I'm leaving.....

...on an amtrack.

can't wait 'til I'll be back again!

Okay, so maybe that's not how the song goes.

Amy-remix!

Yep, I'm leaving today and I'm very nervous|excited. That's really the best way to explain it. I have no clue as to where we're going really. AH

Wish me luck!

Until next time....

XOXO!

I'll be missing y'all!

Got a secret...

got to keep it!

That's right folks, I've been keeping a secret from y'all for quite some time now. 

Eh, I probably shouldn't be mentioning it on my blog, but most people that read this actually don't know me and I'm pretty sure they won't be hitting the press running with this one. 

I just can't help myself.

My life is about to take a turn for the....

well who knows. 

You know, when filming a reality show, you don't really know what to expect. That's right, you heard me....a reality show! WTH, right? 

Well, at first, I was very skeptical to doing this. My boyfriend looked at me and pretty much said "hell no" to the whole idea & I couldn't have agreed more. I hate having my photo taken, why would I want video cameras following me around. 

The whole thing started out as Yemassee, the little sleepy southern town that Justin serves as fire chief, was chosen to be one of the three towns in the US to be checked out to see if it was a star in the making. The producers of the show came to town and did some interviews and whenever we came home from ATL back in May, I was asked to do an interview by Justin's aunt. Totally felt the pressure. So I did it. She and another lady were telling me all of these great lines to say and what they thought would hook the producers. 

Well if it didn't work, I don't know what would have. 

YEMASSEE GOT THE SHOW. 

And starting in November, expect to see this face on

oh Lord, yes...

The Lifetime Network

Blah!

The show is based on the town and all of the wonderful women in it! 

Which could only mean one thing....

Make the men deal with not having the women for a whole week while they send us off on a well deserved vacation.

You see, I couldn't keep this a secret anymore because I leave for vacation on SUNDAY! with 150+ other women from Yemassee to an undisclosed location. 

We don't know where we're going and they're taking away all communication while we're there! 

They've been filming us for the past week or so and they're coming with us on vacation.

I'm not going to give all of the juicy details, but I will tell you this. 

The big guy in the sky has definitely smiled on me with this because I'm being given the chance of a lifetime and I'm allowed to showcase my photography work on this show as well.

Now I know, who would want to hire a reality tv star? Oh this is only for the 15 minutes of fame... blah blah blah. It could kill a person and their business blah blah blah...I've heard it all. But I don't think people will realize that the only reason why I started this show is because of the pressure from Justin's family and the rest of the town and I also think it will be good for other people that have the same lifestyle and story I do. 

You know, "the 20 year old that's too old for her own good and is madly in love" kind of story?  I just think there are girls out there that are in my same shoes and I want them to know that its all okay and that it will all work out. It just takes time and patience. 

I don't want to be shown as a dumb hillbilly...that's for sure. I'm definitely nervous about that aspect of the show, but I don't think that's the direction they're going with me and Justin. 

So, yeah... I can't keep this secret anymore because in less than 2 days, I leave for my big vacation! 

XoXo,

15 minutes of fame. 

Anchors Away!

"Amidst the confusion of the times, the conflicts of conscience, and the turmoil of daily living, an abiding faith becomes an anchor to our lives."

-Thomas S. Monson

I'm not trying to say that my life is some sort of "turmoil" but it is always really really busy...and hard. But I'd like to say that faith keeps me anchored down; as well as a lot of other things...but faith keeps me moving.

I think anchors in general are a really good way to think of my life. There is nothing wrong with being anchored down. But I swear some days that whenever I wake up, I'm just going to run away. Leave work, school, everything behind and just go find an abandoned lighthouse and live there forever and find a way to survive. No more dealing with financials or anybody else in this world. Just to be free with no worries about decision making or anything.

But, I'm anchored down. Thankfully at that.

My best friend and I both have this love for anchors.

And so, on our bucket list there is a line that says "tattoos" with a little anchor drawn next to it.

Yes my friends, (sorry Mema!)(

I discuss it with practically everyone that is important to me. Like Justin.

He feels that by me getting an anchor, that it means he anchors me down. And I think he feels that in a bad way. But I wouldn't want anyone else to "anchor me down" and besides, I'm anchored in general. Hell, he should be happy he gets to be that guy! But I think he sees it as a bad thing. Like he's doing something wrong to me. Granted, Justin is completely jealous that I get tattoos while his mom and dad doesn't approve of them at all...but then again, I had tattoos before I started dating him, and I'll keep having tattoos. He'll love it once it's done, just like all the others.

Anyways, you don't think I'd write this post about tattoos and one of my most favorite symbols without posting photos, do you?!

HECK NO!

Placement is key. I have one tattoo on my left hip. More on the side instead of the backside like shown here...but I'm thinking that this next one will go in the same spot as this, except on the right.

Now, I wouldn't do this, but I just think the photo and the symbolism is really sweet.

SEE JUSTIN, BEING ANCHORED TO YOU ISN'T BAD!

LOVE IT.

How cute is this?!

This quote is quite awesome.
All images via pinterest ♥

I don't see a problem with being anchored. I'm a very grounded, level headed person. Always have been. I mean, those that have been following me, you do know that by now. I know I may want to just hit the ground running sometimes, but that's just not a smart decision. "Stay in school, don't do drugs, be very cautious of everything, don't eat french fries, oh and don't forget you own a business." I get it. Like I've always said, I'm the oldest 20 year old you'll ever meet.

See, anchors are totally fun and worthy of my body being branded by one.

Besides, I've always thought of myself as a swashbuckling pirate ;)

Shiver me timbers, argh!

***Update! As I'm sitting here at work crying over having to eat these nasty Smart Ones for Weight Watchers...I have to sit back and smile because I've lost 12 pounds and I'm about to hit week 4! Not too shabby, ehh?! But I do miss french fries and real cookies...not the prepackaged junk. Wah.***

You got to see this!

Remember when I said, no more mixing business with bloggity world? 

Well tonight, I just can't help it! 

I had a fabulous shoot this evening and I had a wonderful friend of mine help me out with a new logo! 

Y'all must see these! 

Logo by the beautiful, wonderful, just-can't-get-enough-of Lindsey at Scenic Glory Designs

She was so good about incorporating my ideas with hers. She's so talented and just amazing.

Anyways,

So here are some beauts from the shoot today! I just loved it so much!

Isn't she just fabulous? 

Ah! 

Until next time....

Keep Calm

& 

Photograph

ON

This is a cry for HELP!

Hello Bloggers! 


Short & sweet today! Because I have A LOT to do! Just got back in from a walk not too long ago! Still kickin' it with the diet! & I've lost 9 pounds to date! Woohoo! 


Anyways, HELP!


My computer is close to the end of it's lifespan. External hard-drive will be bought ASAP! But I'm looking to buy a new laptop.


I need suggestions.


I know some of you may be Mac people...but no offense,


I just don't like them that much and I don't like using them. 


I'm a PC person, for sure :)


So if any of you have PC recommendations, I'd love to hear them! 


Thanks a million! 






Signed,
Almost-lap-topless ;)

My first assignment

So today was the start of my new "job". 
For me, I can't seem to wrap my mind around calling this a job only because it requires me to photograph the fun I have in beautiful Beaufort by the sea. 


Well today, was my little sister's birthday! Okay, okay, I can't call her little anymore. She's a senior in highschool and calling colleges :(. She's seventeen! I remember being seventeen! It was like yesterday! Wowza! 


So for her birthday, she requested that we go and get some feather extensions! So that's exactly what we did! 
While getting feathered out...I took plenty of photos for my new photo job! 


Check them out!

Little Andy getting her feathers! 

So hard to choose!

A day at the salon can only be ended with a deslish dinner at Mizu! Ohhhh hibachi is so good! 

I'm pretty much looking forward to this job and my assignments to come! Tomorrow I'm off to photograph some restaurants for lunch & dinner as well as the kickoff of Waterfestival! Fireworks and nightlife! I get to visit a bar for more pictures after the fireworks! Yay!


More tales to be told soon!

Keep the goods coming!

Hello bloggers!
Remember these?

They're all from the most beautiful and hospitable area that's only 45 minutes away from me. I'm pretty much there about 5 out of 7 days of the week.
I had a very interesting offer come my way Monday evening.
A social media networking Facebook site with over 1,500 "likes" asked me to do some photography work for them! I'm so so so excited!
I met with the owner of the site this morning for a meeting that was only promising for great things to come. I've agreed to photograph events, restaurants, and all that goes on in this wonderful town! And my photos will be featured on this site as well.

Go ahead...you know you want to...
Give "Eat Sleep Play Beaufort" a like on Facebook!

Eeek! Excitement!

Beauty is only skin deep....

So lets talk about it.

I mean ....

skin.

Maybe it has something to do with my new "diet". 

Maybe it has something to do with stress.

Maybe it has something to do with all of this new exercise.

But as of lately, my skin is so oily! 

I've always been the one with the dry skin.

Flakey here,

Flakey there.

But now....

It's like before I even hit lunch time.

BAM!

Oily skin! 

I really can't stand it to be honest and I want to make it go away.

So what do you do when you feel like you could fry an egg on your face? 

As for WW....I've already lost 6lbs since last Wednesday. 

And that was when I looked last night. 

I was all gung ho about dieting last week until the weekend came. 

On this diet, I'm not supposed to have more than ONE alcoholic drink per day and at that point, what's the purpose of even having just one!? To tease me, I'm sure. 

Granted, that's the only thing I'm very limited on. I can still eat fast food when needed. I can still have my constant Diet Coke indulgences....

But I need beer in my life.

Maybe that's why my skin is oily?! Ah! 

Solution?!

Doubt it! 

Enough of my ramblings.

I know you feel like you've just wasted 10 minutes of your life or so reading all of that! 

If you don't mind, share your secrets of the skin!

Xoxo 

New Years Resolution in July.

guess I'm starting my New Year's resolution a little late.

You know which one I'm talking about...

The obvious, "hey, I want to lose weight!" resolution. 

Bleh.

You see, I've never been the skinniest of girls, and it used to really bother me when I was younger but I never had the motivation to do anything about it. I was athletic in high school and I just thought I'd always live my whole life with my thighs touching because that's how it's always been. 

Here lately, I've gotten very comfortable in my skin. I was even starting to think, bigger is fine. Bigger is even possibly bigger. And I was okay with that.

Until....

The other night I was bored and shoving cookies in my mouth while pinning....(you know, pinterest! my new obsession)....and there were so many motivational things about losing weight. 

I dropped the cookie and got on the treadmill. I have been having troubles sleeping...like staying up until 3 am and having to wake up at 7 to go to work. Not good, right? A little thought came to mind...what if I run a little bit, I'm sure I'll get sleepy!

So yeah....treadmill. I ran/walked for 30 minutes. It felt good. It wasn't overwhelming at all. 

I got off and "oh what the hell, I'm going to get on the scale." 

Whoa!

How did this happen?!

Granted, I haven't been on a scale since high school and I'm now a senior in college! (well, I'm graduating in 3 years instead of 4, but STILL!) 

Needless to say, I'm embarrassed about this number I saw. It was definitely not a good number. And I'm still in shock.

And I've been on the treadmill every day since. 

But, with my lifestyle I didn't think that was enough.

So today I've decided to take another step. 

This is so totally out of my element, so I understand if you stopped reading way back at the beginning lol! 

But anyways, I joined Weight Watchers. 

I don't really understand it. It's a lot of points this points that. But I think it will make sense once I start eating. 

I just know, that I don't want to be chubby faced anymore and maybe one day, my thighs won't touch. 

I can't even imagine them not touching to be honest. 

Cheers to sticking with it?! 

And if you never hear anything about this again, it will probably because I failed miserably lol! But if it goes well, I'm sure you'll know! 

Happy running! 

'Cause Baby You're a Firework!

"...c'mon let your colors burstttt!!!!!!"

In advanced, I'd like to tell you "you're welcome" because I know that song is probably now stuck in your head! 

And you already know what this post is about! 

Yes, fireworks. 

Tonight my sister and I did something very out of the ordinary for us on the 4th of July. We normally spend the afternoon cooking out and playing with sparklers...but today I had to work at Brays. While I was in the office, I got a text from Andrea. "What are you doing tonight?" Justin is working...so nothing I guess, right?! "Nothing" I replied. "Let's go watch the fireworks!" 

We never watch fireworks anywhere really. So I figured it would be fun! Little did I know, that it was a bring some food and a place to sit sort of fireworks! She packed us a great dinner and blankets! We were off! 

Have you ever heard of Parris Island? Its one of the fine places where the military goes for bootcamp. 

We had a fantastic time! I finally understand the big to-do about fireworks! 

Check it out :)

So cute. Little boy with army hat and bookbag.

Right out of my Grandpa's garden. Delish.

And right from Bi-Low lol. But still, delish! 

Left, left, left, right, left. 

Sisters!

So cute.

Red Velvet cookie, only fitting for the 4th! 

Cupcake with a cupcake! 

Sisters! again! 

Babyyyyy you're a fireeeework! ;)

And the grand finale! 

I really enjoyed playing around with different functions of my camera. It really reminded me of the fact that I do know how to use it. It was fun turning knobs and trying new things without having to really worry about the end result. 

I hope everyone had a fantastic 4th! And that we all remember daily what it's all about. 

Xoxo!