simply life » us

Living Inspired.

Jessie — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:47:57 +0000

In the past two weeks I think I must have been asked at least five or six times about what inspires me. When I look over this blog, it seems so terribly obvious that I am amazed that I forget so easily. For me, it is undoubtably nature. I come alive when I am outside. I perk up, think I can take on the world and walk around in awe, and physically stop to take in all that surrounds me. It frees up my heart and I reconnect to what I value. I actually get overwhelmed by the beauty of it. I come away refreshed and more alive than when I came. It rights me with the world. I become flooded with creativity and ambition for my life to make a difference for others. It changes me and rejuvenates the dreams and aspirations I have from just being me.

On Saturday Eric and I went to Starved Rock State Park for a day together in the newly warm air and sunshine. I can not remember the last time I was outside for four hours consecutively. We hiked and wandered around the woods through canyons and trails. I don’t know if I’ve ever spent significant time in the woods during the early Spring. We were surrounded with tiny new leaves popping out , and little cheerful flowers popping up on the forest floor yet the large canopy trees were still bare. Everything was brand new and waking. It was breath taking. We came around the bend in the trail to this breathtaking spot of sunlight through the trees with dreamy light and took time out of our hike to enjoy it and capture one another. All the other hikers passed on by but we lingered here.

Take some time with the ones you love and to really commit to living inspired whatever that may be for you. Believe in the power of its transformation both in your personal and professional life.

I’m a better wife, entrepreneur and photographer for my four hours in the woods.

My motto. “Let us come alive to the splendor that is all around us, and see the beauty in ordinary things” [ Thomas Merton]

P.S. Any fab couple want to drive 2 hours out of Chicago, hike 2 miles into the woods for a unique unbelievable love shoot?!! Seriously it was some of the most incredible light e.v.e.r.

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Us.

Jessie — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:25:45 +0000

Eric and I haven’t had any photos taken since our wedding over 4 years ago! Well except for the TONS of self portraits we make happen thanks to eric’s long arms!!

A good friend of ours, Janet Moran of www.oijoyphoto.com took these. The location was so us with the beautiful fall leaves. Thanks Janet! We owe you!

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Vacation – Part 2- Palouse

Jessie — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:41:49 +0000

For the second leg of our trip, we were in Eastern Washington visiting family and enjoying the wide open spaces. Eric’s grandfather, Otto, is an avid photographer and took us for hours through the Palouse, to select barns and photo opportunities. The Palouse is a region of the Northwest United States and it stretches from eastern Washington to Northern Idaho. It is incredibly rich farm land, largely wheat producing but also produces lentils, canola and barley. It is FULL of big sky, rolling hills, textures, historical barns and much more. It is largely unknown , so to have our own personal tour guide was invaluable. We only had a few hours, but I think you could spend at least a week photographing this region. In the spring, the rolling hills are all different shades of green. For our trip, most of the crops had been harvested already. I am hoping to return another time when it is full of green crops and wild flowers. It is such a vast and interesting part of the US.

My favorite image of the day.

It was amazing to stretch out, see wide open sky and wide open land. It gave both Eric and I space to breathe deeply. I mean, don’t you want to be here??!!

The next few pictures are from the top of Steptoe Butte. It is a quartzite island jutting out from the loess hills that surround it. It has a windy paved road that leads you to the top. I have no idea how far we could see.

This next picture is incredible. What you are looking at is land! I took this at an overlook from Steptoe butte with a 500mm lens. The lines you see within are from the agricultural equipment harvesting and tilling the land.

This lovely building was an old flour mill in a neighboring small town.

Wheat and more wheat!!

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Vacation Part 1- San Francisco

Jessie — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:11:39 +0000

We’re back!!!. We were away for an entire week to see family and take a deep breath of Pacific Ocean air. Our first stop was in San Francisco. I could not wait ( really, ask Eric I was driving him crazy) to go to the cliffs with barking seals, no tourists, beautiful eucalyptus trees and private nooks to tuck away in and breathe deeply. My brother has lived in SFO for seven years and every time I go to see him, we come here. I felt like Chicago had been smothering me, and could NOT WAIT to be sitting on rock overlooking the Pacific Ocean with my love. We only had a few hours here, but it was everything I was hoping it would be.

Eucalyptus trees

In my many times to the cliffs, I’ve never found this cave. It was right by the water , and at high tide is actually underwater entirely. The light was crazy amazing.

Self portrait thanks to eric's long arms!

Up on the cliffs overlooking the ocean we tucked into a nook and took these. Isn’t it magical?

His smiling eyes…. love love love.

My brother Josh on his roof in San Francisco with the Transamerica Pyramid.

I love this pic of Mom and Josh. The peacemakers.

Lily (josh’s girlfriend) and Eric geeking out on Macs. Classic.

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I’m an old married lady and love it.

Jessie — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:35:40 +0000

Eric and I have now been married 4 years!! Let me give you my old married lady advice, I just have one word of wisdom ….. IT IS WORTH IT! We live a life that is open and honest so many of you know we have had our share of tests. Being married is truly one of the only things I can think of in this world that is worth the work. I am more in love with Eric than ever before and if you ever talk to one of us about it….. we try to forget year one . We talk often of what we will be like when we are old and wrinkly…. i can’t wait…..

Things I love about husband extrodinairre…..

1. his curly hair in the morning

2. his unrelenting ever thinking spinning innovative mind

3. when he buys me $1 plants just cause.

4. his guacamole

5. ridiculous helpfulness

6. when he lets me dance on his toes

7. “the girl” by City and Colour

8. when he says i make his heart sing.

9. robot eric.

10. that he loves me .

PS THESE ARE FILM!! HOORAY FOR FILM!! AND all by Heather Carson of Carson Studios.

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Have you missed me??

Jessie — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:03 +0000

So sorry, really my last post was June 22nd?

Ok. I’ve moved a zillion times , but this move has done me in. I’m not sure what day it is, time, where I’m at, and the thoughts in my mind go round and round till I can’t deal any more!!!!! I am tempted to give you a sneak peak of how the new studio is coming along (besides slower than anticipated), but you’ll have to wait.

As you all know I am a plant freak, lover, friend, tree hugger whatever you would like to call me AND I have this annoyingly large plant that Eric has continually moved over and over for me. The move up here to Chicago it was only about 3 ft or so, well now it is approaching 7ft! Check out what my incredibly crafty genius husband made for me!!! I know you are all jealous of 1. his amazing man skills and 2. the amazing happy ginormous plant. Yup, that’s how much my man loves me. (btw he HATES this plant)

Yay. Plant made it safe and sound.

Picture is courtesy of iphone

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Stroll around the block…

Jessie — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:00:30 +0000

On Friday afternoon, it was lovely and in the 70′s, which around here seems to be a rare treat! I rented a Canon 5d Mark ii for a wedding I had on Saturday , so Eric and I ran outside to test what this baby could do! I have been going back and forth on whether or not I am going to purchase this camera now or in a few months. It was hard to see it go this morning. It really is an amazing camera.

We live right next to the lake, so there was the buzz of people and families on the beach, sunshine and a nice breeze …. and we strolled around looking for some pretty things to photograph. We found these…. enjoy.

Oh. and of course…. My favorite subject of all…. eric. i LOVE these pics of eric. love love love.

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