Were it not for my outfit posts, I would rarely be in front of the camera. As photographers, it seems that we have hundreds of photos of others, but a select few of ourselves. Maybe it's because we're so critical of our looks, but either way, changing the subject to yourself every once in awhile can't hurt anything.

That's why the theme for this next photo challenge is self portrait. 

I snapped this shot on the forty five minute dairy drive to get our raw milk, cream, and cheese. While the location isn't exactly ideal, it's definitely worth it.

<a href="/www.pastorsgirlsponderings.com/storsgirlsponderings.com/2011/02/photo-challenge-self-portrait.html"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/X2tII.jpg" /></a>

Want to join? Just write a post containing a photo of yourself that you've taken, then come back here and link up! Feel free to grab the above button as well - just make sure that you have some sort of link to me, allowing others to participate as well. If you have several photos in your post, please specify which on you are entering. One entry per person please. And don't forget to visit at least three other entries!
The challenge will end one week from today, Saturday, March 5th, at 9:59pm CST.



-carlotta

my inspiration board.
I love the idea of having miscellaneous photographs, clippings from magazines, cards, anything that inspires all together on a board.

All of a sudden, an idea was planted in my brain and it began to grow. Before long, my fingers were covered in paint and super glue and I had the perfect board for my scraps of inspiration.
Want to make a board like mine? You'll need a painting canvas (sold at craft stores), paint, if you want the board to be a different color, super glue, clothespins, and whatever you want to put on the finished board. If you're painting the board, apply it first and let dry. Then, take your clothespins and super glue them on the board according to you liking. Finally, add the items you want on your board and that's it!

new prints.
I've listed new prints in my shop! Now that things are gradually slowing down when it comes to school, I found some time to do some “housekeeping” in my shop...something that was way overdue. If there are any other photographs you've viewed on my blog that you'd like to see in my shop, don't hesitate to let me know!

outfit: polka dotted girliness.
(and yes, I realize that “girliness” isn't a word...oh well ;))

elbow length tie on shrug – bought in Germany
dress – Delia's
cowboy boots – stolen from my mom

I wore this outfit to church almost two weeks ago (as evidenced by the snow on the ground, even though it was sixty degrees), so I figured I'd share it now before it got too late. ;) It was the first time I'd worn a dress in 2011 – I'm way too much of a wimp to wear dresses when it's twenty degrees outside. I really should wear dresses more often, though, they make me feel so pretty and feminine.
How do you feel about dresses?

the civil wars.
I'm in love with The Civil Wars. If you haven't heard of them, you must go listen to them immediately. You will thank me. Their voices blend seamlessly and the instruments are simple but just right, leaving me able to do nothing but click the replay button over and over. My current favorites are My Father's Father and 20 Years. Swoon.

mustard and grey by carlottacisternas on Polyvore.com

my newest polyvore creation.
I've been absent from Polyvore world lately, but I returned last night with this outfit. I love everything in this set, but I'm not sure that the bag really matches...oh well ;) What do you think?

new life.


After an exceptionally cold winter (which I hope is over for the most part), it's rather thrilling to see all the new life. On Sunday, we spent the afternoon waking the garden from its winter slumber. I'd forgotten how satisfying it was to pull all the weeds, feel the rich dirt in your hands, and plant pretty green plants. And when I spotted some flowers growing on a bush, I couldn't resist snipping off a few blossom filled branches for my room.

And speaking of new life, we had a huge thunderstorm this morning. At 9am this morning, it was so dark from the clouds heavy laden with rain that I had to turn on the lights in my room. I loved every minute of it. Thunderstorms are one of my favorite things – I love the cozy feeling of hearing raindrops pelt on the roof, the smell of the rain, the thunder, the lightning. It definitely made my day.



How has the weather been in your area lately?

miss dior cherie.



One word: adorable. It captures the essence of Paris so well.

just because she's cute.

After playing with the hose yesterday, Lilly's hair got super curly and she asked me to take a few photographs of it. I, of course, obliged. She finishes up the post quite well, don't you think?

-carlotta

Words are a curious thing. In a combination of a few simple letters, so many things can be conveyed. Words can crush people's feelings, they can make the day of others. With a mere two words – "I do" – they can solidify a bond between two people. Words have a heavy burden to carry; so much rests on them.

Sometimes, words can be a bother – perhaps when there is a writing assignment that needs to be completed and words refuse to form. Other times, the words can tumble off a page into your mind, forever etching a poignant image in your memory.

It's funny how the choice of words and how they are placed can alter how someone views you. Words define us. We are even known by words – our names. Via a blank sheet of crisp white paper and a pen, there is no end to the stories that could be told, the things that could be said. By the means of words, we communicate, we express ourselves. Without words, we would be lost.

words.

-carlotta 

note: the giveaway winner is announced below!

I need to make an apology...I wrote this post on Saturday night, and when I was scheduling it, I accidentally published it instead. So I deleted it, which caused a flood of emails from y'all wondering where it went. I apologize for the confusion!

I can't tell you how many emails I get from people asking me how to grow their blog, how to get more readers. I thought I'd compile a post with a few tips. Before I start, though, let me preface this by saying these are all my opinions and this is what worked for me - you may have totally different thoughts.

don't sweat the little things
Really, this might be my greatest piece of advice. Don't worry about the little things. Sure, you're bound to lose a follower or two, you're going to get a mean comment, but don't let that stop or discourage you. Perseverance is key when it comes to blogging.

a good design
Having a good, aesthetically pleasing blog design is also important. I prefer simple designs, i.e., all white background, simple, easy to read fonts - but having said that, a tastefully done blog background on the simpler side can look great too. Don't be afraid to experiment with your blog look! However, I would recommend staying away from busy backgrounds, hard to read fonts, and colored posting sections.

no automatically playing music
I love music. I honestly don't know how I could live without it. But, I can't tell you how many times I arrived on someone's blog only have my ear drums blown out by music. I think having a playlist is fine as long as readers can turn it on themselves instead of it automatically turning on.

include photographs
Who doesn't like reading posts filled with beautiful photographs? Spice up a post that might be boring otherwise with some images - but if you use a photo that's not yours in a post, make sure to give credit for it. And yes, that includes Google Images!

other thoughts regarding posting
Obviously, the content on your blog is what makes or breaks it. I encourage you to put some thought in your posts - try not to just churn something out for the sake of posting, a fact I've been guilty of at times. If you put some effort into it, it'll make your blog more enjoyable and you'll feel better about it, I promise you. The posts that I've worked the hardest on are, as can be expected, my favorites.
When it comes to how often you post, that's up to you. I blogged every day for about a year, but it started getting too stressful and I cut back my blogging to three to four times a week. However, don't have a set schedule for when I post. I blog when I have ideas for a post. If I don't, then I just don't blog instead of forcing out something that's mediocre.

comment often
I'm being a completely hypocritical with this one. I really could do better when it comes to commenting (though know that if I follow your blog, I read every single post but I don't always comment.). When I was in the one hundred to two hundred follower range, I commented on at least ten blogs that I didn't follow a day to get the word out about my blog. But please, please, please don't write, "Hi, nice post. Please follow me at _____.", which is basically spam. If you want to comment on other people's blogs, it's a good idea to write something pertaining to the post. Chances are, the author or even a reader or two of the blog will check out yours.

Do you have any blogging tips? Do tell!

Also, the winner of the giveaway is number eighteen, Sara! Congratulations! Shoot me an email and we'll get your Barberry and Lace item to you as soon as possible :)

-carlotta