Confessions of Jersey Girl

E.P. asked: “If you had the choice, what would you want to photograph professionally?”

If I had the choice (and um, could go back in time and major in photography instead of psychology), I would love to do the journalism stuff. A lot like the things that you do. I’d love to travel and do the National Geographic stuff. Have you seen the portraits in those things(Of course you have… but GOD.)? I’m a huge fan of candid photography. I do NOT like posing people, it drives me insane. I like when shots just sort of present themselves in front of me. I like just firing off shots and seeing what I end up with.

Erin asked: “What inspired you to get into photography? When can I come visit your new house?”

Oh man. I’m going to feel so weird saying this because my inspiration? It’s actually two lovely blogger ladies that asked me questions in this post.

Kerri and Becka.

I began reading Beckas blog before she had even really got up and running as a photographer. As she built Studio 222 with Nate and came into her own as one of the best photographers I have ever seen… She has been a constant source of inspiration and a great example of what can be accomplished when you find your passion and follow your heart. Her photos are amazing and I’m always inspired when I check out their site. She’s amazing and a huge reason why I decided to take the jump and buy my DSLR.

Kerri, while not technically a professional, has taken some seriously amazing pictures. I loved all of the shots of her little sisters and the jumping pictures she always nails perfectly. I love how she edits her pictures and she’s a lot of the reason I decided to step out and get a DSLR. I so wanted to take pictures like Kerri! Weeee! I got sick of staring at her gorgeous pictures and set out to take some of my own.

I don’t think I’ve ever told these two ladies how much they inspired me with photography, but they have. Thank you guys.

Oh & Erin, WHENEVER YOU WANT.  I think you and Ted should come when it gets warmer out and enjoy some time at the beach. :)

Barbetti asked: “My question is: after your last blog post, where do you hope to be next year? As in, what would you like to have accomplished? “

That’s not fair! I don’t want to predict things! I’m kidding. Well, after this past year, I never would have imagined that I would be where I am right now. There’s no way I could have predicted to be doing what I’m doing right now… I think the one thing I’m hoping to be doing next year is exactly what I’m doing now. I’m looking forward to having a year of keeping things the same, a year of settling in.

As far as accomplishments, hm. I hope that in the next year, we really get to make our house a home. I hope that we get to take the time and make it our own. I hope that in the next year, we continue to grow as a couple and I hope we still laugh as much as we do now. I hope work stays steady and I hope to maybe sell a few houses and start putting together a little savings cushion.

Reinventing Amy asked: “So you were just in MN last wknd- what are your thoughts on Minnesotans? Do we really have funny accents? do you have a fashion faux pas that you do? I’ll admit I like Uggs. However being in MN, they’re kinda practical.”

I love them! People in the Midwest are so NICE. Overwhemingly soo. Not to say that we aren’t nice here out East, you guys though? You’re just a different breed of nice. I watched a lady rummage through her purse to find a wet nap because she was just walking by a mom that was trying to clean up her toddler. She literally stopped walking and rifled through her purse just to help this woman.

Yes, you have really funny accents. Well, some more than others I have to say… but it’s still hilarious. Dontcha know?

I rock my uggs. I’ve been known to do with with jean skirts too… but that was in like 2006. Other than that, I don’t really think I am too bad with fashion. Well, I do have a pair of Birkenstocks. They are sort of embarrassing.

Steph Anne asked: “What’s the first thing you’ll do with the house? a DIY project?“

PAINT!! I absolutely can not wait to put some color on my walls! The carpet is beige and the walls are white since the house is new construction… it makes me twitchy just looking at all that neutral color! We also plan on switching out some lighting and installing a new bathroom vanity. Oh! And there is a giant holly tree in my back yard, right smack where we want to put a pool. Matt hates it and so do I… I’m fairly certain that the weekend after settlement he will be taking that down. Should be entertaining.

Hm. I have quite a few I think. A few months back, right when Matt and I decided to get back together, I drank two bottles of wine in just over two hours. I ended up throwing up EVERYWHERE. His brother sent me a cell phone pic snapped of me in an oversized t-shirt and lacy panties passed out on his toilet seat. That was pretty mortifying.

Are Jersey girls really as obnoxious as people make them out to be? (Haha I’m joking. Sort of.) Baby

NO. Well, sort of? I’m from SOUTH JERSEY. All of the shows that have the obnoxious Jersey Girls? (MTV’s True Life, Real Housewives, etc.) They are all filmed up in north Jersey, by New York City. That’s almost four hours away from me. I think the closer you get to NYC and / or Seaside Heights, the more obnoxious the girls are. Really. Up that way it’s all bleach blonde and obnoxious girls and spikey haired, spray tanned, popped collar guido guys. Down here? We’re relaxed. We’re surfers and skaters and hippie kids. We are beach bums and it’s so relaxed and small town and so different than anything they ever show on tv.

Emily asked: “Do you like/watch baseball? If so, what’s your favorite team??“

I don’t so much like to watch baseball on TV. I find it kind of boring. I adore the Phillies, and not just because they won the World Series. I’ve loved the Phillies (and the Flyers and the Eagles) my entire young life.

I’ve been spoiled since getting my job here, we get tickets to sit in the VIP section right by home plate. There’s waiter service and amazing food and it’s just generally amazing. I love going in the hot summer or during September when theres a bit of a chill in the air.

Wishcake asked:

1. “What is one movie you can watch over and over and over and never get sick of?”

2. “What is your favorite thing about yourself (inside or out!).”

3. “Who is your quirkiest, most random, celebrity crush?”

Dirty Dancing, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days and Top Gun are my vices. Any time I catch them on TV, I have to stop what I’m doing and watch it. It’s like a bad Lifetime movie, it always sucks me in.

I like to think that I have a good heart, almost to a fault. I think today, that’s hard to come by in a lot of people and I’m so grateful to my family for bringing me up in such a way that I am the person that I am now.

I also love my eyes. It’s by far my most complimented feature and I love playing them up with the right eye makeup… I always feel like a rockstar. Oh, and my ass. TMI? Whatever… I worked so hard to make it look fantastic.

Can I still get away with saying Taylor Hanson? I mean, ti’s not random… but he’s got like 10 kids. I should just give that up already, I think. Oh, and the guy in the Mac commercials, Justin something or another. There is something crazy adorable about him.

Becka @ Studio 222 asked: “What’s your favorite thing to eat goat cheese on?”

Pretzel Chips. The salty with the cheese is KILLER. I also like all things cheese on good crusty bread. I’m making cheese and jam turnover/tart things tonight, and I’m excited to see how I like those. I’m new to the cheese thing and still figuring out what I do and don’t like… any suggestions?

Theraputic Ramblings asked: “What are at least 3 things that you love about NJ that you’d miss if you left? ”

The first thing I would miss is fairly predictable, but it’s the beach. As I sit at my desk right now, I can see the ocean out my office windows. My new house? It’s a few blocks, maybe a five minute walk to the Delaware Bay. Whenever I’m away from here for more than a weekend, I start to get all weird and itchy to get back. Saltwater runs in my veins I think.

I’d miss Tastykakes. I don’t eat them often, I probably had them more in Minnesota when I brought them to other people than I ever have at home, but that’s okay.

Wawa. Now, this only counts if id be moving away from the Tri-State area. I’d miss everything about this perfect slice of heaven / convenience store.

While I’m at it… I’m going to throw in a bonus because there really are FOUR things I would miss terribly if I ever left. NOT HAVING TO PUMP MY OWN GAS. That’s right, it’s against the law to pump your own gas in the great state of New Jersey. I can honestly say, I’ve never done it. When I travel to other states, I’m always amazed by people OUT OF THEIR CARS and PUMPING THEIR OWN GAS. I mean, what?! Ridiculous. Special thanks to the guys at Wawa pumping my gas in February when it’s like 4 degrees outside.

Jersey Girls. We pump our fists, not our gas.