Saturday, Sunday & Photoshop

Hi Folks!

Other than being unusually lazy, I'm loving this Labor Day Weekend! Yesterday evening we met up with friends at my new favorite hang-out the M Cafe (or Malibu Cafe). We had a beautiful spot with a fire pit; ate s'mores, drank wine, and chit chatted. I'd say it was an almost perfect evening minus having to chase Carter all around and put up with a few tantrums (is this what two is like?)

Oh wait look, I was there too!

This morning we went to our local Farmers Market with Carter in tow, and did our usual errands (by the way, don't you just love his little Batman shirt?!).

Have you noticed my pictures are extra pretty lately? I finally have Photoshop! And I can't keep off of it, in fact I'm a little worried I'm doing too much editing to my photos just because it's so much fun.

Tonight I'm headed to a wedding for my co-worker and dear friend Samantha. She gave me the ok to bring my DSLR so I hope to get some pretty pictures to share with you tomorrow. Sorry for all the picture heavy posts lately, I can't stop!


Xo,

I want to be a better photographer

Really, I do. I wish I absorbed more in the 4+ photography classes I've taken in my lifetime, but I didn't. I'm happy that I'm finally taking the time to learn and grow my hobby. I'm not looking to be a professional, but I want to take pictures like a professional. My next step is purchasing Photoshop. As much as I love Lightroom, it just doesn't compare to Photoshop at all. I'm hoping I can swing that purchase in the next few week. I'd like to take another Photoshop class to refresh my memory too.

I'm also hoping to upgrade my DSLR in the coming year to something a bit more advanced. Any recommendations? I'm toying with switching to Nikon, although I do love my precious Canon.
For now, I'm just practicing, practicing, practicing. I miss the days when Carter was an immobile subject. Nowadays, I can't get him to sit still, let alone look at the camera, or (gasp) smile. I really want to practice on someone or something that I can get to sit still. Any volunteers?

In any case, I snapped a few pictures this weekend during the 10 minute window I spent outdoors because it was so insanely hot and humid, here you are:

This one is my favorite from August for The Paper Mama challenge this week.

Not a smile, but at least he is looking up in the general direction of the camera (this is a rarity!).

Sigh. Love.

I love those baby blues

That's my little heart breaker for you!

The Paper Mama Photo Challenge: Whatever

This is my picture for this weeks challenge: Whatever (basically whatever I want, as long as it involved my child).

I absolutely adore this picture I took of Carter last month. Pure joy.

Little Somethings Photo Challenge: Bright

The Paper Mama Photo Challenge: Yellow

Taken yesterday by my hubby Andrew York (with my help)

Saturday

I was determined to have a relaxing weekend as I have a problem with doing too much. And so far, it's been very relaxing. Here's my Saturday broken down in words and pictures.

I started off making breakfast for the family.

Roxanne telling me about her Friday night adventures while I cook.

After breakfast, my mom stopped by to get her "Carter fix."

Momma.

Later, Andy went to the movies with my parents while Carter and I ran errands. I had to pick up some essentials at CVS so I took Carter (while he napped) and I felt like a crazy coupon lady. I had a 25% off everything coupon good for the 30th only, and two $5 off coupons, I ended up buying $90 worth of stuff for $50! Yay! I'm usually bad about coupons, but that felt pretty good. I need to work on that!

We returned home and I put on a movie and made us some lunch. After Andy returned, I went upstairs and tried to nap, but it wasn't possible. I was really tired but only because I hadn't done much (already this was the laziest day I've had in months, and this would probably be considered a busy day to others!)

We wanted to do something fun for dinner, and Andy suggested we drive to Malibu.  It was a little late at that point so I rushed to get ready because I knew I wanted to get some pictures in before the sun went down. I think the sun is at its prettiest right before it goes down when it's low enough to get some gorgeous sun flare pictures. And it was.


My mom and Roxanne also came, and we ended up at the Sunset Restaurant overlooking the beach where Andy proposed to me. It was just lovely.

I'm really happy with how the pictures turned out. Andy took the pictures of Carter and I, I set the settings how I wanted, found the perfect spot, and handed my camera off to Andy. Love them!

We tried to get my mom to take one of the three of us.. this was the best one.

Oh well...

My mom did manage to get a good one of the two of us.

Dinner was good, yummy food, but the service was crappy (there's nothing worse than an arrogant waiter who is rude and argues with you).

But overall, it was another beautiful Saturday. I'm truly blessed.