ranchin' on the side

I went to the Montrose Arts and Crafts fair this weekend. They put it on once a year and I very much look forward to going. I went with Dom and my good friend, Alain. Dom's cousin and his gf met us there, too. Dom bought a REALLY cool photo of some cowboys on a ranch herding some horses, I think. It's more like a landscape since the view is from far away, and it's under moonlight. The photographer made a wooden frame for it from an old barn door. Seeing this man's cowboy and ranch themed photos reminded me of some that I took back in April.

Mine and Dominic's friends have a ranch with some pretty cool residents. This was my first time photographing horses. I liked it :)

My dream job is to be a photographer. Maybe one day. In the meantime...practice! Which filter on this photo looks best?

That there be the infamous chicken coop that for some reason took months for Jon and Dom (aka "Jom") to build. Dom raised 2 dozen chickens himself, from when they were wee little chicks.

I'm ready to move to a ranch in Colorado now :)

beats

Here are the tunes that have been on repeat over the past month or so. I LOVE music, maybe more than your average gal...maybe not. I'm back to BUYING CDs now...yeah that's right. If I REALLY like/love an artist I'll spend my hard earned dough on actual merch. I don't mind paying a little gratitude to those responsible for providing me with my own life soundtrack.

Florence and the Machine. I first heard their popular single, "Dog Days Are Over," not on the radio but on the previews for the movie, Eat Pray Love. LOVED that book, btw. The movie was alright. But my oh my, is Javier Bardem a sexy piece of man?! Wow. He makes a gorgeous couple with Penelope Cruz. Speaking of her, they were in Vicky Christina Barcelona together...a steamy movie where their chemistry is hot! Check that movie out :) Ok, back to Florence...I love her voice and the instrumentals throughout the album. It's soothing and haunting, moves your body in that getting-lost-in-the-moment sorta way. She pours emotion and passion into her words and rhythm. Her song, "Cosmic Love," is from the soundtrack of the movie, Water For Elephants (which I haven't seen...yet). AMAZING. Turn it up to...11.

Might I be so daring as to say...this album could very well be my favorite of the year?! I give you, MUMFORD AND SONS. They have a few songs on the radio ("The Cave" and "Little Lion Man") from their album, Sigh No More. I loved them both and ran out to buy the album. I love every song. The band is made up of a British foursome and their harmonies throughout their music gives me chills. Their lyrics are deep and meaningful and seem to be from another time. The instrumentals are awesome. I love how most songs begin slow and then whirl you around with the trumpeting trombone, booming bass, quick drums and banjo picking skills.

Adele. She reminds me of Hayley, one of the contestants on American Idol. Hayley actually sang on of Adele's song on the show. She has the sound of an old soul with a rhaspy voice. Only a few of her songs are upbeat, it's mostly mellow.

I admit it. I'm a pretty big Lady Gaga fan. Her concert is at the top of my list to go to. Look how great she looked a few years back (circa 2007) before she got fixated on wardrobe. Yeah, she's a little funky and strange..as far as what she wears and the things she says. But...I love her MUSIC. The latest album, Born This Way, is straight up dance music. I want to jump on the nearest dance floor and just move. I love her voice and she's a dang good musician and song writer. This album has a great beat and some of the songs remind me of Madonna and one of Whitney Houston (an up-beat 80s version). I like her message, too. She's all about doing your own thing and acceptance. I'll follow that.

NOT a chick flick

Holy Hilarious!

If you haven't seen the movie Bridesmaids, you're missing out! I saw it last weekend with my BF and my momma. It was actually our first date with just the 3 of us. Aw, how special. We went to an AMC theater and actually had to wait another hour because the 9:40pm showing we planned on seeing was sold out. No biggie, we had coffee and cookies from Panera right next door and chatted until 10:30pm. Let me just tell you, we all laughed hysterically from start to stop! I hadn't seen the previews really, and Dominic wasn't thrilled about going ("chick flick") but we're so glad we saw it. So many great one-liners. It's not a chick flick at all...in my book, it's up there with the Hangover! I'm so glad there's finally a really great comedy with an all female cast!

Check out the trailer :)

Shoes news

I need a bigger closet! My mother would tell me, "No, you need to stop shopping!" Moms are no fun. So since I can't physically expand my closet, I took it upon myself to create more storage space inside it for my growing collection of shoes. They were all just piled on in there (on the left side, at least) and it was driving me nutty. I bought 2 stackable shelves and ORIGINALLY had planned on my boyfriend putting them together for me. Well, he's been out of town since Thursday afternoon for his best friend's bachelor party...camping/fishing out in Santa Barbara with a ton of guys. How great is that? Well, if you love the outdoors and camping...AND I DO! Anyways, I decided that this would be a solo project that I do on my own. See for yourself...

Putting them together was so easy...who needs a man?! Wait, I do want kids some day, I guess I should hold onto him a little while longer. Ha ;) The bottom left picture is of the new shelves, the right side I already had in my closet. Doing things with your hands, putting something together, creating...leaves me feeling pretty accomplished. What project shall I take on next??

A much awaited class

FINALLY!!!

A little over a month ago, I ordered my spot (and Dom's) in one of Samy's Camera's MANY photo classes. I've been counting down the days until...TODAY! We attended a "Basic Digital 1" class held at Samy's West Hollywood location. Sure, it was farther of a drive for us than their closer location in Pasadena, but it was nice getting out of our comfort zone. We drove by Pink's Hot Dogs and in case you wanted to know, there was a line that wrapped around the building on our way to class and also when we left about 3 hours later. I've been there once...don't get what the big hoopla is but hey, to each their own. Also, I thought it was pretty cool to drive by LA Ink (Kat von D's tat shop). Surprisingly, I didn't see any "looky-loo's." Also, driving down Melrose may not have been the BEST idea, because I now I REALLY want to go back and shop til I drop!

Anyways...the class...ok. The instructor was awesome. He's been a photographer for a ton of years and was so easy to listen to and understand. I've had my neat-o Nikkon D500 SLR camera for a little over a year now and this was my first official instruction. I so badly want to begin gaining more knowledge and experience in photography (always have) and this was my first step (aside from buying a lengthy book on MY PARTICULAR camera that I have hardly cracked open yet). The reason I dragged Dom along (he was happy to go) was so that I'm not the only one taking pics all the time...and can actually have some nice ones of ME, TOO!

We went over memory, batteries, miscellaneous camera gear and extras, how and why to format the memory card, how to get off of Automatic (used "Program"), how and when to adjust exposure compensation, how and when to use the flash, what ISO is and how to use it, and the many settings in adjusting the white balance and when/how to use those. WHEW! Mouthful. I'm already looking forward to the next class I take with Samy's. I'm also going to look into one of their basic classes for those interested in becoming a wedding photographer (ME! ME! ME!)

*Side note: Although photography is NOT currently my major, I hope to advance in it on the side of my school and work and slowly make a name for myself doing events, parties and maybe one day, weddings! That would be sweet :)

Baby, it's Bbbrrrr outside!

So Dom and I are watching Avatar for a second time and the phone rings...it's the neighbor. It's white outside??? We grabbed our boots, jackets, and an umbrella and ran outside to find a little snow! While we watch another movie rental right now ("It's Kind of a Funny Story") I'll be keeping cozy in my new looks-like-i-should-be-vacationing-in-a-winter-cabin leggings from Ruche (LOVE that online store!!! ). I will also be keeping my fingers crossed for a white and snowy morning up here in las montañas! Good night :)

...put me in Coach!

SOOOO STOKED!!!!!!!!!

Today at work, I was told that a pretty big group of my co-workers are putting together a kickball team through WAKA (World Adult Kickball Association). Do I want to join? Um, does a bear sh*t in the woods?? (although I've never witnessed it, I've been told it does). HECK YEAH I want to join! Last day to register yourself for the Winter season is tomorrow, don't worry, I did as soon as I got home :) It costs some $$ but it covers your official shirt, referees and reserving fields. Every Friday night (starting NEXT week) for 8 weeks, I'll be straight up ball kickin' and sharing some beverages with some of the coolest people I get the pleasure to work with. Although we have more than necessary, the minimum is 6 males and 6 females per team. At the end of all the fun, the top team from each league competes in Las Vegas sometime in October :) And well, since one of my administrators at work said today, "Hey, all I can say is that we will have failed as a team if we wake up Saturday morning and remember what the score was from last night"...I'm pretty sure we won't be heading to Vegas. We're gonna have a damn good time though, trying :) I've been wanting to join some sort of team sport for a while now. I played soccer for about 8 years growing up and I was on my high school's soccer team. Duh, this isn't soccer, but still...I CAN'T WAIT!!! Stand by for pictures to illustrate these shenanigans :)

By the sea, you and me

This Valentine's is one for the books! Dominic, my sweetheart, my Valentine, had been planning something SPECIAL and best of all, SECRET, for me for some time. I can tell that all week long leading up to yesterday (when we celebrated it) he had been growing more excited and almost kid-like, just thinking about his plans. It's been pretty cute to see :) Well, I've always wanted for someone to plan something for me and I just...show up. That's exactly what happened. I was to be ready by 3pm, and off we went.

We finally got to the 1 hwy and soon as the ocean was supposed to be visible, there was nothing but clouds and fog. You couldn't see a thing off over the side of the road and Dominic was SO BUMMED! His plans have been ruined, he said. He carried on anyways and pulled over the side of the road to park at "the spot."

He told me everything he had planned, and we THOUGHT the evening was a bust....so we climbed down to the beach and threw the frisbee for the dog. At least SHE would have some fun.

We checked out some sea anemones and mussels...

...and what do you know it, the fog began to clear...at least down low along the water. So, we carried on with his PLANS! He had packed a cooler with pork chops and zucchini to grill in the back of his truck. He bought a few side dishes from Vons' deli, a Corona for each of us and 2 individual fruit tarts for dessert. How cute and sweet is that?!

He even packed our fancy camping table, 2 chairs, a few blankets to snuggle in, some tea-lite candles AND bought me a lovely bouquet of flowers :) It was so romantic to be alone, sitting up above the ocean with an incredible view...and a delicious meal that was planned and prepared just for me.

Dominic planned for us to arrive here just in time to eat and enjoy the sunset. Because of the cloud cover he thought that the part he was looking forward to the most wouldn't happen....but slowly....it did. I think it was even more gorgeous with the clouds than on a clear night :)

Thanks baby, for making me feel special and loved. Did you notice I could hardly stop smiling? You've given me my best Valentine's yet :)

A New Year, a new marriage

On New Year's day, Dom and I spent it at his good friend Jon's sister's (mouthful) wedding and reception. We didn't do anything for New Year's Eve so that we could get up early enough the next day to be there by noon. Jon's son (Jenny's nephew) was part of the wedding party. Chase's little gentleman suit was STINKIN' ADORABLE!!!

Chase and "Uncle Tractor" have the cutest little bond :)

My man and I. Yeah, he went through a little wardrobe change...which I should have done, too. The reception was in Acton and it was 35 degrees and outdoors!!! I was beyond freezing. I even wrapped my feet in napkins and stuffed em' in my boots! The reception had a bit of a southern cowboy theme :)

There's the bride and groom. James Bond (yeah, that's his real name!) and his Jenny :) They had a popcorn cart that gave away cotton candy, too.

I didn't go on ANY rides, I was too cold :( But how cool is this guy's property. He's got it all.

The food was great, cupcakes at the end were delish....overall a good time and a wedding that will for sure be remembered.

Ranchin' Halloween

Ya, ya....I know this is crazy late (about 3 months late), but here it is. This year for Halloween, Jon, Noelle, Dom & I (along with some help from others) planned a Halloween party at "The Ranch." We decorated, bought and made food, brought in hay bails for seating and of course, got all dressed up :)

Jon, Noelle and Chase were in Cowboy/girl themed costumes. Adorable.

Roxi sported TWO costumes...here she's a rodeo buckin' bronco.

I know it's a tad hard to tell...I didn't get a really good full shot of my costume (I'm wearing wings, here), but Dom's a scarecrow and I'm a crow! We made our costumes ourselves :)

LOVE this picture :)

Jon was DEFINITELY in rare form that night. He let loose :)

I made those tombstones...and more. I found the clever names and phrases online.