Happy 2011!

Happy New Year! :)

This has been a busy 3 day weekend for us! Last night we shot a wedding ceremony. It was a nice ceremony, in a gorgeous church. I always get stoaked when its a pretty venue, with cool touches. You can check out pictures by clicking HERE.

Last night, after the wedding we rang in NYE with our friends the McCabe's. It was a nice, fun yet low-key evening. We didnt get drunk, however I think my first drink was 75% Captain Morgan 25% Diet Coke ;) I ended up splitting it into a few drinks :) Tyler & Amy made a dinner too!

Today I organized the heck out of my bathroom, going thru my drawers, getting rid of old items and general cleaning. Speaking of cleaning -- Ive been meaning to for quite some time.... drumroll... my makeup brushes. This is something I have been slacking on for a while. :) I also went thru the spare bedroom closet, (now if I could only get rid of my wedding gown). Here is the thing, I love my dress but I am not attached to it, like some people are. Its more of a nuisance because it takes up so much space. Now, here is the hang up, I just dont want to "give it away". (Hence why it hasnt been donated to Mary Magdalene Project). So... I may just list it on Craigslist again) I did a few years back, without success -- ughhh clearly! :)
I also got out linen closet organized and utilized some new totes I bought for storage of seasonal hand towels, and wash cloths - these always seemed to topple over and make a mess previously.

A little more on the domestic front -- haha... :) We ordered a blower for our fireplace. Since its so darn chilly here in good old Nebraska, the fireplace is handly! We use it but it can be spendy (the gas) so the blower will help circlate the heat, so our furnace wont need to work as hard. Holla for this little honey-do project. Expect pictures to come, and I am sure Mr. Sally wont be thrilled -- well tough luck. :-)

Lastly - I am slightly irritated with Louis Vuitton. The hubster bought me a Neverful MM for Christmas, it was HUGGGGGGE, it looked like a diaper bag. Anyways, I returned it, since the Speedy 35 I wanted was out of stock. I looked the next day and it was back in, so we purchased the second bag. No big deal right, wrong.

Well, the customer service person I spoke with the day after he gave it to me (before Christmas) told me they would re-send the future purchase (when in stock) with the same shipping we had on the original order. That was overnight, which he paid $35 and it took 3 days... then on the 2nd purchase the girl said they would "check if they could" and I had to remind her she told me it wouldn't be a problem, lets just say my persistence is a good strength...okay anyways... :) Fast forward, we ordered bag 2 last Monday, and I was expecting a similar turn around. We have yet to receive the shipping info, which was weird. So I called, and was told my bag "should" be here Friday (as in yesterday). NOTHING still no delivery info either. I am annoyed. I pondered calling them today, but really what good is it going to do, not like I can sit home all week and wait for a package (since someone must sign for it). Ugggggh. Good thing I will love the bag, and I have been lusting over it for a very, very long time.

Well, tomorrow is going to be full of church, budgeting and probably some further organizing - i plan to tackle the basement storage rooms. :)

Quick and Domestic!

So, as the year comes to a close I have been working on organizing. I started with a quick 38 minute (yes I did time it!) project. :)

Meet our entry closet. I found 6 of my dear husbands sweatshirts, hung in there along with out coats. There was also a mix of photography junk (old gear, lens wipes and so on). We also had our mops, steam cleaner, brooms and cleaning items irradically placed. So... here is what I started with.

Before:


After:


Really this was a SIMPLE clean up. I also purchased some wall ancors for the broom, mop and stuff to hang. I also got a tote for the Dyson attachments which were previously just stuffed on the top rack:) It was just a matter of doing it. But it got the ball rolling. Yesterday, I went thru my office. It was a papered mess. Not really a mess, quite clean but I went thru an entire drawer which I was able to purge! Recycle Bank Points, ummhmm! I also picked up a new organizer for my bathroom drawer, and thats on the agenda for the weekend. Its going to be an organizing weekend in the Sally Domestic household this weekend.

Before that fun can begin however, Jon and I are shooting our final wedding for 2010. For those of you following, feel free to also follow us on our blog, and become a fan on facebook!!

Reso...whaaa!?

Ok, bouncing back to yesterdays post...

Did you meet your resolutions for 2010?

I did, not as greatly as I wanted but I did it. :) What was my goal? To loose weight. If you dont recall, I looked like this (Ick!)week one of starting FAST.

Here I am today (eeer ok Dec 3rd! -- our last day in Mexico!)


I got to thinking about things I want to incorporate into the new year, one being...

Try something new Tuesday.

What's that? Well I was thinking, a new recipe, new workout, new product, a new method of cleaning or crafty project of some sort. Of course I might even surprise you all with something new!

In the spirit of Tuesday, I am going to try something new... recipe wise. I have some rice I need to make up, I am thawing chicken, and have some cheese. So a cheesy rice casserole it is tonight. :)

So, what are your resolutions, and why do you want to accomplish them? I am a firm believer you need to have a reason behind a resolution. We can ALL say, exercise more, so I am healthier. Well... how about, exercise more so I can run a 5k for example. Put a little more behind your resolutions so they stick. :)

Looking back..

As I am looking back at 2010, I just say wow. Call me cheesy but I am proud of us. Us, as in Jon and I. :)

We had a VERY successful year, here is a quick recap.

I lost 50 pounds (ok I got a little lax after October..)
We took 2 fabulous vacations, San Francisco in May - Mexico in November.
We shot 21 weddings for awesome clients (on top of many family, senior, engagement and newborn sessions.
We paid off a TON of debt, I predict we will be debt free within 3-4 months (HoLLa!).
We made great decisions to make a secure future. :)

Now... I predict that 2011 is going to be equally as awesome.

I want to:
Loose another 50=75 lb, hopefully by July. This is going to take serious work, and I am ready.
Be more crafty.
Take a few more vacations (including one last hurrah - 5th anniversary) before kids!
Yep - you read that right, KIDS. I can not wait to have kids.

That brings me to a point... Its always bothered me when people ask "When will you have kids, I say... "When I can afford them." I get that side eye, with "You'll never be able to." Well -- youre wrong. We have put ourselves in a pretty good place, so not only will we be able to have kids and afford them, we can live comfortably, as in - feel like taking a family vacation... we can, we can buy toys / baby gear with out being strapped. Now, this is not a point of bragging that we have money, because its not coming out of our ears or growing on trees, but we have made the decision to wait and do it smart. I encourage anyone similiar minded to do the same, and do it when it is right for you. Sadly for us, we need to wait for wedding season to be over in 2011. :) I can not in good concious shoot a wedding after 5 months :) Speaking of weddings, we are thrilled to be shooting Jons cousins wedding in 2012, in PA! Roadtrip! :)

Ok, back to the goals... I also want to be more consistent in being organized. I am, but when life gets chaotic I get lazy.. things get thrown.

I also want to be a better wife. I am so very blessed with a great husband. Not saying I am a bad wife I just know I can improve!

Well --- this is getting a little lengthy - so until next time.

PS - this blog was previously "my healthy mission" its changed a bit to encompass my goals for 2011.. hope you enjoy! <3

Greetings from...

I am in sunny "hot" Texas. All the locals keep going on about how HOT and HUMID it is, but honestly... it's not bad.

This week I am in Waco. Its definitely a "relax after work week". I am staying right around Baylor. Its not that exciting of a city. They do however have the Dr. Pepper museum ( I like DP ) but... it closes at like 4:15... so that will have to wait ;) My hotel is sub-par. I was excited to get some swimming in, but the pools out of service. I hit up the gym, and let me tell ya -- 1982 called and they would like their equipment back. :/

This weekend, I will be in San Antonio, staying at the Riverwalk. I am looking forward to enjoying the area and checking it all out! Any must see's while I am there??

Then, Sunday I will head up to Seguin TX and will be staying at the Mosheim Mansion it has fab reviews and seems like a nice "home away from home".

Funky Funk.

I've been in a funk lately.

Bored (Ha like I dont have enough to do), annoyed, and stressed.

I think that it has a lot to do with my work schedule, and eating. I have been on vacation/working from home since June 25th (and that week before was a HELL week at work). When I am not on a normal schedule I am finding myself snacking.

I am super annoyed because Jon was supposed to come to San Antonio with me for the weekend, but his co-worker resigned so he has to pick up the slack. So... no vacation for him. *For the record I am not mad at Jon, just the situation!* I will be in Texas the 11-22nd for work. The first week I am in Waco, through Thursday - then I will be in San Antonio Thursday night-Sunday followed by Seguin Mon-Thursday. San Antonio has been on my vacation spot list for awhile. So I am looking forward to it.

Photography has been crazy busy, tonight I have a senior portrait session, I hope the rain holds out. We are up to 18 weddings for 2010, and I have had to turn down a few 2011 brides due to being booked on dates already. It seems like our life consists of: work, home, edit, email/pr stuff, sleep. That said, we are so blessed our business has taken off so quickly (and well!).

Lola and Lucy are cute as ever, they are currently napping and will be in for a HUGE surprise when I leave for 11 days, after being home for so long.

Weight loss, I am down 46lb (I lost 2 last week), again Ive kinda been in a funk - but nothing I cant overcome.

Jessi's favorite products!

So, I have been planning to do this post for a LONG time. :)

Here are some of my fav beauty products.

Moroccan Oil Gold Glimmer Shine Spray Protects hair from damaging effects of UV light and free radicals. An effective product that provides long-lasting, unparalleled shine.
*I like this, I dont use it every day, but its nice when I need a little shine!

Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation. This is a new fav of mine, I tend to have oily skin. I like it, since its not heavy or cakey. Nice coverage and it lasts quite a while. Worth the $38.

Big Sexy Hair Spray and Stay All Nighter. I puffy pink heart this stuff. I actually really like all the BSH products! It stays well, even in windy conditions!

Big Sexy Hair What a Tease Backcomb in a Bottle. LOVE. If you like a little poof like me. This is your product. :) I LOVE Bed Head Superstar This is a new product I bought today. I had previously used Some like it Hot, and I was just soso. Not overly impressed.

Urban Decay 24/7 Liner. Goes on smooth, stays lasts ALL day!

Smashbox Photo Finish Light Primer This is another product that I go back and fourth on. I like it, I had for awhile not been a huge fan, and switched to Chanel's primer... then it made me feel so greasy. But, I am back and a fan! :)

Urban Decay Potion Primer I LOVE this, it is a MUST to me. I like to wear eye shadow, and I hate the eyelid creases, this avoids that!! So so Awesome. Just to give an example... I did a wedding in May, super humid out, hot.. put my make up on at 7am... at 10:30 when I was getting home, my eyeshadow is perfect! And... I had a camera to my face MOST of the day!

Big Fatty Mascara, I like, no clumping, no flakes!

Urban Decay Shadow, I really LOVE the variety of colors. Paired with the Primer.. and its marvelous~!

Clarisonic! Great, I do like this, because my skin feels great after using it. I was skeptical on the expense and it being worth it, and it sure was. :) Of course I had to get pink... On a side note, the cleansers you can buy with it - not impressed.

Speaking of Skin...Glymed Plus. I bought these at Faces (where I get my facials) and I have been using the scrub since Jan, and the cleanser since May. I do like it. I do still see breakouts in the old places, but not so many blackheads.


I hope that you might find this helpful on your next trip to Ulta or Sephora! :)