I’m a pretty simple person. It really doesn’t take that much to win my heart. However, if you mess with me or my heart, it’ll take a whole lot to win it back.

1. Nutella. Call me easy. Call me cheap. But bring me a jar of Nutella and we’ll be friends. FOR LIFE.

2. Red Velvet Cake. While it’s not advisable to eat all the time because it’s probably one of the worst things on earth for you, it’s one of the most delicious things ever. Eat in moderation. But if you want to win my heart, feel free to bring me some. Preferably in cupcake form (it’s smaller that way!) from Low Country Quisine.

3. Coffee Dates. Okay, it’s not that kind of a date, but one of my favorite ways of getting to know people and people getting to know me is over a caramel machiatto upside down (hot or cold depending on the season). But sit with me over some coffee and pastries and we’ll make friends, fast.

4. Housework. It’s not exactly my strong suit. And if I had the choice, I would outsource cleaning. But luckily, I have a wonderful husband who doesn’t mind cleaning the bathrooms. Seriously, whenever Cent cleans the bathroom or mops the floors, I’m won over. He can have whatever he wants that point.

5. Phone Calls. Granted, I’m not a huge phone person, but when I’m on the phone with a close friend who is far, far away, and we get to catch up even for a few minutes, my heart starts to sing. Not literally of course, that would be weird. And I don’t do it nearly enough, but whenever I get the chance to chat on the phone with a friend, my heart is full. And happy.

6. Handwritten Notes. A few weeks ago I had an expensive trip to the Volvo dealership (I know, it’s cheaper not to go to the dealer, but the customer service is oh-so worth it!), and a few days after the repairs were complete, I received a handwritten note from my service guy. It was so nice, and even though I had to drop a sum of money that made me spit out my water, I would be happy to return. Park Place Volvo, you have my heart.

7. A trip to France. You want to win my heart? Take my husband and I to France. I will love you for life and give you our firstborn. (Okay, that was a JOKE, but I’ll be your photographer for life, how about that?!) Part of me wishes that France was closer than an 8 hour $$$ plane ride.

8. Be real. Be honest, genuine, and follow through, and we will be BFFs. There’s nothing worse than saying one thing and doing another. Or acting one way in one circle of friends, and acting another with other friends. Like I said, I’m a simple person, what you see is what you get. However, I can smell fakeness a mile away, so don’t try to win me over with it. It just won’t work.

Check out other entries from the 10 Day Blog Challenge:
10 Reasons I love my job
9 Things about Myself

Thanks to Wendy for issuing this challenge. It’s been a great source of inspiration for content.

Nine Things About Me

1. I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, in California. So Texas is still pretty new to me.

2. I went to college in San Diego at University of California, San Diego. I did not go to the beach nearly enough while it was 10 minutes away. Now I’m hours and thousands of miles away and I miss it!

3. I learned to read and write in French before English. My dad’s job was transferred to France when I was a little kid and I went to French school.

4. I have a photographic memory when it comes to birthdays. Seriously, it’s almost creepy.

5. I did not go to school for photography. I read a lot and practiced a lot. Still do. In fact, in college I was too scared to take a photography class because one of my roommates did, would often come back to our suite in tears because of critiques, and often spent all her free time in the dark room completing assignments. It sounded awful!

6. I met Cent at Disney World. While we were both interns for the Disney College Program. Our housing assignments were across the hall from each other, and my roommates predicted we would get married the first night we met. They obviously saw more sparks than either of us!

7. I studied abroad for a year in Lyon, France. It was honestly the BEST year of college. EVER. If I could do it again, I’d totally stay in college (abroad) for a decade. Part of me is and always will be French. J’adore! So, if you’re getting married in France, or want your photos taken in France with someone who can translate for you, I’m your girl! Just putting that out there.

8. I moved to Texas from California almost three years ago. I know, most people ask me WHY?! Well, the cost of living here is MUCH lower than in California. Also, Texas is a nice halfway point from where my parents live and Cent’s parents live. And while I would move back to California in a hot second if I could, the cost of the beautiful weather is just too much. Luckily, my parents and sister and family still live there, so visits are always open.

9. Our dog’s name is Kevin. Okay, so that’s something about him, but he’s our dog. And we can’t get enough of him, he’s just SO CUTE. And he’s a good dog, too.

And because I could resist…I’m clearly OBSESSED with our dog.

You can read Day 1 of the 10 Day Blog Challenge, 10 Reasons I love my job.

Happy Wednesday!

I’ll be honest. I didn’t used to love my job. In fact, it was my unhappiness at my previous job that prompted me to start my own photography business.

Now I can honestly say I love my job. Without hesitation.

10 Reasons I love my job

1. I get to work everywhere and anywhere, whether it’s from home, on location while photographing, or from a coffee shop. Or you know, France or something.

2. I am not a morning person, and my job allows me to set my own hours. While I do get myself out of bed by 8:00am most weekdays, I love that I don’t have to sit in traffic to get to the office.

3. I love being able to take a day (or several) off to attend to family, friends, or other events…like vacation!

4. I can work in my pajamas if I choose. Or, most often in yoga pants and a tank top. That’s my kind of business casual.

5. Getting to know my clients and building the relationship with them over the course of time leading up to their wedding day. I love being able to be much more than just another “vendor”. My clients invest with me, and I love investing in them.

6. I love being able to create photographs that people will cherish forever. I get to play a small role in recording memories. I know that my work is meaningful.

7. I get to share my craft through volunteering, photographing events for my church.

8. I get to photograph people in love. I get to photograph pretty things. I get to hang out with people who are happy. I get to work with people who are excited about marriage!

9. I believe whole-heartedly in marriage and I love that I get to play a part in two people becoming one, committing to each other for life. Getting to witness a marriage is an absolute honor!

10. I get to do what I love, I get to blaze my own trail, and can honestly say I love my job!

Download your own Confucius quote. Feel free to share, pin, or print! I just ask for a link back to this post. Thanks!

Why do you love your job?

I narrowly missed her call.

Actually, I totally missed her call by a few seconds.

It was 10:30pm, and I knew I should get ready for bed, but I decided to call her back.

“Coucou,” she said, “ça va?”

Ah, the beautiful French language being spoken by my dear friend, Elana.

“Ouais, ça va, et toi?”

A few seconds of the almost foreign words rolling off my tongue, and I felt at home again.

My home, away from home, if you will.

And as we engaged in our conversation, and I struggled to conjure the right words in French, and would revert to a chopped up mixture of Franglais (French and English – but in French…similar to “Spanglish”), I realized I was losing it.

I need to speak more French. More often.

I need to not lose this amazing language that I once spoke daily. With ease. That now comes to me slower and slower.

Merci to Elana for calling me! Just the push I needed to get back in touch with my Lyon crew. So that we can chat en Français, and we can keep this beautiful language.

Anyone one reading this want to be my French buddy?

Bisous!

image found here. (Please leave a comment if you have the original source!)

It’s funny when epiphanies strike.

It’s never at a convenient time. It’s usually in the shower. Or while driving. Or, like today, while walking Kevin.

In high school, I was a nerd. Minus the pocket protector and broken glasses. But, if I had to choose a high school social group box to check off, I’d probably choose “Nerd” and if I was allowed a second box, “Art/Drama/Band Geek.” I graduated at the top of my class and when it came to academics, my competitive nature kicked into high gear.

However, nowadays, now that I’m running my own business and learning most things on the fly, I feel like I’m way slow. That girl that graduated second in her class and had no problem calculating a derivatives in Calculus? She’s gone. I feel like it takes me SO MUCH LONGER to learn.

And that’s where the epiphany comes in.

Don’t compare yourself to others. You are enough.

I’ve attended countless seminars and workshops about business and photography. I’ve read blogs and books galore. And yet, sometimes, I feel like some of things that I’ve learned take FAR TOO LONG to sink in and click into place. It’s like that missing puzzle piece. THAT’S RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE.

A few months ago (OKAY, seriously, how are we already halfway through May?!) I wrote about wanting to write more authentically. About not being concerned about what others may think of me, without seeking the approval of anonymous eyeballs on the internet. Because this, right here? It’s mine. All mine. And if it doesn’t jive with you, that’s totally fine. Actually, it’s great. You can take your mouse and click away.

But it if does vibe with you, thank you. Thank you for sticking around and reading what rattles around in my head.

I spotted this on Pinterest a few months ago, and I always refer back to it.

Comparison is the thief of Joy.

It speaks so much truth.

I admit that I often find myself in that trap of comparing myself to other people and then starting to feel like I’m not enough. Like I don’t have enough. That I need what “they” have, whoever, “they” may be at the time.

I think it’s human nature to think like that. To look at what others have and want it. That small tinge of jealousy and desire that courses through our veins. It’s normal and natural, but I dare say that it’s not healthy.

I know that when I compare myself with others, I always walk away wishing, longing for what they have. Whether it’s more money, more clients, a nicer car, a nicer house, nicer home decor, a nicer computer, nicer photo equipment, and the list can go on and on. We want what we don’t have.

But I’ve come to this understanding. There will always be someone out there who has more. And there will always be someone out there who has less. And I need to remember, every day, even if I have to chant it to myself, that, “I am enough. I have enough. I am thankful for what I have.”

Gratitude turns what we have into enough.

I think it’s important to remember to be thankful for what we do have.

I may not have a flashy car, or a McMansion, designer purses, or a $50,000 gear setup. I’m not the best, most epically talented photographer, I’m not a gazillionaire, and I’m not super fashionable or an artsy hipster.

But what I have in my life: my husband, my family, my faith, my home, and now our dog, clients that I adore and I know that I have enough.

I am happy. I am humbled. And I know that more material things could never replace my blessings.

But why is it that I sometimes fall back into the trap of comparison? I think that I forget about what I do have. I allow outside influences to push me to think in one way or another. But I just need to remember that I am enough.

And YOU are enough.

No matter where you are in life, what you do, what you have, you are enough to make things happen. To change your life. To do big things. It may not be packaged with a pretty bow or happen as you’d like, but you have what it takes. No matter what anyone else says.

So take a moment to say “Thanks,” for what you have and go out there and make it happen.

Replace comparison with gratitude instead.

Happy Tuesday!

If you liked this, share it with your friends on Facebook & Twitter!

I thought I’d share this super helpful WordPress plugin, especially for those of you who blog out there. It has been one of the best tools I’ve used to blog regularly. Although, this week, I’m a little behind. I’ll blame it on my 9lb office mate. It’s a good thing he’s so cute.

This plugin is called Editorial Calendar and allows you to look at the month and plan out your blog posts. It’s great for when you come up with ideas, or to plan ideas in advance. The great thing about it is that the post titles can be moved from day to day, simply by dragging and dropping. I know that when blogging, I sometimes find myself sitting in front of the computer, staring at the screen, while the cursor blinks in my face, without a clue of what I’m going to write.

This plugin helps a ton!

And because this post wouldn’t be complete without a photo, here’s yet another photo of Kevin. Follow (CatieRonquillo) me on instagr.am to see more!

I can’t even begin to describe how much I love this little guy. Cent loves him, too.

His name is Kevin, and he’s about 9 months old.

I had been thinking about getting a dog for a while, but there were parts of me that were hesitant and scared. Scared to give up the freedom of not having to worry about anyone but each other. Hesitant about having to be responsible for another life. But another part of me felt ready. And Cent said that I could get a dog “any time,” so I had the green light.

I had been stalking the Dachshund Lovers of Texas website and Facebook page for a while. And when I saw Kevin’s picture pop up, I knew that he was going to be ours. I hoped so at least. I finally pulled the trigger and submitted an adoption application.

Kevin’s original name was Fiasco. I’m not sure if his previous owner named him after the music artist, Lupe Fiasco, or if they thought him to be a fiasco. From the sounds of his story, it may be the latter. He was an owner surrender to a shelter in South Dallas, which means his owner didn’t want him anymore. How anyone could give up this ball of cuteness is beyond me, but I’m thankful because it means that we got to adopt him!

Although we’ve had to make some minor life adjustments (sleeping schedules, going out for potty breaks, and daily walks), I wouldn’t trade him for the world. He’s the best dog, fun, excited (he’s still a puppy), but also pretty calm as long as he knows he’s got someone around. I’m thinking that he was left alone a lot in his previous home and has some separate anxiety issues.

I now have a 9lb shadow who follows me around all day. My heart breaks a little when I have to crate him if I leave the house and he can’t come. But he really is such a sweet dog and it super attached to me. I’m super attached to him, too.

Kevin is named after the bird in the movie Up. And if you’ve never seen Up, get yourself the movie, stat! We were originally wanting to get a girl dog and name her Kevin…like the line in the movie. (Watch it again if you don’t know what I’m referring to!)

A couple months ago, I got together with my friend Karyn to play around with lighting.

Ashley was our model and she worked it in front of the camera. Thank you Ashley for being awesome!

Then we tried something just a little more (okay a LOT more) dramatic. I’m loving it.

It’s interesting how your life can change in an instant.

I think that I knew that he was going to be ours the moment I saw his picture pop up online. And the second that I saw his four short little legs mosey into the pet store on Sunday. I just about jumped out of the car to chase after him, I was so excited. It was one of those rare times when Cent got to see me move faster than ever. (The other time included running from grasshoppers or crickets or something…)

We adopted Kevin on Sunday and he’s the perfect addition to our little family. What can I say, he’s also a perfect representation of our future kids: black, tan, and a little bit white.

So get ready. Kevin will make a regular appearance on the blog. He’s too cute not to.

Many thanks to Vanessa for capturing these photos yesterday and for dogsitting while I met with a client! Love you, girl!

Now we just need photos with all three of us.

I made it.

I kind of can’t believe that I made it, but today, I crossed through the finish line.

And to think of where I’ve been, what I’ve done, and all that I’ve accomplished in the month of April is kind of crazy.

I photographed one wedding, second shot one wedding, and photographed twenty-four sessions. 24!! Even I can’t believe that number. But I’m so thankful.

In addition to all of that, for the month of April, I video blogged (or vlogged) every day. 30 posts! Also crazy. To watch all 30 videos, visit www.projectjoiedevivre.com.

And finally, to top off this month, we adopted our super cute puppy from Friday’s post from the Dachshund Lovers of Texas. (Full post on that coming soon!) His name is Kevin and we love him so much already. He’s such a good dog, which for a dachshund is saying a lot!

Happy Monday!