The 365 Project

One of my goals for the year is to actually complete a 365 Photography Project.  In case you are unfamiliar with this, the project consists of you taking a photo a day for an entire year.  I did not come up with this idea (even though I wish I had) but have loved the idea of it ever since I first heard about it.  

I attempted one last year but only made it from November to March.  Which I guess is pretty good but most of the photos were taken with my iPhone.  Which is also fine but since I have my phone with me a majority of the time it wasn't as much of a challenge to get photos.  This time I hope to use my DSLR a majority, if not for all, of the project.  I hope this project will challenge me creatively, force me to go outside of my comfort zone and encourage me to really learn how to use Photoshop and Lightroom properly.

It has only been 10 days into the project but I am so far having a lot of fun and get a little excited about getting out there to photograph.

Here is what I have captured so far:

12/21/12: Day 1 of 365

"Winter Berries"

12/22/12: Day 2 of 365

"Christmas decor silhouette" 

12/23/12: Day 3 of 365

"Jack" 

12/24/12: Day 4 of 365

"STL fire" 

12/25/12: Day 5 of 365

"YAHTZEE" 

12/26/12: Day 6 of 365

"Wine Collection"

12/27/12: Day 7 of 365

"Christmas Tree Heart Bokeh"

12/28/12: Day 8 of 365

"Retirement Flowers"

12/29/12: Day 9 of 365

"Wintery playground" 

12/30/12: Day 10 of 365

"7up" 

My goal is to share with you my progress once a week in a post.  They are also on Flickr in my The 365 Project set if you are interested in checking them out on a daily (hopefully) basis.  

What about you?  Have you ever started or completed a 365 Photo Challenge before?  If so, what did you find the hardest part to be?  How did it help your photography?  

Cheers. 

a day late...

Lately I have not been carrying my DSLR around with me like I used to.  That needs to change.  My remedy; start participating in Sunday Scavenger Hunt hosted by Ashley Sisk over at Ramblings & Photos again. Hoping this helps to motivate and inspire me on a weekly basis.  I have been in need of both recently.

Last weeks prompts were:  Nature, Vintage or Retro, Whimsical, Cooking and Week's Best.  Here are my interpretations (a day late)...

1) Cooking.

I do not cook or bake.  And I honestly have no interest in learning.  Luckily I have a husband who does not mind it.  Otherwise I would be most likely still be eating Pierogies and Lima Beans from the can.  However, I do make a mean oatmeal.  That is the extent of my "cooking."  

 2) Nature.

Pittsburgh had fabulous weather this weekend.  Yesterday it got up to 70!  Our last hurrah before Winter finally takes over.  I'll take it though!  Anwayyyyy, on weekends husband and I like to walk to our favorite breakfast joint in Ambridge (a suburb approximately 40 mins NW of Pittsburgh), The Maple.  We go at least once during the weekend for a cheap but delicious breakfast when we don't feel like making our own or we are out of whatever we need.  Over the Summer we got into the habit of walking  there (approximately 2 miles each way) as a way to get exercise and enjoy some fresh air.  Since it was so nice yesterday, we decided to continue with this tradition.  The above was taken on our way back.  I love when nature invades civilization. 

 3) Vintage/Retro

This is a corner shelving unit in our dining room.  It has pretty much been the only thing in my house that I have gotten around to "decorating" even though we have lived here for just over 2 years.  On the top shelf is one of my favorite antique shop finds; an old Kodak Duex and the second to bottom shelf on the right; an old camera my sister found when she was in England she gave to me for Christmas a few years ago.  It has markings on it dating back to July 21, 1896.  Pretty cool, huh?   

4) Week's Best. 

This was taken on our way to The Maple for breakfast.  I love the colors contrasted with the black of the bare trees and blue sky and how the yellow balloon is perfectly illuminated by the shining sun behind it.  

4) Whimsical.  

I love games. Yahtzee, Phase 10, Apples to Apples are some of my favorites.  This, however, may be my new favorite.  It's called Cards Against Humanity.  Similar to Apples to Apples but for a much more raunchy crowd.  Great to play while drinking with friends.  Lots of laughs will be had by all, i promise.  

Hope you have enjoyed my interpretations for the week.  I am excited to get back into SHS again.  If you do not already participate, you should!  It is a great way to share your blog with others and see other people's talent as well.  

Linking up with:

Hope everyone has a great week!  

Fall Foliage

As much as I love warm weather and have a hard time accepting the reality that it gets cold in Pittsburgh I am reminded every year how much I do love the change of seasons.  How couldn't I with sites like this on daily drives and regular walks?  Below are some of my favorite Fall Foliage photos I have taken this year.  

As we quickly approach fall back and the colorful leaves fall to the earth I am grateful I often had my camera in tow.  

The 'burbs of Pittsburgh surprise me every year and remind me of how much I really do love (this may be harder to repeat come January and February) living here.  Continuing to find surprises around the corner even after 15 years is truly humbling.  

Scotland 7, 8 and 9: Night Out and Glasgow

As our trip came to a close we all I started to get a little exhausted.  As much as I loved seeing different parts of Scotland and Ireland I was ready for a few days of R&R.  So that is what I did.  I hardly left the flat we were staying in.  It felt so nice to just be lazy, not get out of my PJs and catch up on social media and trashy television.

Our one plan we had for the rest of the trip was to go out for a night of drinks and karaoke in Glasgow as a last hoorah and somewhat of a bachelorette (hen party they call it over there), even though Barry's fiance was there.  We rented a booth for just the six of us for two hours to sing at the top of our lungs, out of tune (at least for the Brantleys) and delicious cocktails.  We sang everything from Garth Brooks, Allmond Brothers and Michael Jackson to Kelis and Sir Mix-A-Lot.  So much fun!

taking a look at the children's menu!  I haven't seen one of these since I was like... 5) 

That's a lot to promise!  

And a disco ball.  Perfect way to end a Saturday night out!  

I literally did not leave the flat the next day.  I would blame it on a hangover but I was just lazy.  I read, napped, read, repeat.  It was so nice and refreshing.  And as much as I enjoyed everyones company this girl needs some alone time (even in Scotland) and it was nice to get that while everyone went out for a few. 

friends as ants. 

As I know I have mentioned A LOT our trip a majority of the time was rainy and wet (as I know that is how it is Scotland) but the sun always came out when it really mattered.  Like our last day.  It was absolutely beautiful.  The sky was the bluest I had seen in a while and the green was just so... green!  It was actually a little warmer and I had to peel off some layers. 

We had already planned to walk around Glasgow as a group but were so fortunate to have such a gorgeous day.  Our first stop was the Glasgow Cathedral.  As you can see parts of it are under construction but what a beautiful building.  Seriously, the architecture never ceased to amaze me!  

In a small park on the way to the necropolis 

We then headed up to the Glasgow Necropolis behind the cathedral for gorgeous views of the city and the cathedral from above.  

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle hands

Lego hands. 

As goes with walking around we all started to get a little hungry so Simon took us on a little detour of the city to grab lunch at a nearby SM Supermarket.  

I think Santa was lost. 

We found a perfect shaded area to sit and inhale our lunches while we people watched and enjoyed the scenery.  

I thought this was incredibly sweet!

Our last stop of the day was the Kevingrove Art Gallery and Museum.  A beautiful building with quite the range of art on display.  While everyone walked around I grabbed my kindle and found a sunny spot to read (and nap) and get some more photos. 

We took another scenic route home through a park in the city.  Since it was such a beautiful day there were loads of people out and about.  Kids playing, couples reading snuggled together, hippies playing guitars, etc.  Great for people watching.  

Great end to a lovely 2 weeks in Ireland and Scotland!

Thank you so much to K, Barry and Simon for letting us take over your flat for a week and half!  What a great way to spend my frist trip across the big pond!  Can't wait to go back!