inspiration, lately + a giveaway CLOSED.

Like every other blogger, I'm getting pumped about Christmas. It's pretty hard not to when you work at an arts and craft store, too (I swear it's been December since the day after Halloween). But all of these bright holiday colors are pretty inspiring, no? All of a sudden I feel like decorating my place with tons of vintage inspired ornaments and deers.

Also, Pamela is filling up her Etsy shop this  Saturday with one of a kind, limited jewelry designs for the holidays and we're celebrating by giving away a pair of her handmade earrings here on Note to Self! This pair is called "Falling Rain" and is made of hammered sterling silver wire. In order to enter, subscribe to her blog and leave a comment here on Note to Self saying you've done so. Winner will be announced next Friday! 

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cactus garden.

Hands down my favorite evening was going to a local cactus garden all decked out for the holiday. I don't know why, but I think there are few plants prettier than cacti. So it was pretty amazing going to a garden with loads of them (and even better wrapped in lights). There are times when photos really don't do justice, and this is one of them.

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desert shooting.

The other I discovered I'm not a natural at shooting anything (besides rocks and dirt) but I had a great time learning how anyways. I somewhat invited myself to a 'men only' morning shooting and I was hoping I'd be some sort of shooting guru... yeah, didn't happen. Hopefully we'll get to go out again though!

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exploring.

On Thanksgiving morning Tate's family and I drove outside of Las Vegas to the desert and explore. Oh so different from Seattle (there's like, no green here). But these rocks have a ton of texture and the bright orange/red is something I haven't seen before. The weather was warm and there were absolutely no clouds. I could really get used to this place. 

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red rocks.

Dear Vegas, I love your warm weather and neon lights and cacti. I'm having a blast over here (and have barely touched my computer) but it feels nice to leave it behind and really enjoy this vacation. And I can't wait to share tons of photos next week when I'm back in the groove.

On another note, we've got a winner for the lomography camera! 

Congrats Kylee! Email me at allisoncelestia.blog (at) gmail (dot) com with your address so I can send it out next week!

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vegas, baby.

I'm off to Las Vegas to see Tate for a week! Agh I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself... going to a new place and spending time with Tate and his family. He keeps telling me we'll be busy busy busy so I might not be blogging, but I promise I'll be back with loads of photos and polaroids. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

p.s. Have you check out the lomography camera giveaway?! Click here to enter.

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one year.

I found these photos via my sister in laws instagram from exactly a year ago and they bring back a lot of memories. Spontaneous road trips to Utah for the weekend and spending time with grandparents. A lot has changed since then (for the better) but it's interesting looking back at photos and at the time I had no idea I'd be where I am right now. I'm just happy the way everything's falling into the right place.

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a lomography camera giveaway. CLOSED.

It's true. This Diana mini and flash could be yours! The best thing about it is that it's small, so you can pretty much take it anywhere. I'm so happy I've reached 400 followers and I just want to say thanks. I'm a sucker for film cameras... and you'll be too if you win this. 

Here's how to enter the giveaway:

1. You must be a follower of this blog (over on the right side) to enter

then comment saying what you'd want to capture in an instant

You can increase your chances of winning by commenting for the following as well:

-Share this giveaway with a link on your blog or in a post

-Follow me on Pinterest

-Follow me on Instagram 
-Follow me on Twitter @allisoncelestia

*Giveaway ends next Saturday, November 24. Hope you win!

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current likes.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

Of course most of these are already sold (the downside of "favoriting" an item on Etsy because you know you can't afford it) but aren't they pretty? I'd die for that mid century modern couch or that faux taxidermy deer head. Maybe someday I can have a place like this!

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the weekend in an instant pt. 2

neon sign.

clam chowder.

more leaves.

wall art.
underdeveloped. 

What the?! It feels like just yesterday we took these photos... but that's probably because I find myself staring at them 3+ times a day. Although that last photo is underdeveloped it's probably my favorite (there's something about real polaroid film instead of instax ones). Are any of you polaroid junkies too? I'd kill to see some of your photos!

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a big thanks!

You guys! A huge ginormous thank you for reaching 400 followers! I never thought this blog would grow the way it is and it's you that makes me want to write and take photos everyday. I'm thinking a giveaway this weekend?! Hint: It's small, mint green, and uses film.....

I'm also very excited and a tad nervous to announce that I'm now accepting sponsors! Check out the tab on the right for more info. If you have any questions email me at allisoncelestia.blog (at) gmail (dot) com. 

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make it happen.

That first photo. I laugh every time I look at it. But really, these leaves are huge and crispy and that's just the way I like it. So a "throwing leaves in the air" photo seemed pretty necessary. Although naturally, it ended somewhat into a leaf fight. Goood times.

Have a happy weekend!

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the weekend in an instant pt 1.

gum wall.

bikes.

bagels.

leaves.

These are just half of the photos we took with our instax camera over the weekend. Oh boy, we sure love our instant photos. I've been eyeing that 'bikes' wall since forever and finally stopped to take a picture of Tate against it. You can check out more of our instax adventures here and here. It feels like this weekend went by in an instant but I'm glad I've got these pocket sized photos to keep forever.

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one love.

Tate and I rode the bus to Seattle yesterday and one of our main goals was to walk around Pikes Place. I'm not a huge seafood person but I had my first bowl of clam chowder with him and it's definitely something. How have I not had this before?! Our soup was followed by a bag of dozen donuts and Starbucks hot chocolate from their very first location. Tate has one day left in Washington so we're going to live it up. Can't wait to show you all of the instax photos we've taken!

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