Things that make a Tuesday morning good...

...a starbucks date at 8:09 AM. :) Happy Tuesday!

P.S. Some of you may know that my car (new 4runner, named Simon!) was acting funny for a little bit. Well, I dropped him off at "Car Camp" on last wednesday...aka the Toyota Repair Shop, and he got a brand new transmission. What!? Yes, you read that right. Three month old car...brand new transmission. So weird! But it was under warranty and all, so I didn't have to pay for it. Anyway, he's doing fine now!

P.S.S. I have a trip to San Antonio to blog next! Lots of photos! Be excited! :)

Can't Leave It Behind!

Well, hi friends! Long story short: I tried to ditch this blog to move on to bigger and better (and more professional) things, but I'm back! I've missed having a personal blog...so here it is again! Now that I have friends moving off and doing great things in the world, I want to keep up with them, and let them keep up with me! I'll still have my photography blog but this will be my personal, friends & family only blog! :)


**So since I've been gone for sooo long, I figured I'd do a little update for ya:**


Wearing: My navy "boat shoes"
Listening to: This new song by Fridge that I put on my blog. I love it!
Eating: A Jolly Rancher...haven't had one of these since 4th grade.
Photoshopping: Abigail's shoot
Loving: The summer sun.
Excited About: Going to Hobby Lobby in an hour.
Reading: my eMail :)
Feeling: Happy that I started my personal blog up again (Nerd? Yes.)
New Hot Spot: Um...does San Antonio count? I was there Thursday-Sunday and just really want to go back.
Laughing at: www.stuffwhitepeoplelike.com Go there and be amazed at the satirical wit :)
Feeling thankful for: The Lord putting amazing friends and family in my life. Seriously, these friends of mine...incredible people.

Update your bookmarks...I've got a new blog! www.carolinejoyphoto.blogspot.com

Man, well, wow...several big things have been happening in my life!

First of all, I am officially finished with school this semester! YAY! Well, until Summer school starts that is. :)

Second of all, my car engine blew up on Thursday...not pleasant, but my lil car had seen it's day. Want to know some Caroline trivia? I've had that car since a few days after I turned 16. I just loved it! Wanna know more? I named it Waldo so that I could go out into a parking lot and say, "Where's Waldo?!" Cheesy, I know. Come on, I was in High School :)

So, as unexpected and stressful as the car blow-up was the day it happened (last Thursday), I've been excited because I've been getting ready to get another vehicle. And actually...I BOUGHT IT TODAY! But I can't tell you what it is yet because I have to surprise some particular friends and family members in person. But I'm EXCITED! Once everyone knows, I'll let you know!

And here's the final bit of exciting news (as the post title suggests)! It is just like the last bit of news--a lot of excitement, but with a bit of loss too. I am proud to announce the launch of my NEW BLOG! I'll miss this blog dearly, but this NEW blog is my official CarolineJoy Photography blog! Oh boy! Now, honestly, I'm not finalized on the design yet, so let me know what you think. I may be changing the look around a bit in the next few days so leave me comments to let me know which one you like best! And update your bookmarks! :)

www.carolinejoyphoto.blogspot.com

So here's to the last post on this dear wonderful blog. I've loved every minute of it! Cheers!

Secondhand Style

I had a bit of free time yesterday and, as a vintage junkie, I couldn't resist doing a little thrift store shopping. I found a retro-licious 4 dollar lamp that had tons of potential! It just needed a little love. Check out it's poor condition before...

The word "hideous" comes to mind. :)
But look at it now! Chic, Posh, Elegant. All it needed was a little white spray paint lovin'!

Ahhh-mazing! :)

Guess who didn't post a Top 5 for April?

That's right...it was me. Laaaame! And I hate to be the one to tell you this, but this isn't going to be much of a Top 5 post either. If you'd like to see my Inspirations of late, pick up the April edition of Domino Magazine. Did you know that Wal-Mart started carrying Domino?! Anyway, it is a gorgeous one this month.

 

Speaking of gorgeous...

Saturday morning dawned the most beautiful sunrise over the beach. I felt so awake and invigorated as I stepped out onto my hotel room's balcony (morning hair and all). The sights, smells, and sounds of the ocean greeted me and, well, who could ask for a better wake up call? The working day went well (if it's on the beach, I'll never complain) and the wedding was simply stunning. I would promise photos soon, but here I sit with my memory-completely-full mac. No room in the Inn. So the photos are stashed away in a safe place for now, until I can get my mac to make friends with a cute external hard drive. :) This single (unedited) photo from the weekend made it onto my computer somehow. Lovely!

Well, here's one little item that caught my eye. 

I love small purses. I've been carrying a "wristlet" (the name makes me giggle) as my main purse for a couple of years now.  You've got your cell phone, keys, lip balm, and cards all at your fingertips. None of that digging in your black hole of a purse anymore. This leather wristlet from American Eagle has caught my eye. It's so classy! White leather for summer (though it comes in brown and silver too), sassy tassel on the side, fun yellow print interior, and a built in spot for all your cards! Try the wristlet. You'll be hooked. 

Hope your days are lovely!

So glad I have internet service here!

Hello, hello!! 

It is so hard to put into words how insanely excited I get when I get close to the ocean...but just so you know...I'M LOOKING AT THE OCEAN!!

Erin and I pulled in town just a few minutes ago, got checked into our hotel, and I'm pretty sure I've already decided I'm sleeping on the balcony. 

Not really. But it is gorgeous. Even though it's one in the morning and it's super dark out. You can still hear the ocean and you can see the waves breaking! Not to mention the sky is partially cloudy which means bright stars with a smattering of cloud silhouettes. Apparently the ocean brings out the poet in me as well. :)

Well, we are here to work (shoot a wedding...which I'm insanely excited about...wedding's on the beach!) but already, I've felt so rejuvenated in my heart. I so needed to get away from school and all. School's been kicking my bum like nothing else recently. But anyway, it's been wonderful to have this opportunity. 

Erin and I really got to know each other on the way down here (with an 8 hour drive,  that's no surprise) and that was a blessing. Not to mention, I got some alone time on the balcony a few minutes ago, just me and the Lord...so sweet. I keep marveling with thoughts like, "God, you TOLD the waves where to stop! You put the stars in the sky!" Really, the thoughts are so big that I can't help but laugh at how I can't comprehend it. Amazing.

Well, it's time for bed. Got a long day tomorrow. But it will be beautiful!

Much love!

Photos from Spring Break! And a bit of where I've been. And a lame post title :)

Hello! Here are a few of the photos from Spring Break! Honestly, we took more videos than photos, so there weren't that many to choose from. If you want to see the big ol' video that we compiled, edited, and set to swingin' music, come ask me some time! It's well worth a watch. At least Megan and I think so :)

So...wondering about my blogging absence recently? 

Well, as soon as I got back from the wonderful Spring Break, I got sick. After a week of fun with that, I had what the education majors refer to as "Hell Week" (where we are teaching a class in a local elementary school every day, finishing our observing hours at a different school, completing our tutoring projects, and taking our 2/3 exams--all in ONE WEEK).

On top of all that, my grandmother passed away on Tuesday morning.

Needless to say, last week was one of the longest, roughest week of my life. And even though I don't have deep spiritual things to write, I know the Lord is good. I'm in a quiet place, I'm in a confusing place, I'm in a stressful place...but I know the Lord is good. Not because of some awesome experience, but just because His word says so...and I trust that. Especially in a time of confusion. Hopefully I'll have more clarity on it all soon and can write wonderful and inspiring blog entries. :) But in the meantime...yep.

Love you all! Promise I'll be blogging more soon. And don't forget to be watching for the two surprises.