Love, Joleen Photography Blog

Here I am

Hi friends,

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter holiday last weekend. I just wanted to stop by and say hello. I'm still alive. :) I was sick and now I'm just really busy. This is an incredibly busy month for me. Today the 7th issue of Portals goes to the printer - yay!! If you haven't purchased your copy yet, go here. I also have that secret project I've been working on which I am just about ready to announce. I have a ton of commercial shoots this month. I am putting together a commercial portfolio to pitch to agents this Summer so I am really trying to focus on that. Also, I've made some new friends that I've been getting together with often. I got back into the swing of working out and am now down 36 lbs. (and counting). ;) I am having a great time right now. I'll  be back soon with photos. ;)

xo,
J

Good Things

I basically took all of last week off from "healthy living", consuming way too much food and alcohol and not exercising nearly enough. Yesterday I attempted to "reset", if you will, but it's been hard. I ate right and even entertained the idea of going to workout but an upset stomach and an hour long nap won that battle. I don't think my impulse control issues of last week were the best for me but it sure was fun. I wish right now, though, I could find the reset button and give myself some energy.

In an attempt to motivate myself I tried on swimsuits this weekend. I'm actually excited to buy a suit this year and trying them on did not induce tears (now that's a feat worth celebrating!) The last suit I bought a couple of years ago was Betsey Johnson and I am always attracted to her suits (clothes, jewelry, you name it!). This year I fell in love with a swim "dress".. it's super cute on and perfect for the beach (it can get wet!). I am really loving her bikinis, which actually support Real Boobs, so maybe next year? ;) That is, if I can get my butt movin'... 

Some Other Good Things:
♥  Tutorial by Kerry Lynn at Elle's Studio
♥  Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Closet
♥  50 Easy Ways to Be a Fantastic Parent
♥  These gorgeous Paper Flowers

Hip Hip Horray!

The last few days have been a cause for celebration! My sister, Aimee, had a birthday on Tuesday. Candice and I took her to dinner to celebrate last night at a fun little restaurant/martini bar near me called Infusion. It was good times all around.

Candice has been working in Hawaii (lucky her) the last few weeks so I've missed our weekly horrahs. I know she wanted to stay there but I'm at least glad she's home. ;)

So, back in November, Alex bought me a new website as a Christmas gift. We worked on a lot of the content back then and then life ran away with us. Finally, finally the new website is up! Go take a look and let us know what you think. :) To celebrate the new site and my upcoming birthday we'll be offering uber discounts in the coming months, so stayed tuned for that.

Last but definitely not least in my personal cause for celebration - I have officially lost 30 pounds! Yay! :) I can't say I recommend 3 martinis the night before a weigh in but I had lots of little things to celebrate, right? ;) xo

Hello Love

Hi. Hello. How are you? Me? I'm doing quite well thank you. :) It has been a busy but fun couple of weeks. I'm happy. Can you tell?

A quick flood update: Everything is still torn up but now dry. This week they'll come out and give a quote for the restoration. I'm really looking forward to this being over with. The end.

Alex and I had C + V last weekend while their parents went on a weekend holiday together. Interesting, challenging times to be sure. Saturday night we took a mini break from childcare (they were with a grandparent) to go see Chris Tomlin, my most favorite, favorite Christian artist. The concert was like a giant worship service and it was amazing and wonderful and Good. 

Off and on for the last 5 years I've attended Jazzercise classes. For the last few weeks I've been going once a week. This past Thursday I decided to try a new location. I had no clue where it was and was just following my navigation. I was so pleasantly surprised to find that the building we were in was on the ocean. It is in the Dana Point marina and the two large windows at the front of the room face out to the water. How awesome is that? Needless to say, I signed up for a membership then and there. If Jazzercise inspires images of Richard Simons and 80's music, I encourage you to check out a class. They're fun and current.

Besides Jazzercise I have been walking a lot. A couple of times I've been able to knock out a workout and a few errands by walking in a 6 (or so) mile loop. Friday I walked 3 miles to eat lunch then walked it off on the way home. ;) The biggest thing for me lately has been stretching. I find when I'm able to stretch a few times a day my body and mind feel great. I feel more energized and happy. Maybe it's creating better blood flow? I've lost another 1.5 lbs. bringing me to 28.5 total. :)

I hope you're enjoying your weekend. xo

Why, Hello

Well they say time flies when you're having fun. ;) It's been a busy and great couple of weeks. I've been off enjoying my life which is always nice. I had a wonderful visit with family while in Georgia. Tomorrow I'm going to a scrapbook crop so I'm sure I'll have some related layouts to share. ;) This is a mini book I made for my grandparent's anniversary which we celebrated while I was there:

{click any image to view larger}Here are some highlights since I've been home:
♥ We had some "weather" and then I left for work to see this above my home (wow!):

♥ We enjoyed a day at the beach:

♥ I took C + V to disneyland... which was interesting + challenging. ;) Here is a photo of me and miss C:

Can you believe how old she is already(4)?! It seems like yesterday we were taking these two photos.
♥ V turned 3 years old!

♥ I have officially passed the 25 lb. loss mark.. I have lost 27 lbs total.. and 19 of those since we moved here. :D 27 lbs. = 3 gallons of milk and 8 sticks of butter. Disgusting. I'm glad that's gone. Ha!

♥ I finished my 5th book (goal=30/year) of the year so far. Reviews / feedback coming soon.

Thirteen Point One

You may recall me telling you last Summer about my plans to participate in the Surf City Marathon (the half marathon = 13.1 miles). Candice and I have been training for months and months - it seemed so far away and then all of a sudden it was here. Our goal was not to "race" but to complete it.

Today was just gorgeous - 60 degrees, breezy and sunny, on the beach. What more can you ask for? The energy was electrifying! The people there came in all shapes and sizes and everyone just slightly insane if you ask me! ;) I mean who pays to get up at 5 am and run for goodness sake. ;) There were a couple times during the event the I was moved almost to tears. Taking in the inspiring atmosphere and feeling so grateful for a body and health that could move me so far- it was such a powerful experience and I can see why people get hooked on it.

I didn't win any awards by any means but I have achieved some serious personal goals and I couldn't be prouder with myself. My finish time was 3:08:35 (Pace 14:23). Not bad for a newbie, I reckon. xo

A Change In Luck

Good evening! After five days off I was not looking forward to gettin' back to business today but I've had a great day. It appears I've had a change in luck these last few days and nobody is more thrilled than me! :)

Friday I went to the doctor for a followup appointment and my test results. It turns out I do more than likely have PCOS. At this point it feels good to have some validation and a fertility plan set in motion. I feel very hopeful. I was also very pleased that I do not have diabetes and most of my levels (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.) are good.

My doctor praised my weight loss efforts and encouraged me to keep it up. As of yesterday I have FINALLY crossed the mark that's been plaguing me and I'm at my lowest weight in 2 1/2 years!! Woohoo!!!I still have quite a ways to go but I'm feeling very motivated. It's less than a month until my half marathon so I'm definitely going to be stepping up the training.

Here are a couple new Wardrobe Remix pics.. I don't know what is up with my face in the bottom photo (ha!). I think I was thrown off by the flyby peanut in our first go. ;) In case you're wondering, that fabulous purple sweater is from Ruche. So great, right?

Ok, so talk about lucky! I rarely ever win anything and tonight I won two tickets to see the Broadway Musical, Annie. I'm soooo excited! I saw this on a smaller scale when I was little and remember really loving it. :)  xo

PS- Other typepad users.. is there a way to post your photos on the right and text on the left? I've done it this way in the HTML coding and it looks right in the preview but isn't publishing correctly. Hmm..

yipee

i heard that it might feel like fall this weekend.. really looking forward to it!!

i am super excited though because i bought this dress 1 or 2 years ago because i looooved the colors and pattern.. but when i got home it wasn't my size. i kept it in my closet because i really want to wear it! this morning i tried it on and it fit (whohoo!) so i'm pretty dang stoked about that. oh! and the other day i fit in my next jeans down.. i've lost 10 lbs. so far and am just 4 lbs. away from my first mini goal. :)

i found some evidence of fall that i thought i'd share. :D eeeee.. so pretty!

Work it, Girl!

I've had a bit of a headache for the last few hours. I took some meds and am hoping it goes away soon! I am about to leave for Candice's place. We're going to walk a trail near her and cook dinner together. I've been doing okay on the exercising/ eating well front. I've had somewhat of a bum week... I'm feeling really lazy and lethargic and I just need to snap out of it. I'm down about 8 lbs. since I've started so I'm thrilled about that. Slowing but surely! Lulls or okay.. burn outs, not! I'll take my time.

Last night I finished my new art journal cover. I titled it after the class I'm taking. I just love those gel letter stickers.. totally worth the ridiculous cost they were. All in the name of art. ;) You can click on the images below to see the full page. The top two I made on a whim but any pages I create while working on this book I'm going to include. Hope you like 'em!

My Journey

There have been many times in my life for fresh starts and new beginnings. I tend to view any big change as an opportunity to "start anew" and our move here was no exception. In my quest to become the best me possible I've started treating myself better. With my flexible schedule I have time to shop for and prepare our meals now. We've began eating healthier and organic whenever possible. I've also started working out again. It is very important to me that these changes become lifestyle habits and not a short lived obsession.

There are great local trails and I feel so blessed to be so close to both the beach and mountains for variety. It has been wonderful having friends to join me during the week for walks/hikes. Candice has been coming about once a week to work out, cook a meal together, and visit. We've decided to train for the Surf City USA Half Marathon and I figure the more people I tell, the more that'll hold me accountable. That's you, folks. ;) We've also signed up (again) for the CHOC Walk. I have created the team "Love, Joleen Photography + Friends" so if you would like to register to become part of our team, go here. If you can't make it but would like to sponsor me, go here. Much love!