Friday Inspiration: Home Edition

     I set out to do another Friday inspiration post today because I really don't have any time to do a more dedicated post with my own pictures that have yet to be taken specifically for a post. I was just going to pull pretty images off of my Tumblr again, but then I decided that I could be a little more relevant to my thought process as of late. I feel like I'm constantly thinking and dreaming about houses and decor and all that good stuff. I know that we'll be at this apartment for probably another year, which is okay. It really is a nice place in a perfect location, but it doesn't exactly meet my creative interior decor needs, which isn't the worst thing in the world, but I cannot wait to get a true home of my own to do as I please with it (and note that I talk about me rather than us-Tanner and I- because we have come to this unspoken agreement that I'm kind of in charge of home decor, I let him hang his Batman poster inside of our closet but until he has his own room for music/Batman stuff there won't be too many Batman themed decorations visible inside our home).
     So anyways, here's some random inspiring images that I pulled off of my Pinterest! I would love to implement some of these ideas hopefully sometime soonish in our future. Someday I WILL have a clawfoot bathtub. Enjoy, and have a fantastic weekend!

Ben + Courtney Wedding Sneak Peek!

     Life has been crazy busy lately. But in a good way! I've been trying to chug along with editing photos and I felt the need to share just a little peek of what I've been working on. My cousin Ben married his lovely wife Courtney a couple weeks ago. Their wedding was so beautiful and peaceful. It took place at the same location that we did their engagement photos, at a bible camp that many of us spent our summers growing up at. As I'm editing, I was thinking to myself that some of these pictures look like they could have taken place in the Shire (in the best possible way!). So sweet and beautiful this couple is.

Good.

     I feel really really good right now. Like about everything. Today I went for a walk and that's what I want to tell you about. I set out for a powerwalk, as much of my day consists of being inside to work on pictures. I went a different way than my usual course today. The little "town" or whatever it is called of Falcon Heights has captured my heart. It's another one of those random little towns nestled in between St. Paul and Minneapolis, right by where we live. I thought that I had already figured out my exact dream neighborhood but I fell in love with this area even more than I thought was possible. Walking through the streets is like stepping back 60 years and walking right into the 1950's (except for the cars and current fashion). Almost all the houses around there are from that time period or even earlier. It is exactly where I want to be. It was like out of a movie perfect. I was picturing how amazing that neighborhood would be on Halloween night and quickly realized that Tanner and I need to take a walk with my camera on this October 31st if we happen to be home. It would be truly magical.
     Back to my walk. Like I said, it was just like out of a movie. A little girl running across yards to ask her neighbors to play and promptly skipping back to her mom to tell her where she'll be with church bells ringing along with birds chirping in the background. A basset hound sitting quietly and thoughtfully on the front steps of a perfect little house. An elderly man walking with two young children on old fashioned tricycles with bells. I got this beautiful feeling inside of my chest. A feeling that this is what I have been looking for and this is where I want to raise a family.
     And then something crazy happened. I started jogging. Now lately I have been working out more and trying to be more in shape, but jogging is something that I've always hated and never quite figured out how to do correctly. There was one time this spring that I was inspired by a friend of mine to try jogging again. I was thinking "It really can't be that hard.. so many people do it!". And then I did it. And I felt like I was going to die. Seriously like I was going to throw up and cough my lungs out and just die. So I gave up on any thoughts of becoming a jogger. But then today after about 40 minutes of powerwalking, I was ran across the street to beat the oncoming traffic and then I just kept jogging. And I jogged for like 10 minutes without feeling like throwing up or that my lungs were bleeding or anything like that! I was literally smiling to myself thinking "This is it! I'm actually doing it!" It felt so good and I'm so proud of my self for going that small distance (laughable to a regular I'm sure).
      I got back to our apartment and chatted with a fellow resident down by the mailboxes and since then I've just been in a wonderful mood. It helps that I had an amazing weekend with the best friends and my family whom I love more than anything and now I'm working full time and living life freely and happily and writing in ridiculous run-on sentances. Life is good.

Sierra + Robbie Engagement

  A couple weeks ago we decided to take some quick last minute engagement photos of my cousin Sierra and her fiance Robbie. They are getting married just two days from now! They are a very sweet and giggly couple, it is plain to see how happy they make each other. We went down to Como Park/Lake (which is conveniently located very close to me) and found some good photo ops.

Recent Occurences

     Quickly I am realizing that it is time consuming to keep up a blog. Life has been a happy, busy blur for me this summer. To believe that it is already August is difficult. Time goes by so much faster than I would ever imagine it could. I feel like this summer I am finally free and really living! I am saying so many more yes's to plans and events than I have had a chance to with school going on. I have realized that you need to make every day count. Every weekend and every summer. Sometimes that means staying in, and that's okay! I can fully appreciate a night of cuddling and relaxing with my husband.
     I am a part of two weddings in our family this August. This last Saturday was one of my second cousins who got married at a bible camp that we have all gone to for years. It was such a beautiful and peaceful wedding. My feet were dirty and aching by the end of the day/night but I felt so good by the time we finally got "home" (my great grandma's house). That night after the reception we were all a little hungry. So we combined food, all of us that were staying with my Great Grandma, and had a late night feast. Not many people can say they stayed up till after 11 pm on a Saturday night making mac and cheese and eating ice cream with their dear 98 year old great grandma. It was one of those times in my life that I can't really describe but I made many mental notes throughout the event and I know I won't forget that anytime soon.
     This next weekend my first cousin is getting married. A small, beautiful little wedding will take place by the Mississippi river with celebrations to continue in the house where I grew up. For her wedding I will be a hairdresser, makeup artist and photographer. Not once have I officially been all three for a wedding. I am excited though, we did a test run and it was quite fun to prettify people! That morning I also signed up to donate blood in memory of a dear friend that I lost a few years ago. They do an annual blood drive and I haven't done it once yet. I'm a little nervous because when I last donated blood in high school I remember feeling very weak and lightheaded after. But I want to do this for her and for all of those people who have it so much worse than just feeling lightheaded for 15 minutes.
     Work has begun and in a couple weeks I will be working full time. I have a million pictures to edit right now which I go between feeling stressed and excited to work on them. I'm trying to do as much as possible to enjoy the rest of the summer but secretly I'm very excited for autumn!