Friday's Random Musings
Bonjour tout le monde and Happy Friday!
What a sad sight to see! Someone lost a grip load of shoes on a Miami highway earlier this week!
This week has been a bit challenging as I slowly return to my daily routine since we landed back in California from our wonderful holiday in Canada. So, I am going to write about whatever fancies me today to kick start 2009!
As women, we know how difficult it is to juggle all of the responsibilities that life throws at us. Needless to say, I worked myself so hard in 2008 and of course I am happy I did, it paid off and I met wonderful people everywhere. However, last year my body and brain didn't hesitate to make me aware of what my physical, mental and emotional limits are now that I am ... uh, um... in my 30's! I know that this year I need to be realistic with the pressure I put on myself to live, love, succeed, learn, grow and be me! So, how do you do it? Please feel free to share secrets and support for one another as the economy continues to dive, people are being layed-off all around and desires to move on with life are burning within all of us.
I have never been one to set new year's resolutions and even more so, not this year, there are TOO many unknowns. So, rather than make resolutions, I will share my short list of things I will strive for in the coming months.
* Continue to seek balance {I fell in love with acupuncture last year. Merci Nadine!}
* Extend more grace to my very hard working hubby
* Travel more and pack lighter
* Keep off the 10lbs I lost last year
* Always be open to new opportunities
* Continue to work hard at making my dreams come true
* Meet new people worldwide
* Learn something new everyday
Me and my hubby enjoying a warm fire in Toronto!
On a merrier note, I just ran across a website featuring some of the best wedding photos shot in 2008 and let me tell you, they are AMAZING! Stop by Junebug Weddings to see a slideshow of all 38 images. Just click on The Best From The Best for some gorgeous, emotive eye candy!
Some of you know about my love affair with photography! My heart bleeds and I shed tears when I see photos like the ones above. Yes, I am a romantic. Yes, I am sentimental. Yes, I am a "girly-girl". Et oui, I love weddings! What can I say?! For many years now I have longed to "be amazing" with a camera! I enjoyed every minute of a photography class I took 10 years ago, but come on, 10 years ago! So much has changed, evolved, grown... I know, I need to start again. I dream of building my own dark room at the house and re-educating myself on how to shoot with a manual camera. My mind swirls with creative ideas for weddings, trash the dress shoots, family photos, world travel and more. Who knows... maybe some year down the road I will be able to pursue this dream. Until then, I will enjoy all the eye candy I can lay my eyes on; be it weddings, home decor, travel, fashion, food or other!
My dear readers, I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas about what you would like to see and read more of on the ARWS blog this year. I want to be sure that you are enjoying the posts, being often inspired and always looking forward to more. So please, leave comments with ideas, thoughts or questions and I will do my best to bring to you what you desire to read in 2009!
Until next time...
Spend 1 hour this weekend organizing your armoire, closet or dressers. Take before & after photos to see your progress and then pat yourself on the back! I promise you will feel energized and your creativity will be renewed for next week's outfit choices!
Kelli
PS ~ Go Chargers!
Enjoying a cup of jasmine tea in Toronto's China Town
What a sad sight to see! Someone lost a grip load of shoes on a Miami highway earlier this week!
This week has been a bit challenging as I slowly return to my daily routine since we landed back in California from our wonderful holiday in Canada. So, I am going to write about whatever fancies me today to kick start 2009!
As women, we know how difficult it is to juggle all of the responsibilities that life throws at us. Needless to say, I worked myself so hard in 2008 and of course I am happy I did, it paid off and I met wonderful people everywhere. However, last year my body and brain didn't hesitate to make me aware of what my physical, mental and emotional limits are now that I am ... uh, um... in my 30's! I know that this year I need to be realistic with the pressure I put on myself to live, love, succeed, learn, grow and be me! So, how do you do it? Please feel free to share secrets and support for one another as the economy continues to dive, people are being layed-off all around and desires to move on with life are burning within all of us.
I have never been one to set new year's resolutions and even more so, not this year, there are TOO many unknowns. So, rather than make resolutions, I will share my short list of things I will strive for in the coming months.
* Continue to seek balance {I fell in love with acupuncture last year. Merci Nadine!}
* Extend more grace to my very hard working hubby
* Travel more and pack lighter
* Keep off the 10lbs I lost last year
* Always be open to new opportunities
* Continue to work hard at making my dreams come true
* Meet new people worldwide
* Learn something new everyday
Me and my hubby enjoying a warm fire in Toronto!
On a merrier note, I just ran across a website featuring some of the best wedding photos shot in 2008 and let me tell you, they are AMAZING! Stop by Junebug Weddings to see a slideshow of all 38 images. Just click on The Best From The Best for some gorgeous, emotive eye candy!
Some of you know about my love affair with photography! My heart bleeds and I shed tears when I see photos like the ones above. Yes, I am a romantic. Yes, I am sentimental. Yes, I am a "girly-girl". Et oui, I love weddings! What can I say?! For many years now I have longed to "be amazing" with a camera! I enjoyed every minute of a photography class I took 10 years ago, but come on, 10 years ago! So much has changed, evolved, grown... I know, I need to start again. I dream of building my own dark room at the house and re-educating myself on how to shoot with a manual camera. My mind swirls with creative ideas for weddings, trash the dress shoots, family photos, world travel and more. Who knows... maybe some year down the road I will be able to pursue this dream. Until then, I will enjoy all the eye candy I can lay my eyes on; be it weddings, home decor, travel, fashion, food or other!
My dear readers, I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas about what you would like to see and read more of on the ARWS blog this year. I want to be sure that you are enjoying the posts, being often inspired and always looking forward to more. So please, leave comments with ideas, thoughts or questions and I will do my best to bring to you what you desire to read in 2009!
Until next time...
Spend 1 hour this weekend organizing your armoire, closet or dressers. Take before & after photos to see your progress and then pat yourself on the back! I promise you will feel energized and your creativity will be renewed for next week's outfit choices!
Kelli
PS ~ Go Chargers!
Enjoying a cup of jasmine tea in Toronto's China Town
Posted by Kelli Djulus at 1/9/2009 1:00 PM 
Categories: Life, Weddings, Photography, Inspiration, Blogging
Categories: Life, Weddings, Photography, Inspiration, Blogging
Great pic of you and your hubby - and I love the fireplace you are sitting beside. Lovely! I sure wish I had your style/fashion sense. I'm a disaster and live too far from you to take advantage of your services. I'll continue to enjoy your blog and try to learn from it tho. Thanks for sharing with all of us in blogland!
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Kelli,
What a well written post. Here's hoping that you can take back the "thrill of photography". If you love something you will find a way to bring it back into your life. As for your posts, I think they are great and informative. I love the way you show before and after photos of the people you work with and information on what clothes work well with the different body shapes. (Especially around the tummy and hip area.)
Great picture of you and your hubby!!
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Kelli! What a thought provoking and inspiring post! Ugg, I feel your pain about last year, it was rough! And, your not~resolutions, I love them, I might just steal a few of them for myself to use this year as well.
I really, truly, love your blog and I am so glad we met on here, you seem like such a wonderful, warm, person and it seems we have so much in common!
I wish you all that you desire in 2009 and more!
xoxo
Judith~
Oh & P.S. I have a petite chandelier in my closet I will take a pic & send it via E~mail to you, you asked if I knew where to find them, I picked mine up in Paris at the fleas, many moons ago. It is a set of two, however, I am only using the one & I have the other stored away. I really only like the old ones so I don't know of any great places to find them other than flea markets and antique stores. If you like this one I can send you the other one I have put away, no problem, I would rather it be put to good use, poor thing is just collecting dust!
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Kelli, such lovely photos.
This year, I need to figure out what I want to do with my career. Stay or change? I also need to get my finances in order, somehow.
I wish I could travel this year, but that won't happen until I figure out the two dilemmas above!
Thanks for your usual inspirational post!
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30s- yikes! how did we get there?! If I was in San Diego- we would definitely need to get together for a Chargers party! I'm trying to get back! ask my sis :O)
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Those are amazing photos on that wedding site! Looks like you had a good vacation! Go Chargers!
ENJOY!
Fifi
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Thank you all for writing in!
Michele ~ That is the fireplace in the hotel lobby in Toronto. It was beautiful! I am sure you are not a "disaster" as you say however if you would like to work together long distance, I am launching a new service this year just for those of you not in SoCal!
Kris ~ Thank you for your encouragement. I know someday I will have time for photography again, however right now ARWS is my main passion and desire. I will also include more tips and tricks on tummies and thighs in the future!
Judith ~ Thank you for your kind words! I am inspired by you and other readers on a daily basis... let's face it, we keep each other going when the days gets rough! You are SO SWEET! I am very interested to see a photo of your "extra" petite Parisian chandelier.
Cashmere Librarian ~ I appreciate your honesty and wish you all the best this year as you decide which direction to take in life! Please share with us once you decide.
Christelle ~ I hope you do make it back to SD soon. I would love to see you!
Fifi ~ Maybe you will be inspired to do some wedding-ish paintings! Maybe one of my photos from my trash the dress session this past summer? GO CHARGERS!
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Very inspiring post, Kelli! My god, you're only in your 30's... I'll be turning 56 in May and I certainly look differently at life now than I did twenty years ago. Every morning I remind myself that today I'm the youngest I'm going to be the rest of my life. I no longer do what others expect of me or try to be what others want me to be. I enjoy being at home, in my kitchen, surrounded by a lifetime of collections, family, my dog and close friends coming and going. And, I truly feel in these very worrisome economic times, that less is more!
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beautiful pictures
I have an Award for you on our blog
Wibeche
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Kel, you two are one hot, hot couple.
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