10 on 10 - September 2015

Here we are at another 10 on 10. And yet again it's been a whirl wind month of weddings, catching up on some house projects, and travel. Somehow I randomly ended up on the other side of the country, in Miami for a few days. I took the opportunity to see a place that I haven't yet but has always peeked my interest: the Florida Keys, please!

Before we get to some beautiful, sunny, sea air, take a peek at the other 10 on 10ers (links below). If you've been following the project for a few years, you may notice that our list of names keeps growing. I'm excited to have Lelia Marie Photography joining our group starting this month! Visit her site and give everyone a little love. As always, they're sure to have some good eye candy for your viewing pleasure.

Anne Almasy | Anya Elise Photography | Amy Straka Photography

Button Media | Casey Broadley | Lelia Marie Photography

Lisa Hibbert | Pogo Photo | Shaw Photography | Twinty Photography

Okay, back to FL. This was my first trip traveling solo and while it was a bit awkward at times, it was fun to have the time to do solely what I wanted to do. Scootering, snorkeling, dolphin watching; the world is my oyster.

But really, I had a great time in Key West. 1.5 days actually ended up being a great amount of time. I felt like I saw the sites and experienced some touristy things, but didn't run out of things to do. ...but on a side note, I had fish tacos for 90% of my meals (obviously) and was left disappointed. Come on KW, what does it take to get some good sea food on an island surrounded by fish?! At least the sunsets made up for a sad tummy.

You may notice that my hair has a mind of it's own in the humidity. Just let it go, man.

Another month has come and gone, but we'll be back with more 10 on 10 in October. Until next time...

10 on 10 - August 2015

This past couple months has no joke, been a whirl wind. We've gone from a week on the Florida gulf (see last month's 10 on 10 post) to the most northern beach in Oregon in three days. We've had a sick puppy dog, two cases of mono (us, not the dog), and just moved sister Sydney up to Portland (yay!). ...and did I mention trying to fit work in there somehow? In the midst of all that, we also tried to fit in a week-long trip to our homeland, Wyoming.

Before we get to that though, make sure to check out the other 10 on 10ers and get their monthly dose of life around the country.

Anne Almasy, Anya Elise Photography, Button Media, Lisa Hibbert, 

Pogo Photo, Shaw Photography, Twinty Photography

So back to Wyo. Nabil and I both grew up in central Wyoming. We love Oregon, but there is something about going back to visit the Wild West; a little tinge of nostalgia that stays in your gut whenever the word "Wyoming" is uttered. It's a place that gets in your soul and refuses to leave. When we go back to visit, we like to check some things off the list that we haven't done since we were younger or that we miss seeing/doing/being.

One of those things was hiking up to Medicine Bow Peak. There is a pass in south-central Wyoming that is one of the prettiest drives in the state, and when I was younger, my dad and I made a 9-mile trek across the top of the mountain. This visit I wanted to hike up to the top again with my dad and newly with the hubby. We took a shorter (but steeper) path up to the top. Nabil and I were more than a tad out of breath at the 12,000ft peak, as my 62-year old dad was all but running in circles around us. We had to make him stop again and again to grab the water bottles from his 20lb backpack. We carried nothing but ourselves. I like to blame the altitude, but at that point, the tinge of nostalgia was pushed aside by my thought of "how the hell did I do this when I was 9?!"

Nonetheless, we were very happy to reconnect with the mountains and with the past. There is something so grounding about being outside and finding something that not many choose to seek.

Thanks for the memories Wyo! As usual your scenery did not disappoint. If we missed seeing you this time, we hope to meet up with you next trip. :) 

Until next time...

10 on 10 - July 2015

Can you believe it? It's been two full years of the 10 on 10 project! I'm still a little in awe that this small nugget of an idea to connect photographers across the country has continued, and even more so, that readers and photographers alike look forward to the posts each month. ...not only that, but the caliber and talent of this group is fun to take part. It's like I'm in middle school and I'm allowed to sit at the cool kid table.

This year, the group is growing yet again. Most of the previous participants are still active, but we also have four newbies joining the group. I'm really excited about the group as a whole because while everyone shows incredible talent, we all bring something different to the table. A different style, a different location, a different take on the same industry. So go ahead, take a jaunt. Check out the other 10 on 10ers and find yourself some inspiration. Then come back and check out my trip this month to FL.

Anne Almasy

Anya Elise Photography

Amy Straka Photography

Button Media 

CLB Creative 

Lisa Hibbert

Pogo Photo

Shaw Photography

Twinty Photography

This month, my 10 on 10 post is taking you all out of Oregon and as far east and south as we can possibly get. This summer, our family reunion was in Sarasota, FL.

Let me preface this with the background of how much I love our family reunions. I grew up traveling to see my cousins and aunts and uncles every other year. My mom is one of four kids, and the cousins are scattered in age with about 17 years from the youngest to the oldest. When you grow up seeing each other that often, even though we were always far apart geographically, your cousins become more than that one vague aunt's kid, they become your friend, an additional support, and confidant. Aunts and uncles become someone to seek advice, to look up to, someone who will support you throughout life and cheer for you through the hurdles.

I'm grateful to have a family that makes it a priority to all create time together, time to focus on the family as a whole and to also celebrate the growth the of each individual. ...and then there was the beaches. 

Needless to say, we had a pretty good time. I left Oregon thinking that I would have a few days with some time to work and catch up on e-mails. Apparently, I forgot that when you lay on a Florida beach, your mind automatically shuts out the real world for the rest of the week.

Posting the photos makes me miss it all already.

Until next time.

10 on 10 - Nov. 2014

Once again, another month has gone by and I have no idea where the time went. Do I sound like a broken record on all of my 10 on 10's yet? 2014 is almost over already! While you're here checking out this month's post, make sure you check out all the other 10 on 10ers this month. I know they will all have some great eye candy to spruce up your Monday.

Brittany Conner Photography

Button Media

CLB Creative

Twinty Photography

Anya Elise Photography

Shaw Photography

So this month, I was randomly in Atlanta for about 48 hours for a conference. I have some family (my cousins and aunt and uncle) that live just outside of Atlanta, and they were nice enough to drive into the city to take me to dinner. If you know me very well at all, you know that family is really important to me. We live so far away from one another. 2700 miles to be exact. Yes, I mapped it. We live on opposite ends of the country, but every time I do see them, it makes my heart warm. Not to get too sappy on you all here (I'll stop soon, I promise). These girls are all so beautiful inside and out, and I love seeing the unique women they have all become. Plus, I don't think you could get a cuter family if you tried.

We hit up 

Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint

 downtown. A true southern style place with some amazing jazz live music. Even a Portland food snob like me left Juke's happy and overly full. If you're in town and need some grub, stop in and get some fried chicken because it was delish!

Thanks again Harrison's I love you all and hope I get to see you again soon. :)

I have a list of things to blog before another 10 on 10 post comes around, so stay tuned. Until next time...