The Jungle

I wish I had before and after photos of our back yard because seriously...it was a jungle. Supposedly there are coyotes running around the island, and I'm pretty sure they could have found safe refuge in our over-growth for years if it were not fenced in. Now that Brian has that area cleared, he has planted more fruit trees that I can name.

Finally, we have moved to the front. When I say "we" I don't mean "me." I'm allergic to working in the yard. It's not my thing, but thankfully it IS Brian's thing.

You wouldn't believe the hours that have been put into clearing the yard and digging up palms. I never in a million years would have guessed it would have turned into such a project.

But now we have a sandy yard, more trees than we need, and no design plan. We want to keep it as beachy looking as possible because...well... because we are at the beach. With that said, we are just now sure how to work with all the sand, what trees/shrubs to take away, and what to plant.

After much research and digging around, I hope I have found someone who can create a master plan for us. Fingers crossed.

(As always, click on the photo to see a larger version.)

The Guest Room: Before & After

We love living so close to home and having friends and family come visit. Because we knew we would have lots of guests at the beach, we decided to make this long bedroom into somewhat of a bunk room. We didn't do much in this room except replace the carpet with tile. We already had a queen bed, so we bought a bunk bed that matches.

I found the diving lady above the bed at a place here in Fort Walton Beach called De France. I'm pretty sure I kept them in business my first few weeks in town.  :) If you come to visit, this has to go on the list of places you don't want to miss. One day I sent Brian and my Uncle Bart up there to pick up a mantle that I bought and much to my surprise they came back talking about things that they wanted in there. They really do have something for anyone.

I found the bucket idea on pinterest and thought that would be a great place for people to place things since there is no bedside table for the bunk beds.

You can click on the photos if you want to see a larger version.

I think I have decided to call this room the lucky room instead of the guest room. So far I have found a pair of sunglasses AND $20 in here. I checked with all of the people who have stayed here, and none of them have claimed either. I'm not quite sure if my guests are forgetful or if we have a ghost. But either way...as long as there are no scary noises in the night I'm good!

Sweet Tennessee Family

Have I mentioned how much I love my job? It doesn't get much better than having sweet, simple sessions with people who are on vacation. I love meeting new people every week and hope I will see them again next year.

I recently had the opportunity to photograph this sweet family from Tennessee. To see more of their images just click on the photo below.

  For beach portraits in the Destin - Fort Walton Beach - Okaloosa Island area visit:

OUT OF THE BLUE WEBSITE

OUT OF THE BLUE FACEBOOK PAGE

Be nice to a teacher!

I've had a job or two in my life. You can skip all the details below if you get bored, but be sure to read the last paragraph. 

In high school I worked at St. Simons Drugs (mostly selling beach items to tourists), at an attorney's office (mostly typing and answering the phone, and at Epworth by the Sea (front desk clerk).

In college...hmmm. There was the time I worked at Arby's. That lasted two weeks too long. I worked at a Bi-Lo grocery store and had to quickly quit that job when I got word from a stocker that the skanky manager was going to take some money and blame me (scary!). I worked in an office at the college for a while. I can't remember what my title was but I DO remember one time one of my job duties was to scrape price tags off cheap picture frames for a solid week. My most fun college job was working at the information desk at the student union. My least fun college job was working as a waitress at a Chinese retaurant and having the owner yell at me because I didn't really want to scrape the pee off the wall in the men's restroom for $2/hour.

After college I was an elementary school teacher off and on for nine years. Because we have moved a good bit, I have had a few other jobs as well. I worked in sales at a large, upscale health club in Alaska. Our  manager made us go put out those "win a free membership" boxes all over town. You can imagine the kind of people that often fill out those forms after a night of partying (or working) while they wait for their late night breakfast at Denny's. Working as a sales consultant at a furniture store in Alaska was a very lucrative job but the hours left absolutely no time for a life. Late one winter in Alaska I saw an ad for a job that required a week of training in Seattle. I didn't really care what the job was. All I wanted was an all expense paid "vacation" to somewhere not buried in snow. That resulted in a secret shopper job for Safeway grocery stores. What a FUN job! They flew me all over Alaska to secret shop, and I actually made good money and got to see lots of beautiful places. Oh yeah...I worked at a gift shop in Anchorage a couple of summers.

In Charleston I taught school and then started a company called Charleston Concrete Design. That was my craziest job where I think I proved to myself that I can do pretty much anything (within reason) that I make up my mind to do. I eventually sold that business and got into photography. While photography took lots and lots of practice and learning, it's a pretty easy job. It consumes a lot of time, but honestly, it is the most stree-free job I have ever had.

I've left out some jobs I'm sure but let me tell you...teaching was without question the hardest, most stressful job I have ever had. It was rewarding, and I LOVED it for a long time. But it was HARD. I can't even begin to tell you the insane amount of overtime teachers put in with no pay - and I'm not even talking about the amount of time consumed at home with grading papers and planning lessons. I would spend at least $2000/year of my own money buying supplies for my classroom to make learning fun for my students. The pay is definitely better than minimum wage, but considering most teachers have advanced degrees and lots of years of experience - it's nothing compared to what they could make in other careers. Don't even get me started on the topic of teachers having "paid summers off."  :)  Yep, I have had a lot of jobs. I actually enjoy working and am grateful that I have had the vast experiences that moving around has afforded me. I learned something important doing each job, and I am thankful for each job I had. The long-winded point I'm trying to make is that teachers have one of the toughest jobs on the planet! The first week or two back is always super crazy, fun, and absolutely exhausting. So be extra nice to a teacher as your kids go back to school. Why not surprise them with something unexpected the first week or two of school just to tell them thanks for all the hard work they have put into preparing for a good year.

I made some cookies yesterday for Cole's teachers for his first day back at preschool. The ladies at his school are amazingly sweet, and I am so thankful for them!

If anyone has any good ideas for fun gifts for teachers be sure to leave them in the comments below!

Stuck in pinterest hell... :)

I recently told a friend I feel like I'm in pinterest hell. While I love a good project to work on, working on at least one every single day is getting to be a little much.  :)

It's not really the projects that I mind, it's the MESS the projects make. And the mess my house is because I'm too busy working on projects to clean it.

Anyway, one of my latest projects was painting my stairs. You can only see a portion of the stairs here, but it gives you a general idea.

Does anyone have a "get out of pinterest free" card??

Family Beach Photos in Destin (Okaloosa Island Photographer)

A few photos of the sweet Snow Family...to see more images just click on the photo below.

If you need a family portrait photographer for beach photos on Okaloosa Island (near Destin) be sure to check out Out of the Blue!

Underwater Wars

Cole loves to have water gun battles. When he isn't in his fort (aka float), he can be found sneaking around under the sea...

Cole's Room: Before & After

When we first moved in Cole wasn't too crazy about his room - I think he was convinced we had left his toys in South Carolina forever. Now that his shelves are packed with all of his favorite things he is starting to like it.  :)

All we had to do in his room was paint the walls and replace the carpet with tile.
 

Cole's room has a little too much store-bought theme action going on, but it is what it is! One of the problems with  moving every three years is that it makes it hard to decorate slowly and with things that are more authentic and meaningful. Since I will probably only live in this house a few years - I want it decorated now. Remember, patience is a virtue I am lacking. Plus, most of the things I use in this house will not work for my "forever" house in Georgia, so I just can't spend a lot on things.

I bought some ocean-themed clip art for $4 off etsy, changed the colors, and had 4 canvas prints made with elements I pulled. I also used the clip art to have some pillows made for his bed. You can have great pillows made really inexpensively at Cafe Press: Home.

We also got rid of Cole's toddler bed and got "big boy" beds. He thought he was big stuff trying them out at the mattress store! I found a cool tip on pinterest to use a pool noodle to keep him from falling off the bed. The trick is to use the fat pool noodle and to pull the sheets under tight.

I'm clueless about what to do with the windows at this point but hoping that will come to me or that someone will tell me.  :)

If you have any ideas for small windows in awkward places please share!

Etsy Love...My New Watercolor

I may have a bit of an etsy problem. I've had one for years, but it seems to be getting worse. There really doesn't seem to be anything that you can't have some talented person make for you.

My recent find was a collection of playful beach prints offered by Chubby Mermaid. I thought they were so much fun, but I really wanted a line from Zac Brown's song on one. So guess what? She said she would paint a custom watercolor for me in just the size that I wanted. She just sent me a scan of what she did. I can hardly wait to receive it!

Zac Brown is Cole's favorite singer right now, and he always wants to hear this song. I can hardly blame him, and I feel so blessed to be living this sweet, sweet life by the salty sea!

Our First Visitors!

We had our first visitors last weekend. Our first visitors if you we don’t count my mama’s visit, and I’m guessing she would consider herself as an unpaid laborer based on her stay.
The Bakers came to visit, and we finally took a few days to relax and have some fun. We played at the beach and in the pool. We tried out a new place to eat, Helen Back, where they had delicious pizza and amazing outdoor seating on the water. Of course we had to sit inside because we showed up late, but next time we know. We know to get there early so we don’t get seated by all the video games. “Mama, I need dollars. Mama, I need dollars.” You get the picture.



On their last night here we went to check out the stores and restaurants at the Okaloosa Fishing Pier. The kids had a great time playing on the playground and eating gelato. Cole found a cool toy in one of the shops…a marshmallow shooting slingshot. David and Goliath is his favorite story right now, so he was thrilled to find it!
We ended our weekend (Brian, Cole, & I) with fishing in the sound. Actually it was just Brian doing the fishing while I enjoyed the sunset. I forgot to mention that Brian and Cliff came to this same spot, caught some trout, and cooked dinner for us Saturday night – it was perfect.

Okaloosa Island Wedding Photography: Destin and Fort Walton Beach

Over the weekend I photographed a beautiful beach wedding for Keri and Brennan. They wanted a simple ocean backdrop, and it was absolutely beautiful!

Here are just a few photos:

If you are looking to be married on Okaloosa Island (super close to Destin), check out the great wedding packages offered by Out of the Blue - they do EVERYTHING for you!

Wall Art Ordered: Can't Wait!

I have been tossing around the idea of having a custom map made to go above my fireplace, and that is what I finally decided on today. I found this girl on etsy who makes maps for weddings and such. She is going to make one for me that includes a few of the places that we like. It will be not only pretty, but fun and interesting.

Once I receive the map, I'll scan it and have a larger canvas version made to hang. I think I might I also have a few postcards made to keep in the guest room so visitors can send one home if they like. And yes, I did get permission from the artist to do so.  :)

Here are a couple of examples of her work. She is super sweet, so be sure to check out her etsy shop. She also does beautiful acrylic paintings.

Before and (sort of) After: Living Room

Most of the rooms in our house look like a tornado passed through, but the living room is starting to come along. At least we can walk through without feeling like we are competing in an obstacle course race. The first photo shows what the living room looked like when we bought the house.

We got rid of the blue carpet and put down a medium tone, distressed hardwood floor, painted the whole room (it got quite dirty when the floors were going in), and added a mantle. We also put tile up around the bottom of the fireplace because we wanted to be able to use that space for extra "seating" if needed because what was already there was not structurally sufficient for such.

I finally sat down and took the time to sew my curtain panels yesterday.  I still need something to go over the fireplace, so I'm working on that and a few more things. I think I need a rug, but I hate the idea of trying to keep it clean with all the sand that comes in our house.

~Sorry the photos are so small, but if you click on them you can see a larger version.~

If you happen to want to know how to sew lined curtain panels, I highly suggest this blog that has a great tutorial with photos. A few years ago I tried making some, and the end result involved my friend Amy sewing the curtain panels after I threw in the towel. There are always so many ways to go about sewing something, and this tutorial made it really easy!

Family Session

Sometimes my job is just way too easy. Take last night for example...you might think that photographing a family with three boys would be a bit of a challenge. I know that photographing just my one boy is a challenge. But this family...piece of cake. To see more of the photos, just click on the photo below, and you will be taken to the facebook album.

I'm so glad I got to meet you - it was a pleasure. Hope to see you on your next visit!

If you are looking for a family beach portrait photographer on Okaloosa Island (super close to Destin), be sure to check out Out of the Blue!

It's All About the Aqua...

In pool related news (I don't want to jinx it...) the algae is gone for now. Brian has been swimming laps in the every night, Cole has been having some swimming lessons, and finally I made time to get in after Cole and I got home from the beach this morning.

I bought the coffee table you see below in Quitman several years ago, and we have loved having it. It has been the perfect table for playing games and just the right size for Cole to make a huge mess with his play-doh. Well...I decided it needed some color in a beach house, but Brian almost died right there on the spot when I told him.

Mama was here helping us, so I sent her out on a search mission to find a similar table that I could paint. After lots of looking she finally found one on craigslist and made a run to Destin to pick it up. My resourceful mama also managed to find some chalkpaint on a Sunday afternoon, so I got started painting it right away. If you know me, you know that patience is a virtue I don't possess.

 Three coats of aqua later it's time to move on. The new table has a scalloped border along the table top and some holes that I think I'll paint white. I'll post a photo once I get it finished. I think I also need to whitewash the table.

We have a lot done in the living room, but I still need a couple more pillows, need to sew my curtains (fabric is cut), and I need to find some art to hang over the fireplace. If you happen to stumble upon anything fun with aquas/limes and maybe a touch of coral - let me know!

Yesss! Our household goods arrived...and so did my cute pillows.

Thank goodness the movers came today and delivered our household goods. It had been one month and one day since they came to pack up our things, and I was beyond ready to see my things again.

My house is a big disaster area right now, but I did take the time to pull out my new pillows. Because I couldn't find pre-made pillows in the colors I wanted, I am lucky to have talented friends who made these for me. My friend Jill appliqued designs on a couple of pieces of fabric, and my friend Amy sewed the pillows together once I threw in the towel and decided the piping was just too much for me to do.

So, thanks friends! I love them!

Sticking to My Day Job

When it comes to sewing, I was definitely not cut out (pun intended) to be a seamstress, so I will definitely be sticking to my day job. That is, once I have some jobs rolling in.

Yesterday I made a tiny curtain (pic on right) for my kitchen, and today I worked on cutting the fabric for the panels in my living room (pic on left). No worries...I will have lots of aqua and lime throughout the house, but those fabrics won't be beside each other.

I also got the first coat of white paint on my chandelier. I picked it up at an antique store in Darien, GA, and I'm quite sure they would throw a fit if they knew I was painting it. It was originally brown/bronze with amber prisms/etc. I'm planning to make a cord cover from the same fabric that is behind it and load it down with aqua and lime prisms. These are the prisms that I ordered today. I have another idea of something to add, but I'm going to have to consult my chandelier making friend Beth first.  :)

Now let's just hope the photo jobs start coming so I can put the sewing machine away!  :)

One of my first finds...

Fort Walton Beach is THE place to come if you like junkin'! There must be at least three or four antique store/thrift store type places on every corner. I will probably never see my mama when she comes up for a visit.  :)

I have already lucked up and found some things in a couple of these stores. I found a set of dining room chairs and a fireplace mantle.

Brian and Randy put the rustic mantle up for me Saturday. I had to give them some "jobs" since the movers never showed up with our household goods.

I'm undecided on whether I want to leave it as is or if I want to try out some chalk painting on it. I guess I will have to wait until my furniture arrives. I'm hoping the movers will show up this Friday. Now if only we can keep Tropical Storm Chantal in line and keep her from heading west.

Lovin' Our New Home

Even though things have been crazy around here, we are loving our new home.  A few days ago we were pretty exhausted after a long, hot day of working and some neighbors (Dan, Debra, & granddaughter Sophia) stopped by bearing a gift. Now I don't know about you, but when you're tired and stressed - I can't think of anything that would be better than a plate of yummy, chocolate chip cookies.

The cookies were delivered on a foil-wrapped frisbee and topped with another frisbee.  The note handwritten by Sophia made it even sweeter. How cute is that?

They even included information about their church, Shoreline Church, which was also on the frisbees. Although we have already found a church we think we will like, I always think it is wonderful when people extend an invitation to newcomers. It really makes us feel welcome.

Happy Day After the Fourth!

We spent our first 4th of July here doing hard labor all day. We started at 6:00 a.m. and really didn't stop until we heard the fireworks going off last night. We finally have all the new flooring in throughout the house, so now we are painting...the entire interior.

I cleaned the walls, spackled, and taped off windows while Brian painted. Fortunately my sweet mama came and kept Cole occupied so we could get a lot done.


BEFORE:

I don't think I have ever had a white wall in my life, but I decided I wanted a crisp, clean white throughout the house this time. Brian is convinced we will have too much white in the house, and I'm trying to convince him that we will have lots of color elsewhere.

DURING: (My handsome painter getting it done!) The wainscoting will be painted bright white also. I found a chandelier to replace the light - I just need to decide what color it will be.

Now that the house is almost completely painted, it just hit me that I have a three year old  BOY. What in the world was I thinking? I guess I need to quit blogging and google how to remove dirty hand prints from white paint.  :)

A Surprise Sand Sculpture Proposal

Yesterday I got a last minute call from a sweet mom who was in a bind and trying to help out her son. He was planning to propose to his girlfriend on the beach on Okaloosa Island with a sand sculpture, and their photographer backed out on them at the last minute.

I was so happy that she found me and that I was able to go capture this for them. The guy that built the sculpture did an amazing job. His name is Mark Flynn, and you can find him at Sand Odyssey.

To see more images from this session just click on any of the photos below.

A pool? A pond? A mirage?

One of the most wonderful things about our new house is that it has a pool. Uh...I mean a pond. Actually it feels more like a mirage.

All my life I begged my mama for a pool. Isn't that the dream of every child growing up in the deep south?

So finally I have this marvelous, big hole in my backyard. The problem? We have black algae. If you know about that - well - you know my headache. If you don't - well just hope you don't find out. It's nearly impossible to rid your pool of it. We have scrubbed and scrubbed, treated it with algaecide, and shocked it. But we still have some stubborn black algae remaining and popping up. Tomorrow I will spend the day rubbing chlorine tablets all over the sides of the pool before we treat it again.

We closed on the house two weeks ago and we have yet to be able to go for a swim in the pool. I'm starting to feel like it's a mirage. Or maybe we should just turn it into a pond. Surely the fish would love all that algae.

Wish me luck - I'm ready to take a dip. And if you have any experience and tips, please share them!
If not, be sure to bring your fishing pole when you come to visit.  :)

Home, Salty Home

After spending ten days in two hotels and a condo, we are finally in our new house. We don't have our household goods yet (we literally have two mattresses and that is it!) and our house is a disaster zone because we are having all new flooring installed, but we have managed to find a few peaceful moments here and there in the middle of the chaos. One of the great things about living on such a narrow island is that we can walk right across the road to the beach or walk about three minutes to get to the sound. I think Brian and Cole will create lots of great memories fishing in this spot.

I will be posting lots of things on this blog - house photos, beach photo sessions, and more so bookmark it if you like and check back when you have time!

Welcome to Out of the Blue!

The countdown is on! In one short week we will be living on a sliver of an island just over the bridge from Destin, and we can hardly wait! We will be shacked up in a hotel for a week or two waiting to have flooring put in our house. Once we get settled, I hope to finish setting up my new photography venture, Out of the Blue: Destin. I will be providing complete elopement packages for those who want to run away to the beach to be married. You can check it out below: