{Personal} I Heart California!

It was the start of our 6th snow storm in NYC.....6! I was at home with the Hubs when after watching the weather channel I knew I just had to tell him. It was a Tuesday night and we were flying out Thursday night except the storm was going to being Wednesday night...I had planned a surprised Valentine's Day getaway to California and what was kept a secret for well over a month was slowly starting to unveil itself because of this Polar Vortex. My hands were sweating because I really didn't want to spill the beans but I was running out of options. The conversation went something like this:

 

Me: Honey, there is something I have to tell you

Hubs: Yeah? What's up (completely distracted watching TV)

Me: Well you know how I told you I had something pretty special planned out for VDay?

Hubs: MMmHmm

Me: Well those plans are going to be ruined if you don't help me (sad face)

Hubs: Now if this is your plan how is this my issue now? (yeah, he can get snarky like that)

Me: Well the surprise was that I am taking you to California for the weekend

Hubs: Really? When?

Me: We are supposed to leave Thursday night but now this stupid storm is coming in and we may get snowed in if we don't leave tomorrow.

Hubs: (long Pause - his mind was at work here) What airline? Gimme the phone ASAP!

Me: Delta, but I already triedn and the hold time is 4 hours!

Hubs: Don't worry, we are going to get out of here one way or another

And just like that were able to get the first flight out on Thursday morning because everything else was booked. Any thought of an excited "oh wow Honey really? I love you soo much thank you" went out the window. I really wanted the "surprised" reaction but we were both so concerned about actually being able to fly out that it was forgotten. We got to the airport 3 hours early and boarded on time. We stayed on the plane delayed for two hours before we took off but people, WE TOOK OFF!!!!! Those snow flakes were the size of golf balls and we were still able to make it out. Once we were in the air I finally got my hug and kiss and endless thank you's :-) Mission accomplished. It wasn't quite the surprise I was going for but it all worked out for the best!

We were short on time and so were limited with where we can visit but I absolutely adore California and the Los Angeles area. Can't wait to go back!

Venice Beach was a site for sore eyes!






Los Angeles




Went for a hike after visiting the Griffith Observatory





Here is the Hubs taking a detour trying to avoid the trail




Our gracious hosts Jade and Shane


Seriously? Look at that view!!






This guy planked on a bar!


What better way to end the weekend than to hit up a Sprinkles Cupcake shop..Yummers!

{Personal} My Little Darlings!

This weekend was definitely a fun one. Not only did we get to watch the NYC Marathon from our street corner but our favorite little guy was over for the weekend, our grandson Mason. He is quite the ham I tell you and has the biggest personality. But when Mason and our niece Enid our together, watch out! Getting these two to stand still for a minute was hard but watching them interact is the sweetest thing ever. These are by far my favorite 3 year olds :-)



I knew I could get him to smile, look at those dimples!











Just a few of Mason's expressions will melt your heart!


Happy Monday!

Judie

Impromptu visit to Niagara Falls!

About two weeks ago my dad called and told us we should go to Niagara Falls. I agreed and told him we should plan it out for the Spring but then he said "No, let's go next week". I was thrown aback a bit but then after talking about it with the hubs we called my dad and "Let's do it!". So last Tuesday morning we rented a car and began our 24 hour journey to Niagara Falls. It was a 6 1/2 hour drive and we made it there by noon.

We checked in to the hotel, dropped off our bags and made our way to the falls. I love spontaneity but my dad totally beat me on that one with our 24 hour trip :-) We had a great time and the view..O..M..G, that view was beautiful! We will definitely plan a long weekend trip for next summer and make our way to Canada from there!

Meet my dad Nelson and his wife Faustina






My honey and I made sure to get on the Maid of the Mist!! What an experience! You must do it.


Juan was on point with his waterproof camera




Our view from the boat




Absolutely amazing!














Just had to post this..lol. He is quite the character.


Have a great weekend!!

Judie

Camera Fun Play Dates

I met a group of wonderful women back in March through a FB photography page. We shared the same interests and goals. We tried to set up play dates numerous times but do to our overwhelming work schedules, they always fell through. Finally on a beautiful Spring day, four of us were able to find a day to get together and play with our cameras.

These are only a few of the images taken that day. I am working on a few more that I hope to post soon.

Say hello to Jennifer of Cyrience Photography.


This is Latina of Latina Vega Photography


and this is Jasmin of Jasmin Photograpy & Design


Here is a picture of me that Latina captured...hehe.


We had a great time and learned a few new things from each other. We are all on the same journey and do our best to keep each other motivated.


Happy Monday!

I am back!

Hello beautiful people of the interwebs!  I hope everyone is doing well.  As for me, well while I was on hiatus from Bloggersville I was able to concentrate on my family more, meet some fabulous women in the industry who I can say have motivated me, began my re branding and took some cool photos!  I shot some portraits, an engagement session (close to my heart) and second shot a wedding with my own wedding photographer. 

I traveled a bit also.  In April my girlfriends and I went to Miami for the weekend, went on a cruise with my hubby for the first time in May and revisited beautiful Puerto Rico in July!  Wow, its been pretty busy if I might say so myself...lol. 

Despite taking this breather and not stressing about my business, the much needed break gave me the energy and courage I was lacking to move forward and start strong.  With the help of a fabulous lady who I will blog about soon, my blog and site will be making it debut in approximately one month, God willing. 

So I say this to all of you who have remained faithful to my blog and have asked when my next post was coming, Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Your kind comments are what keep me going.  Your commitment to me means the world and make this journey all the more worth while.

I am back baby!! 

xoxo,

Judie

J & M What's Next Tour!

I know, I know..this post is long over due but better late than never right? Back in January I had the honor and pleasure of attending Justin & Mary Marantz's What's Next Tour. They stopped in several cities through out the US and good'ole NYC was one :-)

I have attended their Spread the Love Tour and they are just so inspiring so I knew that this tour would be just as inspiring, if not more and all I can say is it was truly what I needed to get my rear moving in the right direction! Hearing Mary speak is so comforting that you are totally consumed by her words and she definitely had some keys words that have stuck with me to this day.

Regret - Why regret when you're still living? You have to live in the now. Make the choice to step out of the shadows and stop watching someone else live your dreams. Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled, because that could be the road that will lead you to the great things. Make the choice to not regret the choices that you’ve made.

Failure - You will fail! This is life and we will all fail. You just have to remember that every time we fail, we get stronger. How else will we learn from our mistakes if we don’t fail at it the first time? You cannot let failure stand in the way of your dreams. Everyone is afraid of failing, of not being good enough, but little do you know that this thing you’re so afraid of, is just a bump in the road. Fail Forward: Action trumps fear. Fear lies and says “I can’t. I can’t, I can’t” until you do!

Rejection - Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle because you will eventually get there. We have all been there and feeling rejected doesn’t feel good. We begin to second guess ourselves when we know we are good enough but what we need to do is allow that rejection to move us forward and not stay “safe”. How is “safe” working out for you?

Fear - We are afraid to step out of the shadows because we will be criticized! What we fail to realize is that if you’re not being criticized you’re not working hard enough and you’re not doing anything exciting enough. You want to be criticized!

All of this which when written on paper may not seem like a big deal, really is. Its truly helped me to accept that it's ok to have these feelings but I can't allow it to stop me from living my dream. Thank you Mary and Justin for allowing me the opportunity to learn from you. Although it's so much easier to give up then move forward, I have to keep on living my life and making my dreams come true for me. I am giving myself permission to chase my dreams!





Yes, totally got busted snapping away by Ashley of Ashley Therese Photography, she is too cool!


We each had to get up and write our fears on the board!




The Lighting portion of the Tour was equally as inspiring! Justin totally rocked it out.






Got to catch up with my girl Candice! Great seeing you :-)

"Sometimes the biggest critic in your life is you!"

Have a fantabulous weekend!

Judie