Better Late Than Never

Ugh....I cannot begin to express my frustration right now.  I had this post pretty much ready to go Thursday night and had just a few little updates to make before sharing it.  And....somehow yesterday morning in a couple of key strokes I managed to delete the whole thing.  Usually I can do a little "ctrl+z" and get it back, but for whatever reason it was unsuccessful.  And of course I didn't have time to do anything about it before work, so now it's Saturday - let's see if I can recreate everything I had done!

Friday is a busy one this week at My Mind's Lens!  I'm guest posting elsewhere in blogville, My Mind's Lens received an award, and we have a little photo recap of the week.

I don't know about you, but lately online shopping has been a little weakness of mine.  Earlier this week, over at Foltz Family Life, I shared some of my favorite online boutiques - make sure you stop by (plus, Foltz Family Life is a sponsor so you better show some extra love!).  Pretty momma Rychelle will be returning the favor next week for Guest Post Tuesday, so watch for that.
*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     * This week I received some exciting news - not only is one of my favorite NW bloggers *Kelly at Today Was A Fairytale* back online after a little hiatus, but she nominated My Mind's Lens for a Liebster Award! You have probably seen these floating around the blog world, or even received one yourself. They are a lot of fun to receive, even if you've gotten one before.  If you have time, stop by Today Was A Fairytale and read Kelly's post.

Here's how it works:
1. Each blogger shares 11 random facts about themselves.
2. Answer the  questions the tagger has set for you, then create 11 new questions for the bloggers you pass the award to.
3. Choose 11 new bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to pass the award to, and link back to them in your post!
4. Let award recipients know that they've been awarded!
5. No tag backs.


11 Random Facts About Me
1. If I could fly everywhere instead of drive, I would.
2. I love the feeling of being up early in the morning, but hate actually waking up early.
3. Sweet little babies melt my heart.
4. Rain makes me sad, but I like the sound when it is pounding on the roof.
5. I like to have a clean house, but don't like to actually clean it.
6. It only takes a matter of seconds - from the time I walk out the door of my office and climb into my car - to lose the motivation to go to the gym.
7. If I had to pick only one beverage to drink for the rest of my life, it would be Malibu Rum with pineapple juice.
8. Once I get a crafty idea, I have to try it (so my trip to Craft Warehouse tomorrow could be dangerous).
9. I loved playing softball and volleyball when I was younger, but hate running/can't do it, so I quit after my sophomore year.
10. I think it would be fun to visit all 50 states someday-actually visit, not just have a layover at the airport.
11. My graduating class in high school was only about 65 students.

11 Questions from Kelly
1. What do you find it easiest to blog about? Sharing my photos
2. Is there a topic you'd like to blog about but are too scared/nervous to write about? Not really - I would like to get a little more personal and open up a bit more, but I'm getting there.
3. How has your blog changed since the day you started it? It started as just a way to share my photography, but has developed into something more - where I can share about my life.
4. How has blogging changed your life so far? If you asked my husband, he would tell you that I am on my computer a lot more...OOPS!  But in all honesty, I have gotten to know some really great ladies from blogging.
5. Have you been able to meet, face-to-face, any of the bloggers that you follow? Not yet - but I should!  There are several who are close by!
6. Is there a blogger (or a few) that have helped motivate you or really touched your life in any way?  I've said it before, but Julie at A Beautiful Day is my biggest cheerleader!
7. Does anyone in your real life know about your blog?  If yes, what do they think?  If no, what keeps you from telling them? *See husband's sentiment above* I do have some friends and family members who know about My Mind's Lens - they seem to think it's pretty cool.
8. When you run into a writing block, what do you do to help you out of your funk? Sometimes I will get ideas from other bloggers, and if that doesn't work I will resort to Google!
9. What are your hopes for your blog over the next year? I would like to see it grow - but that may just mean gaining a few loyal followers and I'll be happy.
10. What is the first thing that you notice about another person's blog? The color scheme and fonts used!
11. Do you have any advice you'd like to like to share with bloggers who are just starting out?  Do it for yourself and let your personality flow through your writing.

11 Questions for My Nominees
1. If you had to pick one color to represent your personality, what color would you be?
2. What has been your biggest triumph in life?
3. What are you most looking forward to during the next year?
4. Why did you start blogging?
5. Where do you find new blogs to follow?
6. What is the most fulfilling role you have played?
7. We are approaching the holiday season - what is your favorite thing to bake?
8. If you won a shopping spree for any store you wanted, which one would you choose?
9. How has your blog changed since you started?
10. Where is the best place you have ever vacationed?
11. What is the top item on your Christmas wish list?

11 Nominees
1. Foltz Family Life
2. My Life As...
3. Believe in the Sparks
4. Linda's Lens
5. Martinis & Bikinis
6. Mr. and Mrs. Foster
7. The Sunset Won't
8. Fluent in Sparkle
9. Health, Love, & Fire
10. Scattered Horizons Photography
11. I'll Love You Forever

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     * There really is only one thing worth sharing about my week, other than a little something that I am holding onto for just a little longer. My friend McKenzie and I went to a "Wine and Canvas" event Tuesday night. I had seen similar events posted on other blogs in the past, so when she brought it up I jumped at the idea.

It really is exactly what it sounds like - they teach you how to paint, while you sip on your adult beverages!

I don't know if I would say my painting looked like a pro did it (or even that it looked like the instructor's finished product), but I am still pretty proud of what I created! We are going to try to catch another class, maybe next month.

And...that's a wrap. Better late than never, right!

Friday

Typically, I'm not a big Gavin DeGraw fan. He's not bad, I just don't normally like the sound of his music. But when I heard this song on The Voice on Monday, I instantly fell in love! And Juhi killed it . . . I can't get over her unique sound.  As soon as I heard it - I knew I would be sharing it for #backthatazzup Friday!

Today I am feeling pretty proud of myself - I actually realized that this week was the last Friday all on my own.  Granted, it was only two days ago that I figured this out.  But, the point is I didn't need a reminder from Julie!  Anyways - long story short - I'm over at A Beautiful Day today, sharing for In Focus Friday.

GUESS WHAT?? IT'S THE WEEKEND!!

Don't forget to go enter the giveaway at Simple Moments Stick - there are only 2 days left!  Here are some of the things that I am looking forward to:

*Not having to work
*Photographing some engagement pictures
*Going to the pumpkin patch
*Checking out the SUV we are hopefully getting in the next week
*Taking some family pictures for a friend

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Giveaway Winner

I mentioned yesterday that Meghan from They Call Her Meghan was the lucky winner of the Fall Adspace Giveaway.  Now, I want to give her a chance to introduce herself!

Enjoy the small moments because you'll look back on your life and realize that they were the biggest.  This is my life quote.  And me? I'm Meghan and I'm the brains behind They Call Her Meghan.  My blog is a mix and match of my day-to-day life, funny stories from living at home still and me trying to figure out my place on this crazy ride we call life. 

Follow They Call Her Meghan via

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram .

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

I wanted to throw out a quick reminder:  For the last couple of months I have been featuring various bloggers for Guest Post Tuesday.  If you are interested in participating during the months of October or November, please send me an email at
kaeley *dot* a *dot* mull *at* gmail *dot* com

Please include your name, blog URL, and an idea of what you would like to share about - it can be anything you'd like!  I will get back to you as soon as possible with a choice of dates.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Follow the Yellow Brick Road...

...to the Emerald City.  Unfortunately, I'm not Dorothy and I didn't find any horses of a different color, but my Emerald City is still pretty spectacular.  Last Sunday we got to go to my very favorite place in Seattle - Pike's Market.

And yes - my loving honey bought me some of these beautiful flowers . . . and some of them are still hanging in there!

We also came home with some yummy berries!

Are you so glad that is over!?  I love sharing, but it can also be a lot of work and stress.  So thank you for letting me share....even when it is over the course of 3 or 4 days.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ I have a quick little announcement: I am the winner of Aloha Blog Hop August Giveaway!  I am super excited about all yummy coffee that is to come, as well as the abundance of ad space.  Here are the lovely blogs I will be advertising at:

Momma Candy

Rhyme & Ribbons

The Eyes of a Boy

A Peek Into My Paradise

I also won this really great E-Book from Sarah at A Cat-Like Curiousity.  I am planning on sharing some excerpts in the near future.

I am currently booking October/November slots for Guest Post Tuesday.  If you are interested in writing a guest post for My Mind's Lens, please send me an email *using the envelope icon above* and I will let you know which dates are available!   Have a great Wednesday - we're halfway there! Here's a little morning laugh for you:

Boys Behind the Blog

Today I am guest posting over at With Love, Rachel .... so make sure to go stop by!

Here at My Mind's Lens, I am linking up for Boys Behind the Blog for the first time.  It's hosted by Stephanie from Never the Same Spice Twice and Mallory from Mal Smiles.  The 1st Thursday of every month they post a list of questions for your special someone to answer, then link up on the 3rd Thursday of the month.

1. What Would You Do with $1,000,000? First, I would pay off all of our debt. Then I would build our own custom home - including a humongous, 15 bay shop....12 of which would be full of cars (three deep). There would be an old 60s era Ferrari, as well as a new one....a couple of muscle cars and some other cool cars. I'd still keep working, though.
2. What is your dream job? To be a host on Top Gear {the British one...not the shitty American one} **are you seeing a theme here**
3. Who is your celebrity crush? "What's her name from Modern Family....Sofia Vergara" and Raquel Welch...from back in the day
4. What is your favorite sports team? Chicago Bulls - when they still had Michael Jordan
5. What was your AOL/AIM screen name back in the day? 65polly **his first car was a 1965 Chevy Impala**

**editors note!!**

So now you know...my honey likes cars - usually foreign ones. Let's see what he has to say next month...

Here's a quick reminder about a couple of opportunities here at My Mind's Lens.  First, if you would like to be a sponsor, I offer a free blog swap option - your button, my sidebar, 30 days at a time.  If you want to join my current lovely sponsors, click HERE.  {I do try to give little shout-outs here and there to my sponsors}  Also, I am looking for people who would like to guest post here....I am working on a series called Guest Post Tuesday.  All of the spots are filled for August, but if you would like to sign up for September, send me an email: kaeley *dot* a *dot* mull AT gmail *dot* com

Black & White Wednesday

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Miss Jordyn has quickly become one of my favorite clients and models.  Her two sessions that we have done were so much fun.  I'm really looking forward to working with her and her family in the future!

 

Yesterday I featured Marianna of Delightfully Dunn for Guest Post Tuesday.  If you would like to be next, I am still looking for two more posts for this month: one for August 20th and one for the 27th.  If you ARE interested, please send me an email with your name, the url for your blog, and what you would like to write about!

Umm..can you say hypocrite?!

Don't worry, the only person I am accusing of being a hypocrite (today at least) is ME.  Remember how just last week I complained reminded people about no-comment bloggers?!  Well guess what - I was one!  Now, it hasn't always been that way.  I fixed that problem long ago.  However, I recently connected my Blogger account to Google+ and hey - that doesn't work.  Nope, if you are using Google+ instead of the Blogger profiles you do not have an option to NOT be a no-reply blogger {I feel like there is a double-negative in there somewhere...}

Thankfully, Nadine over at Life by Nadine Lynn alerted me to this fact and directed me over to a quick step-by-step to correcting the problem (basically...switch back to the Blogger profile...), courtesy of Venus Trapped in Mars.  If you haven't already, go stop by and visit Sarah - and thank her for the GREAT advice.

Now that I am no longer a hypocrite - make sure you don't have this problem so that I can respond to your lovely comments!!

I will likely be back in a few hours, after this thing called work is over, to share some images from Tuesday's senior photos.  Sadly the weather ruined my evening plans with a newborn....but at least I will have time to get caught up and maybe even plan a couple of posts for the rest of week and next!

Don't forget, if you are interested in guest posting for me in the next week or two, shoot me an email.  You can see more details HERE.

Black & White Wednesday - And a little running around...

If you missed it yesterday, I have a couple of busy weeks ahead of me and would love if some of you wanted to guest post for me here and there.  I will still be posting as well, but won't be able to every day.

It can be a DIY project, photos from your favorite trip, or just something funny and entertaining.  It's completely up to you what you write about.  If a few of you could help me keep everyone else captivated for a few weeks, I would be very grateful.

If you are interested, send me an email and let me know the name of your blog (and the web address), as well as what you would like to post about.  If you could also include a short little bio, that would be great.  Maybe this will give me a chance to get to know some of my readers a little bit better, too!!

You can email me at : kaeley *dot* a *dot* mull@gmail.com

After my senior portrait session tonight {more of that to come later}, the skies were beautiful and I took full advantage of that on my way home: 

It was a little bit of a hike to get to this waterfall for part 2 of the senior portraits, but sooooo worth it!

I've always thought people were weird for pulling off the highway at this viewpoint to take pictures...I mean, it's just a bunch of mills.  But, it actually is quite beautiful.

Can I get a quick little applause? This girl stuck to her guns and got her hiney out of bed at 5:30 to get some pre-work gym time in. I've said it before: I'm not an early morning person...so I'm pretty proud of myself.

However.. it felt like fall this morning.  No bueno!