Dark Image Studios

Photo Project: Turning my Garage into a Studio, Part 2

2011-08-15T23:59:00.000-07:00

This was it. This was going to be Weekend #1: The Start of Cleaning the Garage Out and the Glorious Transformation Into an Awesome First Studio. That was my goal. That was what I had been planning all week while going through some product and birthday party shoot edits...

Saturday morning:

Opened the garage and was confronted with all the junk that had been hoarded and stashed throughout the years. With my kiddie gardner gloves on (yes, my hands are really that tiny), I set out to work. It wasn’t until a few minutes in that I noticed my stomach cramping. And quite painfully.

Yes. Mother Nature, the dreadfully beautiful goddess that she is, decided to bestow her monthly gift upon me.

I sighed, I cursed, I kicked, and I cried.

Women out there can feel my pain and frustration. I had planned to get work done! A project all my own, I had been waiting to be able to do this...and M.N. strikes and its all for naught! Despite the cramping and bloating and crankiness (oh, yes, I became unusually grumpy and pissy for the rest of the day), I somehow persevered--like all women do during this time--and managed to get quite a bit accomplished.

First thing first--two of the large tupperware boxes came into the house. A collection of my brothers’ toys had wound up in some boxes. A quick run through of these boxes led to the most awesome discovery of all time....our old Super NES system, controllers, and a couple of games!

This was instantly pulled out. I thought we had lost or thrown this game console away years ago! You have NO idea how ecstatic this made me--and James. He is currently looking up cords to order to see if we can hook it up to his TV and play.

I also found a bunch of cards--football, baseball, basketball. Considering my brothers just dumped everything when they went to go live with their dad and grandparents and haven’t come back for any of this stuff, I consider it fair game. I do the work, I reap the benefits. Next on my to do list: look up and see if the cards are worth anything. Hey, I might even be able to sell these cards and get me a new camera and lens! A girl can hope and dream...and keep her fingers crossed...

Another awesome find was this small organizer, buried in the bed of the truck. I don’t even remember anyone in my family buying this or using it. It must have been one of my brother’s, when they were into painting models or something. Or it could have been my mom’s. Who knows? But it was in perfect condition and it is now mine. :) Lol.

Some other epic treasures that came out of Saturday’s cleaning were: a huge black duffle bag. I have been wanting to get a huge duffle bag to store some of my photo equipment in (and it would make transporting things to shoots soooo much easier). Well, now instead of spending $30-50 I found one for free! I also found two pairs of hiking boots. They were never mine or my mom’s. I honestly don’t know whose they were. Perhaps my halmoni’s? Or did a friend give them to my mom and we just forgot about them? Whatever. Two new pairs, and they look pretty much new. One pair are high tops with the fake fur trim, the other are low top, normal hiking boots. The first are a 5, and I doubt they would fit even my small feet (which is a bummer because they are really cute), and the other are a 5.5, but measured against my tennis shoe they look to be more like a 6. Once both are cleaned up I’m going to try them on. A girl can never have too many hiking boots.

Games and toys in the house, it was time to move on. Bags and bags, and boxes and boxes of old clothes. It had been my mom’s idea to hold almost weekly or monthly garage sales to get rid of all the clothes and to make some extra cash. Well, obviously that never happened. So off they went, packed into my crappy car, and shipped off to the nearest Goodwill (which is literally like 5 minutes away). Out went the boxes and boxes, and bags and bags of clothes. Stuff from the 90’s that should have never seen the light of day. Hopefully someone can make good use of them.

Sunday morning:

Back to the garage I went. Still cramping, though not as bad as Saturday, and in a slightly better temper, I planned on clearing out the rest of the bed of the truck. My poor beat up car was loaded once again with some more bags and boxes of clothes, but I wasn’t able to get as much done as I had hoped...

A wasp had flown into the garage.

Yes, I admit it. I am a girl. I hate spiders and bees and any other bug that there is. If there is a bug I am going to go running and screaming...which is precisely what I did...minus the screaming. It was more a string of profanities.

So. Sunday I wasn’t as productive as I was Saturday. The back of the truck still has stuff in it--some more clothes to either be thrown away or given to Goodwill (depending on how they look), a couple of folding/camping chairs, sleeping bag, and some blankets (that all need a good washing), and part of one of my brother’s old drum sets. I think I may keep the drum set, clean it up, and use it as a photo prop.

I am hoping to revisit the garage next weekend--at least once. I would like to finish clearing out the truck’s bed and start on the crap that is on either side of the truck. I still have two large boxes of toys to go through...Hey, you can never get rid of Lego’s and Lincoln Logs and Hot Wheels. The rest of the toys will go to the neighbor kids and/or Goodwill.

Before

After

Morning afternoon note:

James stopped by to help me move a new-used couch I acquired (yes, for photography purposes! I can’t wait to clean it up and move it into the garage! It is going to be sooo perfect for portraits and boudoir.), and when he looked into the garage he spotted 4 hornet/wasp nests! One of which is very active! *Sigh* It means a trip down to Home Depot for some wasp spray and a large tarp covering for my couch.

To be continued...

But in the meantime...a look at some old things I found. Did any of you have these?

My very first computer!

One of my early cassette players. I used to actually practice my Irish dancing with this thing. I would crank the volume up as high as I could, strap it across me or hang it nearby and practice. Rewind the song and practice again. I was so glad when we finally got a CD player...and later an iPod!

Do you see that lil half circle with the yellow polka dots? That spins when it plays (and fast-forward and rewind) and the yellow dots swirl, so all you see is a whirl of yellow. So much fun to watch! I wonder if it still works...

Norco Carnival 2011

2011-08-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

Summer time...temperatures near or in the 100's, short shorts, bikinis, sun and surf, poolside parties, and sunscreen flying off the shelf. What other images come to mind when you think "summer?" One that always came to me was carnivals. Or fairs. Interchangeable, really. A lot of movies that take place out in the country always have these cute county fairs, and let's face it, in Southern California we don't really have that sort of thing. Sure, we have the OC Fair and the LA Fair, but those are on a grand scale. People don't know you by name. There's no sense of community.

I'm a country girl at heart, and when my mom and I heard on the radio (country station, of course!) that Norco--a notorious horse country/rodeo city--was putting on its fair the previous weekend we could not wait to go!

We grabbed my boyfriend, picked up one of my brothers, and headed out on a dusty trail that took us between the 71 and 15 freeways. We were literally stuck between a cow farm, a paintball shooting field, and a rifle shooting area. Can't get more country than that right?

Well...this great fair that was supposed to boast the Norco Beauty Pageant, a rodeo, pie eating contest, lots of rides and BBQ...was tiny. So tiny in fact that you could cross the entire area in about 5 minutes. It was near 100 degrees. We were a bit disappointed overall, but still managed to get on a couple rides. My mom had money drop out of her (shallow) pockets, and with the aid of a cowboy (dressed up stage actor?) and another good soul she was able to retrieve it.

We stayed for about an hour or so. Tommy, my youngest brother, had two beers. James and I shared a strawberry lemonade out of a boot shaped cup. James and Tommy went on a ferris wheel sort of ride...that also flipped you upside down. My mom and I opted for something closer to the ground, that spun you forwards for awhile, stopped, then spun you backwards. (Anyone remember tidal wave from Knotts Berry Farm? It was a circular ride, spinning you forward, in an up-and-down motion, and then backwards? And at a certain point a huge blue canvas came up and engulfed the ride? It was always sweltering hot, but a really fun ride? Well, same ride minus the tarp.)

All in all, will we go back next year? Probably not. My recommendation would be this: go in the evening. Go when it is cooler, you have the excitement of the dusk and the lights of the carnival going on...and go on a day when its not closing day. If you are going to go, go on Saturday evening/night. Go when the beauty pageant and the rodeo are still happening. Believe me, I was really disappointed to see the bulls all pent up in the heat, with no shade, in cooped up little cages, and no action going on. It is definitely more for the younger crowd.

Photo Project: Turning my Garage into a Studio

2011-08-01T17:18:00.000-07:00

So, my big goal before the end of the year is to take this:

and turn it into:

But you know...in a condensed I'm-still-poor-and-learning-my-way-through-studio-lighting-everything-is-on-a-very-very-very-tight-budget sort of way...

Trying to store a camera, several lenses, 2 soft boxes, multiple light stands, multiple umbrellas, tripod, and a backdrop in your bedroom isn't the easiest. Or the most practical.

I come from a family of pack rats. My halmoni (grandma) and uncle were notorious for holding onto EVERYTHING. Old, and I mean, OLD encyclopedias and magazines...you name it, they probably had it stashed SOMEWHERE. And my mom is very much the same. So as you can see in the first photo, and this close up below, over the years, the garage just kinda became full of crap my mom didn't want to let go. Because, you never know when you're gonna need it! Riiiiiiiight.

The goal is to:

1. Throw away the useless, broken, nobody is ever gonna want that piece of crap stuff

2. Garage sale and craigslist the things that we can

3. Give or throw away what we can't sell

4. Board up the one side of the garage (you can't tell in these photos but we share a garage with our neighbor)

5. Paint

6. Then start setting up shop!

Mom, of course, thinks that we can get the truck back up and running once the rest is done. James doesn't think so. What are your thoughts? Bets anyone?

Stay tuned for more! I am going to post pictures and maybe even videos of this entire process!

~Ka-Ce

Irish Volunteers Summer Concert in the Park

2011-07-31T23:28:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, July 9 the Irish Volunteers, a local traditional-folk Irish band released their new CD and held a free concert in the park. Friends, neighbors, and citizens of Altadena came together at Farnsworth Park for a bit of Irish music, dance, and culture that night. Irish dancers from Aniar Academy of Irish Dance and Irish Pride Dancers graced the stage during the intermission and even danced to a few live reels and jigs performed by the band in the second half.

I am one of the dancers from Aniar Academy & Irish Pride Dancers, and so could not take pictures of myself. ^_^ But I did grab photos of the band during their second half.

You can view more photos from the concert on our facebook page.

Irish Volunteers CD and T-shirts are available at www.myirishpride.com. They are $10 each.

Get Your Irish On! (Prt 3)

2011-07-13T22:39:00.000-07:00

Irish Pride has come out with some new women's shirts! Take a look below and tell them what you think!

Visit www.myirishpride.com or Irish Pride on Facebook and let them know what you think--or that you want one!

Get Your Irish On! (Prt 2)

2011-06-30T23:39:00.000-07:00

As promised....here are more pictures from the Irish Pride Summer Product Photo Shoot!

The heavy duty keychain...

The awesome 2-in-1 belt buckle and bottle opener. You know you want one now, just looking at it. ;)

Men's Polos...

Heavy duty Dickies Jackets & Windbreakers...

And lots and lots of hats and beanies...

O'Toole's T-shirt Designs...

Coming up next....Women's shirts and more new t-shirt designs! Stay tuned!

Can't wait? Follow me on Facebook to see all the latest updated pictures.

Explosive Cockroach's Newest Designs

2011-06-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

Explosive Cockroach Design Studios has been busy of late! Specializing in web, graphic and print design, its not hard to see why!

Latest Web Design:

http://galeonphotography.com/

Latest Graphic & Print Design:

*New business card design and logo redesign for Dark Image Studios Photography*

*Updated business card for Explosive Cockroach Design Studio*

*New business card for Scentsy Independent Consultant, Keara Osborne*

Celebrate Good Times, C'mon!

2011-06-23T00:04:00.000-07:00

My little sister graduated junior high this year! I can't believe that in a few short months she will begin high school, a "fresh fishy" as we called them back when I was in high school...Of course I had to be at her graduation! And of course, my camera was there...as requested by my sister. :)

Whittier Christian is a homeschool group that operates Kindergarten thru 12th grade. The graduates in red are junior high students, the seniors are denoted in blue--with caps.

Like two peas in a pod, my sister and I like to make a lot of silly faces in pictures. ^_^

Graduating Class of 2011

Younger brother and sister...

For graduates and parents that would like to purchase a DVD of the pictures taken, please visit www.darkimagestudios.com for more information.

Thank you!

Get Your Irish On! (Prt 1)

2011-06-21T00:03:00.000-07:00

Irish or not, its time to get your Irish Pride on!

Over the next several days (weeks?) I will be highlighting some of Irish Pride's merchandise that I was lucky enough to shoot! To view more of their stuff or to get your own, please visit: www.myirishpride.com

Irish Pride Heavy Duty Magnet

Irish Pride Wristband

Irish Pride Iron-on Patch

Irish Pride Pin

Irish Pride Pin (Front View)

Irish Pride Plastic Cup

Irish Pride Sports Bottle

Irish Pride Small Towel

Irish Pride Cozies

Irish Pride Logo Tattoo

Irish Pride Shamrock Tattoo

Irish Pride Shot Glass

Irish Pride Carbomb Kit

BRAND NEW! Irish Pride Flask w/ Laser Engraved Logo

(Please note that shamrock table mats, Celtic Scentsy, and bodhran are not available through Irish Pride. Those are my own personal backdrops that I used. For more information on the Celtic Scentsy, please visit: https://thatsmellsfabulous.scentsy.us/Home)

More awesome products coming soon!

www.myirishpride.com

Cowboys, Trains, and Birthday Cake!

2011-06-08T01:34:00.000-07:00

Nothing says a boy's 7th birthday quite like renting out a caboose on a train, having Buzz Lightyear top your homemade two-layered vanilla & chocolate cake, and dressing up like a cowboy while playing carnival games (to win prizes on top of the goody bags)!

I have never been to Heritage Park in Santa Fe Springs, but I am definitely going back! Tucked away, behind Geezers off of Telegraph Road, Heritage park is no ordinary park. There are no playgrounds. It is exactly what it sounds like, a heritage. Archaeologists had discovered the remains of a barn and house when digging on site, and before you know it, the park was built, and the barn and house were restored. As well as an aviary and train sets put in.

The family rented out the caboose for their son's birthday party. Not only could you go inside the caboose, with the little mini kitchen, but you could play in the main train and ring its bell. Carnival games had been set up for the kids and adults to play. Tickets were earned and redeemed for prizes.

The theme, adorably, was Toy Story, and could not have been held in a more perfect spot! The birthday boy dressed up like Woody, and guests were invited to done on hats and moustaches and have their picture taken next to a cut out of Woody and Buzz.

Cake and cupcakes, delicious food, and even a water gun fight rounded out the day, making it very memorable not only for the birthday boy and his family, but for me as well.

Last Chance Sale!

2011-06-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

Today only! Last chance sale on everything that was on sale this past week!

Use Coupon Code: ALLDADDYDEAL to receive the following deals:

$5 off tshirts
40% off posters
20% off mugs
30% off cards
10% off everything else!

Hurry! Deal ends 11:59 p.m.

www.zazzle.com/darkimagestudios*
www.zazzle.com/mrspyke99*

Another Sale!

2011-06-05T11:38:00.000-07:00

Today only! Zazzle has one more Father's Day Sale--and it ends tonight at 11:59 p.m.! Use Coupon Code: 5DADDYSDEALS to score 10% off EVERYTHING! It's not just for dads. Its for grads, family, birthdays, etc!

www.zazzle.com/darkimagestudios*
www.zazzle.com/mrspyke99*

Zazzle Sales!

2011-06-04T09:45:00.000-07:00

If you follow us on Facebook and Twitter then you already know about the Father's Day deals that Zazzle is doing this week. If not, then read on!

Every day or so this past week Zazzle has been offering discounts on certain products for Father's Day. But it doesn't stop at Father's day. You can take advantage of the discounts for your Grads, yourself, a birthday, whatever!

Today's deal is 20% off all mugs! That's right! All mugs--travel mugs, small mugs, big mugs. Whatever mug suits your fancy. Hurry on over today, because the sale ends at 11:59 p.m.

www.zazzle.com/darkimagestudios*
www.zazzle.com/mrspyke99*

Use code: 4DADDYSDEALS

Explosive Cockroach Design Studio Store has Exploded!

2011-06-02T19:19:00.000-07:00

The Explosive Cockroach Design Studio Zazzle Store has exploded with some new items! And even more new items to come! Here are a few of the new Doodle speakers that ECDS has come up with...You can view more designs at the shop! Just visit: www.zazzle.com/mrspyke99*

Explosive Cockroach Designs Doodle by MrSpyke99
See other Explosive Speakers

Sea Turtle Swirl Doodle by MrSpyke99
See more little speakers for the pc

The Family that Preys Doodle by MrSpyke99
See other mini desktop speakers

Heaven is Hell Doodle by MrSpyke99
Browse more Heart Speakers

Ninjas Plus Vampires Doodle by MrSpyke99
See other mini desktop speakers

Irish Volunteers Group Shot

2011-05-30T22:34:00.000-07:00

And here are the group pictures of the Irish Volunteers! Look for the debut of their cd at the Great American Irish Fair held in Irvine at the Verizon Amphitheater on Father's Day weekend. They are set to play at the fair. Also, visit them at their clothing line booth: Irish Pride.

Behind the Group Shot...Irish Volunteers

2011-05-24T22:53:00.000-07:00

The following Saturday after the recording shots I made my way back to the recording studio in Brea to get a group shot of the Irish Volunteers. It was an overcast day, and I tried to get there as early as possible, just in case the sun decided to burn through as it normally does in the afternoon. Luckily, it stayed pretty cloudy, giving me a natural filter.

The recording artists actually suggested the abandoned railroad tracks, saying that there was a hole in the chain link fence that we could easily get through. It was a better idea than shooting up against the building wall. Away we went! Across the parking lot, behind a couple buildings, and viola! Perfect backdrop.

These images are the "Behind the Group Shot" Shots. :) The band liked the setup. I liked the setup. And I have the location tucked away for future reference. I even shot one of the recording artists shooting me.

It was a good, short and sweet shoot. The actual group pictures will be up soon! Stay tuned. In the meantime check out their shop: www.myirishpride.com

Behind the Scenes with the Irish Volunteers

2011-05-23T09:50:00.000-07:00

On May 7, I got to go behind the scenes of the Irish Volunteers recording their first album. Located in Brea, CA, the tiny recording studio was packed full of equipment, instruments, and of course, the band itself. I wasn't sure if I was even going to fit! I had brought along my camera, flash, point and shoot (for recording), and some various other items, but as it turned out, there was no way I could open up a soft box or umbrella in the studio. One, it would have made too much noise. Two, I had no assistant to hold it up in position for me. And three, there was just no room!

For the most part, I had to sit up on the stage where the drummer would normally sit and shoot down on the guys. I also had to wait until they were done recording a song before I could actually take any pictures. While recording you had to stay absolutely quiet. Additional microphones were used to pick up extra sounds, besides the mikes that were placed directly in front of the musicians and singer. Instead of trying to keep my camera absolutely quiet during the recording process I opted to tape the band. Granted, my point and shoot is not the best video camera in the world, it didn't pick up on their sound and gives the band something to tease their fans with before the debut of their cd.

It was a fun (learning) experience. There were no windows. Only two high wattage lightbulbs, and the room got hot and stuffy fast. Note to self: bring water with you to shoots. I was lucky in that the band made a run to 7/11 and got me some drinks, but for future reference it wouldn't hurt to carry my own water bottle or two in the car!

To view more, go to my Facebook page

For more information on the Irish Volunteers or Irish Pride, please visit www.myirishpride.com

Kitten Adoption

2011-05-20T00:24:00.000-07:00

I have to come out and say it. I'm an animal person.

And that really does not even begin to cover it.

I am 27 and am a crazy cat lady. But it doesn't just stop at cats. If I lived in a bigger place, with a big yard you can bet that I would have rescued dogs and pups, bunnies, and whatever else needed a home. And yes, maybe even Bob, the rooster we housed for a week before finding him a good home. Animals have always had a way of finding my halmoni (grandma), oma (mom), and myself...and of course, I have no will power. I have to feed and if at all possible, care for them.

So...

Before leaving for Vegas in April two female cats had their babies in the bushes literally right outside my door...One thing led to another...and I had 10 kittens that needed homes. James was kind enough to let me house 5 of them at his place, while I kept the other 5.

Loooong story short we couldn't keep 4 of them anymore, after getting 6 of them adopted out. A friend volunteered to take them in and find them homes rather than see them go off to a shelter (thank goodness!). Now down to 3 kittens, we are still trying to find them homes! If you are interested in adopting one and live in the LA or OC area, please email me! kace@darkimagestudios.com

And enjoy some pictures of the kittens!

I'm still available for adoption!

I just got adopted!

I may have a home...but if you are interested please email!

I still need a home! Please adopt me!

I'm taken!

(2 kittens are not shown, but have wonderful homes!)

Vegas, Baby! Adventure Day 4

2011-05-16T00:16:00.000-07:00

A bit more rested, I started Day 4 with more energy. We packed everything up, checked out, and headed back to the fair grounds. One more show to go!

Did I mention that it was over 90 degrees when we danced? And we wore black tights? Yes, we are dedicated (insane) dancers...

Because of some drama that occurred between the bands performing that day, resulting in a messed up schedule, I didn't have time to shoot pictures of the band or the fair. Sad, I know. The Young Dubs had to improvise on their set list, making us dancers stay on our toes, listening for our cue to rush up on stage if needed. It made for an interesting show.

My sister "winking" us off before making the long trip home.

Taken from the car, in the infamous Vegas to California weekend traffic. A sign welcoming us back home!

Rest stop number 1. Got there just in time to enjoy a beautiful, insanely bright and rich sunset!

And of course another shot of my sister with the sunset behind her.

More pictures of the rest stop and the gorgeous sunset to follow on Facebook!

Vegas, Baby! Adventure Day 3

2011-05-15T23:02:00.000-07:00

Day 3 began bright and early Saturday morning. 6 a.m. early. After having gone to bed at 3:30 a.m. You do the math. It wasn't pretty. Fremont St ended around 1-ish, and we still had to go back to the Golden Nugget, change, pack up our stuff, head to our cars, drive back to the Renaissance, shower, and pack for the following morning. WEEEEEEE!

Saturday morning found us at the Las Vegas Celtic and Highland Games, were they also hosted their first ever Sharon Lynn's Celtic Crown Feis (aka Las Vegas Feis) (pronounced "fesh," means festival or competition). I competed with my girls in the 16 and Over Figures first thing that morning, and watched my younger students compete that morning until it was time to get ready and perform with the Young Dubliners in the main section of the fair.

My students and one of the moms looking at results.

Results from our competitions. Look for "Aniar Academy"

Dance student from Aniar Academy, SFS branch, and her mom

Group of Aniar Academy students from Laguna and SFS branch

Open Champion dancer Sarah performing a reel

Open Champion dancer Sarah getting ready for her competition

The girls and I after we had finished competiting

Bagpipers lining up for closing ceremonies

Celtic Bags from a vendor

The Young Dubs playing their encore number

After the fair we had just enough time to stop at a Taco Bell for dinner, back to the hotel to shower, redo our makeup and hair, and head back to Fremont St. for the second Fremont St Show Experience with the Young Dubs. We were running on pure...I don't even know what we were running on by that point!

Fremont St Sign

Pictures of the girls and I after our second Fremont St Show, in the Golden Nugget. They had mirrored ceilings and we were greatly amused. And wired.

At the end of our epic night, most of the group went out with the band and partied on Fremont St. I hung back at the hotel with my sister, grabbed some fast food, hit the shower and was out like a light! Considering that check out was the next day, as well as another round of shows at the Las Vegas Celtic & Highland Games Festival, sleep was desperately needed!

I tried to post more pictures of the epic day here on this post, but I keep getting error signs. If you would like to see more visit my Facebook page!

Vegas, Baby! Adventure Day 2...and a half...

2011-05-10T15:16:00.000-07:00

Day 2 night pictures as promised! The Fremont St Experience with the Young Dubliners (one of the coolest Irish Rock Bands ever!) and the Irish Pride Dancers.

Vegas, Baby! Adventure Day 2

2011-05-05T23:41:00.000-07:00

Day 2 is going to be divided into 2 sections...Day shots and nights. Below are my day shots...

My sister and I took a stroll behind our hotel, the opposite direction of the strip and did some impromptu urban photography shots. Considering they were taken literally right off the street, and her being young, we didn't take a whole lot. Some of the passerbys were a bit...eccentric.

Adventure Day 2, part 2 coming soon! The Fremont St Experience with the Young Dubliners & Irish Pride Dancers!

Vegas, Baby! Adventure Day 1

2011-04-30T08:51:00.000-07:00

I have to start the picture blog with a shot I took on the way to Vegas, featuring an Irish Pride cap. We were still in California by this point, hadn't quite reached Barstow yet. Irish Pride has been a big part of our dancing lives--Irish Pride Dancers (adequately named for a reason)--and it felt fitting to get a shot of one of their products on the road with us.

www.myirishpride.com

Day 1 of our adventure found my lil sis and me exploring the strip. She had never been before, and it was my job to keep her entertained. Entertaining a minor in Vegas wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. We boarded the monorail from our hotel (off strip), and landed at Harrah's and went exploring. The next several photographs show some portrait work we did in front of Ceasar's Palace.

The next several shots were taken inside of the Bellagio Hotel.

I, of course, could not resist taking pictures along the strip and inside of some of the hotels.

Outside of Ceasar's Palace.

Inside the Bellagio.

Inside the Paris Hotel.

Vegas, Baby!

2011-04-14T11:02:00.000-07:00

Thursday, April 14...

My two sisters--who are not blood family, but are closer to me than my actual blood relatives--and I landed at Vegas' doorstep early last night (9 p.m. is considered early, right? For Vegas anyway?). Hungry and filled with the urgency of having to relieve ourselves (esp since we missed the one and only rest stop on our way...after hitting the outlet mall in Barstow), our first thoughts were of, well, finding the nearest restroom, checking in, and for my sissies, finding some place to eat.

So, for those of who are wondering, no, we did not hit the strip last night. Sadly, we were frankly all too tired. My youngest sister and I though, camera happy people that we are, did take some odd and funny pictures of our meals in Barstow and at one of the many Denny's in Vegas. I will share them--or only some, perhaps--with you awhile later tonight.

As of now, at 10:52 a.m., I am still waiting to use the bathroom to finish getting ready. I think my younger sister and I will catch the monorail (a first for both of us) and head to the strip. Shopping, sight seeing, and of course, photo shoots await us...I gather in about another two hours... :)

Scentsy for the Holidays!

2011-04-08T23:56:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. I still have 6 more months until Halloween but I couldn't resist. This adorable jack o'lantern Scentsy warmer was actually my holiday gift given to me by my girlfriends...they know I have this thing for all things pumpkin. I just had to do a low light photoshoot of one of my favorite warmers, complete with falls leaves and pumpkin candle votives in the background.

There are many festive Scentsy warmers for the seasons and holidays. Check them out at https://thatsmellsfabulous.scentsy.us/Home today!