if you see something beautiful in someone, speak it

A quote from an interior designer that I just adore, Ruthie Lindsey,  spoken simplistically & straight to the point:

 "IF YOU SEE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL IN SOMEONE, SPEAK IT."

I recently was paid the compliment "You love and live boldly, Lacey."  

The thing is the person who paid me this compliment had/has no idea that the source of this boldness was derived from being a survivor of child abuse... Physically, mentally & emotionally.   A child who always felt not quite loved, who felt insecure a lot, dumb & always inadequate. Who lived with anxiety a lot and fear. Who was taught that I deserved my child abuse when I was being "bad".  

Hearing this compliment sure put some pep in my step and reminded me to continue to ignore those that want to dull my sparkle because they are afraid to shine.  
To keep on living and loving boldly because of the example it gives & to tell people more what is beautiful about them.  
You never know the story of a person. You never know how hearing that simple compliment might have given them something they truly need to continue to aspire and/or possibly heal.

So, if you see something beautiful in someone, speak it.

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GET OUT OF THE OFFICE

On an entrepreneurial/creative high, we're getting things accomplished and knocked out of the way. Giving out high-fives left and right!

The following week rolls around.  Same grind.  Then the next.  Then the next. To where it starts to resemble the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray.  Then it happens... loss of motivation.

When this happens to me it's not because I stopped loving what I do.  It's because I have been sitting in the same office, my office, for a few weeks straight.  For a creative mind, that's a no go. I need stimulation with sights, sounds & sunlight.  So what do I do?  I GET OUT OF THE OFFICE.  I change my scenery and work from somewhere else.  It could be a cute coffee joint, a park, a local winery or like this week... the beach.  A change of scenery refreshes the senses and you're still getting your work done.  

It's YOUR business... who says you have to work enclosed by four walls? ; )

TO MY BEST FRIEND...

I met you on this very day, April 1st back in 2003.   13 years later, I adore you still, like it was the first day we met.  This blog post is to thank you for being wonderfully you.

I want to thank you for seeing a talent in me that I overlooked for 10 years and help grow that talent into a successful business.  I should have listened sooner.

 I want to thank you for picking me up when I felt heavy and down.  Being my light when I couldn't see straight because I was so frustrated and lost.  When things felt sticky and overwhelming and I wanted to give up, you encouraged me to keep going.

I want to thank you for the little love tokens you do because you know it helps me.  Like bringing me coffee every morning because you know I was up late creating, working and barely slept.  Dealing with my grumpy morning attitude is not fun, I know.  I don't really like myself either in the mornings  ; )

I want to thank you for setting the example of leadership in your household and in The Marine Corps.  It's a wonderful feeling to be a women who can say her spouse is the epitome of what a real man is and should be.

I want to thank you for loving me when I wasn't really lovable.  When we love someone at their darkest, we then teach them how to truly love.  Thank you for teaching me how to let my love grow.


To my Best Friend...  I love you.
 

Washington DC Photographer |  Lacey O

PLAN OF ATTACK TODAY. APPLY TOMORROW.

My friend vented to me how life was feeling currently tangled.  Heavy, frustrating.  Ugh.  I know the feeling.  Heck, we all do.  It feels sticky and exhausting.  You lose motivation.

Life happens.  You're going to get off course.  That's part of the journey.  Just come back to it.

What I do when I get off course is take a personal day.  Evaluate what is disorganized in my life.  Write down a PLAN OF ATTACK TODAY. APPLY TOMORROW with a set schedule.  Checking off things as I go.  Visually, all the little check marks motivates me more.  I see all that I have accomplished in that day and I come twice as motivated and strong the following day building that momentum to dominate all my life's goals and dreams. 

DARE TO DO

 The fear of "failing."  The "what- if's." These little things we let circulate in our brain and hold us back from daring to do our dream.  But here is what I think and that I have fully applied to all things in life:

If you are not failing then you are not moving.  Just embrace it.  Shake the negative feels off.  Emotions are temporary.  Learn from it.  Keep it moving.  Apply the new knowledge the next time. The best way I have learned was just to stop dreaming about it and just DARE MYSELF TO DO. 

Washington DC Photographer |  Lacey O

CELEBRATE THE SMALL STEPS OF PROGRESS

Obviously,  if you started a business you dreamt a dream.  You still dream.  You have a vision and a passion and it drove you to take a big step on becoming an entrepreneur.  How beautifully bold is that?!

Me, personally, I dream really big.  So big that it is a part of my power source with driving my ambition.  But, at times, when one is a super duper ambitious person, one has a tendancy to want to be at Z already instead of focusing on A, B and C ( or whatever letter/stage you are currently and fabulously at : ) 

I have found when I do not enjoy and celebrate the small steps of progress, but more so focused on being at Z, things start to feel heavy. Sticky.  Not as joyful.  I lose focus on why I love what I do...

TO CREATE. To INSPIRE.

Washington DC Photographer |  Lacey O Photography

QUICK SALAD IDEA FOR THE BUSY PHOTOGRAPHER

Oh the busy photographers grind... answering clients questions, meeting with clients, scheduling clients, arriving at photoshoots and editing. The workflow list goes on and on.  But thats just business... don't forget your personal life (me being a mother of 3 and married to a Marine my schedule is insane!)  Sometimes I get so busy in a day I forget to eat.  Actually strike that,  I'm starving and the epitome of the word "HANGRY" but I grit through it because I have a job to do.  

The more your business grows the busier your schedule becomes the less time you have to take care of yourself... but you must make yourself just as equally a priority so that you can run things with the utmost opitmitization.  

I saw on Pinterest this idea on making layered salads in mason jars!  I prep mine on a Sunday night for myself and my family.  They stay fresh and easy to grab and throw in your tote when you are on the go!  Chop full of energizing goodness that will refuel and refresh you!  

Delish!

Washington DC Photographer |  Quick Salad Idea for the Busy Photographer

CARLSBAD VILLAGE, CA + TASHIANNA & CYLUS, MOTHER/SON

Cylus Charlie Brown is Tashianna's son.  At their house they call him, "Cy Cy" and "Bubbi". As his momma, Tashianna likes to call him her "Angel Baby".

Tashianna battled a hemorrhage the entire 9 months of pregnancy and Cylus was born with a stroke on his brain while battling seizures. Tashianna shared: " I promised him when he was in the NICU and fighting to stay alive, that momma was never going to leave his side. I gave it all to God including my son's life and his purpose".

Three long months of going through every emotion possible, Cylus's head doctor walked into the room while Tashianna was breastfeeding and with tears in his eyes, says: "Its gone, the stroke is gone! Its like it disappeared out of nowhere." 

Tashianna was adopted as a newborn so her son is the first person she has ever me in her life that shares the same blood as her.  Tashianna said to me: " I knew from the beginning I was going to be a single mom but there was nothing that was going to stop me from doing what I had to for my baby". 

Tashianna has been a  model since before Cylus was born.   She modeled maternity while pregnant and continued to model after his birth. She would take him to all her shoots with her, where all the models would flock to him and she learned quickly how big of a flirt he was! (Too cute)  Tashianna shared with a chuckle: " Mommy is now regretting that decision. Did I mention, he hates pictures"!

Mornings are their favorite time of day.  Tashianna said:  "I have come to realize that I am "that mom" who is running late to drop their kid off at school because stopping to get donuts and go to the library is more fun.  I take life slower now that I have my kiddo.  Cylus likes to think he is 3 going on 30, not sure where he gets his independent attitude from".  ; )  

Cylus's world consists of lots of trains, naps and snacks!
I cannot say he is your typical three year old because the compassion that flows from him reminds you of an old soul.
 
As for Tashianna, she is finishing her Bachelors in International Business and then off to Law School.  She shared with me:  "I made Cylus a promise to acheive that goal and I will see it to the end".

VISTA AUDUBON, CA + ASHLEY & BELLA, MOTHER/DAUGHTER

Ashley, a wonderful single mother, learned what true love really was through having her baby, Bella (who is the epitome of the meaning of her name; Beautiful)

Ashley and the Father of Bella went there separate ways.  Ashley moved from Indiana to California and is a full time student who is successfully acheiving all of her goals she has for herself and Baby Bella. 
 
 Ashley shared with me: "It's challenging and sometimes can be stressful, but I take one day at a time and have a lot of patience.  She is learning new things every day and I am so glad that I can be there to comfort her during the times when she's hurt, sick, or wakes up through the night". 

Bella is a little bundle of happiness! She has changed Ashley's life in so many ways and Ashley is determined to put her happiness and well-being before her own.

Ashley said:  "Even though sometimes I feel like I am horribly failing at everything, Bella still looks at me with a huge smile that lets me know I'm doing a great job at raising her.  I will never stop giving my 100% to being the best mom I can ever be".

Talking to Ashley, her bravery, love, care, hard work and determination she has for her family is a beautiful thing.  She demonstrates what a real woman should be... shining and inspiring others

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ST. ELMO ILLINOIS WEDDING, CHRISTINA & CALEB

Christina, a stunning Tennessee beauty and entrepreneur, Caleb, a rugged USMC vet from Illinois met one day during their travels in North Carolina. OBVIOUSLY these stars were aligned and it was love.

The Wedding took place in Saint Elmo, Illinois at Caleb's Parent's Log Cabin on a beautiful lake.  The crip autumn air, the various shades of amber colored leaves made the ideal backdrop for a Country Chic Autumn Wedding.  Yes, it was nothing short of perfection. 

As you walked the enchanted property you see great attention to detail, in every corner, paying tribute to Christina & Caleb's love for one another.  Yet, there were signs everywhere of the new Autumn Season...  The collaboration of both love and autumn was like two melody's combining to currate a grand symphony.

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Meeting Christina & Caleb's family I truly felt honored to be in the company I was in.  They are a true Patriotic Family.  Various Family members and friends that have served our country.  They shined a beautiful light with the utmost love, support and respect for one another.

Christina's dress was stunning!  Elegant and softly flowed with the most delicate embroidered detail!

She paired her dress with Cowgirl Boots to show that Tennessee Sass!

he gents of the wedding were the fastest to get ready (what man isn't super quick ;)

Christina & Caleb's son, Jax, was waiting for his grand debut as the ring bear ; )

YES! Those are custom made Buckshot Boutonniere's for the Groom and Groomsmen! LOVE!

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It was time for the big moment.  As Christina and her cherished father walk down the isle to give her away to Caleb... I watched everyone tear up.  Honestly, So did I! (Get it together Lacey!)

The exchanging of vows, little Jax doing his little Jax thing...

THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE! YOU MAY KISS THE BRIDE!

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 Family and Friends gathered to have an intimate dinner and celebrate further... in style ; )

A little Cake Smear... these two sure have fun together!  But that is what it is all about! Having fun with you best friend!

Oh hey there Christina!

Christina & Caleb, It was an honor documenting your beautiful wedding, along with meeting your wonderful family and friends.

I leave this blog post off with saying...