FOLLOW ME HOME...

 

So, I'm a bit embarrassed. I've been posting on my new blog for a couple of weeks now. And to be honest I was kind of sad to see so little traffic coming from Great Full Day. You see, I installed a redirecting widget to automatically forward visitors to my new site. But duh!!! Many of you view the site thru a reader or follow on blogger so you may not have known (at least this is what I'm telling myself, I  miss you guys!).

Please follow me to my new home: www.lindseymichellephotographyblog.com
Update your readers, feeds, and links so you can join me!

New Blog!

My new blog is up and running! I've begun posting there and hope you will follow me to my new, permanent home.

Please update your feeds/readers to: www.lindseymichellephotographyblog.com to join me.
I thank you for your continued support and hope to see you there!

xo,
Lindsey

Merry Christmas!

This will come as no surprise but I've been a bit consumed by the hustle and bustle of the season. I've really been enjoying wrapping gifts, baking cookies, entertaining friends and spending time with family. Oh yea, and I've been enjoying holiday beverages from 'Bucks as often as possible. ;-) My clients have also kept me busy with orders and editing...I feel so very grateful for this! It is for these reasons the blog has been so quite lately.

I've made the decision to sign off for the year! I want to dedicate my time to the true reason of the season and enjoy the cheer and joy it brings. I'm sure you will all be busy with festivities of your own and won't even miss me much!

I wish all of you a very merry Christmas. May you and yours be blessed throughout the season and into the new year too! Next year is going to be a great one. I just know it! I'll be back soon.

xo,
Lindsey


Photos  What this Season is, to me...,  the good word,   Angels We Have Heard on High, 4 A Gift for Me!?

Otherwise Engaged

On our way to Florida I got a phone call from my sister's boyfriend. He wanted some advice on how to ask my parents for her hand in marriage. Needless to say I was pretty excited and happy for my sister. I was also really glad to be miles and miles away on vacation so that I wouldn't be able to chat with her much and give her any signs (via voice, body language, etc) that I was keeping a secret.

Throughout our trip, I kept in touch with her boyfriend as we chatted about how he would ask her, how the meeting with my parents went, etc. It happened to work out that he would be asking her on the day we were set to return. So it was decided that we'd stay over night (and extend our vacation) by driving through their town on the way home. This would allow us not only to celebrate with her but I was also able to photograph the proposal.

The two of them had dinner at one of New Orleans' finest restaurants and afterward her boyfriend suggested they make a quick stop on the way home to a very specific trolley stop. Years before when they met my sister was on a trip to NOLA with friends. Because they hit it off so well they wanted to keep chatting when her friends were ready to head to bed. So that night they spent hours on said trolley stop bench talking into the wee hours of the morning. Obviously this bench has been a sweet symbol in their relationship and they've visited it often.

This night's visit was different though. Decorated with rose petals and twinkling candlelight the trolley stop was the spot where her boyfriend got down on one knee to ask her to be his wife. To say my sister was shocked was an understatement! In fact at dinner they had discussed how she'd surely know when he was going to pop the question because he can't keep a secret. Little did she know...

I snapped away and tried to capture the moment as best as I could from across the street (and in the darkness of the summer night). Eventually I wandered up closer to them to photograph more detail and it took several moments before my sis realized I was there--she was definitely in the moment and in her own world! The final surprise was that my parents were in the window of a hotel overlooking the road and had witnessed the whole thing. My sister said she was so happy to have us all there to celebrate.

So now we are beginning to get into wedding mode here. They are looking into options for every thing from the ceremony location to flowers. The hardest part for me is helping them find a photographer! I want to do it myself but I know it is not feasible. I want to be able to enjoy the day with my sister and not get absorbed with my work*. Let the planning begin!

Please join me in congratulating my sister and future brother-in-law!

*I really DO get absorbed with my work. As I was crossing the median where the trolleys run in NOLA, I was in my photography "zone" looking through my lens and seeing only my subjects. My hubby was nearby with my camera bag, etc and it is a good thing. I was so into my "job" that I was about to get hit by the trolley! See? No way I could shoot her wedding and not get lost in the world behind the lens.

Update: 30 Before 30

On recent vacation I got the opportunity to scratch another item off my 30 before 30 list. In our beach front condo the owners had a box of beach goods and toys for guests to use. Amongst all of the vacation necessities was a G.I. Joe kite and we toted down to the sandy shore. The wind was perfect and I easily got the kite up in the air. It was totally exhilarating to run along the shoreline and see the tail of the kite to begin to flutter as it climbed higher and higher. Though the G.I. Joe kite may not have been ideal (or mature!) it was perfect for accomplishing that goal.

I thought now would be a good item to post my progress on my 30 by 30 list. With 195 days to go, I am pretty happy to have some major things crossed off but there is still a ways to go.

30 Things Before 30

1. Read the Bible.
2. Plan a great trip with my hubby to celebrate my 30^th + our 5^th anniversary.
3. Open my own photography business.
4. Set up my Etsy shop for my photographic prints. 
5. Finish designing our wedding album and get it bound.
6. Get professional photos taken of me and Mike by a photographer I admire.
7. Continue learning to crochet and complete an actual project.
8. Plant a lemon tree in our yard.
9. Find an exercise that I love an implement it into weekly schedule.
10. Fly a kite.
11. Go to some sort of “pick-you-own” farm.
12. Finish my office (make it a workable space).
13. Organize my magazine clippings and idea books.
14. Acquire a nice set of watercolors.
15. Begin using said watercolors.
16. Go on down to the Audobon Zoo (where they all ask for you!)
17. Find a suitable album for our photo booth photos and organize them.
18. Go to at least one concert.
19. Find a way to organize and make easily accessible the hundreds of recipes I have bookmarked (mostly via tastespotting) so that I can actually use them!
20. Watch the sunrise on the beach.
21. Begin my “art wall.
22. Help my mom finish her cookbook.
23. Get “The Bright Side Project” featured in a magazine. (it has been in a newspaper!)
24. Redesign my blog.
25. Paint our hallway.
26. Give flowers to neighbors on May Day. missed May Day this year so it will have to be late or on a different day
27. Buy all the spices that belong on a spice rack.
28. Complete very special BSP project.
29. Make some sort of jam or jelly.
30. Discuss babies with my hubby.

How are you guys who are also playing along with the 30 by 30 thing doing? Scratched anything off the list. Let me know if you have a list of your own, I'd love to check it out!

Help Save The Gulf!

As a lifelong Louisiana resident it comes as no surprise that the tragedy that has unfolded over the past few weeks is really hurting my heart. Each day new images and news bring me a bit more sadness and leave me feeling a bit more helpless.

Generations of fishermen who are following the only trade their family has ever known are jobless. Innocent animals are swimming in the effects of our human error and meeting their demise. Our delicate marshes and waterways despite efforts are being flooded with oil and our native plants are faltering. The beaches lining the coast show signs of the spill as tarballs wash ashore. Each day and hour that passes makes the situation more dire and leaves the gulf coast (and the world) wondering just how much damage will be done. And we all are praying that a solution is found before hurricane season rears its head.

I don't like feeling helpless. Seeing these things unfold around me makes me want to find a way to do my part to help. So I have decided to offer a photo print of mine and donate 100% of the proceeds to the Audobon Society who is helping preserve wetlands, heal animals and clean up the mess. Please help our coast by purchasing a print or donating directly to one of the organizations aiding in relief.

Winner, winner

chicken dinner!
NO idea why that came to my mind. :-)

We announced the winner of my feature on The BSP today and she already checked in, is super excited and was thankful too...that makes me happy. Just because that giveaway is over though, don't stop dropping by the site. We giveaway a prize a day and right now we have 5 pairs of Maui Jim sunglasses (that is $300 a pop people!), a Ben & Jerry's party pack that this ice cream feign is drooling over, a $100 gift certificate to Alicia Van Fletern and a pair of Seychelles sandals up for grabs.

If you are still here and haven't ran off to enter yet, I'd like to announce the winner of the giveaway I hosted and I'd also like to thank all of you for helping spread the word.

The winner is.....

RELYN

I'll get your prize out to you asap. What are the lovely treats headed her way? Well maybe she'll blog about it and share with you.

Thanks again everyone!

Wanna win...even more?!?

So if you haven't headed over to The BSP yet...do it!
$740 in prizes will go to one winner. That includes a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer. I'm sad I can't win and I already have a mixer. hah!

In an effort to not look lame (and have few entrants) I am going to have an extra giveaway. Help me promote my giveaway on The Bright Side Project and you could win a special treat directly from me. So here's how it works...

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

• Tweet about the giveaway with a link directly to the post on The Bright Side Project: http://thebrightsideproject.com/archives/4757 for ONE chance to win.
• For another chance to win, blog about the giveaway and use this link: http://thebrightsideproject.com/archives/4757.
• For a final chance to win, become a follower of The Bright Side Project on Facebook.
• Once you have done any or all of these things come back here and leave a comment with a link to your blog, tweet or a note saying you've joined our FB fan page. Please leave one comment for EACH entry method you complete. ie. If you tweet and blog then leave two separate comments. 
• One June 6, 2010 I'll draw one random winner from the entries on my blog and they'll receive a special treat from me.
• What is the prize? You'll just have to wait and see!

Thanks for helping me spread the word AND good luck in both giveaways!

Miss B's Telling Secrets, Maybe

Miss B may or may not be giving clues to a big giveaway on The Bright Side Project. She may or may not know what she is talking about. I am really not at liberty to say. I do know that you may want to check out her blog but that you definitely want to drop by The BSP tomorrow, and Monday and Tuesday too. For sure. Consider it a very helpful tip.

GreatFull Friday

Despite the rainy days we've had here in southern Louisiana I have been pretty cheery! My darling husband celebrated another year and despite feeling otherwise I have accomplished some things this week. I'm very excited to have a long weekend.

And I'm very excited to share some things with you too:
First be SURE to drop by The Bright Side Project this weekend (and next week too). Have I mentioned this before? You are going to want to be there!
Also, I am going to launch a new "series" on my blog next week. It is something that I've had "in the works" for a while and my heart is saying "just do it!"

So much to be grateful for this week (and every week!).
Below are a few things I'm grateful for:


--The promise our Creator has given that made a death in the family a little easier to bear. Although my cousin will be dearly missed I know that he is truly living now.
--My husband being granted another great year. We much cherish each day
--The fact that (for the first time in a long time) when school let out this week I didn't wish I was a teacher...just to have a few months off. I am finally at a point where I am beginning to feel at "home" and in the right place for me.
--A close knit family. There is absolutely nothing in the world that is more important to me.

I hope that you all have a great extended weekend. I'd also like to express my gratitude for the men and women who serve our country. Those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. The families who are deprived so we can be free. And those who have the courage to stand up for what is true and just.

Happy weekend!
See you back here soon...

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!

Since I know that this weekend is a holiday weekend for those of us in the states I wanted to send out a major announcement before you guys signed off early for the weekend (if you are lucky enough to do so). On The Bright Side Project this month the theme has been Blogger's Delight. We have worked with some of our favorite bloggers to learn their favorite items, must haves and with list things. Miss B and I will each be taking a turn as the finale for the month.

I'll be showcasing some of my favorites THIS SUNDAY on The BSP and you don't want to miss it. Let me repeat YOU.DO.NOT.WANT.TO.MISS.IT! I am sooooooo excited about the prizes I lined up for my feature. One lucky reader will take home some big + amazing prizes...prizes I'm soooo jealous of at the moment. Prizes I totally want for myself! Prizes that will make you squeal with glee and become the envy of all of your friends. So mark your calendars.  Put a sticky note on  your fridge. Set up an alert on your iphone. Do what you must but what ever you do...don't forget to drop by beginning Sunday to enter (heck drop by now too, we have amazing prizes set up ALL week long).

M I A

So sorry I disappeared last week on you guys. My internet was giving me problems all week with a culmination on Thursday that resulted in NO internet. I really didn't mean to abandon you!

I hope you had a lovely week + weekend!

Regularly scheduled pretty posts will resume tomorrow. :-)

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy, happy Mother's Day to my wonderful, beautiful, inspiring, amazing, one-of-a-kind mom! Not a day goes by that I'm not thankful to have you as my mom + best friend. I love you!!!

I hope that all of my readers who are mothers have a wonderful day and that all non-moms get to celebrate their own mother's in a special way. And on this Mother's Day please join me in keeping Danni and her mom in your prayers. Give your mom and extra big hug today if you can in honor of Danni & her mom. Moms = the best.

Photo Credit

Announcing...

My Etsy shop is officially open for business!
I'm very excited to share some of my fine art photos with you guys. And fear not, more photographs + products will be arriving soon too.

As a Grand Opening Special, I'm offering Buy One Get One 50%!
Just order like normal between now and May 10, 2010 and I'll send over an invoice for the correct amount.

So drop on by won't you? And I'd love to hear your thoughts + feedback.
As always thank you for your support!

48 Hour Countdown...

I mentioned I've been working on scratching a few things off of my 30 before 30 list over the last few weeks. Well in 48 hours I'll share a special one with you and it involves an opportunity to own my art. :-)

Here's a sneakpeek...

My 30 by 30

So today is my 29th birthday. It is kind of a scary number for me because that means 30 is just around the corner. I'd be lying if I said I was where I thought I'd be at this time in my life but I'm happy never the less. I've been working on the ever popular "30 before 30 List" for a few weeks--I'm wishing I would started it earlier so I would have had more time to get them done! Some of my goals are small and some are big and will take a lot of work+time+energy but if I do even half of these things in the next year I'll feel as though the next 365 days have been successful. Hoping that posting the list here will keep me accountable and motivated. Have you made a list like this? I'd love to see what is on yours.



30 Things Before 30  (updated w/progress on 1.16.11)

1. Read the Bible.  --in progress
2. Plan a great trip with my hubby to celebrate my 30^th + our 5^th anniversary.  --in progress
3. Open my own photography business.  done!
4. Set up my Etsy shop for my photographic prints.  done!
5. Finish designing our wedding album and get it bound.  --in progress
6. Get professional photos taken of me and Mike by a photographer I admire.  --found photographer, will schedule soon.
7. Continue learning to crochet and complete an actual project.
8. Plant a lemon tree in our yard.  done!
9. Find an exercise that I love an implement it into weekly schedule. --i'm trying various exercises out.
10. Fly a kite.  done!
11. Go to some sort of “pick-your-own” farm.
12. Finish my office (make it a workable space).  done! but still adding/changing
13. Organize my magazine clippings and idea books.  done!
14. Acquire a nice set of watercolors.  done!
15. Begin using said watercolors.
16. Go on down to the Audobon Zoo (where they all ask for you!)
17. Find a suitable album for our photo booth photos and organize them.  --in progress
18. Go to at least one concert.  --done!
19. Find a way to organize and make easily accessible the hundreds of recipes I have bookmarked (mostly via tastespotting) so that I can actually use them!
20. Watch the sunrise on the beach.  --in progress
21. Begin my “art wall." --received first piece, but still considered "in progress"
22. Help my mom finish her cookbook.  --in progress
23. Get “The Bright Side Project” featured in a magazine.  --we were featured in the Kansas City Star so I'm counting this as done. Especially since we sold the site which was a huge accomplishment!
24. Redesign my blog.  done!
25. Paint our hallway.  done!
26. Give flowers to neighbors on May Day.
27. Buy all the spices that belong on a spice rack.
28. Complete very special BSP project.  done!
29. Make some sort of jam or jelly.
30. Discuss babies with my hubby.  it has been discussed--done!
 

Every post should have a photo and you guys know how I like balloons. Find the photos here and here.

Winner: Laura Su

I am happy to announce the winner of the Laura Su giveaway: Kate Paradis! Kate will receive a lovely postcard set. Please shoot me an email Kate, to claim your prize. :-)

Any fun plans this weekend? I'm celebrating my birthday in a low key way. Dinner, some gardening, working on finishing up my office (yay!) and of course a little shopping. Hope you guys are having as beautiful weather as we are. Enjoy your weekend!

A New Project

Well the cat's out of the bag so I'm sharing the news here with you guys too...


As you know I was invited to be weekend editor of The Bright Side Project back in November. It was quite serendipitous really as I was in love with the site. I remember the first time I visited thinking "Oh, I wish I'd thought of that!" Everything from the idea, to the message behind it to the blog layout and graphics was something that seemed so "me." After chatting with Miss K of the project, in regards to some advice I mentioned my love for The BSP and offered to help should they ever need guest posters, etc.

Within a week I got an email asking me if I'd like to do a few posts. Soon that developed in my gig as weekend editor. Before long I was helping scout for prizes too. Funny how things work out right? Well Miss K has a big project of her own she's been working on...she wants to become a writer and is well on her way. Miss B originally began The Bright Side Project a year ago and Miss K being such a good bestie agreed to help her out. But with her own goals taking up quite a bit of her time she was having a hard time keeping up with everything--after all she's a wife, mom, attorney, writer and business lady--that's a lot to keep up with!

At the end of January I got a call from the lovely Miss B offering me the amazing opportunity to be her new partner in The Bright Side Project. I tried not to shatter her eardrums with squeals of excitement and managed to compose myself and calmly agree. Since that date I've been learning the ropes and Miss B and I've been brainstorming away (so please forgive my semi-sparse blogging here). The two of us are going to make quite a team!

In addition to our awesome daily giveaways we have lots of great goodies in store for you guys. I'm so excited to be a part of a project that's purpose is to "deliver sunshine daily." It is so up my alley! Please be sure to visit me a The Bright Side Project. Thank you so much for the support you've given thus far. I'm so excited!

A Little Secret...

Because I love you guys so much I'm going to tell you a little secret. You really, really, really need to head over to The Bright Side Project this weekend. I can't tell you what we are giving away but I can tell you that the prizes are not only fabulous (and I want them both REALLY bad) but they are also worth over $1000! So consider this a friendly heads up from your little birdie friend. Mark your calendars ladies, this is going to be big!!!

photo credit

Bandwagon Hopping

So I've hopped aboard the bandwagon and set up a formspring account. I've been hesitant to do so because I've been doubting anyone would ask me anything. With a little persuading I broke down. I figure I enjoy finding out more about my favorite bloggers so maybe some one has a question about little ole me. If you'd like to ask me a question click here. If there is enough response I'll do a question and answer post here.

As always, thanks for reading my blog. I really appreciate all of your comments, insights and friendships!