milk glass, pottery, a neck scarf, vintage camera, and lamp that's not in the picture. The lamp is one from Target that I've been wanting for like 3 years! My mom's a good listener :)

I had to post my stocking...I've had this stocking since I was a baby. My Aunt Ruth (whom mom and I shared a duplex with) made it for me. Mom keeps trying to buy us all matching stockings, but I refuse to let her replace mine. I will use this stocking until the day I die!

I will have several more Christmas posts, I'm sure. I have lots of branches in my family, so there will be a lot to post about! I hope that everyone is having a wonderful day, no matter what you celebrate :)

Merry Christmas!