Experimental Shoots

I run a photography business called Colored Arrows Photography
While I do take normal clients for all of the usual shoots: family, weddings, senior pictures, baby, etc.  My favorite shoots are ones that are for me.  The ones where I try something I've always wanted to try, or a style I want to experiment with.  That's what I'm trying to do more of these days.  Starting with this shoot I did last month with someone I've considered a best friend since 6th grade.

This shot is the one I keep going back to, so I think this is probably my top photo..for today at least.  If there's anything I've learned in all of these years of photography, it's that your favorite photos will almost always change.  That's good though, it shows growth.  There were other great shots from the shoot though. 

The main thing about this shoot that I'm still uncertain about is how I what them positioned.  I have these horizontal with her head to the right for now, but when rotated they almost could go in any other direction.  I just don't know what I like best.

 

Then there are these, which obviously work best in they way they were originally shot.

So I'm still playing with them some I guess.  But it was a lot of fun to do and I'm glad I finally got the chance.

What I like most about the shoot I think is the contrast of the water with the flowers.  That worked better than I could have hoped for.  I was worried it wasn't going to show up  blue enough but it was perfect.  Gotta love Lush Cosmetics for their bath bombs. Would love to do a color series with different models and different bath bombs.  So hopefully that will happen soon.

Big shout-out to my mom for having bushes in her yard that were still in bloom and for allowing me to steal them all to use for this.  This is one of the best smelling shoots I've ever done.  The smell from the flowers mixed with the bath bomb made for a very relaxing setting, even if it was one of the more weirder things I've asked my friend to do for me.

She's a trooper, gotta love her.💙💙💙

xBrittany

Christmas Ornaments

As I've mentioned in my Christmas Movie post, I love decorating this time of year!
Here's a little bit about some of the favorite ornaments that are currently on my tree.

First I'll start with the tree topper.  For many years, we didn't have anything for the top of our tree.  We usually just used a random object we found laying around the house.  Last year I decided the Sorting Hat from Harry Potter would make the perfect tree topper and immediately ordered one from Amazon.  I have no regrets.

Foxes are my favorite animals.  I love anything and everything that has to do with a fox.  Videos of foxes always make me cry, no joke.  This is sadly the only fox ornament I currently have though, which is strange to me.  I feel like my whole tree should be covered in them, my house almost is anyway. This was a gift I didn't get until last Christmas from my mother.  Since my family doesn't get to celebrate Christmas until January, this is actually the first time this lovely fellow has been on the tree.

These two are new additions this year.  Every year I try to buy at least one new ornament but I couldn't help getting them both.  Game of Thrones is probably my favorite TV show, but I currently own nothing that declares my love for it.  I'm actually pretty obsessed, I'll talk theories with someone any day, all day.  So hit me up if you ever want to discuss some Thrones, because I have feelings and ideas.
The second is Alice from Alice in Wonderland.  Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is my favorite book and is my favorite animated Disney movie.  She's a queen among Disney princesses and I can never get enough Alice things.  This is actually my 3rd Alice in Wonderland ornament, but it's my newest so that's why I chose to show her off.
Both of these ornaments were purchased at Target.

This is one that I handmade from clay a couple of years ago.  One day I got really bored and wanted to make something.  That something ended up being randomly sized round clay ornaments with random quotes from TV shows I liked.  This particular quote, "You're a garbage person" comes from New Girl.  It's said by Nick Miller and is addressed to Jess's sister.  The whole quote is funny and makes me laugh every time.  Richard and I enjoyed that part so much, we would end up randomly quoting it all the time.  Therefore, it had to be a part of Christmas.

Last year in October, Richard and I road-tripped up to Portland, Maine and fell in love with it.  It was a great week full of amazing food, nice people, a crisp-seafood smelling air, and beautiful sights.  It pretty much gave us our current house goal, and we are now saving up money to eventually buy a house up in the area.  Until then, we had to have a little bit of Maine for our tree.

Finally, the last ornaments I will talk about are these two.  These are two mini-golf balls that I accidentally stole from one of my first dates with Richard.  I was wearing a dress with pretty deep pockets and they came in handy because at this particular course in Nashville, you actually can do 3 different courses.  If that's what you decide, they give you your three ball in the very beginning and you just have to keep up with them because at the last hole of each course you lose your ball.  So I put our extras in my pockets and it wasn't a big deal.  The whole time though, we kept finding random balls that people lost all over the course so we just used ones we found and goofed off like that.  Therefore, two of our original ones got lost in my pockets and I completely forgot about them.  They just happened to be the colors we originally picked and also Christmas colors.  I asked him to drill a little hole in them and then I used a jewelry eyelet dipped in superglue and attached a hook to them and BAM.  They've held up perfectly so far for these past couple of years.

Cheers!

xBrittany

Saturday Morning

I've never liked mornings.  I have always had to deal with them though.  In high school, I lived 30 minutes away from my school district.  So, to be able to go to my same school, I had to go in to work with my mother every morning before I was old enough to get a drivers license.  This meant I had to be up at 5:30 every morning, then wait for it to be time to go to school.  Then I had school all day, and then I usually had to go to work from 4PM-8/9PM.  Then do it all again the next day. 
My schedule didn't get much better when I had my own car, it was 6:30 instead of 5:30 and I had to be able to make myself get up on my own.  It was a lot more than most of the kids my age had to deal with, but it made me more prepared for later in life.  My schedule was about the same when I left for college, only this time after work I usually was going out, or we were having a party at the apartment, then I had to wake up early and go to class hungover.
Basically, I have never gotten much sleep.  That is still true to this day now that I am out of college and living on my own.  I work from home currently and I'm a freelance photographer, so I have no real reason to get up early.  But even on Saturday's there is one reason I am awoken early.

That reason would be this brat of a dog.  She is my constant alarm each and every morning.  Meaning I don't get to sleep in on any day past 8AM, sometimes 7:30.  This still isn't that bad, it could be much worse.  I know from experience. It still gets frustrating, when it's each and every day for no real reason.  I get over it though.  She's lucky she's pretty cute.

After her feeding, that's when she goes into crazy mode.  It's usually a little worse on Saturdays for whatever reason though. We have many daily wrestling bouts with this pup.  She's insane, and like I said, a brat.

She's so crazy we can't even let her around our 1 year old cat that we've had since about April.  She's just too hyper and is all claws and teeth that I still don't trust her around my baby kitty.  They have some contact though, they like to swat at each other from adjacent rooms.

This is about as much contact as they currently get.  We are working on it. 😅

xBrittany

My Favorite Christmas Movies

The last week of September to the end of January is my favorite time of the year. Fall and Winter are my life.  In my opinion, it's the best time for fashion, food, family, entertainment, and decor.  If I could leave my house decorated for Halloween and Christmas all year round without it being weird I totally would.  I love it so much.
I got really behind on blogging so when I started getting the itch again recently, I thought this would be a great post to get back in on it with.

These are the movies I like to watch to count myself down to Christmas.  Starting with December 10th.



15. Elf (12/10)

I always like to kickoff the start of my Christmas movie viewing with Elf.  It just puts me in the perfect mood for Holiday cheer.  I always get a lot of backlash for this but: this is one of the only Will Ferrell movies I genuinely like...oops.  Oh well.  Stupid funny has never really been my thing, I love Will Ferrell when he does more serious roles, but as for as his stupid funny-Elf is the only one I've ever really liked. (Yes that includes Step-Brothers and Anchorman.  I didn't see Step-Brothers until last year anyway.)

Favorite drink pairing: Hot Chocolate, obviously. (Usually spiked.)


14. Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire (12/11)

I don't really know why I always jump to the 4th Harry Potter movie for my next Christmas movie night, but I always have.  I think it's the Yule Ball, honestly.  It's just such a wonderful winter-wonderland that screams Christmas to me.  The added excitement of the rest of the tournament helps since it's still far enough away from actual Christmas that it's just a really fun movie to watch.  Let's be honest, it's a great movie to watch anytime of the year, but there's a certain joy to watching it at Christmas that's hard to describe.  It also might be the most relate-able HP movie since it's full of teen angst and it's just before all of the real shit starts going down in the series. 

Drink: I like to watch this one with some hot apple cider

13.  Clue + The Princess Bride (12/12)

Neither of these are really "Christmas-y" but they are my tradition.  It's a holiday spirit kind-of-thing.  Sometimes I alternate which one I watch each year, but more often than not, I just end up watching them both.  They are both so sassy and full of so much humor that they are two of my favorite movies ever.  So I can't not watch them around the holidays. 

Drink: Red wine! (Just one bottle though, okay fine, two)


12. The Family Stone (12/13)

This is probably one of the more underrated Christmas movies out there, but I've loved it since it came out.  It's got an amazing cast and is full of both heart and humor.  It's a perfect Christmas movie. I always love me a movie that's about a dysfunctional family. If you've never seen it I urge you to check it out this holiday season. 

Drink: Ice coffee with Bailey's and Vanilla Vodka 


11. Casper (12/14)

Casper is a movie I watch both at Halloween and Christmas every year.  It's so cute, I can never get enough of it this time of year.  Like I said, Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons so it's chalk full of everything I love.  

Drink: Peppermint Hot Chocolate 


10. Gremlins (12/15)

This is one of my newer holiday movie traditions.  I didn't start watching this movie in my lineup until I started dating my current boyfriend a few years ago.  This was part of his Christmas tradition and it instantly became part of mine.  I couldn't believe I didn't think to include it in my lineup, it's perfect. So, it is now permanently in my list.  
(Before my boyfriend, this use to be where I would watch The Holiday, and sometimes I still do but it's more a movie that I like.  He doesn't really so I only watch it if he happens to be busy or out.)

Drink: A seasonal beer, it usually changes 


9. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (12/16)

This is a movie I would always watch with my dad this time of year.  While we aren't really close at all anymore I still love to watch this movie.  It's always been in my top movie trilogies.  Like a true nerd, I have the special extended editions of all the movies so on this day I usually have the special features going all day long until I'm ready to watch the actual movie.  

Drink: Mead, bonus points if you also have Lembas Bread with it. (I want to try and make it on the day I watch this, so stay tuned for my report!)


8. Home Alone (12/17)

I really don't think this movie needs an explanation.  At this point, it's part of most people's holiday traditions.  It's always been in mine, even when I was little.  While maybe not on purpose, it was always on one TV network or another so I saw it every year.  Now, when I don't have regular TV it still obviously has to be a part of my holiday, and it probably always will be. (My Christmas sweater has this quote on it, just a fun fact.)

Drink: Christmas Sangria (I will make a post on the 17th for my personal recipe) 


7. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (12/18) 

This time of year always has a certain magic to it.  That being said, there was really nothing more magical than seeing or reading the first Harry Potter for the first time. It changed everything.  That may sound like an exaggeration but just talk to anyone from my generation. Harry Potter was the best thing that happened to most of us.  Therefore, the first movie has landed a permanent spot on my top 10 Christmas movie favorites. 

Drink: Butterbeer (My boyfriend makes a kick-ass homemade version, so maybe I can convince him into starring in a post for it.)


6. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (12/19)

Nothing beats a classic, and this has been part of my tradition for as long as I can remember.  I have many a memory of me watching this growing up while wrapping presents. I was really on top of my game this year, and have most of my presents already wrapped, but I may try and save a couple for this particular movie night.  I can't help but smiling the whole time I watch this movie. 

Drink: Hot chocolate, with lots and lots of the rainbow mini marshmallows


5. Frosty The Snowman (12/20)

If I'm watching Rudolph one night, I absolutely have to watch Frosty the next. Nothing makes me jollier than this original classic holiday movie.  Yes, I do get a little misty eyed during it. I've always favored Frosty to Rudolph and I'm not entirely sure why, but Frosty has always been in my top 5 while Rudolph was just shy of it..

Drink: Snowcream (not technically a drink, and also dependent on if there is snow outside or not. Otherwise, a Christmas-y milkshake works just as well.)


4.  Moonrise Kingdom (12/21)

This is not a Christmas movie.  It is however, my all-time favorite movie. I watch this movie when I'm sad, I watch it when I don't feel good, I watch it when I'm bored, I watch it when I lack motivation/inspiration, and I watch it at Christmas. You really can't go wrong with any Wes Anderson movie, but this is my choice for Christmas. You can't be in a bad mood after watching this, and while I love this time of year, it can get stressful and you can get blue, this movie is like an instant fix for that.

Drink: I am going to attempt to make a S'more's flavored Hot Chocolate, so check back for that. 


3. Love Actually (12/22)

This is my favorite Christmas movie. I'm not even a huge "romantic comedy" fan, but I can't resist this one.  Along with a great cast it's also very funny.  Deep down I've always wanted to be British so maybe that's why I love it so much.  Besides, I can't hate anything with Alan Rickman in it. 

Drink: A cuppa tea (Hello, very British movie..)


2.  The Nightmare Before Christmas (12/23)

Another movie I watch both at Halloween and Christmas.  No one argue with me about this, it's the perfect movie for both holidays.  There are both Halloween and Christmas songs, therefore it works. This is a movie I love to watch while eating massive amounts of holiday junk food.  
Depending on how tired I am, I will sometimes make it a Burton double-feature and also watch Edward Scissorhands.

Drink: A hard cider, such as Angry Orchard or Woodchuck


1.  A Christmas Story (12/24)-(12/25)

I don't think this is any surprise.  I feel like most people probably watch this on Christmas Eve, especially since that's when TBS starts it's 24-hour marathon of it.  Growing up, we would do Christmas at my Grandparents every Christmas Eve and then get home just in time for the marathon to start.  From that point on, the TV was usually on this movie. 
Now, I don't have cable anymore but I do still pop this in on Christmas Eve and sometimes will let it play some on Christmas morning.  Here lately though I like to play the Christmas specials of certain TV shows.  Such as: Friends, How I Met Your Mother, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. 

Drink: Red wine, it's my favorite so it's what I love to have while relaxing the night before a crazy morning of cooking and entertaining.
     
That's it, that's my Christmas movie list starting on December 10th.  It's been pretty solid for most of my life now, with only a few fluctuations.  I can't complain, I have great taste. :) 

x Brittany
     
  
  

My Geeky Drunk Life: The Scott Pilgrim

The first drink to debut for The Pilgrimage is obviously The Scott Pilgrim. 

The drink is a twist on a normal gin and tonic.  If you are familiar with the movie, you know that a G&T is Scott's drunk drink of choice.  You would also know that the color red runs throughout the movie, making it the perfect color for Scott's drink.  

The Scott Pilgrim

• 2 oz. Gin
• Tonic water (personal judgment on amount)
• 1 oz. Simple Syrup
• About 2 teaspoons of powdered cherry koolaid*

Stir together and serve with 1-2 ice cubes.
Garnish with either a raspberry or blueberry.  (The fruit garnish is also really good soaked in the drink). 

*The powder may stain fingers, so be careful


This drink is both sweet and tart, kinda like Scott Pilgrim.  Making it the perfect drink for him.

Enjoy! (:

xBrittany

The Pilgrimage

It's the Pilgrimage! 

On the 7th of each month the boyfriend and I have a little "holiday" we like to celebrate called the Pilgrimage.  The Pilgrimage is really just an excuse for us to watch one of our favorite movies, eat garlic bread, and drink.  That's really all I ask for in a holiday to begin with.

The movie that we honor on this day is Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World.

This movie is one of my all time favorites.
It's full of everything I love: genuine humor (my kind of humor at least), geekiness, Anna Kendrick being adorable, Michael Cera being his clueless self, Aubrey Plaza being bitchy, Jason Schwartzman being evil, pop culture references out the wazoo, and good music.

If you've never seen it you're missing out.  If you've seen it and don't get/like it, then we can't ever be friends.  It's genius.

If you'd like to participate and make it your own tradition please do.
It's the 7th of every month (obviously because of the "7 evil ex's"), you can make your own or buy garlic bread (just remember that bread makes you fat), and you watch the movie at 7 (duh).  You could even play a video game or two mentioned in the movie.      
    If you're like us and days slip by sometimes without you realizing it and you miss the 7th of the month, just do it on the 14th, still counts.  Otherwise, wait until the next month and try again.

To make the day even more special and geeky, I am in the works of making an alcoholic drink to go along with the different characters in the movie.  Look for the first one to be revealed later today!

xBrittany

Music Monday: 2

It was hard for me to pick a song today.  I am happy with what I decided on though. 

 

This is "Heartbeats" by The Knife.  

The song is pretty self-explanatory, so I'll leave it at that.   

xBrittany