There are only a few short days left of this month, and I'm left with a satisfying feeling. I can't quite put my finger on what exactly made is so special, but this was such a good month. I was finally able to get out of the doldrums of a winter slump, at least creativity-wise, and the amount of sunshine and excursions did me a world of good. I successfully made it into the fourth quarter of school (already! cannot believe it) and I'm now filled with hope and excitement for the next season in my life.

Like Ellie, who focused her photos on two of her six siblings, this series mainly chronicles Lilly's March. All of a sudden she's grown up on us--it's bittersweet time...it's so fun to see, but it makes me sad that she's getting so big so quickly. I love that tree-climbing, nutella loving, toothless independent spirit that is my sister.

March, you've been good. I can't wait to see what April brings. Be sure to visit Ellie and check out her everyday moments!

How was your month?
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ps I (finally) read the first hunger games book. can't remember the last time I finished a book in less than twenty four hours. and these emotions I'm feeling...oh my gosh, it was intense. but so good.

After a break, Ellie and I are back with our everyday moments collaboration. February was a good, yet quiet, month. I'm starting to climb back out of the creative winter slump, though I had to keep reminding myself that my camera was just sitting on the shelf and I should really use it. It isn't always easy to get back into the rhythm of regularly taking photographs. Though, it isn't easy to constantly be creative and artistic, either. I'm moving into the career field of graphic design, and while it's terribly exciting, there's a part of me that's scared witless because of all the creative energy that will be required. It's funny, you never know where ideas come from, where creativity comes from. And tomorrow? Who knows when or where or how tomorrow's ideas will come. I suppose taking it one day at a time is the only way. As for today, it involves messy braids, writing a paper, and soaking up the sunshine...who knows what tomorrow will bring?

How was your February?

I was going to write about how Thanksgiving started off with a bit of a heavy heart for me, how I felt the familiar pang of wishing my family wasn't so strewn about, how I had a meltdown Wednesday evening. But here's the thing -- though preceded by tears and frustration, Thanksgiving this year worked out and even went to become one of my favorites. Maybe we didn't have a house bursting with family and friends, but we had a house bursting with love and thankfulness. So why focus on the bad when I could be focusing on the good?

This Thanksgiving, I was overflowing with gratitude, especially for the wonderful people in my life. I've never been the girl that has myriad of friends, but the friends I do have are so, so dear to me. This past year I've made and strengthened so many relationships in my life and I've had one of the best years to prove it. So instead of rattling off a long-winded list of the many things I'm grateful for, because I could be here forever and a day doing just that, I realized this year just how thankful I am for the wonderful people that support me, cheer me up, listen to me spill out my heart at two in the morning, and still love me even when they've seen just how insane I can get.   I'm thankful for every single one of you and honestly can't imagine life without y'all.

. . .

And now, everyday moments. Grateful for those too. Especially because they show how fleeting every second is, and how nothing should be taken for granted. November was a good month, though all too short as usual, but the little breaks from routine added to its quiet loveliness. And I'm leaving this month of thanksgiving with a vow to be thankful all the time. Because God doesn't only bless us thirty days of the year, does he? No, he's always there, providing during the other three hundred and thirty-five days too. And we should be remember to be thankful then, too.
Be sure to swing by Ellie's blog to see her November everyday moments!

As usual, I've rambled. I am too long-winded for my own good. But now, I'm going to get lost in paper snowflakes and She & Him Christmas music and lights. Christmas is calling -- I'm not going to ignore it.

How was your Thanksgiving?

xo, carlotta

ps want to get some extra traffic to your blog/shop for christmas? now's your chance -- I'm accepting sponsors for december! please email me for information if you're interested.

Yesterday was not my day. I got frustrated, raised my voice a little louder than I should have, my makeup was smudged from tears by the end of the day, and I just was not a real fan of life. In those moments, it's so easy to succumb to emotions, to speak and act without thinking, to want to give up on life. Honestly, all I wanted to do yesterday was crawl in a little hole, cry in misery, and not talk to anyone for five years.

As I was editing these photos for today, I realized why I'm so enamored with the little moments. Because bad days are going to happen. They're inevitable. But in every bad day, there are always good moments. Yesterday it was the walk around the neighborhood I took with MeMe. We skipped and laughed and ran in the rain. That fresh air and alone time with my sister made everything a little brighter. And I think if I hadn't had a bad day, that time with MeMe wouldn't have stood out so much. But yesterday, it did -- even though it was wet and cold, the sun was shining in my heart.

And family? Thanks for putting up with me even when I'm not a very nice person. I love you so much.

So these are the everyday moments from October. Another month gone, another set of photos documenting life. Any favorites?
Also, be sure to check out Ellie's photos that will be up soon! (read the story behind everyday moments)

xo

ps a few advertising spots for november are still open! email me for deets if you're interested.