Epiphany

Today I have had a sort of epiphany.. through everything that goes on in life, I think we lose sight of what we know. I have always wondered where my future would take me, & the great things that are in store. I think the trials and tribulations that one journeys through on the way to the unknown are what molds us in to the beings that we are. But, what truly sets us apart is our creative energy, our passions that lie deep within our souls. Today I re-realized that photography is my thing. I know in my heart that it's the one thing that I am truly good at. It makes me feel like the world is enough. Knowing that I can capture it all through the lens on my camera, the highs and lows, the beauty of a sunrise, it all just makes sense. Happiness lies in our creativity.

I have chosen to share some photos from a shoot that I did this summer. After looking back, I think these are some of my favorite photos I have ever taken. They show who I am as a photographer, and I think maybe even who I am inside as well! It is very fitting that we themed the shoot "Wild Heart's."

Summer's Harvest: The View's Top 5!

Hello all! I have spent many years learning the best gardening tips I could ask for from my own grandpa (paw paw). He has always been the wise voice in my head when it comes to planting, and harvesting the summers bounty. Click the photo to blow it up!

I have decided to have a new feature every month... the best or worst, or whatever I am in to at the given time! The View from the Top 5, will be posted once a month and I am excited to see where this goes! I am always following new trends, may it be in electronics, fashion, or this month, in fresh veggies! I hope you enjoy this new feature! Cheers!

p.s. Feel free to print the guide! I enjoyed making it and it prints beautifully!

Windows of opportunity

The past few months have been some of the most trying times of my life thus far. A roller coaster packed with twists and turns, but no doubt a learning experience. You see, I have a confession... In the past 5 months I have learned tons about the business world, put together a business plan to make one of my biggest dreams a reality, and unfortunately after months of tedious decision making and waiting, been denied the funds to put the plan in action. I knew from the beginning that nothing would be handed to me, I would have to work for this and if it worked out, then that was where I was supposed to be.. and fate would work out the rest. Well, it didn't, but all is not lost. This is what life is about right? Trials and tribulations, the struggle to get to the top? I have learned so much in the past year, about life, my goals, and my own personal issues. I couldn't even begin to tell you half of the amazing things I have seen, and experiences I have had. Next week, I will be making my move back to Florida. The absolute last thing I want to do, but the best option for my future goals to play out in a timely manner! The way I see it in a few semesters I will hold a degree in Business Administration, that no one can take away from me, and I can be right back here in the beautiful mountains. In the mean time I plan to take my blogging to the next level! I have so many experiences in my everyday routine that I never share. Hopefully this blog can continue to show the things that inspire me, so that maybe, someone else can be inspired too. For the people who follow this blog, I thank you. I ask you to bare with me in the next few weeks as I adjust to moving and finding my way. I am planning to give the blog a facelift and hopefully I will be launching my new website as well.

Cheers to the future!

“Life's up and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine your values and goals - Think of using all the obstacles as stepping stones to build the life you want”.

Work Spaces

Just thought I'd show everyone my completed work space! It's sure to change in time and when I switch rooms soon but for now, it's perfect. I have been reading up and gaining inspiration from my new book, Pottery Barn: Work Spaces! I'm trying to keep it this organized all the time, we shall see! Enjoy!

Tour de Hendersonville!

I just realized that in the 8 months i have lived here I have not given you a formal tour of my little town! Here are a few photos I took on my break Sunday! It was a beautiful weekend here.. I think it reached a sunny 60 degrees (which we all freaked out about)! This weekend it supposed to reach 70 and i'm sure to break out the shorts and flip flops! Without further adieu, Here is a photo tour of my new home!

View of Main Street looking South

McFarlan Bake Shop

A Hendersonville tradition and home of the best cookies & cake ever!

A view of the Flight Wood Grille building

Hendersonville upscale dining

Dancing Bear Toys

A Hendersonville tradition & where I spend most of my days!

And now you know why I moved here! I know, it seems a bit small from the big city, but it's just perfect for me!

I'm off 2 days in a row this weekend and though I have never been busier, I think I will try to enjoy some culinary find! No worries though, I will of course share my find with you, and your taste buds will no doubt be jealous!! Enjoy your day!

View From the Top..Blogger Reload!!

Good Morning! today is Sunday.. A great day to reload! Over the past few months I have been going through the biggest changes that I could have imagined. I have made some grown up decisions about where to go with my career and life, and also figured out how determined I am. I have been extremely busy with work and school, and the other things that creep in and make life stressful! I would like to think that living here on the mountain would make everyday life an escape from reality and stress, but it hasn't. Things have happened that have made me want to crawl home to Jacksonville, to safety, as quick as possible. But life is not about safety, life is about taking chances, and learning. I have learned to live life here in this new place, in a great way. I work at a charming family toy store, by far the most amazing job I have ever had (as you could imagine)! I live in my parents beautiful mountain home, and have them with me on this new journey of mine. I think I have it pretty easy! Today is a new beginning for many things. I plan to blog from now on, as often as I can. I have to admit, all this excitement is too good to keep to myself! I hope you enjoy the new mess free layout, and will continue to follow me on my journey to find the view from the top!

Whatever happens, happens.

As some of you might know, Greys Anatomy is by far the best thing that has ever happened to television!!! Well, at least one of the greatest things! While watching, Patrick Dempsey said a line that really resonates with the way things are going for me. "Let's just live, whatever happens, happens". After the stress and worry of a job search, I quit trying so hard, and things just started falling into place. Today, I got a great call for a quick informal interview at a charming little toy store in town, and it turned into a great opportunity, and I am now employed! It seems like that is what usually happens... when the worry calms down, things fall right in place! Im so excited to start, just in time for the holiday rush! In other news, the leaves are changing here in beautiful Hendersonville and it's getting rather chilly! It's amazing being in a new (colder) place for the winter season. It's festive and very comfortable! A few weeks ago I shot one of my oldest friends engagement pictures and have just finished the editing process. (I shot about 400 too many!) So worth the work though, because I have these to show for it!

ALSO...

I would like to wish one of my best friends a very

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY SHANNON!

So sad I can't be in Jax, but we will make up for it soon!

Hiatus almost over!!

Hello all! I realize I have been on hiatus for a while now, that is exactly why I love living in NC! When I visit Jax I go, go, go! You should know one thing about me... I do NOT like to go, go, go! I am more of a home body, I like to relax, and live slowly. Yes, I am an old soul! :) So, I will be back in Hendersonville Wednesday, an back to blogging about my exciting life!!! I am having a blast in Jax on my visit though. It is going to be hard to say goodbye to my friends again. I'm sure I'll get used to it one day, but for now, it sucks. I hit the antique scene the day I got here with Shan and had a blast! Here's one of my many finds!! I also took engagement pictures today of one of my oldest friends. It was a blast, and amazing to see someone you care about in such a good place! I captured that on camera, and the photos are amazing! I will post a preview later! Goodnight for now though!

Selling Vintage

Hello dedicated readers! I am writing you today as a good blogger. Yesterday, however, I believe I was a pretty bad, non-dedicated blogger. Sorry, I was in a funk. I'm back though! The last few weeks have been amazing! I have fallen into an excellent routine, and found a new niche! In a few weeks I will attend my substitute teacher orientation, where I will hopefully make friends, and network too! For now though, I've been gaining inspiration from my vintage explorations! I have found a new love for the History channel show, "American Pickers". These guys are awesome! Everyday they drive around the country finding the most amazing antiques. I spent the entire day yesterday laying in bed living vicariously through them. You see, In my time here in NC I have seen more antiques than I have in my entire life, and I have enjoyed every minute of it!! When I was younger, mom would take me with her to all of her favorite antique spots in Jacksonville, and, until recently I have enjoyed it, but it just wasn't my thing. That has all changed! I guess you could say I have found my "style" of antiques! Other than really neat vintage cans, farm tools, and metal signs, just to name a few, I am now obsessed with vintage advertising. Specifically foreign sports posters, and American travel ad's! Here are just some of my favorites that I have seen...

Chamonix-Martigny
European train line

Mont-Blanc
Highest mountain peak in the Alps

You can see why I love them! So that is what I have been up to the last week or so! I hope that I will be able to post more of my finds in the next few weeks and maybe you'll find that you love old things as much as me! I am headed to Jacksonville for a visit on Wednesday. It will be my first road trip by myself and I am hoping for the best. I actually love driving, so I plan to put the top down & cruise to Florida! I will also be shooting one of my oldest friends engagement pictures while at home. If anyone needs any photos done, now is the time! The next time I will be in Jax will be in October so get those Christmas card pix scheduled now! Thanks again for reading!

Hubba Hubba

Ever had something to eat that made you proud of your taste buds? Well, I have. I ordered it at a walk up window in Flat Rock, North Carolina! Just a short drive down the street sits a tree shaded smokehouse called Hubba Hubba BBQ. I smelled the potent aroma weeks ago when we first drove through the area and have been craving ever since. My pulled pork sandwich with cabbage slaw & a special smokey barbecue sauce poured over the top, almost put me in a BBQ coma. The incredibly different but oh so sweet Mediterranean pasta salad made for the perfect cold addition to this barbecue bliss! Being the food maniac that I am I also had to try the potato salad that had been taunting me on a plate I saw someone dive into as I walked up. One of a kind delicious! The pure simplicity of this place is something to smile about. A small walk up window in a little building oozing smoke off of an unmistakably tasty piece of meat. A few picnic tables under the porch of a nearby building, and old fashion christmas lights strung across the courtyard between. Its perfection! If your ever in Flat Rock, don't miss Hubba Hubba BBQ! It's that good!

Illinois Dreamin

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was taking a trip to visit >my amazing family in Fairfield, Illinois. Long story short, I love my Illinois fam and everything that visiting has to offer. It's the one place in my life that I always talk about... though I haven't visited in about 5 years, everyone knows how special Fairfield is to me. I have always described myself as an "old soul" and this is the place that I think I developed that part of me from. A place where living slow is what life is all about. I spent most days with my cousin Bill, a guy who I can truly say is someone that I can look up to for the way that he looks at life. Having an early 6:30 am breakfast at the "Barbed wire", a restaurant that he eats most every meal at, was something that brought me back. Since my move to NC I have been living pretty easy, but really getting away, out in the middle of the farms with family that I truly love seeing, now thats a vacation! The reunion at our cousin Dana & Willies lake made for a great time. With over 50 family members enjoying a beautiful day and great food, this could not go wrong! It was also great to have my Jacksonville family around. For most of them, this was the first visit to Illinois, and it was very nice to be able to show them around. I took my youngest cousin on a short photo expedition and to see my great granny's old home around the corner from the lake. Fairfield is such an amazing place! Here are a few of my favorites from the trip! Enjoy!

This is grannies old barn.

The family lake

Invitation Only

As you know last Tuesday I attended the Rascal Flatts CMT taping of its intimate concert show "Invitation Only". This was a huge surprise to be invited to because they are by far my favorite band ever. If you know me, you know that I am kind of a freak about it! It was so exciting to attend my first TV taping also. It was AWESOME! When we walked in to the Factory at Franklin in Tennessee, we were greeted by an "audience coordinator" who was in all black sporting a large headset. She acted so important! When she told us we would probably be separated we were a little let down, but it was fine.. right after she said that she pointed to my seat.. a small wooden box immediately in front of the stage!! It was like they knew I looked at that particular seat, and thought "that would be the best seat in the house" and then I sat down in it! After that the stage manager came out and we tested our different volumes of applause,and they tested the cameras and lights, then it was show time! The guys came out and it was an amazing concert. Having the whole band within 3 feet of me was by far the coolest part! Although the set list was perfectly put together! It included 2 new songs off of the upcoming album to be released in November. One of them "Never let go" is by far the best song I have ever heard. When you hear it you'll understand! It's sure to be played at weddings for years to come! All in all, I am lucky to have attended this once in a lifetime event! I'll be on TV when the concert aires on CMT on November 16th (if you have DISH you can catch it early on October 24th!)


Thats my seat.. that wood block on the right in front of the stage!!!!!

To the Market

On Sunday we took a pleasant drive on a beautifully rainy day to the Western North Carolina Farmers Market. Though farmers markets are seen on most corners here this time of year, all of which have delicious fresh veggies, we still wanted to see what this place was about. Now we know! It was truly one of the coolest places ever. It's where all of the smaller corner markets go to get the daily veggies. They just drive through and pick up crates loaded with the most amazing tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, you name it! Being a veggie lover this was a dream for me! While in the area we decided to take a stroll through the Biltmore area and see some of the houses... HOLY CRAP! Our journey began on Vanderbilt Rd.. thats right!!! The most amazing homes on a road that could have easily been part of the Blue Ridge Parkway! If ever in the Biltmore area, don't forget to take a drive through the neighborhood! This weekend something else happened that just adds to the unexplainable awesomeness that is my life lately. I got invited to attend the taping of CMT's "Invitation Only", Rascal Flatts (my favorite band EVER)!! The taping is in Nashville on Tuesday night & of course were going! It's actually perfect because we are heading to southern Illinois this week for our family reunion and we get to go early for a stop in Nashville!! SO EXCITED!! Im sure you'll here all about what is sure to be an amazing time!! :)

ps.. thanks for hanging in there for the past few days, blogging has been tough with so much to prepare for this week! I'll make it up to you!

Dependable Food

Do you know that one meal that you can always turn to? You know, the one that no matter where you are, or what time of day, will never let you down? A BLT is something that always makes me smile. The way that the delicious, fried just right bacon tastes with a fresh homegrown tomato and a crisp piece of lettuce to top it off! Some mayo to bring it all together with white bread, and I'm set. French fries or in my case, home fries are the perfect side! A dependable meal is something we probably all have. Pizza, a turkey sandwich, chicken strips? What's your dependable food?

Happily Ever After

Finally, a break in the editing world! After 2 full days of editing photos, here's the final product, well.. a preview anyway! Congratulations to the Bride & Groom! After a beautiful quaint wedding on the river, under a perfect sunset, Rebecca & Matt are married!

White Squirrel Runaway

Finally.. We spotted the white squirrel! When we first moved in we were told that the white squirrels were native to the Brevard NC area (about 20 miles away) and that we would not be seeing any in our little neighborhood. While mom swore for days that she saw one on our street.. we completely thought she was crazy and saw a white piece of trash. Today we spotted the infamous Hillcrest white squirrel and he does exist! If you'll look closely you will see the suspect trotting across the street as if he was sneaky enough to keep hidden. Mystery solved! Other than that exciting bit of news, today was rather perfect! I found a bakery just a few minutes down the road that serves incredible sandwich's and I even tried something new! Tabouleh is a Mediterranean salad mixture that is very healthy, while also being quite flavorful! I was excited to taste something new that I actually liked! It was guest to my main course, a delicious turkey sandwich on fresh ciabatta bread! The unique outdoor patio at the "Wrinkled egg" was the perfect place to soak in the rainy day breeze.

After lunch we found my new blogging desk at a local antique store that I am very happy with. Later, we stopped at the neighborhood pond to feed the ducks.. the very greedy ducks I might add!

Also, I decided today that I would like for this blog to turn in to sort of a culinary adventure! I love to eat and tell so.. from now on, to add to the current daily posts, if my taste buds tingle, I will share my culinary find! I really enjoy blogging and to those of you who take the time, thanks for reading! :)

Head in the trees

Today has been great. Although I have been quiet today. I found myself not paying attention all day and just taking in my surroundings. Looking out the window & sitting on a bench outside might be something you'd see a 90 year old doing, but today it was me! No I didn't see any unordinary views, or do anything too exciting, but that's what was so awesome about today. Sometimes in life we all need to just be quiet for a day... and let the quiet speak to us. Its very therapeutic! If you have a chance please.. take some time to do... well, nothing!

Quote of the day {thanks to a friend on fb}: "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." -Neale Donald Walsch

Something old & Something new

Ok.. so I'm blogging a day late because of a tiring day yesterday, and perfect nap weather when we got home! That said, yesterday was amazing! We started the day off at our favorite neighborhood restaurant, The Fireside Diner. It's the perfect place! An old house, amazing food, and people who know what we want before we order it! I did have trouble deciding between my normal BLT on homemade sourdough bread, and biscuits and sausage gravy. Mom and I each decided to get one and we split it! Everyone got what they wanted! After that we started through the Western NC mountains into a little town called Cashiers. We arrived at a small school that was hosting an antiques show. (In order to fill our new house with one of a kind, unique things, we will be antiquing for a while!) This was a waste of time for many reasons, long story short, these people LOVED their old stuff, and had mistaken it for gold. So we continued down the road to a real antique mall! Although we didn't have much luck here either, we were happy to be in a place with reasonable prices for nice old things! I also was able to get the perfect mountain view above from the parking lot. It's crazy how in NC the views are everywhere. You would expect to have to pay for views like this, but all you have to do is go outside! We decided that since we ended up in Asheville anyway, we would ride through UNC Asheville so I could get a glimpse at the campus. It looks less like a college campus on the way in and more like the Blue Ridge, until you come up on all of the mountain style buildings atop the hill. If it hadn't been monsooning outside I would have remembered to snap a photo. I am extremely excited to visit the campus for a real tour ASAP. We ended the day with a delicious Mexican dinner and a margarita back home in Hendersonville! The end to a perfect day! Here's a few snapshots, enjoy!

P.S. Sorry for the immediate salivation that you know just occurred! :)

Home sweet Hendersonville

Today was tough! As we pulled out of Jacksonville at 6:20 am, thoughts of my friends, the beach, and everything else I was leaving behind played on a reel over and over in my head. It was truly like something out of a movie. I looked back at the house as we pulled away, and saw myself with my childhood friends, playing some ridiculous game in the yard. It was pretty intense to say the least! Luckily though, as soon as I turned my head the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach vanished, I saw my future and what it would be like in North Carolina. I found myself smiling ear to ear for no good reason! And, just like that, we were gone. After that the day took a rather boring turn! Riding in a semi down back roads is only exciting for the first hour.. after that the eyes get heavy, and the head falls over! My uneventful ride along did give me the perfect chance to preview a few of the wedding pictures I took last night. Congratulations to the bride & groom, Rebecca & Matt! The wedding was simple and elegant. Perfect for my first wedding, and even better, I knew most of the family and had a great time! I got some beautiful shots and can't wait for you to see them! I have to keep you waiting a bit longer though, beautiful photos require my full attention, something I was unable to give today. As we arrived at our exit I was reminded why I made this decision in the first place... THIS PLACE IS BEAUTIFUL! I can't wait to go explore all of my new surroundings.. don't worry, you'll see it all! To wrap things up tonight, I would like to tell everyone how much I enjoy the movie "Mannequin." If you haven't seen it your missing out! Thats all!

The Final Countdown

Well, this is it. My last day in Jacksonville for a good while. From now on when I return "home" it will be for a visit. It's crazy to think the place that I have always vacationed away from, will now be my vacation spot! While running an errand this morning, a song came on called "Turning home" by David Nail. The speakers blared "Usually take one last pass through town, stop the car and touch the ground". This simple line in a song played memories in my head from all of the great times I've had here. It's funny how music can do that to you. But that's good. I like to think of the good times, and memories, they are what one day will keep me "turning home"! On a different note, to make my last day a little more stressful, aside from packing my tiny car to the MAX.. I will be shooting my first wedding! As you might already know, I am a self employed photographer. BGphoto is something that I have become very proud of! Until now though, I have stayed away from the stress of wedding photography, but thanks to a very good friend, tonight I will be put to the test! I have some ideas up my sleeve but, for some reason keep picturing myself plummeting into the pool that the bride will be saying "I do" in front of! I guess it's just my crazy mind getting the best of me! Don't worry I'll post a preview of the wedding pics just as soon as I can! Wish me luck!