which bag?

since purchasing my new lenses, i've really felt the need to upgrade my camera bag. it's great for carrying my d60 with a lens attached... but any more than that and it gets a little crowded. i figured since i would probably be spending some cash on a new bag, i might as well get one i like. it would be nice to carry around a bag that doesn't scream 'camera' and goes with my wardrobe.

i came back from my search rather disappointed. there are a few great styles out there, but most are a little more than what i wanted to spend. for someone that's an amateur/enthusiast, i don't want to spend hundreds on a camera bag. my first love? the lola bag from epiphanie. (top photo) while i do have the go ahead from my significant other to order her... i am starting to feel guilty about such a big purchase when i'm certainly no pro. so i kept looking...

this scarlet tote from jo totes is my second favorite. and, it's about half the price! i love that it still looks like a purse, and is not overly trendy looking - a classic style that can be used for years. i'm really leaning towards this one... it will get the job done and won't cost nearly as much.

i also found this cute option from jill-e. their canvas/vinyl bags are still a bit more than i want to spend, but this one is the least costly that i've found. however, it still seems a little juvenile to me, and i'm wanting a more grown-up look.

any thoughts on camera bags for women? there is a huge market for this that someone needs to fill. a few companies are stepping up to the plate (mainly women photographers in need of something stylish to carry their equipment) and i'm sure there are plenty of chicks like me who don't have a ton of cash to spend making their hobby look good.

friday link love.

i know, i haven't been very good about posting lately... what's new?

as much as i love my job, i can't contain my excitement of a 3 day weekend. sure, i have vacation/sick time off i can use, but i prefer to keep those open in case i get sick or of an emergency.

i will be heading up to amarillo tomorrow to spend time with my folks. and hopefully pinch these little cheeks! hoping we can get some thrifting in, as well as check out a shop i discovered recently thanks to knack! maybe i will have some energy left on monday to actually get something done around the house...

i have so many projects i want to work on, but i really need to finish the ones i've started first. on my brain lately: finish painting the doors in the bedroom (yeah, still not done! but i bought a small foam roller, so maybe that will motivate me), hang up our floating shelves, and replace the curtains. and do something about a headboard...

here are some links from my week:

this peach shortbread recipe sounds amazing. doubt i will ever make them since i would be the only one at the house eating them! thanks smitten kitchen!

black eiffel links to her favorite whole wheat pancake recipe. i will have to try these out sometime. i make bisquick ones last weekend and realized i didn't really care for them much anymore.

how cute it this petticoat? sewing in no mans land has some awesome sewing tutorials. maybe someday...

i am loving this rustic diy headboard on kara paslay designs... just not sure it would work in our not-so-rustic bedroom.

this maternity book is adorable! see what happens when photographers are pregnant? found through blush!nk.

little birdie secrets posted another diy version of fabric rosettes. this would be a good way to go if you are not friends with the hot glue gun.

i love these little doggie clothes! makes them really look like little people... thanks going home to roost for making me want to dress up my fur kids.

friday link love.

yay for friday!

i have some new favorite blogs i've been reading... thought i would share them here as well.

ish and chi is bright, pretty and just fun to look at.

pretty handy girl is another new favorite. she tackles tons of diy projects...

it's good to be home kind of scares me (in a good way!) seeing pictures of their house while their floors are being refinished makes me thankful (at the moment) of our carpet/tile flooring.

life in the fun lane is also a new to me blog. her style is awesome, just a little too 'bright white' for me. i admire those that can decorate a blank canvas like that... i just don't think i can do it successfully!

i know there are others, but they get mixed in with the old on my reader.

these 'vintage' internet ads are pretty hilarious. can you imagine? found on design mom.

pretty handy girl turns this craigslist bedframe into a bench. turned out super-cute! and as long as you could find a bed pretty cheaply!

i know type in interior design has been ragged on as of late... but as a graphic designer, i don't think i will ever get tired of it. that's why i love these diy plaster letters, found on poppytalk.

i'm liking this diy sunburst mirror... though i would probably shorten the branches substantially. i've really been wanting a round mirror in our bedroom lately... maybe this is it? found on isabella & max rooms.

oven s'mores. need i say more? our best bites.

really great tips from centsational girl on decorating a rental. (aka white walls and less than desirable flooring) not that i have to worry about that right now, but these are all great tips nonetheless.

mrs. q had a really great post on the evil that is poptart. can i confess? we still buy them from time to time, even though i know they are bad for me.

i'm considering entering my kitchen in this canadian house & home design contest. it's really the only room that feels 'finished' in our home. found on decor8.

sigh...

yesterday, i found the perfect headboard on craigslist. for $25. i had dreams... what color would i paint it? should i just stain it darker to match our nightstands? the possibilities.

and then i found out it had already sold days earlier. why don't people delete their ads once an item has sold? they get irritated when people keep calling/emailing about something... you would think they would remove their ad a little sooner. but i digress.

anyway, d really liked it (surprise! usually he doesn't like stuff like this. maybe i've just worn him down...) so i might see if my fil can cutout something similar that i could just paint. or glue fancy paper all over...

and while i would really love to build an upholstered headboard, i want this to be really cheap since we have so many other things we need to do around the house. unfortunately, foam is not very cheap and i'm having a hard time deciding what kind of fabric i would want to use. so... i'm thinking either find one (haven't been too successful with that) or cut one out of wood...

lillie is 1!

i guess i should mention that our little puppy is 1 today! we were not her first 'parents,' but the folks we got her from had two very small children and didn't have the time to spare for a new puppy. we took her home about 6 months ago and she is a completely different dog nowadays. while she is still really rambunctious, we're hoping she'll calm down even more as she gets older. happy birthday lillie!

books?

a few books. i know, i know... i said no more books. but these were easy peasy and i am enjoying not working with brides directly (sad, but i get tired of folks changing their minds after i've ordered their paper).

my mom mentioned something to me the other day. she told me the next house we live in, i'd better make sure i have a big window with nice light so i could keep taking my 'product' photos.

she's right, you know. that's a very beautiful thing about this house - i get the best light in my kitchen, and the green walls just warm everything up perfectly.

is it sad that i'm already ready for the weekend again? things are just... not happy this week. and i'm ready to take that honeymoon we never got to go on... but i feel like that day is probably ages away from now.

friday link love.

can't believe it's friday! ready to get some things done this weekend... though we just got the newest season of dexter and i'm about halfway through it, so i'll probably have my eyes glued on that for some time too.

we'll be having dinner with an out of town friend tonight, excited about that!

and two of my favorite people had birthdays this week - my dad and my friend rachel.

ready for some links?

this diy brooch bouquet on blushink is gorgeous. wish i had found this before i got married!

love these tips on watering your garden from going home to roost. especially love that painted rain barrel. i've wanted to make one these last several years, i just don't know that we get enough rain to warrant one!

this rick-rack baby blanket on prudent baby is really cute. i guess i need to get my act together and sew some up... it seems like friends everywhere are pregnant!

some tips on best lenses for wedding photography on the mansurovs. they always have great reviews and advice!

design*sponge had some great before and afters this week...