Hiatus!

...hit the books hard,

they don't hit back.

Yes, my friends. That definitely means I'm back to school!

Ever since I got back from my vacation, I've been hard at it! 

I started back school last week.

I'm doing day of coordination for a wedding this weekend.

I met David Tutera at a grand event on Tybee Island 2 weeks ago called "Cut the Ribbon, Cut the Cake". He was beautiful.

I'm loving being engaged! My fiance and I are so busy planning the big shindig!

Photography has been busy busy and I've made a big change to my business.

When I began my business last year, my rates were lower than low. Like to the point where I wasn't making a dime. And that was okay, because I was inexperienced and just playing around at that point.

Well now, it's a full blown business which I take very seriously. I've educated myself in the field as well as paid out of pocket for classes. I've bought equipment (just got my studio equipment over the weekend!) and I've had things break. I realized that my business was pretty busy when I had 6 shoots scheduled last week. Only 4 of them came through, but 4 shoots the same week as school starting back up along with a ton of other things including work, is very overwhelming. 

SO I've decided, why bust my butt for so many shoots with a lower price when I can up my price just a little bit and take less shoots a week? I want to enjoy being engaged. I want to enjoy my business. I want to enjoy my senior year of college. 

So from here on out, I'm only taking 2 shoots a week and I've upped my pricing just a little bit. I don't think my pricing was very competitive in the first place. 

I think this should work for me. Less stress....more of a schedule with my clients....hopefully same income.

Oh and Tutera:

FEAST YOUR EYES ON THIS!

Okay, so high-quality, not so much! 

But it's DAVID TUTERA! 

Who cares! 

Xoxo

WE DID IT!

Gosh...this blog is a MESS!

Sorry I jump from one theme to the next, but hey, life changes right?!

So I just got off the phone with Justin and we chose a date! Ah I'm so excited. It's like concrete now. We just got to make it happen! We're gettin' hitched on November 17, 2012! Nothing like a good fall wedding in the south. Any other time, it's just too stinkin' hot. I'm really bad at remembering the weather and it's seasons, but I just checked weather.com and in November its usually at a high of 69 degrees...I'll let ya know how November feels. 

Anyways, what I really want is a good deal. Weddings are so incredibly expensive and since I've worked for a wedding planner for sometime now, I've seen the very best and I know I'll never compare to what I've seen, but I want it to be just as exciting and special for me as all the other weddings I've worked|attended. I know it will be, but I just want to be as in awe whenever mine comes. So that's part of the whole "hey let's get married in November" thing! My boss recommended it and with her being the wonderful professional that she is, I think I should take her advice. She said either November or January! And I don't really want a SUPER cold wedding! 

Besides, 17 was my lucky number growing up! ;)

So I'm thrilled! PLUS today, my best friend and I went school shopping for me (ugh, I start back this Thursday.) and she bought me my "wedding binder" which has only inspired me to get to doing some planning. 

The "binder" plus my sleepy eyes + chipped nails! #winning!

So what's number one on my list you ask?

This should be easy...

PHOTOGRAPHY! duh! 

Well, ya want to see some really pretty things? Feast your eyes on these beauties! 

Erin Sage Photography 

Jade+Matthew Take Pictures

Juliet Elizabeth Photography

Okay, so we may not be able to afford any of these people, but their work is just incredible. They're the ones that I strive to be like. 

One day, one day!

Okay, okay, enough of this talk! 

It's bed time for this lady!

XoXo!

Good things come to those who wait.

& waited, I have done.

How on Earth have y'all been?!

Me, oh you know, I'm a little firework of happiness these days.

My vacation was grand...I'm not going to give any details.

1. Because I am under what the producers call a "gag order" and I can get in BIG trouble if I were to do so.

&

2. You have to watch the show in January when it airs! DUH!

But I will tell you this much.

You all know how long I've waited for this to happen.

You see, Justin and I have been dating for almost 3 years. (November 1 will make it THREE!) and as many of you know, there comes a time in your relationship where you're ready to take the next step.

Justin and I are in our very early twenties. We're practically babies. But we act as if we're 30 on most days. What other 20 year old do you know that runs their own business, works 2 other jobs, and goes to school 18 hours a week while maintaining a social & romantic life? That will definitely age you quite a bit. So we both act like old farts.

Well, it seems as if Justin and I have talked about an engagement for quite some time. I'd say probably since my freshmen year of college. I've always said "when you know, you know." So why wait any longer for us to get any older?

Yes, I'm going to finish school. Yes, I'm going to focus on one career after graduation.

But why can't I have a big shiny ring and documented promises of a beautiful future with the man I love the most?

Well, it happened!

Right before I got on the train to leave for my vacation, Justin finally came to say "goodbye". Mind you, it was in the pouring rain and all of his closest family and friends were there. Not to mention 5 or so cameras and a whole crew of production people.

When Justin started telling me "you're the only person that can put up with me and you're my best friend" as he got down on one knee, nobody else mattered. It didn't matter that I was soaking wet or that I was about to leave for a week. All that mattered is that it was finally happening. All this time that we had been waiting for, here was the moment.

And so, I do stand by the saying "good things come to those who wait." Because if we wouldn't have waited, would we feel such a relief that it's finally happened and we can finally stop saying "one day when we're engaged...." because it's finally here.

It is the sweetest thing to see Justin so happy about something.

People keep asking when the wedding will be, but we want to do a lot of saving and I want to graduate and get my life set before we can even think about a wedding. So no date has been chosen but we are so excited about planning an engagement party!

Oh and I know y'all want to see the ring!

I haven't had a chance to take a photo with my camera yet, so I pulled one off of the jeweler's website! It is the most beautiful, sparkly thing on this planet.

Don't rush things. Life (& love) takes time.

XoXo

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