Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Welcome and a Giveaway!


I just noticed that we have 50 followers and 7 members on Feedburner. So I wanted to say a big WELCOME to all of our new followers. I love to hear from everyone and read all the comments that you leave. So don't be shy!

Also, I wanted to Thank all of my readers with a giveaway. Remember Evette, well on top of her photography she also makes wonderfully delicious candles. I ordered two candles from her (Lilac and Lavender) to giveaway to one lucky reader. If you are a follower, please leave a comment on this post about what you like most about The Domestic Princess. If you are not a follower, sign up and leave me a comment about what you like most about The Domestic Princess. That will enter you in the contest. The contest will end Wednesday October 7th at midnight.


**Contest only available to U.S. Residence



**Registration for giveaway is now closed**

My Four Monkeys Giveaway

My Four Monkeys is having a giveaway for a diaper bag from my favorite baby company, Baby Star. I'm in love with this diaper bag and MUST have it. Here are a few adorable things from Baby Star







Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Weekend of September 26 & September 27

Friday night Christopher and I went to Target because I heard they were having some good clearance from my Nestie friends over at D&R. I didn't find a ton of clearance but did get this pillow for $4.98. Great find, huh?

Then we came home and watched Confessions of a Shopaholic. Christopher was amusing me by staying in the room and watching it too. I saw him chuckle a couple of times but I promised not to tell anyone, so don't tell him I told you. Wink, Wink!

On Saturday morning, I got up and went out to Canal Winchester to get my hair done. My wonderful friend, Amanda, is the manager at a First Choice Haircutter's out there and does a great job. I just got a trim and a color. What do you think?:


I got home at 10 am and and read my new book, Knocked Up, for a few hours. No, that's not a hint to anything (Mom). Everyone knows I have baby fever, so I've been reading alot of books about pregnancy. This book is hilarious.



At 5 pm, I headed over to the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant, to meet my Cousin, Callie, and family and friends for her Bachlorette Party. Here's a picture of our table:

*From the left: Laren, Tara (cousin), Me, Brenna (Tara's daughter, second cousin), Callie (the Bride to Be), Maribeth and her friend (I forgot her name)


We feasted on so much food that night I could barely get out of my seat.


After 'the feast', we went to Gameworks to play some games and have some drinks. Everyone had a such a great time. I'm so excited for the wedding.

On Sunday, Chris and I finished decorating the front porch and relaxed. Christopher did endulge in another chick flick, The Ghost of Girlfriends Past. Which was a cute movie.


**Make sure to stop back tomorrow and sign up for the Giveaway**


Monday, September 28, 2009

DIY Showoff Fall Festival




The DIY Showoff is having a blog party for fall projects and with my latest pumpkin obsession I thought this would be a perfect time to show you all my new fall decor.

The Front Entrance:


The side of the front porch:


The other side of the porch:


The dining room table (Click Here to see the tutorial to making the goblets):

The back porch lantern:


The living room fireplace:


What a great party! If you would like to join in The DIY Showoff Fall Festival Party, head over and check out the instructions.


Friday, September 25, 2009

Nestie Fall Exchange



As most of you know, and may also be part of, I am a very active chatter on thenest.com at the Decorating and Renovating board. This fall the nesties decided to do a candle exchange.

The nestie that drew my name was: ShylaBeth and she sent me 5 votive candles (2 smell like Pumpkin Spice) and three votive holders. I still haven't decided where they will go.

Thank You, Shyla! I love them

This weekend I have a bachlorette party to attend for my wonderful cousin, Callie. Callie and her fiance, Dave, are getting married October 16 and I'm a bridesmaid. I'm really looking forward to spending some time at the bachlorette party with her. What are you doing this weekend?

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Argyle is my favorite color

Ok, I know Argyle isn't a color but if it was it would be my favorite. Maybe it's me accepting my later 20's or my style maturing but Argyle has become my obsession for this fall.

Chris and I went shopping this week at JcPenney since they were having great sales. I was able to find these three Argyle sweaters.





Who knew JcPenny had such cute clothes! And for good measure here are some other clothes I bought too. My total for 8 shirts was $170 and for you math whizzes that is about $21.25 per shirt.



Do you enjoy Argyle as much as I do?

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Glass Spray Paint Project


Last Friday Night, my mom and I went to Garden Ridge to do some fall shopping. I was looking for some candle holders like these to go on my dining room table. I ran into these in the clearance isle but they were pretty beat up. I figured, spray paint fixes everything so I bought these two candle holders for $3 a piece.

I went to Home Depot and bought some Hammered Silver spray paint and painted the candlesticks.


I think they turned out really cool. What do you think?

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

My Best Friend Part Deux

Due to a reader request, I'm doing a follow up picture from the post My Best Friend. This is me this morning doing my best G&D pose with my best friend (Mr. Vuitton).


Isn't he so handsome? Have a great afternoon.

Interview with Jehan Evette


Jehan Evette is a local photographer in Columbus, Ohio. She has an amazing eye for capturing the moment. I was lucky enough to catch an interview with her last week.


1. Tell us a little bit about Evette? I create and design many things. Probably too many..But there's something about design and creativity that is very relaxing for me. I have a 12 year old son who also shares a love for creating and is eagerly awaiting for me to get a second camera so that he can shoot with me.


2. Did you go to school to study photography? I took b&w photography in high school and over the years continued to practice. It wasn't until college when I had to take photography classes for my graphic design course work that I was re-introduced to the world of photography.



3. When did you start taking an interest in photography? I was given a 110 camera when I was 8 years old and took it everywhere with me. I have boxes of pictures I need to put into albums. But I captured so much of myself, friends, family, etc. Its fun to look back on the memories and how much I have grown.



4. What is your style as a photographer? I have a "journalism" style of photography. I like to capture the moment instead of everything being so posed and structured. When I take portraits I have to some what pose my subjects. So I watch what they do naturally and then add a little bit of a pose to compliment their style.



5. What equipment do you use? I shoot with a Nikon D60 DSLR. I love love love my camera. Alot of people ask why I don't have a Canon..I guess to some people Canon is better..But I've always shot with Nikons and think they do an excellent job.What are your favorite things to shoot? Nature/People? I love shooting people. There will always be nature to shoot. Capturing a moment is priceless.



6. What is your favorite shoot? Why My favorite shoot was a shoot I did for a friend's tshirt company. Everyone was so full of energy and really excited about the success of the tshirts as well as the supporting images of the site (http://www.athleteshirts.com/)



7. What are some of the challenging aspects of photography? Outdoor photography is always tricky because you have to deal with so many different factors. Its like just as soon as you get your lighting perfect here comes a cloud and you have to adjust your settings to adapt to the light.



8. How do you stay up on trends in the industry? (Websites, classes, etc) I am constantly looking on the internet and will probably take a class here and there just to stay up on information and techniques. You can never know too much.



9. When doing a shoot, what is your main focus? The model, the fashion, the technical aspects? While doing a shoot I have to focus on all three factors. That's what makes a good photographyer. The fashion has to look good so that it compliments your model. The model has to be posed in a way that compliments the lighting and the clothing they are wearing. The lighting is key to the difference between a good photo and an excellent photo. You have to have a plan when positioning your lighting.



10. How do you feel about the use of Photoshop or any other photo editing software? Do you use it? Do you like it? I love Photoshop. I think it has so many advantages as far as editing photos. Who wouldn't want the ability to be able to clean up a little acne in their photos or create a one of a kind photo?



11. Do you have any people you look up to? Photographers? I am a fan of one of my instructors work. He was hard on us, but I understood that he was that way because he wanted us to pay attention to our work and take our shoots to the next level.



12. Who would you love to work with in the future? Models? Stylists? That's a good question...I think ultimately I like to take photos of the undiscovered. So many people photograph celebrities, etc. I like to get fresh new faces.



13. Do you Blog? Why or Why not? Currently I do not blog. My schedule can be hectic at times. Going forward I would like to blog and share soem of my experiences and knowledge in photography with others.



14. What advice would you give someone who is interested in photography and wants to improve their skills?For someone that wants to learn photography I would advise them to check out classes at their local college or their local photography store. I would also recommend buying books that will help with posing and tips.



If you would like to check out Evette she has a website: http://www.docuventphotography.com/

Monday, September 21, 2009

Weekend of September 19 & 20


Christopher and I had a great weekend spending time with family and friends. On Friday night we had my parents over for Jet's Pizza. While the guys were chillling on the Patio, my Mom and I went shopping at Garden Ridge for about an hour. It was such a great time. (Stay tuned for a DIY makeover from my shopping experiance, later this week)


On Saturday afternoon, we watched the OSU vs. Toledo game. The Buckeye's won 38 - 0. Then we made plans with our best friends, Amy and Bill, to do dinner at El Vaquero and have a bon fire in their backyard. Amy and I tried some new pumpkin beer at the bon fire which was really good.

It was such a great weekend, we didn't want it to end! What did you do this weekend?

Friday, September 18, 2009

New Toys


you have to love them! On Wednesday morning, I ordered the Blackberry Storm. I was really torn between the Blackberry Storm and the Blackberry Tour. Ofcourse, I was swayed by the touch feature of the Blackberry Storm.

So far I'm very happy with the phone and all it's features. I have to say my favorite feature so far is the visual voicemail. It allows you to select which voicemail you want to listen to first by selecting the option on your phone. The Storm also as a 3.2 MP camera, which takes great pictures. I think I'm going to get a pink silicone cover for it. That would make it a true princess phone!

I haven't put the phone down since I got it this evening, so you know what I'm going to be doing this weekend.

What are your plans for this weekend?

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Diaper Bag Contest

Spearmint Baby is having a great contest and giving away an $80 diaper bag. This blog is definitely on my daily read list. She helps with my baby fever. lol!




So go register and if you win, you have to mail me the diaper bag. Just kidding!

Pumpkin Decorating

Since, you all know, that this season I'm obsessed with Pumpkins. I decided to show you some ideas on how to incorporate pumpkins into your decorating. I was flipping through Midwest Living Magazine and came across these great pumpkin ideas and wanted to share them with you.

Pumpkin Place Cards

Patchwork Pumpkin


Message Tower Pumpkin

Inner Glow Pumpkin



Mumkins

Black Magic Vase Pumpkin


Tutorials on how to make these pumpkins can be found on midwestliving.com