The theme for I Heart Faces this week is "anything but a face" - love this change ;)
This is my sweet little sister, Lilly. One of my favorite photographs of her, I love the ruffled strap of her ballerina swimsuit and the fact that she's wearing a swimsuit in the middle of winter at all ;) I converted it to black and white because I loved the soulfulness that it adds...what do you think?
Were it not for my outfit posts, I would rarely be in front of the camera. As photographers, it seems that we have hundreds of photos of others, but a select few of ourselves. Maybe it's because we're so critical of our looks, but either way, changing the subject to yourself every once in awhile can't hurt anything.
That's why the theme for this next photo challenge is self portrait.
I snapped this shot on the forty five minute dairy drive to get our raw milk, cream, and cheese. While the location isn't exactly ideal, it's definitely worth it.
Want to join? Just write a post containing a photo of yourself that you've taken, then come back here and link up! Feel free to grab the above button as well - just make sure that you have some sort of link to me, allowing others to participate as well. If you have several photos in your post, please specify which on you are entering. One entry per person please. And don't forget to visit at least three other entries!
The challenge will end one week from today, Saturday, March 5th, at 9:59pm CST.
my inspiration board.
I love the idea of having miscellaneous photographs, clippings from magazines, cards, anything that inspires all together on a board.
All of a sudden, an idea was planted in my brain and it began to grow. Before long, my fingers were covered in paint and super glue and I had the perfect board for my scraps of inspiration.
Want to make a board like mine? You'll need a painting canvas (sold at craft stores), paint, if you want the board to be a different color, super glue, clothespins, and whatever you want to put on the finished board. If you're painting the board, apply it first and let dry. Then, take your clothespins and super glue them on the board according to you liking. Finally, add the items you want on your board and that's it!
new prints.
I've listed new prints in my shop! Now that things are gradually slowing down when it comes to school, I found some time to do some “housekeeping” in my shop...something that was way overdue. If there are any other photographs you've viewed on my blog that you'd like to see in my shop, don't hesitate to let me know!
outfit: polka dotted girliness.
(and yes, I realize that “girliness” isn't a word...oh well ;))
elbow length tie on shrug – bought in Germany
dress – Delia's
cowboy boots – stolen from my mom
I wore this outfit to church almost two weeks ago (as evidenced by the snow on the ground, even though it was sixty degrees), so I figured I'd share it now before it got too late. ;) It was the first time I'd worn a dress in 2011 – I'm way too much of a wimp to wear dresses when it's twenty degrees outside. I really should wear dresses more often, though, they make me feel so pretty and feminine.
How do you feel about dresses?
the civil wars.
I'm in love with The Civil Wars. If you haven't heard of them, you must go listen to them immediately. You will thank me. Their voices blend seamlessly and the instruments are simple but just right, leaving me able to do nothing but click the replay button over and over. My current favorites are My Father's Father and 20 Years. Swoon.
my newest polyvore creation.
I've been absent from Polyvore world lately, but I returned last night with this outfit. I love everything in this set, but I'm not sure that the bag really matches...oh well ;) What do you think?
new life.
After an exceptionally cold winter (which I hope is over for the most part), it's rather thrilling to see all the new life. On Sunday, we spent the afternoon waking the garden from its winter slumber. I'd forgotten how satisfying it was to pull all the weeds, feel the rich dirt in your hands, and plant pretty green plants. And when I spotted some flowers growing on a bush, I couldn't resist snipping off a few blossom filled branches for my room.
And speaking of new life, we had a huge thunderstorm this morning. At 9am this morning, it was so dark from the clouds heavy laden with rain that I had to turn on the lights in my room. I loved every minute of it. Thunderstorms are one of my favorite things – I love the cozy feeling of hearing raindrops pelt on the roof, the smell of the rain, the thunder, the lightning. It definitely made my day.
How has the weather been in your area lately?
miss dior cherie.
One word: adorable. It captures the essence of Paris so well.
just because she's cute.
After playing with the hose yesterday, Lilly's hair got super curly and she asked me to take a few photographs of it. I, of course, obliged. She finishes up the post quite well, don't you think?
Words are a curious thing. In a combination of a few simple letters, so many things can be conveyed. Words can crush people's feelings, they can make the day of others. With a mere two words – "I do" – they can solidify a bond between two people. Words have a heavy burden to carry; so much rests on them.
Sometimes, words can be a bother – perhaps when there is a writing assignment that needs to be completed and words refuse to form. Other times, the words can tumble off a page into your mind, forever etching a poignant image in your memory.
It's funny how the choice of words and how they are placed can alter how someone views you. Words define us. We are even known by words – our names. Via a blank sheet of crisp white paper and a pen, there is no end to the stories that could be told, the things that could be said. By the means of words, we communicate, we express ourselves. Without words, we would be lost.
I need to make an apology...I wrote this post on Saturday night, and when I was scheduling it, I accidentally published it instead. So I deleted it, which caused a flood of emails from y'all wondering where it went. I apologize for the confusion!
I can't tell you how many emails I get from people asking me how to grow their blog, how to get more readers. I thought I'd compile a post with a few tips. Before I start, though, let me preface this by saying these are all my opinions and this is what worked for me - you may have totally different thoughts.
don't sweat the little things
Really, this might be my greatest piece of advice. Don't worry about the little things. Sure, you're bound to lose a follower or two, you're going to get a mean comment, but don't let that stop or discourage you. Perseverance is key when it comes to blogging.
a good design
Having a good, aesthetically pleasing blog design is also important. I prefer simple designs, i.e., all white background, simple, easy to read fonts - but having said that, a tastefully done blog background on the simpler side can look great too. Don't be afraid to experiment with your blog look! However, I would recommend staying away from busy backgrounds, hard to read fonts, and colored posting sections.
no automatically playing music
I love music. I honestly don't know how I could live without it. But, I can't tell you how many times I arrived on someone's blog only have my ear drums blown out by music. I think having a playlist is fine as long as readers can turn it on themselves instead of it automatically turning on.
include photographs
Who doesn't like reading posts filled with beautiful photographs? Spice up a post that might be boring otherwise with some images - but if you use a photo that's not yours in a post, make sure to give credit for it. And yes, that includes Google Images!
other thoughts regarding posting
Obviously, the content on your blog is what makes or breaks it. I encourage you to put some thought in your posts - try not to just churn something out for the sake of posting, a fact I've been guilty of at times. If you put some effort into it, it'll make your blog more enjoyable and you'll feel better about it, I promise you. The posts that I've worked the hardest on are, as can be expected, my favorites.
When it comes to how often you post, that's up to you. I blogged every day for about a year, but it started getting too stressful and I cut back my blogging to three to four times a week. However, don't have a set schedule for when I post. I blog when I have ideas for a post. If I don't, then I just don't blog instead of forcing out something that's mediocre.
comment often
I'm being a completely hypocritical with this one. I really could do better when it comes to commenting (though know that if I follow your blog, I read every single post but I don't always comment.). When I was in the one hundred to two hundred follower range, I commented on at least ten blogs that I didn't follow a day to get the word out about my blog. But please, please, please don't write, "Hi, nice post. Please follow me at _____.", which is basically spam. If you want to comment on other people's blogs, it's a good idea to write something pertaining to the post. Chances are, the author or even a reader or two of the blog will check out yours.
Do you have any blogging tips? Do tell!
Also, the winner of the giveaway is number eighteen, Sara! Congratulations! Shoot me an email and we'll get your Barberry and Lace item to you as soon as possible :)
Dangly necklace: a store in Germany whose name I can't remember for the life of me
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: stolen from my mom
Purse: Payless
(I apologize for the slight blurriness of some of these photos - I didn't realize under it was evening that the focus was set wrong.)
I wore this outfit thrifting this weekend - what do you think? I was unsuccessful in my shopping endeavors, but at least I felt cute ;) I'm sure you've already noticed, but I've really been loving the belted cardigan look lately...I don't like buttoning my cardigans and adding a belt is the perfect addition.
The weather here has been so perfect this week...seventy degrees every day! I even slept with my window open last night and I'm convinced it was the best I've slept all year. A week ago today we had way over a foot of snow, now that it's nearly all melted, that's so hard to believe! I'm not complaining, though - this is my kind of weather. Cold weather is not my thing at all.
I've been toying with the idea of getting an iPod Touch. It's certainly not a necessity, it would be more of a toy, really, but I've been finding myself thinking about the benefits of having one. For those of y'all that own one, do you recommend it? I need your opinion :)
My new blogging muse is Carrie of WishWishWish. Her seemingly effortless elegance, gorgeous photographs, and her love of the nineteen sixties are woven together in a blog. Her posts will leave you inspired and wanting more. If you haven't visited Carrie yet, do so as soon as possible! You won't be disappointed.
I'm babysitting later this evening and I'm spending the night. Spending the night while babysitting is something I've never done before, so I'm curious to see how it'll go. Wish me luck! ;)
I told myself I wouldn't write a blog post on Valentine's Day. I told myself that it was another sappy Hallmark holiday to get people to spend more money. Heck, when I woke up this morning I didn't even wear anything pink, red, or any type of frippery.
Then I saw the myriads of love filled posts and a little seed of warmth was planted in my heart. That sounds totally cliche, doesn't it? It's true, though. As I was reading these posts (favorites here, here), I soon felt a certain fuzziness in the depths of my body.
So here I am. Writing on Valentine's, against my previous wishes, even if only as an excuse to share my girly, heart themed photographs. To tell you the truth, I would be lying if I said I hated February fourteenth. A day that's totally dedicated to love is something my heart adores even though my brain says otherwise.
And I also realized that Valentine's Day doesn't necessarily have to be focused around a significant other. That love could come from a little sister giving you a sweet kiss on the cheek. Or maybe from some songs that you heard (My current favorites: Poison & Wine and Bitter Heart; loving the soft, decisively non-mainstream sounds). Perhaps it comes from a note from a friend that made your day.
My day was a combination of all of the above. All afternoon I've been in a wonderful I-love-the-world-and-everyone-in-it mood. Maybe I had too much sugar, read too many romantic posts, or listened to too much soft, sweet music all day, but my opinion on the fourteen of February has changed for the better.
How was your Valentine's Day? Anything in particular you're loving right now? Do tell :)
Happy Valentine's Day, y'all.
xoxo,
-carlotta
(Psst...tomorrow's the last day to enter in the giveaway! Don't forget! :) Oh, and thank you so, so much for your super sweet comments on Lilly's birthday post. I read every.single.one to her and she couldn't stop smiling.)
I remember the day she was born so clearly. I remember the muffled sounds at five am of my mom walking around the apartment we were living in at the time and my dad on the phone.
I remember waking up MeMe and Jeremiah, hurriedly getting them dressed and feeding them a little bit of breakfast before I took them to our neighbor's. I remember peeking out of my room as the doctor arrived (Lilly was born at home).
I remember eating very little of a toasted bagel with cream cheese and strawberry jam, my loss of appetite due to excitement. I remember going back to my parent's bedroom every few minutes to see if the baby had been born yet. I remember hearing an infant's cries after what seemed like forever but was in reality only half an hour.
I remember rushing into the room to see if it was a boy or girl, as my parents had chosen not to find out. I remember glancing at the clock, then running to the office to write on a Post-it note "Baby born! 7:10am, seven pounds eight ounces.". I remember the magical moment, the rush of love I felt while holding Lillian Esther, my new little sister, for the first time.
And now she's five.
Happy birthday, Lilly! I love you so much.
Would y'all mind leaving a little note for Lilly in the comments? I'd like to read them to her at the end of the day...I think she'll love it :) Thank you!
-carlotta
(comment moderation will be turned off for the day...I want to enjoy Lilly's special day :))
So today, because it's a beautiful Saturday morning, because it's supposed to get up to seventy four degrees next week, because Valentine's Day is on Monday, and because I love you, I'm giving away any one item from Barberry and Lace up to a twenty five dollar value, generously donated by the fabulous Leigh.
Here's how you enter to win...
mandatory entry (You must complete this step or your entry will be deleted)
Leave a comment answering the following question: "What's your favorite season?" Mine is definitely late spring/early summer.
really want to win? Here's what you can do for extra entries... and please, please, please leave one comment per entry instead of lumping them all in one comment. It makes my life much easier! :)
- follow me on Google Friend Connect over there on the left in the sidebar (it counts if you already follow) - blog about this giveaway, leaving the link in the comment section - follow me on twitter (@pastorsgirl) - tweet - make sure you include @pastorsgirl so I can track the tweet - or facebook about the giveaway
(each worth one entry)
The giveaway will end Tuesday, February 15th at 9:59pm CST and winner will be announced soon afterwards. Note: If the winner doesn't respond in forty eight hours after being announced, a new one will be picked.
The fact that I ate one third of a package of Oreos in one sitting.
All the schools in our area have been out since last Tuesday because of the snow. Not including weekends, that's eight consecutive days without schools. Seriously?!
When you wave back at someone and then realize they were waving at a person behind you.
This picture. Can you say awkward? What the heck am I doing, you ask? I'm just doing my best "Oh yeah!" impersonation, that's what. And not a very good one at that ;)
A song that my friend and I wrote when we were probably nine or ten. We just rediscovered it and I about died laughing. Are you ready for it's awkwardness? My personal favorite is the last verse..
"You ate my cheerios, you ate my Oreos, so take my trash out! You ate the dashboard in my car, you ate the tires but that's not all, take my trash out! If you eat all of my scarves, I guarantee you're gonna barf, so take my trash out! You ate my pots, you ate my pans, you ate some spinach from a can, so take my trash out! You ate my chairs, now they're not there, so take my trash out! You ate my spam, you ate my man, stop chewing on my crayons! Take my trash out! You are so fat, like a huge brown rat! None of your clothes fit, so stop eating! Sit! Relax, take a bath, but first...
TAKE MY TRASH OUT!"
Ahem. Yes.
Falling out of bed. Or rather, make that slipping out of bed. I was trying to be all cool (Actually, I was afraid something would grab my foot from under my bed. I know. Childish. But it's still something I fear.) last night and jumped onto my bed. My foot promptly slipped on my bedding and I crashed to the (hardwood) floor. Ouch.
awesome
Getting in the car for the first time in a week and a half. The roads have been awful - still from the snow - and my mom didn't feel comfortable driving. It was heavenly to see people other than family ;)
On said leaving-the-house-for-the-first-time-in-over-a-week excursion, we went to both Target and the library. Love.
Every Tuesday afternoon the kitchen is transformed into a bakery. The cookbooks get pulled from their flour dusted shelves, sticks of butter are taken out of the refrigerator - because we all know butter is essential to good food - and mixing bowls are stacked haphazardly on counter tops and in the sink. After lots of spilled ingredients, messes, and dirty dishes, delicious smells waft throughout the house, enticing certain little children to come running to the kitchen to beg for a bite.
Baking is so therapeutic. I mean, you get to take your frustrations out on eggs by beating them, you dismember sticks of butter with a knife, and when you're done mixing everything together, your creation gets to sit in a fiery oven. Ahem. Sorry. My violent side got out there for a minute.
But in all seriousness, it's really kind of amazing what simple, basic ingredients like butter, flour, and sugar can be transformed to. I admit I spend good deal of time thinking about how people got the idea to mix such vastly different staples to create a new food. (There's proof right there that I'm a geek.)
But regardless of how baking originated, I love it. I love the accomplished feeling of knowing that you made that and it's not something off a grocery store shelf. I love the soothing feeling of gently folding together ingredients. I love photographing the finished product. I love the fresh, homemade taste that you just can't get when you buy a treat. And I would love it even more if I had a maid to clean up my baking messes (read: I'm not a neat, tidy baker)...but that's another story. ;)
Do you like baking? Do you have any tried and true recipes you love? Do tell!
Lately, I've been craving simplicity, especially when it comes to my blog and so decided to give pastor's girl's ponderings a little makeover.
I got rid of unnecessary clutter on my sidebar thanks to some scrolling menu bars (Thank you to the lovely Amanda for helping me with them!). I also switched out my previous photo collage header with one simple photograph. Finally, I chose to do away with the font Century Gothic in favor of a simpler Times New Roman.
Personally, I'm loving the simpler, cleaner look. What do you think?
I said I was craving simplicity, especially blog wise. Because of this, I feel like on cloud nine's time is up. Who knows, I may bring it back sometime in the future, but right now it not longer feels right. To me, it seemed that all I posted was blog hops, and that wasn't the direction I wanted to go with my blog. I'll still continue with occasional photo challenges, but on cloud nine will be currently discontinued.
While I'm on this topic, I want to mention that I'm going to cut back on the “themed” posts (i.e., miscellaneous ramblings, confessions, outfit posts, etc). I'll still write those kinds of posts, but not quite as often.
Instead, I really would love to challenge my creativity and write more original posts in favor of adding a few new words, slapping on a “miscellaneous ramblings” title, and calling it a day. Y'all deserve more than that :)
I'm really excited about all these changes, and I hope you'll enjoy my (somewhat) new and improved blog!
(an older photograph, but still one of my favorites)
-carlotta
PS I'm guest posting over here today! Feel free to check it out :)
Today, I cleaned off my desk. It was way overdue ;)
Today, I turned this pile of hearts cut out of newspaper into...
...this.
Today, I had a sandwich filled with butter, salami, cheese, and lettuce for a snack. I know, coffee cake for lunch and a sandwich for a snack...I'm a little mixed up ;)
Today, I did geometry homework. I could have lived without it.
Today, I watched it snow. And snow. And snow. Like we really needed more. ;)
Carlotta, the short version: reads lots of books, pretends she's british, and is never without her notebook and camera. Likes black and white photos, traveling, and dreams of moving to France.
Everything on this blog is owned and created by me, Carlotta, unless otherwise noted. If you'd like to use or republish anything, please ask for permission.
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