Currently I Am...

WORKING on lots of client images and design projects.  I've had a few commercial and personal shoots in the past few days, and now I'm needing to catch up on all the editing. 

PACKING for a trip to Sonoma with The Guy.  We've been planning to take this trip since New Years, and although there's been a few hiccups with the original plans, we've regrouped and made new ones.  And dare I say, they may even be better ones.  We leave Wednesday, and I may just burst with excitement.

ENJOYING the sunshine (albeit sporadic) that is gracing Portland lately.  It's been a beautiful Spring so far, and I'm getting really excited for summer!

PLANNING a rebrand for my business, Motormouth Studios.  I'm working on a new site, updated logo and business plan.  All of it includes a polished new look with updated head shots that Jenn Pfaus with Pfaus Photography shot of me recently, including this one which I LOVE!!

What are you up to currently?

Portland Bloggers 'Strike A Pose' Recap

A little over a week ago (I know, I know, I'm sooooo behind on my posting!) we had the Portland Bloggers 'Strike a Pose' meetup event.  And let me tell you, it was AWESOME!

We met up at Jillian Rabe's The Space in the Pearl District in order to host a giant collaboration between photographers, stylists, jewelers, a makeup stylist and all kinds of Portland based bloggers.  Each blogger had the opportunity to be photographed by an area photographer with stylist on hand to learn little tips and tricks for best practices. 

Looking around at everyone's blogs in the wake of this amazing day it looks as though everyone had a great time and came away with some beautiful head shots!  Jenni, Bee, Suzannah and myself put a LOT of work into this event, so it makes my heart happy that it all came together so wonderfully.

I was blessed with the opportunity to be photographed myself!  I've admired Margaret Jacobsen's images since I first met her last summer and jumped at the opportunity to be in front of her lens.  I was hesitant at first... I mean, I'm MUCH more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it, but she quickly put me at ease, and I'm so happy with the images she created.

The dress was on loan from Bettie Page.  The store manager contacted us and offered to dress a few girls for the event.  Loooooong story short, I ended up being one of the girls gussied up!  I love this dress!  It's soooooo not me, but I think that's my favorite part!  Something different, for a fun day, why not?!

The necklace I'm wearing was designed by Shannon with GlassCast and I loooooooooove it!  It went so perfectly with my outfit!

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A big thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors. Each of these companies/individuals/blogs contributed in making the Portland Bloggers' Strike a Pose event successful and affordable. 

THANK YOU!

In Praise of an Ordinary Day

Today was a day that I will remember forever.
It was normal, average and wonderfully perfect.

I went to the gym, processed a few images, answered emails, worked, etc.  Nothing out of the ordinary there.  But in the middle of it all, The Guy came inside from working on his car for a coffee/chat break.  One thing led to another, and next thing I knew we were having a sing-a-long to Moulin Rouge.  Right there in the kitchen.

The Guy? Yeah he knows all the words, can sing (hubba hubba!) and perfectly harmonized with Ewan.  Singing opposite him along with Nicole Kidman was just too much fun.

Isn't is funny how you can experience something you never thought to be possible, and suddenly realize all your dreams are coming true?

I heart this man to pieces.

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face into the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.
Mary Jean Iron

Date Night, Car Care, and a Wonderful Meetup | Weekend in Review

I've been quiet on here the past little while.  I feel like all I do is reveiw/recap posts.  Hopefully that will all be changing soon as I get a little more organized and serious about this blog. 
But anyway, more on that later.  On to the weekend!

This weekend was FULL.  It all started Friday night with a lovely date night with The Guy.  We planned to spend time downtown just walking around with no agenda, which is my idea of the perfect evening!  We ended up eating a delicious dinner at Little Big Burger in the Pearl, wandering around Pioneer Square, then the Waterfront.  We finished the evening with beers at Rogue and a little more wondering.

It was a lovely time with The Guy, enjoying time with him in a city I love.

Saturday I met up with my girls Bee and Jenni at the Bettie Page store in Portland.  The store manager had reached out to us and offered to supply outfits for a few girls to wear to our Portland Bloggers meetup on Sunday.  The three of us decided to go check it out.  I'm so glad I did!  I didn't expect to fit into anything, but was happily surprised to find out that they carried plus size as well.  I found a beautiful dress to wear with a fun poofy slip, and gorgeous cardigan.

Alison Murray took these fun pics of Bee and I in our Bettie Page dresses. 
Photo Credit: Murray Photography

The sun was SHINING all day Saturday, so I finished the day by spending time outdoors with friends, then capped it off with drinks with a few more!

Sunday morning I spent time over at The Guy's house while he worked a little on my car.  My car has been having issues lately, and he's offered to help out.  I'm not one to turn down a gentleman's offer to help with things I know nothing about, so I jumped at the chance to allow him to show off his skills.  He started with buffing up the headlights so I can actually see at night again!  Then he changed out my wiper blades and started deducing the vacuum system issues that are causing my car to die frequently.

Look how shiny!!!

I'm so blessed to have this man in my life.  There's not many people who would spend their day off helping out someone else.

The rest of the day was spent with the Portland Bloggers at our meetup!  I'll be posting a full recap of this fun and amazing event later this week.  Until then, here's peek at the GORGEOUS necklace I was able to wear thanks to Shannon with GlassCast!

Such a fun weekend!!!  How was yours?  Link up over at A Well Crafted Party with your recap!

Currently I Am...

WORKING on a few major design projects... including a re-brand of my own! I'll be rolling out the new look for Motormouth Studios soon {hopefully}.

LOVING that spring is {almost} here!  The first flowers are just starting to pop up, and I'm sooooo ready for warmer weather and a little sunshine here and there!

PLANNING a trip to Palm Springs with The Guy.  We're going down over Spring Break to visit my aunt and uncle and enjoy a little sunny paradise.

ENJOYING getting back into a running/workout groove.  Once again waterfront views, friendly chats and runs will all be synonymous.

CLEANING my apartment for a special guest who's to arrive this Thursday.  A friend from Boise will be in town for work and I'm excited to host her for a few days while she enjoys the city I now call home!

What are you up to today?  Hope it's a great one for you!

Busy, Busy, BUSY | My Weekend in Review

Oh my goodness, what a fun and busy weekend I had!  I love the weekends... but then again, who doesn't, am I right?!  This weekend was packed full for me.

It started bright and early Saturday morning with my first training run for Napa with Team Challenge!  We met at Edge Fitness off Ainsworth and Interstate in NW PDX and ran 3-4 miles (I did 4!) along the Willamette waterfront.

We started things off with everyone introducing themselves and letting us know why they were choosing to train with the Team.  Many people on the team have a personal connection (whether with themselves or with a loved one) to the disease (Crohn's & Colitis) and many, like me, don't have a personal connection...yet.  It was a great run with a fun group, and I'm excited to go back next week!

After the run I was off to hang out with some of my favorite people.  We started off doing a little grocery shopping where Little Man and I had fun entertaining ourselves with mustaches and funny noises.

Then Sunday we all headed up the mountain to find some snow and play!  It was a beautiful day up there with sunny, blue skies.  We all had a good time and were pooped by the time we got home.

Little Lady and I | The summit of the Mt Hood | The Guy and I |  Little Man, The Guy and I

All-in-all it was a glorious weekend and I never wanted it to end.
How was your weekend?  Did you do anything exciting?

Join in the A Well Crafted Party's linky party if you've posted about your weekend!

New Goals, New Direction and I'm Just So Excited!

Hey guys, remember that time I ran a marathon?  Or the time I hiked from the top of the Grand Canyon to the river and back in one day?  Or the time I trained for and completed a century bike ride?

Well, it's time to throw out another goal and work towards it!  Some of you may have seen on my Instagram feed yesterday that I signed up with a local endurance group called Team Challenge yesterday! I'll be training with them for a half marathon in Napa Valley (hello wine country gorgeousness!) this July!!

In the past I've trained with Team in Training and loved it!  This time around I thought I'd try out a new group and focus on another much needed organization to fundraise for.  I'll be working with the local chapter to raise funds and awareness for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.  I have no personal connection with this condition, but I'm sure after this season I'll have a very personal connection with it.

Stay tuned to hear all about my training and experience!!

What's a major goal you are currently working on?  I'd love to support you!