Suit Up!

5.23.2014

I shared a peek at my new suit on instagram, here's another shot--find it here.

It's hitting 100+ degrees this week. I am not happy about it, but I am excited to hit the pool and cool off. If you're on the search for a cute new suit, I've gathered some of my favorites (be sure to scroll through to the second page, some of my favorites on that second slide):

Diez De Mayo, for When Cinco Just Doesn't Happen.

5.21.2014

Cutie Pie Jamie threw a gorgeous party that made for delicious food, lots of laughs and some pretty photo opps :) We got there a little early to help get the food set out, hence the empty chairs, but I'm glad we did so we could capture all her hard work in such gorgeous light. Not pictured is the fabulous latin music she had carefully selected to set the mood.
It's good having creative friends/family.

Do you celebrate any irrelevant-to-you holidays? ;)

Domo Arigato

5.14.2014

Hello friends!
I hope your day is going swell. I'm spending the day cleaning house and grocery shopping--exciting life, I tell you what :)
I've been wanting to give the kimono trend a try and when I saw this bright floral WITH tassels (!) I knew this was the one. I planned on pairing it with a white tee, but when I saw this striped one hanging in my closet, I thought that would really add a punch to the look. I wore this to the cinco de mayo party I mentioned yesterday. Although kimonos have a Japanese history, something about it also reminded me of a Mexican shawl, so I figured it would work.

What do you think? Will you be sporting a kimono this summer? 
I'm thinking this could also make a cute swim cover-up!
 __________
wearing:
round sunnies//(similar here and here)
tassel earrings//forever21 (similar here and here)
initial charm necklace//(similar here)
floral kimono//c.o. oasap (by here ON SALE!)
striped tee//nordstroms (similar here)
leopard clutch//oasap (similar here)
clogs//american eagle (buy here ON SALE!)




painted on pocket.

5.13.2014

__________
wearing:
painted pocket tee//c.o. frontrowshop (buy here)
railroad stripe jeans//last chance (similar here)
petty booties//sam edelman (buy here)
this weekend was weird and fun and sort of a blur. as weekends should be--i declare.
my friend, turned niece, jamie, throw the cutest cinco de mayo party and we had so much fun eating mexican food and talking with new friends--i'll share some photos from that a little later, believe me, you'll want to see (and pin!) it was gorgeous.

sunday, i slept in, ate some breakfast, took a nap! and then went to church, where all the ladies got flowers and cupcakes--what fun!
after church all the men the family prepared all the women a mother's day dinner, which we ate outside because it was too beautiful not to.

sometimes weekends go by so fast, you can't remember a single thing you did--that's how i felt about this weekend, so it felt good to write it all out, to confirm, things did happen--it did exist.

i hope your weekend was wonderful.


Fabulous Floral for Under $100

5.09.2014

obviously i took this self-portrait before the chop and return to blonde. *similar flower crown found here
To me, nothing says Spring and Summer quite like floral print--especially paired with a bright color and a classic stripe--I've gathered up some of my favorite florals to get you in the mood--just scroll through and click on anything that tickles your fancy!

Listening to the Wind.

5.07.2014

We've been enjoying unusually windy, cool days and I'm basically in heaven about it. I've been spending my mornings out in the garden I planted at my moms, watering the plants, taking care of weeds and pests, and eating fist-fulls of fresh blackberries. I wish I could live in a life of eternal springtime! I am happy.
What have you been enjoying lately?
__________
wearing:
boater hat//free people (similar here and here)
lip color//FLOWER sheer up tint orchid
necklace//c.o. oasap (buy here)
hair//beach curl (tutorial here)
floral tee//c.o. persunmall (buy here)
faux leather jacket//c.o. oasap (similar here)
BDG high rise skinnies//urban outfitters (similar here)
studded heels//c.o. oasap (buy here)

CLOSED: pocket full of posies + a giveaway

5.06.2014

The Winner is Kelly! Check your email :)
Hey Friends! Today one lucky ready has the opportunity to win a hand crafted hobo bag from Della. Della is a socially responsible fashion line featuring accessories handmade in Ghana, West Africa. The profits earned at Della go toward providing employment, education, financial stability, and health benefits for the women that handcraft the products. Who doesn't love fashion with a cause?!
As you can see, I have one of their bags and I love it--it's such a bold, unique print and big enough to hold all my treasures :)

Today you can win a bag just like the one pictured above. Simply head over to their site, check out their awesome collection and tell me your favorite item, other than the hobo bags. I'm crushing hard on this!

For an extra entries you can:
1. like their facebook page here and tell them I sent you
2. pin an image from this post
3. follow them on instagram here

+please do a new comment for each extra entry and leave a way for me to contact you if you win :)
__________
wearing:
camper striped tee (new favorite shirt!)//c.o. swell (buy here)
arrow necklace//stella&dot (buy here or save here)
starburst earrings//bluenile (here)
chambray shirt//nordstroms (save here)
time sawyer watch//arvo
lipcolor//covergirl really red (buy here)
bullhead jeans//pacsun (buy here)
petty booties//last chance (buy here)
african bag//c.o. DellaLA

Baby A + quitting your day job

5.04.2014

i believe in unicorns.
I believe I've mentioned this before--but I have serious issues with anyone having control over my time other than me--that is why I put in my two weeks at my day job last month. In theory, I had a rather cushy job--I usually only had to go into the office once a week and the rest of the time I could work from home, but that ended up being less ideal than it might sound--I'd get emails I had to attend to at 7 at night or I'd have a work-free day planned, but something would come through the email chain that would foil my plans. And the amount of time I was spending on the computer was truly driving me mad--so since I wasn't happy, I decided to make a change. 

It took me a while to work up the courage--every Sunday Marcus would ask me, "So, are you gonna do it?" and every Sunday I would say, "I think so, I'm not sure." and then every Monday I would come home and tell him I didn't do it--there was another project I knew they needed me for, so as soon as this one was done--I'd do it...But of course those projects just kept coming and I just kept feeling stuck.

Finally I was out in the garden talking with my mom about how I wanted to do something creative, with my hands and my eyes, something that mattered. When I was talking about it, I got so passionate, something I didn't know was inside me broke free and I felt like I was on the verge of tears. I knew the following Monday, I had to do it. And I did. 

It was hard, but it felt so good to drive home that day knowing I could tell Marcus it had finally been done, and I felt relieved. 

I'm not sure I have figured out exactly what it is that I want to do with my life, but since my last day, I've been doing a lot more photography and it feels good. It's always scary for me, because I admire such amazing photographers that I know I can't measure up to, but I also know I have to practice and gain experience to ever come close to the kind of artist I would love to be. I also know that most people can't afford the photographers that I admire, so I am available at a more affordable rate as I learn.

About two weeks ago I got a call from my brother. My sister-in-law was in labor and wanted me to come down and photograph the arrival of my new niece. It was such a peaceful and miraculous experience. It was my second time photographing a delivery and it reminded me of how awesome women are and how miracles are real and happening everyday. Those two shoots are some of the most special and favorite shoots I've ever had the pleasure of shooting.

Twelve days later, I got to take probably the most beautiful pictures I've ever taken of that new little baby A. I love her so much and surrounded by some of my favorite flowers?! What could be better? 

I hope you don't mind if I occasionally share my favorites on the blog...enjoy!
If you feel so inclined, like my photography facebook page here
betty photography #azphotography
i believe in unicorns.

Friday Finds at Forever 21!

5.02.2014

Happy Friday Chicas! My sister asked me to do some virtual budget shopping for her, so I figured I'd share my summer wardrobe fave finds. 
Some of these have two pages, so be sure to scroll through using the little arrow at the top of each collage. You can click directly on the image to take you to the item. 
Enjoy!

© i believe in unicorns. Maira Gall.