Boston | Boston Public Library

This is the most magnificent library I have ever seen. We weren't able check out (haha, no pun intended) the entirety of the library, but I saw enough to describe it as timeless, grand and classic. Even with the greenery covered in snow, I was still able to appreciate the courtyard. I can just imagine how perfect it would feel in the other seasons with the plants, fountains and people crowding the area lost in books.

I can't wait to explore this library in its entirety one day.
I would feel like Matilda at the library! (Please tell me you understood that reference).

Ps: Aren't my best friends just gorgeous?! :D

For more Boston posts, click here.

Boston | Gold Gallery

A couple weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to pack up my bags and spend the weekend with some of my best friends in Boston. Renée, the now local, played tour guide for us as we explored South End, went shopping on Newbury Street, dined at fabulous places and literally got blown away by the wind. Aside from my freezing toes, foggy glasses and slight anxiety when it comes to big cities (I am a mountain girl at heart!), it was a wonderful trip! Boston is a kind of cold I only have nightmares about. Brrr!

While waiting for brunch, we took a little walk around South End and discovered Gold Gallery. This month they celebrate their one year anniversary! Aside from the brilliant art it is home to, what caught my initial attention was their logo and then it got even better inside. Safe to say, I think the pictures can show you proof themselves. The director told us this building was supposed to be a Dunkin Donuts I believe and then when that fell through, Gold Gallery had to set up in three weeks. What a turn of wonderful events!

Gold Gallery, thank you for being inspiring and extending the warm welcome to Boston.
The aspiring graphic design in me says Kudos to your fabulous logo + identity.

More pictures from Boston to come :)

My First Time | Snow Tubing

Last weekend I took a short trip to the mountains to celebrate a friends birthday! Christina and I have been friends since high school so I think this marks year number nine since we became friends! Time flies. I remember hanging out directly after school to take naps at each others house, playing monkeys in our theater department's rendition of "Tarzan", and various trips to Myrtle Beach. Oh the memories!

She had this grand idea to go snow tubing up at Hawksnest in Seven Devils, NC (about 30 minutes from Boone) and how grand the idea was! I had an absolute blast zipping down the snowy/icy hills which took limited physical activity (yet I was sore afterward?). Aside from the long lines, it was a little adventure. Plus, the best apple cider I have ever had didn't hurt either.

Here are some snapshots from our mini snow excursion :)
All photos were taken + edited from my iPhone.

 

I will actually be back in Boone this weekend to work with YGHP! We have some great plans ahead in the design world and I can't wait to share :)

Have a safe and wonderful weekend.

[WEEKENDS] A SUNDAY IN CARRBORO | CHAPEL HILL

 

 

Last Sunday, my friend Melissa and I took a day trip to Carrboro + Chapel Hill to visit her sister Molly. Our afternoon consisted of walks downtown for burgers, records, book stores, coffee and just all out good company. I tried Buns for the first time and loved it. They have great options to customize your burger. My burger and I were a match made in heaven. An angus beef patty with brie cheese (yes, brie), lettuce, grilled onion, tomato, mayo and a side of regular and sweet potato fries! Can't think of a better combination.

To walk off the burgers, we first visited CD Alley, where I literally could not make stop picking up vinyl. I ended up buying Ray LaMontagne, Florence + The Machine and Iron & Wine... even though there were about 10 more I wanted. No trip downtown is complete without a book store and coffee. I had been searching for a new book to read for my A Book A Month Challenge, and we found the one I was looking for at a used book store. I introduce, My Boyfriend Wrote A Book Me: And Other Stories I Shouldn't Share with Acquaintances, Coworkers, Taxi drivers, Assistants, Job Interviewers, ... and Ex/Current/Future Boyfriends but Have. I mean, do I really even need to share our excited I am about this? In Beyoncé mode: All the single ladies put yo' hands up!

All in all, it was a great day for a day trip. I know I am supposed to be where I am right now to save money, be logical about my post-graduate decisions and be realistic, but I definitely have the travel bug pestering me. For now, I have my weekends! World, I promise you, I have some plans to explore you soon enough. Let me explore my backyard first :)

All photos were taken using my iPhone. Bottom two were taken by Melissa.

BAKING | BLUEBERRY PIE

Earlier this week, my friend Melissa was my partner-in-crime for my first pie baking experience! Now, I have baked a few things like pumpkin cookies and red velvet cupcakes, but let's be honest.. those were definitely out-of-the-box kind of recipes aside from the made-from-scratch cream cheese frosting (favorittttte).

Baking a pie from scratch just feels more intimate. You literally know every little ingredient that goes into that pie, roll the dough yourself and put it together in the pan. It was quite a messy experience, but the best reward in the end! Also, did you know how soft your hands feel after kneading dough? Long story short, I love pies, I love baking and next time I need to wear an apron :) Of course I had to take photos of my "first" time. I am still trying to get flour off my camera. Oops!

Did I mention our pie was vegan? Here is the book we used!

Go grab a napkin.

I think you may have just drooled all over your keyboard.
You're welcome.

PHIL + MELISSA (& ANGEL, TOO)

A few weeks ago, my friends Phil and I asked me to snap some photos of them for their Christmas cards and of course I said yes! We took a quick stroll through the Fred G. Bond Metro Park in Cary before heading off to a Christmas party and for me, a night downtown.

Are they not one of the most good looking couples... ever? Yeah, my friends are pretty cute. Plus, they have an awesome puppy named Angel! All three, I mean four, of us are on the hunt for a house to rent in the next couple months! I just can't wait to live with these three knuckleheads.

Oh, and they chose the last one for their Christmas card, where Angel looks like she is actually behaving ;) Angel refused to wear her holiday dress. Oh well. There is next year's card :)

In other photography news, I recently got hired to shoot a wedding next September! I couldn't be more nervous and excited... more so excited. I have high hopes for expanding my camera collection and invest in some lenses. Do you have any SLR camera recommendations? I am thinking of switching to Canon, but I have been a Nikon D60 kind of lady for so long now. Any advice is welcomed!

If you are in or near the Raleigh are and interested in a photo session, do not hesitate to contact me!

My email is m.ashleyvega{at}gmail.com. I'd love to work with you :)

ROADTRIP!

FRI Nov. 30, 2012

Off to Wilmington this weekend I go!

Some of my best of best friends live in Wilmington so what better way to end the month than to spend it with my second family? I foresee lots of catching up, a trip to Hobby Lobby, hazelnut coffee in the morning, Flaming Amy's and just the best of company. On a not-so-fun note, we are sending off a dear friend of ours as he makes a move to Philly. I will miss you Sean! I never thought we would get to know each other so well and have countless adventures, but I hope they treat you well up there. North Carolina will always keep her arms open for you ;)

Okay, I should go pack and make a kick-butt playlist for the trip or something.

Have a safe and wonderful weekend friends! xo

 

For the next few days I will be in the wonderful town of Wilmington to celebrate the wedding of my dearest best friends Joe and Hannah! You know, the ones I always photograph like here, here and here? The next few days will be filled with a bachelorette party, bridesmaid luncheon, amazing yellow bridesmaid dresses, the best of friends, dress rehearsals, the best wedding ever and just so much love all around. I am so honored to be a part of this wedding and to be witness to one of the greatest loves I have ever seen. Seriously. This couple makes you so sick because they are just that perfect together. You know, that couple :) Ps. That is a total compliment.

I can't wait to share with you their perfect day and of course, her bridal portraits that I have been DYING to share! So here's to Hannah, Joe and to true, everlasting love. Love you both so much.

Here's the almost-married couple:

image one: Taken in Wilmington 2011 during a weekend trip with my best friends.
Image two: Part of the engagement photo shoot we had in Wilmington. Find the rest in the above links.

So, I may have a new obsession.

It may be not new to most people, but because I've recently joined the "iPhone club" aka the cool club, I have been constantly downloading apps, texting more because it is fun and instagram-ing the CRAP out of my life. My boss Courtney, introduced me a wonderful photo app called Incredibooth, where it takes your iPhone and makes it into a photo booth..right in your pocket. These four photo strips are my first attempt and with my best friend Abe.

Wouldn't they be really fun to print as well?

So my fellow iPhoners, download this app so you can even have more pictures of yourself.

What are some of your favorite iPhone apps?

CALL ME MAYBE - THAILAND EDITION

Along with thousands of pictures and memories to remind ourselves of the wonderful trip we took to Thailand with EF College Break, a few friends and I took this opportunity to film a music video for "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen! I think we filmed a good number of places we visited in Thailand including our ride to the Floating Market, Ayutthaya, Pung Waan Resort, Cha Am Beach, Bangkok, Red Light District, Night train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, Death Railway, Night Market, Mr. Changs, paper umbrella factory and a few other random places :)

Here's to hold you over while I edit my 1,500 pictures.
Enjoy!

Kudos to Katie D. for having an awesome camera and editing the video!
We just uploaded the video yesterday, so let's make it viral. Ready...go!

ATHENS, GA VIA FILM

Dear Athens,

Where did you come from? Where have you been hiding? I didn't know you existed but my goodness, since my first trip in October, you've introduced me to some lovely people and you never cease to host some unforgettable moments. Did you know you're only four hours away from Boone? It was bittersweet leaving you again this weekend. I'm not sure of our next reunion, but just know that everything that happened keeps me smiling at night.

This weekend was filled with late nights, seeing my friend's band Funk You play (everyone needs to check them out...NOW), windows down, running in the rain, rooftop bars, fish tacos, a failed attempt to watch Harry Potter, beautiful mornings, warmth, great company, completely sucking at darts, a very small tour of UGA, Jittery Joe's..twice, porch conversations, new inside jokes, winking, little moments, learning new things, meeting new people, staying out, sleeping in and just overall a new refreshing perspective.

I must say Athens, you threw me off this weekend and yet made everything make sense. I tried to capture some moments with disposable cameras. There's something authentic, wonderful and "road trippy" when using film cameras. Although I may not have much money, or any money at all, I will be investing into film a lot more.

Thank you for a [insert best adjective here] weekend.
I'm still smiling.