Wordless{ish} Wednesday: 8 Weeks to a Better Me. Week 5: Loving life & having fun

{At Sometimes Sweet}

{Week 5: Loving Life and Having Fun... goals inspired by Lauren from Busy Bee...}

{1. See the beauty in the little things: A big thing for me is to realize that when my baby has one of her many random meltdowns... it's just such a tiny short time... and, she's just learning how to express herself. Man, those meltdowns are hard though. :)}

{2. Simply dress for me everyday: Dress how I want to feel. Put something nice on. It's ok to wear jammies every once in a while... but, I need to put real clothes on. The days I go to Starbucks to work... I put makeup on and wear real clothes... just like I'm going to a real job.}

{3. Don't say anything negative about anyone for a week: This is something I really try hard at. I don't like being negative... but, sometimes it pops out. I like to be nice to everyone if I can.}

{AND... I'm even leaving a kind note for anyone that finds or steals my camera... By the way: I got this fun idea from Andrew McDonald. He wrote a blog post about creating a pictorial guide to camera loss. I'm going to transfer these photos over to my camera... to live on there FOREVER! :) I followed his same basic layout... but, just adjusted/changed some of the wording.}

{Do you want to vote for my blog? Ok! Just takes a moment.}

 

{If you have a Wordless{ish} Wednesday, please feel free to link it up below. BY the way: Shawntae from A Little King and I now share our Wednesday Linky's. :D. And, feel free to link up to these blogs too... 5 Minutes For Mom, Parenting by Dummies, Project Alicia, Supermom, And Then She Snapped, and Live and Love Outloud.}

♡ Chelsey


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Goodies in the mail!

I've had this camera strap for a few weeks now... it's taken me this long to remember to blog about it! :D So... here it is... my beautiful new camera strap from Barely Measured! I absolutely love it! It matches my diaper bag that Barely Measured ALSO made for me. And, it has a lens cap holder. That's a HUGE plus for me. A little confession: I used to just stick my lens cap in my bra... wear else do you put it when you don't have pockets? ;D

In addition to my awesome new camera strap... Ruari received a little goody in the mail.... :D The little custom doll I ordered from Rice Babies! I absolutely LOVE it! She totally customized it for me... the colors I wanted... the tattoos... the hair in the flower... AND: she made matching headbands for Ruari and the dolly (which hasn't really been named yet... she keeps calling it Coco. Coco is what she calls her FBFF (Forced Best Friend Forever) Coral. So... maybe it's a mini Coral? :D Sorta looks like her.

A little Coco comparison... I think she looks like the doll:

♡ Chelsey

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Oh... I love you.

I am SO happy right now... my 50mm 1.4 lens arrived today (Thursday)!!! I snapped a few quick photos with it and it is AWESOME! I'm So excited... I just want to go and walk around the neighborhood and snap away... But, it's raining. Maybe tomorrow? Hmm... I'll just have to snap photos of the baby indoors instead! :D The best birthday present EVER!

First... I took a photo of the lens... I had to document the moment!

7{52}: Chair

Then I snapped a quick photo of Ruari... Look at how creamy the background is!

48{365}: Laureli.

Then, I tried out my new lens in the dim kitchen...

Lots of practice ahead with this lens. :D

AND, thanks to everyone that responded to the Paper Mama Blog Directory! I hope to have the first 20 up soon!

Can we get a vote for our blog?

❤ Chelsey


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Happy Birthday to me!

{Card via Etsy}

Do you remember when I asked all of you... my AMAZING readers... for advice for which lens to buy for my birthday (here)? WELL... I have decided. I will be going with a Canon 50mm 1.4 from B and H photo! Yay!

Yay for birthdays!

{Photo via here.}

 

 So... I'm also hoping that this camera strap cover from Eclectic Whatnot magically appears at my home... it probably wont. I'm ok with this. I just want one! Someday. It's not anything I need... I just want. :)

I'd also love a shutter release and a speedlight. Maybe later. :)

{Canon Wireless Remote on B and H}

{Speedlite on BH}

 That's all. Just wanted to wish myself a Happy Birthday! I'm almost 30. Well... a couple years to go. :)  Valentine's Photo Challenge ends soon! You can enter here. Remember: last day to enter is Friday!!!

Can I get a birthday vote?
Thanks!

❤ Chelsey

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WANTED: Camera lens advice.

Good Monday everyone! So... with my birthday coming up on February first I'm asking my hubby and family just to give me some moolah that I can't put towards a new lens! Yes! I was hoping to get a new lens during Christmas time... but, things didn't quite work out. BUT, that's ok. I'll get that lens somehow!

NOW... here's the deal. I really don't know what kind of lens I want. Or need. I'm no photography pro. I currently have this lens right here: EF-S 18-55mm lens. It's what came with my camera. I've talked to Lindsay, Ashley, and Mandy before when my budget was a bit more limited... but, now that I have saved a bit more and the birthday is coming up... my budget has gone up! Yay!

{Ruari pointing at the doggies that escaped from their backyard.}

SOOOooo... I'm looking for advice everyone! What do you recommend or like? and why? I'd really just love to know what lens is your favorite and why that is. If you have a moment to spare. :D By the way, I have this: Canon Digital Rebel Xsi

And, Ashley lady and Jill have a new photo/photoshop challenge that's starting today. Check out this post for more info and you can join up! Looks like fun!

And, of course we'd love a vote 

if you have a moment!

Would ya could ya? Vote for me?