Je vais te embrasser

if you can't beat em...

join em.

spring time

check out this post from all things heart and home. It reminded me of a quote that I desperately needed to read today:

Our understanding of the atonement is hardly a shield against sorrow; rather, it is a rich source of strength to deal productively with the disappointments and heartbreaks that form the deliberate fabric of mortal life. The atonement was given to us to heal our pain, not to prevent it.

(bruce c. hafen, from "the broken heart"

how will you be remembered

I just read this post at all things heart and home.

Whoa.Inspired!

It got me thinking, of course, about how I want others to remember me. This led to what I will remember about a few of the special people in my life.

I'll never forget it.

Here’s how I'd like to be remembered:
- she loved the church & the Lord
- she considered others’ feelings, & loved to make people happy
- she was passionate
- she put her children first
- she knew how to have fun & she knew how to get things done
- she supported her husband & family be trying to be a better woman


love is… like the wind, you can’t see it but you can feel it

-A Walk to Remember


check out the girls blog to see what I wrote about remembering others

I need this

found on my morning design blog route... I want this for our hall way.

I miss Britain.

for your consideration

ok. more brainstorming. ideas for my photo brand name.





take it. mull it over. sleep on it. feel it out. comment on it.

What flips your switch?

• la vie (image/studio/photography)
• raie (or re) la vie (parting the life)

ray in french

1. ray
   
2. rayon
   
3. lueur
   
4. raie
   
5. ré
   

• 73 studio ( i like it written out: seventy three studio too or studio seventy three)
  
• through the looking glass (kinda long, but catchy)
  
• black bow photo
• 17 Shutter Street
• two if by sea
• la luce
• shutteray
  

{HELP!}

oh my heart.

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."
2 Nephi 2:25
The Book of Mormon

such pretty things

love this new blog find.

really
really
TO DIE FOR.

first of all I want this manikin in my house. since I got married I've felt a little more conservative about the uber girlie things which I love. when I was engaged my mother passed on this advice
"the bedroom is a woman's boudoir... the man is invited in."
therefore upon moving in with my dad the bedroom was promptly covered in peach. I took that advice into consideration when interior design came into play for my home, freely free to let my style show (without taking over of course). since I plan on being a stay at home mom someday I think it's only fair the bedroom can feel like my sanctuary. but I still struggled with where to hang my vintage barbie calendar. (there has got to be some boundaries right) It's not always easy to create a space that is both his and mine. seems to me that in a ideal world there would be a little his & hers. meaning a place for just me and my things (my pretty things) as well as J and his things (his man stuff). that way I can hang my framed french Vogues & AudreyH portraits on the walls and one day acquire a stunning spot^ like this to drape my treasures.

note to self: save my pennies so when the time is right we can move out of a shoebox into something that allows for a little more his&hers and just the right amount of ours.

and finally.... second of all check out this awesome blog before you do anything else.

a real shutterbug now

photo from wendy schulz

so after a long year and two months I'm finally enrolled in a semester of wendy schulz and I'm thirlled. I'm very far from launching my brand/business but it never hurts to start early. so with wendy's class about to be underway in March and my enrollment at NYU almost done, its official I'm on my way. Now all I need is a name. I'm super not into just using my name Kaitlyn Ray Photography, says boring shmoring to me. My name isn't cool enough for that (sorry Jordan) and I want something more unique. So after many discussion with one of my favorite muses (the lovely Heather Warren) I've come up with a few decent options. Nothing has really stuck yet, so I'm putting it up to you guys blogging team (even though its bold for me to assume anyone but my dear mum reads these posts) I hoping and pleading for your great minds to help a girl out. here's what has come about thus far... now comment away

La Luce Images (meaning the light & pronounced la luche)
black.bow.photo
Notting Hill Frame (my favorite place in the world)
Seventy Third Studio or Studio 73 (the street we live one)
Two if by Sea
17 Shutter Street


weak sauce, i know. someone help!

valentine

"They do not love that do not show their love." -Shakespeare

Hope your Valentine's was as wonderful as mine.

i heart joy.

Again inspired by Di and her cuteness I'm making a little list myself. Things that bring me joy.

1. carbs
2. teen mom: season 1 & 16 and pregan: season 1
3. a good commercial that makes you cry
4. finishing a journal
   
5. finishing a book
   
6. finishing a meal
7. the bachelor
8. the hunger games series
9. photography
10. mac
11. my iphone
12. manicures
13. audrey hepburn
14. shopping
15. target
16. my dance workout dvds/jazzercise
17. tomato basil motzerella
18. shay shay
19. blogging
20. completely coastal blog
21. amelia lyon photography
22. peas
23. raspberries and cool whip
24. streets of NYC
25. stationary
26. ribbions
27. faith
28. the nutcracker
29. marc jacobs
30. all things anthro
31. good mothers
32. tea cup pigs
33. london ( and the girls i lived with there)
34. amorology
35. my girls blog
36. canon cameras and getting a good shot
37. high heels, someday i'll own some louboutins
38. going to the movies
39. warm towels
40. tan lines
41. my to do list
42. word warp app
43. our apt
44. breaking the binding of a book while Im reading
45. watching tivo-ed project runway on friday night date with J

I think thats a good start for now... but there will be more

updating.

If you haven't already, please, please, PUH-LEASE fill out the form below (click the link) so I can get my life in order. I would have emailed it directly, but I'm missing so many your emails! Help a sister out!

Ray Family Filofax

God Shaped Hole

All things heart and home

This post really touched me. (My post won't fully make sense unless you've read the one the inspired me to write it) I think part of being able to feel completed is recognizing that because we are God’s children and because we are separated from him in this earth life we may sometimes feel a hole in our heart. I know it sounds a little backwards, but it’s true. It’s the same concept as without knowing the bad we wouldn’t be able to know the good. You might think its contradictory, at first but when you think about it, it makes sense. It’s how God created this life. I think when you recognize that you have a God shaped hole and you actively seek after Godly things you can begin to fill it, but this process is not just part of our earthy plan, but our eternal plan.

For me I’ve found a religion I know to be full. It without a doubt carries me through life. Many people consider my faith to come with a lot of “rules” but I’ve been able to gain a personal knowledge of the principles my church stands on through seeking to know more. And while I have daily questions and sometimes confusion I know this is because I am on a path of progression, this is why we came to earth. Even though there are somethings I’m still working to understand I have such trust in the parts I do understand. It’s so important to be able to ask questions and learn for yourself.

I also know that my progression certainly does not end when this life is over. Not at all. I’ve come to earth to get the tools (knowledge and experience) to continue my progression in heaven. Maybe we are given this God shaped hole for a reason. So that we are always striving to improve, that we may become more God- like ourselves. Maybe without this God shaped hole we could not grow, learn, or progress. We would feel stagnant. I believe we have that God shaped hole for a reason because I know God has a plan for me. (And for everyone else) I’m constantly reminded by the blessings in my life to not let that God shaped hole make me feel discouraged, but empowered for I have the capabilities to live with God again!

apt makeover: underway

A huge percentage of my inspirtation comes from the sea and the beach. Hence I visit this amazing blog a lot, and just used it to start my make over with a purchase for couch number two.

featured

prettychicky.com

latinwed.blogspot.com/

sterling-engagements.blogspot.com

marryyoume.blogspot.com

ruffledblog.com

Just wanted to give a big thank you to all the blogs who have feature the wedding. I've so adored reading all the comments. I hope those posts stir readers to use vendors we used because they were all fantastic. Especially the great Amelia Lyon Photogrpahy and Amorology Weddings.

currently craving

I need that. I do, I really do.

lover of life

I was talking with Carly the other night (which I always thoroughly enjoy because we don't mess around when it comes to girl talk) and I was sharing my giant love of blogs slash blogging and she said ... "I know, that's why I'm surprised you don't blog more!" So now I'm going to blog like this blog has never seen before. Starting with the photo above, a little valentine's inspiration, to set the mood. I also bought my self an amazing Valentine's headband from Ban.do to really get myself in the mood. I recommend doing the same, but first register at Daily Candy so you can get the 30% off coupon!

xo

K.

mixed tape

musical stylings that speak to my soul.
{current valentine playlist}

• I'll Follow You Into the Dark: Death Cab
• Baby: Justin Bieber
• Our Kind of Love: Lady Antebellum
• No Air: Glee Cast Version
• At This Moment: Michael Buble
• Give It to Me Right : Melanie Fiona
• Jump Then Fall : Taylor Swift
• Black & Gold: Sam Sparrc
• Let's Just Fall In Love Again: Jason Castro
• Only You Can Love Me This Way: Keith Urban
• Never Forget You: Noisettes
• Crazier: Taylor Swift
• When the Day Met the Night: Panic At the Disco
• Grow Old With Me: Death Cab Version
• The Story: Brandi Carlile
• My Own Two Hands: Ben Harper & Jack Johnson
• So High: John Legend
• Hey There Delilah: Plain White T's
• I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You: Collin Hay
• Maybe I'm Amazed: Jem
• Blush : Plumb
• Trouble Sleeping: Corrine Bailey Rae
• You and I: Jason Mraz
• Come Rain or Con Shine: Billie Holiday
• Lulaby: Dixie Chicks
• Fallin For You: Colbie Calliet
• They Weren't There: Missy Higgins
• Hungry Eyes: Dirty Dancing Soundtrack
• Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours: Stevie Wonder
• She Is Love: Losing Sleep
• This Will Be: Natalie Cole

enjoy!