{Bowdabra Design Team} Designer Dog Harness

Happy Friday! I hope everyone has had a wonderful week. I'm sharing some pictures of our Yorkie, Lola, today. I'm over on the Bowdabra Blog today sharing my Dog Bow Tutorial for "Dog Week". I turned our cute little Yorkie's gentle leader harness into a Designer Harness in less than 10 minutes. Lola, our 10 pound princess, does not like to wear bows in her hair. I've tried time and time again, and she pulls them out quicker than I can put them in her hair. 

Lately, I've been getting annoyed with the (same) neighborhood kids that ask over-and-over again "is it a boy or girl". They honestly have been asking on a weekly basis for about 2 years now. By now they should know that she is a girl. This is why I wanted to create a bow to stop the questions coming from the neighborhood kids. Plus, the bow is gorgeous!

I love this picture of Lola. It's like she's rebelling against picture taking. 

"I can't see you, so you can't see me" kind of deal. Plus it looks like she is smiling.

I'm a proud mama. What can I say. I love my little dog (and Mr. Woodsy loves her ten times more)! I know we are biased because it's our own. We're ok with that

Here's my little "rocket dog" running in our backyard! We've been training her in our backyard lately to stay next to us and not run away when she's off her leash. She has been doing so good! 

If you want to learn how to make this bow or any other bow's for your dog, make sure you stop by the Bowdabra Blog to view the tutorial. 

Vacation Photography {Part 2: New York City}

Last month we shared part 1 of our vacation photos from Philadelphia. As promised we would share a few of our favorite photographs we took (part 2) while visiting New York City during the fourth of July.

Mr. Woodsy and I scored $38 orchestra seats to the controversial Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark. It was beyond amazing. The costumes, the set, the music, and the actors/actresses altogether made this show wonderful. It was so good we would pay $200+ per ticket to see it again. If you are going to NYC you must go see this play (oh and just for the record I'm not into Spider Man--so this opinion is coming from a non-Spider Man lover)! 

While walking through the city we were able to capture a beautiful black and white of the Empire State Building. By the time we made it over to the building the sun was close to going down and it was an hour later. This is something we will visit next time. 

After we left the Empire State Building we were heading to the subway to head back to where we were staying and we just so happened to pass the New York City Public Library! I was very excited to see this historic library up close and personal! 

The next day we met Mr. Woodsy's family for brunch in Brooklyn. We had a stunning view of Manhattan. We were in Long Island City (which is where the current season of Design Star is being filmed). Long Island City is breath taking. A newly created park with tons of green space and a gorgeous view. This gave me even more of an opportunity to take more photo's for our New York City themed pool table room! I can't wait to start enlarging photo's and placing them in our pool table room. 

Here is another view of the city with some beautiful purple flowers in the foreground in Long Island City.

As soon as we walked into a small section of the park in Long Island City I felt like I was walking straight into The Secret Garden. I loved this green space and knew that if I was a bride-to-be living in NYC I would have totally had my engagement photo's taken here. *Mr. Woodsy's aunt took this photo

That evening, after watching an odd off-Broadway show we took a walk heading toward Time Square. While walking at night we saw the Empire State Building lit up in red, white, and blue in honor of Independence Day. I had no idea that they lit the Empire State Building up during holidays. It was a nice surprise! 

We also stumbled across a rather odd art piece... A giant head in the middle of a park. If I remember correctly this is in the Flatiron District. 

After probably 50 blocks of walking we made it back to Times Square. We spent a good 5 minutes trying to take a one-handed photo with a heavy DSLR camera. This was the best out of our 20+ out-takes! 

We made our way down to the World Trade Centers and Battery Park. I loved this cross made out of steel beams from the two World Trade Center towers that fell on September 11, 2001. I just happened to capture a taxi speeding buy. 

That afternoon Mr. Woodsy and I took the ferry over to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to do this. I'm happy to report that my 3rd visit to New York City was a charm. My wish was finally granted. Although, by that afternoon the look on Mr. Woodsy's face really says it all. We were pooped. 

Lady Liberty in all her glory. 

One of many photo's Mr. Woodsy and I took in front of the Statue of Liberty. 

This is probably one of my favorite photo's from our vacation. Out beautiful Statue of Liberty overlooking Manhattan. **See that tall building underneath the second "o"? That is the new Freedom Tower. It's 65 stories and growing. I believe it should be done next year? 

We hope you enjoyed our vacation photos.

Vacation Photography {Part 1: Philadelphia}

 Last month Mr. Woodsy and I spent two days in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before heading to New York City to spend the 4th of July with family. While in Philadelphia we visited many historical landmarks *and a few not-so historical--but well known places. 

Benjamin Franklin can be found all over the city of "brotherly love" in many forms. Here is a more hip and urban version of Ben Franklin spray painted on a wall on a side ally of a building. 

Mr. Woodsy and I infront of the National Constitution Center. 

A bronze statue of George Washington in the National Constitution Center. 

After Mr. Woodsy and I spent a few hours at the National Constitution Center we went on a historical walking tour of Philadelphia. We saw more than words could express. It was amazing. While on our tour I saw this gentleman standing like he was guarding the area and immediately started snapping photos. 

This happened to be the New Hall Military Museum. I loved the buildings character and all the flowers planted around it. 

Here is another form of Ben Franklin--a firefighter! 

Our beautiful Liberty Bell photographed at the Liberty Bell Center. 

 

The Betsy Ross house where it is thought to be where she sewed our Nation's first flag. 

Love park, Philadelphia, PA. 

Beautiful water fountain in Love park (the large tower in the background is city hall). 

The infamous Rocky statue and steps at the Philadelphia Art Museum.

Where we live... {Photography}

Two years ago we decided to purchase a home in the outskirts of town... near cow fields to be exact. We are surrounded by cow pastures. This was something new to me. Growing up I lived in apartments and town-homes, and had never lived near live stock. I would only see farm animals when I would drive down to Florida on vacation with my family. However, Mr. Woodsy grew up surrounded by live stock and other wild animals. Well, that is after Mr. Woodsy moved from New York City at age 6! He went from city slicker to country boy.


Each spring I look forward to the births of calfs in the pastures. In the months leading up (February-March) I constantly stare into the cow fields on our drives to and from work. Searching to see if any calfs have been born yet. I would say the first calfs this year were born toward the end of March, and each day there after on our way  home from work I would comment to Mr. Woodsy that I needed to bring my camera with me one day and take some photographs of the cows. 


Last week, I took my camera to work to photograph our Co-Ed Craft Lunch, and as we were driving home and we passed the first of many cow pastures I remembered I had my camera on me. I screamed (and {I think} startled Mr. Woodsy) asking to pull over so I could take some pictures of the baby cows (as I like to call them). 

This picture was taken at the second cow pasture we pass on our way home from work. This was my only successful photo at pasture number 2. I hopped back in the truck and we drove towards home hoping to stop at pasture number 3. 

This picture was the first photo taken at the third cow pasture. I photographed the "baby" cows across the street since I was afraid I would startle them... sure enough I did as I walked closer to the fence (across a some-what busy road). 

After I started approaching the baby cows they swiftly walked to their parents (or other adult cows) for comfort and protection.  

This hay caught my eye and I had to photograph it. I absolutely LOVE this photo! 

This auburn cow was my favorite of the day. It would not stop staring at me and wouldn't stop "mooing"... alerting all the other cows that something was nearby. 

So, what do you live near? Cow fields, the city, beach, etc? 

Carly's here! {photo shoot}

After 9 months (and three week's) of impatiently waiting to meet Rebekah & Michael's latest addition; I finally had the chance to meet little Miss Caroline Rose (aka Carly)! A few month's ago I had the chance to photograph Rebekah & Michael prior to Rebekah delivering Carly. Here are a few photo's from my visit with them last Friday.

"Princess Carly"

"The happy family"

"teeny tiny toe's" 

"Parent's view"

"Daddy's little girl" 

As seen on: CraftGawker

R+M Maternity Photo Shoot

I had the privilege to photograph one of my really good friends, Rebekah and her husband, Michael. She wanted to have some photo's of her being pregnant, but didn't want to spend the extra money on a photographer. So I volunteered to take some photo's of them. This was my first photo shoot and I'm sure it won't be my last. Rebekah and Michael now have some awesome photo's, and I gained tons of experience while photographing them for an hour during the middle of the day (I know for next time to not photograph during the middle of the day)!

I had so many pictures I wanted to touch up, and wanted to turn the photo's around in less than a week. I used a very easy to use and free site called; Picasa. If your new to photo editing or want a "quick fix" I highly recommend this site. I also use Adobe Photoshop CS2 when I'm not using Picasa. I like picasa mainly because you can store loads of pictures and create albums allowing you to access them any where at any given time.

Here are a few pictures from R+M's photo shoot last month!

*my favorite from the day*

*I love the "1970's" look this picture has. One of the cool features of Picasa. 

cinema view of the soon to be birthed; Carly! 

I'm happy to announce that Rebekah delivered a healthy baby girl on Sunday, August 16th! I can't wait to meet baby Carly and take more photo's for her parents!!

Featured on: Craftgawker