Happy Tuesday Y'all! Thank you SO much for your incredibly kind comments on my last post and for being excited for me. It really does mean so much to this big fat emotional heart of mine. Y'all make my day all day erry day and I MEAN IT. I'm scared to start typing right now y'all because it's been over THREE MONTHS since I last posted my goals. I've been still keeping up with them over here, but I've failed to post them. I'm so awesome sometimes.
The reality is that this summer has been a whirlwind. I have barely been home, my head has been spinning between balancing my full plate of clients, weddings, the watercolor shop, family and friend obligations, and some behind the scenes happenings that I'll be sharing soon with you guys. I would say that "B" word that ends with "USY"... However, I'm really trying to take that word out of my vocabulary. ;)
Before I go into my goals, a lot of people have been asking about the Watercolor Shop! :) I still can't even believe that this fun hobby has even had the response it's had...But THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU GUYS FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT! I actually started to open up the shop in May, but my husband reminded me of how crazy this summer was going to be, and how little time I would have to do them. And he was right. I couldn't balance my photography clients and the watercolor shop at that time, whatsoever, because my photography business comes first and foremost. SO, please bare with me while I get my ducks lined in a row. I still have some deadlines and photography related things to take care of, and as soon as I have some time to come up for air to launch this shop, you guys will be the first to know. I just haven't been home enough to even take orders or get my prints ready to send out. The good news is that we are close and it will be happening in the next few weeks. I have had to keep pushing it back due to orders, my schedule, traveling, and waiting on packing and packaging supplies to come in. It's more work than it looks, I'll tell ya that! :) I just want to wait until I am fully organized and have a moment to breathe before I say, "LET'S DO THIS!" :) Thank you for your patience and understanding as this little side journey has been a blessing for me in a thousand and one ways.
Let's see how I did with those May goals that were forever ago.
Introduce Hattie for the zillionth time (It's really going to happen this month or y'all can come and shave me bald. For reals.) Maybe being bald isn't a bad option at this point. See next goal. Get my hair did {screwed up}! :) Happened in June Finish Blog Design Done in July/August Make Website Final Touches Order Watercolor Print examples from local printers Photograph Two Weddings Photograph Four Sessions Attend my friend Amy's Bachelorette Party Attend and celebrate my sister-in-law graduating and getting her MASTERS from Texas A&M Photograph my first official editorial session for a fashion line - REALLY excited about this! Go to bed before 11 PM - Wake Up before 8 AM - Establish healthier sleeping schedule because I am all sorts of messed up right now. Yep. Still all sorts of messed up. Work out twice a week - No Shay, the stairs in your house don't count. Take more work breaks to stretch and de-stress. Go wake boarding! Drink MORE water. I'm getting bad about this lately and my kidneys are starting to kick me. I TOLD YOU THEY WERE KICKING ME! HAHAHAHA. Continue Home Tour IF I am caught up on my editing…which leads me to my next goal… Find a better system and schedule to balance work, editing, and my fun side of blogging to where it doesn't stress me out or spread me out too thin. I want to get back in a better blogging routine. It's going to happen. I just need to clear my list- baby steps. Didn't happen in May, but it's happening now. Pay It Forward. Go on a picnic with DDHP and make out with him under a tree or something. ;) YOLO! (I hate this term lol but it just seems appropriate right now.) What went down in June?
- Photographed a dear friends wedding in Galveston...with kidney stones, but I didn't know it until the next day. I was just in pain and thought it was a kidney infection. An urgent care, an ER visit, a Dr. appointment, a urology appointment, an x-ray, many pain pills, a surgery, a load of medical bills, and a ton of water and lemonade later... I am good as new y'all! :) - Photographed a calligraphy class with LH Calligraphy. I also photographed this with kidney stones. CHAMP STATUS WHAT WHAT! I still don't know how I did it, but I did and that's all that matters. -Photographed a precious wedding in Longview, Texas -Went on a picnic date with DDHP and celebrated 8 wonderful years of dating -Drew broke up the tile floors in the kitchen (AKA, BEST DAY EVER) - Got a haircut and a terrible ombre' job. I'm still needing to get it fixed. You won't be seeing this head on any hair commercials...like, ever. Haha.
And July?
-We helped my sister-in-law move out of her apartment here in Austin. -Visited with family back at home in Jewett / Family Obligations -Watched a movie with my grandparents (loved this) -Photographed a wedding in Conroe, Texas -Attended my sister-in-law's bridal shower in Lufkin -Photographed an engagement session (had an awesome time), but then realized I locked my keys in my car out in the middle of nowhere, had to call Pop-A-Lock, wait in a booth with a stranger guy for an hour (who was actually really nice lol) and then got a speeding ticket. ALL in a span of 4 hours. Good stuff. I didn't have my brain turned on apparently. - Photographed a wedding in Dallas, Texas - BOUGHT A CONTAX 645 FINALLY AFTER FOREVERRRRR (sandlot style) OF SAVING. I cried. I danced. I sang. I made out with it. - Had dinner with some of my lovely photographer friends -Got a new washer because our washer broke andddd four days later... - Had to get our home AC fixed because it leaked water into our hallway and ruined our flooring. We JUST replaced these y'all. Poor DDHP. I am beginning to think this house is cursed. Seriously. Lol. #houseownerprobs -Got new shoes tires for my car - Attended my sister-in-law's couples shower/BBQ in Huntsville -Photographed a wedding in San Antonio -EDITING GALORE. Literally, hibernation EDIT went down over here. My social life was non-existent. Still kinda is but...wedding season.
So, I guess you haven't missed anything too exciting. Especially if you follow me on Instagram. June and July were FULL of fun days, bad days, stressful days, and very, very expensive days. Life, you're funny like that. But I still love you more than ever.
Alright- I'm gonna ease back into this. Mostly because this post is already longer than the Nile River andddd if you're still reading, I want you to come over here so I can hug you.
And August?
August was looking to be a simple month about 3 months ago, but all of the sudden it got wham bam crazy-town . I'm okay with it though. There are some awesome things happening this month. - Launch Blog (DONE SON!)
-Attend my awesome friend Brittany's Baby Shower in La Grange
-Attend my super cool nephew's 2nd Birthday Party
-Dinner with my friend Callie because SHE JUST GOT ENGAGED and I'm SO excited for her!
-I was supposed to speak yesterday on instagram 101 at a workshop, but something BIG came up for the girl who was putting it on and so that is postponed until further notice. It will happen eventually.
-Stand by my sister-in-law at her WEDDING and as her MOH
-Photograph the brunch at the 100 Event in Dallas The Glow Workshop Prep / Set Date
-Attend my friend Emily's Gender Reveal in Dallas because I literally have 26 pregnant friends right now and it's all kinds of crazy and awesome. I AM NOT EXAGGERATING Y'ALL. Drew and I must have not got the memo for baby making this year lol. I am going to be one awesome Aunt Shay Shay. I may be broke (HAVE YOU SEEN BABY CLOTHES!?), but at least I'll be well-trained in baby snuggles. BABIES! ERRYWHERE! And I love it. But I must ask...where is this water everyone seems to be drinkin? ;) -Fly to Charleston, SC for 24 hours to photograph an engagement session
-Surprise Stephanie in Toronto, Canada and hug her face off
-Photograph two bridal sessions
-Photograph a wedding in Bawwwwston and see my love muffin Erica -Pay it forward. -Smile even on the bad days
-Play with Connie (my Contax, you KNOW I had to give her a name) and get acquainted. I'm hoping to send in my first roll of film...Even if it's of a pillow, a stick, dead grass or my pets. It's FILM!
-Shake what my Mama Gave Me! -Keep up my coconut oil routine... (Y'all....Two Words: COCONUT OIL!)
-Get kitchen floors done (LONG STORY. Can't wait to tell you about it...Sigh...) (They are in my house as I type this redoing the floors. -Pick the best Fantasy League Football Team EVER (haha) I AM SO READY FOR FOOTBALL! Sundays just aren't the same!
-Order Prints and Ordering Supplies for THE SHOP And and and...Boom. (This reference is dedicated to my childhood friend, Hilary)
Y'ALL! It's September 2nd. This year is flying by Buzz Lightyear style. Yo clock...chillax.
Here are my September Goals. I'll be surprised if you made it this far! :)
Launch THE SHOP
Photograph Three Bridal Sessions
Photograph Two Weddings
Pay It Forward
Finish ALL Summer Weddings to prepare for a busy Fall season
Repaint Kitchen
Finish Kitchen Floors/Countertops
Go on a date with Drew
Get Hair Done
Clean off Computer Desktops and Organize Hard drives (again)
Organize File Cabinet and DVD backup drives
Join Cycling or Pilates Class on a regular basis
Declutter Home
Clean out CLOSET & Garage
Re-Organize Office (I need a little refresh right about now) :)
Get Cameras and Lenses Serviced/Cleaned
Practice on my CONTAX more (Waiting on my first two rolls as we speak! SO excited and nervous!)
AND BECAUSE THIS POST ISN'T LONG ENOUGH ALREADY! Here's a playlist to get you through your work week! :)
As always, what are your monthly goals??? :) I love reading y'alls!
Peace and Hair Grease Y'all! Thanks for reading how much I've slackalacked. It happens.
Hey guys! Hey there! Hey! What it do!? I am currently coming to you LIVE from a messy desk and red, sleepy eyeballs. I'm treading water with my head barely above the waves so if I starting gargling in this post, that means I'm drowning and I need some hot pink floaties sent my way STAT! That or a surf board. ...Surf-booAUrd. (I hope you read that in the Beyonce' voice!)
AHH! This blog. I miss it. I miss it so much.
April was a whirlwind of awesome and just pure insanity. Wedding season is kinda kicking my booty but in the best way. I'm about to hibernate for the rest of the month just so I can get caught up and get a hold of my schedule LIFE. I was lucky enough to photograph three incredible weddings (Austin, Houston, and Charleston, SC) and six separate sessions during those weeks. I'm a little more behind than I PERSONALLY wanted to be at this point (atleast in my unrealistic brain), but I seem to always think I can get more done in a day than is humanly possible. Drew had to knock some sense into me the other day and I'm so thankful he did. It's like I KNOW these things but it always helps when someone just tells it to you straight. He put his hands on my shoulders and said, "Shalyn. You're doing an amazing job. You are. The reason you don't think you are is because you put TEN things on your to-do list a day. You're only getting TWO of those tasks done a day (and that's PERFECT and A LOT of work you're getting done!) BUT at the end of the day, all you're seeing is eight things that didn't get done. You need to be nicer to yourself. Be realistic. Put one thing on your list a day and mark it off. You will go to bed feeling better and will wake up not feeling so overwhelmed." The sexy man had a point. I knew I married him for a reason. I really do need to get better about my daily expectations and just being nicer to myself. I'm SO hard on this body of mine and I'm finding myself not taking care of it. May will be hands down, hibernation and survival month. I'm going to keep my head down, crank it out one thing at a time, reward myself with a sno-cone maybe and then get back to it. Can I get a boom jackalacka AMEN!?
I may not have accomplished all my goals this month, but I DID however get to mark off one of my YEARLY goals at the beginning of the month and that was going to VEGAS with some of the best ladies in the world. Taking a mini-vacation in the middle of my busiest wedding season probably wasn't the smartest idea, but then again, it was and when I booked the trip, I didn't know I was going to be so busy. Regardless, I needed that more than I knew. I haven't recapped my trip due to work deadlines but you can check out that weekend HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE. Erica made a video of our trip too that you can see right HERE.
Also, can I just say… I AM IN LOVE WITH CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA!? HOW IN THE WORLD DID I NOT LET MYSELF VISIT BEFORE NOW!? I want to move there. When we left, Drew and I decided that we are going to make it our summer vacation spot in the future with our family. No doubt. Thankfully, we had the chance to not only photograph the most beautiful wedding day, but we also got the chance to spend ONE full day in Charleston to play (WORK HARD, PLAY HARD) and WE HAD THE TIME OF OUR LIVES. I really pray we get to travel for weddings more and experience cities that we have never visited before. I think I looked at Drew almost every five minutes and just said, "I'm so happy right now." AH. Take me back. The best feeling. Charleston, you really helped this stressed out heart and mind of mine. Thank you.
Alrighty then. Let's get to it! I already am dreading this because I know I did SO bad. But I did the best I could. You win some, you lose some.
April Goals Vacation in Vegas with my blog best friends (DONE SON! AND it was a blast!!) Introduce Hattie for the zillionth time Anniversary Shoot (Had to reschedule) Get my hair did! :) Start reading The Law of Divine Compensation Two chapters counts right? :) FINISH my website. Boom. Finish Editing All March Sessions and Weddings (Wrapping up my last March wedding as we speak! Close enough! ;)) Photograph 6 Sessions Photograph 3 Weddings Finish my Blog with Kelly (Almost!) Go on a date with Drew Go to Charleston, SC to photograph a wedding (SO excited!) Have another "Pretend you have a co-worker" Day! Pay it Forward Continue Tour of our Home
May Goals
Introduce Hattie for the zillionth time (It's really going to happen this month or y'all can come and shave me bald. For reals.)
Anniversary Shoot (Had to reschedule) (Not sure when this is going to happen but it will. We had to put it on hold due to scheduling conflicts! Taking off until further notice.)
Get my hair did! :) My hair is straight up NASTY. I just don't know if I want highlights or a touch up on my ombre (again). What should I do!? I want a change. Finish Blog Design (We are close!) Make Website Final Touches Order Watercolor Print examples from local printers Photograph Two Weddings (Photographed one already on May 3rd…guess that's what happens when you post your goals on May 6th…SLACKER ALERT! Not really, just swamped y'all.) Photograph Four Sessions Attend my friend Amy's Bachelorette Party Attend and celebrate my sister-in-law graduating and getting her MASTERS from Texas A&M Photograph my first official editorial session for a fashion line - REALLY excited about this! Go to bed before 11 PM - Wake Up before 8 AM - Establish healthier sleeping schedule because I am all sorts of messed up right now. Work out twice a week - No Shay, the stairs in your house don't count. Take more work breaks to stretch and de-stress. Go wakeboarding! Drink MORE water. I'm getting bad about this lately and my kidneys are starting to kick me. Continue Home Tour IF I am caught up on my editing…which leads me to my next goal… Find a better system and schedule to balance work, editing, and my fun side of blogging to where it doesn't stress me out or spread me out too thin. I want to get back in a better blogging routine. It's going to happen. I just need to clear my list- baby steps. Pay It Forward. Go on a picnic with DDHP and make out with him under a tree or something. ;) YOLO! (I hate this term lol but it just seems appropriate right now.) Well! Happy MAY! Goodness… I can't believe it's MAY. WHAT IN THE WORLD, WORLD!? I hope your month is full of amazing things y'all. Love you guys!!! AND because I know how BAD I've been at blogging lately…I guess I'll go ahead and close this post out with a little video from our trip to Charleston or I'll probably forget to post it. It's super cheesy. You're welcome. Dear Charleston, We Love You! Love, The Nelsons from shalyn nelson on Vimeo.
