Dallas Coffee Shops.

When I lived in California I spent a lot of my time in Long Beach. Mostly because the coffeeshop scene was amazing. When I moved to Texas I was on the lookout for coffeeshops that I could call my office from time to time. I'd say my favourite is Murray Street [featured on the left]....and they also have good tamales. RANDOM. Here are my favourites:

1. Murray Street Coffee Shop.

2. Opening Bell.

3. Crooked Tree Coffeehouse.

4. Pearl Cup Coffee.

You can see more of my coffeeshop & iPhone adventure images on Facebook.

Currently listening to: Orleans - Still the One

Mountain biking is insane.

I have a few fears in life....I hate birds, beaks, spiders, enclosed waterslides, being on a motorcycle on the highway, and mountain biking (apparently). I keep a magnet on my cabinet at work that says "Do one thing everyday that scares you." Last week I went to basically pet large and aggressive ostriches, nope...still not over that fear. About a month ago I got crazy and decided randomly that I was going to get on the back of my friends motorcycle & ride on the highway...um for like 140 miles. Today, Sarah (the same friends w/ the motorcycle) said...let's go ride on some trails today. I really had no idea what this meant or what I was in for when I agreed to go. First, I am asthmatic...second, I drink more coffee than water and third, I am from CA, we ride beach cruisers....and well, cruise. One gear. Never have to use brakes. And you never ever have to have a pack of water on your back. So I get on this trail and right away I know I am in way over my head....I realized this mainly when I saw Sarah jump off something. It also became very real to me when I tried to do something she was doing and my pedal got caught on a limb and I fell into a bush. All of that to say....I am doing things in life that scare me and make me feel alive. Feels nice to cross things off my bucket list.

The List.

After attending/shooting the Womens Food Service Forum conf. last weekend they challenged us to make a list of goals that we could accomplish in 30 days. So here is my list:

1. Post an iPhone photo daily to my blog & a small story behind the image [I am really bad at this but this time it's happening.]

2. Redesign & relaunch both of my brand websites within the month.

3. Drink 8 cups of water daily [seems easy but if you only knew how much coffee replaces my water intake you would be concerned for my well being haha]

4. Go to the gym at LEAST 3 times a week.

5. Book 3 shoots in NYC.

There you go...seems attainable. I will keep posting updates on my progress! Thanks @creativelawgirl for keeping me accountable. Time to get to work...and to kick things off here's my first photo. I have a small obsession with vintage cameras....anytime I drive by a garage sale I have to browse. I ended up finding a camera that is worth $100 and bought it with the leather case for $5. I have a whole shelf of old cameras at my studio. Excited to be doing this!

Bored With Life?

"Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into some work you believe in with all your heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours." - Dale Carnegie

Wow, does this quote sum up my life or what?! For those of you who know me well or have been following my story you will understand that. Here's the thing...I have so many things running through my brain right now but I will try to keep this blog short and sweet. 2 years ago I quit my job as Social Network Evangelist for one of the biggest surf companies in the industry. Hurley is an amazing company to work for and I spent almost 3 years working at their headquarters in Orange County, CA. Before that I worked in Human Resources at a hospital in CA....cubicles, business suits & heels...climbing the corporate ladder towards VP of HR. I had no idea what I wanted in life...I worked hard and made a good name for myself within the healthcare system but there was absolutely no passion in what I was doing. When I got offered the job at Hurley I quit in a second...this job was fun, I could skateboard around the office and I worked with amazing athletes, bands and celebrities. Just like at the hospital, I worked hard...I moved up in the company but something was missing. That feeling in my bone marrow that there is something MORE....hmmm something more rewarding. I needed to do something that made a difference, that was fueled by the passion and drive in my heart. I wanted to make my own schedule and have more time to volunteer. Out of the blue...I handed in my letter of resignation at Hurley and shocked a few people. One of those people being myself haha. I got a lot of "who quits a dream job like working with Hurley, Nike and Converse?! Who gives up that paycheck and the perks of working in that industry and not have something lined up?" I had no idea what I was going to do besides move somewhere random and make money [hopefully] but taking photos, making art, music, designing ANYTHING that utilized my talents. It was a test....I wanted to see if i could "make it"....if I could survive doing things that I love.

Here I am today in Dallas, TX... 2 years later and I just got off a conference call w/ my business partner [yes, I own a business now! and the story of how our worlds collided is so incredible] and an executive for an organization that wants to hire us to shoot their conference. Let me just say....to answer that question from earlier....A crazy person. A crazy person quits a 'dream' job. I had to chase my dream...and my dream at that time was to travel, take photos, meet new people and hear their stories. That is EXACTLY what I am doing....it IS worth it...if you feel stale on the insides, if you want something more in your career...take a risk. It's the risk takers that make a big impact and it is so much more rewarding when you have taken that leap into the unknown and make something of yourself from absolutely nothing. Last weekend we shot a 3,000 person event for a large organization [Womens Food Service Forum] and met a ton of amazing leaders in that community. Listening to Presidents and CEOs of companies like Starbucks and Cinnabon speak about social media strategies...wow, right up my alley! Such an inspiring event and I am so happy that I have connected with such wonderful individuals and that I get to work with them in the future. As of a couple hours ago we just booked another event with Summer Brand Camp in Dallas, TX. So I encourage you....if you hate your job, change it....do something you love and tell your story. Tell it to everyone:) Big things are happening....I knew 2012 was going to be a good year. So blessed. Hugs!!

The Process.

Idea. Sketch. Paint. Share.

This painting and 2 of my other pieces just sold to one of my favourite hotels in Dallas, TX NYLO Hotels. So if you're ever in the area look for my photographs and paintings. It's so important to utilize your talents...do something everyday that makes you happy and share it with the world.

Life Lesson #149.

“There comes a time in your journey when you start making choices from a very different place. And if a choice lines up so that it supports truth, health, happiness, wisdom and love, it’s the right choice." -Angeles Arrien

Can I just say that I am so inspired and thrilled about the future of my career. So many amazing things have happened over the past couple of weeks that are confirmation to me that I am in the right place and have made good decisions to further my business. I needed to hear this quote....it reminded me to stay focused on things that are going to last. I am making a lot of important life decisions and I am realizing more and more how crucial it is to invest my time & energy into things that are inspiring, positive and healthy. 

Here is a little glimpse into some future blogs:

1. My last minute creative trip to Nashville.

2. Details on shooting for the WFF Conference 2012 at the Sheraton in Dallas, TX.

3. New love ballad YouTube Vids. Follow my channel HERE.

4. My fave work spots in Dallas.

Joseph + Breianne | Huntington Beach, CA.

Sometimes I have ridiculously adorable clients who are so in love & big on romance. The love these two have for each other is inspiring. View more HERE. Very happy to have known Bri since she was 7. I'm old.

Random Doodles.

One of the perks of having a short attention span is that I randomly doodle on any paper I can find. I get lost...it's my escape. I turn up the music in my headphones and get real into it:) Here are a few from the last couple weeks while traveling.