It’s certainly a sad day when you go outside and see barely a spot of green. But thankfully, it’s still sweater weather. Or at least that is what I am convincing myself.
“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”
Anthony J. D’Angelo
Outfit: Shirt: Rue21 Sweater: Gap Jeans: Armani Exchange Shoes:Franco Sarto Necklace: F21
Wow.
Completely insane, the last few weeks have been. From traveling to shooting to celebrating to creating. The past couple months have truly been amazing and refreshing. They say a pictures worth a thousand words. So instead of writing about it all, I’m hoping this pictures will do my past couple months some justice.
“Of all of our inventions for mass communication, pictures still speak the most universally understood language.”
Walt Disney
Moments.
There are moments in life where I get shocked or surprised one might say. And for someone like me, I have to admit that is not an easy thing to do.
A couple weeks ago, I was trying to figure out the best way for me to raise money for my trip to Zambia. And let me just say, this was not easy. Not because I couldn’t find something to make or sell. My heart has always in love with crafting and creating. It felt so good to get back into that groove. But the problem was my pride. I’m never one who likes to ask for help. Who shares a part of my life or my story. But I did it, God stretched me and I couldn’t have asked for the incredible support I have gotten so far. So here is to stretching yourself to the point where it feels uncomfortable! Because that is when amazing things happen.
Careful if you blink you just might miss it. I love fall! but get sad that if you turn your head just for a second, the leaves are already all gone. But this post is about the positives of fall and the things I love about it! But let me just say this, Fall was never really something huge for me until I discovered the wonderfulness of all things pumpkin. Which now brings me to my list of things you may see me with this fall. 1) Being either a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks or a Pumpkin spice muffin. Not gonna lie, they taste like heaven. Okay I just lied but seriously they are both amazing. And notice how I said Starbucks. Well, really that’s only because it’s the only place I’ve had one. Apparently they also have a caramel salted mocha that sounds delicious but I’ll save that for the winter season 2) I’m one of those moody nail polish painters who bases my nail polish color based on the season and the type of mood I’m in. So that means that I have narrowed down colors for the fall that I will be wearing and all the other colors have to wait for another season. I know, kinda crazy. 3) My fall boots. What oh what would I do without them. Tall boots are my go to shoes and many times I pick my outfit based on the boots I will be wearing. There’s a little tidbit about me. Oh and I don’t even know if I’m supposed to but I’ve never really gotten into the whole rainboots things soo my boots double as rainboots. So far soo good! 4) and last but not least one of my fall favorites is Scarves!! I love love love scarfs. I usually just sport my two favorites but I am definitely not afraid to mix it up every once in a while and on my list is getting a huge knitted circle scarf. So if you know of a good one, don’t be afraid to Holla! So that is my fall list, I wanted to make sure to write this post before the season was over. Fall, I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate you!
BUDGET— Oh the dreaded words. And for folks like me who don’t really like the word I go with Dave Ramsey’s other word “Financial Plan”. Ahh there, now I can breathe a little better. So the thing I never stick to I mean Financial Plan is something I am now vowing to conquer!
Two weeks ago I attended a photography conference. One that challenged me in more ways then one. And over the next couple days I’ll be sharing some of that. The first being that my finances aren’t going to solve them self. My goal is to be completely debt free within the next 2-5years. For me debt can be enslaving and I don’t want money or people to ever be my master. Now I must admit I’m lucky to have not incurred a lot of negative debt but none the less if I would have seriously created a financial plan and followed it, I would probably be a lot further ahead with that goal! Then enters Jody Gray who totally put a pep in my step and kicked me into high gear. At the conference she talked about creating a plan and living below your means and how her and her husband became debt free in just a few years. I am more motivated then ever to take total control of my finances. So here are some quick tips I am now living by.
1. Live below your means.
2.Create specific Financial goals
3. Create a list: What do I need & What do I want
4. Create an emergency fund that is 3-6 months of living expenses
5. If you own a business, keep your business income and personal expenses separate.
6. Read total money makeover by Dave Ramsey
Something to remember is that, while its important to start taking intuitive by creating goals what is most important is executing them.
” Financial Security is 80% behavior & 20% knowledge”
Financial Resources
Download helpful tools on budgeting :http://downloads.zachandjody.com/#/downloads/
For more from Dave Ramsey :http://www.daveramsey.com/home/
Total money makeover:http://www.daveramsey.com/store/prod326.html
Thanks Jody for the Kick in the butt!~
In the beginning of the year I posted on my facebook page that I felt God leading me to do a lot of traveling this year. Not quite sure what that meant or where I would go but excited for the places he would lead me.
And everyday I am captivated by the places that he lead me too. Places and states and I hadn’t even thought of going. Places that blessed me, places that changed me and places that I hold dear to my heart. And through my experiences I am reminded of this saying.
Our plans even on our very best day are nothing compared to the amazing plans God has for us.
( One of the amazing places I was able to go to)
Accessories! This girl can’t live without them. Which is probably why I have over 40 bottles of nailpolish. And yes I count nail polish as an accessory. But I’m very picky when it comes to picking the right details, colors, etc when it comes to my style. Which is probably why it took me so long to find a camera bag. All the one’s I came across were just too plain and not my style. Then I finally came across a bag thanks to JoTotes. And in the words of my little sister ” The bag soo you”. But of course even though outward appearance can be really great I had to make sure the bag could function how I needed it too. So, this weekend
I got to try it out for a wedding and engagement session. So now I feel I can give a accurate review on the bag! There were 4 things I look for in a camera bag. 1. Shoulder Comfort, 2. Style, 3. Functionality and 4.Space.
The bag already won me over on the style side. The bag came with a shoulder strap. Which is really nice because I hate when the straps dig into my shoulder. Especially if I’m carrying it around all day during a wedding. Next I needed to make sure that it functioned well as a bag. Can I easily get things in and out? During the wedding day especially, being quick makes a difference between getting a shot at a moments notice. And the bag worked great for that. It has a zipper but I would leave the zipper open and just use the snap cover to get in and out of the bag. Super easy.
And last I wanted to make sure I could carry all the things I needed inside the bag. The bag had a lot of extra pockets which was amazing. Even a pocket for an Ipad (which I don’t have but hint, hint my birthdays coming up). It also came with 3 velcro flaps. So I can change the inside of the bag based on what I was carrying. It really has a lot of room which is a great thing but for me that meant I can just stuff the bag with everything I need and call it a day. Which I realized was a terrible idea because my back was starting to ache because of how heavy the bag was. So now, I know to only put few items if using during a wedding day and switch things in and out of the bag based on need.
Overall amazing bag!! Love it Love it!! Go get you one!
Change is good. I never want to be someone who see’s no room for growth or improvement. Actually as a creative it’s kind of how I’m wired. I’m always looking for ways I can do things better. So I finally decided to take a new leap in some of my branding/packaging. I finally made the jump into offering USB’s for weddings! and I have to say as soon as I got them I fell in love. Kind of wish I would have done it a lot sooner. Another change is I updated my welcome packets and put together my own wedding brochure to further help my clients with their wedding day. All which involved A LOT of hard work and some late nights. But overall I am so happy with how everything turned out!
A tripod and willing participants is all it took. It had been over 14 years since we had taken family pictures. Not even realizing how simple it was. Okay I’m sure it helped that I am now a photographer. But honestly professional or not professional I think family pictures are the most important pictures you can take. So make time, make an effort and get some pictures done. I’ll be honest I was a little nervous because one I’ve never personally take family pictures before. 2. I usually don’t work with a tripod and three, I wasn’t quite sure what it would be like shooting people so close to you. I didn’t even know if I’d be able to do it. So I just tried my best!
But thankfully all of those never seemed to be a factor. If anything it was just a day of bonding and fun. And I actually learned alot. Like I didn’t realize how much my dad loves being in front of the camera, acutally my whole family for that matter. I love my family more than words can express. They are my support, my heart and they make me laugh like there is no tomorrow. I realize how blessed I am. Sadly my brother and my sister in law were not able to make it for this day. But hopefully they will be at the next! Which I am making sure won’t be another 14+ years.
“Love makes a family”-GIGI KAESER
I feel like it’s been a little overdue. I haven’t done an outfit post in foreva! So, the other day I decided to take a little stroll with my sisters before the sun went completely down. And while strolling we took some pictures. So cheers to late night walks. I find that they are the best kind.
“Fashion is not necessarily about labels. It’s not about brands. It’s about something else that comes from within you.”
—Ralph Lauren
Jacket: Ross, Shirt: Thrift store, Leggings: Walmart Flats:Target
Happy Tuesday!
All rights reserved © ZipporahKBlog
Theme by Blogmilk Coded by Brandi Bernoskie
