I’ve turned comments off for my old posts. I have been having some issues with Spam on my blog and I’m working on resolving the issue. Comments are welcome on all new blog posts and I will have lots of new stuff coming soon. I promise!

This is just a hint of whats to come from the 2011 Relay for Life of Macungie!  More kids, babies and pets…it was a great turnout.  The amount of support for this cause was incredible and keeps the hope for a cure alive.

Officially, on April 28th, my blog turned 3 years old!  I can’t believe how fast the time goes.   2011 is proving to be a  very challenging but exciting year so far, personally and professionally.  I’m vowing to blog more, as I always do…but I never quite achieve as much as I would like.  Next up on the blog is the 2011 Relay for Life of Macungie.    I shot the event last year because I had several friends participating and had never experienced an event like it.   To my excitement, I was asked back to shoot the event this year.  I can’t wait to blog about it because there are so many amazing people involved!

I truly hope the next half of 2011 turns out to be fabulous.   I’m going to need a lot of prayer, patience and positivity.  No one is going to live my life for me, so I have to Make Things Happen.  I’m taking on more photography opportunities that come my way and really honing in on what my shooting style is.  Practice, Practice, Practice.   Design and style are always apart of anything I do…and I’m loving the design and vintage inspired shoots happening, and fashion, fashion, fashion!  I would  love an opportunity to help style a shoot  as well, in the future.  I’m extremely excited about that.   I love Jill Thomas of Jill Thomas Photography! Her style and fashion sense seem so effortless and simple, but gorgeous in the same way.  Nothing is perfect, nor does it have to be.  That’s what I get from her…and I love that.  She does a lot of fashion/styled shoots in addition to her lifestyle photography. 

 This is what I need right now.  I really hope a trip is in order sometime this summer/fall.  I don’t know where, but some peace and happiness is in order!  Another one of my fav photos from Puerto Rico a few years back.   The serenity of the beach gets me every time!   

LOVE!!!   Well,  we actually went to Target to get a garbage can…which we did.  Who goes to Target and purchases just one item?  No one.   I’m constantly looking for the right throw pillows and I have vowed not to settle!  These are perfect.  I love the color and design of them.  They go really well with the color and texture of our couch.    I love me some Target.

Check out my guest blog post over at Passport to Design.  Tania blends her love of design and travel into her blog that includes gorgeous photos of architecture, textiles, colors and so much more more.  Today I’m honored to be a featured as a guest blogger.  I decided to include photos of  our trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico a few years ago.  I just loved the El San Juan Hotel and Casino, and Old San Juan!  Take a peek and let me know what you think!

Kenny and I took this trip almost 4 years ago, so it’s definitely time for another vacation.  To where, and when is the question.   That might just have to be the subject of my next blog post!   Not before my Blogiversary post!  MarnieStyle turns 3 on April 24th!

I apologize for my time away from the blog! I have been working on a few things along with the day job. I hope to have some exciting things in the works for MarnieStyle…and I can’t wait for the Spring and Summer months to come. I’ve been struggling to find a balance betweeen work/home/and my real passions, but I’m finding my way. Look for new blog posts in April about Photography, Stylist work and my favorite things that I can’t live without.  Happy Spring!

Here’s a photo of my Kate Spade Nook Cover! (got it 75% off at Barnes & Noble).  It has a white front, and red back cover.   I would have never purchased it for myself at the regular price!  I love a good deal!   This was a gift that I’m loving, although I still like to turn the pages of a hard cover book.   The inscription on the inside reads “Every day is a new story”.    I love this quote!!  I take things day by day in everything I do.  It’s a must!

Seriously loving Emma Watson’s new look.  Steering away from her Harry Potter days and trying to blend into Brown University’s student body, Emma is so simply gorgeous and comfortable in her skin. 

Although I would never look good with a Pixie cut, I’ve always been tempted.  It just looks so simple yet stylish and sophisticated.   Maybe, if someone paid me to do it!!  The photos are from the most recent Marie Claire and Vogue Mags.

Finally, I’ve gotten some time to write a full blog post on our mini road trip to Toronto  in October.  It was one of our best trips we’ve taken….because we didn’t plan a thing until we got there!  It was a gorgeous fall day which made for a great drive.  So thankful for good driving weather and some stress free time together.  

We stayed in downtown Toronto, in the Entertainment District.   Everything we decided to explore was within walking distance and that’s what we did.  Walk…for days!   The only time we caved was on the last day…it was a bit chillier than usual and my feet couldn’t take it anymore!   On our first full day we went to Steam Whistle Brewery, on the recommendation of my twitter friend Tania of of TLC Designs and Decor (@TLC_Designs).  We were discussing Toronto and she had recommended  taking a tour of the Brewery and trying out the Pilsner!   This was perfect for us.  (If you love Travel, photography and design like I do, visit Tania’s blog and website @ www.passport2design.com).   We love to take winery and brewery tours.  This brewery was very unique because they only brew one beer, a Steam Whistle Pilsner and that is all.  There motto is “Do one thing, and Do it well”.   We LOVED the tour.  Very artsy and eco-friendly place.  They support local artists and musicians/bands as well as showcase the art work and host parties in the brewery event space.  We even saw one of the three owners walking around which was fun.   For more info,  go to www.steamwhistlebrewery.ca.

Next, we decided to take a walk along the harbour and just sightsee for the afternoon.  Even though our first day was a bit rainy…we thoroughly enjoyed it.  Beautiful.

Next, it’s on to Eaton Centre and Younge area.  One of the most popular parts of Toronto for shopping, eating, the financial district etc.  There are so many gorgeous buildings and the architecture, design  and old world feel was so exciting to see and enjoy.

And…a little taste of what’s to come in Part 2.  In Part 2, we’ll venture back to the Distillery District, visit St. Lawrence Market,  The Hockey Hall of Fame,  A World Press Photo Tour and a brief look-see of the CN Tower.  Hopefully it won’t take me another 3 months to post it!  I kid.   It’s been a trying few months here at MarnieStyle…but 2011 will bring lots of good change and new ventures.   Fear is not an option!   Bring. It. On.   Happy Weekend!!  Stay warm…to my peeps on the East Coast.  To my West Coasters…I hate you right now.  (I don’t really hate you…I hate that you don’t have to deal with freezing temps and snow.)  Chat soon!

(**Some photos taken with my Point and Shoot Digital and some with my SLR)

Loving this look from Actress Toni Collete today.  The scarf,  (double breasted?) grey jacket, skinny jeans, knee high black boots and fab Emerald green handbag.  I’m definitely on a mission to recreate this look!!  We’ll see if I can do it on a budget.  If I do, I will be sure to blog my great finds!!

***Next up, a full write up of our Toronto Trip and a Guest Blog Post!