My first Photo Shoot!

Ever since I can remember, I've had a fascination with pictures. Its one of the reasons I scrapbook. Ive always wanted to try my hand at photography and until recently never had the chance to give it a serious go. Just this past month I purchased a Canon Rebel SXi and I am in love with that camera! Its my first real 'big- girl' camera and I'm just smitten with it. I've been doing a lot of reading and studying in preparation and this past Sunday I took my first shot (pun intended) at photography.

I was lucky enough to have one of my best friends and her boyfriend be willing to pose for me. I spent most of the afternoon with them and we went everywhere!! In the woods, at a creek, in an open field, on railroad tracks, in overgrown fields... just everywhere. Im quite pleased with a good many of the shots I got and I thought I share some of them here. My long term goal is to actually do photo shoots for engagement pictures, Senior Pics, Maternity, Children's photography, and family sessions. I have a long way to go still, but I think after Sunday's shoot- Im definitely on my way... at least I hope I am!

Introducing: C & B

I think this one is just absolutely sweet. I love how he is kissing the top of her head and the look in her eyes. aww.

This one makes me smile. I cant help it. I think its infectious... how can you look at this picture and not smile?

Im not quite sure what the round metal thing is... I just happened to find it lying by my feet while taking some shots and got the idea to get the following shot. I love how it turned out. quirky.

can we say GORGEOUS??!!!

And if this picture doesnt just scream "Hot-ness", I don't know what does. I can feel this one in my toes.

For these last two I had them sit on the ground in an open field, they got eaten alive by 'skeeters but were such troopers!! The light was amazing by this time and I am so happy I was able to get a few shots off in it. I could have shot for a while longer but by this time we had been out most afternoon.

I can't say enough good things about my two models for the day! They were absolutely fabulous all day long and I just really appreciate the opportunity that they allowed me to practice on them. Thank you B & C!!! You guys were awesome!

Classy and Fabulous!

One of the girls I go to school with had her birthday this past week. I almost always make my friends their presents... very rarely will I actually buy gifts. Birthdays, Christmas, graduations... whatever the occasion may be a handmade giftie is sure to come from me. Well for 'A's birthday I decided to make something Ive never actually tried to do before. Luckily for me it wasn't too hard. :) It's a mini collage that I thought she'd like. It has one of my favorite quotes on it: "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous!" ~ Coco Chanel.



I really like how it turned out! The background is made out of cardboard... just in case you were wondering. I found the idea off of Ink Stains and thought it was a pretty neat one and just really wanted to try it out. All of the lace is vintage lace (I just ADORE vintage lace) as is the doily behind the flowers. For the flowers I just got some basic white ones and inked them up using Tim Holtz distress inks and then stamped ontop of that to get the effect that I got. This truly was a really simple and fairly fast project to do.

My Favorite Dinner Recipe

Over at Kellys Korner this week's Show us Your Life is all about your favorite dinner recipe. I must admit, before I moved to Mississippi I NEVER cooked. You can ask my dad; he'll tell you that I could burn water, and I could. However, I had to learn in order to survive. Ok well thats not entirely true- we would have survived, it just wouldnt have been very pretty or tasteful. In my three years since moving to MS I've learned a heck of a lot and continue to do so. My hubby is super picky and so usually we're stuck with meat and potatoes... because thats almost all he will eat. Since Im usuallly making sure (to the best of my ability) that Im making something he will eat I forgo a lot of the stuff I would love to make... since I am the only one who would eat it and I dont feel like making dinner twice most nights.

But, since I am currently home with the dog I get to try out the stuff I like and even though most of the time I completely mess it up every now and then I come across something that makes me swoon. Chicken Scallopine is one of those recipes! IT'S A-MA-ZING!!! and so super simple to make. I can make it in about 20-30 minutes. And believe me- if I can make it, anyone can.

I must tell you though- I steal all my recipes. Most of them come from the PioneerWomanCooks.com. That site truly makes life so much easier for me. Ive tried tons of dishes from her site and 9 out of 10 times they come out perfect (the 1 time is usually because Ive messed up somehow). So go check her out... you won't be disapointed. I promise :)

CHICKEN SCALLOPINE

1 pound linguine
6 boneless, skinless, trimmed chicken breasts
Flour
Salt & pepper
2 tbls olive oil
4 tbls butter
12 ounces white mushrooms sliced thin
1 cup dry white wine
1lemon
½ cup heavy cream
1 heaping tbls capers
Chopped fresh parsley
Grated Parmesan Cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. You want it al dente. Set aside.
Flatten chicken breasts to uniform thickness, salt and pepper both sides then dredge in flour. Heat butter and olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken breasts until golden brown (2-3 minutes per side). Remove to plate and set aside.
Throw mushrooms into pan and stir. Immediately pour in wine and then squeeze the juice of ½ -1 lemon. Stir to deglaze pan, then cook vigorously for 1 minute until sauce reduces.
Reduce heat to low. Pour in cream and stir. Add capers and parsley and stir. Turn off heat. Salt and pepper to taste. Don’t under salt!
Place pasta and chicken on platter and top with sauce. Be generous with the sauce! Sprinkle parmesan cheese over top.

Crimp My Style

I know its been a while. School has been crazy stressful and busy for me and will continue in the same fashion. At least its my last year, I just have to make it through and then I'll be alright.

I do have some exciting news that I wanted to share with whomever happens to read my blog. I have finally convinced my mom to put some of her work up on Etsy. Yay!! She has been selling her work for a few years now just out of her house and to whoever happened to come across it. I really wanted her to be able to put her work out there for a larger audience to see.

My parents raise Alpacas, which are in the same family as Llamas. They're super cute and almost quite huggable. In any case, my mom takes their fiber (fur) and has it spun into yarn. She then uses it to crochet all sorts of things. My mom has been crocheting for as long as I can remember and between her and my nana they taught me how as well. Im just not nearly as good at it as they are. My craftiness shows up in the form of scrapbooking and cake decorating.

I have a scarf that she made for me about a year or so ago and come winter I wear it everyday. The alpaca fiber is extremely soft and I love wearing items made from it. Right now mom's etsy shop is a little bare looking, simply because she just started putting things up on it. Right now she only has scarves up but I do know that she has recently finished a shawl and some fingerless gloves, as well as a bag or two. I expect these items to be put up for sale soon. She does take special orders and can crochet just about anything your little heart desires! Go check out her shop and give it some love!!

Crimp My Style