Inspiration & Design Photography BLOG

WE MOVED!!!!! Click below for our new BLOG location

I know you've been hearing the buzz about the new BLOG for a while now. After MUCH WORK, MUCH FRUSTRATION and some pulling out of my hair, I have finally finished my new blog! There has literally been one glitch after another, but I am hoping it will all have been worth it.

I would love some feedback from my followers regarding the new design and if you leave a comment on the new blog, you will be entered in the drawing for several gift cards I am giving away. Remember I did it for YOU! So you wouldn't have to look at my - slightly above average - less than gorgeous - slow loading banner -BLOG anymore. I worked very hard on a design that I thought would be much more pleasant to view, especially for all my feminine readers and brides. Seriously, who doesn't love pink and green together with some vintage romance thrown in????

To connect to the NEW BLOG click HERE: The NEW BLOG!!!

Update on new blog in process

We have been in the process of trying to launch the new blog for quite awhile, unfortunately we are having difficulties with our programmers. Until it is finished, we won't be posting much on this blog, except for Tuesdays and Thursdays.  We appreciate your patience as we continue our efforts to resolve this matter and reveal our new redesigned blog.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Girls & Guns by guest blogger Emily Plecker

"Why can't you get in 'girl trouble'?" That's what my Dad said to me when I found myself in a tad bit of mischief during my high school days. I was always the girl who wanted to do the things that guys so stereotypically thought that girls weren't capable of. I tried things like riding motorcycles. My first time ended tragically as I ran full throttle into a parked car and broke my arm. I'll admit that didn't stop me from getting back on one in time. Needless to say, I wasn't gun shy.

And as much as that sounded like a metaphor, it was literal. I found my niche and it just so happened to be guns. The men in my family are all avid hunters, and have been since I can remember. Growing up I always showed an interest in going hunting as well, so my brother and my dad would take me along with them on occasion. I was probably nine or ten years old when I got my first gun. Now, don't get me wrong this gun was a BB gun, which if not sighted in was about as harmless as a sling shot. But my eyes lit up when my dad handed it to me that christmas morning. 

The older I got the more I learned about the silent sport of hunting and the more responsible I became with a gun. I was allowed to carry my weapon now while hunting with dad, and pretty soon he decided that it was time for me to have my own semi-automatic. I remember him saying, "Now, that's not a toy you know." I had it out on the back porch target practicing that very day. 

The last gun that was gifted to me, was just this past christmas. My parents decided to pass down to me a gun of my grandfathers, that passed away a little less than a year ago. "Now, that's a good gun. You take care of it. I think your granddaddy would have wanted you to have that." Even at 20 years old and a full time college student, I look for the opportunity to fire a gun every chance I get. Not only is it a sport to most but its a sense of empowerment for a woman such as myself.

Never underestimate a girl and her gun. Now, to find me some guy trouble...;)

 

 

 

Bridal Tips 101: Hair & Smile by guest Blogger: Emily Plecker

Out of the many important things on the big day, good hair and a beautiful smile are definitely a priority. Hello, the most important thing of all is a beautiful bride!;) No, really the most important thing is that the bride feels beautiful, and come on ladies we all have our insecurities. Maybe she feels like her hair is thin and unmanageable or that her teeth are dinghy and she cant afford to have them whitened. Breathe! There are solutions! 

It's never a fun day when you realize that your hair isn't capable of anything. Maybe it's too thin or flat? A good way to fix this solution is to add an accessory. Hair flowers, bows, and even feathers are HUGE in fashion right now. It's a perfect extra something to create an allusion of volume! Remember that simple is beautiful, even if you do something as easy as a low bun and add a white flower or bow, it will look elegant and chic. A lot of brides prefer to go with a fresh flower, this is a nice option as well. It may be a clever way to accent her bouquet. 

As far as hair goes the simple is beautiful rule still applies. Classic buns and chignons give a great modern and sophisticated look. Details are the eye catchers with these styles. Using hair pins with rhinestones or ceramic designs are a great touch. Lose updos are really in! Lofty twists and soft curls present a romantic and sexy look you may be looking for.

On to the smile! I'll tell you a little secret I'll bet you didn't know about teeth whitening. BAKING SODA! Yes, I'm serious. Use it with toothpaste when you brush! I personally have gotten results in one to two weeks. Also, months before the big day avoid things like coffee, dark tea, and red wine. Dentists say "if it will stain white cotton, it will probably stain your teeth." Lastly, believe it or not, the right shade of lipstick can make your teeth look immediately whiter. Stay away from oranges, salmons, peaches, and corals. These colors give the teeth a yellowish cast. You want to go with red or pink with cool blue undertones. The blue counteracts the stains and makes your teeth look much brighter. 

Happy smiling and accessorizing!

 

 

A faithful confidant - by guest Blogger: Emily Plecker

Debrah has been a busy bee working in the office on the new and improved blog design, that she hopes will be coming to you sooner rather than later. Although, I must confess, I am a little concerned that she won't have much hair left when it's all said and done. It hasn't been the peachiest of situations as she has worked on it almost entirely on her own with much dismay to web designers and their inattention to detail! But I can assure you that she is a lady with a knack for design, therefore, it is coming along quite beautifully. I'm positive that you followers won't be disappointed! 

Meanwhile, I've been keeping Debrah as sane as possible, by making sure I am a faithful confidant when it comes to opinions about the blog design. I've also been doing some research for Debrah, working on my own personal blog, studying some photography material Debrah hooked me up with, and lastly trying to stick to these New Year's resolutions of mine. With that being said, I've been fighting with my own body to make myself go to the gym, and telling myself that I don't need chocolate to survive. Who am I kidding? Why yes, yes, I do! 

Anyway, Debrah and I have truly had a wonderful time working together, and I'm learning so much already. The two of our creative minds put together has created a productive, innovative, encouraging, and beautiful environment. I could really get used to this! We've been discussing working together some after I start a new semester in February. HA! You haven't seen the last of me yet! Send your best wishes to Debrah for the blog design, because quite frankly I like her hair!;)

 

"Anxiety is the hand maiden of creativity." - T.S. Eliot

 

Motivation for those of you like me, who need to exercise more often!

New Beginnings

Hello All! My name is Emily Plecker, Debrah's new sidekick for the month of January! I come from the down home backwoods of Bath County, Virginia, home of the critically acclaimed Homestead Resort. You may be familiar with it! I currently reside in Roanoke, Virginia while I continue my third year at Hollins University. My passion lies within the subjects of Creative Writing and Photography. I have been writing expressively since I was a young girl, whether it be through poetry, short stories, or just simply journaling. I am a firm believer that self expression is essential in surviving this crazy life. Not to mention it allows you to discover yourself as a person. After all, who can you be if you cannot first be yourself?!

Anyway, now my journey has brought me to you and hopefully this month I can shed some light on the world for you through my eyes! How did I find myself familiar with Inspiration and Design you might ask? Debrah and I met last January when I interviewed her for the wedding issue of Bella Magazine. Needless to say we had an immediate connection and gabbed away for hours longer than either of us intended! Now, a year later, I have the privilege of working with her on fun and exciting new projects for 2012! As a young creative mind I am excited to work and write more freely during my time with Debrah. One of those creative things is writing as a guest on Debrah's blog. I am also confident I have much to learn from Debrah being the successful lady that she is! Hopefully she can show me the ropes on this big fancy camera with endless capabilities that I have yet to figure out!

One of the first things Debrah and I did together was have our own little personal photo shoot. While she was photographing me, she was also teaching me about things to do if I were photographing someone. I was learning to be on both sides of the camera. The wind was not in our favor, which made my hair even less cooperative then it would have been regularly. Despite my hair problems we managed to make it work, and I explained to Debrah that messy hair is the norm for me so the truth be known in these photos when all was said and done! Very few times had I been photographed professionally, so I didn't know what to expect exactly. Debrah really guided me through it when she explained how important movement and light are. You really have to let the person photographing you into your world, so that they can capture your true essence and that isn't always easy. I struggled a bit in the beginning, probably because at times I can be a reserved person. Debrah had some great tips on how to loosen up. In addition her attitude is just so compelling and that worked in my favor. She said, "You know I'm going to know when I finally capture 'Emily' don't you?" It reminded me of something my mother would have said to me and I felt myself loosen up just a little more. We only really had an hour of daylight, usually a photo shoot would last longer, and we had limited time to think of a venue so we just did it around Debrah's home. It was a beautiful warm day and the feeling was so peaceful. All in all it was a BLAST! Little bear had to make his cameo appearance, I couldn't have all the attention now could I?!

Afterward, Debrah and I uploaded the photos to see what we had gotten. The results were more than satisfying. The warm tones and the country feel were so natural. We we're surprised how awesome our limited venue turned out to be. As we flipped through I found myself saying, "Oh, WOW. That is such a 'me' face." We also decided that the frumpy green sweater I had initially worn for the shoot was not one of my finer choices in fashion. In fact, it might be a smart decision to just go ahead and take it to the Goodwill now! It was definitely a new experience for me, but I felt excited. I was so happy with how they turned out, and truly feel like you see a little piece of me from every angle of my personality.

So, with that being said, here's to new beginnings and new inspiration and saying NO to frumpy sweaters! "Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end."

 

Just for Fun:

1) Sweet Tea is essential to my earthly existence.

2) There are no stoplights in my hometown...no..seriously..

3) I have a small addiction to hair accessories...just a small one.

4) My cowboy boots are the most comfortable shoes I own.

5) I am a Jesus lover!:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disposable lights and Mr. Scrooge-y-ness.

I didn't see the word disposable on the box???  However, it seems Christmas lights are indeed DISPOSABLE!  Yup, you get one year and then those tangledmesses of deadness march their way right off to the land fills! Well maybe with a little help, after all, they are dead. What's up with that?!?!? Seriously, when I was growing up we used the same strands every year, all we had to replace was the light bulbs.  Those were the days, the good old days of "un-cheapness", where a toaster would last a life time, cars had real bumpers...like made from metal and chrome and actually protected you in an accident! 

This year I pulled out all the icicle lights that were carefully packed in plastic bins and only used once. NONE of them worked (yes, I tried several electrical outlets and even changed the fuse)! I decided it was not a good investment to spend over a $100 for several more boxes. So take that ole maker of junky light strands. The neighbors and delivery men will just have to assume that I am related to Mr. Scrooge...before his conversion, all because you make lights that hibernate in the off season and never wakey-wakey, when it's TIME to wakey-wakey!

It's a good thing that my Christmas cheer and good will towards men is not dependent on lights on my house, but the light of Christ that fills me with love & graditude for his birth and all that it means for those who trust and obey him!

God bless you all and to all a "light filled" Christmas!

 

 

Bumpity-Bumpity-Bump

I was 10 years old when he died of a heart attack, only in his forties at the time.  He was too young to die and I felt I would also die of a broken heart from my loss. My deep sobs of pain would not comfort me or return my beloved uncle Raymond to me.

They say, "you won't remember what someone said, but you will remember how they made you feel".  It's true, I don't remember much of what my dear uncle said to me, but he was one of the few people in my family that made me feel really loved.  I was very young when we started spending time together. 

 I fondly remember the random trips in his old pick-up truck, which always included driving over the rail-road tracks. To turn this noisy event into something fun, he would sing a silly song which included the words, you guessed it; bumpity-bumpity-bump! He always made me smile and have fun no matter what mundane activity we were doing. When we were together he made me feel like I was the most special little girl in the world and that he enjoyed every playful moment with me.

A day spent together always ended with a trip to the little country store located right next door to his house. I still remember the old creaky wooden floors and squeeky screen door that led to the dim lighting & limited inventory; all part of the wonderful experience of picking out whatever package of cookies my heart desired! He knew the way to this little girl's heart!

I still have fleeting memories of those special times as a young girl and wonder what my life would have been like had I not lost my dear uncle & childhood friend so long ago.

Thank you Raymond, for the little things that meant so much, to a little girl so long ago.

New Blog Design Update

I was really hoping the new Blog design would be up and running by now, but I've decided to switch horses in the middle of the river and take a different path up stream, so I can reach the beautiful meadow I see on the other side. 

It may be finished by Dec 20th or so (I hope). I'm excited to share the new design with you as soon as it is finished. Thanks for your patience.

 

It's almost here!

After what feels like forever, I will finally have a new blog design. Yippee-ki-yay!  Well THAT sounded a little COUNTRY. I'm so excited!! I tried my best inspite of limitations to create a blog that was pleasing to the eye.  But I now have an official bonafied D-E-S-I-G-N-E-R working on my new blog.  I'm as excited as Cinderella going to the ball!! Additionally, I have almost finished my new website and will be sporting a new totally-loving-it LOGO as the cherry on top of it all!  Yes, a complete overhaul and it was about time!!!

As business owners we wear too many hats (don't we??). I always wanted to make changes...all kinds of them. But for me, in the blink of an eye another year would pass with-out accomplishing my goals (or very few of them). Until this year.  I published a previous post called the YEAR OF NEW for 2011, listing all of the things I would work on this year.  And of course posting it for all the world to read, I was now fully accountable to accomplish said goals (good plan).

After the new blog is live. I will be documenting my experience with each goal and the progress that I made, as well as the things I discovered about myself along the way. I hope to help, encourage or enlighten my readers; possibly making the journey to their goals an easier one.

I'll finish with this quote and wish everyone a Happy & Thankful Thanksgiving!

Forever on Thanksgiving Day
The heart will find the pathway home.
~Wilbur D. Nesbit