We've All been here before

Photo by: jfairchildphoto ||Hair: Kit Stifel ||Stylist: Kat Fedorova ||Models: Zoe Maks, Sabina, Paris.

Jen fairchild is an incredible artist, photographer, woman,  and friend.  I felt honored to be a model for her last solo exhibition.  The show was called, "We've All Been Here before".  As you can see, the photos turned out errily beautiful.  We had an amazing team of artists.  Here are the spectacular results.  All of these images have been made into giclée prints.

***ALL PRINTS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE***

Contact - fairchildjenifer[at]gmail.com

Peace & Love -- Paris 

                                                                                        

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Insta- Paris

 . . . Creativity ->>>- Sparks ->>>- Life . . .

I’m headed to the mystical island of Kauai, for two weeks in December.  I’m going with one of my favorite photographers, Tessa Barton, and we are planning on making this a trip to remember.  Tonight, I am prepping and planning shoots for the adventure. It is going to be epic. In other words, non stop photo-shoot madness!  We are going to blow things out of the water, because we have some amazing ideas up our sleeves.

Peace & Love - Paris

Don't forget to follow me on instagram @CharcoalAlley 

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Warning! It's contagious . . .

I might be a nature girl, but I’m always down to play dress-up. Today was one of those days, I hit the downtown, Salt City streets, rocking this vintage sequin jacket.  I must confess that I may have let loose just a little inner DIVA, but I have a secret obsession with most things that deal with sequins or glitter.  There is something about shimmer and shine that seems, oh, so magical.  Obviously, this jacket was right up my alley.  I love being a goof.  Actually, I consider myself a bit of a freak.  I do like to get silly and that’s almost always a guarantee on a photo-shoot with me.  Today was no exception.  We laughed our ba-nouchies off!

Laughter . . . it’s contagious.  You can’t help but enter a room of laughing souls and not get swept up with the energy.  Laughing is amazing.  Who doesn’t love a good laugh.  Usually, it happens around people you love.  It binds people together and increases happiness. Studies have proven that humor and laughter boost energy levels, diminishes stress and pain, and strengthens the immune system.  I know I always enjoy this priceless medicine.  So don’t forget to take pauses from your busy reality and just simply laugh -- it’s good for your heart.

Peace & Love -- Paris 

                                                                                        

Don't forget to follow me on instagram @CharcoalAlley 

Photos by: TBartonphotography

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When things fall apart . . .

   Creative edit for:  Kayla Varley 

“In life, we think that the point is to pass the test or overcome the problem.  The truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that.

Personal discovery and growth come from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.

Suffering comes from wishing things were different.  Misery is self inflicted, when we are expecting the “ideal” to overcome the “actual,” or needing things (or people, or places) to be different for us so we can then be happy. 

Let the hard things in life break you.  Let them effect you. Let them change you.  Let these hard moments inform you.  Let this pain be your teacher.  The experiences of your life are trying to tell you something about yourself.  Don't cop out on that.  Don’t run away and hide under your covers.  Lean into it.

What is the lesson in this wind? What is this storm trying to tell you?  What will you learn if you face it with courage?  With full honesty and -- lean into it."

||  Pema Chödrön ||

Peace & Love - Paris

Don't forget to follow me on instagram @CharcoalAlley 

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Insta- Paris

. . . Creativity ->>>- Sparks ->>>- Life . . .

I am having so much fun on instagram! Come & play with me  @CharcoalAlley

Peace & Love - Paris

Don't forget to follow me on instagram @CharcoalAlley 

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. . . The Wild Hunt . . .

I recently picked up these crazy cool pants on on sale at Anthrolologie.  Their boho, hippie flair caught my eye.  Eccentric and wild--they’re kinda perfect for me.  Of course, I immediately thought--photo shoot.  I pulled random items from my closet,  slipped outside, and had a little play-date with the last bit of summer.  The sunflowers were in full bloom, and I couldn’t help but take advantage of their radiant beauty.  

I read somewhere that sunflowers follow the light. They turn to face the sun, and follow it faithfully, as it travels across the sky.  For many, these flowers are a symbol of constant, true, and unwavering trust in something bigger and brighter than themselves.  I like this idea, as a metaphor for my life.  

Lot’s of changes have been occurring around me--seemingly good and bad.  But, who am I to judge what anything is?  I have decided to try to become more like the sunflower.  I want to surrender the immediate labeling and judgement of things.  I have decided to just let go, and begin to trust that my life is being guided and directed by something much bigger and brighter than myself. 

Just as seasons come and go, so do life’s experiences.  We must try to savor what is in season right now.  There is always something delicious and precious for which to be grateful.  Let go of worrying about what is coming or what has gone, and simply, be here now.  You are here. This is your time--this is your life. I think James Taylor said it best, “The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time”.  What are you loving in this season of your life?

Peace & Love - Paris

Don't forget to follow me on instagram @CharcoalAlley 

Photos by: TBartonphotography

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Be Free . . .

  Creative edit for:  Darian Hill  ( She is another amazing photographer that I discovered on Instagram.)

Peace & Love - Paris

Don't forget to follow me on instagram @CharcoalAlley 

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