Narragansett, Past and Present.

Not much has changed in the past five years. We still use the self-timer and shamelessly smooch in public. And I hope that never changes. 

^^PAST - 2008 We awoke for the sunrise and a self-timer shot^^

^^PRESENT - 2013 We did not awake for the sunrise, but still rocked a self-timer shot^^

^^PAST - Cheek smoochies with the Olympus point and shoot^^

^^PRESENT - cheek smoochies with the iPhone^^

^^PAST - Lip locked^^

^^PRESENT (and future) - Lip locked^^

A weekend in Narragansett, RI

This past weekend JG and I packed up our swimsuits and headed north to the beautiful seaside town of Narragansett, RI. Jake's amazing Aunt Sue and Uncle Stan live just a stone's throw from the beach. The first time Jake and I went to Narragansett just the two of us - back in 2008, we had only be dating for four months! Fast forward five years and now we were sitting on the beach married for four months! Pretty cute, no?

We spent our two days catching up with Sue and Stan, lounging on the beach, reading and sleeping, walking around town and eating waaaay too much delicious food. Also, nothing beats coming home from the beach and taking a refreshing out-door shower - my favorite! It was a perfect weekend!

^^My husband^^

^^My favorite RRR sarong (going on six years) // JG's spanking new, neon swim trunks^^

^^My $9.95 H&M actually stays on my head when it's windy.^^

^^Posing after lunch. See more of these shots here.^^

^^Beautiful flowers on our walk down to the beach^^

^^One of my favorite places in Narragansett is the wall that stretches along the perimeter of the beach. You can sit there for hours gazing out across the sea; feeling salt water spritz your toes as the waves crash against the rocks.

^^Luckily someone passed by and offered to take a picture of us!^^

^^Clearly I'm fron "the south" aka Pennsylvania, since I was the only one on the beach bundled up with two sweaters!^^

^^Don't be fooled by the sunshine on that clear blue sea - it was freezing!^^

Some people are born to be hosts. And Sue and Stan have mastered the art of hosting. When we arrived they had stocked the fridge with all the essentials for an incredible cookout, breakfast must-haves and the fixings for packed lunches and snacks for the beach. I am still having dreams of the chopped salad and cheeseburgers we had on Friday. Oh I almost forgot Sue's Red-Zinger and fresh spearmint iced tea! Yum!!

^^Thanks a million Sue & Stan - we love you guys!!^^

^^Fresh garlic chives from the garden on a pumpernickel bagel with lox and cream cheese!^^

^^Delicious juicy grapes^^

^^Seriously the best lobster roll I've ever had.^^

^^Morning coffee date at the cove^^ 

Having Your Photo Taken...

Everyone loves a great photo of themselves. But not everyone enjoys having their photo taken. This concept is foreign to me! I think since I was a little girl I've adored being in front of the camera. It's the diva within, what can I say?

So if you are jonesin' for a new profile pic but can't seem to get a great shot, here are three simple tips I can give my friends and readers out there who tend to shy away in front of the camera.

1. Have a close friend behind the lens. This is, in my opinion, the most important factor. Find that certain someone who can make you laugh, get you to relax and who you feel completely and utterly yourself around. More often than not my favorite pictures have been taken by my husband; who not only has a great eye but can also wield our SLR like a pro and make me crack up while doing it.

2. Be yourself. If you aren't overly smiley from day to day, then get on with your surly self. If you like hats - rock your favorite hat. If you have a dress that makes your look oh-so-fine throw that puppy on and strut yo' stuff. Just be you.

3. Find your light. Natural light is universally the most flattering in photos. Angle yourself so that the sun is in front of you and behind your photographer.

And if all else fails, call Xanthe Elbrick - she will make you feel like a rockstar and snag dozens of incredible shots while doing it! 100% little k + little j guaranteed. 

^^Photos taken this past weekend in Narragansett, RI by my sweet husband^^