It's that time of the year again

I've been using Shutterfly for years now. It started with printing hundreds of pictures from my travels and their competitve pricing couldn't be beat. Every year, they add to their product list. They're building a lifestyle brand, I've made now made iPhone covers, address labels, cards, postcards, So naturally, we make our Christmas cards through Shutterfly. This has been our second year and every year I love the results. 

Also, every year I think I'm going to be on the ball, make my own cards, have a professional photographer and do our cards but let's be honest. I'm not that put together. I love that the card selections expand every year and I find that I can always find one to fit our families personality. Sometimes I notice that the printing might be a bit off from different batches but if you contact them, I've had friends that have had stand out customer service and speedy reprinting. I've never contacted them for this reason, mainly because I'm already a little behind the times on sending out cards. But none the less, people have loved our Christmas cards so much that if I run into someone at a coffee shop or supermarket they ask if they are on our Christmas card list for the year. So I think we're at a winning advantage. 

All these opinions are my own. I love having photos printing. I love that photographs reach far more than a frame on the wall. If you want an amazing example of some lifestyle shutterfly examples. Check out one of my favorite blogs, The Jungalow. 

PS. Did you catch the secret? 

When it rains in Southern California

I was a bit bummed when I woke up this morning. Why? Because I had plans. I got someone to cover my regular 7 AM on weekends job so I could wake up with the sun, go on a long walk with my pup and spend the rest of the afternoon reading in the sun, then I had plans to see a shakespeare by the sea play. But there was no sun. Instead, there was rain. To preface: California is in a severe drought. So once I got over myself and got over the fact that there was no sun. I embraced it. Rain is a great thing. It doesn't judge when you are lazy and still in your loungewear at noon and that's A-OK in my book. 

After, the hubs made me brunch. He's a trooper, he's cooked me meals everyday for the last 3 weeks.  I only thought it'd be fair to do the dishes. After I did dishes for what seemed like an eternity. I grabbed my pup and my camera and went exploring our little beach town. I love roaming the neighborhoods and seeing all the houses with character and the pretty gardens. Then I also love that I can walk to the beach. Today was lovely. I watched kids braving the rain and jumping in the water with their clothes on. I listened to the silence of hardly anyone on the sand. And I embraced the pounding of the waves and marveled at how blue the water was. 

At some point in time, I tried to take Buhle on a photoshoot, but she was being a difficult model. The pictures of her are the saddest pictures I think I've ever seen of her outside. So we moved on from that idea. ;) 

Overall, it was a great day. I love exploring my little beach town. I always find something new. I urge you to take a moment and look around your neighborhood. It may surprise you to find out how charming your neighborhood is. 

Happy Weekend, my friends.