Hello Stranger!

Hello Stranger!

Yes I have been a little MIA this past week but for good reason. First my photography business has picked up and my calendar is filling up. Yeah!!!! Also I finally got a new car this week. Let's observe a moment of silence for Mini (Mini Cooper) she was much loved and a reliable companion to the end but it was time to put her to rest. I love my new car but it seems so big in comparison to what I had before and I truly miss my go chart handling ;(  Lastly, my 9-5 gig has also picked up , and hey a sister has to pay her bills, so that is always first and foremost.

But I am back with a new recipe. My sweet tooth has kicked in with a vengeance and the empty donut bag from tonight is full proof. (However, and some of you may hate me for revealing this, I am actually losing weight despite my sweet tooth binge. Crazy right? Once again I am just not eating enough calories through out the day to maintain my weight, which is equally as bad as over eating.) So Monday night I decided at 10 in the evening after coming back from dance class that I would make strawberry preserves. What the hell was I thinking? And me being someone who underestimates how long something will take was then up in the kitchen canning till about 11:30. And as if that wasn't crazy enough I decided while the cans were in for the final boil to just make oatmeal cookies for the hell of it. Why not take a full ride on the crazy train.

We have a ton of oatmeal left from granola craze so why not put them to use. I rarely eat oatmeal cookies and I am hard pressed to find one I truly enjoy but I go bat crazy for these. ( I ate oatmeal cookies for breakfast  the past two days. Does that count as my daily serving of grains and fiber?) And ironically enough it's the recipe that comes on the inside lid of the Quaker Oatmeal canister.  Nothing fancy or complicated. Just plain, easy, simple and good.

Vanishing Oatmeal Cookies (Raisins Optional)

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb (2 sticks) butter  - Butter creates a flatter crispier cookie while shortening will give a higher lighter cookie. I prefer the flavor of butter and I also prefer the texture it gives the overall cookie.
• 1 cup of firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups uncooked Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned) - I generally add the amount I see fit  but this is the quantity the recipe calls for, but I generally add less than this (2 - 2 1/2 cups).
• 1 cup raisins (optional)

Preheat Oven to 350.

1. Beat together butter and sugars till creamy
2. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well
3. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well
4. Stir in oats and raisins
5. Drop rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet
6. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown
7. Cool and remove to wire rack.

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Spring is definitely here. YAY!

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Moist Cakey Goodness

Went to Philly Cupcake today and here is what is awaiting me for my evening snack.

UMMMMMM moist cakey goodness.

Let me wipe the drool away.

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Kickoff of Photography Interview Series - Creature Gorgeous

I know here on MarthaWannabee I do frequent posts displaying images I capture with my Nikon but I would like to branch out and do more posts that are informative in nature and that share some of the knowledge I am acquiring as I learn about photography. As part of this plan to provide  more information about photography I thought it would be great to have a series of interviews with some of my fellow bloggers and ask them about the equipment they use to capture images for their blog. I am always curious as to what camera, lens, post-editing  process, etc fellow bloggers use to achieve the look, feel, and style of their images. In fact 'photography' and 'camera' are the first two key words I search for on any new blog.  And I thought why not just get out there and ask.

I immediately thought to ask Creature Gorgeous aka Mrs. Perfume from Weddingbee to be my first interviewee. I remember discovering her blog last year and thought that the look and style of her blog images were definitely distinctive and was intrigued by what she used in taking her pictures. Her images have a vintage dreamy quality and I love how she puts together a montage of photos for her posts. And I  have also been dying to know how she captures such great images at all the fabulous restaurants she frequents.

So without further adieu Creature Gorgeous.

1. What camera and equipment (lens, flash, etc) do you use to take your blog photos?
I use a Panasonic GF1 with a 20mm Leica lens. It's the kit lens. There's a built in-flash, but I NEVER use it.

2. How long have you owned your camera?

Since October, so about five months. I'm still learning to use it, and use the "dummy" settings still.

3. What influenced you to get the camera you have? What features and capabilities do you like about it? What have you found to be some of the drawbacks?

I have to admit that my husband did a TON of research on it, and lobbied me to get a smaller profile dSLR. We have a friend, a very well-respected art gallerist who deals in photography. He's an avid photographer himself. Anyway, he had the Olympus (I think EP1 or EPL1) built on the same micro four thirds technology. And he loved it. So we researched it and decided to go with the very newly released GF1.

The main features are the high quality SLR images combined in a compact body. I love how highly portable it is. Sure, it's not as small as a point and shoot, but is a lot less weight than a regular SLR. I was really thinking of the Nikon D90. I already have an old film Cannon EOS, but in the end, I was sold when our friend the gallerist  (who has a vast collection of super high end and rare cameras), said "What good is it if you leave it at home [because it's so big and heavy]?"

I have found it to be a little slow. There are also not that many lenses that are yet available. Although, you can purchase an adapter and attach any regular four thirds lens.

4. What camera were you using previous to this one if any?

I was using a Canon Elf point and shoot! I loved that camera but I dropped it a million times, once in a bowl of clam juice. It was so abused. And it got me back by not working.

5. Do you do any editing to your photos, if so what program do you use?

I definitely do some editing of my photos. The GF1 lets you do it in the camera, but I prefer using Picnik. I have to graduate to big girl editing with Photoshop, but so far, Picnik has served me well. And it's cheap (at I think $20 a year) and very intuitive.

6. Do you have any camera or camera equipment on your wish list?

I really want a macro lens because I do so much food photography. And also for my Etsy business. But maybe down the line for portraits and stuff and like that. But that's way down the road, so the Nikon D300S would probably be not so great by then.

7. You take a lot of great photos of the restaurants you've eaten at any tips for taking photos in public places?

Yes, be discreet as possible. That means no flash. Ever. It's hard sometimes when you whip out your camera, people tend to stare, but I think with the plethora of food bloggers they're getting used to it. I did read in Bon Appetit recently that there's a bit of a backlash because it's a little annoying. Having said all that, most restaurants have really low light, and of course, I don't carry a tripod, so I rest the camera on the table or my chest when taking pictures to keep it steady.

8. You also take photos while cooking, something I have not mastered, any tips for food photography and taking pictures while you cook?

I think it has a lot to do with the size of the camera. I can still hold it and shoot with one hand while stirring with the other. I also pause and stage, say a spoon, or knife to look like I'm chopping or stirring. Also taking a bunch of images in rapid succession (when I'm doing the one-handed thing) almost guarantees one good action shot! But believe me, I've almost dropped the camera many times. Yikes!

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Project 52 - Week 8 & 9

Well I fell behind in posting my weekly photos from my Project 52, so I am trying to play catch up.

Here are some of my photos from the past 2 weeks and if you would like to see more stop on over to Girl Photography.

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Highlighted on Lookbook by Onada

Lil' old me was highlighted today on Lookbook by Onada. (If it were possible I would be blushing.)

Onada is a fabulous photographer, businesswoman, fashionista, and all around great girl who I became friends with after she did my engagement pictures last year.  Through her unbelievable ambition and work ethic she has since been a huge inspiration to me to get out there and start pursuing my heart's desire, namely starting a business and pursuing photography.  So I was tickled pink when she asked me to be a part of her blogger interview series.

So go on over and check out the interview (the questions were really fun to answer) and stick around a while and check out her great lookbook.

Also check out her beautiful photography on Onada Photography and her fab fashions at The White Dress Shop.

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Lost my mind - Target is dangerous

Target is a very dangerous place. I went to Target last night for cleaning supplies and toiletries and not 1 minute into the store I lost my mind. It never fails that I get easily distracted the minute I walk into Target and before I know it I am off wandering looking at stuff I had no intent on buying when I walked in the door. And the Target near me has strategically placed women's clothing and handbags right near the entrance. So it's like BAM!!!! - pretty enticing frilly things as soon as you walk in whispering  .... "Touch Me " ......"Try me on" .... "Take me home."

So along with cleaning supplies and toiletries I also scored 4 new dresses for spring/summer. In summer I am a dress fanatic, that is all I wear. I like to feel dainty and feminine plus feel cool and free. Target  had an awesome selection this year and I could have certainly walked away with a lot more but had to restrain myself and get some semblance of sanity so my husband wouldn't think I completely went bat crazy.

Excuse the fact that I didn't take these photos on my dress dummy. Was just to lazy to take my wedding dress off and do the dress changes on Free (that is the name of my dress dummy and yes I named her.)

I got this little number for $11 - Yes $11 - ten plus one. I thought it was very Michelle-esque. And it has pockets always a plus. And not those stupid pockets right on the hip which make you look even more hippy but more towards the center which are masked almost as darting.

Michelle and one of her many florals.

I loved the retro 70's feel of this one and its a color I never wear (I don't know why I have an aversion to wearing red). I will have to move the buttons on the sleeve. For some reason when Target designed this they thought everyone has freakishly long monkey arms.

I thought this was so darling and feminine. It would also be fab as a bridesmaid dress.

And this one struck me as having a 40's vintage feel and is a cute day dress for spring/summer or what I like to call a "kick around" dress.

And the most I paid for any one dress was $25.

Sweeeeeeeeeeeet!

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Pretty in Pink

Yet another post about Michelle. I can't help myself  -  she wears such beautiful stylish clothes.

And as if the front wasn't pretty enough .....

Photos by J Scott Applewhite/AP images

Outfit : L'Wren Scott

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Feel like Elaine from the Sponge Episode

I was all prepared to do a post on what skin care products were a part of my daily beauty regime but no longer. The facial wash, skin serum, and SPF moisturizer I love are now discontinued and I am scrounging the internet trying to find what online seller has the last of the product in stock.

Right before the wedding I started using Dr. Susan Taylor's Rx for Brown Skin at the urging of my facialist. Dr. Taylor created a wonderful line of products that addressed the skin issues that face women of color. Myself I still suffer from occasional pimples which can leave dark marks on my skin which take 2-3 months to fade. Dr Taylor's products helped in lessening the frequency of my break outs and also helped the marks to fade faster. Well when I went to re up on my supply yesterday at Sephora I found out her manufacturing company went out of business. Now what am I supposed to do?

This sucks big time!!!!! Now I have to try various facial cocktails till I find the right one that works for me. Do you know how expensive face products are and for one not to work is tres tres tres annoying and costly.

Oh well ;(

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Appeals to my inner geek

The Google header  for Pi Day (3.14) appeals to my inner geek.

Hard to let go years of mathematics study ;)

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My Gosh These Are Good Brownies

The pan right before being placed in the oven.

After seeing Shauna of Piece of Cake recipe for brownies I knew I had to try them. OMG, they did not disappoint. They were rich, dense, moist, and fudgey. So rich in fact that I had to share and gave half the pan to my contractor (I just couldn't have all that temptation in the house).

Go over and check out the recipe and beautiful photos on Shauna's blog. 

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Easy Peasy Vegetables

This is one of my favorite dishes to make and its also good for you. As I was saying to my husband tonight it is a total departure from how I ate vegetables as a girl. Being raised in the tradition of southern cooking vegetables weren't thought to be properly cooked unless it involved some form of animal fat, smoked meat preferably pork, oil, or butter. But as an adult I have broken with tradition in an effort to eat and live healthier. This is how I prepare our vegetables 9 times out of 10 and the great thing about it is that it works well for a variety of vegetables. I have made this with squash, carrots, asparagus, onions, the list goes on with the simple additions of extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt and pepper for seasoning.

Easy Oven Baked Vegetables

Ingredients

• Sliced vegetables (carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, asparagus, onions, squash, etc) My favorite combination is carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and onions
• Extra virgin olive oil for grilling
• Kosher salt
• Pepper

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400
• Place vegetables on baking sheet and sprinkle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. (Tip: If using potatoes I try to cut the potatoes into smaller pieces so they cook at the same rate as the other vegetables.)
• Cook until vegetables are tender and done. Fork will easily pierce vegetables.

Note: I was super excited to have this tonight since my diet has been so crappy of late and I have been craving fresh vegetables. But I guess it may have been cancelled out by the brownies I made using Shauna's recipe from Piece of Cake.

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Busy Week

I am having an extremely busy week and unfortunately I am not feeling up to my best. We are in day 3 of our bathroom mini-renovation. I can't wait till it's all done - I will definitely share pictures. I also got my sewing machine this week after saving for the past 2 months in my friend Bola's Saving to Splurge Challenge. Now I am trying to decide on what project I will tackle first. Its hard to decide when I see so many great thing such as the quilt Jen made and the totes Kim cranked out. And after a week of comfort food (still need to post the meatloaf recipe) I have gone back to hardly eating during the day which means I am low on energy. And despite the warm weather we have been experiencing all week I still have a mild case of the winter blahs. (A drawback of working from home and hardly leaving the house during the week.) So much so that I went to bed last night at 7. But look what I awoke to this morning and saw when I came downstairs. My husband gave me a dozen beautiful roses! What a way to brighten my day ;) I instantly put them in our new hurricanes I got from Home Goods last week. So here's to a better weekend!

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What I love right now

Monaco Bar Cabinet Crate and Barrel 

I really want a nice bar for the house, we have all this great bar ware and I want something more sophisticated to house it then what we have currently.

Dreaming in Green - Moo Minicards 

Would these not be awesome to use in creating a collage to hang as a piece of art in your home. I have been thinking that the blank space on our family room wall could use some color.

Gap Favorite Stretch T

All I want to wear here lately are simple stretch white t-shirts. They are so classic, clean, and simple.

Saul Loeb Getty Images

At first I was on the fence about the new hair but now I absolutely love it. And could someone give me that dress and the brooch? FAB-U-LOUS

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My first portrait session

So I gave you a sneak peak yesterday of the portrait session I did for Tamika.

I had to get these all edited by today since my friend Courtney was using the photos for Tamika's bridal shower. But I love editing anyway so I rushed right home to get started on them.

I met Tamika last year when she was a bridesmaid at Courtney's wedding. I knew she had a kind, giving, and loving spirit when she gave one of the most touching speeches at my Courtney's bridal shower. So it was my pleasure and quite a privilege to do this shoot. I am just hoping I get the opportunity to do a new born session for her.

And I am using this as my submission for my week of photos for my Project 52 ;)

And if you would like to follow me in my photography journey check out www.girl-photography.com

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