death to stock photo

I first heard of Death to Stock Photo a few months ago. I didn't see any use for me to sign up for it, but I thought the concept was cool: high-resolution, quality lifestyle photographs to use on blogs and other social channels in case you are unable to shoot your own related image for your blog post. The above photograph is an example of such quality photographs. I shrunk it down to the resolution I use, but I received an email with a file full of nice photographs.
Why death to stock photo? Have you seen your typical stock photograph? I suppose if you're looking to create a last second brochure for an high school business class you'd use such a thing, but I like the idea behind Death to Stock Photo- it makes me aspire to have my images as high quality and aesthetically pleasing as those featured on the site.

things around here

I shared my reflections regarding my 365 photographs in 2013 completion. I finally updated that dang post so that the rest of the photos from that day are up. See? I did it! It looked like I didn't for a moment, but it's all there, all taken that day, in fact. I took some pictures today that will be up soon for the new year has begun and therefore, new 365! I'm going to definitely experiment with some new things this time around. I have a few ideas written down to try out and whatnot. It's been so cold that I don't want to shoot at night. My fingers would freeze off. Actually, a co-worker read from his weather app that we could expect "lethal wind conditions." That's insane.
I have finally completed the majority of the packages I am sending out to several ladies. I did not think Christmas would get so hectic that I could not get anything done. It was a blessing in disguise since I waited to purchase my photo printer (thanks for the help, ma!) and the prints are freaking gorgeous. Of course, it being the weekend, I'll have to wait until Monday to send them out. Boo, boo, boo! Too excited for words for everyone to receive their gifts. It's almost like when I finally got Matt's Heisenberg sweater- I could not wait to give it to him. It's a rad sweater for someone who loves Breaking Bad like he does.
Before I end this post, on a blog design note: I've updated my header and hope to update my about me section soon. It's currently under construction, but if you really must know something about me before I get the page up (haha, doubt it), shoot me an email.

here, there, and everywhere

I know that it seems like I disappear for a while and come back. While I try to remind myself,"This is my blog. I can post as frequently and infrequently as I want." I hope there are people out there that read and would be disappointed if I suddenly went POOF!- disappeared. Well, I at least know Sam gets concerned when I don't post ;) If you ever click around and are like,"Where'd this bitch go?" I'm usually still posting in other places. I'm kind of embarrassed to list all of my blogs/blogging platforms, but it's how I stay busy and motivated to take different photographs so I can post in different forums and reach new/different audiences. If ever I'm absent without explanation from here, these are the places I can usually be found, in order of frequency of posts:

INSTAGRAM.COM/LIGHTREAD: I post a lot of random things that I encounter throughout the day on my instagram. If my posts have been inactive, just look in the left-hand sidebar where my IG updates whenever I post something new. Convenient and on-the-go.
SLIGHTLYOUTOF.BLOGSPOT.COM: Frequently mentioned in the past month, I have been documenting my 365 photography project mainly on this blog. I also post random experiments with filters/editing here as well. All photography and none of my random/awkward ramblings. No commenting, though. I wanted it strictly to be able my work/experiments so I can see the growth and change in my work.
CONTAXTWO.TUMBLR.COM: This is a combination of this blog (you know, the one you're reading right now) and the slighly out of focus blog, but once again, for the most part, without my random/awkward rambles. It allows those with tumblr to follow what I do, as well as be able to access my other blogs with source linking.
MYCORNERSTORAGE.TUMBLR.COM: This has become an extension of my instagram, except I try not to repeat IG photos on here. It is my traveling photodiary, as well as a place where I post photographs from photographers I thoroughly enjoy.
PANTSLESS-SHOSH.TUMBLR.COM:This is where I post other art that I find inspiring, as well as random things I find on the internet. It's mostly reblogs of other people's things. Less original content than the aforementioned blogs. Oh, and the name? GIRLS reference. If ya don't watch GIRLS, ya won't get it.
INCOMPLETEARTSEDUCATION.TUMBLR.COM: In no way do I think I am talented when it comes to drawing things. I'm trying to be better and more confident with my drawings so this is where I keep all of the random doodles I create.

Well, there you have it. I don't even want to count how many those are, but it's quite a bit. Plus, I work full-time, read a fuck-ton of books, and knit when I've got the time. Yeah, I'm a pretty busy gal.

bright eyes, not quite bushy-tailed

After my last post, I was going through Tumblr and my dear friend, Annie, had this post linked. It's Top 10 Bright Eyes songs according to Stereogum. I was immediately transported back to sophomore year of high school, when I was Bright Eyes and Conor Oberst obsessed. Full of teen angst, I'd play the album Lifted, or the Story Is in the Soil so Keep Your Ear to the Ground and Radiohead's OKCOMPUTER back to back. Bright Eyes even came to the Pabst my sophomore year. When I originally asked for permission to go (oh, back in those days), I was told I couldn't go because it was on a school night (hahah!). I cried the entire next day. In the end, I got to go. I came away with a Bright Eyes t-shirt (wore it too much, got holes and stains so that thing is gone) and a Bright Eyes hoodie (still got that one!).When I saw the list, I had to post my own list. I went into my iTunes, found my playlist titled "Bright Eyes Favorites" and started working on this post. Matt helped me a little bit, too, because the song "When The President Talks to God" wasn't originally on my list, but I do remember coming home from that concert and downloading it because he played it. At that show, I also was introduced to Tilly & The Wall. When I started running my junior year, "The Calendar Hung Itself..." was my running song. Bright Eyes means a bunch to me. It reminds me of a time in my life when the most tragic thing to me was not being able to see Bright Eyes in concert. Oh, and I'd just started taking photography I & II so I'd listen to Bright Eyes while making prints. Enjoy some of my favorite Bright Eyes songs!

all across the hours

I've been thinking a lot lately about how much my blog has changed. The names, the direction, the design, etc. I have an old blog in my account that's now private because it served as a journal in my high school days. I cringe whenever I read it. I started it my freshman year. It has the URL of a Thursday song and is titled after a Strokes song. I'm cringing now just thinking about the damn thing. Once I privatized that one, I created what this blog has developed into. At first, it was the 107 Blog, simply because I started it at 1:07AM. I am terrible at usernames and the like. When I wanted to be a "serious" blogger, I changed the name to "Some Orchids" or some BS like that. Keep the people guessing, right? Nah. It wasn't until I took Delightfully Tacky and Selective Potential's blogger e-course that I realized I didn't know what the hell I was doing with the names of my blog and with my blog in general. I seriously learned a lot.
Even after the e-course, I struggled to maintain a schedule, a niche, and posting regularly. I also really struggled with how honest I wanted to be with my blog considering co-workers and others that I know in real life read this. When I finally got over how honest I would be, I also just learned to go with the flow. I don't plan on making money with this blog, not that I think many of the people who have blogs that make money necessarily planned it. I think I'm finally content with my blog. Why should I care so much what others think of it? I realize that it doesn't really matter and I feel free with that realization.

The song that inspired the title of this post.

on the shelf: slouching towards bethlehem

Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
ISBN-13: 9780374531386

Synopsis: "The first nonfiction work by one of the most distinctive prose stylists of our era, Slouching Towards Bethlehem remains, forty years after its first publication, the essential portrait of America— particularly California—in the sixties. It focuses on such subjects as John Wayne and Howard Hughes, growing up a girl in California, ruminating on the nature of good and evil in a Death Valley motel room, and, especially, the essence of San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury, the heart of the counterculture.

The classic collection of essays in social change -- from Haight-Ashbury to our own inner landscapes -- by the author of A Book of Common Prayer, Salvador, and Miami."

Review: This is the first Joan Didion that I bought and read right away. I'm so glad that I did because I flew through it. Joan has a way with words that they're rather straight-forward, almost journalistic in its matter-of-fact manner, but it's also got personality. It's as if Joan revealed parts of herself in each essay. I enjoyed the book as a whole, but I think I'm going to wax poetic about my two favorite essays: Slouching Towards Bethlehem and On Keeping A Notebook. Slouching Towards Bethlehem reminded me a bit of On The Road. Not necessarily the subject matter, but the way it was written. Haight-Ashbury is thought to be a paradise of love, utopia for the counter-culture of that time. However, Didion points out some of the seedy, hellish things that plague this supposed utopia.

On Keeping A Notebook followed Slouching Towards Bethlehem. Once I finished that, I didn't think the book could get any better. On Keep A Notebook. She says she's never been able to be the person to record the days events, but instead records little bits of the day in her notebook. When she looks back on these notebooks, memories and questions are stirred up. She's able to recall a fully formed memories from short sentences. She also muses over the fact that some of these recordings in her notebook are irrelevant pieces of information. For example: ...do I really need to remember that Ambrose Bierce liked to spell Leland Standford's name £eland $tanford" or that "smart women almost always wear black in Cuba," a fashion hint without much potential for practical application.

This book is wonderful and really great if you want to get into Didion. I haven't read her biographies yet, but as soon as I am done with her novels and essays, it is right into the biographies.

music monday: beach house

Maybe you've heard of them before. Maybe you haven't. What I do know is that you will be mesmerized by Victoria Legrand's voice. If you aren't, well, then, we can't be friends (kidding). Teen Dream came out in 2010 and I bought the cd after we played it a bunch at work. Ethereal is one word that my co-workers and I use to describe her voice. I love it all so I thought that since I'm obsessed with their recent album, Bloom, I should do a playlist of some of my favorite Beach House songs. The albums that these songs came from are Devotion, Teen Dream, and Bloom. Enjoy the magic!

blogs i follow

In my sidebar to the left, I have a list of the blogs I follow and read on an almost daily basis. I thought I would include a little blurb about why I follow each of these blogs.

A Beautiful Mess has a lot of different things going on. There are different contributors, but it is all put together by Elsie Larson, co-founder of Red Velvet. There are crafts, photography, and fashion. Just a little bit for everyone. She even has a few Tips for Bloggers and Tips for Photographers.

A Lost Feather is run by Sarah from New York. She hikes, takes dreamy photographs, and runs a sweet Etsy shop. I even own an awesome red camera necklace from her! I also really enjoy her illustrations.

Brain Food is a blog run by Kyoko Escamilla. In between posting about her adventures abroad and at home, she posts great art by young artists. She is also an excellent photographer. She posts often about her pets and her love of comic books. She also posts really honestly about her thoughts and life observations. They're sometimes lengthy, sometimes just a short paragraph, but I read them all. They're wonderful.

Clussster is a very inspiring blog run by Fi. She lives in Puerto Rico and works for SALE.com as the Accounts Coordinator, as well as a Social Media correspondent for various local brands. I enjoy her design aesthetic, as well as her posts about food as she explores nutrition as a way to keep her from being sick all of the time.

Delightfully Tacky is the blog that inspired me to start my own blog. I have followed Elizabeth since 2009 and I don't see myself stopping unless she stops blogging. I love how the blog has evolved as Elizabeth's life has evolved. Who likes static and fakeness? I enjoy Elizabeth's genuine posts and carefree style.

The Rockstar Diaries is a blog I started following last year. I'm sure my friends all think I'm crazy when I show them pictures of Eleanor and say,"Isn't this the most adorable baby?!" Truly a beautiful family and wonderful blog. When I first found this blog, I went back quite far to learn their history and I've been hooked ever since. They just welcomed a new addition to their little family, baby boy Samson.

Selective Potential is a blog I followed as a result of following Elizabeth. I even took an e-course that Elizabeth and Tieka put together. They both really inspired me and helped me focus my blog and pay attention to design aesthetic. I'm still learning, but I like everything I have done since I took that course so...hooray!

Skylarking Nanny is a blog I only recently started following. We exchanged a few comments and buttons and voila! I started to read! I enjoy her entries because they're very honest and have a voice that is distinctly her own. I feel like I don't hear myself when I read my entries. I'm really working on that, but I feel like Elle has got it down. I'm enjoying following this blog and can't wait to read more in the future.

Two Happy Hearts literally makes me smile when I read it. I'm not kidding and it probably sounds creepy. I'm sorry if it sounds creepy, but I love a lot of things about this blog. I found it a couple of months ago and I love her style, as well as the Twin Style feature that she has with her twin, Kylie. She also has this sweet pink winter coat that I adore!

and another thing

Yes, that is right. I moved over to Society6. In my sidebar, I added a widget that links up to the shop. I really like that it is as simple just uploading my pictures. So far, I am enjoying it. I plan on adding more things this week so check back to see if there is anything that catches your eye.

every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

I spent the day trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with my car. After breaking down several times out of frustration and irritation, I stepped back, took a shower and said,"Fuck it. I'll look at it tomorrow." After my shower, though, I thought, let me have another crack at it. Oh, and I fixed the bastard! Me. Just lil ol' me. No one was really helping me. I thought my cousin would, but he clearly has other things to worry about than my piece of crud of a car. I also am doing NaPoWriMo. That link will take you to my writing tumblr. NaPoWriMo is National Poetry Writing Month where you challenge yourself to write a poem everyday for thirty days. I got pretty far in my 365 poems...petered out around 57 or so. Oops. I think I can handle thirty days. I already have the two for today posted so check them out.

Some new things will be happening this month. I'm introducing a music monday post tonight. That will follow this post. I am trying to redesign my blog and I will post with a BIG REVEAL some day, soon. I'm also going to be doing more themed Wordless Wednesday posts. I like the one that I did with the doors so I thought I would practice serial photography and shoot different things for each week. I'm also trying to figure out a shop situation. I'm between bigcartel and society6. I'm leaning towards society6. Has anyone else used different sites for selling their prints online? If I could get feedback, that'd be great.

Last week Tuesday, I found the most amazing thing in a box at work. It's a Fujifilm Discovery 312 zoom. It has new batteries and works well. I have a roll of black and white in it and I'm excited to finish up the roll so I can get it processed. For now, I'm just having fun.

chai ice cream

Lately, I've been trying to follow Elsie's advice on 10 things not to do in photography. I think I have a good handle on my skills, but I always love to hear what others have to say. Different perspectives are important(in photography & life)! I am a major fan of successful young women who do what they love. I think that Elsie and Emma epitomize that. I constantly seek inspiration, so I frequent their blogs for such inspiration.

Shooting during the day. What a concept? I am always envious of the lighting in many pictures. My head literally goes,"The light, man! It's the light!" Sunday, I made some chai ice cream for Jessica since she was coming home from Panama. We were also going to watch Mad Men (loved it!) once she was home. I ended up also baking a white cake with chocolate frosting. Everything made from scratch! I haven't been baking a lot lately, but man, it was great!

Oh, and the chai ice cream? So delicious!

on the books

I'm sorry I have been kind of MIA. I had a post explosion at the beginning of the month and then nothing. I've found a new hangout at the Alterra near my house. I guess I can do blogging there after shooting interesting things on my walk. I always see things I want to photograph, but I'm usually running late so I can't hop out of my car for an impromptu photo session. Actually, I've been trying to keep up more with on the shelf I do have three new reviews up. I actually have three more books queued up. I should really get going on posting those, hah. I suppose you can tune in later. I'll schedule one to post right before I start work later.

These are what I am currently reading: Rules of Attraction by Bret Easton Ellis, The Faster I Walk, The Smaller I Am by Kjersti A. Skomsvold, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Yes, all three. Talking to people at my job, it's not that uncommon for us to all have several books going at once. I love being that much into reading again. Unfortunately, it doesn't leave a lot of time for blogging. I'm still here, I swear!

At the end of this month, I will be going to San Diego. Expect fun updates from there! I'll be bringing my laptop so internet access will not be an issue. I am so excited! Last time, my brother took us to this place where they serve milk tea & bubble tea. I've had bubble tea before, but I ordered the most amazing thing the last two times he took us: chocolate cinnamon chai. And I hate tapioca so none of those for me! The drink itself, though, was amazing. Jessica and I will hardly see each other in March. I'll be in California at the beginning of the month and then she goes to Panama for a little while. For her trip to Panama, I made her this:

I think I usually give her journals when she goes out of the country, hahaha. Actually, I think for Holland (or maybe Romania....) her mom gave her one. But I know I have given her a journal to keep track of her thoughts/adventures before!

Alright, well, come back later because I should have a book review up. If not this afternoon, then definitely late tonight. Happy Tuesday, ya'll! It's New Release day! :D

blog things

If you read my blog with a reader, you may not notice how often I change things. A tweak here, a tweak there. I am forever flexible with my blog design. I constantly find things I want to improve or come up with things I want to try. I hope that isn't annoying. Think of it as a fun surprise every time you come to my page ;)

a beautiful inspiration

While in my rut, I have been trying to absorb inspiration from other bloggers. One place where I have found a lot of inspiration is A Beautiful Mess. She has so many tips, from 5 Tips for Bloggers to Organizing Inspiration. She's got a 28 before 29 goal list and really fun DIY projects. There are a couple of bloggers I can think of that are goal oriented and organized.

I would love to knock out a few goals again this year. Last year, I accomplished several things. This year, I have some new goals and I have them all written down so I can happily cross them all off! One goal I have is to collage more. I don't know if you recall, but I have an Ambird notebook that I use for collaging.

I hope I can fill this thing up by the summer. Or at least, that is my goal! I have added two more and I think I will work on some more. Another goal I have is to paint my nails at least once a week. That will hopefully keep them from breaking constantly. The last goals I will share are to write a lot more and read a lot more. I have recorded all of the books I own that I need to read before buying anymore books, plus I'm writing all of my reviews down in a notebook to stay organized. I'll share those will you later this week!

stuck

Normally, if I am uninspired, I get out my inspiration posts where I post about other photographers who inspire me. I actually have one drafted that I could queue up for later this week, but I just wanted to inform readers that I am stuck. I feel uninspired. I should be out and about, taking photographs of everything. This winter is rather mild for Wisconsin. When I leave for work in the morning, I can hear birds. It's kind of weirding me out, but I dig it. Alex, Jessica, and I walked to Alterra for lunch the other day. It was sunny and slightly windy, but still in the 40s. I don't know if that is what is throwing me off or the fact that I finally have a car. I have a car. Did I tell you?

It's a total junk car, but I love it anyways. When I say "junk car", I don't mean,"Oh, it's an old car, slightly dented, blah blah blah." No, I do not exaggerate at all when I say this is a junk car. The inside of the passenger door is covered in plastic. The heater just barely works. Just barely to the point that I have to layer so I don't freeze at night in the car. My car is "warm" when I can no longer see my breath. Hmm, let's see what else? Oh! One of the struts rusted through so I've got a fun contraption my cousin built to keep it from sticking out in the trunk. Mind you, this car was a gift. I've never had my own car. How have you been getting around? a co-worker asked me. My best friend is the bestest friend in the whole wide world and let me use her car when she didn't need it. My mom also helped me out and let me use her car on the weekends when Jessica worked. It was a pain in the butt, but I got through the past three months that way. Now, it just feels weird to have a car and because it's super junky, I'm almost afraid to over-drive it, aside from necessity. Also, gas is expensive. Not that I didn't know that already, but it's another factor as to why I'm not driving around town everyday.

So there it is. That is what is going on in my life and why I have been absent from my blog. As soon as I get my mojo back, I will post regularly. I promise. For now, enjoy my favorite song from Fleet Foxes' Helplessness Blues album. It is called The Shrine / An Argument.

more polaroids and blogiversary

I started this blog a year ago tomorrow. I can't believe I actually stuck with it. Okay, bye, guys!

Just kidding. I'm only just getting started with this post. I love looking back at how it all started. It makes me cringe, but it also makes me smile because of how far I have come. That is exactly what I wanted-- growth and happiness. Jessica says that if you go through my flickr photostream that you can see the same kind of growth, only starting four years ago instead of one year. However, it's incredible how much things can change in a year. My hair used to be above my shoulders; it is now the longest it has been since I was a kid. I have a Nikon D3100, not the D3000 that I started out with. I also now own a Holga and inherited my aunt's Polaroid600. I live on my own with my best friend and I am working creatively with things that make me super happy. Despite certain issues in my personal life, everything is great. I hope everyone else had a great year as well. I also hope you all continue to read and watch me grow.

Kristin won "Best Ugly Christmas Sweater".


Sorry I caught you eating with your eyes closed, Emma!


Nap-time buddies!


We're the coolest kids on our block! We have a lighthouse :D

ch ch ch ch changes

I am terrible at writing my blog posts. My day to day activities usually aren't anything to talk about. You'd just be witnessing the routine/rut I'm in. Because of the anxiety I feel when trying to come up with words to go along with my photos (and a post title, too!), I decided to do something weekly that would allow me to relax a little bit and just showcase some photos. Even this little bit is really difficult for me. Ahhh! So I'll keep this short. Check back for more awkwardly worded posts and Wordless Wednesday.

wordless wednesday

explanation tomorrow.

making mama proud

Today, I had a surprise when I opened my mailbox. MY BUSINESS CARDS ARRIVED! My mom got home a short while ago so I showed her and she looked really proud. And she even said,"Wow, that picture is beautiful." (it's difficult to see in the webcam picture, but it's this photo) I just wanted to share some good news. I kept making everyone laugh today at work with this lion hand puppet I kept carrying around and moving his mouth whenever I responded to co-workers. I only used it with a customer once, but that was because I couldn't get it off my hand quick enough. Luckily, she was also in good spirits and when we were done, she said,"You can play with your puppet now." Haha, I thought it was sweet.

Also, since I love music, I've decided to do short playlists (yes, 11 songs is a short playlist considering my playlists are usually 50+ songs) at the end of each post. I just like spreading awesome music around. And Kirsten (if you're reading this) I have not forgotten about your super ultra mix cd I'm making. It's growing!

spread the blog love

♥

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i finally made a grab button! i added another blogger's grab button, fi // previously owned! i've got a blog friend :)