Home for the Holidays

Nothing beats Christmas in St. Louis. My HUGE family, my oldest friends, my cats, and falling asleep watching old movies (on VHS!!!).
This year was the first for my cousin TJ and his new wife Jessie in their new home. And what better way to break it in than with a "Bad Christmas Dress" party. I don't want to brag, but my outfit was definatly in the top 3 (actually I think it was #1).







**last photo taken by Andrea Dodson, photoshop work by me

Elvis Lives!

This year for Christmas instead of flying home, my friend Tim and I decided to roadtrip it. We took this as the perfect opportunity to finally visit Graceland.

There is nothing more American that this!

Christmas Safari

For Christmas my mom took our family to DisneyWorld for a week. We stayed in at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and due to some doublebooking on Disney's end we got a private tour of the animals at the resort to keep us happy. It worked, the trip was amazing.





F

**the Toy Story ride at MGM was well woth the hour wait, I would have done it again

Halloween in Charlotte

I was with the cast of 'The Princess Bride' and Kevin & Marv from 'Home Alone.' The level of commitment to these costumes was brilliant.

Los Angeles

My mom shipped me off to LA for two weeks for some R&R and to visit some of my oldest friends. It was great. Slow paced, if you can believe it, and simple. I am ready to do it again.
My friend Anna has been asking me to do a photoshoot with her for a long time and this was the first chance we got to do it. So we took advantage of a house that we were house/dogsitting at, it provided the perfect atmosphere and I like what we got.











I also spent a day in my great aunt and uncle's cabanna at the Bel Air Bay Club. I was alone at the beach and it was surprisingly not boring. I recommend this to everyone, it's better than therapy.

my strawberry shortcake!

A couple of weeks ago this cat started showing up on my porch. Everyday she would get closer and closer, and stay longer and longer, until she finally stopped leaving.
She has a collar with an address, but no name, so we call her Strawberry. Carolyne and I have gone to her house to let them know where she is, but they are never home.
I guess you can say I have been adopted by her.

Maruvian

Lindsey is one of my favorite singers, and friends this side of the missisippi.
I took these last year while she was getting ready to go on a spring east coast tour.

http://www.myspace.com/maruviana







--I call this one bored on photoshop

Hat Time

The lovely Jett Harsh came over the other night so I could photograph the new hats she's selling. I wanted them all!!

Here are a few, but for others, they are sold at Rumors boutique in Richmond, VA. Or else contact her at helloellora@gmail.com. She also makes neck wraps and does custom orders, I think she's even working on belts. I have a hat, it's so warm.

super sister time

I just got some new studio lights!!--thank you Jeff.

What this means is that I can take cooler pictures. But really it means that my sister, Carolyne, will sometimes let me take her picture now!

We set our dining room up as a studio the other night, and this is what we got:








**Carolyne has long hair
***I am wearing the red vest

Rocky Mountain High

Whenever anyone dies on my mothers side of the family the tradition is that they are cremated and their ashes are spread under a tree in the montains of Colorado. Since I have only one relative living in that part of the country, this is quite a hike for most of us.

Normally the trip goes like this:

1. Fly to Denver

2. Drive 4+ hours into the mountains

3. Sit outside with realitives, have a beer, chat and relax

4. Wake up early on third day for 2 hour horseback ride up mountain

5. Spread ashes, eat lunch, cry, laugh

6. 2 hour ride down

7. Eat, sleep, relax, relearn how to walk, tell funny/embarassing family stories, and go home a couple of days after the ride

Piece of cake, right?

Well that's what I thought, so this year I decided to switch it up. I hiked up the mountain this time. Did I mention it is eight miles each way.

Pros to hiking : Lots of time to take pictures

Cons to hiking : Alot actually, but I don't want to sound like I'm complaining (I am happy I did it)

Did I mention the picture taking?