What I See

I think probably one of the most enjoyable things for me, about photography, is being able to capture snippets of how you see your surroundings, and then being able to share those snippets, with others, or even just keeping them for yourself. To try and find beauty, and interest in everyday things. Even the mundane. And most people view work as mundane. (Well I don't but you know :P) I know when I first stared working as a cake decorator as Baskin Robbins I shared a few photos from my little work area. Like some of my icing bags, tips, and sprinkles. But the other day I took a few more. Not only of "my things" but just other stuff in the store :) And a few cakes too :).

The cone cakes are probably my favorites. I typically do them on light yellow icing, but it was guys birthday so I did blue to make it a little more masculine. lol

This cake was so much fun! 

view from the drive thru window

you can see some more hearts I painted on the windows

Our new flavor of the month. It's SO delicious. My ultimate favorite is the Rainbow Sherbert, but this is a close second.

buy a cake!!!

our very potent food colorings looking gorgeous in their drawer

My coca cola magnets that I bought in Atlanta. Aren't they cute?

A "tweenager" cake I made. I can remember back to those days when I was obsessed withe neon (never orange, but still). 

The door handles. Sweet.

I hope you enjoyed looking at some of the things I see when I'm at work! :)

Starting A Hope Chest

I'm 17 right now, and I've been 17 for just over a month. And I guess mum had been planning on my starting a hope chest around this age, give or take a year or so. So this year will be the year, and I've currently started putting things in a cardboard box  (that will hopefully turn into a nice big sturdy plastic bin soon).  From my understanding, things that go into a Hope Chest (or hope box or hope bin or hope bag idk) are practical, sentimental, or pretty things that would be useful to you once you get married or move out on your own. Popular items to put in the Hope Chest seem to be things like sets of china, a teapot, embroidered pillow cases, or dish towels, a kitchen mixer and the likes. Things similar to what you might have on your wedding registry, but maybe more personal (unique, handmade, heirlooms, etc.).  I made a list (a VERY long list I might add) of things that I thought would be a good idea to start setting aside. Mainly kitchen stuff. I did get a little carried away and added things like mini cactuses (cacti?). And so far I've bought a few cute measuring cups and spoons, muffin tins, a hamburger patty press maker thing, and something else but I forgot what it was. I'm pretty sure the goal is to buy things when they're on sale, and get mostly things from say yard sales and thrift stores. 

My porcelain treasures from World Market

I feel like this is going to end up a game-how long can I keep these things tucked away before I start using them. Because most of the things that are practical, they would be just as practical to use now as they will be to use later. :P Do you have a Hope Chest? What are some things you've put in yours? Do you have the problem of wanting to use the things you're setting aside? 

Monday Randoms

A couple of months ago I tried drawing eyes with pencil. It was a fun project, didn't take too long and made me feel artsy. :P I guess it kind of inspired me to try it again, but this time I used a paintbrush.  I've always loved watercolors. But I guess I always thought that artwork that was created with watercolors was always somehow runny and colorful, and, you know, water-color-y. And that was part of the interest that it held for me. At the same time, I kinda wanted to try and paint something with watercolors that wasn't water-color-y, but still had that little bit of whimsical that water colors hold. And yesterday I tried painting with water colors for the first time, and I actually really enjoyed it :D  Both pictures of the same eye, but the photos were taken under different lighting. 

Have you ever painted with watercolors? What were some things you liked/disliked about it? 

OOTD

Outfit of the day! Well really yesterday, but I did wear the same thing today except with a skirt :) But yes, so yesterday Ruth (and here) was in town due to a hockey game her bro was playing in. So Caroline and I snatched up the chance to go and see her while she was in town :). And boy did we have a blast. Bascha and Ann Marie were sorely missed, but it was great to get to see Ruth again :D She was making the comment that it was like we'd never even been separated, that we just picked right back up as if we'd never left off and were able to just chat like we saw each other every week at church :) She's such a great girl and I'm SO HAPPY we got to see her yesterday. (Her brother did a good job playing hockey too, and kept us well entertained :P Hockey is a little violent though, for those of you who were like me and unaware of this). 

 I was telling Ruth that I think long distance friendships can have like this extra element of special to them, because if you only see someone a few times (this was our third time ever meeting Ruth person to person but you'd never even guess it lol), it makes each of those times more impactful, and longer lasting in your memory.

Care took these pictures as we were losing the last few minutes of light.

My hair at the end of the day. Mom fixed it and did a beautiful job. It was basically a double french twist, I'm really not even sure how she was able to do that! 

Pants: vintage, gift from stash (here) Blouse: vintage, VV Sweater: VV Scarf: vintage (the tag is so cute), VV Pin: Great Aunt (1940's) Have you ever watched a hockey game? Have you ever had a long distance relationship where you have been able to meet your friend in person? If so, what is that like for you? 

Thoughts

In the past I've done two Thoughts posts. I've since deleted them off the blog because it was brought to my attention that I was sharing the wrong kind of thoughts. Thoughts that the entire Internet didn't need to know about my mental stability and life long struggles. Even though they were a little bit depressing, ya'll really liked them and when I took that little survey earlier this month most of you wanted more posts like that. I was going to try and do a more reader friendly version of my thoughts, but I'm finding it's quite a challenge. Because it seems all my thoughts, no matter what they are about, are private. If you just liked my writing style maybe I could try describing things, instead of doing posts on my own feelings or thoughts. Tell me what you think. I'll leave you with some heart doodles I painted on the windows at one of our stores today (Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins). I love ya'll! 

xoxo

It's Magic!

It's about lunch time. I'm in my PJ's (still getting over being sick) and I'm doing a hair mask. (If you don't know what a hair mask looks like, it's not pretty) (Though the two very sweet Mormon girls who came to the door said I looked very cute ROFL) (but back to the story). And then the little brown box comes.  "Hey Benjamin-wanna see a magic trick?" "What?" "Watch this." And I take his photo without touching or even standing too close to my camera. WOW. Technology these days I tell ya.  I did this to the rest of my siblings and had great results. Even did it to my parents :P But it didn't really work on them because I used their account to purchase the thing so they got texted when it got here. Boo. Plus I was really excited when it got here and wasn't very quiet. Boo again.

So what is this "magic"? A wireless camera remote. This little clicker here works as if you were pressing the "take picture button" (I forgot the proper term), when you are actually standing up to 16 feet away. If you press gently you can even focus your camera before taking the picture. Just like you were pressing the button on your camera, but you're not!  The camera I use is a Nikon D50, and in the settings I am able to use the remote with or without a timer, which is pretty neat. Oh, and it comes in a little black velvet bag which is pretty cute if I say so myself ;)

I purchased this remote from Amazon (here) and it costs around $8.50. I'm hoping to get a lot of use out of this little clicker! :) That's all for photography on Fridays. I'm sorry I haven't posted anything else this week, I've been awful sick. :/ But I'm on the mend, though still in my jammies :P xoxo

Caroline is 15!

Caroline had her 15th birthday (wow old lady) on Saturday and it was great. :) It's so funny being the oldest child and remember what it was like when you were the ages of all your siblings.  I made the cake out of regular cake and butter cream icing, per usual. It of course has no artificial colors or ingredients. The recipe for the chocolate cake can be found on the back of the Hershey's cocoa container. It's the best chocolate cake I've ever eaten.

One of the things I gave Caroline for her birthday was this shirt that says "I have nothing to wear". She's always saying this, and I figured it would be cute and funny and comfortable if she had a shirt to always wear whenever she was feeling like she didn't have any outfits. Mimi has a friend that has the little letter making machine and she put it on a tshirt for me. It's hard to see in the photos, but the font is black glitter. :D

my gorgeous sister :D

I want one now too :P Caroline you're the greatest and I love you very much :) Happy birthday babe! :)