Week Three: Drawing (Sort of)

So it's obviously week three of the

52 week challenge

, and..

I sort of gave up. 

BUT not really. 

I realize the whole drawing from life needs practice because, well, 

it's boring and I never want to do it. 

But why push myself if I'm bored with it?

Right?

Please back me up here. 

So it hit me - duh..

I should be doing a phoodle a week - now that's where it's at for me. 

<NOT BORING AT ALL>

In case you don't remember my phoodles, you'll catch up quickly. 

Or can check out some previous ones

here

.

So here's Week Three of a Phoodle

(and I'll backtrack these next few days to make up for Week One and Two).

Hope you enjoy ;)

xo, Laura

Week Three: Self-Portrait

I realize I need to/want to start being more creative with this

52 Week Challenge

, 

but here it is, my self-portrait for week three. 

What can I say?

I just really liked how my ring was the only thing the light hit...

And no, it was not planned

(although I do love, love, love my ring).

And yes, I know this is starting week four, 

BUT

my wonderful best friend surprised me with a visit this weekend ;)

xo, Laura 

52 Week Challenge

I decided that this year, I want to push myself in terms of creativity. 
It's easy to "forget" to create things when you caught up in day to day life. 

I am terrified of committing to any 365 project
(seriously doing something EVERYDAY feels daunting), 

but I figured I'd give a 52 week challenge a go. 

Or three a go.

And it seems the whole 52 week challenge is quite popular in 2013. 

My first: a self-portrait a week (photography)

My second: a still life a week (photography)

My third: a life drawing each week (no not a nude model, just something I'm looking at in person - no drawings based on pictures or imagination).

***A life drawing each week quickly turned into a phoodle each week. Boo life drawing!***

My goal is to 1) take more pictures and 2) start drawing more with a pencil, ink, and colors (not on my tablet) and to draw from life instead of imagination.  Let's face it, I need practice. 

So stay tuned for the results of week one - yes, it's a bit late. I blame it on the cold. 

xo, Laura 

Wedding: The Color Palette

The first decision we made about our wedding was...

Our Color Palette.  

Which we actually agreed on very quickly. 

So here's to some of the first things I'm sharing in planning our wedding. 

How exciting

 :) :) :) 

First came inspiration in the perfect nail polish colors. 

Couldn't believe not only did the man agree on love at first sight 

(with the colors of course)

BUT

he actually perfected it -

picking more of a sea foam/ mint green 

then the initial turquoise-ish color I picked out.

Post Its in the same color helped out too. 

Oh silly inspiration..

Then came some vision boards with those colors. 

These (

1

) (

2

) pictures were perfect!

[the first a bit of a lighter palette than what the picture shows]

After that was the first test. 

Engagement shoot (pictures taken ourselves) to test out our colors. 

We were initially going to do it in Charlottesville.

But were happy to wait until we got to the beach -

woke up early and got to work. 

Sad looking at these pictures now after what just happened to the 

Jersey Shore, 

BUT

we approved the colors :)

Next came designing our Save the Dates

and I'm very happy we did them ourselves. 

They are so us!

We both love the rounded corners 

(we went where we got our christmas cards last year -

here

!)

and the kraft envelopes with the "fake" calligraphy. 

It's hard to tell but the initials on the front and back (including the heart)

are with the UV spot coating that adds a nice little touch. 

And the inspiration continues - I think I've gone color crazy these days. 

Love, love, loving mint green and peach!

Happy Colors!

xo, Laura 

 Oh and PS..We got our cute little stamp for the back of our envelopes

here

!

I couldn't recommend the stamp enough - it is perfection. 

Nature Nerd: Camden Aquarium

While we were still in New Jersey and meeting up with our potential (now definite) photographers for the wedding, we were going to make a day trip out of it and hit the Philadelphia Zoo...

BUT THEN...

I saw signs for the aquarium, which I have ALWAYS wanted to go to, but usually have Tessa in the car with me [the puggle].

So it was the perfect opportunity and we had a great time. 

And booked photographers!

And did I mention they have hippos - the aquarium, not the photographers.

Oh yes ;)

Yes, I like my aquarium pictures in black and white and yes, we may have used some self-timer love in the shark tunnel. 

Man, why aren't we getting married at an aquarium again?

xo, Laura

Oh, and Happy Thursday!

Wedding: Bridal Party

Considering we both have three siblings and Anthony has 8 nieces and nephews..

We had a lot of people to ask to be in our bridal party. 

And we of course wanted to do it in a cute way..

Enter lots of gift bags, lots of candy, lots of shipments, and lots of VIP passes!

At least our ring bearer looks happy ;) 

xo, Laura 

PS The champagne was not for the kids! Only the bridesmaids :)

New Apartment!

We are finally ALMOST all settled into the new place. 
If you follow me on instagram, you will see the massive amount of uploads. 

We packed up the old apartment, moved, and unpacked the new apartment all in two long, long days. 
And I of course thought it would be a great opportunity for a stop motion animation. 
Unfortunately, having a camera and tripod in the middle of a brand new, clean apartment didn't sit too well with me. 

So the video is a bit shorter than anticipated. 


Hope you enjoy..
xo, Laura