365 Project: Day 81

I am determined to stick to my list of New Year's resolutions this year. So, today I attended my very first business class at a local non-profit organization. I walked away feeling much more prepared and confident. I got a lot of my questions answered and was able to bounce some ideas off of the person giving the presentation. She had some really great advice. It was so refreshing to get answers from someone who knows what they're talking about. There are always so many ideas dancing around in my head and its nice to know that I can go there any time and get informed guidance on what my next move should be or which ideas I should pursue more seriously. Its amazing that these resources are out there in the community and available for FREE or almost free. Its a good feeling to know that there are entire organizations who want to see you succeed and will help you in any way they can. I will be taking several more classes in marketing, finance, SEO and website optimization and several other subjects over the next few months and I think my business is going to thrive this year because of it. I feel, overall, really encouraged and supported after this class.

Since I am the Jill of all Trades running this business and single handedly taking care of everything that goes along with that, I sometimes feel really isolated. I know that I have an amazing family and friends who love and support me, but there is no one who is actually in this boat with me. That can be hard. Sometimes it would be nice to have someone to collaborate with, someone who knows what I'm going through to talk to and rest my head on when I'm stressed and exhausted and just worked a 15 hour day, someone to just be excited with me when things are going well. I do get that from the people in my life, but its just not the same as having someone directly involved. At least now I feel like there is a place I can go where the people have the answers I'm looking for. Just knowing that gives me a little peace of mind.

New Portraits!

Did you guys forget that I took pictures of people other than myself? Well, I do! I am available to photograph families, children, pets, musicians, bands, and live performances!

www.saranorrisphotography.com

Check out these images from my session with Shanna Hebert Ferro. She is an entrepreneur, singer, wife, mother and most importantly...she's my cousin!

Shanna owns a company called The Candle Cottage in Nederland, TX and has been in business for over 10 years. Their candles are all handmade and smell so good you could eat them! She started her company in a little building behind her house and soon after opened her first store. After outgrowing that location, they recently built a new store that is full of all sorts of goodies. She also just launched her new website so take a peek!

I'm so proud of her and all she has accomplished. Love you Shanna!

365 Project: Day 50

I woke up this morning to the sounds of a car being towed in front of my house. 7:30 am is not a time of day I see very often. But I figured, hey, I'm up, I might as well get this show on the road. 

I stayed in my PJs, but I brushed my teeth, made a pot of coffee and a piece of toast with grape jelly, put Imogen Heap on my iTunes, and cracked open my journal. I snuggled back in bed, drank my coffee and wrote in my journal for a couple of hours. I don't know where the time went. Once I start journaling I tend to lose track of time. It was nice to stay in bed for a little while and enjoy my morning. I don't get to do that very often.

 I am the epitome of a workaholic and I don't give myself a lot of down time. I start working almost the second I wake up and I don't stop until my head hits the pillow at night. I love what I do. It doesn't feel like work to me. I just feel busy for 12-15 hours a day. Sometimes I'm frustrated and exhausted and burnt out and sometimes I complain, but I still get up the next morning, excited to start all over again. It makes me happy to know that I'm not only doing what I love, but I am building a business and a future for myself. How lucky can a girl get?


The 9-5 life was never for me. I would work my butt off for someone else 8 hours a day with nothing more to show for it than a bad mood and paycheck. Which, don't get me wrong, a consistent paycheck was great, but I was miserable. Money has never equalled happiness for me. I have been working so hard lately and I feel like all this time I'm putting in is finally starting to pay off. I am making progress. People are not only starting to recognize my images, but they are actually buying them. I feel so grateful and blessed. Little by little, my dream is coming true. 

I Have a New Book

Reading is one of my favorite past times.  But since I left Boston, the time I once spent reading while zipping from place to place on the train has been replaced with endless miles of traffic.  (Ugh!)  Since I don't condone reading while driving, I haven't had the time to devote to really sitting down, relaxing and reading a good book.  So, I've taken up the habit of half-reading five or six books at a time.  I only get through the first couple of chapters of most of them.  Then they take up residence on my night stand.  I look at them longingly when I tuck myself in at night, but I'm always too exhausted to pick one up and actually finish it.

This Christmas I received a book store gift card.  Immediately my mind was filled with thoughts of spending hours perusing the store, which I love to do, and buying stacks magazines instead of just flipping through them while standing next to the rack.  

So, gift card in hand, I took a trip down to the book store and picked up a copy of Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's book: Influence.  The book was cleverly printed with your choice of Olsen twin on the cover.  When I checked out the clerk made sure to ask me if I chose the cover with the twin I wanted (I chose Ashley). 

I have followed both of their careers for quite some time now.  These two women never cease to amaze me.  They have accomplished so much in their short lives.  I can only dream to be half as motivated and ambitious as they are.  I mean, when do they have time to sleep?  

I haven't finished the book yet (note the first paragraph) but I am fascinated by the lives of the people they chose to interview.  There is such an eclectic group of people with amazing stories and experiences to share.  I am drawn to fashion and art and even more so to the people who create it.  I think this book is going to be a really great edition to my bedside table.  I think one day I'll finish it.  Maybe.

Road Trip!

New Print Available!  

I came across this pink-striped building when John and I were on a mini-road trip up the California coast.  Isn't it the cutest? Whenever I finally buy a house, I want to paint it exactly like this!

Chew On This

Speaking of road trips, I am planning (and I use that term loosely) a little New Year's road trip around northern California next week. I want to see Redwoods, lighthouses, beautiful coastlines, the whole sha-bang!  If anyone has suggestions for interesting places to stop, please let me know.  I am open to any and all suggestions.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!