CONTEST #2

It's contest time again! Why? Because I passed the 100 posts marker! This is post #101 for me...can't believe it!

Contest Objective: Give this photo a name (or funny caption).



How the Winner is Picked: I am going to write all the names down and let my husband, Matt, pick his favorite. (I would never want to appear biased!)

Reward: These FABULOUSO sticky notes I live by!! I first saw them here, and thought they were clever enough, so I requested it for Christmas. In my stocking, lo and behold....I got the "Chocolate Dots and Stripes" design! The winner will get to choose which design they like the best of course.

Deadline: January 31st, thats this Thursday :) happy naming!

Hotel Cafe Tour 2008

I'm so pumped that I found this tour!!! If you like Indie music, you will be excited too. They are pretty much covering the whole U.S. it seems. Here are some of the artists that will be performing:

Sara Bareilles
Ingrid Michaelson
Cary Brothers
Meiko
Joshua Radin
Jim Bianco
Rocco Deluca
Greg Laswell
Priscilla Ahn
Jessie Baylin,
Kate Havnevik
Buddy & Holly Conlan
Eric Hutchinson
Bob Schneider
AM
Christopher Denny

What a list!!! Get tickets here.

**I am still doing a contest....still trying to think of something creative at this point....it will be my next post!

Baby Got Back...Grounds, That Is

I've been tinkering around with some new backgrounds. Oh, I also learned how to give a digital nose job yesterday. It's official, Photoshop can do ANYTHING. Here are some designs I made of my pup and our trip to Colorado:








ATTENTION blog readers!!!!
My next post will be another contest so stay tuned :)

I Heard it Through the Grapevine...

These two little birdies don't lie....it's true, there's going to be a BIG sale.

50% off session fees for Maternity, Children, and Family Portraits through February 28th! I really want more of these sessions, so I'm willing to cut my pricing in half just to get them! E-mail rachelbrooke@gmail.com to reserve your session date.

It Takes Two, Baby.

The weather here has been stormy and freezing cold. It gives Matthew and I a chance to stay in, snuggle by the fire, and eat cookies and milk. Last night we had a movie night and watched Stardust. If you haven't seen it yet you should-- it's an enchanting film.

All this quality time is surfacing the fact that living with someone can be tough. Someone I love so passionately has the ability to make me feel strongly capable of great things and also has the power to crush my spirit with one misinterpreted comment. I'm quickly noticing that love can bring out the best and the worst in me. You're used to having things your way when it's just you. Suddenly another person slides in, and those towels you neatly folded aren't so neat anymore. The midnight trip to the bathroom you used to take with no problem now ends with your butt falling into the bowl because someone *no names* forgot to put the seat down. The lesson is in learning to bend. At what point do I remove the death grip I have on the guns in my holsters and realize that love is bigger than just me?

I believe that most of love is about rolling to the middle. At the end of the day when the lights fade, do we stay tucked away in our separate corners or do we neglect pride and meet in the middle?

The New Me....Possibly

Ladies..... are you bored?
If yes, I've got just the thing for you. A virtual makeover. You put celebrity hairstyles on your own head. haha!




Scary thing is I am in fact going in for a haircut tomorrow....so if i'm brave enough maybe I might turn into one of these versions of myself.

Here are the styles I chose:
1. The classy Miss Jennifer Aniston
2. Crazy Laguna Beach Kristin
3. Polished Katie Holmes
4. The fabulous and trendy Reese Witherspoon

See, I told you that I need a job. And thanks for all of your advice, I have applied at 8 places in a variety of fields so we will see what happens. I'll keep you posted :)

Homebody

I've got to get a job.

I've always considered myself a homebody, but with my husband gone to law school all day, the company of a cat and dog is just not quite enough. I can't wait to get to the point where I do photography full-time. But since I started my business when I was in college, had another job, and traveled every weekend to see Matt, I've never had the chance to pursue it full-fledged.

Here are the potential job ideas (other than photography)
1. An editor
2. Temp at some company
3. nanny?? I do love kids!
4. Office Manager of a photography company/Assistant

Any help??

Here are some pictures from a session I did awhile ago. More current ones to come once I get my computer moved in.

"Mahalo"

"Mahalo" is Thank You in Hawaiian. I've been writing a thousand thank you notes for wedding gifts. I took this task upon myself because let's face it, here's what a guy's thank you note would look like:

Dear _____,
Thank you for it.

Love,
unemotional boy

Of course mine are filled with different adjectives to express gratitude, specific notes about HOW we are going to use the gift cards, etc. Lets just say it took me 4 hours to write 35 after the bridal shower.

On my breaks, I'm editing pictures from Hawaii....



Two old ladies told Matt to take his shirt off for this shot. Those lustful old bones.





I had my back to the shore for this upclose shot....and I got TOTALLY drenched! My camera no longer works. Stupid interesting barnacles & shells cost me a fortune.



The mailboxes of a small village alongside the road to Hana.



Our new rings!!

Our Wedding Slideshow

I finally bought Show It web! There is a discount code for it so if you don't have it yet, now is the time. The discount code is "star" after Jasmine Star. Apparently her and David Jay, the creator, are buddies so he's helping folks out! So I'm going to make a slideshow of the wedding today, then one of the honeymoon soon.

Sorry for the post being alllll about me lately, but a lot is going on that I feel inclined to share. My "sabbatical" is now over and I'm booking again which I'm thrilled about!

Weeee're Back!

I can't wait to post some pictures from our honeymoon. Right now we're busy unpacking and getting settled in. My sweet husband is sleeping next to me, the plane rides/time change wore us both out.

Stay tuned, I'll show you the beauties of Hawaii!

Quick Note from MRS. STRICKLIN

Howdy folks,
Quick note....no computers allowed on the honeymoon....but I wanted to at least share with you my bridal slideshow and a few wedding quick shots that my friends took at the wedding! Our pictures were taken at around 4:00 and there was not a cloud in the sky. The lighting was a photographers dream! The professional pics will come later and most certainly pictures of Hawaii :)



I was sorta squashed by Matt and his dad.... don't they favor each other?



One happy bride.





My mom is so good to me. She prayed with me at 2a.m. to wash away the wedding gitters. It worked, God gave me a peace that passed ALL understanding.



Happy New Years friends!

p.s. Elizabeth, thanks for remembering the wedding day. That was so thoughtful of you!