Simple Escapes

If you're a frequent reader, you know I have been escaping to the trails and hills that surround me, daily, for as long as we've lived here in this beautiful apartment. It is my favorite kind of alone time and may even be my favorite part of the day. Pippin and I can get lost out there for hours; I feel pretty lucky with the miles upon miles of trail that is accessible from my home.

I've been spending more time than usual in these hills lately, especially now that I have a new camera to play with. I figure this has got to be the best place available for me to learn, practice, and improve my photography. I'm feeling pretty spoiled, to say the least. Yesterday Pip and I found a nice shady spot along a creek. I sat along it's bank for as long as my allergies would allow, desperately trying to capture the beauty of the trees, leaves, blossoms, and green green grass all around me. And Pippin was happy, running freely, chasing squirrels and ducks. I've been soaking up as much of this creative energy as I possibly can, attempting to stash some of it away for later.

Simple escapes like this are what I live for; they are so important to my creative process. It is a simple, quick break from the scheduled and predetermined. Sure, I schedule time for myself for these walks, but I allow spontaneity to take me on a different path each time. As an over thinker, my little escapes have become vital. I encourage other creatives out there to seek out their own little escapes ( or as I like to call them, mini-adventures) frequently. Even a simple walk will provide you with so much movement, color, and inspiration. The key is to capture it and let it transform you.

xx Emorie

Aaron & Daisy: Playing Photographer (Again)

Aaron, my younger brother, and his lovely lady Daisy recently celebrated their 1 year anniversary and asked me to take some pictures of them together to celebrate. I also took some pictures for them in the Fall, when they were celebrating 6 months together. You can see those here. I, obviously, happily oblige whenever they ask me to shoot for them; they're so freakin' photogenic, adorable together, and a joy to be around.

We've tried to get together for the past two weeks to do these but the weather was not on our side. Every day that the two of them had off and that also worked for me was always incredibly rainy/stormy. But thanks rain, for causing us to hold out for awhile, because you made everything so green and beautiful. Plus, all the grasses around here grew an extra foot (I swear!) recently, and it was the perfect backdrop and just the scenery Daisy was wanting. Win win! It was terribly bright out and windy (were talking over 20mph), but we made it work!

I also love shooting for these two because it gives me an excuse to play around with Daisy's camera for a few hours. Yes, please. Sadly, her battery died halfway through, though, and I ended up finishing our time together with my iPhone. Thanks phone, you're handy. The last 5 pictures I showed you here were taken on my iPhone.

BUT GUESS WHAT GUYS!? I have a feeling I'll being doing quite a few more shoots like this soon, and lots and lots of photo-adventuring, because a pretty Canon Rebel T3i is heading my way right now! I am incredibly lucky and grateful to have won the giveaway by Latrina from Of Trees and Hues. I about died from excitement when I found out; I never expected to win! I'm so incredibly happy that I'll have a DSLR of my own. I can't wait to share even more pictures with you and continue to improve my photography. I'll probably do an unboxing, because I'm cheesy like that. Then I'll probably hug the camera and cry like a baby. Then it will be attached to my body for months; get ready.

Anyway, holy tangent there. These two are adorable and I'm so happy they keep choosing me to capture little snippets of their love for each other.

xx Emorie

On Pets and Happiness

This may or may not have just been an excuse to share some more pictures of Pippin with you. He is always so golden, I don't quite understand it myself. I'm always blown away when I look back at pictures I took of him. Like , I actually captured that. I bottled all your weirdness up and put it in this photograph. Is my dog-mom showing? I took these yesterday afternoon in the 78 degree heat while we took a little break from our hike at the top of Camels Back.

Sometimes I just look down at this little fella curled up on my lap and it doesn't seem real. How can something bring me so much happiness? Sure he can be pretty stinky, and he tries to hump guests sometimes, and he barks at the kind neighbors, and he doesn't eat his nutrabits (okay, inside joke). But I love him and he loves me/maybe has some attachment issues. It is amazing how much happiness this stinky butt brings. I wouldn't trade him and all his weird little quirks for any other pet. Our family feels complete with him around. He's part of the pack.

Hope you're enjoying a lovely, warm day.
xx Emorie

P.s. Why does blogger destroy the quality of my gifs? Ugh.

Texture Samples | Signs of Spring

It's been raining constantly and fiercely for quite a few days. When I didn't wake up to the pounding sound of rain on the roof this morning, I knew I had to get out first thing and hit the trails with Pip. We've been itching to go hiking for days, seeing as it is or regular morning routine to do so. I love the rain, but it is a bit of a bummer when it keeps you from your daily walk through the hills. Mudslides are kind of a thing, haha. This morning was lovely, to say the least. We went an extra long route to give our legs the stretch they needed. It was rather cold and windy (I was bundled up in a hat and down coat), but I rarely noticed. Spring is starting to take life in these hills and it is wonderful.

If you ask me, the best time to go out on the trails (well, besides, you know, everyday...) is the day after it's been storming. There is hardly anyone out there, except maybe a few trail crew teams filling up holes left by the rain. You may even see some deer! And there are lots of treasures to find all over the place from the plant life having been blown about. I collected some pretty pieces to hang inside. Pippin wasn't too fond of the treasures, he got tumbleweed stuck to his face on several separate occasions, haha. He also didn't quiet understand my picture taking and decided to munch on all the grass I tried to photograph. Whatever, jokes on you Pippin — it totally enhances the image :)

See the first post in the Texture Sample series: The Foothills Near Our Home in Late February

xx Emorie

Texture Samples | The Foothills Near Our Home in Late February

Pictures taken on a hike early this morning, on the trail a few steps from our place. Living here still seems a bit unreal. I noted today, while walking through the hills, that this feels like a vacation. We are busy, our stuff is still all over the apartment, there are plenty of lists still to complete. But, despite it all, this place feels a little too good to be true. I can't believe that every time I have to take Pippin out, I can spend an extra 5 minutes and walk up the ridge with him to look over the city.  The way the sun lights up this place all day makes me giddy; especially the skylit over the stairs in the morning. There are hundreds of miles of trails for my backyard (I've been averaging 3 hikes a day so far). I've watched the sunset over Boise every night we've been in our new place and I don't plan on stopping. There is so much beauty and inspiration up here and I plan on enjoying it, soaking in it, and capturing it. Mental note to carry my phone (my only camera) with me everywhere.

Needless to say, we're settling into this place rather nicely. And, oh boy, are we happy.

xx Emorie

Wears (+ Will): Snow Days

My sister had asked me to take some pictures of her and her husband (and pup!) for their Christmas cards this year and we agreed on Saturday afternoon to get them done. Well, we really hit the jackpot because that winter storm came through and those two cuties had a lovely snowy backdrop for their family pictures for Christmas cards. And the blizzard dump let up just before we headed out for the photo adventure, although if you look closely, there were definitely still a few flurries floating around. Bee and Tyler live in the foothills near Hyde Park, so we walked around there for some pictures. When we were done, Bee was nice enough to also snap a few pictures of Will, Pippin, and me. If I was the sort to make and send out Christmas cards, I would definitely pick from this bunch; I love how they turned out, even if Pippin was much more interested in everyone walking by in the snow than having his picture taken. You can only ask so much of a pup in the cold.

Outfit Details
Dress: Böhme, two or three? years ago (similar / similar)
Sweater: Kohl's, daisy fuentes (similar)
Belt: Sierra Trading Post
Tights: Target
Socks: Old Navy, they're slipper socks! (different color)
Boots: ModCloth
Coat: Target (similar)

On Will
Shirt: Old Navy (similar)
Sweater: So old, I have no idea
Bow Tie: I made it!
Corduroys: JCPenney (similar)
Shoes: Macy's (similar)
Coat: JCPenney (similar)
Scarf: came with coat

I hope you are enjoying this holiday season as much as I am so far!
xx Emorie

Winter Flashback

I've been missing Moscow's winters like crazy lately. We hardly see much snow here in the Boise valley, and the cold just isn't as fun with out magical fluffy powder to skip through. I've been day-dreaming, so often, of a long snowy walk through the arboretum and the countryside with a hot thermos in hand. Or a quick trip up Moscow Mountain for pine cone hunting (for our homemade Christmas garland of course). Above all, I miss our tiny little apartment in that beautiful old house that we called home. Watching the snow fall out the windows and bury the giant walnut tree. Taking the cushions off the couch for snuggles in front of the fire. Stringing everything with lights.

Boise, I like you, but you best believe I can't wait to live somewhere that dumps buckets of snow, again.

xx Emorie

P.s. Pictures were taken in January 2012, which seems like a whole world ago.

Playing Photographer

My brother asked me to take a few pictures of him and his lady love just for fun, so the three of us went out on a little photo adventure yesterday. I had such a great time playing photographer for an evening. It may have been extra exciting for me because I got to use her lovely Canon Rebel for the shoot. These two are just so adorable/photogenic/fun, I had to share a few of my favorite shots with you. (I couldn't decide between b&w or color on that last one. It's my favorite.) Aren't they gorgeous? Talk about the perfect time of year for a photoshoot. I'm off to dream about having my own DSLR and getting to do this for a living.