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!!