Welcome to the 2nd edition of MJ's Faves! This is a new category I started last month where I share with you some of my favorite things. I found it entertaining that on the first edition my iCal was such a hit. It's amazing how simple things like how you organize your schedule can be so fascinating :). This month I have more fun stuff to share!
#1 -- Beignets from Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans
#1 -- Beignets from Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans
Last November I had my first experience with these tasty treats when I attended Pictage PartnerCon. I went to Cafe Dumond for 2 days in a row and couldn't get enough of them! A few months ago my friend Liene bought me a box of the mix to make them myself and I didn't muster the courage to cook them up until this last weekend when my friend Rhonda came into town from South Carolina. She was with me in New Orleans so we thought it would be fun to try to make them together -- you know, relive the memories. The process itself wasn't too tough -- add water, roll out dough, drop into scalding hot oil. But the end product hardly resembled the fluffy drops of heaven that are served in New Orleans (see image at top of this post as well as the photos here). We clearly had something wrong. Ours weren't fluffy at all! The powdered sugar on fried dough was still yummy but I think I'll just wait to get the real deal cooked up by the experts in New Orleans from now on. Mmm....I'm starting to salivate just thinking about it.
#2 -- Rechargeable AA NIMH batteries
This is my office closet:
#2 -- Rechargeable AA NIMH batteries
This is my office closet:
I had an electrician put an outlet inside the closet and got a customizable shelving system so I could create a little charging station for all my gear. I love that I can close the closet doors and leave all the cords there when not in use.
I've always used rechargeable AA batteries for my flash units and pocketwizards. I know some of you don't but I would highly recommend these. Using rechargeable batteries is both less expensive and more environmentally friendly than using non-rechargeables. A couple months ago I came across Eneloop batteries that claimed to hold their charge over time. Thought they sounded good but I got them, tried them for a couple weddings and was disappointed that they didn't seem to pack as much juice as my trusty NIMHs. So I went back. I do find that I need to replace my NiMHs once a year because they start not being able to hold their charge. But seeing as they last a full year, they are super inexpensive! Good stuff!
#3 -- Handwritten cards
I've always used rechargeable AA batteries for my flash units and pocketwizards. I know some of you don't but I would highly recommend these. Using rechargeable batteries is both less expensive and more environmentally friendly than using non-rechargeables. A couple months ago I came across Eneloop batteries that claimed to hold their charge over time. Thought they sounded good but I got them, tried them for a couple weddings and was disappointed that they didn't seem to pack as much juice as my trusty NIMHs. So I went back. I do find that I need to replace my NiMHs once a year because they start not being able to hold their charge. But seeing as they last a full year, they are super inexpensive! Good stuff!
#3 -- Handwritten cards
In this age of to-the-point emails, text messages and social media, hand-written cards just seem to ooze the love. I received these three super-sweet notes from girls who attended the MJ 2 Day last month. They also came with homemade cookies, dog treats for Dixie and luggage tags embroidered with my initials! Wow! I would never expect gifts or even thank you cards from people who paid good money to attend my workshop. So I was blown away by the sweetness of these girls.
I need to be better about sending hand-written cards to others to let them know they're important to me and appreciated. I know how special it is to me to receive them but rarely do I take the time to write them myself. I have implemented sending out hand-written cards to clients with their products. I'm so glad I do that now because it adds such a personal touch.
#4 -- Anthropologie inspiration
I mentioned in my last MJ's Faves post that I am on the look out for new bedding. I was poking around on the Anthropologie site the other night and came across this super-cute lamp. I clicked on it and it was pictured next to this super-cute bedding:
I need to be better about sending hand-written cards to others to let them know they're important to me and appreciated. I know how special it is to me to receive them but rarely do I take the time to write them myself. I have implemented sending out hand-written cards to clients with their products. I'm so glad I do that now because it adds such a personal touch.
#4 -- Anthropologie inspiration
I mentioned in my last MJ's Faves post that I am on the look out for new bedding. I was poking around on the Anthropologie site the other night and came across this super-cute lamp. I clicked on it and it was pictured next to this super-cute bedding:
I pretty much love everything about this photo. But the only thing that is on sale is the lamp. So the search continues. But just thought I'd share that I would like to live in this bedroom. Yes I would.
#5 -- Puppies!
#5 -- Puppies!
If you've been following my blog for any amount of time you know that I'm a dog fanatic. Really just small dogs. Big dogs are great in other people's homes. I'm just more of a snuggle-me-and-don't-leave-me-completely-hairy-and-slobbery kind of dog lover. Which makes my favorite-of-all-puppies -- Dixie -- perfect for me since she doesn't shed. Here's Dixie girl looking sweet as can be with her completely natural eyelashes. I have to say it every time because someone will ask: No, I don't put fake eyelashes on my dog.
This week my friend and fellow photographer Stephanie Fay came over to work from my office for a day and she brought her Margo:
As you can see from the photo of Dixie and Margo together, Dixie is a huge beast compared to little Margo -- who is full-grown by the way. Stephanie and I think they should be best friends but they seem to still be trying to figure each other out. They did enjoy chasing each other outside at top-speed which was a total hoot to watch. And Margo enjoyed Dixie's toy thoroughly:
One last photo of Margo showing off her "bat ears" as Stephanie called them:
Dogs are just one of God's best creations. No question. So much personality and love!
That does it for this edition of MJ's Faves. Please feel free to share some of your faves below!!
That does it for this edition of MJ's Faves. Please feel free to share some of your faves below!!
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