Reflection

"The beginning of love 

is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, 

and not to twist them to fit our own image. 

Otherwise we love only the reflection

 of ourselves we find in them." 

Thomas Merton 

"My role in society, 

or any artist's or poet's role,

 is to try and express what we all feel. 

Not to tell people how to feel. 

Not as a preacher, not as a leader,

 but as a reflection of us all." 

John Lennon 

"The air we breathe,

 the water we drink, and the land we inhabit

 are not only critical elements in the quality of life we enjoy 

- they are a reflection of the majesty of our Creator."

Rick Perry 

Pictures by Marie Parker and Kelly. 

copyright 2012

Downtown Lynchburg

I went with my friend Kelly to Downtown Lynchburg. It was around the time the weather was changing, quickly slipping into Fall-ish weather.  We ate yummy BLT's at Water Stone then did a mini photo-shoot down the street from Water Stone. 

It was dark when we walked out of the restaurant.  There were old brick buildings, old factory buildings maybe, towering above us.  Down the hill is the River. Running along the river is a train track.  The street along side us was cobblestone. 

The buildings and architecture around us made for really interesting and cool back grounds. This was Kelly's first time doing a shoot for "fashion blogging."  She did good :)  (Obviously she took the pics of me and I of her.)   

What I wore:

boots: $10 sale Target

tights: $2? Gabriel brothers

white dress: free from my roommate

moraccan leather belt: $3? Goodwill

old t-shirt: I've had it for years!

cameo beaded necklace: $3 thrift store

jean jacket: $25 Old Navy

glasses: Zenni Optical  

earrings: $1/$2 thrifted

bracelet: $2 thrifted

total-ish: $47

*There will be another blog from part of the shoot which was pictures using reflection. Very artistic and beautiful.  I won't say anymore. :)

Shell earrings by "Marie's Miracles"

Hand painted Capiz shell earrings.

 *sorry for the slightly strange layout. I've had alot of trouble trying to set this post up.  The template is not easy to use :(

There's a story behind these shell earrings. I was in Maine last summer and I was at my Grandmother's house in her basement.  She had a glass jar full of white round shells from a broken mobile.  I asked her if I could have them to paint on for earrings. She let me bring 'em home.  

The shells had been sitting in my room for months.  Recently I started thinking about painting them.  Visualizing ideas of what I could paint.  I pulled out the shells and got to work.  Often times each pair might take about one hour to paint.  Certain ones with tons of details and dots take a lot of time. I enjoy taking time to do detailed work.  

I love beachy summery accesories. I have recently posted these earrings in my Etsy shop.  If you have an idea for a custom pair that you'd want to order, let me know.

(I recently picked up a "mess of feathers" and 3 vintage clutches to decorate.  I want to put them together and post on etsy too... The decked out clutches would be perfect for a wedding or formal event.)

My sister Krista Delvalle: Make-Up Artist!

My baby sister, who is now a young married woman with her own apartment, in the city of Richmond, which she shares with her husband is pursuing her dream of being a make up artist..  Though a string of events God set up she was networked with a professional Make Up artist.  Krista has been able to work under the Make Up artist, to learn and grow as an artist.  She has a natural gifting for this art.

Here are a few before and after shots of the women in our family.  

My beautiful mother:

myself, Marie!

My sister took all of the previous shots!

Krista Rose

Nicki Metcalf, a photographer friend of Krista's took these model shots.

sisters!! Krista took this last shot of us.

Here's a link to a blog post the photographer, that's worked with her recently, has posted on Krista. Enjoy!!!

http://88lovestoriesblog.com/2012/06/personal/in-her-beauty-makeup-artistry

Spring Break-2012

I am at home this week for spring break!  It's kinda strange going from college where I have to seriously study to being at home where it's sooo laid back and I'm sooo lazy! It's nice :)

I went on a walk with my mom on Monday and (poor Mom) I brought my camera.  I took TONS of pictures, especially of the flowers on the bush. Soo pretty!  These pictures are in chronological order of when I took them on the walk.  The little purple flowers are along one side of our driveway, they bracket my visual walk for you.  

Hopefully looking through my photographs will bring a touch of beauty, spring and nature into your day.  It was relaxing to myself to take these pictures!