US HWY 81

HWY 81

We went to the Colpitt family reunion over the weekend in Ben's hometown.  We took a different route this time, up HWY 81 through Bowie, TX; Duncan, OK; Anadarko, OK; Chickasha, OK and on into Weatherford, OK - our destination.  It was truly a beautiful drive and we think we will continue to use this route vs the interstates we usually take. . . .here are some lovely moments along US HWY 81.

Anadarko, OK

The Redskin Theatre, in Anadarko - known as "Indian City USA"

Redrock Canyon

Group campground inside Redrock Canyon State Park

Prairie sculpture

Welcome Gaines Foy Odom - my newest nephew - born on Aug 4th in Austin TX.  Here's to all the roadtrips in our future sweet Gaines!

Two of my Fave Things

Doss and Guthrie riding together in the backseat.

Wrist Corsages worn at my birthday dinner (in May).

August Smmidge-sation: Pink Lemonade Company

Smmidge-sation will be a profile series of people I know (or get to know) who are doing super interesting, creative (and othewise) projects that are allowing them to Do What They Do - a Smmidge mantra.  First up just happens to be an old classmate of mine - Kelli Mitchell - hope you enjoy!

As many of you know, I grew up in a really small town outside of Abilene TX, called Baird.  I'm really proud of my heritage there.  I had a great life growing up, and always fancy myself as really lucky to know the people I know because of my life in Baird.  One of my classmates for, well, really my entire life (preschool - 12 grade give or take) was Kelli Dean. .. Kelli Mitchell now. . .  I have really fond memories of birthday parties, sleepovers and slip-n-slides at her rock house on the corner lot, with carport and screen door - oh!  And the coolest kitchen cabinets.  Yep - when you grow up in a small town you grow up using your imagination!  And Kelli certainly is drawing on her vivid imagination these days.  Her web/graphic design business, Pink Lemonade Company and photo editing business Pink Lemonade Photo caught my eye when I started noticing all the buzz on facebook surrounding some of her cheeky, funky, sweet, and hilarious photo edits.  People were going crazy over her work and I had to know more!  Here is our Q & A:
Smmidge: Place of Birth?  PLP:Jacksonville, Texas.  (I Moved to Baird when I was two years old). 
Smmidge: Current City and Occupation? PLP:Abilene, Texas. Day job: Ringmaster of the three ring circus that is my household.

Smmidge: Creative project/business name and service/product offered.
PLP: Pink Lemonade Company is the “official name”. I have two sites. My first site is www.pinklemonadecompany.com which houses my web design and other graphic design services. (more to come!)

My other site is www.pinklemonadephoto.com  Photo editing - kids, families, loved ones. And [now] I have had requests to do other projects as well, such as gig posters and blog headers.  I take photographs and give them a hyped up edit.  It is interesting that some of the pictures you think are trash shots end up being really cool. I am able to extract unwanted elements and add funky little bits to create a completely new photograph.  And [now] I have had requests to do other projects as well, such as gig posters and blog headers.

The photo editing has taken a new spin. I still do edits for individuals but have also started working with a photographer and dear friend, Christa McClellan, of Moonshine Photography. We share a lot of passion about this and have some really cool ideas in store.   

Smmidge: How did you start Pink Lemonade Photo and why?
PLP: The photo editing (and Pink Lemonade Photo Project on facebook) was actually a random middle of the night thing. I [updated] my [FB] status late one night, in the midst of a little bit of boredom and insomnia, and said something like “I’m bored. Send me your pictures and I will edit them.” I had about 10 photos sent to me in about 5 minutes. I got those edited, sent back to their owners, and it was crazy. People really seemed to respond well to it. I started getting requests to do more pictures and it just went from there. 

Before

After

Lots more after the jump!

Utility Cuteness

I love to make a statement as much as the next girl - but there is something about a simple approach, a classic palette, a simple pattern, a utilitarian material - thus the genius of Utility Canvas.  They have such amazing totes, storage pieces and fashion.  I especially love the outerwear.  Now this doesn't mean I would not add an over-the-top statement necklace or earring with my canvas coat and tote bag. . . perhaps like this (from guess where?): 

It's all about balance right?  Do what you do!  

Loving Dawes

My current favorite band is Dawes.  This is a video of an amazing song - I heart the super stylized story telling.  The ending filled with hope. . . The bushy, crazy hair of the band member.  I highly recommend their album North Hills and am rocking out to it daily.  It keeps me thinking, makes me want to at once dance and cry.  Fabulous feelings to engage.