Florida. Florence. Maui

Hi Hi HI!!

Where on earth have I been?!?! I know I know....its been a few days and way too long since I have had time to post. This last week has been nothing but F U N.

SYNC was fantastic and I learned SO much, met great photographers, and made new  friends. 

I also got to spend the night with my Bestest, Francelina Mae Mae for a night. Catch up on life and telly with her. Gah I miss her!

 I also Got to have lunch with Harry in downtown Montgomery at Central. It was an awesome restaraunt. The decor was completely 100% my style and taste. If you're ever in DT Mont. Definitely stop by!!

I got to see Julie, along with the sweet pups Ollie Wolly & Bootsie

I also got to spend an entire day in Florence <3 See Mary Mac, Trueman, Katie Bug & Harpie!

Thursday morning, I left ALABAMA for M A U I 

Harry is a sweetie and drove 3 hours just to see me before I left. I am going to be gone for a whole month so I of course was okay with it.

All of our flights were good and I honestly couldnt get to Maui fast enough. I just was SO excited to see my bud and paradise all at the same time. 

Gyp Gyp was SO excited when she saw us. 

It was awesome!!!

So here are a few photos from DAY ONE on the stunning Island of MAUI

Day one couldnt have been better!!! I saw whales, I met tons of people on the beach, had awesome fantastic delicious food, played with Gypsy, visited art galleries, FINALLY got to go to Island Cream Co. {Stop by their site!}

I will share more about Island Cream Co. in a post all on its own.

So here's to day TWO and absorbing every single moment of today!

P.S. I NEVER WANT TO LEAVE THIS PLACE....EVER.

bB***

SYNC {Part II}

Hi There! Just an update...I am still in gorgeous Florida!

As you can see, it has been gorgeous. The temperature has felt like fall.

So basically, it's been perfect. 

This trip has been so much fun. I have learned so so much not necessarily from a photography standpoint but just from a creative standpoint.

I said it in a previous post, but there is just something about being surrounded by creatives that really put a fire under your tail. It gets your brain going a million miles per hour. Some people hate that feeling but I L I V E for that feeling. 

Yesterday I felt like was planned specifically for me. 

Stay tuned for details about that in a later post!

I'm off to get ready for our last day!!

Bye for now

bB***

Sync!

Hi There!!!

Tonight kicks off SYNC 2015

I am pumped.

Today Faithy is out at a kick starters class, so I have free time to do whatever I want really. So naturally I start by blogging. What do you expect right?!?

Sometime today, I am going to meet up with my friend Whitney! YAY

She and her family just moved a few months back. Im super excited about seeing her and her daughter sweet Charlee Bea. CB is the cutest thing. Swear by it. 

So from what Faith tells me, I should probably really enjoy today while I can because things get crazy from the moment the conference actually starts. 

I love new things. I'm so excited to honestly just be in the same breathing space as other creatives. Sometimes working for yourself...from home can be lonely, especially as artists. All of our creativity feeds off of each other and its something I miss terribly about working in the same room as Faith, as well as Frannie, Chris, Melissa, Donnie, Etc. Sometimes its trouble too haha :) But I have really realized how much it does make a difference creatively to surround yourself with creative people. Otherwise, it can make it easier to become the norm. And dear God, I don't want that....at all!!!

So yeah! Its going to be a fun filled next few days.

HAPPY FRIDAY FRIENDS

bye now

B's

GOODBYE Alabama

I'm out of here and so dang excited. 

Starting today I get to be back with my favorite "boss-lady" E V E R ! !

Faithy just gets my butt in gear and inspires the heck out me.

She never stops and I absolutely love it.

So today Faith and I head to Florida for a 5 day conference in beautiful Destin. 

I can't wait to learn from some of the best and meet different photographers from all over. 

It's going to be such a fun time but I'm mostly excited about being back working with and in the actual same room as Faith!!!

So this starts the beginning of my adventure and I'm so excited to see what doors God opens from here. I am kicking out every single doubt/worry/negative thought and trusting that God has given me this time for a specific reason. I don't know or have any idea whatsoever what it could be, but ultimately my goal is to be open enough to see Gods direction for me.

So get ready for a lot of TROPICAL photos because I'm a hard working beach bum until the end of February!

Bye now

B's

Travel Reads

Morning Sunshines!!!

I had some seriously awesome input on my packing list. Thanks to everyone who helped out with that. I have started packing...well, sort of. I've started getting stuff out I guess I should say. 

I asked my friends on Facebook what books they would recommend and I had so many people help me with that as well. Last night I went to 2nd & Charles with my friends Chris & Melissa. Unfortunately they didnt have any of the books I really wanted. I did get a book though that is part of Book Crossing. So that's fun! Book Crossing is where you put a tag on your book, log onto their website, log where you are from and your thoughts about the book, then you release the book and ship it somewhere else. So it just tracks all of the locations that the book has been read at. I am excited to hopefully release this book in Hawaii. The book I bought is called "Friends Like These." By Danny Wallace. I will let you know how the book is for sure!!! The books I R E A L L Y wanted was a trilogy that my friend Leah told me about.  The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness.

 I was SO so bummed out when 2nd&c didnt have the books. They had the 3rd book of the trilogy but that did me no good. So, I am still hoping to get a few more books! It's times like these when I really just wish I had a kindle.

F I V E days my friends! FIVE DAYS. I can't wait to see Faith & Dan! 

I can't wait wait wait wait wait to see 

G Y P S Y  M A R I E 

I can't wait to see Island Cream Co. in real life! I can't wait to see that beautiful logo in real life. I can't wait to eat that delicious ice cream!

I can't wait to see Ericka....Leah....Jerry! Oh my goodness. How in the world did I end up with so many great people living in PARADISE! Wooohoooo.

HAPPY WEEKEND FRIENDS!

Bye now

B's

ibB Catchup!!!

Hey Hey Heyyyy!!!

Oh I have missed my little space here. I've been SO busy with Faith these past few days. 

Sadly Faith got on a plane yesterday to head back to her Paradise!!! I was SAD to see her leave. BUT I will be seeing her very soon. in 70something days or so. 

My last weekend in Florence was P E R F E C T ! ! !

I got to enjoy it with Harry. We had such a good time. I laugh constantly at him. He's hilarious and its awesome. So, we went to the movies on Sunday and saw Fury. I  LOVED the movie. SO MUCH!!! Some of it made me sad, but if you've been wondering if you should see it, I totally say YES to that!

Harry Finallllllllyyyyyy got to meet Faith and Gypsy. YAY!

Holy Heaven Ya'll!!!  I wish you could have seen Gypsy yesterday when we pulled back up to my parents house in Bham. She went ballistic and knew exactly where we were and who was inside. I couldnt get her out of the car fast enough....actually, she normally will sit in the seat until you help little princess out of the car. But, yesterday when I opened the car door, She leaped out and ran as fast as she could to the front door with that little booty of hers swaying back and forth doing that little Gypster Hipster dance that she does when she is super excited! I was cracking up!!!!!

I will leave you with this awesome picture from Saturday! This is at my FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE place in Florence! It's so peaceful and so beautiful. 

I miss this so much!

it's almost the weekend friends!! What are your plans??

Bye now

bB***

Week Update & Illustrations

Hey Hey!!!

Its been a B U S Y week of being on shoots with Faith non stop this week. Its been fun and very exhausting. Faith has gotten some really wonderful shots.

So, I have managed to squeeze in TWO new illustrations. 

The first one is my good looking man, and the second one is my dear friend Kandice's little gals.

 Ollie & Sophie!

How cute are they?? 

HAPPY FRIDAY FRIENDS!

I am so so sooo excited that its Friday, However, I will be working tomorrow. 

Faith & I will be leaving early in the morning to head to Birmingham for a session!

It's gong to be a totally blast.

I hope you all have a fun Saturday planned!

Bye for now

B's

Catchup!!

Hi!!! I am back in Florence for three weeks. So far its been a whirlwind of different things. I've cleaned! I've worked with FAITH. YES! I love love loveeee being back with Faithy. Its soo much fun. I've played with Gypsy. 

So, Speaking of that little princess, its been tough for me not having her by me non stop. I love that little pup. Its going to be really hard on me when I have give her back to Faith & Dan! BUT, I sure have enjoyed every second with her!!! I'm pretty sure my whole family is going to struggle with it. 

Tonight its a SLUMBER PARTY night with my Best Friend! Oh my goodness. I am so over the moon to hang out with Frances!  AND in the morning I get to have coffee with Mary Mac! Yippppeeeeee!!! I love my second family. 

Well I'm off to catch up on some shows with Frances!

See you soon! I will be posting a new illustration tomorrow soooo, stay tuned!

Bye now 

Bs

The Next Three Weeks....and a new illustration

Hey Friends!!!

Today, I pack up three weeks worth of stuff, My whole entire giant iMac, my Macbook, Basically my entire work station, as well as Gypsy Marie's Belongings, and I hit the road for Florence!!

I will be in Florence working hard for three weeks and I am SO excited about being back for a little bit. My FAVORITE parts about it are first of all, and the obvious reason, spending time with my Bestie Friendy Francelina Mae!! And next being able to work with Faith!!! YAHOO.

Before I go, Here is my latest illustration.

If you have asked me to do an illustration of you, I promise you, I am working hard at getting them to you!! In my spare time away from working these next few weeks, I can guarantee you, I will get you a wonderful illustration that you are going to L O V E. 

I am having WAY too  much fun with these. 

Bye now, 

B's

Here it is...FINALLY, my changing LIFE!!

Hello There!! 

Today is the day that I feel like I can finally breath long enough to tell you the whirlwind that my life has been in these last couple of months.

Last year, God opened a door for me that at the time I had no idea would change the whole direction of my life. A family was put in my life that has blessed me more than I can even wrap my brain around, and I honestly don't even know if they realize how thankful I am that they are part of my life. 

Ever since college, I have always had a serious love for photography. I took as many photography classes that I could get into, I worked at a photography studio when I wasn't in class, every weekend I was out of town on shoots, and I had a pretty sweet internship with photographer, Robert Rausch who is so incredibly talented. However, I never realized at the time, that I did, absolutely 100% love photography. 

When I moved back to Florence I took a job working with my best friend. Yes I loved working with Francelina, loved the other employees, loved being back in Florence, but hated H A T E D the job. One day while I was working, I got a phone call from this girl named Hope that I worked with at the photography studio when I was in college.... Long story short, She worked for Faith Blessing Photography and they were looking for someone who could join their team. I wasn't looking for another job. I thought I would go meet Faith, and nothing would change. I wouldn't get/take the job and I would continue to work at PSI. God had other plans. A few other things panned out and finally after a few weeks, I decided to just go for it and take the job with Faith. 

After I started, a few months later, all of the employees had taken different paths in their life. Mattie started her dream job at Billy Reid and started back to classes and Hope started her dream path to animation and moved to Orlando. Me, Faith and another sweet lady, Dawn were the only ones left. So, over the past year, thats how its been. The three of us! Just me, Faith, and Dawn. You have no idea how close I have gotten to these women and I love them dearly. 

Okay.....so I said that super condensed story to get to THIS story. Back in February Dan and Faith decided they were going to move. Another long long long story condensed, after trying and trying to get to St. Augustine, Florida, where nothing would work out, God has opened every door flawlessly and they are now moving to HAWAII!!!!!  Dan will be opening up his fancy smancy ice cream company in MAUI. Good heavens, I honestly can't ever wrap my brain around it. Over the last month I have gotten to help Faith and Dan with a bunch of super awesome stuff for his new company. It has been a blast...those two together make me laugh so hard!!!

Yesterday was officially my last day to work at the Blessings House and working for Faith Blessing Photography. It's the most bitter sweet thing I have ever been through. YES, I am so so bummed out to not work with Faith day in and day out. But, we do have like 12 or so shoots in October so I have that to look forward to!! I love that lady more than she knows. We work so so so well together. We are a TEAM! But at the same time, I am so excited for them to start this new adventure as well as me starting my own.

As for me, and my job...after working for Faith, I knew immediately that there was NO WAY in the world I could work for anyone after having her as a boss. She was never a boss to me. She was my friend and my mentor. Thanks to Faith, I learned what I am passionate about. I learned that thing that is called work that never seems like work. Starting today I will be working soley for myself, from home. I am working for photographers retouching and designing for them. I also will still be working for Faith and Dan, just from Alabama...not from Hawaii. Thank the Good Lord!! I can't wait to go visit them and visit Dans Ice Cream shop!!! I really can't imagine life without them. My new work life, its the biggest dream come true. It's all I have ever wanted and it blows my mind to look back and see everything that God put in my life to help me learn and prepare for this. The last few months have been hard. Up until this last week my life has been basically nonexistent. I have been working 40 plus hours a week for Faith, and then coming home and working until the wee hours of the morning for other photographers, while I work on establishing a good client base for myself. It has been toughhhhh, but have loved every second of it!

I am an emotional wreck today. I just can't believe this is my life sometimes. 

Theres is still so much more to share with you, but I don't want to overwhelm you all in one post. Thanks for reading all of that. Maybe that will explain a little bit to you for me being so MIA lately on my little space here!

Happy FREAKING FRIDAY love birds.

It's going to be an amazing day...and holy heaven its AUGUST!!! Can't believe that!

Birthday Week

Hi there.

I am keeping my Baby Gyspster Marie this week. 

So the end of my Birthday week is coming to a close. It's been a fun week as a whole. Going to Nashville and learning from Scott Kelby was definitely a top highlight of the week. The man is super talented, knows his stuff, is Insanely well traveled and is absolutely hilarious. I learned & laughed all at the same time all day on Tuesday. Since Tuesday, I haven't stopped thinking about learning and learning and learning more.

BUT I must say my absolute f a v o r i t e part of the week was on Wednesday! Faith did a shoot of me along with my Momma. It was way way way too much fun! I love shoots!!! They are probably one of the very top things I love about my job.  Being behind the camera on a shoot is insanely exhausting!! I knew that part all too well...but I really had no idea how exhausting it is to be on the other side, in front!! 

It was the first time that Faith & my Mom had ever met. I kept telling both of them that they would be trouble together because they are WAY too much alike. So I already knew that those two would have a blast together. We all three laughed and cut up all afternoon. Seriously it was such a fun day and made my birthday week so so special to me!

My actual birthday, well....that day was just weird and I won't get into that. 

Overall its been a really fun, blessed, awesome, adventurous week. 

26 is off to a  l o v e l y start!!

Enjoy your Saturday!!!

bB***

FBP Nashville.

HAPPY WEDNESDAY LOVES!!!

This week has been way too much fun so far and its only Wednesday.

Monday I drove back to Florence from my weekend in Birmingham. I love that drive. For some reason it never gets old. I got an awesome new hat one day last week and had been dying to wear it. I finally wore it on Monday. I'm in l o v e with the hat. It's by Levi's Jeans. It's red. It's Simple.

Monday's work day felt like it didn't even exist it went by so fast!

Such a productive day. 

Yesterday, Faith and I went to one of my favorite places, Nashville, Tennessee. 

We went to a Photography Conference by KelbyOne. Scott Kelby is hilarious and really really knows his photography stuff. 

The day went by way way way too fast. 

I didn't want it to end at all. 

Faith and I have so much fun together. She's the sweetest lady. She is such a blessing to me!!! I really don't know what I would be doing with my life now if God wouldn't had put her in my path. Now I honestly can't even, nor do I want to imagine my life without her & Dan being a part of it. They really are like family to me!

After the fun day of learning, learning, and learning, we went to one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. 

T A V E R N ! 

{the photo above is not from the Tavern, I'm not really sure what it was called but it had the cutest seating outside. So chill. So I had to include the photo!} 

Faith had the Fish Tacos and I had the Kale Salad...then of course we had S'mores for desert! It was so fun:) and so so delicious. 

So that was my trip to Nashville yesterday. Like I said, I didn't want to leave at all. I love that place! I love the feeling it gives me, the people are insanely friendly, there are so many interesting places and interesting people to see. Faith and I are already planning our next trip!

How has your week been so far?? My Mom is coming to Flotown today!! So so solo excited!

Bye now...Hope you enjoyed my photos. 

B's

Savor.

It's so so true...and I do believe that is why Sunday is my absolute favorite day of the week. 

There is something about it that is so renewing.

This week is already flying by. So much to do and so so little time to do it, it seems. BUT I want to focus this week on savoring every second of this week. Things are drastically about to change in my life and its going to be WEIRD to say the least.

My Best Friend and other trouble making half is about to be a married women. My incredible boss is moving. My career is taking on a new and exciting adventure and things are looking super UP. 

I'm just trying to savor these moments with two people that really mean so much to me.

HAPPY TUESDAY LOVES.

I'm off to the gym!

Bye now

B's

Friday & Change.

Anyone else GLAD it's Friday?!?!

this girl sure is.

I've had an awesome week holding the fort down without Faith.

Although, I must say I am ready for her to be back.

I've gotten a lot done though!

I still dont think that it has clicked yet that she is moving. I guess it will all set in on the day they pull out of the driveway. Oh sadness. I love this place. I love working here. I love them as individuals. They are such great people. I will definitely be visiting them as much as possible and hopefully continue to do work for Faith!

I am super excited about this new time in my life. I'm praying for God's direction and for a passion and drive for what I do that can only come from him. It's going to be so fun friends. 

I'm going to conquer today knowing that I am whole and complete in God. I lack nothing and I am insanely blessed with this life that I live. 

bye now

bB***

Capture

The Best boss ever award definitely goes to FAITH BLESSING!

My new necklace just makes me smile and reminds me of so many things. 

"Capture Life Creatively"

It reminds me of L I F E and how beautiful it is. 

It reminds me that I am a creator. It's the gift that God so graciously gave me. My creativity is one of the things that I am so incredibly thankful to have been blessed with. I've said it in posts before, but it makes me so humbled to think about the God who 

C R E A T E D the entire universe chose to give me a small piece of that same type of creativity. It's the coolest thing to think about. 

It reminds me that I shouldn't take the small moments for granted, that I should cherish every second of every moment because they all lead to great great things, whether we see it instantly or in the future.

and last but certainly not least it reminds me of sweet Faith! Gah I love that lady. She is a real gem. It will remind me of her and all of the things I have learned and how much I have grown while I've been working for her. 

What about your boss? Are they as sweet and cool as mine? I doubt it.

Night loves

bB***