The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Review

Honestly, I have never been into a movie as much as I was with this one.  Yes, I loved FROZEN, but that was an animated movie.  This - THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY, makes you re-evaluate your LIFE. It makes you think of questions for yourself, like, how are you living? what are you doing with life? why don't you explore the world? Why don't you follow your dreams? live and love.

This movie is a story of a man (Ben Stiller) who is a day-dreamer, he fades into his fantasies in order to escape from his every day life.  When LIFE magazine (his job) is only going to be online, his position, along with many others is being terminated, he goes after 'negative 25' which was lost.  The photographer, Sean O'Connell (played by Sean Penn) sent Walter the amazing life-changing photo to be the last and final cover for the magazine. Through his journey, he discovers the true meaning of life.

Along his journey Walter finally catches up with Sean O'Connell in Afghanistan, atop a mountain where he was taking a photo of a snow leopard, who never wants to be seen.  Walter then asks where the negative is, and Sean's response, "You're sitting on it." The negative was in the wallet that Sean made for Walter.  He used that wallet continuously until he got too frustrated with not being able to catch up with Sean at one point, so he threw it out.  

The negative was not lost forever.  After saying it was okay, and that he was upset that Walter threw out the wallet, he then turned his attention back to the snow leopard, Walter asks if he is going to take the picture.  Sean's response was one to remember forever, he is not going to take a picture because he wants to enjoy the moment rather than be distracted with the camera, because some moments are just meant for enjoying personally. 

When returning home, he meets Todd from eHarmony when he was in customs jail at the airport.  He also is confronted with the fact that he spent all of his money, so he has to return his mom's piano (you'll understand this when you go see the movie ;) ) and after that, he explained to his mom about the negative, and she stated that she has the wallet, because she 'always keeps is nick-nacks' and there it was negative 25.  Walter takes the negative to the workplace and passes it along. 

The final product is amazing.

GO SEE 'THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY,' it's worth it.

Couples First Home Photography Session

I'm not one to just post pictures, normally, but I think that y'all would love these first home photo ideas that I took for my friends Chris and Cara.

I had the honor of going to their home and photographing their first home in the making together!

Sitting where their bed will be, in their room, in their new home. <3

How To: Wedding Day Love Letter

This is your last letter as a single woman/man!  You are about to walk down that isle to your gorgeous fiancé and start the beginning of your lives together!  The letter is normally written the day before (or however long before, that you want) to be given after the rehearsal dinner, after you say your goodbyes until the wedding day, or to be written the morning of (to get awesome photos :) ) and to be given via Maid-of-Honor and Best Man.  It is normally given with a gift! (but, it doesn't have to be)

During a time where the wedding becomes all the bride (or groom) thinks about, the partner tends to get put on the back burner.  So, I have put together a list of the TOP TEN things of what I believe is most important to put into your letter:

1. Tell him/her that he/she matters. Always.  As I stated above, sometimes we forget to give attention to our loved ones during a stressful, full of planning time.  So comfort their mind by telling them, that after this day you are all theirs - those long nights of planning will no longer get in the way of those movie nights, romantic gestures, or snuggle time.
2. Calm him/her.  Nerves can get the best of us.  I'm not saying cold feet, but how would you feel standing up in front of a hundred or so people?  You will probably be nervous too, so use this letter as a way to talk him/her up, make them feel good, proud and get their adrenaline pumping.
3. Tell him/her how much you love and miss them. Use this as a time to tell your loved one how much you love them, how amazing they are, how they changed your life, and how excited you are about marrying them.  You should definitely mention how much you miss them, I mean, it has been a WHOLE DAY since you saw them, you should miss them! :)
4. Mention future encounters. We all know that everyone has those up's and downs.  Write about how you know there will be fights, and that y'all will get through them, always.  But, also you should write about how you know that there will be so many memories that y'all will build together.
5. Tell him/her they are gorgeous. Seriously.  Say it.  Again, again, and again.  They may already know, but it doesn't hurt to repeat it.  I cannot tell you how many times I wrote how handsome Adam is, how handsome he will look at the end of that isle.
6. You are in this together.  (he-he, I always think of this song when I say something like this)  Anywho! Remind your lover that you are in this together, forever.  
7. Make it personal. This is a moment that is for the both of you. Just you two.  No one else.  When you write, write to them and no one else.  When you read their love letter to you, know that it is to you, and only you.  When I made it more personal, the words started flowing, and I felt unstoppable with the love I had.  It's obviously already personal, but what I mean is fill it with your love, your memories, what makes y'all happy, your engagement day, your marriage day, your inside jokes. Fill it with LOVE.
8. Specifics.  Write to them about specifics that you love about them.  What do they do that just makes your heart flutter?
9. Write about your inside jokes. Write about your funny moments, inside jokes that you have with them, and anything that will make them laugh that only you two understand.
10. End it with love. Put the date at the top, sign 'the soon to be Mr. or Mrs. So-and-So,' fill it with love, and end it with love.  Sign it with a meaningful endearment "You are the peanut butter to my jelly, I love you, xo, Cassie"

 Other things that I recommend doing when writing your letter, write it in a quiet and peaceful place, make it pretty and put it on nice paper, and keep writing letters even after you are married.  You don't have to just write one letter, you can write more and more, as the years go on together.

Also, if you do plan on getting him/her a gift, I would mention either some of the things that you absolutely would love to get from him/her, or I would get them something that they could wear that day.  I got Adam a blacked out fossil watch with our wedding date and initials engraved on the back.  Adam gave me the gift I wanted most (HE LISTENS, yay), a Kate Spade "MRS" necklace.

There is a moment of serenity when you read the note from you loved one.  A sense of overall calmness embodies you, you are at ease and full of happiness.  This is why Adam and I decided to give our letters to each other the day of the wedding, there's nothing like hearing/reading reassuring positive words of love from your fiancé.

I hope this helped, y'all!

"Happily ever after is not a fairy tale. It's a choice."  - Fawn Weaver 

All photos were taken by Blueberry Creative.  I highly recommend them for ANY photography needs.

FROZEN Movie Review

Anything with the voices of Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell, you know is going to be amazing.  So when the newest animated movie, FROZEN came out in theaters, I knew that I had to see it.  Little did I know that I would go see it 3 times...

FROZEN shares women's empowerment, honestly, true/realistic characters and astounding climax.

The land of Arendelle (sisters Elsa's and Anna's kingdom) was put into an eternal winter after an argument between the sisters.  Having to continuously lie to her sister about her powers was hard on Elsa and when pushed past the breaking point, you never know what would happen, until it did, and then Elsa ran off.  

Anna, the younger sister, and one who always viewed her glass half full, ran after her sister in the middle of a horrible snow storm.  In attempt of going up to the North Mountain, she lost her horse, fell in a lake and met her new friend, Kristoff and his AMAZING reindeer Sven, who help her up the mountain in search for Elsa (now the Snow Queen) in order to take Arendelle out of the endless snow storm.

After going through treacherous obstacles, meeting "love-expert" trolls, forming great friendships, Anna and Kristoff saved Arendelle from many difficulties. 

I HIGHLY recommend going to see FROZEN, it is by far my new favorite.

PS - it is also now going to BROADWAY!!

There's no place like home.

There is just something about home...the crisp air you breathe? familiar faces? warm hugs?

Everything all rolled into one.  I just love home, Maryland is where I was born, where my family is, and where memories are. But, North Carolina is my home, too.  I guess it is true what they say, that "Home is where the heart is" (or where the bacon is, depending on what you prefer!)

So, as I said, I LOVE North Carolina, but my home, where I was born and raised, there is no place like it.  And in the picture above, one of my best friends CeCe, got me the most amazing Christmas present ever - a necklace with the state of Maryland, from Route One Apparel. She said that I will always have home close to my heart.

Adam and I drove up to MD, this past week for one of my good friends baby showers, and y'all, she looks GORGEOUS! Kelcie is glowing, and radiant and full of life!

This is Linix and Mufasa on the drive up! They were snuggling!

Hot Chocolate Bar!

Kelcie's Sweet Station!

Sweet Station Continue!

Kelcie's Cravings Station!

The Sweet Station was my favorite station ;)

Kelcie opening the gift I got her, Kynleigh's baby sonogram on a canvas from Koodle Kids.

Everything was cute and well put together.  Her sisters put so much thought and detail into everything at this shower!  I am definitely going to look back at this blog when I want some ideas for my baby shower. (whenever I have it, not now though.)  I was so excited that I was able to make it.  There are just some things in life that you shouldn't miss out on, and honestly that was her baby shower, I was so excited that I was able to attend.

You also see some picture frames at each station, her sisters put together fun facts about Kelcie and Bobby when they were babies. "Kelcie would suck her thumb when she was a baby, yet Bobby would play with his yellow ducky!"

We played Baby Shower bingo, and Baby Statistics, and watched her open many gifts, and witnessed so much love in that room!

Spending a week with family and friends in Maryland was just what we needed to relax.

We are ALL young, we are ALL whatever we want to be and we need to remember that!  We go through life with blinders on, not seeing whats around us, the beauty in the trees, the beautiful days that God gives us, the little blessings we get each day.  That smile on a loved ones face that YOU put there.  That is what life is about, that is what home is.  

Home is wherever you see the blessings, wherever you are, YOUR heart.

One year down…forever to go - Chris & Cara

Y'all - I am super excited to let you all my little world of photography.  This Sunday, I had the honor of taking ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY photos for our friends Chris and Cara!

Throughout college I was a HUGE photography nerd! I loved it, I wanted to do it, I wanted to be apart of it, it was in my everyday routine - constant moment capturing.

Yet, during my Senior year, I, like many other creative people, have many different passions, and one of those is continual learning.  I took a break from photography, and dabbled in videography, design (which I LOVE), Appalachian history, leadership, Spanish, and the list goes on and on.

So, when The McEwan's asked me to photograph one of their most amazing moments, I of course said yes!  

So here you go, guys! Mr. & Mrs. McEwan! :)

Here's to 2014.

Good Evening, darlings! 

I hope that you all are doing fabulous on this sunny day.  With all this rain in Charlotte lately, I asked God for either snow, or sunshine - he gave us sunshine. But, he did give Maryland some snow!  (which is where I am from!) I will also be visiting back home with Adam, in 4 days, so He has given us both!

Sit down and have a cup of tea, y'all!

I wanted to share a few of my January Goals.  I found a few things on Pinterest that I really wanted to try, one is a list of pre-written goals to help me along my way, and the second is the Memories in a Jar idea. The pictures truly explain everything, and are really inspiring!

When it comes to New Year, New Resolutions, and goals, I have to admit - I am one of those people that would say have this or that goal, but never followed through.  So, putting it here, together, we can encourage each other to fulfill our goals, our dreams, our potential. 

I found this list on Pinterest, and filled it out for myself.

This Year Goals, 2014.

Filled out with my Goals.

 Alright guys, let me explain to you what each one means.

1. A bad habit that I am going to break…sleeping in.  I would like to wake up and start my day earlier. (Go to sleep at a decent hour.
• This is self explanatory, but to break it down a little.  I have a bad habit of sleeping in, not super late, but too late for me.  Making this commitment to myself will help me get more sleep, be more of a morning person, and get more done throughout the day!
2. A new skill I would like to learn…being business savvy.
• I have a very creative mindset, so when it comes to business knowledge, short, to-the-point writing, I lack that business mind.  I wish to expand my intellect in order to broaden my views.
3. A person I hope to be more like…My Popa.
• My grandfather, Popa, is the most amazing, kind-hearted, selfless man.  He has always provided for my Granny, has a sense of humor, kept their marriage happy, hard-worker, talented, woodsman, Godly, eats sweets all the time, and always puts others before himself.  I wish to become more like him, for he is my inspiration.
4. A good deed I am going to do…volunteer at least once a month; give back as much as possible.
• Either that be at a soup kitchen, donating clothes to the less fortunate, giving to panhandlers, send school supplies (Operation Christmas), things of that nature.
5. A place I would like to visit…HOME.
• Don't get me wrong, home is where my husband is.  But, I mean I would love to visit my family more often, up in Maryland. Since Adam and I live in North Carolina, it is difficult for us to just up and go on a 8-hour drive. (I am accomplishing this goal in 4 days!)
6. A book I'd like to read…The Book Thief, Markus Zusak, and A Lesson Before Dying, Ernest J. Gaines.
• Y'all should look into these, I am super excited!
7. A letter I am going to write…I am going to write a Christmas letter this year, addressed to anyone overseas, protecting our country.
• Have you ever seen The Christmas Card movie?  It is amazing, I don't want a lover from this, for I have already found the love of my life (Adam) :) but, I do want to make an impact on a soldiers life, and let them know that when they come home, they always have a place to stay or visit or call home.
8. A new food that I am going to try…Pancetta.
• Bacon, Bacon, Fancy Bacon!
9. I am going to do better at…being a devoted wife, a Godly woman.
• Making my husband feel amazing everyday.  Make him know how much I appreciate him, and that He brought us together. We are meant to be, and will forever be in the eyes of God.

Alright y'all, that is that! What are your goals, or resolutions?

The second thing that I told you guys about was the Memories in a Jar.  Again, I found this on Pinterest, and I decided to do it!  

"Starting January 1st, write good things that happen to you on little pieces of paper:

- surprise gifts

- accomplished goals

- the beauty of nature

- 'LOL' moments

- memories worth saving

- daily blessings

Open on December 31st, 2014"

It is really simple to make, and fun to accomplish!  I just took a mason jar, that was left over from my wedding, wrapped some burlap around it and taped the wonderful saying above to the opposite side of the bow.  Anyone can add anything, as much as they want.  So, it will be Adam and I, then if we have visitors, they can add things as well.

I hope that all of you accomplish more and more each day, even if it's waking up earlier (like I need too - haha)

If you are busy and don't think that you can fulfill any resolutions, THINK AGAIN!  Resolutions don't have to be huge, as so many people believe them to be, like losing weight, making a lot of money, etc. They can be little things.  Don't get down on yourself, because you can do anything!  

Here are some ideas to help you along the way to a happier, fulfilling New Year:

• Update that scrapbook.
• "Clean" up your Facebook friends list.
• Bake something every month.
• Clean something different - weekly.  Don't overwhelm yourself by listing it out, or thinking of many things.  Just take one step at a time.  Start with cleaning your toilet, organizing/cleaning your closet, or something like dusting the living room.
• Save $1-$10 a week.
• Live life.
• Get out of your country/state/county/city for a day (or weekend).
• Stop thinking negative.
• Pay it forward.
• Take more photos.
• Simplify.
• Be you, because you are awesome!

2014 will be a great year, be happy!  Let me know what your goals are!

"Remember, you have the same amount of hours in a day as Beyonce."