WITH MY CAMERA

Victoria Beckham, Numero Tokyo March 2012.

2012-02-22T12:42:00.001-05:00

This picture of VB clutching DB's balls in his huge Times Square billboard is hilarious!

It's no secret that I love Victoria Beckham. Maybe it has something to do with the crush I have on her husband (who can blame me?). Maybe it has something to do with how funny and likeable she was on her short-lived tv series here in the States "Coming to America" but either way, I love her to death! She's currently in the March issue of Numéro magazine, from Tokyo, and the pictures are gorgeous.

(sorry for all the watermarks on the photos- I tried to find some without watermarks but it was impossible! click each picture to enlarge.)

10 things Tuesday!

2012-02-21T15:55:00.000-05:00

My weekend in photos.

2012-02-20T10:39:00.002-05:00

This is what my weekend looked like, in pictures;
a date night, lots and lots of dog walking and lots of being outdoors, thanks to a BBQ party (with kickball) with friends.

James and Aubrey's wedding.

2012-02-17T15:46:00.000-05:00

I am sure that some of you follow James' blog "Bleubird Vintage" and have probably already seen her awesome wedding photos, but just in case you don't follow James (and you should!), here are some fantastic shots of her recent wedding. I've been a follower of James' for a while now and seeing her wedding, seeing how happy she and James and their kids are, seeing all the personal wedding touches- it was all just amazing. Brooke Schwab was their amazing wedding photographer- check out both of James posts, here and here, for A LOT more wedding photos!

Here is a sneak peak of their wedding video too, that is worth checking out (it's only 44 seconds long):

James and Aubrey Sneep Peep from Geoff Boothby / Landshark on Vimeo.

Love this!

2012-02-17T11:09:00.000-05:00

Raise your hand if you're happy it's Friday! Cause I am personally THRILLED that this week is over with. It's been a long and tiring week for me personally and I am just glad that I get to some-what sleep in tomorrow and enjoy my weekend!

Here are some things that I enjoyed finding this week:

Matt Wisniewski's photographs- aren't these beautiful?

Jesse + Hannah from Tim Harris on Vimeo.

Hannah and Jesse's sweet elopement video; it's sweet, touching, adorable and romantic (via The Loveliest Day)

This really cute DIY idea for painting a lamp base with paint markers (via Better Homes and Gardens)

The NestRest from Dedon- how cool is this?!

These new beautiful ink and vellum pieces by Audrey Kawasaki

This beautiful 1954 Christian Dior dress (found via Tumblr)

These gorgeous hand painted ceramics by Yevgenia (via Design*Sponge)

This amazing photoshoot at the "Up" house, all "Up" themed and they even dressed like Carl and Ellie!

This photograph (found via Tumblr)

This amazing Prada dress that Leighton Meester wore

This tattoo of a watercolor painting by Marion Bolognesi, that is of Bjork's eyes

Throwback Thursday, Polaroid-style.

2012-02-16T10:27:00.001-05:00

Remember when I used to take Polaroids all the time? Yeah I don't either :(

These are all circa 2007-2011

Not gonna lie. I miss Polaroids. I REALLY miss the old Polaroid film. I miss shooting.

I don't even know where my SLR680 is right now- blasphemy!

What happened to me?

Wordless Wednesday.

2012-02-15T12:50:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday is brought to you by my iPhone today and this week brings you Riley at the dog park; beautiful cloudy skies; mini beach bonfires & wine on Valentine's day and a little bit of yours truly.

Riley playing with a Great Dane at the dog park

Riley going up the agility ramp at the dog park (volume down for this one! I get a little loud at the very end lol)

10 things Tuesday!

2012-02-14T11:57:00.000-05:00

Adele, Vogue magazine.

2012-02-13T12:28:00.000-05:00

Unless you were living under a rock last night, you probably saw Adele's amazing comeback performance at the 2012 Grammy Awards. It was flawless, amazing and perfect, just like Adele. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend watching it here:

I've had a bit of a girl crush on Adele for a while now. I admire her her singing (of course) and her ability to put her entire heart and soul into her music. You can tell she's singing with every single ounce of her soul and just putting it all out there for everyone to see. She's incredibly beautiful and don't even get me started on her makeup- she is queen of the cat-eye eyeliner. She's perfection in my opinion and these new photos for the upcoming March 2012 issue of Vogue couldn't be any more beautiful. The photographs are gorgeous- I love everything about them.

Just me (and a lens flare!)

2012-02-12T00:51:00.002-05:00

I took these pictures today during that amazing "golden hour" of perfect, gorgeous sunlight that happens ever day. If there was a way that I could have every single picture I ever take, be during this magic hour, that would be perfection! I was really happy that I got such wonderful lens flares even though I took these with my iPhone.These photos were taken while I was doing the photo of the day for the February photo challenge that I am taking part in.

Remember when I used to take self portraits ALL OF THE TIME? Pictures of me, literally every day, sometimes multiple times a day? Remember when I did the 365 days of 30? I used to take so many self portraits that I have folders on Flickr specifically categorized for self portraits by year: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

I know that some of the reason my self portraits died down because of my relationship with Mike. I think it was a natural occurrence- my time was now taken up by him and also most of my pictures now involved him. Then of course then came Riley and now 99.999% of all pictures are of her and I'm happy with that...for the most part. That brings me to the other reason why I don't take too many pictures of myself anymore. I'm so uncomfortable at my current weight right now (aka the heaviest that I've ever been in my life) that I can't bear to see pictures of myself. I'd lost a bit of weight a couple years ago when I was working two jobs and was a) always on my feet and busy/moving and b) I didn't have time to eat because I had two jobs. Then I started dating Mike and as tends to happen in relationships, you go out to eat a lot together, you get comfortable, you get lazy, etc. and I started to gain the weight back that I had lost. Also, Mike loves to cook, I love to eat- you do the math ;)

Now that I am at my largest size, I am having an extremely hard time feeling comfortable with myself. Granted, having been a big girl my whole life, I've never been 100% comfortable with myself, but this is definitely a low point. I will say that I have started to make an effort to change my lifestyle and be a lot healthier with my eating- making better choices and things. I've started to keep track of my eating habits and count my calories. I have started to drink a lot more water and I've almost cut out my diet soda habit completely. I do need to find more ways I can be active though. Since we've had Riley in our lives, I can say that I am 100% more active than I used to be- I walk her a lot, for long distances- multiple times a day, but I haven't noticed that it's made any difference in me, weight-wise. With my back issues, I can't really jog and using the elliptical machine for more than 5 minutes at a time starts to bother my back and hips. I wish I had a pool- that would be ideal for me! We were thinking about getting me a bike, but we're worried that me being semi-hunched over like that while riding, will be bad for my back. I am determined to find something though- even if that means I just have to keep walking- I'll just walk faster and longer. I'm not trying to make excuses for myself, but doing most exercises really hurts my back, so it makes things a bit more difficult for me.

It's time once and for all, for me to do what I have to do and make serious changes about my life. It's what is best for me and best for my family. I want to be the best Kerry I can be, be the best girlfriend to Mike and the best mama to Riley, and I can't be the best if I am not feeling good about myself mentally and physically.

Now comes the hard part: committing to this 100000%. Let's do this!

I decided on a more personal blog post because I wanted to link up with The Paper Mama for her Self Photo Challenge! I really liked opening up with you guys. You should check out her post/challenge and blog about yourself too- though you don't have to get as personal as I did of course ;)

Right now I am...

2012-02-10T15:37:00.001-05:00

This is Miss Riley being lazy and sleepy the other night, laying all over the couch.

Right now I am...

Obsessing over: getting a new purse. I can always use a new purse and I've been wanting a new one for weeks now. I keep looking around at different places but nothing really catches my eye. Well, nothing I can afford- if someone out there wants to buy me a Louis Vuitton bag, I wouldn't be mad ;)

Working on: a mini name banner that I want to possibly use in a photo-shoot tomorrow

Thinking about: the photo-shoot tomorrow- it's a Valentine's Day themed shoot with a 6 month old baby, so it should be really cute and really fun.

Anticipating: the weekend- what it will bring, what I will do with it, how I'll spend my time.

Listening to: the Liquid Swords album by GZA

Drinking: water with peach tea flavored Crystal Light. I'm trying to drink more water and sometimes adding the Crystal Light helps- you just need that tiny bit of flavor!

Wishing: That I knew what the next 6-12 months are going to bring for me and my family. Certain things are so up in the air right now, that it feels like it's hard to breathe.

Love this!

2012-02-10T10:22:00.001-05:00

Tuesday is Valentine's Day and like always, the Internet is inundated with Valentine's Day products/ideas/inspiration, so I bring you a third Valentine's Day themed post. Are you celebrating Valentine's Day this year? Mike and I don't ever make a point of celebrating it to be honest. We feel like every day should be Valentine's Day in a relationship and you shouldn't be "forced" to be romantic just because society tells you that you should. I can honestly say I got very lucky in the boyfriend department because every day is like Valentine's Day for us. We're not perfect and we have our not-so-good days, but for the most part, things couldn't be more wonderful. You just have to make a point of making the every day, little things special and important. For those of you that are celebrating next week, I wish you a really happy day and for those of you that aren't, happy Tuesday ;)

I'm dying over this heart-shaped padlock from The Lonely Heart's Etsy shop

This adorable miniature glass anatomical heart from Kiva Ford's Etsy shop

This statement (image found on Tumblr)

This recipe for heart-shaped bacon, because BACON! (via the Paper Mama)

This cute tutorial on how to make your own heart sweater (via A Beautiful Mess)

These really neat painted lockets from Khara Ledonne

This statement (found on Tumblr)

This gorgeous print by Paul Octavious (via Design Sponge)

This photograph (found on Tumblr)

This journal page (found on Tumblr)

This e.e. cummings poem

These really cute free Valentine's printable illustrations from the Paper Mama

Kirsten Dunst, Vogue Italia.

2012-02-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

I'll admit it, I am definitely not a Kirsten Dunst fan at all (sorry!) but when I saw these photographs taken for the new issue of Vogue Italia, I must say that I loved them. How gorgeous are these shots? The scenery, the colors, the lens flare! Good job, Vogue Italia!

Michelle Williams, Polaroids.

2012-02-08T14:00:00.000-05:00

I'm not very familiar with the clothing brand "Band of Outsiders" but today I came across a series of Polaroids they shot for their line, featuring the actress Michelle Williams. I love Michelle and I love Polaroids so obviously I love this shoot! You should check out their site- there are so many MORE Polaroids to look at. (I'm jealous of their film stash!)

Wordless(ish) Wednesday.

2012-02-08T09:50:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd show every one pictures of Riley (no surprise there) and pictures of where she gets walked every day and where she gets to play. I don't think most people realize that she has A LOT of free space to run around in. Our property itself is 3/4 of an acre and our backyard borders what used to be railroad tracks. The tracks stopped being used years ago, they were removed but the rocks stayed behind. Grass and weeds have grown over most of the left-behind rocks & things, but it's also created a sort of wide trail between the rows of houses, for blocks and blocks. Riley gets walked up and down "the tracks" as we call it, at least 6 times a day. She is very lucky to have all that free space- almost always off the leash.

(I couldn't resist zooming in on that picture- she looks hilarious!)

That open gate in the fence- that's our yard.

Our backyard.

She loves to prance around me while I swing.

10 things Tuesday.

2012-02-07T15:23:00.006-05:00

A glimpse of my weekend.

2012-02-06T15:23:00.002-05:00

This weekend was a busy one at the YankBall household. On Saturday we had our very first doggie play date. I was looking forward to it all week and kept telling Riley she was going to meet new friends and have so much fun; since we're not having kids, I am taking what I can get with Riley! ;) We went over to our friends Kenny, Roxy and Dennisse's house to play with their dogs. They have 4 dogs: Beans (a Boston terrier), Mia (a rat terrier mix), Butters (a mutt) and Reggie (another mutt). At first, 5 crazy barking dogs felt like total chaos- it was nuts! After they settled down though, sniffed each others butts and settled down, they all seemed to have a great time. Riley being such a high energy breed was non-stop the entire 4 hours we were there. She definitely worse herself (and the other dogs) out! After we left our play date, we went over to Mike's sisters house because Mike's nephew wanted to celebrate his Uncle Mike's birthday (which was last week). That was really nice- we enjoyed a nice dinner and who doesn't love ice cream cake? Sunday of course was Super Bowl Sunday and while I am not a football fan, I was looking forward to this years Super Bowl because we had a Super Bowl party to attend, with all of our friends. The best part of the night: playing with baby Lucca! He's so cute and I love any chance I get to see him. Lucca and I have a Valentine's Day themed photo-shoot next weekend and I am really looking forward to that.

How was your weekend? I hope it was as nice as mine!

Love this!

2012-02-03T12:01:00.000-05:00

With Valentine's Day still creeping up on us, I bring you another love-inspired post. Enjoy! (I also tweaked my blog layout a bit too!)

This gorgeous tattoo

This beautiful print (I wish I knew the source!)

This cute illustration (which for the record, Mike and I sleep like the 4th one sometimes. I KNOW.)

This really creative and really sweet present that Stuck With Pins made for her boyfriend

This tattoo flash

This illustration by Cassandra Warren

These dysfunctional Valentine conversation hearts

This really cute and funny free printable illustration from The Paper Mama

This funny handmade Valentine

The "True Love" series by Sebastian Domaschke

Teddy Roosevelt’s diary entry from the day his wife Alice died.

This statement

This photograph

This pillow from Sew English

“I will remember the kisses, our lips raw with love,
and how you gave me everything you had
and how I offered you what was left of me.”

- Charles Bukowski

January 2012 Photo-A-Day Challenge

2012-02-01T12:00:00.001-05:00

Those of you that follow me on Instagram already know that I took part in Fat Mum Slim's January Photo-A-Day Challenge. I enjoyed doing this so much that I think I'll continue on with her February photo challenge. For those of you that don't follow me on IG, here is my January 2012 Photo-A-Day project:

10 things Tuesday.

2012-02-01T09:58:00.000-05:00

I did this yesterday but I was so busy that I totally lost track of time and forgot to post it.

Love this!

2012-01-27T11:01:00.004-05:00

Another Friday is upon us and today I bring you some love-inspired links and images in honor of Valentine's Day that is quickly approaching. Mike and I don't personally celebrate Valentine's Day but I still love all the cute, mushy things that the holiday brings.

Artwork by Coulson Macleod

These cute Valentines Day cards from Amy Marcella (via Design Sponge)

This wedding in Italy (via A Cup of Jo)

The Old Loves Tumblr (via Miss Moss)

These really cute Valentine's Day cards from Rifle Paper Co. (via Design Sponge)

This wooden sign from William Dohman

This arrow ring from MijuAndYou

This Love Struck tattoo flash by Olivia Britz

These arrow earrings from Melanie Favreau

This cute embroidered couples portrait from Cara Carmina

This simple yet beautiful Tuscan wedding (via A Cup of Jo)

This illustration (found via Tumblr)

This illustration (I wish I knew the original source! I love this one!)

(image found via Tumblr)

"Is this love" by Bob Marley

(image found via Tumblr)

This quote from Dreams for an Insomniac

(image found via Tumblr)

Carl and Ellie from "Up" will always be my favorite.

"Noticed" by Mute Math. This is one of the first songs that became one of "our" songs when Mike and I started dating. He was leaving for a trip and told me to listen to this song and read the lyrics. He said he'd been wanting to share this song with me for quite some time but held back until we were officially a couple. This song still gives me goosebumps when I hear it. "All this time oblivious to what you make so obvious. I can't believe I never noticed my heart before..."

The anatomy of anxiety.

2012-01-24T15:53:00.003-05:00

It's been a very long time since I've made one of my altered Polaroids. Today, this seemed very fitting.

10 things Tuesday!

2012-01-24T15:10:00.001-05:00

Love this!

2012-01-20T10:22:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday! This week seemed to fly by for me, with work, family and friends. I have a nice weekend ahead of me, starting with a NASCAR event with Mike's parents tonight. Tomorrow we have a wedding to attend, which Mike is one of the groomsmen and I can't wait to see him in his tux! I don't think we have plans for Sunday but I am hoping we don't sleep in too long and can make it out to the farmer's market. I am sure that at some point, Mike will want to take Riley to the dog park too. What do you have planned for the weekend?

I've been a huge fan of Rachel Bilson for years, thanks to The O.C.- she's so cute and funny and adorable and just likeable! This new video from Funny or Die is hilarious!! It's in response to the critics, talking shit about her new show. I've definitely renewed my girl crush on Rachel after this. Brilliant! "Summer Roberts back up on the track again! Peace'd up out the O.C., Ben and Brody- deuces!!!!"

DIY Missoni inspired nails (via the Beauty Department)

Artwork by Cassandra Warren

This hilarious wedding video, where the groom is doing a choreographed dance to Justin Beiber's "Baby"- so worth watching! I can totally picture Mike doing something similar at our wedding, but of course to Lil Wayne, not Beiber. (via Spookular)

This darling little lakeside cabin (via Spookular)

This great double-sided sleep mask for when you're on an airplane- this would be perfect for Mike, who pretty much falls asleep on a plane before it even takes off (via Swiss Miss)

This adorable Lady and the Tramp themed engagement photo shoot- can't you picture Mike and I doing something this cheesy with Riley?

This cozy little attic nook/bedroom (image found on Tumblr)

Words to live by (via Pinterest)

These moleskine pages (remember when I used to do my collages and mixed media moleskin art?)

This print (image found via Tumblr)

This installation piece by Farhad Moshiri

"All you need is love...and a dog" (found via Tumblr)

Wordless Wednesday, part 2.

2012-01-18T10:37:00.001-05:00

Riley enjoying herself with her new friends at the dog park.