2011 ON HP5

Friday my brother-in-law and I developed some film in my tiny bathroom. We both waited way too long to develop the rolls and couldn't remember what was on them, which turned out to be pretty fun because of the surprise factor. My six rolls were from throughout the year. Two rolls were test rolls from my Diana Mini (which I love because it makes square images on 35mm) and the other four were a mish mash from throughout the year. I thought it was a fun year in review!

I had photos from an underwater camera from a trip to Las Vegas from last year, so many photos of a jaunt we took with friends out to the lake in the middle of a blizzard where we got something like 12 feet of snow earlier this year, photos from my train trip with my Mom to DC to see my Polaroids exhibited for the first time (which was really fun and exciting!), summer fun pictures by the lake and at the park for a free Blonde Redhead show with friends, my most recent trip to NYC where we saw Wicked and of course made a trip to The Impossible Project space, and some random photos from around our home.

2011 has been wonderful, with the exception of losing two of our dear bunnies, but there are so many fun memories to remember 2011 by. I'm looking forward to 2012 and all the adventures it holds!

XO

P.S.

If you want to develop your own black and white film, take a peek at my tutorial here! It seems a little intimidating, but it's really easy! Give it a try. I like to shoot Ilford HP5 b&w film (it is inexpensive and forgiving!). I use Lomography's "digitaliza" to scan in my film with the sprockets. I just got an Epson V600 scanner and I'm in love. I was using an Epson 4490, which is a great scanner that also scans film but the V600 scans instant film newton ring free, which definitely eases the pains of scanning! Okay, I'm done rambling!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

How freaking adorable is gold frame Seymour?!

Reflecting on this past year, I have so much to be thankful for. I've made amazing friends online as well as here in Chicago, accomplished some of my goals, gotten to travel a bit and see friends, shot some wonderful weddings, had fun with family and friends, and enjoyed many rabbit videos on YouTube with Christopher.

I hope you too have experienced a cozy and joyful 2011. Here's to 2012!! Happy Holidays, friends.

XO
Azuree, Christopher, Franny & Seymour

HURRY! HURRY!

How cute is the felted heart that my friend Juli made? Take a peek at her other felted goodies! 

I had to run some errands yesterday and let me tell you, I do not envy anyone holiday shopping this late in the game!! I get so super stressed around the Holidays so I do everything I can to avoid any additional stress like last minute shopping. 

Did you forget someone on your list and need a little last minute sumptin? How's about a pack of Polaroid Camera Cards (new in my shop!) or my 2012 Instant Film Calendar? It's cutting it pretty close so - if you'd like for me to gift wrap and include a little note with your package I'd be happy to send it to the person it's being gifted to all wrapped up pretty! Just make sure to send me a note on Etsy with the person who you want to send it to's address and let me know you want it wrapped. I'll be using kraft paper with silver ribbon. Simple and cute!

Oh what, you wanted a lil discount? Sure, why not! Use the code "xogift" for 20% you're entire purchase! I'm making daily trips to the post office so hurry and get your order in!

Happy Monday!

XO

RYAN ADAMS

The marquee photo was shot on The Impossible Projects amazing PX 600 Gold Frame Film

It's the Holidays which are supposed to give everyone warm fuzzy feelings and peppermint breath but instead I always end up feeling stressed out over gift giving and trying to please all our family members. Thankfully for me, music is my escape. I can always count on certain tunes to put a smile on my face.

My favorite of these trusty artists is Ryan Adams. I love how diverse his records are, how wonderfully clever his lyrics are and the great memories I've attached to his songs. Sunday I had the pleasure of heading to the Cadillac Palace Theatre here in Chicago to see him play all my favorite songs solo. It was wonderful! I've seen him once before with his band, The Cardinals but this time he played solo and I loved it so much. Definitely the best Christmas gift Christopher could give me!

Isn't music magical? I love how a song can take you somewhere beautiful. What do you listen to when you need a little pick me up?

XO

GOLD RUSH!

You wanna know who won a pack of The Impossible Projects PX 680 Gold Frame film? It's Leslie Sophia!  I like the Black Frame / White Frame diptychs in her stream. Congrats Leslie!

Thank you for all for sharing your favorites on Flickr! I am going on a favoriting rampage, so much good stuff out there right now!

Do not fret if you didn't win, you can go right here and buy some of your very own Gold Framed instant film. It is perfect for the holidays! 

A big ole THANK YOU to The Impossible Project for generously giving me film to pass along to you. They are such awesome folks!
XO

GOLD FRAME BABY!

Welp. Just when I was beginning to fall madly in love with PX 600 UV Black Frame film The Impossible Project releases this Gold Frame film in both color and silver shade editions. Good grief it's good stuff and  a perfect gift for the photographer in your family or if you're anything like me, for yourself!

Take a peek at what other people are doing with this golden film in this Flickr group.

The kind folks at The Impossible Project want to share this little treat with you so they've given me a pack to give away! Aren't they sweet?! To enter to win a pack of PX 680 Gold Frame film just leave a comment with your email address (so I can contact you if you win) and I'll randomly choose a winner on Monday, December 5th. If you wanted to be awesome you could leave me a link to your most recent favorite photo but if you're not feeling super ambitious, that's okay too :)

You can see one of the photos I shot with the PX 680 Gold Frame in a new collaborative blog my friend Mel and I are posting to, Ours et Lapin. Go on over and take a peek!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday!

XO

P.S.
If you are new to instant films take a peek at these little informative posts I made a little while ago!

MAY 17TH, 2008

I can't believe that our wedding was almost 4 years ago! Our wedding was so much fun. It was small, intimate, and done for under $5000! Because we were on a tight budget and because we were both terrified of being the center of attention we didn't hire a wedding photographer but luckily for us a few of our photo savvy friends took pictures for us and I've never really done anything with them....until now! (Most of the images in this post were taken by the talented Tessa Hutchcroft.)

I want to start posting photos from weddings that I shoot and thought I'd kick it off with photos from my own wedding!

Here's the important stuff. We got married in a small garden and had our reception in an adjoining multi purpose room. We had our friends and family circle around us as we had a lifelong friend of my husband's marry us. The ceremony was short and sweet. My mom walked me down a path to the circle where our friends were waiting for us. As we walked into the garden I saw some friends holding bunnies and once we reached the circle where we were married I saw that one of my best friends was holding a bunny! It was such a sweet surprise!

After we said "I do!" Christopher picked up me and ran down the "aisle" with me. My dress got caught on a plant and gave everyone a little peep show for a minute and it seems like all my friends got pictures in that tiny amount of time! We took some family photos and then went to our dessert reception! We had sweet tea in mason jars, napkins folded into little bunnies and a big ole cupcake for a wedding cake. There was an open dessert bar with all kinds of cupcakes and treats! Christopher's only real wedding request was that we have fish bowls with swedish fish floating in jello because he once dreamt that he had those at his wedding, so of course we had them!

What'd you think we didn't have Polaroids at our wedding? Get outta town, of course we did! We had a few of our friends go around and take pictures of the guests and let them write us notes for our "guest book". Here are a few of my favorites!

I felt so loved when my close friends and family made the trip from around the states to see us get married. Neither one of us wanted a conventional wedding so we had the celebration we wanted. It was simple, cute, and fun. Very us!

Thanks for letting me share our day with you!

XO