15 things every coffee drinker should know.

In honor of the headache I had on Tuesday from (GASP) forgetting to have a cup of coffee (no, I did NOT think that was possible), here's a funny little video I came across on Buzz Feed.

Enjoy.  Preferably over a cup of coffee.



Also, this.  Duh.  Shout-out to my girl Amy for this one.  And thanks to Jennifer Ramos for creating it.

{ i love you, blogs and coffee // print by jennifer ramos }

life // a ridiculous(ly good) year so far.

I'm truly so grateful.

I was perusing my Instagram photos from the past several weeks and found myself with an ever-widening smile about the way 2013 has progressed thus far.

I really don't mean to brag; this post is not intended to say "hey everyone, look at me!"

It's much more an acknowledgment of the incredible opportunities I've had this year -- opportunities to work with rad couples, talented designers, and wedding vendors, and the truly unbelievable opportunity to make a career out of something I love to do (and feel so lucky to be able to do every. single. day).

I was reminded while reading this post that I still have a lot that I want to accomplish, and that despite all that I have already accomplished, there's a lot more I'm striving for.  BUT, that does NOT mean I shouldn't appreciate and enjoy the success and progress I've experienced thus far.

"Comparison is the thief of joy."

So this post is not about comparison; it's about all the great, awesome, amazing things that I have been able to do!

So far in 2013...

I've met clients and colleagues in fun restaurants and cool coffee shops.


I've gotten crafty making chalkboards and heart-shaped garlands for client photo shoots.  I've scouted event rental showrooms and wedding venues.


I got to meet and work with Summer at Grey Likes Weddings.  And then I got published in Grey Likes Weddings.


I went to Seattle to visit a sweet friend (and photograph her family!).


I celebrated my 29th birthday.


I photographed three styled shoots full of lovely details in gorgeous locations.


And I made lots of new friends. AND I'm getting a studio space with some of them!


Yes, 2013 has been good to me so far.  :)

What has been your favorite part of the year to date?

life // Seattle recap.

Hi friends!  I'm just off the plane from my recent rendezvous with the lovely city of Seattle.  Here's a quickie recap via (what else?) Instagram!

1. view from the Athenian Restaurant at Pike Place Market in Seattle

2. dinner and a glass of wine at Phoenicia, Alki Beach, West Seattle

3. let the record show: I was the first to give Chase a camera!

4. a girl's gotta nap.  after all, what are vacations for?  

5. best bar EVER: 9 Million in Unmarked Bills (yes, that's the real name of the bar!)

6. none other than the famous (infamous?) Pike Place district, Seattle, Washington

7. oh, good morning!  coffee, donut, and then a sexy boudoir session.  happy Monday!

8. we saw a couple of reggae bands at Nectar in the Fremont district

I know we're already at Thursday, but how was your weekend?  :)

life // Seattle getaway

Hi loves!  Tomorrow I am headed for the great state of Washington to visit a dear friend in Seattle. 

Frankly, I'm a little panicked about this trip because I'm leaving behind a lot of work that needs doing.  I'm trying to bang out as much as possible tonight but I keep getting distracted.  It's a specialty of mine; I think it's entirely possible I could have ADD.

Still, I'm excited for Seattle!  I haven't visited in at least seven or eight years and even then, I spent more time in Portland (versus a mere afternoon in Seattle).

{ via }

This means that I need some suggestions from you for what to do while I'm there!  I won't have a car and I'm not sure how far from the city center I'm staying (I'll be at my friend's house and I think she lives in a nearby suburb, but I'm not positive).  But if there's anything that's a "must-see" or "must-do" (other than Pike Place Market -- I'll be going there for sure!), leave me a comment!

I'm also looking forward to meeting Erika from Rouge & Whimsy -- yay!

Have you been to the Pacific Northwest?  What's your favorite domestic getaway city?

photography + life // boudoir + updates.

First things first: Anna Delores Photography was featured on Modernly Wed yesterday.  My bridal boudoir session with the lovely Vanessa took place just outside Bakersfield, CA in September 2012; here's the link to see the collection of images for yourself!

It has been such a whirlwind couple of weeks.  Definitely in a good way, but also a little overwhelming, too.  Everything since my birthday (a little over two weeks ago) feels like a total blur.

And, rather unfortunately, I'm not even sure when I'll have the opportunity to catch my breath.  "Why?" you may ask; well, I'll tell you!

• Not one, not two, but THREE styled shoots in one week.  I haven't been doing styled shoots on a regular basis, and yet somehow I managed to schedule three of them within five days of each other.  I'm done with the actual photographing of two of them already (the third one is on Sunday), but sorting and editing a collection of images is the real time-consumer.


• I have five photo shoots (which doesn't include the aforementioned styled shoots! EEK!) currently in my "queue" for culling and editing.  So by Sunday, after my third styled shoot, I have a grand total of EIGHT sessions to edit.  OMG doesn't even begin to describe how overwhelmed this makes me feel!  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being busy, but the pressure to get these series of images turned around to clients in a timely fashion starts to become a little counter-productive, as the thought of getting it all done just makes me want to crawl into bed.


• Blogging?  What's blogging?


• I have a trip to Seattle scheduled for next week and I'll be gone (i.e. away from my work computer with all the images in need of editing!) for five days.  And when I come back, I'll have two more photo shoots to edit.  If you're counting, I'm now at 10 shoots in line for edits, all before mid-March.  Which reminds me: if anyone is interested in guest posting for March 7-12, send me an e-mail!

Here's the thing: yes, I am WAY stressed out by the details articulated in the bullet points above... but damn, am I happy about the excitement and empowerment that comes with being my own boss and doing something that I LOVE to do, and getting to do it every single day. 

For that, I know how incredibly fortunate I am.

I hope you guys have an amazing weekend!  Any fun plans in store?

life // lately, plus six things.

I've been a wee bit of an Instagram slacker as of late.  I've actually been taking more photos with my real camera, which I guess is a good thing.  :)

// new mug added to the collection.

// town & country event rentals showroom with joelle.

// back roads on the central california coast.

// venue scouting: see canyon fruit ranch for a wedding in 2014.

// lavender = current obsession.

// coffee with alyssa.

// making chalkboard photo booth props.

// friday sunset while sitting in traffic.

// bowling for the first time in at least three years.

// greeting the piano man while we wait to head into the pantages theater in LA.

...and six fun things to distract you this Monday morning:

1. This post on how to button a suit jacket.  Who knew? 

2. I just finished "reading" (i.e. audio book) Dan Pink's To Sell is Human and I've been jotting down "notes to self" all over the place in attempts to remember key concepts!  It'll be a re-listen for sure.

3. Now reading Why I Left Goldman-Sachs by Greg Smith.  Should be interesting...

4. I love a good emotion-filled wedding vignette (thanks to Weddings360 for the share).

5. This giveaway for a KitchenAid Mixer!

6. My favorite post from last week (and yours too, apparently, based on the feedback I got!): proposals caught on camera.

Did you do anything awesome this weekend?  Anything planned for the upcoming President's Day weekend? 

      

P.S. Linked up with Brooke today!