Hallway upgrade!

My kitchen nook is getting closer to coziness!  Here it is in its drab before - 2.5 years of being in limbo.

First year:
 (nevermind - I can't find any pics from the first year)

Second year after painting the walls:

 Boring, weird colors and completely out of scale - go ahead and say it cuz I know it!  Sadly it remained this way until about 2 months ago.  Inside my green stands, I kept all my photo prints, random knickknacks, tools, ribbon, and worm feed & compost teabags - yup, a huge smorsgasbord! (ok, it's really bugging me that I can't spell that word!  I am an AWESOME speller!)  I was starting to outgrow the drawers, plus the stands were way too small and green for that space.

Now, here it is with things a bit more IN scale and I couldn't be happier.  It started with just the yellow dresser.  Then I found the mirror, but the mirror was left on the floor for THE LONGEST TIME!  Hanging the mirror has kept me giddy for about 2 weeks now! :D

Want to know how much it cost me to upgrade this tiny section of the house? :D  I'm pretty excited!  Ok, here it goes:

Yellow dresser - $25
Gold framed mirror - $7.99
Everything else - already had!  I especially love my iron pineapple for $9.99!
TOTAL upgrade: $32.99

Yay!

xoxo, isabel

The Olivers

love the chandelier, headboard, and touches of glam

D Home Magazine recently featured the lovely home of Jamie Laubhan-Oliver and Larry Oliver located in the historic Cedars neighborhood of Dallas.  To read the whole story go here! All photography–the amazing Manny Rodriguez.

black ceiling??! YES!

i SO want a wood-planked wall!

there's something about pretty metal wastebaskets

Thanks to Rue magazine Issue 2 for showcasing the home of Dallas blogger, Atlantis Home, whose way eccentric home deserves a post of its own!  Perusing her site, led me to uncover how un-cookie-cutter DHome really is!  I've always admired their covers, but felt it was too uppity for me to ever buy, but it really is a great resource for getting to know a little more about how suburban areas can throw caution to the wind and thrive on uniqueness and local shops.

I'm looking forward to getting to know my area better!  A budding "designer" has got to have her little black book of resources and here's an easy, risk-free start.  I even looked at their job opening/internships to see if they could use a photographer =).  They have a listing, but they don't recommend full-timers to go for it. Maybe I'll try for it in the summer!  (I have GOT to stop making excuses and just GO for it, sacrifices and all!)


xoxo, isabel

Jocelyn's Mama Pics!

My friend, Jocelyn, was so nice to let me take her maternity photos!  I emailed her back in July with "I'm still not very good, but..."  She looks SO GREAT for 7+ months - I hope I look as good as her whenever I have a bun in the oven!


At the session, I found myself doing a LOT of poses, which I wanted to stay away from.  I wanted more creative, in-the-moment, unique shots, but for my first time around I got some beautiful images.  I always leave shoots feeling really disappointed.  "I was so nervous.  I gave horrible directions.  I wasn't as funny and fun as I wanted to be.  I did a lot of boring poses.  I take too long."  Then I start seeing my images opened up nice and big on my computer and R walks through them with me.  He always helps me pick out the standout ones and tells me why they're good or how they can be improved.  His artistic eye is soooo wonderful to have!  I feel a tad better after that =). My pictures are typical for now, but more practice and I'll get more creative once I stop thinking so much about the technicalities of everything! 

I can't wait to do more!  Here's Jocelyn!

xoxo, isabel