outfit: premature spring

(This is totally weird and random and maybe even slightly creepy, but do you see that little beauty mark on the side of my neck? I love it. Told you it was a bit odd. ;))

Scarf: Target

Cardigan: Target

Tank top: Target (Yes...a bit Target obsessed, are we?)

Belt: Thrifted

Jeggings: American Eagle

Sandals: Academy

We had such perfect weather this weekend I couldn't resist getting all spring-y, even if it is a bit premature, with it being January and all. Boots? Who needs those? Sandals all the way, baby. And the cardigan and scarf quickly found their way off after sitting in the warm sun - which is another thing I love about this outfit. It's super versatile...the scarf and sweater along with long pants are a welcome addition when it gets a bit chilly, but when it warms up, they can be discarded and you practically have a new outfit. 

Can we talk a minute about my tank top? That thing is my favorite at the moment. I love the fact that it's grey and I adore the subtle floral print. And the best part - I found it for a whole two dollars. Clearance racks are my favorite. Have you found any good deals lately? 

Sadly, we're back in the full swing of winter again, so any thoughts of discarding sweaters is gone. In fact, it's supposed to snow tomorrow. Sad face. But the spring weather was welcome while it lasted, even if it only fueled my desire for spring to come as quickly as possible ;)

Happy Monday!

-carlotta

miscellaneous ramblings (and photo challenge finalists and winner!)

she cracks me up.

MeMe is hilarious. She's constantly making us laugh with her quirky sense of humor. Just the other day, I was bathing Lilly and MeMe, and out of the blue, MeMe says, “If I lived in south Asia and didn't have a dog, I would definitely want a dog.” Where do these things come from? ;)

photo challenge finalists and winner.
Oh boy. This is way, way overdue. I've been a bad blogger. I apologize! I had something super fun planned to announce this, but unfortunately, it didn't quite work out. Oops.

The finalists are Nicole, Sarah, Captivus, and Jaymi!

The winner?



Sarah! Congratulations, Sarah - you earned it. This photo is priceless...the look on the little girl's face is so adorable I could cry. Wait. That didn't make any sense. Never mind.

i love this weather.

These past few days the weather has been absolutely perfect. Highs in the seventies (a welcome change after all the below freezing weather before!), brilliantly blue skies, a shining sun – it's the best. And it doesn't help my spring fever at all – I keep on wishing that this wasn't just a warm spell and that spring was really here to stay. But, alas, it's January and winter will be back in full force soon. Sigh.

dreaming of spring. by carlottacisternas featuring glass shades

polyvore.

I've recently discovered Polyvore (I know...a little late) and I'm in love. I adore being able to create outfits with pieces from a myriad of stores all in one place. My current favorite fashions are light skirts (no longer than knee length), belts (mainly waist), pretty sandals, light pink nail polish, and aviator shades. I think I've encompassed these loves pretty well above, in my latest – and so far only – creation...I'm loving the skirt. And the clutch. And the sandals. And everything else. ;)

What are some of your favorite clothing pieces of the moment?

new shades.

I said I was loving aviator shades...here's proof. Yes, I finally bought a pair. And I don't care if I look ridiculous wearing them - I like them and that's enough. Right? Right. ;)

photography tip.

Experiment in the manual modes of your camera! When I first got my DSLR, I made a promise to myself not to get stuck in automatic modes and jumped straight to manual. That was one of the best decisions I ever made. I can't tell you how many people I've come across that lament they wished they knew how to get out of the auto mode on their DSLR. So, my friends, I highly encourage you to take the leap if you haven't already!

do you like my new header?

I know, I know, I can't keep things the same for more than a month. I switched out some of the pictures in my header...I do so like little changes like this. What do you think?



etsy love.
(left to right, top to bottom, starting at top left)

1. augustyn slouchy knit hat
2. berry good raspberries
3. ophelia portrait illustration
4. pink clutch
5. diana camera moleskin pocket notebook
6. eyeglass case

in love with reading.

I'm a reader. When I was younger, I would always be the one with my nose stuck in a book. In fact, when I was in kindergarten and it was play time in our classroom, I would sit by myself reading. My teacher talked to my parents about it because she [the teacher] was worried I wasn't “getting enough interaction”. Heh.

When I discovered blogging, reading took a bit of a back seat, but lately I've picked up this hobby again. There's nothing I love better than curling up with an enthralling book and reading the hours away.

Are you a reader? Also, do you have any good book recommendations? I would greatly appreciate it :)


Have a lovely weekend! I'm off to enjoy the beautiful weather...


-carlotta

oreo love.

Am I the only one...

...that upon seeing these perfectly lined rows of delicious filled cookies...

...does a happy dance?

Then who else promptly breaks them apart (Always the non-creme side first, then the creme side for me - how do you eat your Oreos?)...

...and photographs them before allowing themselves the indulgence of eating one...

...but then gives into temptation and takes a bite (I reassembled it for this shot)?

Wait! Before you put the package away, crush one or eleven cookies and sprinkle them over your (chocolate) ice cream. Oh yes. That's what I'm talking about. Sweet goodness.

And no, I haven't been on an Oreo kick lately. Why do you ask? ;)

What's one of your favorite packaged treats (read: unhealthy store bought indulgences)?

-carlotta

on cloud nine

Y'all, I'm such an idiot...I meant for this to publish much earlier but I accidentally set the date wrong. *facepalm* Sorry!

Have I ever mentioned that I love this girl? Because I do. A lot. I know I'm biased, but she manages to look cute in pretty much everything, including a stolen pair of my mom's glasses. Ahem.







<a href="http://pastorsgirlsponderings.com/"><img src="http://imgur.com/AS92y.jpg"/></a>

Is there a photo that makes you happy? One that warms your heart or tells a funny story? One that puts you on cloud nine? Here's your chance to share it! 

Just put up a post on your blog containing one photo that you've taken. You can add as much or as little text as you would like along with it. After writing your post, come back here to link up - you have until Thursday at 9:59pm CST to do so. Don't forget to link back to me so others can join in, whether it be via the above button or a link. :) And remember to visit others' photos as well! 
-carlotta
PS Photo challenge finalists and winner will be posted soon!

replenish, renew, rejuvenate

Have you been wondering where I was? (Or maybe not. I realize y'all actually have lives, unlike me. Ha.)

Me too. 

Note: I don't mean to flaunt this to get sympathy - I'm simply stating facts.

You may have seen that I was sick this past week - thank you for all your well wishes on my last post! I couldn't stand listening to music, not even my favorite songs, movies barely held my attention, the neat freak in me, unfortunately, left, my appetite was nonexistent, and thus deprived me of whatever energy I had remaining, photography held no spark, and blogging was a chore. Not to mention I was burning up with fever and had a horribly sore throat.

All I wanted to do was sleep. And sleep. And sleep some more. To be quite honest, it was awful.

But sleep I did. Y'all, I was sleeping twelve hours a day plus multiple hour long naps. And I was still tired. I was like a character in the book The Hungry Caterpillar (Anybody else love that book to death?). Except I didn't want food, and I wanted to blog even less. I just wanted sleep - lots of it.

With all this lackluster melancholy surging through my veins, I decided to take a break, something I'd been anticipating and needing for a long time. A much needed break to replenish, renew, and rejuvenate the crevices of my brain with whatever creativity previously lurked in its depths. 

I'd known I needed a short hiatus since the middle of last week, but I was too scared to stop posting for more than a day, too scared that my numbers would dip far too low for my liking. The last time I took a break longer than twenty four hours was before spring of 2010. That thought shocked me. Was I really so consumed with all this that I didn't dare leave my blog alone for more than a day?

(I found a cure for the number problem. Just don't check your stats. Genius, eh? ;) Works like a charm.)

But when I could barely form coherent sentences while writing my last post - let alone make the words flow smoothly - I realized I need some time to think. Some time without any pressure. Just some time to reevaluate and reprioritize my life.

The break worked. And guess what? The world didn't end.
Sometimes all it takes is a little break and one good punch of inspiration and suddenly so many ideas fill your head - one of the most rewarding feelings when it comes to blogging.
The break was a win win all around - I proved to myself that I really could leave blogging alone for more than a day, I got my inspiration back, which means better posts for y'all to read. And while going without posting for three days may not seem like much to you, it's a milestone for me, something I'm proud of. It helped me realize that blogging really isn't everything. Sure, it's fun, but sometimes we all need to step back and take a look at the bigger picture.

What do you do when you're lacking inspiration? Do tell!

-carlotta

confessions part four.

confession: I haven't changed out of my pajamas since Tuesday afternoon, due to being sick. Lovely.

confession: I finally watched Despicable Me (Yes, I know I'm a little late to the party ;)) and pretty much died laughing. If you haven't seen it yet, I strongly encourage you to watch it as soon as possible!

confession: I hate midterms. That is all.

confession: I've been feeling so uncreative lately, especially when it comes to blogging and photography (even though I just got a new lens, which I neglected to tell you about...sorry!). And it's really frustrating.

confession: I owe y'all an apology. When I wrote the note about "confessions" at the end of this post, I was upset because I felt people were stealing my ideas. After reading all your comments on that post, I realized that I was overreacting. While I can assure you that I didn't copy the confessions idea from someone else, I know that others have thought of something similar before.
So, if you were inspired by my blog, I would still love it if you'd link to me, but I'm not going to be so offended anymore.

confession: I hate midterms. Oh wait. I think I already mentioned that.

confession: I find it a bit hilarious that Oklahomans don't really know how to handle snow. We got about two inches of snow yesterday and everyone freaked out. All the schools and many places were closed down for both yesterday and today. (Note: I'm not a native Oklahoman ;))

confession: When I actually take the time to paint my nails, it doesn't last long at all. I can keep the polish on for, at the very most, about a week. I can't resist chipping the paint off! Am I the only one with this affliction?

confession: I'm rather sick of winter at the moment. Sure, it's pretty (at least when it snows), but I'm ready for light skirts, sandals, being able to go outside without a jacket, spring weather...I can't wait.

Do you have any confessions?

-carlotta

PS Don't forget to enter my photo challenge!

on cloud nine

You may have seen this photograph on embrace, but I couldn't resist using it for on cloud nine...it's one of my favorite shots of the week. I knew I had to try spelling out a word after I saw this picture - and my One Word for 2011 seemed like the logical word to use. I highly suggest you try this!


<a href="http://pastorsgirlsponderings.com/"><img src="http://imgur.com/AS92y.jpg"/></a>

Is there a photo that makes you happy? One that warms your heart or tells a funny story? One that puts you on cloud nine? Here's your chance to share it! 

Just put up a post on your blog containing one photo that you've taken. You can add as much or as little text as you would like along with it. After writing your post, come back here to link up - you have until Thursday at 9:59pm CST to do so. Don't forget to link back to me so others can join in, whether it be via the above button or a link. :) And remember to visit others' photos as well! 
-carlotta
PS Don't forget to enter my photo challenge! You have until Sunday the 23rd :)

outfit: floral

(I'm not doing the "a-okay" sign...it's just me being my crazy self ;))

Top: Target

Sweater: Target

Jeggings: American Eagle (they look black in these photos, but they're dark blue)

Pumps (not pictured): Payless

I love floral (that is, floral that's not from the seventies or eighties). It's so fun and cheery...I can have my own little patch of bright blooms in the middle of a stark winter.

The top I'm wearing has become one of my favorites - I found it the other day while going through my closet (closet shopping is the best ;)). I bought it last fall, but for whatever reason I'd only wore it once or twice since purchasing it. I can't get enough of it now.

What's your favorite pattern of the moment?

-carlotta

photo challenge: people, giveaway winner, and new blog

Ready for another photo challenge? The theme for this time is people. While photographs of vegetation and other inanimate objects are beautiful, there's something about a wonderful picture of a person that can't be beat.

I know I've shared this photo at least two times before, but it's definitely one of my favorite shots. I love the lighting and Lilly's soulful expression.

<a href="http://www.pastorsgirlsponderings.com/2011/01/photo-challenge-people-giveaway-winner.html"><img src="http://imgur.com/DHzpL.jpg" /></a>

Want to join? Just write a post containing a favorite photo that you've taken, then come back here and link up! Feel free to grab the above button as well - just make sure you have some sort of link to me so others can participate as well :) One entry per person please...if you have several photos in your post, please specify which one you are entering. And don't forget to visit at least three other entries!
The challenge ends one week from today, Sunday, January 23rd, at 9:59pm.

Have fun! I can't wait to see all your beautiful images :)


The winner of my giveaway a few weeks ago never responded, so I got to pick a new winner!

The winner of the giveaway is...

Laney! Congratulations Laney! Send me an email and we'll get your necklace to you as soon as possible :)

And now about my new blog. I've decided that I'm going to start project 365 again. Last year, I started, but I  chickened out and didn't finish. But this year, I'm determined to finish. I know I can do this. I'd love if you'd check out embrace (named after my One Word for 2011)!

Have a wonderful day!

-carlotta

miscellaneous ramblings

1. i think i'm turning into a neat freak.
One of my favorite things to do in the morning after getting ready is clean my room. Yes. You just read that right. Cleaning one's room isn't usually something that makes it on the favorite list of most people. 
But I've found if I clean everyday, the messes stay manageable. It's only when I've put off cleaning for weeks that it becomes a daunting, unpleasant task. (That's common sense, I know, but I've just discovered this truth. Bear with me, y'all.)

I'm a firm believer in the fact that a bedroom should be a place to relax, a quiet sanctuary all your own. If that bedroom lies underneath piles of clutter, there's a good chance you'd rather spend your time elsewhere. 

But if you devote a little time each day to tiding your bedroom, it will have a greater impact on you than you think. Don't underestimate how much can be done in ten minutes. Having everything orderly in my room clears my head, makes me feel calmer and more collected.

Sorry. I got a little deep there. ;)

2. this is my new favorite.
My new favorite photograph of MeMe, that is.

Doesn't her beauty just blow you away? I love this sweet sister of mine.

3. my one word.
Yes, I realize it's the middle of January. But it took me awhile to figure what my one word for 2011 would be. I've tossed around various words in my head since before the beginning of the year, but nothing seemed to really fit. I thought I'd found it, but while I was getting ready for bed the other night (Why is it that I get all my ideas then?), I discovered my real word. 


embrace.


In 2011, I want to embrace. Embrace life. Embrace the little things. Embrace the time I have on earth. Embrace those around me. Embrace.

What's your word?

(Don't know what one word is? Click here to find out more.)


4. midterms are here.
And I'm terrified. Thoroughly terrified. I'm so scared that I'm going to fail them. I will force myself to study today. I need to stop this awful habit of procrastination. Seeing a big "F" on my test is something I can definitely live without. Eek.

5. etsy lovelies: the (mostly) camera edition.

Top to bottom, left to right, starting at top left:
1. diana camera
2. camera love silhouette
3. a cute antiqued bronzed necklace, photographer, world traveler
4. point and click
5. bellissima
6. wooden spools

6. photography tip of the day.
Experiment with angles. From the side, above, looking up...the options are endless. A good angle can bring a photograph from boring to interesting. Spend several minutes with each subject, whether it be a flower or an unwilling family member, trying out different types of angles and composition. Don't be afraid to experiment!


7. bloom! magazine
I received an email a few days ago from KyAnn, the editor, asking me to add a little something on my blog to spread the word about Bloom! Magazine. Feel free to head on over and check it out their website!


8. i'm that girl.

project 365 photo [12/365]

That girl who falls in love with doorknobs. That's me! But really, how could you not love those beauties? My house was built in the 1930s, and even it underwent lots of reno I'm so glad we could keep these doorknobs. Sure, they're a pain sometimes (i.e., they get stuck, which sometimes locks you in a room...or they fall out), but to me, they're totally worth it.

8. text talk.
It's one of my biggest pet peeves. I admit that for awhile a couple years ago I typed in text-language, but I quickly stopped. If you know how to spell a word properly, then spell it properly. But typing lyk ths doesn't make you seem smarter. At all. Not to mention it's ten times harder to read. 


What's one of your biggest pet peeves?


9. my blog name.
Honestly, sometimes I wish I could change it. It's rather long and it constantly gets mangled because of all the apostrophes (i.e., pastor girl ponderings, pastor's girl ponderings, pastor girl's pondering, etc, as opposed to what it really is, pastor's girl's ponderings.). But I have a distinct feeling that it's probably too late to change my blog name to something simpler. I know that I should have made the change when I had less readers.
Oh, I don't know. What do you think?


Happy Saturday!

-carlotta

PS Get ready for a photo challenge that will be posted tomorrow! :)

winter beauty

Even though I don't care for the cold (though it is nice to sit by the fire with some hot chocolate when it's cold outside), I've grown to become rather fond of winter. The earthy greys and browns, broken up by pops of red from berries, cardinals, and the occasional colorful leaf still left from fall.

There may not be much that meets the eye at first, but when you get up close to nature, it's easy to see the beauty, even if that beauty might be shriveled up and dead. And then when it snows, the dark landscape is transformed into a snowy white wonderland. Everything is transformed, from branches laden with snow to the tiniest speck of grass.

Though winter can't possible replace the soft beauty of spring, it's still breathtaking.

How do you feel about winter?

-carlotta

on cloud nine

While most of our snow has melted, I loved photographing its beauty. When I spotted this, albeit dead, snow capped flower, I couldn't resist getting a shot. There's something hauntingly beautiful about winter. Shriveled up leaves, dead flowers, crinkled leaves...as odd as it may sound, I love it at times.

On a side note, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that forty eight of y'all linked up last week! It made my day to see that so many people wanted to share joy through images. While I really did try to comment on everyone's entry, I failed. Miserably. So if I didn't comment on your photo, I apologize!



<a href="http://pastorsgirlsponderings.com/"><img src="http://imgur.com/AS92y.jpg"/></a>

Is there a photo that makes you happy? One that warms your heart or tells a funny story? One that puts you on cloud nine? Here's your chance to share it! 

Just put up a post on your blog containing one photo that you've taken. You can add as much or as little text as you would like along with it. After writing your post, come back here to link up - you have until Thursday at 9:59pm CST to do so. Don't forget to link back to me so others can join in, whether it be via the above button or a link. :) And remember to visit others' photos as well! 
-carlotta

the good in monday.

I can say without a scrap of hesitation that Monday is my least favorite day. Being thrust back into reality after a leisurely weekend is tough. As if getting up at six am isn't enough (What can I say? I'm not a morning person.), on Monday mornings the rushed feeling of getting ready to go to work is nearly overwhelming. After that, I'm nearly always not in the most chipper mood and I usually count the minutes until I can go to bed and get Monday over with.

But last night I started thinking. Every Monday I always focused on the bad things and ignored anything good that happened on Monday. Because of my pessimistic mindset, I'd come to hate this day. I compiled a list in my head of all the positive things that happened yesterday, and I as drifted off to sleep, I felt as light as a feather.

The good in Monday...

Our sweet eighty five pound black Lab, Sarge, came in my room and greeted me with a big sloppy doggy kiss.

I woke up to snow blanketing the neighborhood, the first of the season. I guess that's what I get for living in Oklahoma ;)

I walked with my dad in the snow while it was still dark.

I discovered my new favorite song, I and Love and You, and proceeded to listen to it on repeat for the rest of the day. (I love the cinematography in the music video.)

I got a big package in the mail - snail mail is the best.

I cleaned my room. Even though I claim it doesn't bother me when it's messy, I can think so much clearly when the space I live in is clean. Plus? It only took fifteen minutes.

I told my friend Emily, who lives way too far away in Iowa, that I got the okay from my parents to visit her this summer. And we both freaked out.

Emily proceeded to post the news on her Facebook status, and her friend commented on it. Long story short, her friend and I hit it off and we're now friends. I love it when things like that happen.

My mom fixed one of my favorite dishes for lunch - homemade baked macaroni and cheese.

I taught one of my piano students and she knew pretty much all her flashcards for her note names.

I watched this video and laughed until tears rolled down my face. I'm pretty sure it's one of the cutest things ever.

In the midst of studying for a Latin test, which I'm probably going to fail, my mom came in with some hot chocolate in my favorite mug.

My shower last night was the perfect temperature.

And I ended my day by getting cozy in my bed and writing in my diary while listening to none other than I and Love and You.

What was some of the good in your Monday? Do tell!

-carlotta

PS I noticed that when I posted my confessions a few days ago, it caused a bit of a trend in the blogging world. While I realize it was partially my fault for asking if you had any confessions at the end of my post, I found so many people that took my idea and used it without giving me credit (Having said that, though, some of you did link to me...thanks!). I know that sounds totally snotty, but if there's one thing I can't stand, it's stealing others' ideas without giving them any credit. I've seen it happen to some of my dear blog friends - it's happened to me as well - and it's no fun.
So what am I trying to say? You're welcome to use my confessions idea, but please at least link to my blog. Thank you!

i heart faces: smile

This week's theme at I Heart Faces is smile. I have so, so many shots of people smiling...I mean, it's everyone's natural reaction when they're photographed, right? I finally narrowed it down to this one...

I love the tones in shot and I've been loving this angle lately...it's one of my favorites to use. What angles to you prefer when photographing people?




Happy Monday!
-carlotta
PS I'm being featured today over here...feel free to check it out!

ordinary beauty and giveaway winner

(giveaway winner announced below)

I'm calling this series of photographs "ordinary beauty". I briefly talked the series here, but basically I took ordinary objects and tried to find the beauty hidden within them. I really think I will turn this into a project. There are so many objects that a beautiful at first glance - plants, food, even people. But it wasn't until I really looked closely at these ordinary objects that I found the pulchritude they have.

(If you're not sure what's being photographed in a shot, just over the photo with your mouse)

"ordinary beauty" has forced me to be more creative, made me try harder to bring out the beauty I know is in these objects.

And now for the giveaway winner!

The winner is...

Sarah!

Congratulations, Sarah! Please shoot me an email with your mailing information and we'll get your necklace to you as soon as possible.

To everyone else who entered the giveaway, I hope you had as much fun as I did. And to my new readers, I'm so glad you here and hope you stick around :)

-carlotta

PS I updated my about me page...care to take a look?