Nice to 'sea' you

Aloha!

In these past couple of weeks I've mainly been working in the office here, editing photos, completing orders, writing in the blog and occasionally looking after Lauren the 3 year old going on 13!
I've pretty much had my hands full but during this time I went to Barrel Oak winery again as it's harvest season and I saw the owners Sharon and Rick pour tonnes and tonnes of grapes into this huge juicer thing and got to taste the grape juice before it fermented into alcohol! Very exciting.
Because Jen is their #1 photographer for their advertising and business, she and another lady called Jenna have been working on photos and videos of the winery for over a year so that night was a celebration of it all being finished and I helped hang up all the photographs on the walls for an exhibit!

Quality's not great - but these are some photos from the winery and then the mini adult house party we went to afterwards where they had a hog roast! The grown men were chugging on the beer kegs and I was sipping beer out a red cup - America at it's finest!

I also went on a shoot with Jen in DC for a portrait session with a huge family and their 2 little children. One of the babies was just over a year old and was the cutest thing I've ever seen! He kept smiling at me too! I don't usually go all lovey dovey or melt at babies because to be honest they kinda freak me out, but he was a chubby little ginger baby called Gabe! I wanted to steal him.
It was so hard working in the DC dry heat that makes even your nose hairs want to sweat, so luckily we were only there for 2 hours and that was enough! I love any chance to go into DC though cos the way we drive in, we always go past all the monuments and everytime I see them my heart melts!

Last Wednesday I met up with my friend Caitlin and we went for dinner and to the movies.. how romantic HA.. and we watched Lawless. Oh. Dear. God. If you like hot men with Southern American accents using guns and all sorts, this is the film for you. I'm beyond in love with Tom Hardy and I'm so proud he's a fellow Brit! What a dream boat ahhhhh. Be warned: it is super gory though haha definitely wasn't expecting all that blood, but an awesome film nonetheless.
We ate at a place called Uno's and I was drinking Shirley Temples which is like a non alcoholic super sugary, super addictive cocktail. Nom.

On Saturday I went back into DC but this time I was working for a different photographer who needed an assistant for a magazine shoot. Basically what I was doing was making sure all the models signed their releases and helped with scenery, lighting etc. Another thing to add to my CV :) I'm working with her again next month so I'm excited for that cos I think we're going to a cattle auction in West Virginia! How random haha.
beautiful DC:

Next month I have loads of plans which include seeing Emma at her college in North Carolina for 5 days, working with Vanessa in West Virginia, shooting a wedding with Jenn, having a Sunday roast with Caitlin and her family cos her dad's English (YAY), going to New York for 4 days, Halloween and then 4 days after Halloween I'll be flying home and landing back in London town on the 5th November which is bonfire night for Weytown so it's gona be the first of many messy nights out to come to mark another amazing year!!

Watch this space xxxxxx

Man's best friend

I just wanted to make a separate post for one of the things I love most in this world.

On the 14th, you probably saw my tweets, but my beautiful dog Sasha passed away due to a couple of tumours on her lungs which was making it harder for her to breathe, eat, and basically do anything because she just didn't have any energy. She was almost 13 and I can truly say she lived a wonderful life and served us so much happiness just by being our pet - although she was more like a sister. It's really hit me hard because she's constantly been around me and my family for such a long period of time and I've had her since I can remember because I was 7! It's more difficult than I ever thought it would be to lose her, especially being so far away from home and having to be told over Skype! And I haven't seen her since May :( I just feel a huge guilt :( she was literally the best dog ever.

When she was a puppy in 2000. I love you Sash. RIP baby girl x

Busy or bone idle?

I'm aware it's been over 2 weeks since my last update, and I'm not gona come up with a bunch of reasons or excuses so I'll just jump straight in!
I can't believe these things were over 2 weeks ago - genuinely feels like 2 months, but I had the amazing opportunity to see the Redskins vs the Colts pre season game!! I didn't realise how lucky I was about going until one of my best uni friends (who's obsessed with American football) Alex, said how jealous she was and how the colts were gona smash the redskins.. HA! They ended up winning 30 - 17! It was one of the best experiences of my life, and I was literally basking in all the American-ness I was feeling! From the national anthem to the cheerleaders and mascots! It was insane :) you definitely need to go if you ever get the chance and I will see another game without a shadow of a doubt when I come back in the near future.

(these photos aren't edited cos the ones I edited, I've lost and it's late and ok.. I'm lazy)

Sorry for the shabby quality - you can only take the most minimal stuff to an American football game so my camera was a nono :(

I've also got blonde!!! No, not platinum barbie blonde like you're imagining, it's more of a light brown/dirty blonde which I love! Getting my hair done here is always so fun and I love my hairdresser! It's gona be hard to go home and get my hair done by someone else now.. first world problems haha.
Here is me:

I'm really scared of my roots coming through! I have another appointment next month so I'm hoping to go lighter before I come home! Bit of a mix up

Because I've left it so long, I can't actually remember everything I've done in the past fortnight, but I did end up going to another baseball game last week but this time to see the Washington Nationals and fell in love with some of the players.. need myself a baseball player.. or american football. Not fussed which.

 Last week I worked every day so didn't really go out much other than for a business lunch (how professional of me) and then yesterday (saturday) I went into DC again and shot a family photoshoot with Jen! Each time I go to DC I'm still amazed by how beautiful it is. From where we drive in, we always drive over the bridge and past all the amazing monuments. They're still breathtaking! America is simply amazing - although they do need to be introduced to some good hearty meals like having roasts every sunday and good old bangers and mash! Missing my parents cooking!
Yesterday was also Katy's 14th birthday, so we went to the mall which obviously I wouldn't object to, so ended up buying a new mac lipstick. Yes, just one! I'm feeling proud so I might reward myself with another.. hahaha

It's actually a lot more purple than this, the flash made it really light! It's MAC 'rebel' :)

Katy's cake!

best headband ever!

blonde bun!!!

last night's movie choice ;)

I think Barrel Oak Winery are nearly in harvest now so I should be going down there this week which is exciting! I'm not sure on other plans but I'll try keep notes so I can fill you in! I worked out that I'm home in just under 8 weeks now which is unbelievably short! Where has the time gone since May?! I feel like I'm really appreciating my time here now and I'm gona try do as much as possible before I go home! That includes a week down in North Carolina with Emma and Caitlin, and also another trip to New York!! DEFINITELY need to go up the Empire State!
I am looking forward to being home though and seeing everyone at Uni, but even more so for Christmas when everyone will be back! Last year was so lovely :)

Love xxxxxxxxxxxxx