through the instagram lens (october)

over here...

soaking up as much blue sky as i can each day.

making the journal kits for the creative self-care workshop i teach here in tacoma saturday. i had so much fun working on the kits that i made another journal just for me.
(still spots left if you want to join us!)

enjoying this little one's laughter and adventurous spirit. oh how she teaches me with her open eyes and curious nature.

standing tall in my own truth as i push myself to breathe, trust, rest, repeat.

creating several "i am enough" lockets and appreciating that others are on the path to own this truth.

spending time with my altar each day; grateful a few other open-hearted souls are doing the same.

what is real (october 7)

mirror self-portrait (straight out of the camera) . frog creek lodge

one year later.

after everyone had gone to bed friday night, i stood in front of the mirror and couldn't help but smile wide at this girl i saw before me. she looked lighter and maybe even more real. and she looked beautiful.

these are the thoughts that went through my head: this is why i choose to seek the joy. this is why i let laughter in. this is why i know that all you need is love. this is why. this face of light and love is why.

hello you. hello me. it is so good to see you.

one year later.

yes.

*****

::what is real:: is a mirror self-portrait photo + a few words series that began in july of 2010. during the last year, i have noticed that the act of taking these photos feels like a meditation practice. before i take the photo, i stand in front of the mirror and think about what is real in this moment and let my face relax to wherever that truth lies. then i snap.

i document the series over on flickr but share them here from time to time.

a september afternoon at the fair

september through the instagram lens

a peek into the last 30 days through a few of my instagram photos. i think i once said i would never need an iphone. ahem. love being able to so easily document our world over here using it. 

(you can find me on instagram as lizelayne.)

::we three::

::place::

walking through the dahlia garden feels like being in the midst of summer's lean toward fall. the vivid blooms reach for the last days of all-day-long blue sky as the nearby trees seem to notice the bursts of color and begin to think about playing along.

i love that we are just a few minutes away from this late summer dance...

(inspired by kristin's "story of place" post at shutter sisters today)

oh yes, it was good.

because i promised cupcake photos. 

(and when you visit, we are so going there.)