Thursday, October 22, 2009

PhotoNest

It's been a while since I've posted, but things have been crazy around here. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have been contemplating opening an Etsy store to sell some of my photography. Disclaimer: I am NOT a professional photographer, but I do enjoy taking photos and recently got a nice camera to do so. Anyway, I made the leap and built an Etsy store to post my photos on for sale. If you're not familiar with Etsy, you're really missing out! It's a gold mine of all things vintage and/or handmade from sock puppets and clothing to art and furniture. I've been addicted to it as a customer for quite some time and then it hit me, if everyone else could sale their handmade goods, why couldn't I? And that was the birth of www.photonest.etsy.com .

Not to sound like a sales pitch, but if you're looking for photo art for your home (or office) or you'd like to give it as a gift...or if you just like to look at pretty things in general, I'd love for you to check out my Etsy store, www.photonest.etsy.com. There's also a link on the sidebar of this blog! Thanks!

Friday, August 28, 2009

Weekend Goings-On!

Finally, after a LONG week, it's here! It's the weekend and it's time to do something we often forget to do: ENJOY THE MOMENT. I'm excited about my laid back weekend plans. First off I'm heading to Pepper Place Market here in Birmingham to grab some pretty things, fresh fruits and veggies, enjoy some local artists and musicians, and just take pleasure in a Saturday morning outside. No sleeping in for me! To get the good stuff, you better be there when things kick off at 7AM!

If you've never been to or don't know much about the Pepper Place Market, hears what Southern Living had to say about it..."The Pepper Place Saturday Market abounds with wonders that awaken the senses, such as feeling the soft fuzz and smelling the sweet aroma of a Chilton County Peach before taking the first bite."-SL. Now doesn't that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? All the while, your mouth is watering? Doesn't that just sound like one of those "ENJOY THE MOMENT" moments? For more information on the market, you can go to their website- www.pepperplacemarket.com.
I'm also hoping to find some good subjects for a little photography with our new (I guess it's not really so new anymore) camera. I'm contemplating starting an Etsy store for my photography, but I'm trying to expand my portfolio first.

After the market, I'm heading to the small town of Oneonta for some fabric shopping with a friend at B & B Fabric Outlet. They've got some really beautiful stuff at great discounts! I've become obsessed with finding fabric to make new curtains for our living room. I'm hoping to find something similar to these from www.westelm.com.
After those small adventures, I'll be enjoying a nice margarita with girlfriends Saturday and hopefully a Sunday full of sewing! Hope you find some time to enjoy the moment this weekend. Do something original, do something local, do nothing at all. Either way, enjoy it!










Friday, July 31, 2009

The Coat Pocket Project

A girlfriend of mine recently told me a story about her boyfriend's coat pocket. That's right- his coat pocket. He was called in for a last minute interview he couldn't refuse, and she was consequently on the recieving end of a panic stricken phone call. His suit was, of course, inconveniently crumpled into a mess in the corner of the laundry room- unworn since a good friends wedding weeks before. As she rushed to desperately find the suit and throw in it the dryer- the only strategy she could think of to get the thing acceptable for an interview in just a couple of hours, the eclectic aroma of booze and cigarettes came over her. Not the bad smell that brings the hangover surging right back into your body- that good, faint smell- the one that reminds you of what a perfect time you had celebrating the marriage of two of your very best friends.

She hasily doused the jacket in Febreeze and tossed it in the dryer, while viligantly but cautiously ironing his "dry clean only" pants. But before she did, she took a rapid second to empty his coat pockets, and this is what she found.

The bulletin from the Easter service at her church. It was the very first time he'd gone to church with her and her family- a moment she won't likely forget, because, for her, it was a massive stride in their relationship.

A card from her co-workers that was attached to flowers sent to her grandfather's funeral, just months before. It was one of the first tragedies they had suffered through together- one of the first times she had really needed to lean on his strength- and he had really been the rock she'd needed.

A program and matchbook from the wedding of a best friend- the wedding that contributed to the demise of the suit. She was a bridesmaid and a truly loving friend- proud to stand at her sister's side on that day- and proud to have her soul mate there with her. It had been one of her favorite memories they'd shared together.

She'd worked as hard as she could to get that suit fit to be seen. And while she may not have succeeded and he had to wear his second choice- or maybe even no coat at all- I honestly don't remember, that simple task made her stop, take a moment to inhale that eclectic aroma. To draw in all those memories- good and bittersweet. And it was just that- a moment- all from a coat pocket.

So go home, and pull out a winter coat or a suit you seldom wear on the odd occasion. Empty out those pockets and sift through the memories. I recently found, in one of my winter coats, a bar napkin from college I used to ask my now husband to marry me. They might be silly or fun. They may bring tears. But chances are, they'll mean something. And you'll be glad you dug deep down in that pocket. And if you find anything worth sharing, email it to me at katie.gulas@gmail.com. It should be quite the experiment.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Ah, Summer....


...What power you have to make us suffer and like it. -Russel Baker. If you've ever spent any amount of time in the South during the three months known both as heaven and hell- especially in the whereabouts of Alabama or Mississippi- you understand this quote all too well. It's a time of melted make-up, sunburned shoulders, and luke warm beer. But, for me, it's also a reminder of how beautiful the world around us can be. That being said, I'd like to leave you with some images from my beautiful summer so far....

"Earth laughs in flowers."-Emerson



A SummerTime Bride. Taken at Scott and Jaclyn Collum's wedding at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.





"A garden is to be a world unto itself..."- William Kent

So there is my sweet, Southern summer thus far. It feels like it's been summer for months now, but apparently it's been only a week or so. I can't wait to spend every moment I can enjoying it's gifts. Happy Summer to you!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Happy Birthday Big Gu!


Big Shout Out to my wonderful husband, Gusty! His birthday is in just a few hours! Happy Birthday, babe!

Everytime I find the meaning of life...they change it...

Change seems to be all around us. It's the word of the day this year- political change, religious change, social change. Endless change has become a relentless constant in our lives. The bad news is that change can be hard and is often complicated. The good news is that if you're reading this blog, you're most likely of a generation that greets change at the door with a warm smile, a big hug, and invites them in for a cold beer and some friendly banter. I asked some friends to take a clever "Cosmo"-style "what's in? what's out? approach to change and report back. The results were classic wit:

In: Out:

Green/ Goth
PDA's/ PDA
Blogs/ Beepers
Reality/ Shows Reality
Texting/ Talking
Hybrid/ High Octane
Email/ Snail Mail (This one is a personal tragedy for me)
Climate change/ Global Warming
Corporate Responbility/ Corporate Greed

The moral (if there is one) to this ditty is to chill out when it comes to our world's constant state of modification. Don't take change so seriously. Adopt change....or don't...who cares really? Either way, consider it, ponder it, brood over it like a cup of hot tea, and for crying out loud QUESTION it! But don't ignore it, because the world will pass by with little regard for your inability to cope. Accept, decline, or abstain- your choice.

The thing about change that is so enticingly liberating is that while it gives you just one more opportunity to actively make your own choices, it's still going to happen...with or without you. It happened before you. It will happen after you, and it's how you deal that defines you. Change...deal with it.

Friday, June 5, 2009

4 Is the Most Fabulous Number!!!

Big Shout out to my four followers today!!!! LOVE YA'LL!!! You are so presh!!!!