We Took the Road Less Traveled Photo Shop!

ATTENTION BLOG WORLD! 
I recently took a little leap of faith and opened up We Took the Road Less Traveled Photo Shop featuring all my favorite high resolution photos from our European travels! EEEK!

Some backstory: I would have never ever thought to do this until my wonderful mother-in-love put a little bug in my ear. Aren't moms great? She said I should seriously consider selling some of my prints from our travels. I, of course, was flattered she thought any of them we're frame-worthy, much less something other people would want in their own homes. A part of me figured, well, she's my MIL--moms are, like, cosmically required, bound by the laws of Motherhood to thinking their kids (even by marriage) do awesome things. Then I got to thinking...maybe she's totally serious? Maybe people would be interested in having a piece of our travels in their home? I'm my own worst critic, I know I'm no where near the best photographer in the world. But, it is something I've grown to love and nurture since starting this whole blogging thing almost 4 years ago. What better way to keep our travels alive? So, BOOM! I uploaded a smattering of shots I still moon over (and few that are even hanging on the walls of our new home!) and now you can have a copy of your favorite photo, too! Big hugs and thanks to Mama B!! ;)

For the next 2 months, you can get any print at an introductory 20% OFF. No code needed! You can also choose various print sizes and what material the photo is printed on to make it fit your style and your home. Super easy, right? The holidays are right around the corner (I know, sorry for the reminder), any of these would make a lovely gift for a travel-loving friend or family member. New prints added monthly! As always, thank you for supporting my creative space! 

Ready to shop? Head on over!

10 Instagram Accounts I Can't Get Enough Of

It's no surprise that I'm a huge fan of Instagram. I don't go a day without checking the thing...or heck, even posting a gram of my own. I remember downloading the app the first night we were in the Army Lodge on German soil. Crazy, right? My Instagram obsession began just as our adventure abroad started. I have 3 entire years of travel and experiencing life in Germany documented within Instagram posts. From Switzerland to Morocco and everything in between. It's become such a fun part of my life. Is that a weird thing to say about a social media app? Probably. We are, after all, way too dependent on technology. But I think if Instagram didn't exist, I wouldn't have been able to share our story with so many people in a virtual instant. I wouldn't have pushed myself to make certain moments more spectacular...climbing to that higher vista, trying that new food, staying late to catch that perfect sunset. Instagram is more than just posting selfies. To me, it's about connecting with people through common interests, keeping up with loved ones, cultivating happiness, and inspiring others to get out and experience all this big beautiful world has to offer. 

Since joining the Instagram phenomenon, I've come across quite a few accounts that keep me coming back for more each day. Some feeds are just plain cute, others keep me in stitches with every post. Some inspire me to be a better cook, get that wanderlust revved up in me, or are just a smattering of beautiful images that bring me joy. Every feed is unique, but here are 10 Instagram accounts that I currently can't get enough of:

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1// @bevcooks

  Bev not only cooks brilliantly beautiful meals, but she also cooked up some seriously delicious babies. Her twins (Nat & Will) are always getting into trouble, giving Bev the perfect opportunities to snap photos worthy of the witty commentary she adds in the taglines. I snort-laugh at every single one. Her blog is also a total hoot. I only wish I was half as clever as she!

2// @jessaconnolly

Need encouragement or a boost of inspiration daily? This is the feed to dive into. I'm constantly renewed by the verses and little life tidbits Jess shares. Her love for the Lord and servant's spirit is evident within every post, both on Instagram and on her blog. I've even got a few custom verse prints from her shop hanging on our gallery wall!

3// @harlowandsage

 A weimaraner (Harlow) & dachshund (Indiana) dynamic doggie duo that is almost too much adorableness for me to take. I've never witnessed such different dogs have such a sweet connection. And their owners always come up with some super fun ways to show them off. Love cute pups and need a good laugh? This is the feed to follow.

4/ @shalynnelson

 Shalyn just oozes exclamation points, glitter, and rainbows. All day, errday...and I love it! Lots of positivity, go-get 'em attitude, and super pretty photos all up in this feed. Shay and her hubby are also just about the most adorable couple I've ever seen. And she has a hedgehog. No, really! If her feed doesn't get you "Pharrell-happy", then nothing will.

5// @montgomeryfest 

A girl after my own heart & beer glass. Fun, witty, traveling-fool with an IG feed full of wanderlust-worthy snaps. I only wish we'd had the chance to meet up while we were both living in Europe. Good thing planes work in America, too...right, Annie? ;)

6// @aspiringkennedy 

Lauren is a girl who I feel like I could be--if I had a cute London flat, rockin' fashion sense, and an adorable baby girl named Viola, of course. Since I can't be her, I'll settle for "ooing" & "ahhing" over her fab life abroad via Instagram. I'm always thrilled to see her photos pop up in my feed. She is one badass mama, too...toting around a toddler to all corners of the world. She gives this someday mama lots of hope for a life full of baby kisses AND travel. Proof you can have the best of both worlds!

7// @howsweeteats

Beautiful food and witty commentary. Two of my favorite things in the entire world. I think I've pinned every recipe she's ever posted (visit her food blog here). I'm not obsessed or anything.

8// @amandamarielackey

Gorgeous photography, styling, fashion sense, and a jovial voice...what's not to love about Miss Amanda?! I love being inspired by her beautiful images and taking a peek into her everyday life as a stylist and photographer in Texas. She's just an all around lovely soul to follow.

9// @lostintravels

Formerly expats in Korea, now Chelsea and her husband are RVing around the USA chronicling their new-found life of stateside adventure. Doesn't everyone want to pack up their life and RV across America? I know I do. I'll be following along for every mile!

10// @juliamanchik & @yuriymanchik

Husband and wife team (hence why they snag one spot together) that travel the world taking some pretty dope photos. If I could have an ounce of their talent, I'd be set for life. Follow their blog for even more delicious travel goodness. Warning: becoming green with envy is a common side effect from viewing this feed.

Annndd honorary feed #11// @caseycote!!

Follow along with my most favorite feed...my own! Shameless, I know. Lots of beaches, Disney visits, European throwback photos, and everyday snap of life here by the sea. Come play! :)

Tell me, any favorite Instagram feeds you can't get enough of? 

Share the Insta-goodness!

Our Wiesbaden Photo Session with Ashley Ludaescher Photography

Germany has absolutely stollen a piece of my heart. Our hearts, really. The adventures we've faced, countries we've explored, the experiences we've had...this place has become such a defining chapter in our book of life together. As our 3 years living abroad has started to come to a close, I knew I wanted to do something special to commemorate living in Wiesbaden, our beautiful adoptive home away from home. That's when I contacted Ashley of Ashley Ludaescher Photography (also a dear blog friend of mine) and asked if she'd be willing to hop a train from Berlin to Wiesbaden and spend the day photographing D and I around town. She happily jumped at the opportunity and made the 5 hour train journey south one lovely November morning! To say that we had the BEST FALL DAY EVER would be a total understatement. Germany is known to have some pretty finicky weather, but the day Ashley came to photograph us, the sun was shining, the air was warm (55°F in November?!), and the leaves were still clinging to the trees in the most beautiful shades of orange, red, and yellow I'd ever seen. It's as if Germany was smiling upon us, knowing how much this fall shoot meant to both D and I. 

After eating lunch at one of our favorite Italian restaurants downtown, we made our way to all the best parts of Wiesbaden to snap some photo memories. We stopped at the Marktkirche in the Marktplatz (the backdrop for every major festival & Christmas market we attended), the larger-than-life cuckoo clock that chimes twice an hour, and the Wiesbaden Staatstheater (Opera House) where we marveled at its architecture our first venture downtown. We walked the tree-lined street of Wilhelmstrasse that we stroll down often and still wonder why they prune the trees to look so haunting. We also snapped a few shots at the Warmer Damm Park where we've fed the ducks on Sundays and the famed Wiesbaden Kurhaus where we've attended squadron holiday parties. But as the sun hung low and dripped golden rays all over Wiesbaden signaling the end of the day, we stopped at our favorite park, the Kurpark, to capture the beauty of our favorite spot to picnic in. Each landmark we visited that day holds some special moment D and I shared together...just the two of us in a foreign land. I want to lock them in my mind forever. Not because I think I'll forget...it's hard to forget such an adventure as this...but to one day have something to show our children. To tell them about the amazing adventure mommy and daddy went on when they were young, carefree, and had the whole world at their fingertips. I know once D and I make the inevitable move back to the states next summer, we will look back at these photos with such happy memories of the time we spent here in Germany. As you scroll through the photos, be on the lookout for each of these special places! 

Truth be told, I had such a hard time narrowing down to sharing these select few photos. Every single image gave me goosebumps! Not only was Ashley an absolute sweetheart to work with, but she captured us and our amazing host city so perfectly. D and I gained a forever friend that day, and some amazing photos to boot! Thank you so very much, Ashley, for spending time with us in Wiesbaden, for making us feel so special & comfortable during the shoot, and for sharing in the joy of our most favorite city in Germany. If you live in Germany and want some spectacular, jaw-dropping photos taken...call Ashley. She's one in a million!

OH! Of course, we used a few of these photos in our Christmas card this year (how could we not!?). See if you can guess which 3 images made the cut (and if you've already gotten the card in the mail...shhhh! No cheating! :)) Enjoy!

Photos by Ashley Ludaescher Photography

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The Colors of Travel: Capture the Colour Photo Challenge 2013

I'm sure many of you have seen (or even already entered) Travel Supermarket's Capture the Colour Photoblogging Competition that's been floating around blog land. I was recently tagged by Christine of Christine in Spain to participate, so I thought, what the heck...let's give it a go! The basic premise of the contest is to choose photos from your own travels that fall into the 5 different color categories of red, green, yellow, blue, and white. When I initially started combing through the mounds of photos from our travels, I basically had a panic attack. I was overwhelmed with only choosing one photo that embodied each color perfectly! Blue seemed to give me the most trouble. I even had to consult my husband a few of my favorite photography inclined friends for their unbiased eyes and honest opinions. Thankfully, I got myself together and chose what I think turned out to be a nice round-up of some of my favorite colorful photos from our jaunts all over Europe. While I'm quite positive I won't win a thing, it was definitely a fun challenge to participate in. Not only did I get to take a walk down memory lane while perusing my travel photos, I also got to see how much my photography skills have evolved over time. I only hope they continue to grow as I keep venturing out of my comfort zone both life and photography-wise. :) 

So, tell me, what are your favorites from the collection of colors below?

RED

[Lisse, Holland -Keukenhof souvenirs]

GREEN

[Nierstein, Germany- grape harvesting on the Rhine River]

BLUE

[Mykonos, Greece- pool lounging at Saint John's Resort & Villas]

YELLOW

[Santorini, Greece- sunset sail in the caldera]

WHITE

[Zermatt, Switzerland- ski chalet]

The last part of the challenge was to nominate 5 other bloggers to join in on the fun. These 5 ladies below are no strangers to travel or great photos, so I hope they'll all enter as well! The contest entry deadline is October 9th, so get on it gals! :) Not nominated? No worries! You can still submit your colorful travel photos here!

I nominate:
Amanda of Living In Another Language
Chelsea of Lost In Travels
Rachel of Postcards From Rachel
Bonnie of A Compass Rose
Nicole of La Mia Vita