From LA to Boston

I am off to visit my sister in the Boston area! I have only ever visited Boston in the winter when I pretty much freeze two seconds after stepping outside. Boston is a beautiful city to walk around in so I am very excited about being able to actually walk around outside in lovely weather... no coat required!

Pretty much everything in Boston is historical. I am afraid to sneeze here because I will most likely sneeze on some famous building or corner where something very important happened in U.S. History!

There are so many beautiful and historical houses in Cambridge!

 

I am excited to document my Cambridge and Boston adventures! 

Summer Harvest

One of my favorite parts of summertime is the delicious fruit and vegetables! My parents have a beautiful garden in my childhood backyard that is always full of plump red tomatoes, basil, lettuce, strawberries, and a rainbow of flowers.  Farmers markets are also an amazing part of summer because they support local businesses and you go home with yummy fresh food for usually a very good deal!

Farmers markets are a great opportunity for photography because of all the vibrant colors of the fruits and vegetables.  They are also an amazing opportunity to people watch, discover new flavors, and enjoy a bright summer afternoon. 

 Happy Summer Time! 

Happy Independence Day!

Some of my favorite things about this holiday are watermelon and fireworks! But I also always reflect on the meaning and history of this holiday, back on July 4, 1776.  I take a moment to truly appreciate freedom and the individuals who fought, and still fight, for the gift of freedom.

Happy Independence Day!!!

Butterflies and Birthdays

I have always loved butterflies.  There is an aura around them of something so magical.  I think my version of Heaven would be a garden filled with butterflies, of all different sizes and colors.  For my birthday this year I had the opportunity to visit the Chicago Botanical Gardens and see the beautiful butterfly exhibit.

 It was inspiring to see the beauty, joy, and resilience in the butterflies with broken wings who were still fluttering from flower to flower. Sometimes life can make us feel like we are flying with a broken wing, but the ability to find joy in the face of adversity is truly a beautiful gift.

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Spring Has Sprung!

Spring represents hope and new beginnings.  For me, this Spring also means taking time to notice the little things, the beauty all around that I often just pass on by without a second glance, and the people who mean the most to me.  

Here are some photos I snapped from a recent adventure dwelling in the beauty of spring time.

Wishing you much love and hope this Spring! 

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Beautiful Weekend in Clearwater Beach, Florida

I was recently very fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Clearwater Beach, FL.  I absolutely love traveling to new places and going on adventures! Clearwater Beach was the perfect place to relax and take a few moments to just enjoy life.  The stunning white beaches looked so picturesque with the cute white and yellow umbrellas. And one morning I looked out of the balcony window to see that someone had written "Will you marry me?" in the sand.  How cute is that! 

I love to take photos of my travels so that when my trip is over I can look back at the pictures and remember to enjoy everyday and that the little things and the people I love make my life beautiful. 

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A Beautiful Painting Every Night

Beauty is all around us, if we only take a moment in our busy lives to stop and notice.   After quickly finishing some errands after work, I was getting into my car to rush home when, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a beautiful painting that took my breath away.  I am so glad I stopped to take a few moments and appreciate the beautiful sunset, free art available to us all. 

The Art of Letter Writing

Letter writing is unfortunately a dying art form.  I save every card and hand written letter that I receive.  In the age of instant communication, I value the time and thought that goes into a letter so much more.  I had two pen pals when I was in middle school and reading their letters brings back so many memories of the things I loved in the 1990s, like Sanrio, gel pens, and boy bands.  I also exchanged letters with a dear dear friend of mine who passed away about a year about.  Reading her encouraging words and seeing her handwriting makes me feel still connected to her.

I also value the art of writing thank you letters after receiving a gift or writing a letter just to make someone smile.  I'm not sure how many people in my generation still write letters, but I absolutely encourage you to.  Writing a letter seems more meaningful and the words seem to have more depth than a text message or email.

Fashion Illustration Inspiration

One of my favorite ways to relax and draw lately is sketching models from fashion magazines in my own unique style.    I like fashion photography and illustration that tells a story and creates a character instead of just selling clothing.  ❤

Here are a few of my latest doodles

I have always loved magazines.  When I was really little I would love to cut out objects and pictures from the pages of magazines.  I even saved the tiny colorful scraps of paper.  I found the colors, patterns, and textures too beautiful to throw away and I was sure they would come in handy for my next collage.  I am thankful this early crafting habit helped inspire my creativity and not a propensity for hoarding.  (I now recycle any scraps of paper I do not need).  

Book Drawings

A beautiful way to use books that you are no longer reading is to use the pages as a canvas.  I love the way the drawings and sketches stand out against the background of the text.