To Market to Market...

Hello Everyone!

Yesterday I went to the Nashville Farmers Market. I love going to the Market when the seasons transition.  I start seeing beautiful big orange pumpkins, gourds, dried colored corn cobs, and mums! That brings upon feelings of spiced hot cider, apple picking and hay rides! I love this time of year! The smell of firewood and cool nights are so inviting!  Flannel shirts, riding boots and warm sweater weather! Nashville is still pretty hot, so I am in anticipation for the cooler weather. I helped my mother recently make a peach pie! These peaches were huge and from South Carolina. I really enjoy supporting local farmers markets because everything is so fresh, and less expensive than grocery stores. It's also a fun experience! I took some great shots of all the local fruits and vegetables. Check out how cool the pumpkins look! I can't wait for October to slowly roll through so I can watch my favorite scary movies on AMC. I used to do this in college with my sorority sisters all the time! Another college favorite was lighting Swan Creek Candles around the house. These candles are the best because they are made from soybean/ vegetable wax and they are also lead free. The scent is incredible. I really miss going to haunted houses as a kid. Actually, I don't really miss the chainsaw touching my feet. That was the worst! I can't wait for Halloween activities with my Kindergartners! They make the cutest crafts, and say the funniest things! Below are some shots I took with my new Nikon D90. I love this camera! What kinds of things will you be doing this Fall season?

It's Friday! My Color Palette...Dramatic Black and White

Hello Everyone!

This week I wanted to talk about the dramatic color combination of black and white. One word. Classic. You see it from top designers like Chanel and makeup  artists like Bobbi Brown. These are the main colors that set the tone for beautiful stores like Bloomingdale's and Saks Fifth Avenue. Formal events never cease to amaze in black and white tie affairs. These two colors can leave everlasting marks in a photo memorable, and strike the peaceful balance between yin and yang. I don't even know if I can even constitute them as colors? Correct me if I'm wrong, please! I just wanted to devote this page to all things black and white. Black is the color of authority and style. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. Black is an elegant, sophisticated and a conservative color.  Artists and poets wear this color to inspire them in their art. The color black has a very powerful look to it. White is symbolism for clean, innocence, and purity. This color can go with just about every color combination. In art, you could mix this color with any color to make an unlimited amount of shades for just one color.Wearing white is great for job interviews because it invokes cleanliness, and simplicity. I love blogging about color! Color surrounds us in our daily lives. We wear it each day and see it vibrantly out in the world. Color helps us with our creativity and surrounds with just about everything we do. What is your favorite color combination?

My 30th Pre-Birthday Celebration

This past Labor Day weekend was such an awesome birthday extravaganza! I was so excited to see my fiancé, Michael! I haven't seen him for about a month so this was very important to me. On Saturday we went to The Frist Museum to see the exhibit, Art Deco Automobiles, Sensuous Steel. This exhibit was so cool! I love going to any and every Art Museum, but this brought on special curiosity since I love the Art Deco era. If you don't know what Art Deco is, continue reading. Art Deco was a period that reigned specifically in the 1920's and 1930's in France and then slowly appeared in American culture. It's inspired by bold, rich patterns geometric shapes and extravagant detail. The Frist Center in Nashville TN, The Chrysler Building in Manhattan, and many buildings and hotels on Ocean Drive in South Beach, Miami are sterling examples of this beautiful period called Art Deco. This period was built upon new and industrial steel and everything transportation.  I really enjoyed the exhibit and seeing the luxurious and new age cars they invented.

 My fiancé then surprised me with staying at The Opryland Hotel. As we unpacked in the room, he asked me if I would get some ice so he could make some ice water. I got up and searched high and low for some ice. This convention center is huge, so I felt lost for a brief period. As I got to the room, I peered in and noticed a box on the bed! I didn't expect a gift! Honestly, just having him there was more than enough! I started tearing up and as I opened the box, I  noticed a slight picture on the box of an SLR camera! He bought me a Nikon D-90! This camera is so exquisite! The clarity in the macro lens is exceptional! you can see the difference in some of the pictures below, some were taken on an Iphone 4s and the others on the Nikon D-90. The lens shutter is super fast! We just did a test run at The Opryland Hotel. I really enjoy taking shots of things here and there. I took a couple black and white photography courses in High School and College, but I really want to get back into it! I can't wait to start my hobby again! He specifically told me to work on my SLR NOT Instagram! Not that Instagram is bad, it just takes away from the beauty of what a photo can truly look like when you incorporate work into a picture. My Aunt Caydie has always inspired me in her beautiful work as a professional photographer! It is such an awesome hobby I hope will never die! On Sunday we ate at Monell's! This classic southern hospitality gem was built in 1880. Best Southern Fried Chicken around! I feel like I'm staying at Forest Gump's mama's bed and breakfast! I was sad for the weekend to drift away, but in anticipation for my future! What a great holiday weekend!  Future beautiful pictures to come!