How is it that February is already over?! I thought I would try something a little different and create a post with a monthly recap. This will round up the blog activity for the past month as well as some creative business activities not on the blog. Let me know what you think of the format below. Do you like it? Should I add more or less? Drop your thoughts in the comment section.
February Blog Posts
In February, I touched on some practical tips with places to print your digital images and highlighted a snowy session in my own neighborhood.
Where to Print Your Photos
Print in Store You can print your photos anywhere! That’s the beauty of having the digital files. If you have a preferred location or company then you should most definitely print them there. There are also many ways to keep…
Snow Photo Session
This was the perfect snow photo session. I have been asking my dear friend and neighbor, Sarina, to go out in the snow with me to take photos every time it has snowed the past 2 months to this particular location…
Creative Business Activities
This month really pushed me in my pursuit of crafting for custom orders during the photography “down season”. Although, I am not usually booked in February, I had 3 sessions during the month and I loved them! I shot twice out in the freezing temps with beautiful ladies, and then another in the warm, cozy home of my neighbors.
Sewing and quilting have been a great indoor activity during this cold winter weather. I don’t typically advertise my baby/toddler quilts, but through word of mouth and repeat customers, I stay pretty busy making these custom blankets.
Photography Sessions
Jen’s Headshots
Sarina’s Snow Day
Speer’s Lifestyle Newborn
Month Total: 3 sessions
YTD Total: 5 sessions
March: No current bookings
April: 3 sessions booked
Handmade Custom Orders
Coral & Mint Cactus Quilt
Gray & Blue Stars Quilt
Mint & Coral Travel Quilt
Mauve Rainbow Quilt
Half Square Triangle Rainbow Quilt
Month Total: 5 Quilts completed
YTD Total: 9 Quilts completed
Bonus: Spent a weekend making wedding party gifts with my sister-in-law for her wedding in April
Read. Watch. Listen. Learn.
Read
I have a goal to read 41 books this year. Why 41 you might ask? Great question! I chose not to do a standard number by months or weeks like 12, 24, 48 or 52. Last year, I picked 30 books because I turned 30 in September and surpassed my goal with a total of 34 books read. This year, I turn 31 and that didn’t seem like enough so I added 10 and now I have a goal of 41. *shrug* I am using Goodreads to track my reading, rate books and write some reviews.
Books Completed in February: 4 books
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck / Mark Manson
- Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength / Roy R. Baumeister
- Love Lettering / Kate Clayborn
- Hooked / How to Build Habit-Forming Products
YTD Total: 10 of 41 books
Watch
- The Night Stalker – A Netflix docu-series – I enjoyed the way the detectives tell the story, but I should warn you there is a graphic nature to this series. They show crime scene photos and b-roll of blood so if you are sensitive to that then I suggest not watching this one.
- The Bachelor – ABC – I’m so close to the end of the season and it is my guilty pleasure. If you want to discuss this season with me, please reach out!
- Dateline – Adam and I have a standing date to watch the new episodes on Friday nights. Lately, if it is an episode we’ve seen, we will stream one that we haven’t so there’s always a Dateline on.
Listen
I listen to a lot of podcasts, audiobooks, and music. Here are the highlights from the past month.
- Chameleon: The Hollywood Con Queen – This podcast is a journalistic investigative series on 10-ish episodes that explores a very interesting con that continued for far too long.
- The Bible Recap – I am reading along with the Bible Recap this year and this podcast has a 5-8 minute review of the reading for that day. So interesting and very doable to listen to daily.
- My Favorite Murder – I enjoy true crime and have listened to this podcast for years although I do take occasional breaks from listening.
- The Rose Cast – Ok, ok. I also listen to a podcast recap of each episode of The Bachelor. I do not consider myself a super fan, but without the office chatter/watercooler talk – this podcast does the trick for listening to others’ opinions on the latest episode.
- Torie Lin Fitness Work It Out – This Spotify playlist is the only thing I’ve been listening to on my workouts, and I’m here for it. If you are looking for some uplifting, upbeat music, try this out.
Learn
I love learning new things and am making space for more future learnings.
- Duolingo – I have recently downloaded the language learning app to brush up on my Spanish and currently have a 16 day streak.
- Failure – I am redefining my idea of failure. Instead of being afraid to fail and just not trying it at all (you know, that all or nothing mentality), I am shifting to “not trying at all is failure.” This ideation comes from my life coach, Brooke, who is amazing.
Looking Forward
It’s nice to have a look back at everything that has happened over the last month and celebrate the progress made and small wins. March has a lot to offer, and I am proactively looking at projects and goals to move forward in small steps or big leaps. Bring on the sunshine! Do you have anything planned for March? I’d love to hear about it.
