Best Week of the Year

Well it's a toss up between that and the Royal Wedding! I can't exactly explain why... just one of those feelings you get... even though I was laid off and will be 'celebrating' my last day of work tomorrow. But I'm really optimistic and feel that it is giving me that push I fully need. Don't despair, I already have lots of promising leads and truly feel that the world is my oyster at this moment in time. 

Besides, if you know me, you should know I have a few projects up my sleeve that I'm excited to share soon! Can't give it all away today though... Most importantly I'm excited for the 'time I'm being gifted' to develop them! ;)


Little Moments of Happiness

Late-Nite Halloween Goodie Baking * Happy Hour (haven't done that in awhile!) * A Friendship When You Can Just Look At Each Other & Know Exactly What The Other Is Thinking * Impromptu Family Gatherings & Sleepovers * My First All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Experience * Cruising in the 73' Galaxie Hot Rod * A Special Women's Sunday Luncheon & Shopping * Steak & Frites (Paris All Over Again!) * Dating While Residing With The Parents - 16 All Over Again In The Best Kind Of Way * Restaurant Supply Stores * Last Day of Work Party! * Topping It Off With Going To My Home Sweet Oregon Coast On Thursday For 4 Nights!


Favorite Ego Boosters This Month

"I talked to Nikki for a half-hour and she took away my headache." - My Uncle L.

"If I was 30 years younger and 30 pounds lighter, I'd be chasing you down." - R. "I'm a hard one to tie down." - N. "I didn't say tie you down, I said chase you down." -R.

"I want a house with a lot of natural light, since that makes me happy." - N. "I'll build you a window anywhere you want." - B

"Oh and Nikki..." - S. "Yes." - N   "You are reallllly hot." - S. A business call at work, nothing like making a girl blush.

"Another chapter closed." Me to Mom regarding my job loss. "This was more like a paragraph." Thanks Mom! :)


Lastly, a little secret. I sometimes use Fortune Cookies for inspiration. They are my reinforcers to follow my dreams.

Today I received on that said: 

Your Dearest Wish Will Come True. 

I happen to think so. 

& 

6 weeks ago I got one that said:

Something Great Will Happen To You This Week. 

It did. Exactly 7 days later. 

Make This Your Best Week Too!

Winter to Autumn

I can't believe I've been in Truckee for over 3 months now! We went from winter last week to autumn this week.

That's my car outside of work, and that's this morning's crisp beautiful sky on my morning 5 mile jog (responsible for my 13 lb loss) which I fully intend to blow tonight while visiting my family and eating my favorite chips and salsa made by my Auntie! So I'm off for a 3 hr drive...

Have a great weekend!  

First Snow

You may not remember, since it was 3 days and all when I was welcoming October with a dress and flip flops. Well I got my first reality check this morning of what happens when you move to an elevation of over 7,500 feet.

My little Florida-born babe got to experience her first snow too!

I don't think she's too pleased, and my knuckles are already cracking...

but it sure is nice to come home to a cozy fireplace, 

a new electric blanket, and a fluffy kitty.

Support Systems

This weekend was nourishing for my soul as much as I wished for some down time, I was busy 24/7 with support. Friday, I spent 2 hours talking on the phone with a best friend from high school restoring our friendship, and it's so nice to have things pick up like no time has passed at all.

Saturday, Mom and I drove the back roads along Lake Tahoe to spend the day shopping in Reno. An 8 hour shopping trip though exhausting, was fun and something I haven't done in years!

Today, I had a family retirement party in Granite Bay (near Sacramento) and it was exactly what I needed. I realized my support system is a lot larger than I think, as I've felt alone and lost lately. Friends and family I haven't seen in years were inspiring, uplifting, and slightly emotional when talking about how they enjoy reading my blog. (I know I've been horrible the past few weeks, but it's been hard.) Not only because I've been unsettled and in a disarray, but I finally bought a wireless router yesterday, and hope to be updating more frequently again. Also because I don't recognize my life right now, and I know many people have wondered what is going on with me. It's nice to know that sometimes when I feel alone... I'm not. It's been hard to get personal the past few weeks because my emotions change from moment to moment and it honestly hasn't been easy. But the blog is part of who I am, and I'm ready to get back.

My Mom & Step-brother's Mom.

Me with my sister-in-law and brother. 

Thanks sincerely to my supporters for your patience & encouragement!

Baby Photo

Just wanted to stop in and say hi. This has been one of the hardest weeks of my life. After two full days of driving with a very cooperative but tuckered out kitty, I arrived at my grandmother's house. There is nothing like the love of a grandmother's touch and homecooking to help soothe the pain.

I will do my best to update. But it is difficult without temporary access to my computer.

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy 4th of July in America!

No Words Can Describe

Dear Friends,

I'm going to have a few days of silence on my blog, as my 3 1/2 year relationship with the kindest and most loving man I've ever known is coming to a pause. I'm going to be traveling across country to California to be nearer to my Mom, but not before stopping a few days in Tennessee to see my Dad and grandparents. Please allow me a few days to mourn a broken heart.

Thank you.

Checking In

 A cat in Beynac watches a bird.

I apologize for my absence, but I've been in Dordogne since Wednesday, and not spent much time on the computer. I have so much material to share, but first I will let you know that I've decided to make this my last week in Europe. While it's been quite a memorable experience, I've found it to be much too long to be away from home. It was a difficult decision, but I reached the point where it was the right thing to do...

 The chapel in the Jardins de Marqueyssac.

So after a week in the Loire Valley, then 5 days in Dordogne, I will conclude with a few days in Nice before returning home. It has been a lot to handle on my own, and though I couldn't be happier with the hospitality I've been shown both in Dordogne and Loire Valley; both accommodations will surely get their spotlight soon; when I have time to sort through all photos. But for now, I'm taking advantage of every moment I have here, and the past few days have been magnificant to say the least, after a year of researching and day dreaming about the area. But it's taken a lot of nerve to drive these windy narrow roads along cliffsides and navigating a map. Plus imagine pulling over roadside in the picturesque vineyards and French farmhouses, me in my long magenta dress trying to shoe a bee out of the car with the road map. It's been fun... but I'm ready to get home.

 My first evening in Grojelac, France outside my B&B terrace at Les Quatre Pins.

I'm already thinking Isla Fisher would make a good lead for this comedy of  American Girl in Europe movie for all the things I've encountered and couldn't even make up if I wanted to. What do you think?

Freedom Friday

I DID IT!

I'm not sure where to begin, so I'll give you the short version first. I quit my job.

Well, respectively I gave over a 4 1/2 week notice. I've been employed for over 4 years as a client services manager for an investment advisory firm for high networth clients. Leaving was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I debated for months, maybe even years about when I would do it. I'm pretty sure those close to me, never thought I would actually do it. But when the day I said I would do it, came and gone, a few times over, I finally had to look to my Chinese fortunes I save next to my mousepad, that I stare at for 8 hours a day, that say: Let your heart guide you. I prayed, took a deep breath, looked at it one last time for encouragement, got up and walked to his office. My co-workers have been my surrogate family since I moved to Florida not knowing a soul. They have treated me like a granddaughter, sister, and friend. Protected me during the recession. Day after day, I watched CNBC from my cubicle watching the volatile swings, all the while holding on tightly to my job, knowing they were looking after me. I should have had a T-shirt stating: I survived the Economic Crash. It made it even harder since I was given the option to advance my education to further my career. While I enjoy the investment world, and I have been good at it, (I mentioned before that I was in the Top 1% on 2 seperate competitions for the CNBC portfolio challenge (over 100,000 participants, in a male-dominated industry, I will go so far as to say, that kicks some royal ass!) I'm a creative person at heart, and couldn't bear to watch another 10 years go by wondering "what if?"

My roles of anwering phones, sorting mail, and well being a glorified gal-Friday after 8 years were weighing on me, since about, well 8 years ago. But I plugged, pressed on, and tucked those hard earned pennies away, waiting, posting about my dream jobs, wondering what the hell am I going to do?

My dream has always always ALWAYS been to be self-employed. I just couldn't decide what was best for me... writer, bakery owner, Bed & Breakfast (still a dream), join the circus (jk), you get the point. But after looking at the daily routine and financials of running a bakery, waking at 4am, never being able to leave the shop; making cupcakes was quickly looking like a nightmare.

I started to think about how I wanted to spend my days, besides writing and blogging. Traveling is my favorite thing in the whole world. And I always catch myself obsessively capturing every step with the camera. Wanting to explore the history sites, taste the food, and experience the culture. Call me a dreamer - I don't care. Life is too short. Looking at devoting a portion of the year to travel, and the rest to business development and marketing was looking like it could work. That's how one fine day in June... the idea of Photography Getaways was born.

After my years of being indecisive, when the idea of Photography Getaways struck me, I knew I had found it, and immediately put plans quietly into play within the same week.

I wanted to offer a similar experience as the escorted tours I'd been on to photography enthusiasts who want to see the world. People who are interested in the same thing, who share the same euphoric feeling I do when I discover a new place, that inital awe and wonder of when you first see a new place, and can't wait to start capturing it. I didn't want to offer the same workshop style other photographers do, I wanted something a little different... a combination of a tour and a workshop, to add the culture, bonding, siteseeing and regional dining.

And so I waited until the right month when everything was set and I could and should finally give 100% of myself to my dreams... as I mentioned my New Year's Resolution was one main thing: to be true to myself. This was it.

So, now I will be taking a leap of faith. I know I'm not alone, and so optimistic for this year! I know it's going to be the best yet! It's so encouraging to see the success of other bloggers, and know that blogging has opened the door to so many possiblities. I've got big plans to make my blog even better... which I'm so excited for! Which I'll be starting with the return of 14 Days of Love, February 1st! I'll also be doing some guest blogging, and participating in more group blog posts. So if you're interested in having me guest blog, please do let me know! Also, I'll be hosting regular giveaways! Let me know if you'd like to sponsor a giveaway! Want to advertise? Interested in the Etsy shop? Join us on a Photography Getaway? Or please support by spreading the word... following on Facebook, Twitter, or Bloglovin'!

Happy Friday!

Holiday Photo Shoot

& Photographers Journal
A  Special Post

I had big plans for this weekend. Obsessed about it all week, my Red Velvets Fashion Holiday Shoot for Christmas cards and the blog. Since the time changed, photos after work are impossible, so I rose early Saturday morning to steam the dress and satin dropcloth, did the hair, makeup, nails, whitened teeth, packed the prop bag, gathered the tripod, camera, etc., even managed to drag my boyfriend out to be my photographer. But... after about 2 minutes outside, the camera started acting up. I had forgotten to re-charge the battery. Crap. Rookie move, and utterly defeated.

These were taken in that short window...

My boyfriend being very sweet & consoling offered that we 'reschedule' for 4:30 lighting instead. Which we did, but it just wasn't the same...  It is sort of hilarious now to capture my frustration like a film strip.

He likes to take photos non-stop even while I'm trying to explain what I want, the angle, pose, zoom, pan out, where to focus, which gets frustrating because he won't listen. Maybe he'll listen now that I'm sharing it with all readers. He could just be trying to test my teaching patience for PHOTOgraphy Getaways! ;) Maybe if I can get through to him... I can help anyone. Trust me when I say he took over 500 pics! Of which, maybe 25 I wasn't looking down, squinting, talking, adjusting, setting up, blah blah blah. Hun, you have to put me at ease... say "relax, smile, fluff your hair, whatever!" Watch my progression of frustration... they are horrible photos which I will probably regret as soon as I post, but after settling down a few hours, I now find the body language hilarious. I especially love #2 "you need to do this... , #4 "you're not listening to me" & #6  loud sigh, yanking down the sweater tell myself to "take a deep breath Nikki". I think he just likes to get me going...

But he did manage to finally get me relaxed and the evening wasn't a total loss...

And when the shoot was over... I got to enjoy my Red Velvets & The Birds flew off just like out of a movie...

It was a long day... but now I'm pleased. I guess unpredictablity makes life fun and it was a good memory!

(Thanks for you help and patience sweetie!)

Dress, Tights & Accessories - Charlotte Russe

Maroon Heels - Nine West

Silver Flats - Xhileration

Southern Red Velvets - Crumbles Cookie Factory on Etsy

xoxo,

nicolette

Making the Office Environment Fun

How I Survive a case of 'The Mondays'

1. Wooden flower pencil from Anthropologie.

2. Gingerbread Man from McDonald's Happy Meal

3. Fun & flirty manicure.

4. Venti Zen Green Tea from Starbucks

5. Bracelet from Charlotte Russe.

How do you get through your day?

Yin & Yang

Ramblings of Our Little Universe

Photos: Top left, heart-shaped Leaf. Top right, formation on canyon wall, known as the pregnant lady on a swing. Bottom left, romantic window of Vizcaya Mansion, Miami. Bottom right, tulips and hut in Holland. By: Nicolette Fisher

This weekend was a little bittersweet on a small scale. After posting about My Five Favorite Things of the Week, my ego got a little crushed as I had a horrible afternoon at work... truly one of those days. So I decided to switch of my constant 24/7 'work' mind and 'played' on Polyvore creating fashion collages, a form of therapy in the arts. Then I messed around with my HTML code trying to widen my blog, which I spent unmentionable hours on Saturday, wasting my whole day. (If it looks funny on your internet browser please let me know- on large screens it seems to have only 2 columns. It's still a work in progress, and I appreciate any tips!) Alas, the day was not a total loss, Sweetheart and I went had a nice date night, which has been a long time since we've gone out this summer. I had a delicious steak dinner. :)

Now, I'm having a hard time getting this post completed because the cat keeps trying to cuddle in my lap. But it's so nice to feel needed by a ball of fluff.

Which leads to the story of our cats in the bathroom. Every evening we leave the light on in the bathroom for our cats who love to cuddle on the mat and stare at the storm windows we leave slighty open. As a result, we have a little baby lizard who visits on the screen, except on Fridays, we think he goes to the disco. But our bathroom has been the "hangout"' for the past year. Love has blossomed between my girl cat, Sage and my boyfriend's cat, Calvin, a very slow process as he awaits her to mature out of her innocence. Sage, my little obsessive Aquarian befriended a lizard in the bathroom last year. She watched him every night and would await his return. Then one day, he stopped coming. We feared something happened to him during the winter. Yet Sage, still went to the bathroom every night to stare up in hope that he would return. Early this summer, a baby lizard appeared. It was like our own Charlotte's Web. No one was happier, than Sage. I ask her in the evenings if she wants to "Go see the baby lizard?" and she will trot with her little candycane tail meowing all the way to the bathroom. The baby lizard has been very daring the past few weeks as he found an opening in the screen and has come in to feast on little baby moths that come fluttering in towards the light. Calvin, we believe has a death wish for the lizard as he jealously vies for Sage's attention. This first time I discovered he knew how to get in, I almost didn't sleep for fear of natural selection. But he survived, and returned outside, as he arrived on time the following night outside the screen. Now he comes and goes as he pleases, smart little guy. He's only about an inch and a half. This leads to today. We had a birth in the bathroom. It was a moth. There was a little cocoon at the top of the shower, which we agreed to let it be, as we both hate cruelty to any creatures. Between the cats and the lizard, I don't think he stands a chance, but we understand nature must take it's course. It's just been so entertaining to watch the little universe unfold in our tropical bathroom and we are pulling for all the little ones to exist in peace.

I love when I have a weekend, or any day for that matter, makes you stop and think how little we are, and how problems are really not that significant sometimes.

How was your weekend?