For smiles and giggles, I thought I would take the time to put together a birthday wish list of things I'd like to have or dream of having. Of course, I'm beyond blessed to be able to celebrate it with lots of friends and family over the whole entire month of June, especially a very SPECIAL weekend in Austin that starts on Thursday and finishes up Sunday night. That particular weekend will be filled with, but not limited to: 70s party bus, party barge, brunch, game night, photographing a bridal session, a run along Town Lake, and who knows what else. I'm too ecstatic to have my parents and siblings in attendance, as well as my mother-in-law, a sprinkling of cousins, out of state friends from California, Arizona, and Oklahoma, as well as in-state friends traveling from Dallas and Lubbock! Talk about truly blessed indeed. Anyway, I still made a wish list of bigger items, but of course, these are just for dreaming. Maybe someday the dream will be a reality. You should be able to click the picture for more information, but I'm going to detail it out here now.

1. TIGI Curling Iron - I really like my current curling iron, so I don't need to replace it, BUT this little guy was pretty darn spectacular. On my recent trip, I didn't pack a curling iron, just a flat iron. Well, my friend let me borrow hers and wow, did it knock my socks off. For $24.99 at Ulta, that's a great price!
2. Canon 5D Mark II (Body Only) - But Bianca, you already have a camera. You're right, I do! I love it. My little silver bullet has been a working machine. But someday I want to upgrade body styles. I'm going to stay in the Canon family, but I don't really want to make the ginormous leap to a 7D or 9D (when it comes out). This guy feels good in my hands and is somewhat familiar to me. Because I already have lenses, I just need a body for now. However, what I don't have is an extra $2399 laying around to pick it up at Amazon. :)
3. HTC EVO - I must ask myself, am I really ready for a full Smartphone? My current phone is pretty snazzy and does most of what I need it to do, but I would love for it to do more. Queue multi-tasking smart phone fools! I want something that takes crisp photos, HD videos, gets email, integrates my calendar(s), tells time, connects to my various nooks on the internets, and has a nifty kickstand just to show off. This little baby has all of that. Love it! It is $199, but there's some rebate attached and that's for new service w/ a 2 year agreement. I have NO IDEA what it'll really cost me, but you can bet I'm going to run to Best Buy to find out. 
4. Shootsac with cover - Yes, yes, yes, I know I had a tutorial for one that i made myself. You know what, that little guy has done a darn good job for me. BUT, it is no Shootsac. I would like a bit more space, yes and the flexibility to dress it up and down. Currently, my bag is quite a bit "louder" than I need it to be in some cases. $209 at Amazon for the bag and cover.
5. Vapur Bottle - My friend introduced me to these bottles and the concept is INCREDIBLE. I like how it can tuck away nicely until I'm ready for use. I can't tell you how handy this would've been when Mari was smaller. I'm tempted to splurge on the Family Pack and gift a couple to my mother who seems to NEVER be without a water bottle, but if she is, she's quick to find one. She doesn't particularly like the other reusable bottles we've gotten her because they are too bulky and she forgets them at home. This bottle would fit nicely in her purse! $24.95 for the Family Pack or $8.95 on the site.
6. Starbucks Grande Acrylic Travel Tumbler - This is similar to my Tervis Tumbler, but different. I loves me some sbux. I know, I know, don't judge! You like it too! The very best thing about this is the straw that stays put! How awesome is that? I don't necessarily agree with the price. For $26.95, it'll take me a few drinks to get my money's worth. Although, at my local sbux, it is slightly cheaper, so I need to investigate further to figure out what's going on. EDIT: It is MUCH cheaper at the local store. Only $11.95 to be exact. INSANE. Yes, I've already fulfilled this one.
   6a. Kate Spade Earrings - I fell in love with this amazing baubles and you know how I love me some jewelry! I don't really own anything in this color, but wouldn't they be an amazing accent piece? Love them! $55 at Kate Spade.com and if I join their mailing list I get 15% off my first order and there is free shipping! yeehaw!
7. Flip Micro SD - This is a digital video camera only. But, it records in hi-def and super fast plug and play make it a dream for snapping a quick video, uploading it to our designated channel, then sharing it with friends and family. We currently own a video camera and it never fails that we neglect to download the footage and share it. Just doesn't happen. Lame, I know. Totally lame. But this little gadget is awesome. However, if I happen to get the HTC or the Canon, I don't know if I'd use this as often as I think I would.
8. Canon 85mm f/1.2L II lens - This is the prime lens that I've coveted the most of the other prime lenses. I've wanted this lens since before I really knew what all of those numbers after "Canon" meant. Ye of the red fabulous ring around the edge, oh how you make me swoon. Someday I will have this baby. I don't know when, but I will fa' sho'! Right now, through sometime in July, Canon is running a slight rebate program, so this len is on sale for $1869 through B & H photo. Good stuff!

In case you couldn't tell, I like gadgetry. (cough....cough...UNDERSTATEMENT....cough...cough) Some of these are totally far fetched and that's ok. If I get a gift, it'd be awesome just for someone to think of me. I also like it when someone gives me a gift by paying it forward, a la donating money/time to charity in my name. Tiny happies always make me giddy. I've been given SBUX gift cards and I will hide them in my stack of blank index cards only to discover them throughout the year and gleefully squeal when I discover them. Always good stuff! Still, one of the best gifts that I have seen someone request are handwritten letters from their loved ones. She opened them throughout the year as little surprises. Not cards, but letters sharing a favorite memory or what have you. Isn't that nifty? Regardless, only 12 more days until June. Where did the time go? Whoa!

What are some of the things YOU'D put on your wishlist?

Edgefest...yeah that one

I can remember waay, way back when the Edge was back on the 90s dial end instead of the 102s. I remember when Edgefest came to be and I desperately wanted to go. I was too young to go by myself at the time and my parents weren't fan of large crowds, let alone music festivals.

One of the first of many dates that Don and I enjoyed was to Edgefest at the Starplex Amphitheater (currently known as the Superpages amphitheater, I think). We were given VIP treatment because we knew a friend of a friend who had a connection and it was blissful! We had superior treatment, unlimited drinks, excellent drinks, ridiculous seats, and all sorts of access to where ever I wanted to go.

This time around, I went to Edgefest with priMo and some other friends (hi Edwin!). We were treated to AMAZING weather and even better music. I didn't take the silver bullet camera. But I did whip out my tiny camera phone and captured this shot of Jared Leto from 30 Seconds to Mars (that's him with the pink hair in the middle).

This time around, I avoided the mosh pits, I refused to crowd surf, and heck, I must admit that I even left during the 4th song of Limp Bizkit's set. Let me tell you, those guys did a superior job, but unfortunately, it was the same exact concert I saw during the Summer Sanitarium Tour back in 2003. The only differences were the venue and that the players had aged a bit (haven't we all?). They haven't put out any new material and I was really surprised they were the ultimate headliner. I was completely expecting it to be 3 Days Grace or Deftones instead. Not so, though.

Regardless, I happily walked back to my car, and massaged my tired feet while chillin' to my new Phoenix cd that I had the privilege of meeting and they even signed my ticket and CD! I'm not sure about going back out again for another all day music festival. Maybe. Who am I kidding? I would totally do it, especially if we were blessed by the same weather and I had the same company I was with.

Quite an enjoyable time and Pizza Hut park, surprisingly, was a very good venue!

Weird Fishes

Last week I was off and away on the Lower East coast working my bootay off for work, but I did have a couple of hours to myself the night before everything got started to enjoy the beach. I went for a walk along the coast and happened upon this puffer fish that had washed ashore. He was long since passed away, but even there resting in the sand, this little guy looked like he was smiling. It was the strangest thing. Immediately, I thought of Radiohead's Weird Fishes. While that is a very emotional song, I was emotional in a very, very good way. I continued walking while the winds from the sea overtook any and all conversation I was attempting to share.

When we got to a certain point, I began to walk back. I reflected on how very, very fortunate I was to be given the opportunity to enjoy such beautiful scenery while working. Paying me to work on the beach, in beautiful weather?!? How could I say no? Granted, I had between 8 - 9 hours of sleep during the 4 days and 3 nights I was there, but still. Well worth it, because in those short moments I was on the shore, I dug my toes into the sand, and in that moment, I was happy.

Also, I slept with the door open each night and I was so very lucky to greet the sun each morning to start the day. Seriously, how could someone not enjoy themselves?

Sunrise from my hotel room...incredible. This totally reinforced my reason to keep dreaming.

Mohop...mo'betta

After 4-6 weeks of patiently waiting, one afternoon, I received the package. On the outside, it was a particularly mundane white cardboard package with a UPS sticker. When I opened it up, I was greeted by a yummy clear shoebox stuffed with bright white tissue paper. I squealed with delight and looked around me, sad for a moment because none of my male counterparts that surrounded me would appreciate such a package.

On I continued until I pulled out these wooden gems and a handwritten note attached. These are the Mohop sandals I've been coveting for the better part of two years!!! I FINALLY hit a point in the photog business where I felt I deserved to pay myself for my services (instead of investing back in the company) and these babies were my reward for all of the sweat equity!

When they arrived, they were already laced with the basic lace and a black ribbon. I received several other pairs of ribbons as well as rings. I can't begin to tell you how much fun I'm gonna have with these babies. Immediately, I kicked off my work heels and slipped these on my feet. They started to smile, can you tell?

When I got home, I didn't want to take them off, so I didn't. I've since laced them with a two inch thick red grosgrain ribbon and a 1/4 inch satin lime green ribbon. In July, I will lace them with a fabulous black satin ribbon with some fancy rings for my BFF's wedding. Anyway, if you are looking for an EXTREMELY versatile shoe and prefer something with amazing craftsmanship, I would highly recommend these. I'm even considering the high cherry for added fun!

250: All she wants to do is dance, dance...

In a fresh scene straight out of Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Mari flung on her sparkly red shoes and launched herself out to the middle of the dance floor. Her tiny body reverberating with the boom-beat in the background. She loves to dance, dance, dance. In the last photo, you can see the first pair of shoes she was wearing. They were a little too slippery for my tastes and after her 2nd wipeout, I took them off. She's the one who insisted I put on her red shoes. I guess red shoes runs in her genes! :)

Anyway, it warmed my heart to see her dancing to the rhythm regardless if anyone else was around her dancing. She absolutely enjoys music and that is yet another thing that is in her genes!

Loong time, 'eh?

Howdy! Maybe you eleven readers might have noticed that I've been out of commission for a bit. Sorry! I have even failed miserably in keeping you up on what's going on with Mari and the 250 challenge. YIKES. Well, to say I've been busy in an understatement, but I think things have somewhat settled enough for me to take a deep breath and maybe spend some time catching you up. :)