Yep. It’s been a while since I’ve posted an InstaUpdate. But, it is my absolute goal this year to continue to blog them monthly. 

I think January was a pretty good month. It was definitely a month for rest and renewal. Here are some of my personal highlights from this January. Also…these are images from my iPhone that have been posted onto my Instagram…hence the name, InstaUpdate. ;)

We started New Years at the coast with my family on my mother’s side. We lost our sweet papa to a stoke in October last year, so we definitely wanted to all be together and enter the new year by each other’s side. The weather really wasn’t the best. It was overcast, very cold and drizzly. But being with my family, laughing and playing games, watching the barges go by on the ocean, and going to the single bar in town to watch some fireworks and play shuffleboard made it all warm and cozy.

My very good friend from Austin Arielle LaGuette came to visit me. It had surely been a while since we’ve seen each other! She recently visited her family in France and also traveled to Australia (jealous!), so she came back bearing goodies from afar. She and I have this sort of obsession with honey in our tea, especially French honey. We happily ate it by the spoonfuls together.
I also introduced her to some creamy chocolate milk on tap at the new West Oak Coffee Bar. And to continue to spoil our sweet tooths, we shared some buttermilk coconut pie as we shared stories.
Arielle also got this sweet new short hairdo while she was in France. Ain’t she a beaut?

Nope, I’m not expecting anything besides some new business cards in the mail ;). It’s Philip’s older brother and sister-in-law who are going to have a baby! We attended their exciting gender reveal party a few weeks ago. They’re having a boy!

I can’t believe our four chickens are about 8 months old now. They have been laying pretty awesomely, even throughout the winter. We are getting about 3 to 4 fresh eggs per day. We’ve even started selling some eggs to our neighbors. The girls love snackin’ on healthy foods like spinach, berries, almonds, yogurt and more. Also, the pecking order can be a little intense. 

Ashley the fluffy cat is still kickin’ it. Laying here and there and anywhere she can lay her royal fluffiness.

I did a bit of rearranging and nesting. We have a lot of art and so little walls to work with. 

Lots of visiting with family and friends happened. I received some much needed film for my instax camera this Christmas, so we put it to good use. 

I attended a Blessing Way for my dear friend and fellow photographer, Miranda Marrs. I have never been to a Blessing Way before, so I was excited and honored to be able to be there for her.
“A Blessing Way was traditionally a Navajo ritual created to spiritually support and empower the new mother for her journey of birthing and motherhood. In recent times, this beautiful ritual has been adapted as an alternative to Baby Showers where the focus tends to be more on the gifts and the baby, rather than on the Mother and her experience” – Mystic Mamma
We painted positive affirmations and inspiring art on stones, gave candles and nurturing gifts among other things. There was even a talented henna artist there! We gathered around Miranda and gave her our love, support and good energy. 
Needless to say, I left the experience feeling so inspired! 

Philip and I threw a surprise party for our bub’s 30th birthday. We actually had about 60+ people in our little home. It was amazing. Our friends brought so much food! Even a few DJ’s showed up with their tables to spin some vinyls in our living room. It was packed. Like sardines. But in a good way. And we received these surprise yellow roses on our doorstep as a thank you.

I was invited to attend the Brides of North Texas brunch in downtown Dallas for the Spring/Summer cover reveal and mingle with the many awesome and talented vendors in the DFW area. Such an honor it was to be there! I carpooled with industry friends and (and past clients) Tyler + Lindsey and Jillian Zamora.  
AHH! So proud to have my work featured in Brides of North Texas Magazine! Feels good to be published!

To celebrate Philip’s 28th birthday, we went to Beaver Bend in Oklahoma. We are lucky to have a buddy whose family owns a cabin out there. The weather was absolutely perfect for January…70 degrees…what?! The kitchen came stocked with s’mores ingredients and there was a hot tub on the deck that overlooked the pines. Heaven on earth. It was a refreshing little getaway, I actually feel like I left breathing better (which I’ve been having some issues with this winter). 

It was good. I’m thankful for so much. Looking forward to whatever February brings.