So, I happened to see that today’s post is Monday Mash-Up #192, which means I’ve been writing these posts every Monday for almost four years now. How is that even possible?! We’ll have to do something special when we hit post #200 in a couple of months, considering this series was invented as a way to fill blog calendar space :).

Happy first day of the work week, friends! Did your day start off as well as mine? I doubt it- my day began with a strawberry frosted donut (doughnut?) from Duck Donuts, and it was absurdly delicious. They make the donuts right in front of you- you get to see the dough drop into the hot oil, and then they frost it with whatever flavor you choose. It’s impossible to describe how much better a hot & fresh donut is than one from Dunkin. Don’t get me wrong- Vanilla Cream donuts from Dunkin are BANGIN. But Duck Donuts is even better!

Did you guys just get a cavity while reading that last paragraph?

As always, lessons learned/events that transpired over the last week!

• I think the best part about shooting film for all my travel work is that by the time I get my scans back, I’ve forgotten what I took photographs of, so it’s this fun surprise of “what’s on this roll?” as I go through each of them! All my film from Paris & London came back last week and I fell in love with travel all over again.
• I DO need to exercise a bit more restraint next time, though- I took three photos of a white peacock. THREE. That’s $6 for three frames, when you consider film + lab costs. Get a hold of yourself, Abby.
• To be fair, he was a pretty handsome peacock, though!
• We finally sent out my new bridal guides!! I bought the template from my good friend Katelyn a year and a half ago, and thanks to our amazing business coach who helped kick my butt in gear, my brides finally have these gorgeous new magazines in their hands!
• One of the best aspects of being self-employed is the fact that we get to decide our own schedule. I worked straight through last weekend by second shooting for a Kate on Saturday, and working on Operation Unicorn last Sunday. So Matt and I took last Monday afternoon OFF and visited Stone Tower Winery for a glass of wine and a gorgeous view! I am SO EXCITED that I get to go back there at least three more times in the next year for weddings!
• I shot an engagement session in Philadelphia last week and my bride asked me to meet them at the top of the “Rocky steps” at the art museum. So as Matt & I scaled the stairs, I played Eye Of The Tiger on my phone. Matt rolled his eyes, but secretly, he thought it was awesome. Probably.

A frame from Chateau de Versailles! In case you didn’t hear over on Instagram, I’m doing my #50daysinParis series again! So make sure you’re following along to see all the French goodness we’ve got in store for you!

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