escape

Do you ever wanna escape? run and hide? disappear?  Even for just a bit?

Some days, life can be a little much! I catch myself moving too fast, doing too much at once.... and I know it's time to slow down and breathe. Even if it's just for a few minutes. 

Recently we painted our guest room in shades of white. Everything including the bedding, the curtains and the furniture is white. It's fabulous. And because it's our guest room, it stays fresh and clean... orderly.... and so peaceful.

Often, just a peek inside can fill me with calm. And, my oh my, if I step in, lie down on the big fluffy (always made) bed, everything seems to stop! Ahh.... I can b r e a t h e, again. 

Where do you go to escape, be and breathe? Maybe it's your bedroom, a tiny corner of your home, a park bench, maybe it's an open field, under a tree, a window seat, the beach... Share your 'space' with us today.

life in a day

The other evening I had the honor of seeing the unique documentary Life in a Day. It is the project that brought National Geographic and YouTube together with a mission to tell the story of one of day on earth. Let me tell you, it was wonderful. You can read more about the concept of the film and how it was created (the idea in itself is totally inspiring) at the Life in a Day site. Once you watch the trailer and all the hair on your body stands on end, you'll know what I mean when I say wonderful.

The points of view, the perspectives, the subject matter, the video shorts themselves; all totally unique and even still, there was a Universal cohesion, beauty, and honesty that left me feeling so grateful to be alive on this planet.

With our One Word Project wordthis month celebrating life, today I ask you to pick up your camera and capture yours in way that's both everyday and unique. Capture a moment of your life, just as it is, that you never ever want to forget.

And be sure to visit Ali Edwards this week as she's inspiring us to document our life all week with her Week in the Life. Talk about sweet sisterly synchronicity!

solitude and ritual

 

As parents, it is often difficult to find time for yourself when work, family, and everything but YOU seem to come first. I am sure that I am not alone in saying that when a rare moment of solitude finally does present itself... I feel, well, a bit selfish. My mind races with all the things I should be doing.

Recently, I found the cure for my self-imposed guilt.  I schedule "me time" into my day.  Since quality time must first be found to be cherished, it now goes on the calendar, along with client appointments, vet appointments, and picking up dirty socks.  As I proceed through my day, checking off my to-do list, I work my way towards my personal time knowing that I have "earned" it.

It is in these moments that I savor my daily rituals. The personal activities in life that are just for me.  Even the most stressful of days can be salvaged by the simple act of lighting a candle, hiding in the corner with a good book, and savoring a cup of tea.

Today, I invite you to share some the quieter moments from your day with us.

life's focus

"Life has a way of coloring your way of living - but it's you who chooses the colors." - unknown

Don't you just love the simple wisdom of this quote?  As we go about our lives, it is so easy to get wrapped up in everyday dramas that play out around us.  When it gets overwhelming, I like to pick up my camera.  My lens becomes my filter. I am in complete control of what I see.  Real life is pushed aside and bliss rushes in.

In those moments, I seek out things that sooth my soul or tickle my funny bone. Saturated colors, my son's freckly nose, the silly antics of our five dogs, and focusing on the details... all help reenergize me for the next challenge that life throws my way. And you know that with three boys, it is guaranteed that more teen angst is peeking around the corner.

While I am not suggesting that you put blinders on, I do encourage you to spend some time looking at the world with selective focus.  Everything in life will become more enhanced. What was once taken for granted, such as a sunrise, a simple wildflower, or a quiet moment suddenly comes to life.

Today, focus on the little things in life that make you happy and share them here with us.

Images and words courtesy of the Tammy Lee Bradley, founder of Mortal Muses and newest contributor to Shutter Sisters. YAY! You can find her on Facebook and her blog Bliss and Folly, as well. Help us give her a warm sisterly welcome!

print me

I think all of us, in some form or fashion, grew up with the instant gratification of photography. Sometimes it was the polaroid that jumped out of the sx-70 to be developed. Most of the time, it was waiting a few days to save up babysitting money in order to pick up prints at the drugstore. And often, it was life revealing itself in the slow motion stir that came from behind the closed door of the darkroom.

I know I've said it before. But I'll say it again: photography is meant to be held.

In this day of instant everything I find myself taking even more photos while I'm on the go. This means my iphone has become a great resource for documenting my everyday ordinary magical moments. The same day I took this photo with my Nikon, I also played with my iphone a bit and came up with a different perspective on the same thrifted hat. I am still loyal to my Nikon, but most days I swing towards the lightheartedness and ease of the iphone.

So, how easy is it to get your mobile images off your phones and into print? For those of you shooting with an iphone, I've recently discovered a great app that gets your prints in hand! Postal Pix is my new go-to instant gratification for all things iphotography related. No, they're not paying me to say that, I simply love the fast and convenient service they provide and the quality of their prints is great too. I've placed quite a few orders and I'm turning on all my iphone friends to their services! If you're on an iphone and you love prints in hand, you gotta check them out.

Today, share with us your everyday ordinary magical moments taken with a phone camera.