the return of fun fridays :)

I'm back, baby! :)

break time is officially over for me.  my mom always said a good vacation is one that you are SO looking forward to go on and one that you are looking forward to return home at the end.
according to her wisdom, this has been a good break for me.  :)

okay so why?  why the break?

somewhere in the last six months, I got lost.  don't get me wrong, I loved the business of working with clients...the creative adreneline rush from an amazing shoot...being challenged in ways I never dreamed of!

but I got so busy reacting to the business of life that I couldn't be proactive with the things I felt like I should be or wanted to invest in.

questions like these haunted me over the last six months:
what creatively inspires me?
what dreams should I be pursueing?
better yet, what does God want of me creatively?

there's a passage in Galatians that I LOVE in "the message"...

"...make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.  don't be impressed with yourself.  don't compare yourself with others.  each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life..."

could these words get anymore inspiring!  these words breathed new life into me and gave me hope that God made me exactly who I should be.  and should I choose to live with "open hands" instead of feeling like a tight-fisted hamster on a hamster wheel, freedom to be ME is mine to attain.

all this being said...it's Friday.  and it's fine-uh-ly fun friday again...so here's my first of many more to come of "favorites" and "not-so-muches" :)

*Pretty Lovely Designs.
shalon (the designer) is an AMAZING, creative, super cool lady who helped design my new blog's look.  I tried out WordPress and like it...but didn't want to lose the history I've created with my current blog.  I didn't really care about creating a custom domain for this blog and simply LOVE the look of my new blog - mimicing my current style with my website.  She is extremely thorough and detail oriented and was more than helpful throughout the whole process.  DEFINITLY look her up to create a look that is completely unique to you! :)

*D300

yes.  I have one.  and it is AWE-some!  I just finished up three shoots with it and the D90 and am amazed at the usabilitly and clarity or it.  definitly a keeper and a challenge to learn - but I LOVE it! :)

*san diego.
if I could transplant my loved ones and life that I love in AZ to san diego...I'm pretty sure life would be almost perfect.  over the last two months I've had the privelage to travel there and it simply is amazing...the cool breezes, the deep smells of green things growing...the freaking OCEAN!  :)  yes, I love this place. :)

and the "not-so-muches"?
not in the mood this week...just favorites!  have an amazing weekend being creative! :)