4th of july

Warning – photo overload ahead!

Last week, I got back from my annual vacation to the Jersey Shore with my in-laws.  It’s a trip that Dave and I look forward to all year!  (Here are some posts from last year’s vacation: 1 2 3)

These photos were taken on July 4th – coincidentally my mother-in-law’s and my cousin-in-law’s birthdays (is “cousin-in-law” a thing? lol).  Of course I wanted to go patriotic with my outfit, but unfortunately I forgot to pack something red.

Oh no! What’s a girl to do?!

Then I remembered my new red bike pin.  As I was grabbing it from my bag, a red hair tie fell out. Crisis averted!

As I mess with camera settings, I always use Dave for test-shots.  He usually just stands there, putting up with me (haha), but every once in a while I get a GREAT face:

Love it! 🙂

There were fireworks on the beach that night, so I brought my camera and tripod to try to get some good photographs.  Boy, was this difficult!  The wind was coming towards us, so each firework that went off caused smoke to obstruct our view.  By the end of the show, we could only see a huge smoke cloud and about 1/5th of each firework.

Though not the look I was going for, I have to admit that some of the shots came out kind of cool:

Annual family photo on the steps of the house:

The view of the bay from the houses down the road:

My parents and grandma decided to drive down from Long Island for a day, and we loved walking down the boardwalk!  I just love this sweet pic of mom and grandma:

Boardwalk carnival rides:

(Not sure why, but he appears to be in pain…)

I also wanted to try some long-exposure shots – these two are my favorites:

Haha, love the little skeleton crawling on the roof!

Hope you are having a great week 🙂

Top: Energie Star Print Top via Macy’s
Shorts:  Celebrity Pink High-Waist Shorts via Macy’s
Pin:  Greenwich Letterpress Bicycle Enamel Pin
Sunglasses:  Hot Topic White and Wood Round Sunglasses
Headband: Forever 21
Flip Flops:  American Eagle Seaside via Payless

in need of posing 101

Wow, my posting has become less and less frequent.   I think I’m going to stop apologizing for it, and admit that life can get in the way, and that’s okay!

I have had an incredibly busy yet awesome few weeks, wrapping up the end of the school year, and preparing for a dance performance (yes, I am still taking hip hop classes!).

Friday was the last day of school and it was a bit emotional (as it usually is for me), but now I’m looking forward to the summer ahead.  Dave and I have some awesome plans, starting with a week on the Jersey Shore and then time in Florida later this month with my family – including a few days at Disney!

These photos were taken sometime last month…Dave and I met up with Sara (from In a Nutshell) and Cody for some good food and a visit to the Museum of Science in Boston.  We had a great time, and of course made sure to take some photos.

It was fun because we got to photograph each other!  Sara is a natural in front of the camera, so she was quite easy to shoot.  The pic above is probably my favorite one that I took (you can see more over on her blog post)

I, on the other hand, was more difficult – I stink at posing!  It’s hard enough when it’s just me and Dave, but then add 2 more people into the mix and I become even more self-aware.  Sara tried to coach me, but I still clearly have a lot more practicing to do.

Luckily she managed to get some good photos of me, despite my horrific posing abilities:

I’m often so awkward in my own body, and can never quite figure out what to do with my legs or hands in photographs.  We joked that she could teach a posing class…please do, Sara – I’ll be your first student! 🙂

Top:  Energie Junior’s Printed Back-Cutout Top via Macy’s
Skirt:  Lindy Bop Daniella Carnaby Street Skirt via Modern Millie Shop
Sunglasses:  Charming Charlie Riviera Matte Ombre Sunglasses
Shoes:  Montego Bay Club Pina High Wedge Sling via Payless
Pin:  The Good Twin Yes Pin

make me mod

When my parents were recently up in Boston, we made sure to check out Patriot Place and Gillette Stadium.  I heard it was cool, but since I’m not a football fan I wasn’t sure if I would appreciate any of it.

boston winter

So sorry for the long absence!  I know it’s been about a month since my last post… 😦

Things have been really busy recently, mostly due to the stamp/paper crafts company that I co-founded and design for, Altenew.  There is a big trade show every year that we attend, and this year it was in Phoenix.  I was CRAZY busy December and January leading up to the show the weekend of the 20th.

dr. strange

Have any of you seen Doctor Strange yet?

Dave and I made sure to see it opening weekend, and I have to say it was awesome!  Of all of the Marvel movies, this was the story that I knew the least about going in, which was kind of nice because there were no expectations to live up to.

happy halloween! (and diy skirt)

Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday!

I adore costumes (as proven by my obsession with cosplay), and of course I also love any excuse to eat lots of candy 🙂

overdue

Wow, this post is looooong overdue!

I think I took these photos in early August.  You know, when the weather was consistently awesome – unlike the 30s one minute, high 7os the next that we have been experiencing lately in MA.

I guess I can’t complain…at least we have had some warm afternoons this October!