unplugged and than some.

For the past week or two I’ve been almost completely unplugged. I didn’t really decide to do it, it just kind of happened. I just stopped writing blog post and didn’t really “tweet” nearly as much as I was. I didn’t feel bad about it, nor did the world end, and my phone and computer didn’t blow up they were just silent items I had around.

I was feeling rather overwhelmed between school, family, blogging and Etsy. It was a lot for me to take on and my fuel tank was running on empty. While I finished up my last course before the break I really poured myself into the class. My grade was sinking to beginning with and I had to pull it up somehow. I was completely stressed about it and ready to give up. Wait, give up school? For what exactly? As much as I love to blog and craft nothing should be more important than finishing my degree, well, other than family. When I finally came to the realization that, that was truly what I was contemplating I snapped out of it immediately! I’ve come this far and worked way too hard to just through it all away. With a more positive mentality behind me I managed to pull out a decent grade in the class and some really nice photo projects. The first projects I’ve ever done for school that I’m actually proud of. It reminded me how important this was.

So much about my pervious classes had bogged me down with how things were supposed to be. A majority of my classmates are already practicing photographers and sometimes I felt a little left behind. I have to remember that I’m not there for the same reasons as everyone else. Everyone has their own style and just because I’m not a portrait photographer and I have no interest in ever photographing a wedding, doesn’t mean I can’t be a really good or dare I say great photographer some day. I have a LONG way to go before I can give myself a title but if I don’t start taking myself seriously than who will?

So where am I going with all of this rambling? I promise I have a point. My main point is that I am going to be pulling back a lot from this blog. I’m still going to be posting but I’ve found it very refreshing to be a little less disconnected. I am, however, going to be working on a new blog project. I just started a new blog entitled “kat and camera.” This blog “something with a chance of other stuff” never has really had a focus, it was all about fun and crafty things that I’ve been doing in my life and with my family. “kat and camera” is going to be focused on my photography projects and my journey in school. I feel like I really need to start taking myself seriously if anyone else is going to take me seriously. I know I’m just a student and I have a long way to go but everyone has to start somewhere.

I want to say thank you so much for all the support everyone has given this blog. I promise this is not goodbye. I will still be posting and updating, I’m just heading in a new but very exciting direction. I love all of the people that come and read this blog. Every comment is so special to me. It’s time to grow and spread my wings and see what the next phase will be!

blogsitting.

Just so you know I did a guest post for Maryam at Pamplemousse 1983!


My teeny tutorial. Fun and easy collage!

I was very excited to work out this little tutorial for her. She is busy taking care of her super adorbale new little girl. It makes me very excited and terrified for our new bundle on its way.
Enjoy!

finally free.

Yesterday was a very exciting day for us. We finalized the sale of our house in Pittsburgh, PA! Well, when I say “we” I really mean Marc's mom signed the paperwork in Pittsburgh while we are in Phoenix. It’s still very exciting.



We bought the house in August of 2008 and let me tell you home ownership is so not easy! I know you’re thinking “well, duh!” It was a great little starter home though. Marc worked really hard to make is a great place to live. We were able to have some great little fires and cook outs in the backyard. Aurora was able to play in the park right across the street and we got to stretch our legs and grow a little bit.

I can’t say I’m sad to see it go. As I looked back at pictures of the house it feels like we were there so long ago that it’s just a memory. I didn’t really feel attached to it all that much. We’re getting closer as a family and more independent here in AZ and I’m really happy about that. I miss our family and friends for sure but is home is what you make it, not where you make it. Who knows where we will end up next! We’re drifters, it’s so true.

Here’s to the future!

baby bump: 30 weeks.

My baby “bump” doesn’t really feel like a “bump” anymore, it’s more like a mountain. The little one is growing big healthy and strong. A lot of the time it doesn’t fell like she is just kicking and punching, it’s more like she is trying to escape! Over all though I can’t complain too much, I will complain about the heat though. It’s starting to hit 100 degrees here in AZ and if my dog and kid don’t even want to be outside you know it’s hot. I thought I had swelling issues during my first pregnancy; I’ve been blowing up like a blimp! I’m trying to not eat too many salty things but that’s all I want to eat!

Until we told our neighbors that I was pregnant they didn't realize we were having another kid. Apperently I just look like I'm HUGE!
My belly button is about to explode. It's been lovingly called "Snaggle Tooth." Isn't my husband sweet?

Speaking of eating, I went for my sugar test last week and got my results back the other day. I’m on the border line of having gestational diabetes. My number just reaches where it probably shouldn’t be. My doctor seemed pretty confident that it won’t be a problem since I’m not over weight and didn’t have an issue with it during my first pregnancy. She still ordered the three hour lab test and kind of left it up to me. I, honestly, would rather exercise more and watch what I eat. Either way, if there is an issue or not I’m going to have to change my habits. I know I haven’t been eating the best ever lately. Loads of carbs and a ton of sugar are not good for a pregnant body. So, the dog and I have been taking long walks in the morning, Aurora and I have been hitting the pool to stay active and cool and I’m going to work on not eating everything I see. I still should probably take the test but I want to make sure I’m under control before I go back in.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

a must see: flourish leather.

When I found out that Danielle from sublime lite was opening an Etsy shop, Flourish, I got very excited. She is an extremely creative and stylish lady so I knew whatever it was going to be, it was going to be wonderful. I was in awe of how wonderful her shop looked when it opened. Danielle’s product photos are effortless and wonderful and show exactly what the products are, her leather bracelets as so simple yet so stunning.

I waited by my mailbox patiently for my little package to arrive, when it did I couldn’t have been more tickled. It was one of the cutest packages I’ve received. I personally love the way they recycled the packaging. It fits really well with the style of these lovely bracelets and really shows them off.


The qualities of these little beauties are wonderful. I’m actually still scratching my head as to how they are made. They are really perfect for summer, not to mention they are a great deal! They start at only $5!! I think she is shorting herself! You just don’t find handmade leather items with this much thought and care put into them for that price. I strongly suggest getting more than one because they look super cute together.



I’m so happy for Danielle, she’s doing really well! Her Etsy shop is blossoming and have I mentioned how much I love her blog? Her photos and content are really inspiring to me. I love seeing that she has a new post up; I’m always intrigued to see what she has photographed next.


Cheers to Danielle in everything she is doing! Go visit her shop and blog and say hello!

Crafting with a Kid: Paper Bag Puppets.

I love the fact that the simplest project can entertain my daughter for hours. The other day I took out some paper bags, markers, crayons, and crafty supplies and we made some little friends. She just enjoyed scribbling on the bags and sticking stuff to them. Aurora did her best to create characters on her bags, she was a little afraid of mine at first. We played with them for several hours after we made them. We pretended they went to the park, McDonald’s, and we even gave them a nap. I love watching her imagination grow. Heck, I had fun too!



What creative things have you been up to lately?

random rambling: trust your gut.

If there is one thing in my life that has never ever failed me it’s my gut. There has been many times where I have failed to trust my gut feelings and it has always blown up in my face. It could be little things to huge decisions but my insides always know what’s best.

A huge example of this has to do with my health. When I was in high school I struggled with some serious thyroid issues. I was in and out of the hospital all that time. I had to go get my blood work every two weeks to make sure I was regulated. Every few months I would have an allergic reaction to the medication I was one and we would have to start all over again with something new. It was getting very old and kind of scary. There were concerns of developing cancer cells as well as my thyroid over reacting and pretty much frying me from the inside out. I was sent to a specialist. The first thing they talked about was radiation; they wanted to kill my thyroid. I quickly refused treatment. It didn’t feel right, it didn’t sound right to me. Something was telling me “NO! STOP! DON’T DO IT!” After I told them no they refused to continue treatment with me. I was too high of a risk to just have on medication. The doctors told me I probably wouldn’t live too long without serious medication or surgery. I stood by my decision. It’s not every day you hear from a doctor that you’re going to die in a few years but I didn’t care. I didn’t believe it was true.

Here I am at 26 years old and I’m living a full and healthy life. After some time past my thyroid started to regulate itself. I don’t need medication and I’m feeling pretty good. Some of my symptoms hung around. My hands still shake like a leaf, I still bruise like I have anemia, and my thyroid is still enlarged but there are no real issues. If I would have listened to the doctor I would have had to take a pill everyday for the rest of my life to supplement my thyroid hormone, doesn’t sound like fun to me. I’m not saying refusing treatment from a doctor is for everyone, by all means! There is a good reason why we have doctors to help and treat us when our bodies just can’t anymore. It’s just an example of when my gut feelings really came into play.

I’m so thankful for that little voice helping me and guiding me. It could be a job decision or a big move; I say follow your insides first. Sometimes I think our heads really can get in the way. Do you listen to your gut? Where has it lead you?

my first trade.

I was so excited when Ashley from after nine to five wanted to do an accessory trade from The Bartering Blogger. I love her jewelry and I've been admiring her littl "Capture the Moment" camera necklace for a long time. I was able to trade my Rainbow Flower Hair Comb for this lovely little darling.

The hair comb I sent to Ashley.


I just love this little beauty!

I put it on as soon as I got the package. I was still in my PJs but I didn't care. I've been wearing it everyday since. It's a constint reminder of how much photography means to mean. It almost doesn't seem fair that I only traded one of my hair combs for this beauty. I don't think you can image how much it means to me.

I'm so excited for Ashley, she just opened her very own Shop and is stepping out away from the world of Etsy with her original products and some new goodies as well. You really have to stop by and see what she has. It was a pleasure doing this trade with her.

Thanks again, Ashley!

i've been a bad bad girl.

I must apologize. I’ve been a bad bad blogger lately. It started with our little flood and worked its way through blogger being down and I’m still having issues with commenting. I guess I just got frustrated and gave up for a moment. It’s amazing to me how if one little thing throws my routine off I get so freaked out and it takes me a while to put the pieces back together.

I am a creature of habit. If I don’t get my morning shower, I’m a bear. If I don’t eat at a certain time, LOOK OUT! Lately, Aurora has been changeling nap time so I don’t get the “me time” I typically do and I haven’t known how to function. Nap time is my homework/blog/craft/clean up time; yeah I cram everything I can into that short span of time. I’m not a morning person so I typically veg-out after Piston and I go on our morning walk and at night I like to spend time with my husband, even if it’s mindlessly watching TV. I need to change my routine and get ready for our new arrival. I can only image what a brand new baby is going to do to our lives. I’m excited and extremely terrified at the same time.

On that note I think I need a little time to breathe, a little R&R from my blog for a few days. Brainstorm some new ideas and see what direction I really want to go in. Plus my current class is KILLING me. I know I’ve said this time and time again but I will be posting more… or something at least!!!

Peace and Love!