(photo challenge winner announced below)

confession: There are times when I'm hopelessly, completely, totally in love with life. When the sky is piercing shade of azure, when the days are long and full of smile inducing memories, when I'm surrounded by people I adore, it's hard not to become giddy with joy. I feel like I've been writing so much about summer and how beautiful everything is, but it's really true. Everything has been ridiculously beautiful and I'm so thankful.

confession: I'm not generally a big spender, but when summer rolls around, I get the itch to rejuvenate my wardrobe. And when there are unbeatable sales? I can't help myself. That bag up there? Seventy five percent off, making the total come to $8.74. That's what I call a deal. Have you found any good deals lately?

confession: When it comes to announcing giveaway and photo challenge winners, I'm so bad. Sorry y'all.

The winner of the photo challenge is Kendall! Her photograph was so beautiful; it was a favorite from the start.

confession: I've been thinking about blogging lately. So often people, myself included, only focus on the negative aspects. But without blogging, my writing wouldn't have blossomed so, photography wouldn't be nearly as important to me. I wouldn't have met so many amazing people and wouldn't have discovered things I never knew. So yes, while there are some downsides, the good far outweighs the bad.

confession: I have a slight problem when it comes to photographing flowers. Upon spying brilliant bursts of bloom, delicately unfurling in the warm heat, I can't resist capturing their beauty.

confession: One of my favorite things is impromptu sleepovers. Free of scheduling, leaving time to laugh and giggle far into the night at the most inane things. We had some friends over for the night at the last minute a few days ago and it was perfection. We walked to a nearby outdoor mall, while singing Katy Perry at the tops of our lungs, of course, where we nearly spit out our Starbucks in fits of laughter. It's these simple moments that make the best memories.

confession: Anthropologie makes me swoon. That is all.

Do you have any confessions?

Happy Thursday!

-carlotta

(Psst...want to win four 4x6 prints of my photographs? Go here to enter!)

Perhaps it's because it's the unofficial beginning of summer, maybe it's because it has such a perfect aura of leisureliness, or it might be simply because I love honoring the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom, but I've always loved Memorial Day.

This Memorial Day was one of firsts. It was the first time we went to a ceremony at a local cemetery with Jeremiah's Boy Scout troop, as well as hundreds of other scouts. The thousands of flags scattered about snapped crisply in the strong wind, a wind which made me regret wearing a dress. Even though the sun beat down on my head and I could feel my skin beginning to turn red, I was so proud to be an American.

It was the first time of the year that we had a barbecue in the backyard. Complete with vegetables roasted on the grill and watermelon cut into wedges, the sweet juice of the succulent fruit ran down chins.

Sighing contentedly while watching the sky fade from pink to navy blue, it was the epitome of a summer night.

It was the first time my dad and I slipped out of the house into the soft early morning air to play a game of tennis. No photographs of that – I'm not exactly known for my prowess in sports – but I loved the time I got to spend with my father in the precious before-breakfast hours, where the sky was streaked with vivid colors of the dawn. Watching the world waking up while smacking tennis balls with my racket, a satisfying thud emitting each time, it was the perfect way to start the day.

And on the way home we spied a small field bursting with purple flowers, gently swaying in the breeze. It was an unexpected patch of wild pulchritude in the midst of a neighborhood filled with brick and stone.

It was the first time of the year that we went swimming. After the initial tingling shock of cold, the swim was refreshing and indicated, at least in my mind, that summer is officially here.

I relished in the soft splashes and giggles that are inevitable while at a pool while on a lounge chair, wrapped up in a book.

It was a Memorial Day of firsts, but a Memorial Day that was so sweet. A Memorial Day that made me proud to be a citizen of America, a citizen of the land of the free and the home of the brave.

How was your Memorial Day?

-carlotta

P.S. Thank you for your input on my watermark – I've decided to keep it, but I've made it smaller and subtler.

alternatively titled: I love food photography.

It's early mornings at the farmer's market that make me remember why I love food photography so much.

Raw foods are my favorite to photograph, food in its purest form.

Often fresh from the garden, dirt still clinging to its crevices, it can't get any fresher.

The colors are astounding, from deep plums to red so bright it seems to be painted on.

While I classify myself as a lifestyle photographer, taking pictures of food will always have a special place in my heart.

I love everything about it, from the challenging aspect of making food look delicious to styling and arranging to capturing the beauty.



Also, I need your opinion. Watermarking: yay or nay? Part of me would feel more comfortable having my stamp on my photographs to (somewhat) prevent stealing and the other part of me thinks it's a bit tacky. The photos from this post are the first I've added a watermark – what are your thoughts?

-carlotta

The windows are wide open, warm rays of sunshine spilling into magical pools on the floor, and a soft breeze gently ruffles the row of colorful scarves hanging neatly on their hooks. Pink Martini's soft croons fill the room, setting a perfectly relaxed tone.

Me? I'm basking in the glow that is the beginning of summer vacation. Having barely, just barely, survived finals and all the work that comes with them, the reward of three entire months of no school seems almost too good to be true, evidenced clearly here:

(such a lovely still, no? sigh.)

My outfit for today was inspired by summer. Stripes are a must, as are aviator sunglasses.

sunglasses: target / tshirt: old navy / belt: thrifted / jeggings: american eagle / oxfords: target

It's still sinking in, the knowledge that break really is here. Last night, as I frantically studied, if you'd told me it's possible to die of stress, I would have wholeheartedly believed you. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I glimpsed the sky. Layers of magenta, periwinkle, and slate grey swirled together in the clouds to form a breathtaking sight. It was honestly one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

Standing outside, the wind lifted the hair off my neck. Goosebumps ran up and down my body, not just from the cool temperature. The only thing I thought was, "Our God is so amazing." And it's times like those, when it's just me and creation that I feel closest to the Lord.

Maybe it's because the heavy fog of school has been lifted, but lately everything has been so gloriously beautiful. 

Peeking around the corner to find Lilly in fits of laughter over MeMe's story in their fairy-net-cloaked reading nook made my heart swell. The bond these two have with each other is something so special. I know, once they're grown up, both of them will fondly recall these times.

And little girls blowing bubbles make me smile so hard my cheeks hurt. There's nothing cuter.

Summer break has arrived. The days are long and sweet, filled with memories that will last forever. I think I'll go (literally) jump for joy.

Has summer come for you yet?

Happy Thursday!

-carlotta