Love It!
1. Etsy! I know I’m not alone in this, according to their Facebook page I’m one among 237,962 other fans. I really love hearing the stories of the small business owners that are now able to pursue their artistic passions. I recently purchased two camera straps and I love them both!!! The craftsmanship was much better then anything I would have made on my own and the fabric choices were sooo divine. Check out MadebyMeegz and CottonCandybyNatalie. There are also some great graphic designers out there on Etsy so if you are a photographer looking for a custom logo be sure to check them out. I designed my own logo this last go round but it was after I spent some time on Etsy figuring out what I liked and didn’t like. For brides the inspiration is endless, everything from invitations to favors to special items to really personalize your wedding!! I promise if you haven’t discovered Etsy you will spend the next 4 hours glued to their site looking at all the pretty!!!
2. Ipad! Ok so I don’t actually own an ipad but I want one, really really badly! I love to pull my blog up on them when I see them in the store just to look at how pretty and crisp it looks. I would love to have one for client meetings, it would be so great to not lug my laptop around. I think it would look fabulous with a slideshow running on it! I’m sure I could find other uses for it like when I’m going to bed and playing words with friends, much bigger screen to watch my sister kick my butt. Of course I’d have to head over to Etsy to pick up a nice case for it too, fun!!!
3. Fall! I love the smell of burning leaves in my neighborhood, sweater and jeans weather, camping, cooler temps, and nights with the windows open. The pumpkin spice muffin is back at Starbucks and tomato soup should be back at Panera. It is the start of the tv season which means House is back on Monday nights! It is finally cool enough to sit on the deck for an afternoon and read a book or sit out at night in my sweatshirt with a fire lit. I’m not a big fan of raking leaves but I love the golden color of the trees right now!
Hate It!
1. Poison Ivy! So once again my adorable kitten has brought me in something from the outdoors again. Yes I said she was never ever allowed outside again but she can be a sneaky devil and has slipped out once or twice. This last time she must have traipsed through some poison ivy just for her mama. As a kid I could have rolled in the stuff and never had an issue but I would give it to my mom every time. Guess the joke is on me now because I get it every year like clockwork. Ugh sooo itchy and I’m really bad about not scratching!
Melissa Arlena is an award winning lifestyle newborn photographer in Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia who has earned her Master Photographer Certification from NAPCP in maternity, newborn and family photography. Her natural and simple work has been featured in magazines and online blogs worldwide. She has been named Best Maternity and Newborn Photographer in Richmond and Charlottesville, VA in 2023.
