5 reasons to shoot film during your next adventure

To all photography lovers out there – when’s the last time you shot a photograph with film? Today I’m here to share some reasons to leave your phone and digital camera at home and go on a journey down the road of film photography.

1. Polaroids are timeless! They take you back in time. Each picture is a one of a kind work of art. Plus thrifting for vintage Polaroid cameras is so fun! They are fun to collect…I have a few myself.

2. Modern instant cameras like Instax allow you to instantly shoot and watch the pictures develop before your eyes- a great way to share memories with friends just about anywhere! The film for these cameras is cheap and readily available.

3. The look of film is one of a kind! Visually it’s hard to reproduce…true film photography is unique and has that soft color pallet that you can only get from real film.

4. No need for filters! In fact many photo filers have been inspired by the look and feel of film. It’s so much more retro to do it the authentic way! Your photography will stand out and have a unique style.

5. You get to spice up your photography life! Instead of just using your phone for snapping pictures why not do something different? With unlimited film options you can be as creative as you want. Black and white, infrared, and film speeds mean your pictures will be unique and creative. Give it a try…film might become your new obsession!

 

Seas the Day | Reasons to Become a Beach Bum

They say home is where the heart is…for me it’s the ocean! Every since my move to Hawaii I’ve had salt water running through my vains! I followed my heart and it led me to the beach! Here are my top reasons to head to the nearest sandy shore and become a oceanholic today…

– Because nothing soothes the soul like a walk on the beach…the blue color of the sea is calming and it’s the perfect way to feel closer to nature.

– You will feel at peace when you swim through the ocean with a sea turtle! Snorkeling is a great way to become one with the ocean…and you never know, you might just turn into a mermaid.

– Hearing the sound of waves is the perfect way to relax and unwind. It makes you feel like everything’s gonna be alright!

– Because you can shake the sand from your toes but it never leaves your soul. No shoes, no problem!

– Studies show that if you look at the ocean 10 minutes daily you will be happier and healthier. In this case it seems like sea salt might lower your blood pressure!

– Ocean sunsets are the most colorful! The way the sun rays hit the ocean are natures work of art. Pure magic!

– Margiritas taste best under a palm tree…if you don’t believe me try it out for yourself and see! Time for a taste test – or two or three!

– Because the tan lines will fade but the memories will  last forever! It’s probably time to start making memories and head to the sea…because let’s face it…who hasn’t thought – I’d rather be at the beach?

24 hours in Prague! How I made the most of it

What do you do when you’re in a fantastic city like Prague for only 24 hours?! So much to experience…so little time! That’s the exact situation I found myself in when I took a bus from München to Prague during a Euro Trip two summers ago. It was a dream come true for me because my Dad is from the area…he grew up about an hour from Prague – he didn’t come to America until he was 26!

When I arrived by bus I walked through the City Square on the way to my room at The Grand Hotel Praha. I immediately noticed how beautiful and gothic all the buildings were. Even the roads were made of stone! After I checked into my room the bellboy escorted me upstairs…where I was surprised to find I was staying in the PRESIDENTIAL SUIT!

I had a friend living in Europe and he had booked me the room…but he didn’t no tell me it would be that nice! If in town I defiantly recommend staying here! The window overlooked the astronomical clock, a midevil clock from 1410, one of the oldest working clocks in the world. The view was so amazing I almost didn’t want to leave the room! But I was craving some good Czech beer and needed some lunch so I had no choice but to venture out into the city!

I was off to the John Lennon Pub for some ice cold Czech brew and lunch! I’m normally allergic to beer but in Prague the beer is so pure it didn’t even bother my allergies at all!

The John Lennon Pub did not disappoint! My favorite era in music and just about anything else is the 1960’s! The interior and exterior was extremely photo worthy…

Afterwards, we headed down the street to check out the world famous John Lennon Wall. What a Lea full sight – seeing so many people writing and drawing, covering the wall with art!

The rest of the afternoon was spent waking the streets sight seeing – so much incredible architecture – It will take your breath away so be ready! Remember you don’t need a tour guide in this city…you can just walk around there is SO MUCH to see!

The Hard Rock Cafe Prague was a perfect dinner experience…the live music was great and the staff was friendly. They seem to know all the answers to any questions you may have! I actually love going to the Hard Rock whenever I travel in Europe because the staff always speaks English and you can always make a friend!

After dinner I went shopping! Prague has some of the best gift shops you will find in Europe. My favorite find was red chili absinth in an amazing skull bottle! I will never drink it though…it’s too beautiful!

The best way to wind down the day is to go one a nice tour of the city on foot. Few things can compare to the magnificence of Prauge at night! The city glows and comes alive!

In the morning my 24 hours in Prague was up and it was time to check out and head back to Germany…next time I’m definitely staying longer because I know there is so much more to see! What is your favorite place in Praha ? Comment and let everyone know so we don’t miss out next time we are in town!

8 Inspiring Buddha Quotes with photos from Oahu’s Byodo-In Valley Temple

Looking for some zen today? I know our lives can get hectic sometimes but look no further! Here are 10 Buddha quotes I find inspiring – I hope they brighten up your day! Photography taken at Oahu’s breathtaking Byodo-In Valley Temple. Enjoy!

1. The less you respond to negative people, the more peaceful your life will become

2. Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.

3. Everything that has a beginning had an ending. Make you peace with that an all will be well

4. What you think, you become
What you feel, you attract
What you imagine, you create

5. We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.

6. There is no path to happiness: Happiness is the path

7. If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down

8. Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared

9. Everyday we are born again. What we do today is what that matters most

10. Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Do you have a favorite Buddha quote that’s not on my list? Please leave a comment and share!

Autumn in Michigan and Halloweekends at Cedar Point

Hello everyone…do you feel a little chill in the air and do you smell fresh autumn leaves? I can’t, because here in Oahu the leaves don’t fall…but no worries I just returned from a trip back home to visit my family in Michigan! Here are some photos and highlights!

My flight was 15 hours with a 6 hour time difference! By the time I landed in Michigan that left me only 6 days to spend quality time with friends and family…and go on adventures!  First stop, Lake St Clair Metro Park, a beautiful state park that I lived right next door to before I moved to Hawaii. My sister and I took a stroll on the nature path through the forest. I brought along my Nikon to capture the autumn magic and memories of the afternoon.

The craziest thing that happened was when my sister was taking a picture of me, I went to step back, and right before my foot – in flip flops BTW – hit the ground she yelled for me to stop because she saw something on the ground. It was a HUGE northern water snake! I was just an inch from stepping on it…what a great sister she was keeping an eye out for me like that!

When I went to my moms house she surprised me with some thoughtful birthday gifts and a room decorated like it was out of a magainze. She knows I love VW vans so she gave me a turquoise toy hippie van – my favorite color – and I absolutely loved it!

From the window above my bed was a view of the backyard, complete with bunny rabbits hopping around and a porch swing. The first night back in town in over a year was spent on the swing having amazing conversations and catching up with my mom who I had missed so much. It was a perfect way to be welcomed back!

Somehow I managed to have the luck of one of my best friends who lives in Pittsburg being in town! Our thing was always going to amusement so parks together so of course we knew what we had to do! We headed to Cedar Point – America’s largest rollercoaster park – for Halloweekends!

It was a Halloween party mixed with roller coasters which is a perfect combination! It was super busy but I won us a pass that lets us skip the lines by playing a game like plinko! No lines for us that weekend…just 80 degree weather and apple beer.

I have to say the most exciting part of my visit home was spending some quality time with my sisters 4 month old puppy Keiko! Seriously I have never seen a puppy that was so smart. I’m sad by the time I get to visit again she will be all grown up. That’s why pictures are priceless…they capture a moment in time forever! Please comment and let me know below – what’s your favorite time of year and what makes it special to you?