Oh Snap!

Okay, so we finally have a weekend at HOME! Yay!! But...what happens when you I stay home? I shop. Bad Chelsea. I can't help it though, I come from a family of retail therapy needers choosers. I have been fervently eyeing all of the trends this year and LOVE what I am seeing--from sweaters to jackets to boots and scarves. There is just something about being cozy in a great cowl neck sweater or shuffling through the snow (Houston?!) in a warm pair of Uggs. But I won't heat up the peppermint mochas just yet. It's still 87 degrees in Houston and that means my new wonderful winter wardrobe will just have to wait. Although I haven't indulged in fall fashion just yet, I have been passionately indulging in all things photography! I am really excited and thought I would share :)

{Why would you care? Because Troy is still at work, Tess doesn't understand me, and I will go crazy if I don't express my immense happiness/gratitude and POST it out in cyberspace!}

A few weeks ago, my bff--who is currently on her honeymoon, lounging on the beaches of Saint Lucia with her *new* husband, soaking up the sun, sipping mimosas, and sleeping...for hours (jealous)--got me this beautiful, functional, spacious, and oh so Red Raider-esque camera bag for my matron of honor gift (does she rock or what?!):

Isn't it lovely?! Now I don't have to haul my masculine boxy bag around everywhere like a dork, nor do I have to throw my nice camera into that black ebyss I call a purse, only to have it scratched up by random inhabitants of said ebyss. I am thrilled :) Can't you tell? And the best part is, I can fit everything into this bag. My wallet, all of my lenses, my phone--it's perfect! You should get one :)

So I have been carrying my camera around in this cute bag for a few weeks, all the while itching for something equally amazing to put inside of this terrific tote. Friends and family (aka Mr. Jackson), hold on to your hats! If you thought I was snap crazy before, then hide your faces because VIOLA!! This puppy is the newest addition to our family :) It is my early anniversary present and I am in LOVE. Canon's top dog is the 7D and I am not spending that much on a camera (yet), so I went a few notches down from there and picked out the 40D. It is amazing in all of its capabilities and features. I cannot wait to get my paws on it and snap away, paparazzi style! It will create nice, sharp images, allow me to click even faster, and really capture detailed shots of everything I love. Watch out, I may be calling you for a practice shoot! :) Thanks Troy!!!

Now of course I am googling new, cool lenses to buy, great new photo editing software, shutter control remotes, flashes, and filters for the new camera. Troy is probably having a heart attack just thinking of it all. But no worries, this will satisfy my urges (for now). A few weeks ago, I enrolled in a photography workshop in Dallas on Nov. 6th and am really looking forward to testing out the new camera. I plan on learning a ton, asking a million questions, improving my photo editing skills, and getting some real hands-on experience from real (good) photographers. So excited (eek)! And don't worry about Troy in the midst of all this; it probably makes him very happy that I am so immersed, because it is hunting season you know :)

Aside from that, I am working frantically to edit some pics from Tess' party and Cliff and Rachel's beautiful wedding last weekend. I will post about that soon! We have no major plans this weekend (except for a birthday outing for my gal Allison on Saturday night), so I should have plenty of time to post pics and maybe give this blog a little makeover............................

Have a great weekend!!



Hectic Trifecta

I just realized how long it had been between our posts. I literally said to myself "surely that much time hasn't already passed us by!!" Geez. This is a whole new kind of busy for us...a numb kind of busy. I feel like an ant colony, just going going going, doing what you have to do and not really thinking twice about it...

Well, over the past couple of weeks, I hosted a successful bachelorette party for my bestie Rach, Troy organized one heck of a man trip for Cliff and his buddies, Tech beat SMU (and New Mexico!!), I attended a wonderful bridal luncheon, and we celebrated Troy's step-sister's marriage to a wonderful guy! Whew! Here are some quick details...

While the boys were away on a kayaking trip down the Colorado River, the girls played in Austin for Rachel's bachelorette party. We rented a house in historic Travis Park in Austin, right off of South Congress. It was perfect and lovely and oh so chic! I highly recommend renting a house as opposed to a hotel (if you have multiple people staying, and for at least two nights). We got into town on Saturday, checked things out, and then got ready for dinner and a night on the town. Nuff said ;) Sunday was awesome -- after a delicious Italian lunch at the first location, we did a wine tour of some beautiful Texas wineries. We finished the day at the house with a catered dinner, sinful cake, and lingerie shower for the bride-to-be. SO FUN!!

Rachel's aunt Vickie hosted a lovely brunch for Rachel and her maids the Saturday before her wedding. I thought it was so sweet, and a good opportunity for everyone to get together one last time and celebrate before the big day. The food was delish, the decor was so charming, and the company was the best. Nothing better than a room full of gals!

That Saturday night (9/11/10), we went to celebrate the marriage of Troy's step-sis Becca and her new hubby, Ryan. Can I just say that I LOVE LOVE LOVEd her color palette!? I don't even know that I got a good shot representing the gorgeous depth of color, but (gasp) it was stunning! When I mentioned it to Becca, she just told me that she asked her florist to do purples--all shades, go nuts! What a good bride :) It turned out beautiful. The food was great (notice a trend here?) and the dancing was one of the best. We really had a great time cuttin' a rug! The best part was probably the photo booth though. I love that idea (we wanted one at our wedding, but funds did not permit--weep, weep); I just wish we got a few more runs in! Two just wasn't enough (haha).

Since I am just now getting around to posting the past three-four weeks, I will stop here for now. Next up: Tess' first birthday celebration and a marriage of two best friends (our best friends!). 

Tess Turns One

Today, Miss Tess is 1! I can't believe it! I know, I am a dork because I celebrate my dog's birthday. Yes--it is on the calendar in our pantry, yes--we bought her some presents for her special day, and yes--there will be cake (for humans and dogs alike). What can I say? I just love that pup. Unless you own a dog, it is hard to really describe what she means to us. That sideways head-cocking somewhat-grinning face always makes my day! We are probably a little over-the-top with Tess, I confess, but she is a good dog; well-behaved, smart, sweet, friendly, obedient. I couldn't ask for more in a canine companion! So we thought we would reward her by celebrating her b-day :) Why not?

I remember when the kennel emailed us pictures a few days after her litter of pups was born. Aren't they so friggin cute!? 

We got to watch the pups as they grew, via online photos (although we didn't actually know which of the girls was ours yet; we still had to go to the kennel and pick one out). Here is her 6-weeks picture:

This is what Tess looked like not long before we picked her up to introduce her to her new home:

And here she is more recently, all 75lbs of her! She is just the greatest joy and we love her so!



Troy and I took her to get her nails clipped and filed down, her ears cleaned, and to pick out some new toys at PetSmart. It was her first trip and she was so good! I am going to be taking her there more often :) We are having a few of her pup friends over for games, dinner, and doggie cake later tonight. I think it is safe to say that Tess is pretty pumped! Should be a good time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TESS BUG!

Let's Get Ready to Rumble!!

...although that is pretty much how I feel about Rachel's bachelorette party this weekend, I am actually referring to COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!!! It officially kicked off this week and the adrenaline/trash-talking/guns are already in the air (get your guns up)!

I am bummed that I can't watch Tech's season opener (with a new coach and in a newly renovated stadium) but we have a great girls weekend planned. I actually think I will be sipping wine in the hills of Texas as kickoff begins, but I have all the faith in the world in our Red Raiders and I am so excited for this season.

I hope everyone has a wonderful, fun, and safe Labor Day weekend full of LOTS of football!

Wreck Em TECH!