After a two month sabbatical from blogging...

It's been a busy summer! That's my only excuse for not updating my blog in two *gasp* months. I spent a week in California at Gleanings for the Hungry as an adult leader with my old youth group. Then I took a weekend trip to Oregon to do engagement photos for a couple friends (yes, some of my favorite pics from that shoot will end up here eventually). And last weekend I spent in Victoria, BC with my little sister. Hopefully, additional updates will follow.

This week I'm busy working on a friend's 30th birthday party. The theme is "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Ooohh-la-la is right! ;) We're making decorative hair clips for the guests (in case they don't feel dreamy enough) and I got inspired to make a couple of clips for myself.

What to do with a random yard

I had a yard of fabric sitting in my sewing box that lacked specific purpose. I've been wanting to make a tote, so here's my practice run. Next time I'll add a lining & use a thicker, canvas like material.

This is for you, mom!

I asked my mom to pick up silk scarves during a recent trip to Italy. I just love the patterned one (see photo) she brought back. Goes really well with the blue linen dress we found at Anthropologie during a recent mother-daughter shopping experience :)

Soon! Soon!

I'm putting together a fun collage of my favorite Spring fashion items. Great ideas, so little time. It's coming soon! In the meantime, please enjoy this melancholic distraction ;)

(Photo by Amanda, Seattle's Greenlake 200?)

Outfit: Rockstar :)

Outfit: Wet & Dry

Pardon the messy background. I've started taking pictures of outfits that I like. As someone who walks to work, I have to be prepared for rain or shine (yes, that does mean I bring shoes to the office sometimes). Here's the wet & dry version of my outfit.

hairdeco

I found this $3 treasure at Anthropologie the other day. Out of sheer laziness, I tend to avoid "hair things" (or hairdeco), but I'm making an exception :)

Then & Now: The Passport

Thank God it's time for a new passport!

 

2000 vs. 2010

Christmastime is here

Which means I've been a little busier then usual (is that possible?). Within the past month I spent a week in Boston and a weekend in NYC. Both trips were fabulous! Now it's time to cram for Christmas gift making. That's right...back in September I thought it would be darling if I made most of my Christmas gifts. *panic setting in* As part of my gift giving, I'll likely be making sets of stationary/cards using my photographs. Usually I don't touch up or mess with my photos--what you see is what you get. This year I decided to have a little fun ;)

Creative Announcements

Friends asked me to take pictures for their "we're-expecting" announcement - really fun! Avid cyclist, I love how they incorporated their passion in this card:

As if soccer wasn't fun enough....

Seattle vs. Toronto...and THE hairdo

(Photo's by Amanda, Aug 2009)

Delicious birthday "gifts" (no food involved)

I'll be honest, I judge. It happens pretty often. Thanks to one of my lovely friends I have a better tool for judging & providing my critical assessment to the unsuspecting masses.

Bags you'd sue for.....wait! What?

(photo by Amanda's iPhone - Lake Tahoe - August 2009)

Family @ Father's Day

June 2009

(Ironically, dad is taking the picture)

How to spot a bibliophile

(photo by Amanda of Amanda's books, April 2009)

Enough said.

Seattle Street Fashion - RTW Spring '09

(by Amanda on iPhone)

Photo taken on 5th Ave, between Virginia & Stewart in downtown Seattle. 

People watching in Seattle

IMG_1266
Originally uploaded by regalruffian

Give us our coffee and the occasional sunny day & we forget the preceding 3 months of gray, dreary weather.

View more. 

Europe 2008: Christmas Market in Nurenberg, Germany

Flickr & I

When it comes to backing up my digital photography, I'm a bit neurotic and paranoid.  Storing images on my PC and external hard drive isn't nearly enough to help me sleep well at night.  While searching for a solution, I vaguely remembered the Flickr account I set up ages ago.  I had a free account that allowed me to upload 500MB per month, for free.  At 500MB a month, I'd be uploading images till my 65th birthday (assuming I don't take another from now till then).  

For $25 you can get an account with unlimited uploading and perks like being able to download your images online in the original format.  Overall, I really enjoy Flickr.  My biggest complaint is the semi-operational "Flickr Uploadr".  About 25% of the time, it boots me out of the system while I'm trying to upload images.  When I open it up again, I have to (manually) remove images so they aren't duplicated or start from scratch.  Yeah, annoying!  Hopefully, they'll keep improving the bulk uploading tools to make the process more user friendly.  So far, I'd give Flickr 7.5 out of 10.  

Visit me on Flickr.

(Photo by Amanda, Dec. 2008)