what's work without play?

So technically I should not be blogging right now. I am doing good to get drive through dinners on the table (well coffee table by the TV) for my sweet husband these days! Life has never flashed so quickly as it has in the past few months. I'm truly in hog heaven with my new "lifestyle" and even though I think I work more now than I ever have in the past, it is in the comfort of my own home and doing the jobs I want....there is just nothing better than being your own boss!

Time to catch you all up on a few projects I'm working on. I seriously wish I had time to upload it all for you guys to see, but for now a brief description will have to do.

I currently have 7 design jobs I'm working on (two of which are HUGE kitchen renovations!) One of them is for a very good decorator here in Lubbock who contacted yours truly to do her design drafting! She is so great and from the looks of things, it appears we may be collaborating on many more residential jobs to come. The second kitchen remodel is for a wonderful family in Dallas that we actually met on our cruise this past summer! We hit it off with their family and they invited us to their big Halloween/Birthday bash in Vegas in October! She called last week and wants me to come up with a new kitchen design. I most likely will be making a trip to the metroplex in early October to work on the kitchen remodel, check in on my aunts design job, and take a family portrait session for my sweet high school friend Lindsey.

Lubbock is just a great place to be, and I have been so blessed to have such great friends, family, and acquaintances that have helped spread the news of my new business. It's amazing how close you actually get to clients when you're in their home and hear their stories. I am doing some consulting for a wonderful lady that has lived in Houston, Singapore, Ireland, the congo in Africa, and somehow ended up here in good 'ole west Texas. She found herself in a local store and asked who a good designer would be and my sweet friend (and photography crush) Kristin Bednarz overheard her and gave her my number! Small world! I have just melted over the amazing pieces this lady has collected over the years from various corners of the world. The stories behind them are so meaningful and I just love seeing how certain pieces of memorabilia trigger such emotion is someone. That's what design and photography are all about- the moments, the stories, and the fun memories that life has to offer.

As for graphic design work I'm currently working on two different projects. One is for a family friend who wants a wedding logo designed. I'll show you that one really quick because it's almost finished!

Her colors are apple green and plum. They wanted a California meets Texas theme so here is what I came up with... it's bright, but so is the sweet bride!

The other graphic design project is pretty fun as well. It is for a new spa here in Lubbock called the Renaissance European Spa. They already had their logo designed but came to me to put together their brochure and other graphics for the company. Here is a quick look at one of the drafts for the brochure- this is not final but just a snippet of the inside of it.

As for photography, I've had about 8 new client contacts in the past two weeks!! YEA! I have so many more shoots to blog about- don't think I have forgotten! I owe you guys Nikki's fabulous fashion shoot, the Walker kids, the Klemkes, the McEacherns, and....probably more I'm forgetting....All I want to do right now is get my website up with all this new material, but with so much going on in the day (and me being seriously OCD) I can't find the time!! (and yes, I guess I could have used this 30 minutes instead of blogging, but blogging keeps me sane).

Ok enough rambling about work. It's time for social stuff-

Friday night Ryan and I drove to Midland to catch his best friends wedding shower that was being hosted at Susan's (my favorite mother-in-law's) house. I took some pictures at the party, because let's face it, I just couldn't help myself and am still learning all the bells and whistles on my new camera.

It was fun catching up with everyone in Midland, but Saturday morning came all too soon (and with a headache for that matter) and it was time to head back to the L-B-K to find more "hair of the dog that bit me"...(old person joke.)

This past weekend was the much anticipated Tech/UT game. Being an X-longhorn myself, I used to dread this game because all my UT friends would just rub their team's talent in my face. All this animosity (which was all in my head no doubt) and guilt of being a trader came to a sudden halt when Crabtree single handedly punked UT. I was hoping for another year like that, but no such luck. Here are a few of my favorite candids from the day...

Sage (who is impossible to trick) got 'iced' first thing at the tailgate, by non-other than the self proclaimed "Ice Queen" (ME!). I have gotten pretty tricky and ingenious with the drinking game and even planted a Smirnoff Ice taped to the remote that was wedged in the sofa cushion during a football game last weekend- Ryan caught the bait :)

Haha, I was sitting behind Chris and Brett and happened to catch this "man-love montage" you see above... so funny how crazy these boys get during the game. The smudged hand prints on the glass in the picture below (and crazy look in Ryan's eye) illustrate my point perfectly.

...and last but not least, the all too familiar late-night dance party at the Thames house... haha I love that it is all the boys in dance mode with my mom at 1:00 in the morning. I hope we're always this immature....it's just too fun to quit.