.big news!

Hello friends! I have exciting news for you today.

Two and half years ago, my older brother encouraged me to start a photography blog. It's funny, I remember thinking I wasn't even 100% sure what a blog was. Funny how quickly technology advances. 

In these 2.5 years, Life Through A Lens has been an outlet for me to create, experiment, and even rest. It has become a part of my life. I feel as though it has traveled with me and grown with me. It has seen the mountains of North Carolina, the Oregon waterfalls, and the tropical hues of the Bahamas. 

Life Through A Lens has been the host of some lovely photographs, as well as some not so lovely counterparts. There have been experimental victories, and there have been many experimental failures documented on the web pages of this blog. But it is the failures that have helped mold me into the photographer that I am today, and I refuse to delete these failures. 

Today I am introducing you (my loyal blog visitors), to my new and VERY improved website. www.carolynallenphotography.com

I have spent the better part of two months designing my own logo and creating a "professional" looking website. I am thrilled to share it with you today, and hope that you will follow me in the next step along my journey. 

Life Through a Lens will remain active, but for new posts and images please visit www.carolynallenphotography.com. My reason for doing this is simple. Life Through a Lens was an incredible learning experience for me and I refuse to eliminate and discredit it simply because I have moved on to bigger and better things. However, in order to take the next step in my career I felt I needed to make a little upgrade. 

2.5 years down the road I cannot wait to see, all of the changes and improvements that I have made to Carolyn Allen Photography. Will you join me on this journey? I sure would love it if you would!

Head on over to www.carolynallenphotography.com for a visual treat!

.haley, wedding shower

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of throwing a wedding shower for my cousin (basically sister!) Haley. Haley and Ross will be married in April, and I cannot be more excited.

The shower was at a nearby restaurant that is in an old Southern house. My Mom helped me make some flower arrangements of camellias (remember how much I love these flowers?), and they turned out lovely. We played a fun game called He Said/She Said that involved holding up fake mustaches and lips. It was great fun! I loved watching my sweet Grandma hold up the mustache. :)

I must confess I did not take all of these photos, as I was doing a lot of hostess-ing. My sweet friend Meredith took many of them, but I couldn't help but share! Thanks Mery!

Haley, you looked absolutely beautiful! I hope you enjoyed the afternoon as much as I did.

-Carolyn

PS I apologize for my absence lately. I have been working on a very exciting project. There will be big news coming soon on Life Through A Lens, so be on the look out! 

.food photography. peanut butter cornmeal cookies

I made a pact to myself for the month of January.

Sort of like a New Year's Resolution, but only for the first month.

I would not, no matter how badly I wanted to, no matter how many delicious recipes I came across, no matter what "occassion" begged, I would not bake one single thing in the month of January. 

How do you think that turned out? Well, it basically resulted in my eating lots of ice cream and Dove dark chocolates instead of baked goods. So!... I decided that the pact was counterproductive and therefore must be voided.

Here's what I saw, oh and what I baked:

Recipe found here, via Pinterest.

These cookies were a cinch to whip up, and also happen to be gluten free if you are one of those people who don't get along well with things like wheat and flour. They're also pretty delicious with either a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. 

Hope you have a sweet weekend, friends!

Carolyn