Rain Days=Trash the Dress

I am sure that many of you have heard about trashing the dress. Of course it normally pertains to wedding dresses but I decided to mix it up. At first I didn't like the idea of some one ruining a dress just to ruin something but after I looked at some pictures I realized they might ruin the dress but they are making beautiful memories and photographs. Honestly I learned to love the juxtaposition between a beautiful/proper dress and opposite actions.

Again here is Emily. She is my favorite muse, although, I am looking for new models to give Emily a break. If any one is familiar with NY we have been getting non-stop rain. Yesterday (the day of the shoot) we had storm watches/warning/advisories, we also had flooding and the list goes on. She stood out in the rain and I think we got some amazing shots. Take a peek.

Some of them might appear a tad blurry. They aren't in 'real life' these are 3rd generation saves!

We are suppose to get the same weather tonight and tonight is ghost hunters… so I am very okay with this!

Comments are always welcomed!

Happy mid-week. I don't know about all of you have I am excited for my Friday off!

Please scroll down to see all of the pictures.

SMOOOCHES,
Steph

Run, Don't Walk, From The……..SLOB

You thought the blob was scary?!?!! Well, you haven't met the slob­­­­­­- me. I am sure most of you have noticed that there hasn't been much art coming from me lately. Yes, I have been busy with vacation, weddings, and photography but I am afraid I have committed a serious offense. I would go as far as saying I committed a crime against humanity. This is my art table.(insert terrible horror scream).

I haven't produced art because I can't seem to get to my art table. Sadly, it has been this way since I feel ill 3 months back. I just haven't cleaned it. Sure there has been time, but… cleaning is no fun! But I miss my painting and in order to paint I need my table back.

In all fairness, I use everything that is on that table and I just don't have the proper storage. In fact, that desk is SQUISHED in the corner of my living room. It is the pits. Not the kind of location that breeds creative thoughts. We have been looking for a new place but can't seem to find anything in our price range (especially during track season). We live right next to Saratoga Race Tack (horse racing).

To make matters worse all of my sewing supplies are 30 mins away so every time I want to sew I have to drive. There is just no room. Trust me it gets worse, our eat in kitchen houses Adam's desk and computer so there is no eating table! We can't even have people over for dinner.

Well well well, people tell me that even if I had a mansion there wouldn't be enough room for all of my 'stuff'. But, I know that everyone here knows that art supplies takes up a lot of space. So next time you see me… Don't walk, run as fast as you can in the opposite direction, for if I touch you, you might become a slob.

Happy Tuesday

Smooches
Steph

As For Friday

WOW....
Excuse me if I seem out of it. This morning has been rough. I normally get up at 7:40am to get ready for work. I haven't been sleeping great lately so last night I must have fallen into a REALLY deep sleep. This morning I heard an alarm go off, since I am the only one that works on Friday I figured it was my alarm and struggled to get up and go take a shower. I am standing in the shower thinking about how exhausted I am and that this week of little sleep really did me in. I get out and do my make-up and my hair, I get dressed and have breakfast. Then I sit down at the computer to check my email and I realize it is only 7:20am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had gotten up a whole hour early and it was ADADADADAMMMMM who set his alarm and failed to tell me he was getting up early today to work on his mom's car. Honestly I could have killed him. Now I am EXHAUUUUSSTED to the 10th degree, and the exhaustion is accompanied by a MASSIVE headache!



To make matters more difficult we have to take a 5 hour trip tonight to NJ for my brother's wedding tomorrow. UGH!!!!!!!!!! So I told Adam that I am going to have to get some sleep in the car or I will just be ugly.

I wasn't going to post these picture but....here they are... I took these around town the other day. I put antiquing filters on them, but I am a little disappointed. When I was enhancing them they didn't look AS contrived but once I saved them they seemed a little vintage overdone. OHHHH TWELLL..




I still have so much more learning to do technically with understanding the electronic mode of photography. I am nervous that since I messed with the setting so much that is has messed the settings up because now I am having issues getting crisp shots. MAN I wish we had dslr classes. So here are my purposely antiqued photos that I named "Vintage Saratoga"



In my time of photography (and with that I include my video photography) I MUCH perfer to capture subjects that have souls. I love finding out who a person is through their eyes. I like the story that they tell me without speaking. I like that interaction that I just can't seem to get when photographing nature. If I could I would photograph people all day. I know this is unrealistic so I will enjoy what I can get right now :)







HAPPPPY Weekend,

Smooches,
Steph

Stephanie Mannuci Photography

Stephanie Mannuci Photography

______________________________________________________________________

I know it doesn't hurt to have such a beautiful subject but I am very pleased with the way these turned out! I took them in overcast weather (PEEERFECT picture taking weather that is)
I didn't use a flash because I really don't like flashes and the artificial look. I like raw natural live color and beauty.
This is Adam's sister Emily and she is a wonderful person inside and out (I am sure you can see that.) She has so many dimensions that she really becomes the perfect subject. She lets you in and allows you to see what is behind those baby blues. I can't wait to take more pictures with her!

She has a good heart and she was very patient with me. Not everyone likes to get their picture taken! I didn't have to twist her arm too hard once I told her she could have the photos.

I really wanted to capture the lush greens in juxtaposition to her pale hair and skin

Now I am totally changing topics since I just need to write this to write it. I like to share my thoughts and feelings as much as I can. I want people to understand my art and to do that I think it is nice to let people see who you are as a person. More important to see that not everything is perfect and beautiful all the time. I know some time ago I wrote about my love for imperfection. I should have wrote more about coming to terms with imperfection. So I guess this is what I am doing now.

"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

If I could live by one quote I would love to live by this one. Lately (and by that I mean the last year) I have been struggling with this and big time. I hold everything to such a high standard, including myself but I fail to recognize that nothing is perfect. Also I fail to realize that I can't change and control everything. Honestly it has caused a huge upheaval and I can't seem to come to terms with acceptance. I am not even sure how to accept and the more I reflect I am not sure if I have ever just accepted anything. I wish to be at easy but I always feel as though I am in a constant battle......I want to be at ease, I want to taste serenity, if only once.







I would like to say I am slowly working on it. But I don't know where to start. I find it very hard to understand life right now, I know it is such a beautiful thing and there are some aspects about it I love, I love creating and sharing my creations with others. I love talking with people who share in similar interests. But in all the beauty inner turmoil always finds me. Really I am tired of being Debbie Downer. There is so much I enjoy and want to share but certain outside influences never allow me to fully blossom. I am held back from what I know I can achieve and I become bitter. I am in a situation that won't last forever but a situation that keeps me from pursuing my arts. A situation that is necessary and a situation I must give acceptance. This is strange because I never let anything beat me.....but I feel if I don't accept it I will be beating myself in the end.

I wish everyone a WONDERFUL Wednesday. I know Ghost Hunters are on tonight and Adam will be home so in all honestly it doesn't get much sweeter than that!

Please leave any comments you would like to about the photos. I love to hear feedback! No really please critique

Smooooochhhess,

Steph

Tuesday Suprise

OKay folks this is my big surprise... I FINALLLLLLLLYYYYYYY broke down and bought a real D-SLR. I can't tell you how over the moon I am about this little guy.

Adam and I call her the baby. HEHE we are silly. We actually totally personified the camera and since it hangs around my neck 24/7 we thought it was only proper to treat it like a baby.

I still have a TON to learn since the only other camera a used besides a point and shoot was an old film 35-mm for a short period of time. Well I have a college concentration in video editing and photography but this is considerably different

I am still getting hung up about how to get the right amount of light when I am shooting in the dark (and I don't want to use the flash.) I am finding that to be the most challenging.

Adam's sister and I did a photo shoot yesterday and I have to say the pictures came out Great! well at least I think so. I believe there is pleasing composition and good use of the 3rds rule. I have a bunch more but I will save them for another time when I unveil her portfolio. Of course just for fun but you never know, I might become a pro photog yet!

Happy Tuesday everyone! Please be prepared to see a lot more pictures than art as now I am trying my hand at this new wonderful amazing medium!

Alllllll suggestions are always welcomed and appreciated!

Smmochesssss,

Steph

I am hommmmeeeeee

Hello EVERYONE! Boy did I missedd you all. I am back home with lots of work ahead of me.. by that I mean laundry. I just got home from the cruise last night at 11:00 pm and I have to go to work today. EIK, I know, but I have tons of pictures to show everyone and great stories to tell. I will leave you with this one.... this was my favorite part of the Caribbean cruise, Royal Carribean's private island Coco Cay

I think it will take me a few day to unwind and unpack. But I have something very exciting to share with everyone that is going to change the look of almost everything I do, I will give you a hint.... it will help me capture great detail..... (I am sure I gave it away)

HAPPY Monday (if there is such a thing)
SMOOOOCHESSSS
Steph

Such an Odd Day!

Howdy All

Happy Tuesday!

Ironically I think Tuesday is my least favorite day of the week. I know it should be Monday but it takes until Tuesday for me to realize my weekend is gone.

Before I show some pictures from the weekend I thought I would tell you about some eerie things that have happened today. I love the mystery behind it all, allows my imagination to run wild.

Just to paint a picture for you, it is very rainy and foggy outside today. Almost like an ominous cloud is being cast. I was walking to work today (8:30 am) and I took a short cut through a CVS parking lot that is quite large. In the middle of the lot I see a mass of people. At least 40 people all men in dark suits. Naturally my first thought was that there was a funeral but that thought soon dissipated because I realized there are no churches in the general vicinity. And with that, why would it only be men. I then saw a large van which looked like a news van but then realized it wasn't and the doors opened and I saw a woman in a tan suit sitting (in what I thought was a wheel chair, this would explain the large van). Of course this is on a day I didn't wear my glasses so my vision was skewed. I really thought this was odd, but I didn't want to get too close to them so I continued to walk to work. As I reached the end of the parking lot to walk down the stairs (it is a raised lot with stairs like in the Exorcist) I saw lots of flashing lights up the road. There had to be at least four cop cars surrounding something. Interestingly I found it unrelated to the people standing in the parking lot. I proceeded to walk to work and kept hearing sirens in the opposite direction. WOW I thought, what an interesting and odd morning it has been and as I got about 100 yards from work there was another accident involving a young girl. This one I could see very clearly as it was across the street from where I was walking. No one appeared to be hurt. So I am glad I walked to work today if not for the sake of being intrigued but since there seemed to be an odd rash of accidents everywhere and my car is new.

So this was an interesting weekend to say the least. I have some picture to show you all! The first are pictures of Adam and I at Americade. I talked about Americade in my last post. Here we are the happy couple.






Below are some pictures that Emily (Adam's sister) and I took of our dog (Sophie) on Sunday. Yes that is Emily's bra on her head. She is so silly and too cute. I got Sophie for Adam for a b-day gift 6 years ago. She is a German shorthaired pointer and I swear she is a person. For anyone who knows this breed they will agree they act like a clingy 13 year old girl. She is overly dramatic, thinks she is a queen, and has really human like qualities. Sophie sits on her butt on the couch with her front paws in the air. She has a weird crush on Adam, and when you discipline her she will roll her eyes at you. DRAMA. She isn't all that fond of me since I am dating her man. HAHA she will get over it!

I did finish the duvet cover, but Adam has been sick in bed for the last four days so I haven't had a chance to make the bed to take a picture of it. When he is well I will make sure I snap a shot!

Alright everyone have a splendid Tuesday. I hope it is less weird than mine has been!

Smooches,
Steph

Friday is My Day

Good Friday everyone!

I come to you from the land of make believe. No not really but I guess there is no harm in pretending.

Before I get on with the post please stop over and visit my Etsy shop as there have been some updates… Let me tell you the new post cards are soooo darn cute. I can't wait to use them myself.

So Last night I made my first duvet cover! I don't want to tell you too much about it now, but I hope to get the button holes in it tonight so I can take pictures and show everyone next week! YIPPY. It isn't the exact color that I wanted but what I ended up getting was hard to find. I guess technically I wanted white but we all know what happens with anything that is white… that is right it gets gross especially if you sleep with it everyday.

I am sure some of you are familiar with Americade. For those who aren't it is a HUGGGGEEEEE bike (motorcycle) expo in Lake George NY. Of course it you see huge caravans of bikes pass by

going north this time of year good chances they are part of Americade. So Adam and I will be there tonight on our little Hondamatic. This is a very rare bike as it had only been made for one year. And as the name alludes it is an automatic bike. Granted I much rather but sporting a Harley, but alas, can't afford one and it is kind of neat to be riding on an antique (1970's).


So if you hear a faint WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO coming from the distance odds are it is me because I absolutely love the freedom of a motorcycle.!

Happy Friday Loves,

Smooches
Steph

Two Posts In A Row! New Piece On Etsy

Howdy All.

It is Wed. which is usually that most blah day of the week for others but not for me... Today is Ghost Hunter day. That is right a full night dedicated to those who look for the supernatural. Always a good time.

Adam is home today getting the house ready for us to leave next week. He is the greatest when it comes to household chores (I gravely pale in comparison!)

Here is the new piece I will be putting as a print on Etsy sometime today! I love her. She is longing for her love to return. I am in love with the background it is one of my favorite shades of green.

I received an award today from the very talented and oh so sweet Jenny from Wonders of Whimsy. She is such an amazing person who does so many great things for our alley kitties. Make sure you stop over and give her some love!

The blog award is for being refreshing and creative, promotes friendship and positive thinking. Do I promote positive thinking? LOL Anyway, the lucky person who receives this award will need to perform the following:

The Rules:

- Create a post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award

- The Award Conditions must be displayed at the post.

- Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved, preferably citing one or more older posts as support

- You must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions

- You must display the Award at any location at your blog

My Two nominations are:

Amariah Rauscher & Things With Wings and Other Things

These 5 ladies have been instrumental in the success of The Muse Behind the Mask and giving me the support/friendship I need to continue with this endeavour. These five ladies are as positive as can be! Almost everyday they post pictures of their art and all art is positive because it is creation. Thank You ladies!

Alright I am off. Have a great Wed.

Smooches,

Steph

Searching For Peace

Before I begin here is a shamless plug. Last night The Muse Behind The Mask was updated with the interview staring Things With Wings and Other Things. Please stop over it is a great interview that I am sure many people will relate too!


"Year by year the complexities of this world grow more bewildering, and so each year we need all the more to seek peace and comfort in joyful simplicities." Anom

Lately I have this anxiety that is building in my gut. By lately I mean the last 6 months. I can't seem to find the calm or even a little relaxing nook in the depths of my mind. My brain is constantly racing and it will not let me have a break. I find myself in a constant search for peace, relaxation, balance, and stillness. I don't even know where to start. I wake up everyday with angst and uneasiness and end my day exhausted and regretful. All I want is a little break a little bit of time to ease my mind, alas; I don't see an end in sight. I want to simplify without giving up the things I love. And the things I love are the things I need. I know the solution but I can't seem to get there and I guess necessity rules a tight jurisdiction over simplicity.

I look at the little bonsai tree sitting on my desk. It turns and weaves in such a smooth easy serpent like way. The little tree stands tall and proud very sure of the direction it is taking, never unyielding, and never in a hurry. To me this tree is peace and I want to be the tree.



This little Aceo isn't finished I still have a little background work to do on it. This uneasiness in my life has left it very hard for me to paint or draw. I have been crafting in different ways but I miss my true love my fine art. I just have to get in the zone again. I have been seeing so much inspiration and my fellow artists excelling that I know I have to step it up.

The good news is I have written the first 20 pages of my book. YIPPY. Of course this is the first draft with many many revisions to go but I think I am on to something here.

Unfortunately I might be scarce the next couple of weeks as I have my brother's wedding shower this weekend and then the CRUISE the next weekend AND THEN my brother's wedding the weekend after that. I will try to touch base here and there but I will be a busy girl. I just want to relax.

Talk to you all soon.

Smooches,

Steph

O-Happy Rainy Day

It is rainy elephants and tigers here in good old New York for the second day in a row. I love the way the drops of rain trickle down the window and the gray tones mask the sky. AHHHH my utopia. The other day I was lucky enough to walk home in the rain and everything around me was such a lush shade of green. I just wanted to sit there and let the rain wash over me and wash everything away. I guess some people feel about the sun the way I feel about rain, I feel reborn, rejuvenated, and like nothing else matters at that moment.

Stepping into rain makes me feel like I am stepping into mystery. When most people are scrambling for umbrellas I discard mine. I don't want to be shielded; the rain is so lovely and surprisingly inviting. If you haven't danced in the rain I strongly suggest you do it. No it is never too late. Don't look at getting wet as an inconvenience think of it as an opportunity to welcome what most people run from.

Okay so I will tell you one thing I have been up to considering it has been taking a good portion of my time. I hoped to have pictures but, alas, this is kind of hard to take pictures of.

Deep down I have always wanted to be an author, and yes I know who doesn’t, but I didn't want it for the money I wanted it for the beauty of composed words. I wanted euphemistic sentences to tickle my fingertips. I wanted people to relate to what I was saying and to live if only for a second in my thoughts. So that is what I have been dreaming and trying to turn into my reality. These things take resources, research, and time I never seem to have. I know what John Myer was trying to say when he said, "I'm bigger than my body gives me credit for," mentally I want to stretch from here to infinity with ideas and creations, but physically I can't, but it won't stop me from trying. So I am continually working on improving and creating.

So take my word for it. I have things in the works things but I feel will all come together in the end, but for now just makes me look like a scattered mess.

Oh, and I have been crafting please don't think I have given up on it, but it is preparation for an event so please stay tuned!

Smooches,
Steph

I Won't Tell You Twice

I believe you are probably saying to yourself right now, "why does this picture look familiar?" That is because it looks like your mother's scorn, and you would be correct. Now I won't tell you twice, hop on over to The Muse Behind The Mask to vote for the next Muse. There isn't much time left, it ends this week!

Okay ladies (to any gents that are reading this is when you want to stop reading... really stop!) So you all know how I am going on a cruise in June.. June 15th I get on board and just like those commercials on TV mother nature is stopping by AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. … … I think I could kill some one. My first vacation in forever and I am going to be curses with the ugliest, worst, more miserable thing in creation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you oh holy smitter. But of course I am not a delicate 3 days low flow all I have to wear is a panty liner kinda gal. NOOOOO I am a hold on to the seat of your pants this is going to be a bumpy 10 dyas. To make things worse I am not on BC so I can't even skip! Yes so as you can imagine I am freaking out this is a wedding gift and I am going to be running around like the hulk on steroids. PLEASE ANY SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOMED NATURAL OR NOT! So for the men that did read that I apologize…. I told you to stop ;)

I hope to have another post soon to explain what I have been doing. Contrary to what my updating shows I have been really busy and I REALLY want to explain and show you all what I have been doing and where.

Smooches to all.

Oh and thanks for reading the ugly part of this post. I would say disgusting but hey it happened to almost all women.