Eye of the Tiger

This song always revvs me up. Plus, I am a CHAMPION at singing it in Rock Band. What you know about 100% at expert level?

Anywhooter, I'm in the Zone today, editing Senior portraits I've been taking, contacting venues for The Portfolio Project, adding info to the Portfolio Project Website, and redesigning my blog.

So, there are a ton of changes going to be happening over the weekend on the blog, but don't be alarmed- it's "Under Construction". I'm working on a new header, new sections, new designs, etc so keep checking back to see how it turns out.

Announcing: Our First Vacation Without Kids!

OMG guys, we were listening to this live version of one of our favorite songs last night, and Braden said, "We should totally go see him when he comes to town."

Of course I was more than down with that idea, so I jumped on his website and checked tour dates. Only one left in 2011. In VEGAS. With KEITH URBAN. As I was saying these words to Braden, I saw these lightbulbs going off in his head and big fat smile creeping over his face.

"Let's Go." He said.

Sometimes we talk about stuff we should do- like going on a cruise, or flying to Paris or New York but it's always just in a dreamy non-realistic way. We have 5 kids under 5 years old. Traveling and having fun is not really in our realm of possible things. But this was different. We've been wanting to take a honeymoon for about a year now- we never got to go on one when we got married because I was pregnant with Penelope and we had a 1 year old and a 2 year old. So now that we have TWO 1 year olds, a 2 year old, a 3 year old, and a 4 year old- CLEARLY, this is the best time to go on a vacation.

So, I called my mom and asked if she would be ok with watching the kids for a weekend (Which she totally was. How much do I love my mom? Too much to even describe) and we searched for concert tickets & our flight and hotel.

I swear I had butterflies in my stomach and was sweating when we pushed that "Purchase Now" button- but we're going! OMG you don't even know how exciting and scary this is! We're taking our FIRST real vacation together. Ever. We've known each other for 6 years now and have never gone on a vacation together. I'm so happy, I don't even know what to do :) Get ready for some awesome Vacation 2011 posts here on the blog & on Facebook. It's bound to be hilarious.

So I have A LOT of work to do before April 30th, starting with The Portfolio Project. Omigosh, I had such a great response yesterday for the project and I did more work on the site and made a neat little button for people to put on their blogs or websites if they are so inclined.

<a href="http://theportfolioproject.net/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww74/rosemarywatson/button.png" alt="The Portfolio Project" width="125" height="125" /></a>

If you'd like to particpate, shoot me an email at rosemary@rosemary-watson.com

The Portfolio Project

So here's The Plan: I need to build a wedding portfolio for the new website I am designing. Obviously, I've never shot a wedding. Therefore, I need to create wedding-esque photo shoots for those images. Make sense? No? Great.

So, I am wanting to team up with all different people: vendors, venues, & "models". I will be putting this Portfolio Project flyer out on Facebook today, but I think I want to try and keep the model stuff just on my blog and see who I can get.

Basically I'm looking for people who have gotten married within the last year or so, and don't mind getting pictures taken in their own wedding dresses and their husband's wedding "suit" or whatever. Many grooms rented stuff so in that case I can just use a bride, but I'm doing 5 shoots to start off with and that should be at least a start for my portfolio.

I need lots of help! If you all know any VENDORS that would like to participate (or if you loved your wedding flowers/hair/makeup/etc and want to just give me their name and I can call them) please let me know. I can help them out by giving them the pictures to use for their business, and they help me out big time. It's a WIN-WIN! Also, I'm developing a website for The Portfolio Project at www.theportfolioproject.net. NET people- don't forget. I'll post all the info, behind the scenes stuff, and I'll link to all participants on there so be sure to check it out.

AAAAAND if you or someone you know would like to be models holla back at me! I want pictures of all different people so don't be all "I'm not model material" because you know that's BS. For crying out loud, they'll be hair stylists & makeup artists there so you'll look fabulous.


photo via Martha Stewart Weddings

PS- the "getting married within a year" is not a hard and fast rule. I'm just trying to not have to borrow wedding dresses from a shop so if you can get your hands on any white dress (doesn't have to be a gown, could be a short fun cocktail wedding dress) and you want some pictures done- I'm totally down with that.

This is gonna be a blast- I promise and I'll be forever grateful for everyone who participates! Email me at rosemary@rosemary-watson.com to join us!

Full Steam Ahead

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via Meghan on Pinterest

I thought the illustration on the above poster is just how I'm feeling. Over the dark part and into the BEST part- something new. And as most of you know, it's go BIG or go home with me.

The decisions that I've made have led me to this: I am going to focus on becoming a Wedding Photographer. Both Eryn & I have these goals for ourselves, and we both have our own personality and point of view of how we want our Wedding Photography to go, so we will be heading our own unique brands for weddings and continuing working together with Heirloom for portraits & family photography. We are both so excited and happy about this decision- one of the best things about working with my sister is that we both want the best for each other and are so understanding about each other's needs.

Source: perfectboundblog.com via Betsy on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Betsy on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Betsy on Pinterest

So, I will be working diligently to develop my brand, build my portfolio, and improve my skills to really hit the ground running. Like I said, I'm still going to be doing portraits, families, and everything in between but I have a lot of incredible things coming up that I will sharing soon!

Source: ritzybee.typepad.com via Betsy on Pinterest

Walking the Walk

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

Well, I did it. Today was the day. I said I was going to simplify my life, and I did just that. So, on top of what I said yesterday- I quit on 3 different projects today. And it sucked. Bailing on people is the WORST feeling in the world. I had sweaty palms and DEFCON 1 Anxiety (which is in fact the highest, not the lowest in case you were wondering. But I'm sure you weren't. Please just disregard) the whole time I was writing my stupid "bowing out" emails & text messages. Blegh, it was horrible. Because I do want to do all those things, but I just can't do everything. There I said it. I won't do it to myself. I made a decision and I'm sticking to it, even though it makes me feel like such a schmuck.

Source: jenniferjohner.typepad.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

These little quotes really help me out when I'm feeling uncomfortable - they give me that little extra bit of courage to just suck it up and do it. Plus, thank you all so so so much for your kind words about my last post. I cry every time I read all of them. Even though I don't know some of you or I haven't seen you in a while- it really makes me feel like I made the right decision. And that means so much to me.



On a lighter note: Our Frannie Dog is in heat and it is a flipping nightmare. Our Rottweiler Capone is going ape-crazy with all these hormones going around, and keeping them separated is just ridiculous. How's your day going?

Change is Hard

Source: callaloosoup.tumblr.com via Rosemary on Pinterest

This weekend I had a soul-changing experience. Eryn was watching an online class about Jasmine Star, a wedding photographer in Orange County so I stayed and watched a little of it. 14 hours and 30 pages of notes later, I can honestly say that I am a different person today.

I laughed through this class, and I cried multiple times. A lot of you know that I am a cryer, and may think I was just being dumb (Braden sure thought so) but the words she was saying felt like she was peering into MY soul and calling me out on all these feelings I had been having and not sharing with anyone. There are some things that I have not been able to admit to anyone, especially not myself that I realized I need to get out so I can make a change in myself and my life.

I think the biggest thing that I had to come to grips with is that I am afraid. I am scared. You'd never know it, and I'd never show it; but I am terrified of really putting myself out there online. I've always laughed it off and chalked it up to "not having enough time" and "being so busy with my kids" but if I'm truly honest with myself I know it's because I'm afraid. I've actually always been a pretty good writer, and do well articulating emotions of both myself and other people- but my blog has NEVER been a place for me to write. It's always just been a collection of things- images, ideas, recipes, tutorials- you name it, and it's on here. Everything but my written words about my personal feelings. And I am sorry about that, because I think that I have painted this false picture of myself that everyone thinks I just have this wonderful, happy, full life and never get emotional about anything. Trust me, it's not all puppies, and rainbows, and lollipops over here. But, instead of getting it out in my writing, I just step away from my computer and don't share with anyone and I'd like that to change. If people are going to know the "Real Me", I can't be afraid to be the Real Me.

After I came to grips with this problem I had, I came to an even more scary realization- do I even like the person I am right now enough to share with other people? Again, if I was honest with myself, the answer was No. I'm not happy with myself. I do a million things at a medium level, and never focus on ONE thing to do exceptionally well. Why? Oh that's right, because I am a freaking chicken. I'm scared to commit to one thing. (Good Lord, what's my problem?) My mom & Braden both have said numerous times, "You should try and grow your photography business, you could really be good if you tried". But I've always held the firm belief that I'm really not cut out for it. Yes, for some reason people think the pictures I take of them are good enough to pay me for; but I don't really even consider myself a photographer. I just take pictures that turn out nice.

The bottom line is that, through watching this class I realized that I need to make a change in my life. I need to stop being afraid of commitment because everyone who loves me wants to see me take a risk and throw myself into something and give it my best shot. Braden would rather see me fail at something I love, than succeed at something that makes me unhappy. And make no mistake, I am unhappy. I've tried all sorts of different things, and have never been all that successful, because my heart was just not in it.

So, after crying about all that and making some tough decisions, I've decided to step away from Real Estate. I will keep my license active to invest my own money into properties, and help friends and family with their Real Estate transactions but I will not be taking on any new clients anymore. It was hard for me to decide this because it made me feel like a failure, but I need to accept that it's ok. It's just really hard for me.

Also, I've closed our Etsy shop and will not be taking on anymore custom orders. Any sewing or accessory making I will do will just be for my girls- who seemed to get left out when I'm creating for other people.

And most of you don't know this- but I've been wanting to open a dance studio this year (which in fact is my life dream) and was seriously considering opening in Fall, but due to the unstable economic state since the Disaster in Japan and my decision to not take on any new projects I will not be moving forward this this project until 2012. If then the circumstances have improved, then I will push to make it happen. Until then, though- I am going to focus my attention elsewhere.

So then what's next for me? I have a lot of "Me" Discovery to go through, but I will say that I will be doing a lot more writing. There will still be recipes, and stuff about my family, and other fun stuff- but be prepared to get know me better.

And get prepared to see me grow.

Source: etsy.com via Rosemary on Pinterest

Presenting our New Master Bathroom

It's finally done! Actually, I still need to go buy some light grey towels today, but everything else is completed.

Remember the before? Drab, dreary, blandly beige. Blegh.


Now look how fabulous!


Seriously, the pictures don't even do it justice. You must come see it in person. I just love it.

The Run-Down:

First we took off all the old baseboards and everything off the walls and the doors and drawers off the cabinets. Then he installed the beadboard, new thick baseboards, and chair rail on top of the beadboard. He encased the window in trim then sprayed the beadboard, baseboards, & cabinets with the white paint. After that dried we taped all that white stuff off and rolled out the grey paint with a roller (when I say we I do mean we. I totally helped through this whole process. Aren't you proud?) and he sprayed the cabinet doors & drawers in the garage. We put everything back in its place, added the new hardware (found at Hobby Lobby), and I got the decor pieces from Ikea.

Source: ikea.com via Rosemary on Pinterest

Source: ikea.com via Rosemary on Pinterest

And here's my wall art I ordered in the Ikea frame I love so much. I decided to keep it black to mix up the colors in the bathroom. It's a nice mix of white, grey, brown & black that keeps it un-matchy.


All in all, it was a pretty fast and inexpensive job and it really makes a HUGE difference. I never want to leave my bathroom now.