Clicking Away

Hello (hellooo... helloooo... hellooooo)

Is that an echo I hear or is anyone still out there? If you are, believe it or not, so am I. 

A few friends have been asking me what is going on with my Instagram account lately so kids, this post is for you, (mostly just you, Meredith). 

You may remember that a couple of birthdays ago H surprised me with one of my favorite gifts ever, a big girl camera. Since then, I have been clicking away with it, mostly on the automatic setting. This past birthday, knowing how much I have enjoyed using my camera, H surprised me with a photography class (and a new lens, tripod, etc.). He's a keeper. Most of the time. Since the class started I have been shooting in manual mode and experimenting with a whole new level of creativity and knowledge. I am very much a beginner but, really loving this new creative outlet and pushing myself out of the box. 

After the class wrapped a couple of weeks ago, I was having (a champagne) dinner with a (seriously fantastic) friend of mine. She is a very talented photographer who has been dabbling in the world of Instagram, we are a little bit opposite in this way. I was expressing interest in continuing my education and expression in photography and she encouraged me to try posting to a photo-a-day-challenge called, My_365. 

Once a week, the My_365 Instagram account posts a list of daily challenges. You take a picture of whatever that word or phrase may mean to you, (#) tag it, and the following day the My_365 account selects a small number of photos to 'feature', typically 3. It is so fun to see what other people post and who ends up being featured but, the best part is being apart of the large community of (professional and amateur) photographers who encourage and support each other.  

There are many other photo-a-day groups out there with a similar process, this is just the one that I am participating in. I should note, that you do not have to post every day but, it has been fun for me to have a reason to keep clicking away (whether with my big girl camera or just my iphone). 

Here are a few of my recent Instagram posts with the challenge word/phrase above as an example.

#from_where_i_stand

#homework

#found

#refreshed

The #refreshed photo that I took was even 'featured' on the My_365 account! 

So, there you have it friends. Thank you for checking in and for supporting my little hobby. If you don't follow me on Instagram already, please find me (samanthalivie). For those of you who don't have the app or have any idea what Instagram is (Dad, Grandma, MIL, FIL, etc.) I have my Instagram linked to this blog (pictures on the left of the page) so you can keep up with the happenings too. 

Any by all means, if you have any interest in participating in this (or any other) challenge I encourage you to join in! 

See you on the 'gram.

Moroccan Blues

Is it me or does the world seem to be spinning faster and faster? 

Ever wish you could just spin the globe and stop it with your fingertip and just go? Well, we did just that and ended up in Morocco!

photo

No not really. But, we basically did the same thing for less than $100. Okay, not the same thing at all. 

Like a lot of young couples, we are on a budget, meaning no Moroccan vacations just yet. We also don't agree on everything. I know, I know, that is hard to believe. 

For instance, H has been begging to spice up our abode and I am kind of digging our neutrals. But, after a little coaxing we headed out to pick up some paint. To throw a little color on the wall. Four of them to be exact.

When we first moved in, our mud room looked like this.

Gorgeous! 

But, after a year (holycraponeyear) the Benjamin Moore Horizon Gray walls started getting a little scuffed up. 

As I mentioned, H wanted to add some color. After I vetoed the big green forest that he wanted to paint (no, I am not joking), we went with a deep blue. 
  

We chose Pantone's Moroccan Blue via Valspar. Not quite navy with a hint of peacock. It is bold and a little bit sexy. Yes, I just described my mud room as sexy. I need to get out more. 

Eventually, I would like to hang a fun piece of artwork on the far wall. Maybe a painting of a forest. 

It's all about compromise people.  

Fading Into Fall

The summer flew by for us. We have been crazy busy as you may have guessed by my rather lengthy blog absence. 

We are currently working on enjoying what is left of the warm weather, atop the RTD. This is what our perch views have been like as of late. 

It may be a far cry from the Tetons but, I am trying to enjoy it for what it is worth. 

The summer synopsis is coming soon!

Tricky Tricky

H and I went from renting rooms with friends to renting a small home with each other to buying an even bigger home. We have slowly been accumulating furniture throughout the years but, once in our new house we had some empty space that needed to be filled. 

We purchased a beautiful new couch from Crate and Barrel. It is an über comfortable, linen blend which means that I had a new challenge; a need to keep a certain someone off of it. Occasionally, Miss Maui likes to play Goldilocks. She bounces from dog bed to dog bed and recently she has been testing the waters with the furniture. 

Her bed just isn't cozy enough for some reason.

Want to know my trick? 

It costs next to nothing and you chances are already have it in your home.

Tin foil! 

I have actually found that I do not need nearly as much as shown. We can fold it up quickly and throw it in a drawer when needed. 

So, if you've ever tried to keep your dog off of your furniture, I'd recommend giving this a try. Although, fair warning: Maui is a nearly perfect pooch who listens and trains easily. 

Dang, You're Old

Happy birthday America.

We will be celebrating today in Charm City.

With our favorite pooch. 

And some special guests. Hint...

Happy Fourth!