Getting Inspired

Hi readers!

I hope you're having a fantastic week so far. I've been a little MIA recently, urgh, trying to find my mojo among other things!

But you know what helps? Reading other blogs - getting inspired. I see what other awesome bloggers blog about, and how excited they get about a photoshoot or giveaway or even just something awesome that's happened to them - their happiness is contagious! I think my problem sometimes is trying to channel it into one thing at a time! Ya know?

Anyway, Marilyn from Pulp Sushi - she's my ad swapper, and a fab one at that - has a fantastic giveaway right now. I love the funky designs on the tee's - you should really check it out. I have a friend who suits them to a T!

So, thanks to Marilyn and Gabby- you guys knocked my inspiration socks off.

Photo via Creature Comforts Blog

Happy Easter!

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter! Whether you celebrate it or not, or just have an extra excuse to eat chocolate (ahem, me); or if you're going away with loved ones I hope it's an excellent long weekend!

And for those of you who don't like chocolate or just can't eat it - how do you celebrate? Do you make fun Easter baskets? Or buy yogurt/carob eggs or bunnies? Or get flowers? (I did, see second pic of my orange flowers!) I'd love to know!

Photography Excitement

Well I'm still editing my photos from my photo shoot on Saturday, but I just wanted to express my EXTREME excitement at actually doing my first shoot! It felt awesome to be able to be behind the camera, and I captured some really sweet moments, which is why I love photography. Eliza and Kamran are very much in love, and it is written all over their faces! I also learnt so much just from that one shoot, and I'm so excited to do my next one!

 So I'll post all the (good) pics once I've given them to the bride-to-be, however here is another one which I absolutely love.

Hope you're all having a spectacular Tuesday! :)

Sneak Peak Engagement Photoshoot - Eliza and Kamran

Well I had my first photoshoot today - wow what a buzz! So very exciting!

So here's a sneak peak of the pics, more to come soon! :)

The Future Mr & Mrs Khan!

One of my best friends got engaged on Sunday night! She is super stoked and I'm so happy for them.

So I've been pinning like crazy here as we're doing an Engagement shoot this weekend! I've been very inspired by lots of wonderful photos and ideas.

When she first told me though, I couldn't help feeling a little...jealous? I know, I know, but let me explain before you turn away in disgust! I've known her since we were kids (I'm older than all my close friends) and I was almost always the first to do stuff... I got a boyfriend first, got a job first and I guess because I'm older, I assumed that I would get engaged first. She's the second of my close friends to get engaged (the other is married with two beautiful girls!) and I think part of me is like... "when is it my turn?" (quite possibly an only child syndrome coming through!). I felt so incredibly ashamed that I was jealous of her; am I really that selfish?? So I decided to just stop it. Her and her fiance (Oh wow!) have been through so much tough stuff, and they've really come out the other side a lot stronger for it, so I really am happy for them! (I wouldn't be writing this if I still felt jealous, much too shameful!).

It got me thinking though, who else has felt this way? Whether it's an engagement, or a new guy, new job, or a raise? Do you feel jealous when it happens to your friends, but not you? I would love to hear, I promise I won't judge (because, hello, see above!).

So, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to pin engagement ideas! (feel free to follow me on Pinterest!)

(photo via here)

Advice to my Younger Self

What's that saying, "If I had known then, what I know now..." or something along those lines? Anyway, I like to think I've matured since high school and become comfortable in my own skin.

So if I could give my younger self some advice, this is what I'd tell her:


Dear 14-year-old Me,


You're not the kind of person who has lots of friends, and you think that's lame. But when you've reached my age (the ripe old age of 23 - I still have lots to learn too!), you'll see it's not lame - it's just the kind of person you are. You have a few great friends, whom you're just getting to know now, and they'll still be in your life 9 years later. 
I remember feeling excited by spending time with them, and getting to know them so make sure you don't take them for granted. Although I said you're still friends with them now, it doesn't mean they'll necessarily be in the same city (or even the same country!) as you. So make it count. 


I know you aren't happy with your appearance, but it does get better. You will lose weight. You will get braces (at 21, but better late than never!) to fix that one stupid tooth. Your skin will clear up. You will figure out how to do something with that wacky head of hair. It will get better. 


As for boys, well. We both know that's an awkward subject. You'll be the first of your friends to get a serious boyfriend (at 15! Parents won't be happy!) and it'll always be a little tough. Trying to bridge the age gap, and trying to make everyone get along will be exhausting. You'll be with him for a good long while, and you really do try and make it work. You learn a lot from him, but he's just not the one for you. 
A little while later, you'll meet an amazing man. He's romantic, special, kind and generous and gets along with your family (like a house on fire!) and you just know. I won't give away all the good bits (and there are many!), but you will count yourself so incredibly lucky. So don't worry, you will eventually meet this amazing person, who's your best pal and who you're so grateful to have in your life.  


Oh and as for a career? It's going to take you a while to figure it out... as in I just figured it out. But don't worry! You'll learn lots along the way, and it'll be interesting and fuel your curiosity to learn more.
It might have made things a little easier if I had known then what I wanted to do. But I don't regret waiting 'til now - I've been inspired by so many amazing people that I wouldn't change a second of it! 


So, my shy, slightly-chubby 14-year-old self: I know you can't wait to grow up and live your own life. But this is a time when you have your best friends around you, you're experiencing new things and you're learning new things every day. You're also getting to spend quality time with your parents, which is important. Be happy with that, 'coz once you're a grown up (am I? Not sure) you have other life things to worry about - rent, bills, career etc, etc. You have a great life ahead of you and it will come, so be patient! Oh, and you will get a tattoo (or two) eventually. 


From,
Your 23-year-old self. 


P.S. Get on the blogging bandwagon would you? It's so much more than you thought it was! Trust me. 

I reckon I will have learnt/experienced many more things by the time I'm 32 (gosh!) after all, isn't that what life is all about??

Hello weekend! (and quote of the day)

Wow, what a full on week. My brain is pretty much mush today; so much information to absorb, people's names and faces to remember, but I'm getting there! Having this new job will enable me to do so many more things that I love doing, whether it's blogging, DIYing, photography, walking Marley, spending time with my friends or even chilling out and reading my book. I'm super excited about it.

My mum and boyfriend have been so amazingly supportive; I gave up a full time job with more money for a part time job with less money to start doing the things I love and actually having time to do them. Because really, I can't try and be creative when I'm rushed (weeknights) or exhausted (weeknights/weekends). If you're able to do that though - what is your secret?? I'd really love to know! :)

I haven't had a chance to do any DIY's or photography this week (insert sad face here) but next week I will be working part time, so I will finally be able to! (I'll be damned if I'll let the rain stop me!).

So, in the spirit of (getting to) love what you do, here's my (late) quote of the day:

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life,
and the only way to be truly satisfied, 
is to do what you believe is great work. 
The only way to do great work, is to love what you do. "
 - Steve Jobs 


(quote from here)


Do you enjoy your job? Are you on your way to doing something that you love? Or do you just do it to pay the bills? What will motivate you do jump onto your passion and actually do something about it??

(below is a pic of an outdoor movie night we'll be having in a few weeks! Can't wait!)

What makes you happy?

There are a few things that make me happy (in no particular order)

- Taking pictures

- Reading

- Watching my favourite shows

- Spending time with this awesome dude

- Spending time with my friends

- Shopping

- Doing crafty things

Seeing pictures like this

Buying things like this...

Contributing to a not-for-profit organization, like TOMS

Playing with my Marley

What makes YOU happy? What are some of the things you do, because you truely enjoy them?

I'd love to hear about it! Feel free to comment! :)