You didn’t even know I was gone, did you?? I was and have pictures to prove it! I spent last week in one of my favorite places, Islamorada, Florida, in the Keys. The weather was nothing short of glorious, even though it rained the first day. Mostly the temperatures were in the mid-70s during the day and the low 70s at night – warm enough to sleep with the balcony door wide open. It was awesome and relaxing and I’d be lying if I said I was glad to be back to Ohio! The only bad thing was that I came back with a nasty cold (and a sunburn!).
One thing I did on vacation was to shoot the entire thing using only my fisheye lens. I love that lens. Love it love it. I thought what a great challenge to me to shoot my vacation with just the fisheye, and that I did. Here’s what I got:
Clouds, but they still beat the cold!
Down to South Beach for sushi and a walk by Miami Ink. The windows are blacked out because they’re remodeling, so I didn’t get to go in.
I love the curvature the fisheye gives to everything, especially large landscapes.
This is the view from my room balcony in Islamorada. I’ve stayed at this resort three years in a row now. I never used to like revisiting the same places over and over (aside from NY), but this place is really starting to feel like home.
The little pier outside the resort.
I love the evening light and added to it with a red flashlight to get this shot.
View into the resort laundry room through the fan.
The next day, I went out to a beach park and for some reason these wetsuits were just hanging from this tree like decorations. There was nobody around that they appeared to belong to!
Poochie paw prints. Awwwww.
Stopped by a roadside nursery so I could figure out names for all the different palm trees I saw and spotted these pretty little flowers with the raindrops.
Another view from my balcony, but this one of the great Croc shoes I bought. OK, I gotta say – I LOVE these shoes! Talk about comfy!
Next day, it was a visit to the HGTV Dream House, which happened to be only 10 minutes up the road from where I was staying. I’d seen the house on TV and it was just as beautiful in person. The furnishings and decorating were what I liked the best so I took lots of pictures to inspire some design ideas for my own house. And of course I registered to win the house when I got home! Wish me luck!
Without a doubt, this was my very favorite room in the whole house and it was only a little nook! I love the horizontal stripes and the colors felt just right. I’d love to try this at home. OK, I’d love to have this done in my home – not so sure I want to tackle it myself!! I’m already behind on painting as it is!
I loved this color too. It reminds me a little of the color in my living room. The green was so inviting and vibrant – it made me feel good just to be surrounded by it.
This is the bathroom attached to the green bedroom. I love the windows over the sink – what a fabulous idea. And the sinks themselves were really cool.
And the kitchen. The walls were covered in tiny brown square glass tiles. It was a very nice look.
Turning around from where I shot the kitchen is one of the two living rooms. The house was three storeys and this was the middle level. Each level had a patio or balcony with a view of the long yard and the bay.
The view from the middle level balcony. All the balconies had great outdoor furniture.
This is the master bath. The shower/bath combo was really remarkable with the windows and artwork. Very nice indeed.
A view from one of the stairwell windows.
The outside of the stairwell I’d just been standing in.
A walk to the end of the yard for the long view of the grounds and house. Gotta get the shoes in the shot!
This is the “Doggie Dream House”. The website says this house has a value of $1500 but it looks like it cost about 20 bucks to build. Seriously. It’s really cute, but $1500?? Puhlease!
OK, onto some driving to catch a beautiful sunset. I waited a while to get this shot so I could get the girl and her dog in just the right spot. They kept walking back and forth, so I had to time it just right to get them between the posts. The light was gorgeous.
Another shot of the same sunset, a little later. There was a picnic table at the end of the pier and people were out drinking beer and having a good time. Made for a nice shot, I think!
And one more sunset shot taken through the fronds of a palm tree. A nice way to end this post!
I can’t wait to hear all about it!!
~Chantal
Hi Karen! It was so nice to spend some time with you (ok, not nearly enough… but certainly the time I did hang with you was fun). You did a phenomenal job at the workshop!!!
hi karen! it was a pleasure being on the same team with you. we all got our butts kicked the first day and worked through to get some awesome stuff the next day. you really shined and put together an awesome set. very inspiring!
Emilie and Ed – thanks so much for your kind words! You guys were awesome and I felt really honored to hang out with you both! I’m sorry it’s over!! boohoo