I’m sitting here thinking about the husband.  Kenny’s birthday is today.  He’s out of town on business yet again, but he’s working hard and I can’t complain about that.   Kenny is a HUGE movie buff and we went to see “The Expendables” this past weekend.   He loved it, of course.   It’s my pick next time…although we agreed that he wouldn’t have to go see “Eat, Pray, Love” with me.   Compromise,  I tell you…it saves marriages.   We have celebrated many a birthday over the years, but this year we couldn’t be together for either of our birthdays due to work.  It’s amazing how the years have gone by.  I can remember our walks downtown to campus (Penn State) and how we would talk for hours about our future.   We reminisce about our dating days all the time, and I love it.    This November we will have been together (dating and marriage) 13 years.  Craziness.   We can’t be in our Thirties, can we?   Insert reality check here.   Although we are getting older, some things never change.  

One of those things is his laugh.  I will NEVER get tired of his laugh.   Luckily, we have a plethora of TV’s in our home.   If he’s watching TV downstairs and I’m upstairs in our bedroom, I can hear his laugh like he’s right next to me.    Hearing him laugh, in turn, makes me laugh.  He’s either watching Tosh.O on Comedy Central or The Three Stooges.    Laughter really is the best medicine!

Happy Birthday Kenny.   I hope you have comedy central in your hotel room!

This has been my motto for as long as I can remember.  It’s the way I was brought up and it’s a way of life for me.  You can thank my mother for that.   Although,  not everyone decides to live there life this way (which is a major dissapointment).   As you can see,  I haven’t blogged in a month.  I have written many blog posts but I’ve deleted them.  I really don’t know why I deleted them.  I’m not afraid to speak my mind (big change) anymore.   I have realized a lot this last month.   I can’t help people if they don’t want to be helped.  I can’t change people if they don’t want to change and I’m the best friend anyone could ever want,  but most take advantage of that.  (Not my long time/bestest peeps, that I see every couple of years.  That’s a different kind of friendship)  They know who they are.   So, at this point in my life…I’m tired.  Tired of making an effort and dealing with these types of mundane situations.  So, I guess I should just let things go, as the hubs would say.  Move on.  Easier said than done, my love.

So,  my point is this.  “Treat others the way you wish to be treated”.   Do I really need to explain this?  Respect and be kind to people, even if it hurts and they don’t return the favor.   ”Kill them with kindness”.  Didn’t anybody watch “Little House on the Prairie” growing up?  In all seriousness, walk the walk.

I promise the next blog post will be fun, fabulous and all about fashion!

My new favorite shoe.  These thong sandles are the MOST comfortable shoe ever.   They are by White Mountain.  Wish I could wear them all year round.   Damn you winter!  I have these in Silver and I might go back for the Black patent!  Oh, and they were on SALE!!! Holler.

****Update:  Just went to check if the Black Patent sandals were in and they were on Sale for $14.99 BUT I found these gladiator ones!!! I got them in Black.   I’m done for Summer!!   Don’t tell Kenny : )

In continuation from the sneak peek, here are a few more of my favorite photos from the Macungie Relay for Life.   I really enjoyed taking the time to walk around and watch all the families, friends and peer groups walking for one common goal.    I too, stopped to remember my friends and loved ones who have passed.  

Eileen’s Team Name was ” We Are Family”.  

Macungie Memorial Park.   2010 Macungie Relay For Life Location.

This is Wendy Stickler,  battling cancer like so many at the Relay.  I posted this because she looks so proud to be walking among those battling, those who have beaten and those who have passed from this horrible disease called Cancer.

The luminary lighting ceremony is very emotional  to say the least.

Wendy is telling her story and encouraging others to take a stand.  Life is too short, live it to the fullest every day.

This is my favorite photo.   With just the sheer emotion and determination of the family, friends, staff and workers, lord knows there’s an enormous amount of HOPE in this world.  Let’s pray that it finds a cure…soon.

In May,  I had the opportunity to go to the Macungie Relay for Life  and visit my former co-worker, friend and 2-time breast cancer survivor Eileen.   It was my first time attending this event and what an emotional event it was.  Eileen is in the center of the photo here (with her leg crossed).  This is the only shot of her, which is understandable…this is a Fri-Sun walk to raise money and there were tons of activities and things to see as well.   The first shot is of the Opening Ceremony.  More on the Relay in the next blog post.

This is just one of the hundreds of luminaries that were lit in memory of loved ones. 

Oh, I honestly wasn’t going to blog about my birthday.  I’m not very good with being the center of attention.  I haven’t had a birthday party (with more than family) since I was 10 at least.    Not even for my 30th.  It’s kind of hard when friends and family are all out of the area and/or across the country.   The past couple of birthdays have been very quiet and low-key which I like in most cases.  Well, I turned 34 on June 12th and I think I have to turn things up and maybe party it up next year…maybe a mexican fiesta??  I love me some Spanish music,  a margarita, mojito or Dos Equis/Corona for your drinking pleasure, the beach and the people that matter most of course.  

I have a lot of things on my to do list for my 34th year.   I’m hoping to divulge into those things in a future blog post!   For now, I have a lot of thinking and decision making to do.   I’m fine with that, because I’m embracing change…slowly.   I’m embracing what I feel I was meant to do…slowly.  

My husband and I also celebrated our 7yr wedding anniversary on May 24th!!  So crazy.  These years have gone by so fast and I want them to slow down now!  Kenny is my constant support in everything I do.  He may not agree with every little decision I make, but he is right there…and just wants me to be happy.  It’s been a tough road career wise (layoffs, miserable jobs etc.) and I hate to dwell on those times.  I have nothing else to compare it with, so, I’m slowly making changes as I stated above.  Patience.  My time will come, my time will come.

So, Happy Birthday to my twin sister and I (and all my other Gemini’s)!!   Hang on peeps, year #34 is going to be crazy, fun, and successful!    (The photo is of Las Ventanas Resort, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico).  Wishful thinking for #35, but a girl can dream and I’m dreaming BIG!

****Look for the Relay for Life blog post coming soon!

If Burberry isn’t fabulous enough on its own, they now have come out with a new makeup line!  I found this out scowering through the new July Issue of InStyle, (on page 32, to be exact).  The new line inlcudes lipsticks, blushes, shadows, foundation and mascara.  The packaging is much like the Burberry black plaid trench. Yes, please!   I have a love for all things print media,  paper products, branding,  advertising/product design…you name it.  I don’t have an actual  photo for you because the line doesn’t come out until July, but you can just imagine…that is, if you are a lover of Burberry.  Or, you can just go pick up the July Issue of InStyle!  The line seems pretty reasonable compared to other high end make up lines like Chanel, but it’s not like I’m running out the door to spend mucho dinero.  I have so many different types of makeup in my bag it’s ridiculous, but when I find what I like and what works for me, you’ve got me.  With my luck, most of the time, the product is discontinued and I’m moving on to the next best (and hopefully affordable) option!

My Burberry Brit perfume is one of my FAVORITE scents and I can’t live without it.  Well, I can, but you know what I mean.  So, maybe I’ll try out a Burberry Lipstick or eyeshadow shade in the future…I’m sure it will be worth it, right?   Or am I just going to buy it because I like the design and packaging?   Yes, and yes!  

Thinking of all things Burberry, it brings me to when I walked into the Burberry outlet in San Juan, Puerto Rico a few years back.  Shut the front door and lock me in!  This place is gorgeous and I was ready to buy a scarf, umbrella, and a trench…who cares if it’s 95 degrees and 100% humidity!  OMG, I don’t know how I walked out without buying anything.   Damn luggage weight limit!

All in all, I’m excited about the makeup line, even if I don’t end up wearing any of it.   Oh, but if I do make a purchase, be sure to check the bloggity for a product review!  Above is a photo of the Burberry Outlet…I love the architecture and colors of all the buildings in Old San Juan.  Oh,  how I need a vacation!

Adam was such a trooper, sleeping or not!  Next time we will get his big sister Jena in for a few photos.  Erin you’re doing a wonderful job with your two little ones…and I give you so much credit for working full time.   I really hope you get to enjoy this time before you have to go back!   It was great getting to chat with you and catch up on life…even though we live so close, life does get in the way!    

Here are a few of my favorite black & white and detail photos from the day.  This first photo is my favorite.   These make me happy.

Lots of natural light here. 

Another favorite.   I couldn’t resist. 

A message from Jena to her new baby brother.  “I love Adam”  by Jena Luck.  How cute is that?

 A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to finally meet baby Adam and visit with his mom, my good friend Erin.   Adam is more than challenging Erin with his sleeping schedule : )  More to come this week!

Pier 1 has been a favorite of mine for years, but WEST ELM is quickly approaching the top of my fav list!  I’m loving the new Cooper Sofa and want it in my living room like, now!   The neutral color of the couch, with a casual throw and a few patterned pillows make the room.  I’ve also been eyeing up a rug from Peggy Wong of bluepoolroad.  She designs a stationary line as well as her new signature rug collection.   If you are a lover of stationary and design like I am, definitely go check her out!   

***all photos are courtesy of  the West Elm and bluepoolroad websites.

Thank you Jasmine Star.  Watching and listening to Jasmine’s presentation at Escalate Live  was such a good decision.   Jasmine’s talk was on Social Media and the ins and outs of how to use it within  your photography business or any business for that matter.   Jasmine actually said this while answering a question after her talk was over.   “Give yourself permission to be you”.   This resonates with me big time.   Basically,  don’t care what other people think of you.  Do what you feel is right for you and your business.  If he or she doesn’t like you, so what.  Move on.  Their loss.   Slowly but surely, I’ve started to use this mentality.   I’m finally giving myself permission to be me, after a long,  long time of worrying what other people thought…about everything.   What a relief this is, and a huge weight off my shoulders.  I actually feel like a more happier me.  

So, I can’t wait to post my most recent sessions in the coming weeks! Baby Adam,  and the Relay for Life.   Good Stuff.