How Pepsi-making


Who among us did not taste the taste of Pepsi ! This drink humidifier , which entered into the 
mouths of millions were left without a corner of it was conquered in 195 countries around the planet .
A simple idea started from the head pharmacist was trying to install a medicine for treatment of dyspepsia , and if it detects a drink savory and non- wetted pattern of eating and drinking in the world , and became great by asking small . How come Caleb Pradhan to this discovery ?
Caleb Pradhan was born in 1876 in Naobern in the United States . Forced to leave the university before graduating from the University of Maryland Medical bankrupt when his father and his business failed .
To earn a living turning Caleb Pradhan to education and studied at school - Oakes Smith - in Naobern to be married - Sarah Charity Chridl - . After leaving teaching work in a pharmacy Pollock , which he bought after he became a master of pharmacology .
Began through his work in the pharmacy mixing prescriptions and medical syrups , and hired through his work as his assistant to be able to blend watching mixture of fruit -flavored syrup with soda water .
In the hot, humid summer day in 1898 AD . In Naobern discovered Caleb Pradhan - aged 22 years - drink delicious moisturizer and submit it to the pharmacy customers . To succeed this drink humidifier unexpected success , and is known as - Pepsi Cola - .
Caleb Pradhan was sure that people would come to his pharmacy if gave them something they love and Anachehem in free days . The Khaltth Alzivh composed of extracts from the plant cola , vanilla and rare oils . He knew the name of this drink - drink Brad - relative to Pradhan .
Caleb Pradhan decided to nominate as the featured drink Pepsi -Cola because he was , in his opinion treats disease dyspepsia , which is known as Dyspepsia.
Enjoyed overwhelming popular drink Pepsi . What payment Caleb Pradhan to advertise this drink invader and humidifier . And defending people 's request and sales began to rise to the point with Caleb Pradhan convinced that opens the company to market the drink featured .
20120904-002612.jpg
The foundations of the world in 1902 Pepsi -Cola in the back room of his pharmacy , offering patented his invention to score a brand registered .
Initially, it was mixed drink and sells through machines soda water . But since necessity is the mother of invention Caleb Pradhan decided to sell Pepsi in small bottles so he can drink anyone and anywhere .
The evolution of the work significantly , and in the June 16, 1903 Pepsi -Cola got its brand on the registered office of the recording brands and trademarks in the United States . During the same year he sold Caleb Pradhan 7968 gallons of Pepsi , and the propaganda says : '' refreshing , tonic , and peptic '' .
Then he started to sell the franchise rights for Pepsi Bottling in cans and bottles , and the number rose from 2 in 1905 to 15 in 1906 and to 40 in 1907 , and with the end of the year 1910, the Pepsi-Cola has branches in 24 states .
This was the most important achievement of what he did Caleb Pradhan , and his company's sales increased to 100,000 gallons of wine per year .
Pepsi -Cola 's success reached its peak year in 1909 where he opened a new headquarters Caleb Pradhan and prided itself on its great Naobern City , and placed it on postcards of the city. The year before ( 1908 ) is considered one of the first of his company switched from carriages to cars to transport their wares.
Caleb Pradhan became the owner of a very popular thanks to his sense of thanks and delicate business . Was nominated for the post of governor in his state , and his continued success. Thus, Pepsi -Cola , flew internationally with great success for 17 years , did not know failure, and was successful Pepsi slogan put forward by Caleb Pradhan : '' drink Pepsi -Cola , they are inevitably Strdak '' .
After 17 years of success came World War and the first and relapsed Pepsi influenced by what is happening around them , and sugar prices fluctuated seriously influenced the production of Pepsi -Cola .
Was Caleb Pradhan forced to risk some trades so that he can continue to be forced in the end , is 3 years cumbersome , declare bankruptcy after storage of sugar in huge quantities and dropped its price suddenly , dozens of times , and that was the misfortune of Caleb Pradhan , was left of the Pepsi factories are only two ( in 1921 ) .
Caleb Pradhan returned to his pharmacy and put the name of Pepsi For Sale . And already sold it to - Roy Megargl - and that after a succession of four owners of the name of all failed in the delivery of Pepsi to safety and to fly high , that came to a successful chocolate factory named - Charles Relief - . This was a person as a savior for Pepsi , where the company benefited from his experience and his ideas .
After 15 years of failure from the date of the bankruptcy Caleb Pradhan - who died at the age of fifty-eighth , after about 10 years from the date of bankruptcy - and the company stood on her feet again .
During the Second World War, the company returned to the back and suffered from the recession and the economic situation is tense , and people were not paying 5 cents versus drink moisturizer that doubled the size of the relief Pepsi versus the same price that a competitor companies other refreshments .
Pepsi returned to quit again after World War II with new ideas and new logos and ads , including the famous song publicity Nickel, Nickel -.
Pepsi is the world of the best companies in the world ranking and 21 in the first five hundred companies in the United States .
Restaurants and Pepsi owns Pizza Hut , Kentucky Fried Chicken , Taco Restaurants and smooth and even .
And worked for PepsiCo Global about half a million people in its factories and restaurants owned .
A simple idea and a desire modest discovered drink black reached every corner of the globe , and walked around the black water quantities can be filled rivers.

Soap making his way in the house





The first way ..Amounts HaCans of olive oil .. approximately 16 kgCaustic soda and has several names .. Kaocetk soda or Qtrona or entirely possible and brought from store construction materials .Water - 8 litersWay ..First, you should exercise extreme caution when it is prepared and wear plastic gloves and use toolsPlastic or wood to boil and stir .. must use a pot made ​​of iron rather than aluminumOr Stainless Steel .. Materials because they interact with the soda produces fumes and thick smoke very severe Vigilance Please ..How to prepare ...In a bowl put a plastic soda and water and put Nkhalthm stir well by a long plank .As a result of interaction with soda water mixture becomes very hot ..Continue stirring until melted soda well .. Leave it to cool down a bitThen put oil with constant stirring until well mixed .Then leave for almost ten hours until the fermentation . The best thing at night , processing and leftFor the second day .After that we put in the barrel iron on the backburner and Nhrkha well consistently for an hour and a half or two hours.Then poured into wooden drawers and leave to dry put in place under well-ventilated and relatively cool .After a day or two and go We turn them over to dry completely .And thus be ready for use .. Bath and , God willing, our God

The second method ...Ingredients ..3 kg of olive oil450 g caustic soda (soda Kaocetk )And a half -liter of waterWayMelt the soda in the water well and continue stirring until the temperature is moderate ( tepid )Then put oil with constant stirring and Nhrkha becomes sticky Kalshambo .Then put them in plastic containers or cardboard shoes sight of God after packaging from abroad BallasqPlastic adhesive broad .. .. So do not open when we put the mix.Clear idea .. Means we get a carton ( shoebox ) Nglvha from abroad Baltchiq to become stronger and so as not to spoil the liquid soap .Keep the mixture of soap , of course , we need more than two cartons possible or three depending on the size carton .And put it in a well ventilated place away from sunlight and needs two to three days to dry .After dry soap go every day to its present Nqlbh all to dry completely .It is used ..This second method of course you should pay attention .. the use of plastic containers and wooden stick to move ..Bacon to do them in color on the Green Xue result olive oil and Ptwhit day all day .. I mean when it is fully droughtThe formation of a very beautiful white whiteness . And the formation of a liquid almost to do them and Ptbdo dry slowly .I mean, if Bchowoha liquid do not be afraid be kept dry and you have the finest soap ..

Soap Lavender ..After processing the previous mixture of soap before and poured in a cartonAdd lavender flowers as possible , as well as powdered lavender oil aromatherapy .And pour out to dry and so we have a soap and perfume of lavender flowers .

Soap honey ..Possible Add honey to the mixture and then pour the mixture to dry .

Chamomile SoapChamomile Flowers and prepare well and then Nfrckha Nnkhalha until we have a flower without any dirt or polesThen Nkhaltha soap after processing.

Soap bran .Add bran are clean before pour soap .

Soap smell of jasmineShould be added to the aromatic jasmine oil mixture .

Science and Technology

Science and Technology

Cute neighborhood bakery alert: Crema



Austin, like most big cities, I suppose, has the highest concentration of really cute, trendy restaurants and bakeries downtown, where all the folks who can afford six hundred grand for an adorable 1900 square foot bungalow live.  Those bastard bungalow-livers. (I'm just jealous.)

So those of us who live a little farther out on the outskirts of town are stuck driving deep into Austin for a cute cupcake or some good ambiance, and of course we all (or maybe just me) get inordinately excited when an actual locally-owned restaurant or bakery opens up in our 'hood (vs. chain establishments). I drove past this cute little cafe, Crema, the other day, and in the interest of supporting a business that has the guts to open up and be cute outside of Central Austin, I decided to try it out.  As you can tell from the photos above, it's a really great little spot and the food is yummy, too! Awesome cakes, cake balls, and cupcakes, and surprisingly good breakfast tacos. It would be a good place to bring your laptop and do some studying or working, or a nice spot to meet a friend for coffee or brunch. Just putting the word out to those of you who may live in Southwest Austin or plan on visiting.

Happy Thursday!
(view other around-Austin posts here)



Something I've been working on


These days my thoughts have been utterly consumed by the possibilities of this gorgeous new studio space I'm currently sharing with another photographer. I've always felt like boudoir photography was where my business would eventually wind up, and this new space is turning dreams into reality. I am absolutely addicted to the loveliness that is boudoir - every part of it is fulfilling and fun for me. Boudoir photography isn't for every photographer, but ever since my very first session I've know that it's for me. 

I hesitate to say too much off the get-go, because so many things are still in the planning stages - like new branding, a separate website for boudoir, and of course marketing to a whole new set of people. But I am excited. So, so excited. It's nice to feel like where you're meant to be. I'll keep you posted as things progress! 

Here's a little peek at what's to come, as well as a special I'm currently running. If you're in Austin, I would love to have you in the studio! 





8 PM on Thursdays


Oh man, you guys... I am writing this on Thursday evening, just after a phone call with my sweet Grandpa. Over the holidays he was in town with us from his home in Oregon, and I had the opportunity to listen and write down his answers to about the first half of the questions in this book. I had given the books to him and my Grandma each for Christmas last year, only she passed away suddenly in March, as many of you know, and I will never get to hear or read those priceless answers. But on Christmas Eve this year we took out his Grandpa book, and I started to ask and listen and write, and where before he had been incredibly, tangibly "low" as he faced his first Christmas in sixty-some years without the love of his life, we watched and noticed as his spirits were visibly lifted during and after answering the questions. He was telling his story. He was revisiting memories he'd had no cause to revisit in maybe years or decades. He was being listened to, and cared about.

During the time my Grandpa was there staying at my mom's, Matthew and I moved out and into our new home, and a few days later we had them over for dinner at the new place.

"Are you going to interrogate me again tonight?" My Grandpa asked hopefully, and I laughed. "Absolutely!" Again, it was so sweet to see how much he seemed to be enjoying this.

But we didn't get to finish the book, so I offered to call him every Thursday evening at 8 PM my time and 6 PM his, and we'd go over a few of the questions each chat. His home phone in Oregon must have rang at about 5:59, and he picked up after barely two rings... most likely waiting by the phone.

"Hello?" He said.

"Hi Grandpa!"

"Jen?"

"Yep, it's me! Ready for your interrogation?"

And you guys, I cannot even tell you how much it touched me tonight, to chat for 22 minutes with a man who should have died in the Korean War, but didn't... a man without whom I wouldn't exist. I can't tell you how much it touched me to hear him re-tell the story of how he met my Grandma. How he first laid eyes on her in the hallway of their Passaic Valley, New Jersey high school, after he got back from the war. She was with at least three other girls, he said, but he locked eyes on her. "If it's possible to fall in love at first sight," he told me, his voice breaking as it often does, "I fell in love. She was it, my whole life."



There's probably about a month's worth of Thursday phone calls left, but I don't know, I might just make up my own questions so it lasts longer. It is such an honor and a privilege to take that time. I know it's helping him through an incredibly difficult time, and somehow, it's helping me too. We so often live in such a world of ME ME ME, so focused on our own issues and endeavors and hurts and pains and joys, that we forget to reach out and be there for the people who were put in our lives to be there for. Don't ignore your grandparents - make time for them, get to know them, love on them. I wish I had done that more for my Grandma, but I'm content to know she knew that I adored her, and it really feels like the right thing to do, to help care for my Grandpa's heart in her absence.

Happy Friday, my friends, and thank you as always for listening to my thoughts... :)



Don't hate me, but I hate weddings


Well, the cat's out of the bag. I hate weddings. PHEW. There, I said it! This little nugget of personal truth has been festering in me for some time now - really, ever since my own wedding, I suppose. But there it is. I don't like 'em. I'm not a fan. Sure, they can be totally gorgeous and fun for guests (I do enjoy attending them occasionally! Free food and booze! Celebration of love!), and I love looking at beautiful wedding photography, but there's always this little nagging voice in my mind that's like, seriously? 

Let me back up.

I was never one of those girls who dreamed about her princess-perfect wedding from the age of Barbies onward. I think the first time I thought about my wedding was, literally, after Matthew proposed to me. Then I was like, "oh shit! We'll need a wedding!" 

And from there on out, it was just a totally stressful affair, because A) I am not an event planner, B) hiring one wasn't in our budget, C) no really, I truly SUCK at planning events, and organizing little details goes directly against the grain of my personality, D) I was in the last semester of my senior year of college, working almost full time, and working an internship part time, E) my groom was living in California, and F) I DON'T EVEN LIKE WEDDINGS. 

So then all of this weird stuff started happening, like resentment because we couldn't afford the most gorgeous flowers and the most fantastic wedding favors and the most stunning venue. 
And frustration because everyone had an opinion, and it seemed like mine and Matthew's should be the only ones that mattered. 
And annoyance over arbitrary traditions and rules that everyone seems to follow like sheep, never asking "Why? Does this apply in modern day weddings? Does this work for our situation?" 
And money down the drain for things that poof! and disappeared the moment the wedding was over and everyone rushed home to watch the Super Bowl (because yes, our wedding was on Super Bowl Sunday afternoon - a direct consequence of having ME plan ANY event, ever).

Now, it may just sound like I'm bitter over my own personal issues with weddings. And in many ways, my own experience certainly does play a role. But I recently read this article, and it perfectly voiced how I feel and what I could never say as eloquently. 

"Imagine for a moment if weddings were prohibited, or better yet, if you could only have one after 10 years of marriage. How much money would be saved? More importantly, how many ill-advised unions would never happen in the first place?"

"And what if, as a society, we celebrated other milestones instead? Wouldn't it be amazing if college graduations were given the wedding treatment? If the commencement ceremony included a $3,000 dress and a $70-a-plate dinner for friends and family who came in from all over the country? Photographers, flowers, dancing, a band?"

Amen to that! And no one will ever take your degree away. Whereas, statistically, your marriage license only has a 50% likelihood of staying in force for a lifetime. 

I don't think weddings are all bad. I think, for some people, it can be a super joyous planning process, and perhaps you've saved for it or your family has saved for it, and so the money isn't an issue. I guess all I'm saying is that I hope you unmarried ladies out there will really think it over before allowing  yourself and your family to bleed copious amounts of cash out into your wedding, and before you allow the planning of it to take over your life and put undue stress on your relationships, or cause others (bridesmaids, groomsmen) a financial burden they maybe can't afford (they may be in other weddings, as well, and that gets SO pricey!). Before you put the planning of a wedding before the planning of a life. HERE is another really beautiful article with REAL TALK about marriage, which I highly recommend you read. No two marriages are alike, but it's really wise to be prepared for what will inevitably happen at some point after riding off into the sunset.

What are your thoughts? Love weddings? Hate them? Sound off if you have something to contribute to the conversation!



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الجمعة، 17 يناير 2014

How Pepsi-making


Who among us did not taste the taste of Pepsi ! This drink humidifier , which entered into the 
mouths of millions were left without a corner of it was conquered in 195 countries around the planet .
A simple idea started from the head pharmacist was trying to install a medicine for treatment of dyspepsia , and if it detects a drink savory and non- wetted pattern of eating and drinking in the world , and became great by asking small . How come Caleb Pradhan to this discovery ?
Caleb Pradhan was born in 1876 in Naobern in the United States . Forced to leave the university before graduating from the University of Maryland Medical bankrupt when his father and his business failed .
To earn a living turning Caleb Pradhan to education and studied at school - Oakes Smith - in Naobern to be married - Sarah Charity Chridl - . After leaving teaching work in a pharmacy Pollock , which he bought after he became a master of pharmacology .
Began through his work in the pharmacy mixing prescriptions and medical syrups , and hired through his work as his assistant to be able to blend watching mixture of fruit -flavored syrup with soda water .
In the hot, humid summer day in 1898 AD . In Naobern discovered Caleb Pradhan - aged 22 years - drink delicious moisturizer and submit it to the pharmacy customers . To succeed this drink humidifier unexpected success , and is known as - Pepsi Cola - .
Caleb Pradhan was sure that people would come to his pharmacy if gave them something they love and Anachehem in free days . The Khaltth Alzivh composed of extracts from the plant cola , vanilla and rare oils . He knew the name of this drink - drink Brad - relative to Pradhan .
Caleb Pradhan decided to nominate as the featured drink Pepsi -Cola because he was , in his opinion treats disease dyspepsia , which is known as Dyspepsia.
Enjoyed overwhelming popular drink Pepsi . What payment Caleb Pradhan to advertise this drink invader and humidifier . And defending people 's request and sales began to rise to the point with Caleb Pradhan convinced that opens the company to market the drink featured .
20120904-002612.jpg
The foundations of the world in 1902 Pepsi -Cola in the back room of his pharmacy , offering patented his invention to score a brand registered .
Initially, it was mixed drink and sells through machines soda water . But since necessity is the mother of invention Caleb Pradhan decided to sell Pepsi in small bottles so he can drink anyone and anywhere .
The evolution of the work significantly , and in the June 16, 1903 Pepsi -Cola got its brand on the registered office of the recording brands and trademarks in the United States . During the same year he sold Caleb Pradhan 7968 gallons of Pepsi , and the propaganda says : '' refreshing , tonic , and peptic '' .
Then he started to sell the franchise rights for Pepsi Bottling in cans and bottles , and the number rose from 2 in 1905 to 15 in 1906 and to 40 in 1907 , and with the end of the year 1910, the Pepsi-Cola has branches in 24 states .
This was the most important achievement of what he did Caleb Pradhan , and his company's sales increased to 100,000 gallons of wine per year .
Pepsi -Cola 's success reached its peak year in 1909 where he opened a new headquarters Caleb Pradhan and prided itself on its great Naobern City , and placed it on postcards of the city. The year before ( 1908 ) is considered one of the first of his company switched from carriages to cars to transport their wares.
Caleb Pradhan became the owner of a very popular thanks to his sense of thanks and delicate business . Was nominated for the post of governor in his state , and his continued success. Thus, Pepsi -Cola , flew internationally with great success for 17 years , did not know failure, and was successful Pepsi slogan put forward by Caleb Pradhan : '' drink Pepsi -Cola , they are inevitably Strdak '' .
After 17 years of success came World War and the first and relapsed Pepsi influenced by what is happening around them , and sugar prices fluctuated seriously influenced the production of Pepsi -Cola .
Was Caleb Pradhan forced to risk some trades so that he can continue to be forced in the end , is 3 years cumbersome , declare bankruptcy after storage of sugar in huge quantities and dropped its price suddenly , dozens of times , and that was the misfortune of Caleb Pradhan , was left of the Pepsi factories are only two ( in 1921 ) .
Caleb Pradhan returned to his pharmacy and put the name of Pepsi For Sale . And already sold it to - Roy Megargl - and that after a succession of four owners of the name of all failed in the delivery of Pepsi to safety and to fly high , that came to a successful chocolate factory named - Charles Relief - . This was a person as a savior for Pepsi , where the company benefited from his experience and his ideas .
After 15 years of failure from the date of the bankruptcy Caleb Pradhan - who died at the age of fifty-eighth , after about 10 years from the date of bankruptcy - and the company stood on her feet again .
During the Second World War, the company returned to the back and suffered from the recession and the economic situation is tense , and people were not paying 5 cents versus drink moisturizer that doubled the size of the relief Pepsi versus the same price that a competitor companies other refreshments .
Pepsi returned to quit again after World War II with new ideas and new logos and ads , including the famous song publicity Nickel, Nickel -.
Pepsi is the world of the best companies in the world ranking and 21 in the first five hundred companies in the United States .
Restaurants and Pepsi owns Pizza Hut , Kentucky Fried Chicken , Taco Restaurants and smooth and even .
And worked for PepsiCo Global about half a million people in its factories and restaurants owned .
A simple idea and a desire modest discovered drink black reached every corner of the globe , and walked around the black water quantities can be filled rivers.

Soap making his way in the house





The first way ..Amounts HaCans of olive oil .. approximately 16 kgCaustic soda and has several names .. Kaocetk soda or Qtrona or entirely possible and brought from store construction materials .Water - 8 litersWay ..First, you should exercise extreme caution when it is prepared and wear plastic gloves and use toolsPlastic or wood to boil and stir .. must use a pot made ​​of iron rather than aluminumOr Stainless Steel .. Materials because they interact with the soda produces fumes and thick smoke very severe Vigilance Please ..How to prepare ...In a bowl put a plastic soda and water and put Nkhalthm stir well by a long plank .As a result of interaction with soda water mixture becomes very hot ..Continue stirring until melted soda well .. Leave it to cool down a bitThen put oil with constant stirring until well mixed .Then leave for almost ten hours until the fermentation . The best thing at night , processing and leftFor the second day .After that we put in the barrel iron on the backburner and Nhrkha well consistently for an hour and a half or two hours.Then poured into wooden drawers and leave to dry put in place under well-ventilated and relatively cool .After a day or two and go We turn them over to dry completely .And thus be ready for use .. Bath and , God willing, our God

The second method ...Ingredients ..3 kg of olive oil450 g caustic soda (soda Kaocetk )And a half -liter of waterWayMelt the soda in the water well and continue stirring until the temperature is moderate ( tepid )Then put oil with constant stirring and Nhrkha becomes sticky Kalshambo .Then put them in plastic containers or cardboard shoes sight of God after packaging from abroad BallasqPlastic adhesive broad .. .. So do not open when we put the mix.Clear idea .. Means we get a carton ( shoebox ) Nglvha from abroad Baltchiq to become stronger and so as not to spoil the liquid soap .Keep the mixture of soap , of course , we need more than two cartons possible or three depending on the size carton .And put it in a well ventilated place away from sunlight and needs two to three days to dry .After dry soap go every day to its present Nqlbh all to dry completely .It is used ..This second method of course you should pay attention .. the use of plastic containers and wooden stick to move ..Bacon to do them in color on the Green Xue result olive oil and Ptwhit day all day .. I mean when it is fully droughtThe formation of a very beautiful white whiteness . And the formation of a liquid almost to do them and Ptbdo dry slowly .I mean, if Bchowoha liquid do not be afraid be kept dry and you have the finest soap ..

Soap Lavender ..After processing the previous mixture of soap before and poured in a cartonAdd lavender flowers as possible , as well as powdered lavender oil aromatherapy .And pour out to dry and so we have a soap and perfume of lavender flowers .

Soap honey ..Possible Add honey to the mixture and then pour the mixture to dry .

Chamomile SoapChamomile Flowers and prepare well and then Nfrckha Nnkhalha until we have a flower without any dirt or polesThen Nkhaltha soap after processing.

Soap bran .Add bran are clean before pour soap .

Soap smell of jasmineShould be added to the aromatic jasmine oil mixture .

Science and Technology

Science and Technology

الخميس، 16 يناير 2014

Cute neighborhood bakery alert: Crema



Austin, like most big cities, I suppose, has the highest concentration of really cute, trendy restaurants and bakeries downtown, where all the folks who can afford six hundred grand for an adorable 1900 square foot bungalow live.  Those bastard bungalow-livers. (I'm just jealous.)

So those of us who live a little farther out on the outskirts of town are stuck driving deep into Austin for a cute cupcake or some good ambiance, and of course we all (or maybe just me) get inordinately excited when an actual locally-owned restaurant or bakery opens up in our 'hood (vs. chain establishments). I drove past this cute little cafe, Crema, the other day, and in the interest of supporting a business that has the guts to open up and be cute outside of Central Austin, I decided to try it out.  As you can tell from the photos above, it's a really great little spot and the food is yummy, too! Awesome cakes, cake balls, and cupcakes, and surprisingly good breakfast tacos. It would be a good place to bring your laptop and do some studying or working, or a nice spot to meet a friend for coffee or brunch. Just putting the word out to those of you who may live in Southwest Austin or plan on visiting.

Happy Thursday!
(view other around-Austin posts here)



الثلاثاء، 14 يناير 2014

Something I've been working on


These days my thoughts have been utterly consumed by the possibilities of this gorgeous new studio space I'm currently sharing with another photographer. I've always felt like boudoir photography was where my business would eventually wind up, and this new space is turning dreams into reality. I am absolutely addicted to the loveliness that is boudoir - every part of it is fulfilling and fun for me. Boudoir photography isn't for every photographer, but ever since my very first session I've know that it's for me. 

I hesitate to say too much off the get-go, because so many things are still in the planning stages - like new branding, a separate website for boudoir, and of course marketing to a whole new set of people. But I am excited. So, so excited. It's nice to feel like where you're meant to be. I'll keep you posted as things progress! 

Here's a little peek at what's to come, as well as a special I'm currently running. If you're in Austin, I would love to have you in the studio! 





الجمعة، 10 يناير 2014

8 PM on Thursdays


Oh man, you guys... I am writing this on Thursday evening, just after a phone call with my sweet Grandpa. Over the holidays he was in town with us from his home in Oregon, and I had the opportunity to listen and write down his answers to about the first half of the questions in this book. I had given the books to him and my Grandma each for Christmas last year, only she passed away suddenly in March, as many of you know, and I will never get to hear or read those priceless answers. But on Christmas Eve this year we took out his Grandpa book, and I started to ask and listen and write, and where before he had been incredibly, tangibly "low" as he faced his first Christmas in sixty-some years without the love of his life, we watched and noticed as his spirits were visibly lifted during and after answering the questions. He was telling his story. He was revisiting memories he'd had no cause to revisit in maybe years or decades. He was being listened to, and cared about.

During the time my Grandpa was there staying at my mom's, Matthew and I moved out and into our new home, and a few days later we had them over for dinner at the new place.

"Are you going to interrogate me again tonight?" My Grandpa asked hopefully, and I laughed. "Absolutely!" Again, it was so sweet to see how much he seemed to be enjoying this.

But we didn't get to finish the book, so I offered to call him every Thursday evening at 8 PM my time and 6 PM his, and we'd go over a few of the questions each chat. His home phone in Oregon must have rang at about 5:59, and he picked up after barely two rings... most likely waiting by the phone.

"Hello?" He said.

"Hi Grandpa!"

"Jen?"

"Yep, it's me! Ready for your interrogation?"

And you guys, I cannot even tell you how much it touched me tonight, to chat for 22 minutes with a man who should have died in the Korean War, but didn't... a man without whom I wouldn't exist. I can't tell you how much it touched me to hear him re-tell the story of how he met my Grandma. How he first laid eyes on her in the hallway of their Passaic Valley, New Jersey high school, after he got back from the war. She was with at least three other girls, he said, but he locked eyes on her. "If it's possible to fall in love at first sight," he told me, his voice breaking as it often does, "I fell in love. She was it, my whole life."



There's probably about a month's worth of Thursday phone calls left, but I don't know, I might just make up my own questions so it lasts longer. It is such an honor and a privilege to take that time. I know it's helping him through an incredibly difficult time, and somehow, it's helping me too. We so often live in such a world of ME ME ME, so focused on our own issues and endeavors and hurts and pains and joys, that we forget to reach out and be there for the people who were put in our lives to be there for. Don't ignore your grandparents - make time for them, get to know them, love on them. I wish I had done that more for my Grandma, but I'm content to know she knew that I adored her, and it really feels like the right thing to do, to help care for my Grandpa's heart in her absence.

Happy Friday, my friends, and thank you as always for listening to my thoughts... :)



الخميس، 9 يناير 2014

Don't hate me, but I hate weddings


Well, the cat's out of the bag. I hate weddings. PHEW. There, I said it! This little nugget of personal truth has been festering in me for some time now - really, ever since my own wedding, I suppose. But there it is. I don't like 'em. I'm not a fan. Sure, they can be totally gorgeous and fun for guests (I do enjoy attending them occasionally! Free food and booze! Celebration of love!), and I love looking at beautiful wedding photography, but there's always this little nagging voice in my mind that's like, seriously? 

Let me back up.

I was never one of those girls who dreamed about her princess-perfect wedding from the age of Barbies onward. I think the first time I thought about my wedding was, literally, after Matthew proposed to me. Then I was like, "oh shit! We'll need a wedding!" 

And from there on out, it was just a totally stressful affair, because A) I am not an event planner, B) hiring one wasn't in our budget, C) no really, I truly SUCK at planning events, and organizing little details goes directly against the grain of my personality, D) I was in the last semester of my senior year of college, working almost full time, and working an internship part time, E) my groom was living in California, and F) I DON'T EVEN LIKE WEDDINGS. 

So then all of this weird stuff started happening, like resentment because we couldn't afford the most gorgeous flowers and the most fantastic wedding favors and the most stunning venue. 
And frustration because everyone had an opinion, and it seemed like mine and Matthew's should be the only ones that mattered. 
And annoyance over arbitrary traditions and rules that everyone seems to follow like sheep, never asking "Why? Does this apply in modern day weddings? Does this work for our situation?" 
And money down the drain for things that poof! and disappeared the moment the wedding was over and everyone rushed home to watch the Super Bowl (because yes, our wedding was on Super Bowl Sunday afternoon - a direct consequence of having ME plan ANY event, ever).

Now, it may just sound like I'm bitter over my own personal issues with weddings. And in many ways, my own experience certainly does play a role. But I recently read this article, and it perfectly voiced how I feel and what I could never say as eloquently. 

"Imagine for a moment if weddings were prohibited, or better yet, if you could only have one after 10 years of marriage. How much money would be saved? More importantly, how many ill-advised unions would never happen in the first place?"

"And what if, as a society, we celebrated other milestones instead? Wouldn't it be amazing if college graduations were given the wedding treatment? If the commencement ceremony included a $3,000 dress and a $70-a-plate dinner for friends and family who came in from all over the country? Photographers, flowers, dancing, a band?"

Amen to that! And no one will ever take your degree away. Whereas, statistically, your marriage license only has a 50% likelihood of staying in force for a lifetime. 

I don't think weddings are all bad. I think, for some people, it can be a super joyous planning process, and perhaps you've saved for it or your family has saved for it, and so the money isn't an issue. I guess all I'm saying is that I hope you unmarried ladies out there will really think it over before allowing  yourself and your family to bleed copious amounts of cash out into your wedding, and before you allow the planning of it to take over your life and put undue stress on your relationships, or cause others (bridesmaids, groomsmen) a financial burden they maybe can't afford (they may be in other weddings, as well, and that gets SO pricey!). Before you put the planning of a wedding before the planning of a life. HERE is another really beautiful article with REAL TALK about marriage, which I highly recommend you read. No two marriages are alike, but it's really wise to be prepared for what will inevitably happen at some point after riding off into the sunset.

What are your thoughts? Love weddings? Hate them? Sound off if you have something to contribute to the conversation!