busygirl

my new baby, uh, camera bag.

Okay, so not a baby.  More like a purse.  Or a camera bag.  Or both.  It's a hybrid and it's fabulous!

While I love my SlingShot 202 AW, it definitely isn't an everyday camera bag.  Actually it kind of screams 'I have an expensive camera and lots of stuff in here'.  Which is not what I want people to know when I'm out and about.  So sadly, my camera stays at home for most of our adventures, which definitely does not sit well with me.

But I did it.  I finally saved up to buy a Jo Totes bag.  And even though I debated a bit between the Epiphanie Clover and the Jo Totes Rose, I had to go back to my original love, the Rose.

So meet, the newest member of my purse collection - my Jo Totes Rose camera bag in Pewter!

 
LOVE.  Absolutely love.  And it wasn't outrageously expensive - only $102 total with the cost/tax/shipping. 

So let's talk more about this beaut, shall we?

First of all, it's huge, but not all that bulky - see? I can easily haul it around.

 
It easily fits a DSLR, external flash and another lens, but I usually just have my camera and external flash with me, so there's room for other items such as my wallet, notebook, etc.  It's made of water-resistant faux leather that has a vintage feel.  And it comes in nine different colors- but I went with the pewter grey since it would basically go with anything I wear.  Maybe my next bag will be colorful? (My husband is shaking his head at me as he reads this).  There are five adjustable 1/2 inch foam pads that you can move around to suit your needs.  And the entire bag is lined with foam for safe storage.  It even comes with a matching crossbody strap!

 
And did I mention the dog loves it too?  He's either impressed that he's the same size or jealous that I'm taking photos of the bag instead of him because he wouldn't move away.

 
So there's my new love.  I toted it around this entire weekend at my brother's wedding and was thrilled to have my camera with me to capture the rehearsal dinner and our pampering appointments.

Want to read about a few other bags I considered?  Hop on over here!

#megapher11

I am utterly exhausted.  It's Tuesday and I can barely keep my eyes open.  But it's worth it, since the cause was an absolutely wonderful weekend with family and friends...oh and my bestest/NOW SIL and brother getting married!

You know your wedding is a big deal when you have your own hashtag on twitter.

But enough words, here's some sneak peek photos courtesy of my aunt until we get the professional shots from Cavanaugh Photography (he posted a sneak peek too!)

Waiting for the ceremony to start

 

Absolutely gorgeous location

 

Here she comes!  Simply stunning.

 
Adam and I were so honored to be the Best Man and Maid of Honor, it's such a blessing to have Chris & Megan in our lives, love you both! 

The new Mr. and Mrs. <3

 

The cake throwing was kept to a minimum...

 
And we all danced the night away with friends and family.

 
 
 Congratulations Chris & Megan, we love you!

 

birthday wishes.

To my little nephew who is turning 3 today!  What a cutie :)  Uncle Adam and Auntie Nicole (and cousin Ricki) love you!

last night of singledom.

Six lovely ladies, one bachelorette, tom collins and Cleveland all make for one fabulous night out!

An evening celebration of my FSIL's last few weeks as a single (well, engaged) woman was much needed.  We started out with dinner at La Strada on East 4th, a Mediterranean bistro inspired by Italian, Turkish, Moroccan, Spanish and Greek kitchens.  I wish I had taken a close-up photo of the food, amazing!

 
And then headed back to our suite for some present opening. 
Then out for the night up and down East 4th.

 

I simply cannot wait for this girl to marry my brother on Saturday.  She's simply amazing and I adore her!

 
I love our friends, such good times!

 
 
And obviously, we get a little silly sometimes :)

 
But that's okay :)  We had a fabulous time!

wreck this.

I kept journals on and off again for years.  And then started blogging, so the paper version didn't really seem to fit into my life.  But blogging is somewhat censored, both in content and creativity.  And then I came across Wreck This Journal.

Unbelievable.

You want me to spill my coffee on this?  Scribble all over the cover?  Jump up and down on it?  SHOWER with this?!

 
A journal filled with ridiculous prompts, instructions and suggestions with the sole purpose of destroying the journal.

Liberating.  Completely liberating.  I'm hooked.  And cannot wait to the share the after photos of this journal that came to me so neat and put together.

disaster relief for our four-legged friends.

It's awful.  Simply awful.  And while millions are donating time and money to help people affected by the disaster in Japan, I can't help but think of the loved pets that have been separated, trapped or injuried by the tsunami and earthquake.

via

Losing a pet is tramatizing.  Losing a pet while you've already lost everything else is the end of the rope.  I hope every owner has a happy ending, but to make that happen, pets need disaster relief funds too.  If you want to help our four-legged friends find their homes again, click over to World Vets to donate.  The money donated will be used to send vets, medical supplies and the needed materials to provide shelter for these animals until they can be reunited with their families.

to the getty.

It still amazes me that when you live somewhere, you completely disregard the 'touristy' destinations in your own city.  Being in LA this past week made me realize how many places I had never seen even though I thought I had 'seen it all' since we lived in the area when I was a wee little one.  But a free afternoon found me at The Getty, a place I had never explored.

The museum itself is set on top of a mountainous hill with a windy path.  An impressive expression of architecture combined with stunning views of LA, Santa Monica and the Pacific Ocean.  The museum houses room after room of 15th century European artifacts: writing desks, paintings, teapots, even paneling from the walls of well known buildings.

  

sheer black blouse (target) - skinny jeans (arden b) - metallic flats (bakers) - mustard purse (target)
 
 
 
 

west coasting it

I know I've been MIA this week in the blogosphere but I'm in LA for work. Hopefully normal programming will resume in a day or two. Sorry for the slight break but I just can't pull myself away from this 80 degree weather :)

blogging platform dilemma.

I've been contemplating making the move from Typepad to Blogger, or possibly back to Wordpress again.  Any nuggets of wisdom on this topic?  Which platform do you use?  Pros?  Cons?  Help a girl out here, I'm so indecisive!

questions?

I'm on a slight blogging hiatus since I have a few projects in the works, along with coming up with a new blog design.  So I'm taking the time to answer some of the questions I've received over the past few months.  But before doing so, are there any others?  Any burning questions that you'd like answered?  There are some unusual ones that I've already received.  Feel free to leave them on the form below (all questions are anonymous)!