Engagement Photoshoot, Sydney - Eliza and Kamran

Hi lovely readers! 

Here are the photos from my Engagement Photo shoot last Saturday. I'm so happy with the way these turned out, and am super excited to share them with you! :) 

Hope you're all having a lovely day/evening, wherever you are! 

P.s. Feel free to check out my facebook page, Truan Lowes Photography

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! :)

I Heart Accessories

 Shoes - Cotton On $29.95 (leather interior - so comfy!)

Skull Turquoise bracelet - Glebe Markets $9.95


Don't you just love those little things that really make your outfit POP? :)

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)

Hello Monday, I don't think you should be here!

Well my weekend totally flew by! How was yours?

My lovely boyfriend had Saturday off, so we decided to make our first trip to IKEA. I love all the things you can get at Ikea, but I don't actually like GOING there. And my boyfriend isn't particularly keen on shopping (although incredibly patient when I have an overwhelming urge to add to my wardrobe) so I didn't really want to subject him to the crowds and stress that is, unfortunately Ikea.
However, it was actually quite fun! We enjoyed walking around the showroom, looking at all the things we'd like to get for our space, imagining ourselves coming back to buy stuff when we get our own place. And it was quite funny heaving the heavy boxes off the shelves onto our trolley!
The best part though would probably have to be putting it all together, it took all afternoon and some of the night to put our new purchases together; but we're so happy we did it. Our space looks excellent now, and more ours (rather than just mine). 


On Sunday we were down at John's folks' place (and made a pit-stop at my craft store! Excited!); he and his brother went for a run while his Dad and I went for a bush walk in the National Park. It's a excellent spot to explore - if you're ever in Sydney make sure you make a trip there!

Are you a bush walk fan? I love being out there, it's so peaceful and enjoyable.

(P.s I was standing on a waterfall when I took the above pic!)

Color Block Love

I know most of you are in the US and are experiencing lovely spring weather, but down here in Australia we're at the start of Autumn - aka the start of duller colors, darker afternoons and warmer food. Well! I don't agree with that. I love colors and I actually quite like the cool crisp days that sometimes come along with Autumn and Winter. So, just because the time of beach days, shorts and ice creams are over for now doesn't mean us Aussies should shy away from happy, chipper colors and even evening activities (outdoor garden movie night, anyone??).

Here's my color block love for Autumn.

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Are you a fan of color blocking? I know it makes me feel happy wearing lovely bright colors!

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??

Chalkboard Coaster DIY

I really love the idea of chalkboards; I have one on my door and I would like to have one in my kitchen with some funny cooking quote on it or something. So on the weekend, I made some coasters - you know how people forget who's drink is who's, well now they won't!

Quote (song) of the day!

Hello lovelies,

I hope your weekend was good! Mine was pretty productive; I got my hair done (I'm back to being a brunette now), had coffee with one of my best friends, caught up with my cousins & aunt in The Rocks (Tourist-y place in Sydney - lots of lovely coffee shops) and spent the arvo with my boyfriends family. Quite a good weekend :)

What did you get up to?

I've also been listening to the below song on repeat. Seriously. So, instead of a quote of the day, here is the clip for the awesome song by Paul McDonald and Nikki Reed. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Striped Frame DIY

Don't get me wrong, I love classic white for photo frames, but there's something fun and chipper about red stripes.

See?

I love that it actually looks like I made it, the little imperfections make it more personal! (But that's totally my opinion :P) 

On another note, I found this amazing site via Adelyn Stone (her blog is amazing by the way, lots of DIY's, tutorials, tips and yummy recipes!) called Picnik where you can create your own button, pics and lots of fun additives (which is how I did my photos above). Unfortunately they're closing on April 19th, so use it while you can! It's SO easy and fun. 

Hope you're having a wonderful day, wherever you are :) 

Faux Leather DIY Cuff

I love simple DIY's; throwing something handmade together with just a few supplies is one of my favorite things to do! Not to mention I also love the fact that I'm wearing something totally original. Plus, I'm loving copper and rose gold, so I'm trying to include it in as many projects as possible!

So, this is what you need:

10 - 15cm of faux leather
Copper wire
Jump rings
Swivel clips

What you do: 

Cut some leather/vinyl the length of your wrist, with about 1-2 cm extra. 

Make a hole in each end, and thread the rings through. 

Attach the clip on one side, and you're done!

I'm thinking I might add some studs or pearls on it, for a little oomph! :)

Hello Monday!

Usually I wouldn't be so chipper on a Monday morning, but I'm only working 5 1/2 hours today! Also, my boyfriend and I have decided to move in to our very own place in a few months time, which is super exciting!

I'm looking forward to buying things and really start creating our own little space :) Yay!

Feel free to check out my pinboard for decoration ideas :)

Hope you have a spectacular day!

(photo credit)

Extending the life of dying flowers

I love having flowers around the house, they bring a happy and fresh vibe to my home. So when the time came to throw out the flowers I was given a few weeks ago, I was hesitant. Some of the petals are still good, and they smell lovely too.

So I took the petals off the stem, added some gardenia's, a sprig of rosemary and put the lovely smelling mix into a little jar and bowl.  

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!)