This is a photo from a set of images I've titled "ordinary beauty". I've taken ordinary, everyday items and searched for the beauty hidden in their depths. I'm really quite excited about these photographs (which I'll be sharing on here soon)...and who knows? Maybe I'll even turn this into a project :)




<a href="http://pastorsgirlsponderings.com/"><img src="http://imgur.com/AS92y.jpg"/></a>

Is there a photo that makes you happy? One that warms your heart or tells a funny story? One that puts you on cloud nine? Here's your chance to share it! 

Just put up a post on your blog containing one photo that you've taken. You can add as much or as little text as you would like along with it. After writing your post, come back here to link up - you have until Thursday at 9:59pm CST to do so. Don't forget to link back to me so others can join in, whether it be via the above button or a link. :) And remember to visit others' photos as well! 
-carlotta
PS Today is your last chance to enter in my giveaway! Comments will close at 9:59pm CST tonight.

confession: I'm in denial that it's 2011. In serious denial. How can that be possible?

confession: Remember my winter break list? I only got about half of it done. Eek. But at least I got part of it done, right? It's better than nothing.

confession: I'm considering starting up project 365 again. My last time trying it was a bit of a flop...I took a picture everyday, but after August, I procrastinated when it came to posting the shots on my project 365 blog. So far, I've taken a picture everyday this year. I'm thinking about starting a set on Flickr specifically for all my photos...or maybe I'll just keep them in a folder on my computer and occasionally share some of my favorite shots on here. I don't know. What do you think?

confession: I really didn't want to go back to school. At all. January and February are my least favorite months, as it's the coldest time of the year, they're filled with tests, and there's no break in sight. Christmas break, I miss you.

confession: While I think they're rather ugly and make my feet look bigger than they really are, I pretty much live in my Uggs.

confession: There are way too many projects that I've started but not finished. I need to work on that.

confession: I have a biology presentation due tomorrow and I only have a rough draft done. Guess what I'll be doing today?

confession: I don't know what I would do without my camera. Or my laptop, for that matter. Actually, I know what I'd do. I'd be in serious trouble.

confession: I adore lowercase letters. Really, really adore them. I've allowed myself to write post titles, blog name, sidebar titles, and a few other things in lowercase, but I'm not letting myself write entire posts without proper capitalization. You have to draw the line somewhere, right?

confession: I am so out of shape. On Sunday we had some friends over and we were playing capture the flag in the backyard for an hour and a half or two. Two days later, I'm still sore. Yikes. Yet another goal for 2011: exercise everyday. Even if the weather is awful, I can still do sit-ups and push-ups.

confession: I'm rather frightened of the future. I'm scared of growing up. Going to college. Completing all the tests that come with the graduation of high school. I've been listening to Never Grow Up (that was the best link I could find - sorry about the slightly off pitch) by Taylor Swift pretty much nonstop lately...even though I know I'm still young, I can totally relate.

Do you have anything you'd like to confess? It's so, so freeing. Really.

-carlotta

PS If you haven't already done so, feel free to enter my giveaway! It ends Wednesday night.

This giveaway is now closed. Stay tuned for the winner!

(Alternatively titled: It says "a sunday giveaway" but it's more like a giveaway that starts on Sunday and ends on Wednesday. Heh.)

This is the thanks-so-much-I-really-love-y'all-so-much-you're-the-best-thing-since-sliced-bread giveaway. Because it's true.

So today, because it's a lovely (cold) Sunday morning, because y'all are the best thing since sliced bread, you could win this lovely necklace.



Wen of soradesigns has kindly offered to let me giveaway this gorgeous necklace. I love the simplicity of it, the asymmetrical design. Swoon.

Want to enter to win it?

Thought so.

mandatory entry


Leave a comment answering this question: "If you could only wear one color for the rest of your life, what would it be?"

My answer would be grey. Definitely grey. ;)

(worth one entry)

extras entries 


Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry you complete!


-become a follower of my blog (it still counts if you're already one)
-blog about this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
-follow me on twitter (@pastorsgirl)
-tweet/facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post

(each worth one entry)

Giveaway will end on Wednesday, January 5th at 9:59pm CST.

Have fun and good luck!

-carlotta

(may, at the river, taken with my point and shoot)

(june)

(july, a misty morning taken while driving back from houston)

(august, a local museum)

(august)

(september, germany)

(september, my aunt's ranch in germany)

(september, germany)

(october, paris)

(october, view from our hotel room in paris)

(october, the eiffel tower, paris)

(october)

(november)

(november)

(december)



(december, christmas eve)

Man, picking just eighteen photos from the whole year was challenging, but I'm glad I have a collection of my very favorites now. I've grown so much in my photography this past year. A year ago, I knew I was interesting in taking pictures, but I just had a point and shoot and barely knew anything. Now, a year later, I have a DSLR and have learned so, so much more. 

My photography goals for this year are:

-get another lens (preferably a 35mm)

-start selling my photos

-do some more portrait sessions

-assist a professional photographer during a shoot or two

-learn more about editing

-learn more about posing

-finally get a camera bag

I realize some of these are pretty tall orders, but I'm going to see what I can do this year :)

What are some of your goals for 2011?

Happy New Year!

-carlotta