Guest Blogging for Capitol Romance!!!

Guess what everyone!! I will be sharing my journey in wedding planning on Capitol Romance!!! I love this wedding blog and it has helped to inspire me in the beginning stages of my planning. I have also had the pleasure of working on a few shoots that have been published on this amazing wedding blog. 

So jump on over to the site and check out my first article I wrote for them!!! 

Capitol Romance

Stay tuned for more updated on the progress I have made so far in our planning process!

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Trip to Tucson & Cali

This was my reading material while waiting for my flights. It was such an amazing book and I think everyone should ready it!! I even had to try my hardest to not tear up too much in front of all other other people waiting at the terminal with me during certain parts. 

This was the first meal I had in Tucson. We got brunch after my amazing friend, Celesste, picked me up from the airport. I got the Huevos Rancheros and a Hibiscus tea-- soo yummy and refreshing! 

That first night we went out for Celesste's birthday and I had this delectable mixed drink to start things off.

Next stop was a bar with live jazz music and I got this delicious number. I didn't even know Angry Orchard carried this flavor (apple ginger)!

The next day we stopped in at a cute bar for a midday bloody mary and I had an Irish Coffee afterwards to help wake me up a bit.

After the relaxing midday drinks we stopped in this wonderful shop, Olytata's, where I got some gifts for my family and a little something for myself too! 

This little munchkin, Bach, was so much fun to hang with! 

This was my lunch the next day when we did a mini trip to Bisbee and Tombstone. So delicious!!!

View from our outdoor table during lunch

We found this amazing wall covered with this awesome graffiti, where we had a fun photo sesh!

This was my revitalizing brunch the next day before we set out on our adventure for the day! The bloody mary was out of this world!

This is some artwork from the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, it was one of my favorite things about my trip! There were so many amazing pieces there and comprised of so many different mediums and subjects. Truly beautiful artwork! 

This was in the outside courtyard of the museum, which used to be his house and studio.

After the gallery trip we drove up to Mt. Lemmon and took a little bit of a hike! It was a pretty cloudy day but it was still refreshing and beautiful!

Before we went all the way down the mountain we stopped at this lookout point to watch the sunset. It was such a gorgeous sight to be seen! Breathtaking!

That night after the mountain, it was my last night there so we had these amazing pork belly tacos and these fries! Perfect last meal before my trip to Cali!

This was my first night out in Cali with my bestie Brittany! This was after my phone had its final fall so therefore not as many phone photos from California :( 

We hiked to see the Hollywood sign, 3 miles up and 3 back. Midway through I though I was gonna collapse but we pushed through and I'm glad we did! Great bit of exercise to start working off all the eating I had done while in Tucson!

Final thing I did before getting to the airport to head back to VA was get an In n Out Burger animal style! It was so delicious and mouthwatering! Perfect end to a fun filled trip! 

Stay tuned for some more "artsy" photos I took with my real camera!

Owning Your Own Business

I know a lot of you out there own your own business or are planning on starting one, here is some advice from fellow business owners that I have the pleasure of knowing and been able to work with. 

"Owning your own small business comes with a lot of responsibility, challenges and struggles but the reward of being a small business owner is so worth it! I think the coolest part of owning a business is that I can have an idea and make that idea come to life on my own terms. So if I want to do something; I put in the work and I make it happen and know that the only person who is stopping me is myself. If you fail at something, you've got to pick yourself up knowing that failure comes with the territory of being a business owner and that your next idea may be your next big break, so keep pushing forward!"

- Travis Curry of Travis Curry Photography

"I love this quote by Henry Ford.   "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."  So much about succeeding in small business comes down to your mental state and your ability to persevere when you fail.  And you WILL fail.  A lot.  You just need to learn from the why, evolve, and move forward.  It's always good to look back and see how much you've accomplished, to reflect.  I've failed a great deal, but I've succeeded more.  I like to think my success bank account is in the black. Also, don't do what you loathe.  Outsource and be done with it.  We can't be all things to all people.  When in doubt, farm it out! :)"

-Danielle Tirserio of Danielle Tirserio Photography

"To anyone considering launching their own business, I would encourage you to do one thing and do it well. Many of the "flash in the pan" businesses are such because at their core, their owners are trying to do too much, too quickly. Not to say that a business cannot offer multiple services or goods, but find the one singular thing for which you want to become known, and run with that, tease it out, and extrapolate it into your business model. Consumers resonate with and appreciate businesses that are true to their craft and don't pretend to be something that they are not."

- Meghan Streit of Shindig Weddings & Events

"I would say that you have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Sometimes things feel all wrong, like nothing is going to ever work out... But if you can just push through, I promise the next day will bring something of great joy. Take it one day at a time... Success is a lot of little things done right."

- Rachel Lynch of I Hate Blonde

"My favorite entrepreneurial quote is probably from Michael Gerber who said, "I am the leader. I am called upon to do the work of leadership." It is an important reminder that things don't just fall into your lap. When you own your own business you are the one who is responsible for your success. You're the boss. You have to get out there and make things happen! But that's the beauty in it too, right? The only limit to your success is yourself."

-Tyler FitzHugh of Voilá! Event Studio

"For me its all about team work! No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you're playing a solo game, you'll always lose out on a team! And also don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve."

- Julia Olivares of OLIV ARÉS HAUS of GLAM

"As a photographer I am my own boss, employee, marketer, accountant, etc. The list goes on and on. It can be totally overwhelming! For a long time I took on every job I could but at the end of the day that hurt me and my business. You can’t do it all. Don’t be afraid to turn down jobs and say no. You may feel like you are letting people down but sometimes it is the only way to keep your sanity."

-Brittanny Taylor of Brittanny Taylor Photography and 1am Beauty

"What keeps us motivated is moments when someone who has read our website or book tells us they've used it as a resource. When someone tells us they've recently moved to New York and our book helped them get to know the area, when someone is at a beer event in the city because they learned about it from out website. Our goal is to be a resource for people to get to know local beer, and when we accomplish that goal, it's the best feeling in the world."


-Sarah & Giancarlo Annese of BeerUnion


And finally here is some advice from me!

" To keep myself motivated, I think about why I am doing people's makeup or writing for this blog. And then I remember that I am doing it because it makes me happy and when my work makes others happy, that is the greatest reward of all! All the negative feedback and the negative thoughts that may run through your mind, should only fuel your resolve to be better and to continue towards your dream. Never let anything make you lose sight of what you want to achieve, stay true to yourself. When owning your own business or starting a new venture you need to be your biggest supporter because if you don't believe in yourself how can you expect anyone else to!"

Carolyn Thombs Makeup Artistry & Consulting // Lipstick & Chiffon // Carolyn Thombs Fine Art & Photography



What is some advice you have heard that has helped you to stay on track towards your goals?

2015 Plans

Recently I was reading this post from Brittanny Taylor: The Problem with Resolutions and it made me realize that the reason I never stuck to my "resolutions" for more than a month, was because I never painted my resolutions in a positive light. 

So I changed this post from 2015 Resolutions to 2015 Plans! 

Here are some of my plans for the coming year:

Of course the new year had to start off with a new planner!! I got this off of Etsy from the Sugar & Type boutique. I love this new planner, it has a budget page before each month (trying to be more financially responsible this year) and a section for goals, inspiration and accomplishments. Definitely adds a more positive spin on getting things done, which hopefully will take out some of the stress that can accumulate.

I also am working on keeping a steady workflow instead of my usual bursts of trying to get a million tasks done in one day. Now I am being more realistic about what I want to get done and what I will be able to get done. The first step in this new way of organizing my many jobs I juggle was the new scheduling technique I came up with ( you can find it in this post : A La Carte Scheduling: The Life of a Freelancer).

So my plans this year include implementing this scheduling more into my life and therefore eliminating needless stress. This all leads to me enjoying the fact that "life is [most definitely] beautiful" ( my cousin gave me that framed word art) and learning to enjoy it more instead of just working and missing all the beauty.

In regards to my makeup artistry business I am excited to continue building relationships with all the amazing creative that I have the honor of working with and can't wait to meet even more as my business grows.

I also plan on finally updating my website fully because I have so many exciting shoots I want to share with all of you!!

My parents gave me this awesome easel for Christmas, so I am so excited to continue my many started pieces of art and to finally finish some of them!

And last but not least I now have these absolutely gorgeous pieces of art for my feet to walk into the new year in super fresh style (thanks to my amazing sister Katie:) ). The shoes are from Taylor Says and there are so many others I would love to add to my shoe collection!! There are few things better than a beautiful new pair of heels; they give your feet new life and add a spicy edge to your step.  I can't wait to share all the new outfits I am going to pair these with on here for all of you! 

What plans do you have for 2015 that have you excited?! Any new shoes that have your feet giddy with excitement?

2014 in Review

Here are some of my favorite posts from this year! I hope everyone has a safe and fun filled New Years Eve!!! 

Bringing in 2014 // photos by Margaret Thombs

The Gang's All Here// photos by Jenna Gregg

Baby Its Cold Outside// photos by Margaret Thombs

Black & Gold// photos by Margaret Thombs

Morning Sunshine // photos by Jon Zerbonia

Veil of Snow// photos by Jon Zerbonia

Shadowed Overlay// photos by Margaret Thombs

Sunsets at Hillbrook// photos by Jon Zerbonia and Myself

Winter Florals // photos by Margaret Thombs

Casual Glam// photos by Margaret Thombs

Lace, Polka Dots and Tiger Stripes // photos by Victor Thombs

Hello Green! // photos by Margaret Thombs

The Italian Job// photos by Danielle Tirserio Photography

Inspired by Art // photos by Margaret Thombs

Stripes on the Beach// photos by Jon Zerbonia

Fresh White// photos by Margaret Thombs

Happy 4th of July!! // photos by Margaret Thombs

All White // photos by Alison Jefferies

Retro Florals // photos by Alison Jefferies

Stripes & Roses // photos by Alison Jerfferies 

On a Rooftop with a Flowercrown // photos by Brittanny Taylor

Wardrobe Essential: White Button-Up // photos by Victor Thombs

Sunshine Daisies // photos by Margaret Thombs

Hot Pink Sling-Backs and Garden Florals // photos by Margaret Thombs 

Cafe Attire // photos by Katie Thombs

Sitting on a Fence... Literally // photos by Zoltan van Heyningen Photography

Lines // photos by Kirk Westwood Photography

Pound Puppies// photos by Katie Thombs

Revealing// photos by Brandilynn Aines Photography

Poppy Red// photos by Christine Cunningham 

Well, Hello Fall // photos by Margaret Thombs

Summer Time Reminiscing // photos by Margaret Thombs

Canadian Tuxedo with a Side of Sparkle // photos by Jon Zerbonia

Grecian // photos by Jon Zerbonia

Skylines & Tulle // photos by Margaret Thombs

Floppy Hat & Autumn Rain // photos by Christine Cunningham

Makeup Tutorial: Cruella de Vil // photos by Margaret Thombs

The Wanderer // photos by The Pinwheel Collective

Industrial Backdrop // photos by The Pinwheel Collective

Faerie Foliage // photos by The Pinwheel Collective

Classic Red// photos by Margaret Thombs

I Wear My Sunglasses at Night // photos by Travis Curry Photography

Black & White Shenanigans // photos by The Pinwheel Collective

Sweetheart Neckline and Soft Pleats // photos by Travis Curry Photography

Navy & Stars// photos by Keith Bridges Media

Tartan Swing // photos by Keith Bridges Media

Let's Talk About Bras // photos by me 

Holiday Makeup Tutorial: A Touch of Burgundy // photos by me

Floral Sunnies// Danielle Tirserio Photography

Shady Ladies // photos by Danielle Tirserio Photography

Thank you so much everyone for all of your support, I appreciate each and every one of you who has helped this creative space to grow and flourish! Here is to another year of growth and exploration!!

See you next year!!! Have a wonderful New Year's Eve Celebration!!