It's the little things!
I love walking. I love the outdoors. I love animals.
Combine all those and I am happy as happy can be :)
My puppy (who is now 8 months) and I went for a walk at Riparian Preserve to scout locations for an upcoming family session.
We had a total blast and it was the small break in a busy week that I needed!
I was at the Scottsdale Quarter in Arizona for work and as I looked around the store Kittenish, I found a couple keychains that I just had to have!
This PINK sparkly cowboy hat is one of them! I am obsessed with it. Just looking at it makes me motivated to do more, be more and it makes me smile! I find it to be a fantastic investment in myself =)
I encourage you to do the same, find something that makes you smile just by looking at it and place it somewhere you see it when you wake up! It makes for a great way to start the day.
August Flew By!
Some great storms in this monsoon season and I loved all the rain.
I had 2 concerts to look forward to this month.
First was Lee Perreira at the Musical Instrument Museum.
-He was fantastic as always and put his whole heart into the performance as well as did the rest of his band!
Second was the Stadium Tour that had got rescheduled a few times over the past couple years.
It was great to finally be able to see all of these 4 play on the same stage at State Farm Stadium....
-Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
-Motley Crue
-Poison
-Def Leppard
Highlight of my Summer of 2022
I got to visit Seattle!
My nephew was on a church Mission in the area and so my siblings and their families decided to surprise him as he got to come back home to AZ!
It was definitely a great trip.
We did all the touristy things and created so many memories!
Link to an Instagram Reel I made of the trip. . . https://www.instagram.com/p/CgLVzSdsOn5/
I found a shirt in my closet.
It made me step back and take some deep breaths.
It even Made me cry.
Made me re-live all the good times I had with my Mixie Girl.
I still think about her daily, she was the absolute sweetest and best pup I could have asked for!
Happy June!
I can not believe 2022 is already at its halfway mark!
After My Mixie Girl went to doggy heaven to run and be free of pain....the home was too quiet and too lonely. Something was missing and I could not take it.
So, KitKat (the cat) got a little sister named Snickers! It has been quite the adjustment for us all.
Snickers is a mini sheepadoodle and is the absolute cutest and sweetest puppy!
Mixie, my best 4 legged friend was set free on March 31, 2022.
I miss her every day. She had such a joyful and kind spirit that is greatly missed in the home.
She had an amazing life running through the sand at the dunes, camping, hiking, sleepovers at grandma and grandpa's house, going for multiple walks a day, cuddling with her kitty, going for car rides and playing tug of war, even visiting family in other states.
I truly am lucky to have had the best dog ever!
Well, not sure you all even remember who I am since I never show my face here on the blog much.
Hi! Its me, Micah. Happy Monday.
It is another week.....that is a reason to celebrate!
Also, this wall in the Roosevelt Row area in Phoenix was way too cool! I was vibing with all the colors! See the eyeball in the cactus? That is your reminder this week that somewhere, somehow someone is watching over you and cheering you on and has your back!
Throwback Monday!
This is me and my elementary school and church friend!
We met up for lunch the other day after years of not seeing one another.
It was so good to catch up and hang out and reminisce for a bit.
When we were kids, this was our go to activity....recording sessions on our radio show.
Yes, we were the originators of podcasting. LOL
Any yes, I dug it out of a box in the garage and brought it to lunch!
Happy February 2022.
Wow, 2022 is flying by.
Except on days when you are having Printer Paper Problems....
Don't worry, I got it figured out. Only took a few hours hahaha
Some days are better than others and I am ok with that.
It is all about if you keep going or not and dang it I am not stopping!
Every day, every minute is a learning experience!
December 1, 2021
What? Where has this year gone?!?!
Every day I find a reminder to slow down, enjoy each moment, and to live for that moment!
I hope you do the same!
This photo was from a recent morning walk. . . where that reminder found me . . .
I truly believe it was meant for me! 💓
Hi! and Happy November!
I just have to laugh at the photo below!
When you look at it, do you expect this to be someone's living room?
No?
LOL well, it is my living room! Now known as The Gym. Which, I am not mad about. It is nice having all the room and not having to leave the house to workout!
I can not believe it is October 1, 2021!!!
Back at the End of August I was able to go to the Van Gogh Exhibit in Scottsdale!
I went with my parents which made it extra special! My dad and I planned it out and surprised my mom with tickets!
It was breathtaking and such a treat to learn more about Van Gogh. Spectacular how his art was displayed 'immersively' along with music.
I love making memories through experiences!
Hello and Happy Monday September 6, 2021!!!
When I attended my last August Wedding of this year, the couple had these cards available for guests.
I have seen them before. Many times actually. That day though it hit me differently.
What a great idea these are! Whether the responses are comical or serious, sitting down and reading through them as a couple and especially seeing who wrote it to you...has got to bring the wedding day memories back in full force! Advice from your favorite people who love you and support you to read anytime you want is such a gift.
I hope I see more of these this coming wedding season!!!!!
Second Chances
Years and years ago I tried the Barrio Queen Restaurant and for whatever reason I was not impressed and did not visit again until June 2021. I was hesitant and even resisted to trying it again when it was suggested. Good thing I believe in Second Chances 😉
My most recent visit has me wanting to go back on a weekly basis. Seriously so good! The meal I ordered is life changing!!!!!!!
"CHILES EN NOGADA A roasted poblano pepper filled with chicken, apples, pears, dried apricots, golden raisins, walnuts, onions and garlic. Covered in a delicate almond cream sauce, finished with the colors of the Mexican flag: fresh cilantro, queso fresco, almond slices and pomegranate seeds. Served with chipotle mashed potatoes and calabacitas "
Next time you visit Barrio Queen let me know what you order and if you tried the Chiles En Nogada and love it as much as me?!
This lampshade pic was at the Tempe Marketplace location and I love the vibrant colors and overall uniqueness and even the choice of rope it is hung with :)
Elizabeth and Justin had an absolutely perfect wedding!
The weather was rain and wind and then sunshine off and on all day up until about 45 minutes before the ceremony where the rain and wind was gone and the rest of the evening was great!
It was always Elizabeth's dream to get married in her parents backyard surrounded by her and her fiancés closest friends and family. She got her dream!
It was truly a great day and I am so grateful to have been asked to be a part and capture all the memories!
Elizabeth and her family are long time family friends so naturally this day was extra special!!!
Captured July 15, 2021
Alright, so you are having a micro pop up wedding with Meander Gatherings!!
Now that you are married, Now What?!?!
Check out Meander Gatherings blog post giving several ideas on what to do after you said "I DO"
Sneak Peek of a few of the ideas are:
Having a spa day
Spending time at The Zoo
Adult arcade such as Dave and Busters or Fat Cats or Main Event
Going to a cooking or art class or even axe throwing
Road trip and spending the night at a fabulous resort.
Read more by clicking the link above!
If you do not know, I am partnered with Meander Gatherings which is a super fun Micro Wedding service with an adorable Vintage Metro Van.
Have you seen it?
If not check out their Instagram!
They wrote a great blog post with 5 reasons to have a Micro Wedding.
Three of the reasons:
1. Smaller Guest Count
2. Focusing more on YOUR priorities
3. Packaged options to make getting married easy
Sound like you and/or want to know the other 2 reasons and learn more?
Click HERE to check out the blog post :)
Elena and RW had a destination ceremony/reception. It was beautiful, intimate and at a private estate in AZ. It was perfection! They were all about creating memories with their best of friends and family and I am so grateful to have been included in this family's 2nd wedding celebration! I photographed the brides sisters wedding 10 years ago and it was such a blast seeing everyone again!
Captured June 26, 2021
Amy and Brandon chose Shenandoah Mill as their location for their AZ Micro Wedding to tie the knot! They found Meander Gatherings (the awesome micro wedding/pop-up wedding biz) and loved the idea, the concept and the metro van!
Their guests all shared in the excitement and love as these two became one. It was a beautiful morning spent with all in attendance!!!
Captured June 26, 2021
Sometimes camping looks like the photo below...
