Leaving a Mansion of Happiness

This morning I did a photo shoot of a family for their Christmas photos. I took some time afterwards to photograph myself in this dress, because the photos taken a few weeks ago in it (which I didn't post but wanted to) came out so poorly. I am much more satisfied this time around though!

This building was used as one of Washington's headquarters in NJ. He has quite a few of them in my state (this is the second I've been to), since he spent so much time here during the Revolutionary War. This one in particular is called the Dey Mansion. I didn't get a full blown shot of it (but the link shows it). It is so lovely!

 Don't know if this was a servant house behind me or something. I didn't go on the tour (was there before they opened, left once they did, but next time I'd love to).

 My knees need lotion!

 again, I love pretty buttons on vintage dresses!!

Vintage 40s Dress: Travelling Bubble (not often that I find dresses that have my close measurements!)

Belt: Forever 21
Shoes: Payless

 Took these of my two little boys before we left. They wanted to play so much in the leaves but it was cold out and we were all sniffling and shivering!

 They never look at the camera at the same time! I love this shot!

Movies & Music Suggestion Post #30

Ratings are on a scale of 1-5. Anything rated over 3 stars and is in bold, is totally worth seeing! - I rate pretty harshly.

The Miracle of Morgan's Creek 1944 (w/ Betty Hutton, Eddie Bracken) - 3.5 stars - the situation of this movie is surprising for that time but really sweet too. The problem is that something happened where the lead girl gets pregnant and she doesn't know at all how or who it was. When a guy she likes admits his love for her, out of kindness he also is willing to father her child. This movie is very funny! It's a comedy. The outfits & hairstyles are amazing. Loved this. There is a drinking/party scene.

So Proudly We Hail 1943 (w/ Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goddard, Veronica Lake, George Reeves, Yvonne DeCarlo) - 3 stars - excellent movie based on the bravery of some of the women who fought in the war after Pearl Harbor's attack. All the ladies did a great job. I especially loved Veronica Lake's portrayal which was so unique for the roles I've seen her in. There is assumed violence since it is a war film, but nothing is visible.

Too Many Girls 1940 (w/ Lucille Ball, Richard Carlson, Ann Miller, Desi Arnaz) - 2.5 stars - A girl decides to attend a college. There are loads of guys there who are after getting a pretty girl and lots of girls who work hard to get their attention. It actually was a pretty sad film because obviously nothing's changed except they were dressed better back then (and more). There was a lot of music and dancing in this (like Ann Miller doing her usual dances). It was okay. There was a little romantic tale in it that was sweet.

Teen Wolf 1985 (w/ Michael J. Fox) - 1.5 stars - Scott starts to really change . . and into a werewolf. While he struggles to keep his changes a secret, it ends up being used to his benefit. This is such a corny film. I watched an edited T.V. version of it in the late 80s, so it has been quite a while since I have seen it. I laughed at the dance scene in the film. What bothered me in this is the drunken party scene where kids are tied up together with whipped cream on their underwear bodies and all the kids are watching and laughing. There is also a girl in lingerie and another in bra and panties.

The Jensen Project 2010 (w/ Kellie Martin, Levar Burton, Patricia Richardson) - 2 stars - A really cheesy film about a family that is in need to help save the world from harm, when the wife/mom's invention is being used for wrong purposes. Of course their son gets involved in mischief while trying to help too. This was one of those movies that really you can watch if you just want a family movie to see, otherwise you're not missing anything in not seeing it! The actual idea of what this Jensen project is, is a community filled with elite scientists who invent different things used by military and such. It is filled with old T.V. stars from popular shows of the past too.
City of Ember 2008 (w/ Bill Murray, Tim Robbins, Harry Treadaway, Saoirse Ronan) - 3.5 stars - A city is built underground to save humanity. 200 years later, power is running out, food seems to be running out, and the mystery of anything existing outside of the city begins to come to the mind of two teens. Something is wrong, and they are willing to save the citizens of Ember. This was really a unique film and was interesting with the details surrounding it. I really enjoyed it. I don't recall any language or anything else suggestive. Some slight violence though.

Love Happens 2009 (w/ Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Aniston) - 2.5 stars - An author who is a widower writes about how he coped and got through the death of his wife. While at a book convention to talk about his book and inspiring people, he comes across a florist who gets his attention. While trying to get to know the woman, of course he realizes the pain he still has from his wife. Sad movie, not a bad movie, just boring at times or It would have a higher rating. There was some language. I don't recall anything else other than a few sexual comments.

Babes on Broadway 1941 (w/ Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland) - 3 stars - One I hadn't seen since I was a child. Definitely great music, dancing, costumes, and hairstyles. It is about how a bunch of kids make it "big" with their talent, when spotted in a basement club. I will say that Mickey Rooney's Carmen Miranda impersonation was a little disturbing. Won't be able to get that image out of my head for a long time. haha.

Haunted Honeymoon 1986 (w/ Gene Wilder, Gilda Radner, Dom DeLuise, Jonathan Pryce) - 1.75 stars - Odd film indeed. What can you expect with actors such as these? Two radio actors who are engaged to be married go visit family in an old strange mansion where the man grew up - but there is a killer in the family. It was just a bit. . odd as stated. I can't even describe much to you. There is a sexual scene between gene wilder and a dead man in drag (it was dark and he though it was his fiancée) and Dom DeLuise is in drag (different person than the dead one) and there's some language.

King Kong 2005 (w/ Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody, Jack Black) - 2 stars - The beginning of the film was so beautiful. I loved the colours, outfits, hairstyles, it was lovely. The dinosaurs killed it for me. It got corny and stupid. I got tired of seeing everyone running around getting eaten or stepped on by different dinosaurs and large creatures. Also I grew tired of seeing Naomi Watts in her nightie running around. The movie became a joke for me. I used to love all the different King Kong movies when I was a kid (1933 version especially), but not this one. Oh and there are near naked tribal people as a warning.

The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement 2004 (w/ Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews, Chris Pine) - 2.5 stars - This is about the princess of Genovia needing to marry someone in 30 days or she will not even receive the crown. She meets many suitors and one who seems to be amazing, yet also seems to want her crown - or does he? Cute little tale. Definitely a "girl power" type of film.

The Matrix: Reloaded & The Matrix: Revolutions 2003 (w/ Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne) - 4.5 stars - I hadn't seen either of these movies since they were in theatres! Rob and I have seen the first movie so many times but finally rewatched these! They are incredible. I hate the one fight scene where they used too much computer animation, but all the other fight scenes are so amazing to watch. I love these movies. Very good story. I like happier endings, but I know my husband adores them as they are for the reason that they aren't all completely happy outcomes. Really such interesting films. I hate the stupid rave party scenes that they put in BOTH of these films. Unnecessary sex scene during one of those. Revolutions used too much of the S-word and God's name in vain that it killed my heart every time I heard it.

Movies I didn't finish because they were either boring, annoying, or lame that I couldn't sit through it after at least half an hour: Little Monsters, The Prince and the Showgirl


Music I've been listening to:
The Creepshow - They All Fall Down album - Favourite tracks: "Sleep Tight", "They All Fall Down
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis - self titled album - favourite tracks: "Going Up The Country", "Polly Put the Kettle On", "Mean Son of a Gun"
Poema - Sing it Now album - favourite tracks: all of them really (short album) but "Blue Sweater" and "2 AM" are cute
Flatfoot 56 - Black Thorn album - favourite tracks: "Shiny Eyes", "We Grow Stronger", "Way of the Sun"
Radiohead - Amnesiac album - favourite tracks: didn't really pay attention, just listened to it and it was peaceful and wonderful
Dreamtheater - Scenes From a Memory album - favourite tracks: didn't listen to it enough for any. Just very interesting album


Poema - 2 AM (Official Music Video)

Apples and Oranges

I had mentioned recently how I missed my "elf hair" style I had 5 years ago. I brought it back. I'm really happy about it too.

The title of this post is because there are lots of apples in the entry, and lots of the colour orange from the leaves. Hope you enjoy the shots. I took them this morning.

I actually can't eat any of these. Want one? I'm allergic! haha. My husband's going to eat them all for me.

This is my dreamy shot that I really liked a lot, so it's special and is the only b&w one.

I love autumn so much. Today was a beautiful morning.

It is so much fun to explore! Look at the beauty in nature that God gave us!

Vintage 70s shirt: Sally Jane Vintage
Jeans: Delias
Shoes: Aldos
Necklace: c/o Love Hearts and Crosses
Location: Northern NJ (right off the busy highway!)

Quick Updates + My Sons

I feel really badly about that outfit entry being on delay. I'm planning on photographing and posting tomorrow instead (weather permitting). yey! In the meantime please enter the contest that I posted about last entry. . .I haven't received too many submissions yet, but it is still early - submit here.

Also thanks to all the people who have been asking questions on my formspring lately. Some of you have been asking without being anonymous too which is cool (but both are welcome).

Here's a piece of my life for you to view!
I went pumpkin picking with my sons and the jr. high youth group and took these.

They jump on this bed together constantly but instead they were just hanging out and laughing

Okay before you comment on them having all these matching PJ sets. . .it is because when one has one on, the other usually wants theirs on too.  My husband doesn't like when they wear matching things, but at this point in time they love matching. I don't care either way. Usually I will put them in different ones.

Micah's PJ set has a cape on it. haha. Leto's mushroom look is awful. giving him a haircut. 

Leto chews on the insides of his cheeks a lot (like his Daddy), which he was doing when I took this.

Engagement Photos

I'm really behind on entries. I'm sorry. There has been a lot going on and little time to spend on the internet and blogging world. Thanks by the way for all the questions I've been getting on formspring since my last entry.

 A few weeks ago I photographed my cousin Matt and his fiancée Jessica, then a week later went to their engagement party with my husband and boys. They're getting married next year around this time of year.  These are some of my favourites (ones they also loved) from the set (also I will be posting a few more entries this week to catch up!! That includes an outfit entry!)

Formspring Questions Once Again

If you have a question to ask, Click here!!!! You can ask anonymously without signing up (which most I get are).

If you could go back in time 10 years and tell your younger self something, what would it be?
     Nothing. Although in the past ten years I do have things that I wish didn't have to occur; having them happen, even if I have certain regrets or things I know I would do differently, made me a more spiritually built person. I think I would have zoomed through life pushing God aside if certain events didn't occur. If anything I'd stare at my young naive self from a distance. I started dating my husband 10 years ago, and that was one of the best things I chose in life, I wouldn't want to interfere. I'd just smile while watching. . while knowing that everything I went through was used eventually for God's purposes.

What is your favorite part about being tall and your least favorite part? :)
     I have always been tall, and I always liked it. I don't think there is a favourite part. I am confident in my height (5'9"). Since I don't really know what life is like being short, I guess I think it is funny when people stand next to me and say, "I'm so short." when really I'm just tall. . .granted I am taller than my husband by three inches so in his case he is short! My least favourite part about being tall - hmmmm I don't have one. I always liked being tall. I do know a few ladies taller than me by an inch or two, which to me is REALLY tall. I guess when I feel SHORT, i don't like that part, since I am used to being the tall one? haha.

How did you and your husband meet? (you guys are so cute together!)
     Thanks! I met him in high school. I was new in 10th grade, he was in 11th grade. We both noticed each other and thought we were each cute. Our friend introduced us when we each heard about a Christian club starting up at school, so I met him before the club began. The club closed the same day (threats). We talked afterwards, couple days later I went to a new youth group that he also attended. A day later I ended up in his gym class. We couldn't get away from each other and became really close friends for the rest of the school year - talking to each other every day. I considered him my best guy friend.

How do you know if you are in love or not with someone?
     I think that most of the time people create an ideal of love. Most often we get so blinded by our own selfish desires and ideals of what a relationship should be or what we want it to be, that we think we can just go into and fall easily out of love just when it doesn't go our way. To me, I believe you are in love when you will work at your relationship with them. I believe that when you are thoughtful of the other person so much that you don't want to hurt them (and sometimes you will hurt them without meaning or wanting to, but that is something that you also will have to work at). Because I believe that God is the creator of love and IS love, I believe that we are only able to love because of Him, whether or not you want to accept that or not - If a relationship is based on God and you think most about God over your own relationship and how to keep God as the center core of that relationship - you are in love. I think with God being the center core of your relationship, you will only fall more deeply in love with them even when most people would give up on it. I just tend to believe that people base love on feelings too often when feelings can mess with us and lie to us.
     My husband knew he was in love with me when he couldn't stand NOT being with me (which he was used to long periods of time of not seeing his past girlfriends, while he saw me every day) and because he worked so hard to not make mistakes he had made in previous relationships, I actually mattered that much more to him, and he fought often to make sure he wasn't just going to base his love on his feelings for me. I knew I was in love with him because I was willing to think more about his happiness than my own (due to the fact that I was in love with him before we started dating and would help him with relationship advice even though he KNEW I wanted to be his girl). Plus I actually believe God literally told me I was going to end up marrying him and something inside me knew it to be true even though it didn't seem possible to anyone at all - to which I even let him know what God told me (which he accepted and was willing to see if it were true or not) - to which when his girlfriend told him that God promised him to her as well, he laughed and didn't believe her - the girl he thought he was in love with, but believed me instead!!

Why don't you have any sponsors like a lot of blogs I see?

     I don't have that many followers in comparison to those bloggers, and no one has offered. I haven't seen a need for it and really don't know much about what sponsorship is even. haha.

Do you smoke? Have you ever done drugs? What is your addiction?
     No. I hate smoking and find it ridiculous. I'm allergic to cigarette smoke. My dad has mild emphysema (he's been smoking them since he was 12). I know too many people who have died because of cigarette addictions, some in which I was close to.     I've never tried drugs. I was a rat in high school actually. The whole concept of what they do to the brain and the lack of control you have while on them freaked me out enough to stay away from them.      My addiction (other than Jesus -my favourite!) is that I adore underwear. I used to have to buy a pair whenever I went to the mall as a teen (back then I had so many). I just love the look of them and buying bra/panty sets. Of course I never post things about that here because they are only for me & my husband's enjoyment! I am also addicted, obsessed, and in love with my husband.

Vintage Poncho

In May I won a giveaway on Calivintage's blog. I had posted the skirt I had won a month later (with the gift card that was included in the giveaway), but have been dying to wear this poncho that was a part of the giveaway. Finally I got to wear it, since the weather has cooled off. It is reversible and so cute! I prefer the plaid side.

 The reversed side

Vintage poncho: c/o We Move Vintage

Jeans: Delias

Shoes: c/o Payless

butterfly clip: Lila-Jo

Movies & Music Suggestion Post #29

Ratings are on a scale of 1-5. Anything rated over 3 stars and is in bold, is totally worth seeing! - I rate pretty harshly.

The Purple Rose of Cairo 1985 (w/ Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels) - 3.25 stars - Set in the 1930s, a battered wife who is struggling to survive because her husband is a bad provider and continually cheats on her and beats her, she escapes through watching films. When she sees one film far too often, the character in the film comes out of the film because he's in love with her. This of course causes quite a stir for the other characters in the film as well as for her husband and the actor who played the character. It was very cute and interesting, but I don't like how because of what she is going through it makes it suddenly okay for her to want to run off with another man (at least divorce first please, but definitely work out your marriage first). What a depressing ending.

Bella 2006 (w/ Tammy Blanchard, Eduardo Verastegui) - 3 stars - Really a beautiful movie. There wasn't any sex and I think there may have been some language though. It is about a guy who has himself figured out really well because of the family he has and the things he's gone through. When a girl is fired by his brother at his job, he takes the day off to help her. She talks about how she is pregnant and doesn't want a child to end her life and that she wants him to go with her to get an abortion. This is a really wonderful movie. They never say anything that would offend people, but it is really lovely.

Maid to Order 1987 (w/ Ally Sheedy, Beverly D'Angelo) - 1.5 stars - I saw this a while back but forgot about it. It is about a rich girl who is told to get a job so she stops being so selfish and spoiled all the time. When she ends up homeless she meets a fairy God-mother who is going to make her life ship-shape again. There is language, drug use, and lots of breasts unexposed but flaunted in this movie like crazy. It was actually a pretty boring movie and I was disappointed that it wasn't as good as I had thought I remembered it to be.

To Paris with Love 1955 (w/ Alec Guinness) - 2 stars - This is all about a father trying to get his son a woman. In the search of things he himself starts looking and the two of them end up wanting this girl and that girl, etc. It was really boring. I probably would have fallen asleep.

The West Point Story 1950 (w/ James Cagney, Virginia Mayo, Doris Day, Gordon MacRea) - 3 stars - Lots of great dancing and musical numbers. It is a story about a guy who is down in his stage career and has to try to get someone for his play by checking out another one elsewhere. There is love involved in this story as well which is sweet.

Harakiri 1962 (w/ Tatsuya Nakadai) - 4 stars - At first this film seemed like it was confusing and boring. Once it started to get into things, boy was it very interesting and you wanted to know more and more that was going on. It was a Japanese film about a samurai warrior that wants to commit harakiri (suicide) but has to tell his story of what has driven him there before a certain group of samurai. What a sad story but really amazing too. There is graphic violence in this (even for 1962!!!! it is graphic like today's movies). I went from bored to enthralled (and turned away a bunch too at certain scenes). The way this was filmed was gorgeous too (direction of photography).

The Facts of Life 1960 (w/ Bob Hope, Lucille Ball) - 1 star - I have a really difficult time enjoying a movie that is trying to be about having an affair behind their spouses back and making it a funny thing. The movie is about two friends of the opposite sex who just can't seem to keep away from one another even when they try to. blah blah excuses. So they fall in love with one another and try to keep it a big secret. It is interesting to me how Bob Hope who was with the same woman forever and how Lucille Ball who was cheated on by her hubby constantly both were able to play their roles!

Tooth Fairy 2009 (w/ Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Judd, Julie Andrews) - 3 stars - Cute. I never grew up being told that the tooth fairy was real (my mom just gave me money whenever I'd lose a tooth) and really that's what I'll be doing for mine, but the fantasy of the movie was cute. A hockey player is dating a woman and trying to get along with her children. When he says that the tooth fairy isn't real, he ends up becoming a tooth fairy. I don't recall anything bad in this movie. A fun family film.

Veronica Mars (season 2) - 2.75 stars - I didn't enjoy this one as much as season 1. I think it became more sexual than the first one and that probably ruined it for me. Seemed to have been more language too, and the story seemed everywhere and a little unrealistic in comparison to the first. That made me laugh at times how crazy some of the situations seemed to have been. really this story line is about a bus accident that kills a load of students. Veronica and her father search for who the killer is.

Leap Year 2009 (w/ Amy Adams, Matthew Goode) - 2.75 stars - A woman who has been dating her boyfriend for four years thinks it is time to get married, so she decides that she'll propose on Leap Year, an Irish Tradition she knew of. She goes to visit her boyfriend who is on a business trip in Ireland, only to come across this Irish lad who she pays to bring her to Dublin when her trip gets all messed up. This was a sweet story. Of course the lead role is so annoying to me throughout most of this film, so that's not fun. There is a scene where a guy walks in on her changing and she's in bra and panties. I don't think the movie should have been rated PG because of that. also another scene where she is showering and you see her silhouette.

Iron Man 2 2010 (w/ Robert Downey Jr., Gweneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke, Don Cheadle) - 4 stars - I rated this one when I saw it in theatres. It may have been higher up in that one but I just really can't stand how the first one had a lack of sexual scenes but this one had too many girls wearing hardly anything in it. The story is amazing and yes I as stated have seen 61 RDJ films and am a big fan of his acting. This story is about how Tony Stark is a little full of himself but then someone comes to take him down when he doesn't expect it. He is told to cool it by the people who care most about him.

Music I've been listening to:
Plankeye - Relocation album - favourite tracks: "Goodbye", "Say Now That You're Sorry", "Break My Fall
Newworldson - Roots Revolution album - favourite tracks: "Weary", "Wash Me Clean"
Ascend the Hill - Take the World, but Give Me Jesus album - favourite tracks: "How Great Thou Art", "Take the World, but Give Me Jesus", "I Surrender All"
Abandon Kansas - We're All Going Somewhere album - favourite tracks: "The Harder They Fall", "Make Believe", "Close Your Eyes"
As Tall As Lions - Lafcadio album, Into the Flood EP - favourite tracks: . . .hardly listened to it so I don't know, even though I listened a lot to it in the past

Newworldson "Working Man"

Not so very Mellow Yellow at all

I know, another yellow dress, I'm addicted. I get it. I can't help it. 

I think I was fixing my hair here but I like the shot.

The sun was in my eyes and I could hardly look towards the camera. . .and the sun made my zit scars too noticable too, but oh well. 

 I love the details on this dress!!!

Vintage 40s Jacket: VioletvilleVintage won in a giveaway (a year ago)

Vintage 60s Dress: Delena Vintage

Necklace: Love Hearts and Crosses -Won from Summer Lovin' on HYPEED

Shoes: Payless -Won from Chictopia Shoe Lover contest