12 years of trying to make him like broccoli

today marks 12 years since i married the man i couldn't imagine not having in my life.  it's hard to believe that we've been married for so long seeing as how we're still young (well, i am, but chris has moved beyond that stage of life), but the time has gone by in little more than the blink of an eye.  rather than getting sweet and romantic and gross, because that's just not me, i figured i'd tell you what we've been up to these last 12 years...

year 1: we had to get used to not having an entire bed to ourselves.
year 2: we made our first big (and unnecessary) purchase - a camper!
year 3: i realized that juggling college, work, and wifehood was proving tricky.
year 4: chris was no longer shy about tooting in front of me, and i wasn't happy about it.
year 5: we welcomed the most beautiful baby into our lives - our crazy flojo!
year 6: my little brother moved in with us which was quite an adjustment.
year 7: we bought our house and realized just how much work renovating was.
year 8: our beautiful nephew nevan was born.
year 9: chris finally learns that i fart, too.
year 10: we lose one of our very best friends and wonder how life can ever be happy again.
year 11: we adopt kona, who is just as OCD as me, so it seemed like fate stepped in and gave us a puppy.
year 12: i'm still trying to get chris to enjoy broccoli as much as i do...

a woman's right to shoes

so yesterday's post was serious, and today's post is, uh, ridiculous.  maybe.  i hope you're a fan of sex and the city so you can understand the silver shoe thing!  when i watched the episode "a woman's right to shoes," where carrie's beautiful new silver jeweled manolo blahnik peep toes were stolen from the party, i fell in love with those shoes, and although i didn't know when - if ever - i'd have the need for silver jeweled peep toes, i knew i wanted some.  so fast forward a few years until now, and guess what, i actually do need silver heels!

this is the ultimate in frivolity, so bear with me.  i haven't forgotten about those heels all these years later, but like i said, i didn't need a pair as i'm sure they wouldn't be worn much.  on saturday i met my sister, my stepmom, and one other bridesmaid for a dress fitting for my sister's wedding next june (p.s. i'm going to be a bridesmaid).  when i asked her what type of shoes we were to wear and she said, "it doesn't matter what style they are as long as they're silver," i think my heart skipped a beat.  that meant i now had a legitimate, bonafide reason to own shoes like carrie's!

so here's the thing: i can be incredibly impulsive when i decide i want something.  my sister's wedding isn't until next june, so i truly don't need these now.  BUT, i have a difficult, if not impossible time finding shoes in my size (5), and i found a pair that's not only my size, but it's a steal of a price, AND they are so similar to carrie's manolos that i bet i could trick someone into thinking they are real (but obviously joking is no friend of mine.  obviously.)!  but there is only 1 left in my size.  so what do i do?  buy them now and covet them forever or let them go and wait until closer to the wedding date to start shopping for their twin?  HELP!

getting to know the talented kjrsten

i'd like to introduce you to kjrsten of k. madsen photography. she's a stylish mom, blogger, artist, and all around amazing person. she was in the first group of people who started commenting on my blog, and she's still one of my favorites! kjrsten and her sister share a blog with outfit posts, home tours, and pieces of their life, but she also has a beautiful photography blog that i think you'll love! kjrsten was our first sponsor, and her photography makes me want to marry chris again! i did a little interview with kjrsten, and she was kind enough to offer a special giveaway, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see!

how did you get started with photography?

My mom was always trying to find ways to keep me busy during the summer when I was a kid (because she had 6 kids). I usually took art classes. When I was 11, I signed up for a darkroom class. (My mom had to pull some strings to get me in there since I was so young.) Seeing my photographs come to life in the developing tray was like black magic! It was so unreal to me that I made an image from start to finish... and that was it!

what was your first camera, and do you still have it?

I don't remember, I was 11 (that's 22 years ago), but I still have the first photograph I developed from the dark room. It's a photo I took of my baby sister, she was in her swimsuit playing in the sprinkler (I still remember that day, and exactly where we were standing).

tell us some of your favorite locations to photograph or use as a backdrop.

Oh man that is a tough question. I think it changes all the time. As far as photo sessions go, I like trying out new locations, I get bored fast in life, even with my photos. Shooting in new places feeds both my desire to explore, and the need to try something different.

if you could photograph any celebrity, public figure or icon, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

J.D. Salinger, at his home in all of it's reclusive glory. I am intrigued by him. And the fact that he gave his last interview in 1980, certainly would make the experience all the more extraordinary.

do you like cotton candy?

Oh fluffy pink sugar?! You bet your bottom dollar! I pretty much live on sugar. I am the ultimate suck of the universe cook. But I can bake sweets like there's no tomorrow.

tell us 5 facts about yourself and/or your photography.

1. I shoot 100% FILM! I prefer the look of film to digital. And also, it simplifies things for me, I can spend more time shooting and no time editing.

2. I met my husband in Moscow, Russia. That's where an american girl from Seattle goes to meet an american boy from Salt Lake City to find true love (apparently)!!! Yes it was romantic.

3. I adore shooting weddings the most. It's such a sacred day and I am honored each and every time I am selected to document it. I wish I could transport myself back in time to photograph the wedding of Dick and Raquel Dyer (my grandparents) Their love story is amazing, and plus, they were just a handsome looking couple!

4. I still spend time in the dark room on a weekly basis. It is the only place in the world where I can loose myself for 5 hours straight, and I don't even need to check my phone or eat, it's still magical for me. Although I wish we could bring Diet Cokes in there, I could use some of that while I am printing.

5. Have Camera(s) Will Travel. Yes, I am in Portland Oregon, but that won't stop me from shooting your wedding! My travel rates are competitive, drop me a line and we can chat. kjrst1@yahoo.com.

*i'm so in love with the horses kjrsten photographed that i had to know if she makes notecards. she says that she's been considering taking the plunge into an etsy shop. let her know that she should!