Aloha Hawaii

Aloha! This past week my boyfriend and I traveled to The Big Island of Hawaii. It was a much needed relaxing vacation for the both of us.  We found this amazing deal with Travelocity for a 6 day five night stay at the Marriott Waikoloa Beach Resort. It’s a Marriott hotel, so I was expecting it to be nice, but the setup of the resort is breath taking. You walk in the main entrance and are welcomed with the warm sea breeze and a view of the ocean. The staff was friendly and helpful and the room was a lot better then I expected.

The inside of our room. Balcony was to the right (where the light is coming from). 

There was a coffee machine (you’d be surprised how many big hotels don’t have this), a fridge, ample storage space, good size bathroom, a decent TV and a balcony! The balcony was a plus because it was a great place to sit and drink your morning coffee/read while enjoying the warm Hawaiian air. ( I must be getting old if that's my idea of a good time!!)

View from the balcony of our room. We faced the pool and the beach.

Our first day in Hawaii was really just about getting settled in, exploring the area and relaxing by the beach. We went to a farmers market at King’s Shops and picked up a few goodies, then we headed over to Queen’s Marketplace to check out what restaurants were around and see where we could pick up a few other things we needed. After that it was back to the hotel to relax at the beach, check out the pool and get in some swimming.

Kettle corn, jams and soaps from the market :)

Yummy Hawaiian Jams from the farmers market.

Beach side at the resort.

We found a great sushi spot (that we ended up going back to the final night) at Queen's MarketPlace that had a great discount, good beer on tap and very friendly service.  After that it was off to the hotel to rest up and get ready for more relaxing by the pool.

The most amazing fresh sushi.

Day two followed with the same relaxing vibe. Lots of relaxing by the pool, swimming, good conversation and drinking. We started off the day by going on a glass bottom boat. Sounds odd, but I'm still not a solid swimmer (I've been learning to swim for maybe two months now) and wasn't totally comfortable diving into the ocean and going snorkeling for real. The glass bottom boat was great for me (and all the children on the boat) who got to see fish in a peaceful boat ride. 

Not the best photo, but this was the glass bottom boat.

A guide to all the fish to look for. 

Later we ordered our tropical drinks and had lunch by the pool, I went for a walk in the afternoon while the boyfriend started to watch the NBA playoffs. I joined him for the second half of the game and then we had dinner at the hotel restaurant. We were digging the relaxing vibe, but were definitely ready to get off the resort and adventure around the island. Luckily, as I passed out right after dinner (time change and a little too much wine) my boyfriend went to hang out by the pool and met a really great couple that lived in the island… The real adventure was about to begin!

More on that in the next post  :) but here are the rest of the photos from the Day 2.

Tropical drink for two.

View looking up from the lounge chair at the beach.

Pretty view on my walk. 

My last glass of wine at dinner. Loving the reflections. 

Yogi Tea Continued

Slowly but surely I'm continuing my series on Yogi Tea Quotes. I'm also expanding this project to more than just Yogi Quotes, but Tea Quotes in general. There are other tea brands out there that provide tea quotes, one being Good Earth Teas. Here are a few more of my favorites.

Real happiness lies in that which never comes nor goes, but simply is.

To learn, read. To know, write. To master, teach. 

Live for something higher, bigger and better than you. 

And Babies Make Four

It's twins! A baby boy and a baby girl! In the next few weeks Savannah and Ray will be welcoming two new members to their family. It's crazy to think that she has two little babes growing inside of her. One already seems like a miracle, but two? And, as it turns out twins don't run in either side of their families. They have two little bundles of joy on the way, I can't wait to meet them! Congratulations Ray and Savannah! 

The Beautiful Bride

There is something so majestic and beautiful about being a bride. Granted, I’ve never been one, but watching your friends get married lets you witness a whole different side of someone. When love is in the air it radiates through the room, it’s a wonderful thing to experience. The joy and happiness that come from the friends and family is delightful to witness. There really is nothing like a wedding to bring people together.

San Francisco City Hall is a beautiful venue for a wedding. It’s funny how a place so busy and crowded can feel so intimate and close. There are several weddings taking place at the same time and tons of couples running around and taking photos. Yet, among all the hustle and bustle Aileen stood out from so many other brides. She carried a sense of calm and serenity that many others didn’t seem to possess, and it shows in her photos. She was a beautiful blushing bride.

The brides stunning bouquet

Lady Bugging

I could have sworn I posted this months ago, but it looks like I forgot! No surprise there. I've been forgetful and lazy lately. Any who, A long while ago I posted a simular Sweet 16 post of my friend Ceci. It's part of a project I started well over a year ago. It took me about a year to edit Ceci's photos so I made her two "16" sets instead of one. You can find the first one here.

City Hall Wedding Bliss

It's funny how some things in life just fall into place, new opportunities, meeting the right people (or person), having babies, starting a career and getting married. I've finally hit that point my my life where people my age are doing all that and more. Recently, it's been wedding and babies! We really do grow up so quickly, it's magical the way life evolves. 

On April 27, 2012 my high school friend Aileen Randolph married her long time sweetheart Ronnie Quintana at San Francisco City Hall. They had a beautiful ceremony on a balcony in city hall surround by their closest friends and family. It really was a beautifully perfect ceremony. Here are a few on my favorite photos from the day. 

Thank You Aileen and Ronnie for giving me the opportunity to photography my first wedding! More photo are located at my Flickr Account. 

Speak, See, Hear

Oh Ceci...:)

Yogi Tea Project

It’s a fact, Instagram is the new Polaroid. Whether you’re using it for fashion, landscapes, food photography or just for fun, Instagram is becoming the social network of the future. I for one have been obsessed since Instagram became available on Android phones. It only took me a few minutes to figure out how to use the app and I was hooked.

I’ve been drinking Yogi Tea for a few years now and I’ve collected quite a few or their tea quotes through the years. I’ve used some in art projects, but I never really figured out how I wanted to use it in my photography. Then I got instagram. As I drink Yogi Tea I’ll be Instagraming all the tea quotes I get. I’ll either photograph them on different surfaces or hanging from my tea mug. Over the years I’ve collected a good amount of mugs and quotes, so it should shape up to be a good project. In the end, I’m going to use Printstagram to print out a poster with all the quotes. I’m pretty excited! Here are some of the tea quotes I’ve photographed thus far. 

Baby Christensen

It’s a boy!

My friends Ron and Serina will soon be welcoming a beautiful baby boy into this world. I had the opportunity to photograph the two of them and the ever growing baby in Serina’s belly. Congrats you two! Can’t wait to meet the little guy.

Discovering Instagram

I've been JEALOUS of iPhone users for months. Instagram hasn't been available on Android phones forever, until about a week ago, and now I'm obsessed. I randomly think about all the random, pointless things I can take pictures of through out the day just so that I can Instagram them. Oh, how I feel like I've been missing out. Here are a few of the 15 pictures I've but on Instagram thus far. 

You can follow me on Instagram at natalieannsf :)

BFF Love

“You said I’m suborn  and I never give in

I think you're stubborn 'cept you're always softening

You say I'm selfish, I agree with you on that

I think you're giving out in way too much in fact

I say we've only known each other a year

You say, 'Pff, I've known you longer my dear'

You like to be so close, I like to be alone

I like to sit on chairs and you prefer the floor

Walking with each other 

Think we'll never match at all

 but we do, but we do, but we do, but we do”

-Adele, My Same

Getting Into Character

I’ve found that when playing around with my Mac’s Photo Booth, sometimes it’s easier to get into a character then it is to just sit there and take pictures of yourself. Sometimes it’s also easier if you have a few mimosas in your belly; a little liquid courage never hurt anyone.  :)

Over the weekend some girlfriends and I got together to have a little mimosa brunch inspired by Pinterest (my new found love). When I say Pinterest inspired I mean that the menu was created purely off of Pinterest  recipes. It was a delightful and incredibly easy.  

After a few mimosas and a few props (courtesy of Kayla) we were able to get the day started with a little Photo Booth fun. 

This somehow evolved into everyone becoming a character. I became “The Bunny”, Brenda “The Toddler in Tiaras”, Kayla “The Nerd”,  and Ceci “The Sultan”. It made for some great laughs. Random seems to be the way to go.

We had some more (not so silly) photo fun later that day. Look forward to seeing those in the coming days. 

Lady Bug

It only took me about a year, but I've finally edited Ceci's Photo booth photos! Yay! Slowly but surely I'm still working on this project. As a reminder, It's my Sweet Sixteen Project. Sixteen people with sixteen frames. So far I have four down (Kayla, Brenda and myself) and twelve more to go. Originally this is something I thought I'd finish by the end of 2011, now I'm hoping it will be completed by the end of 2013. If anyone wants to participate, I'd be happy to have you take part.