Happy Sunday from Albany, New York! I spent the week in my hometown with Wanderland Vice President Tucker Baackes — who just so happens to be the cutest cocker spaniel in town — enjoying some down time between trips and taking care of all that pesky real life business that I spend most of the year outrunning, ie. going to the dentist and ophthalmologist; cleaning out my closet and sending a big clothes donation to a local charity, and making some much needed gear repairs and replacements.

My biggest move of the week was ordering a new DSLR, a new underwater camera setup, and new versions of a few other electronics that have recently failed me. They were huge expenditures and the simultaneous timing of their urgent purchase was unfortunate, but considering they are the tools of my trade I had little choice in matter. After much research and contemplation, I feel confident in my purchases and now can’t wait to start shooting with my new fleet. I’m looking forward to doing a post about my new family of Canons — looks like this page is going to need updating soon.

Paint and Sip Saratoga

So, after a week filled with nothing but work, working out, and wiping out my meager life savings, I was thrilled to have a dear friend’s wedding shower on the docket for the weekend. After a beautiful shower in Saratoga, the bachelorette kickoff activity was a private party at a Paint n’ Sip studio. I couldn’t have been more thrilled to join in — I’ve been dying to check out one of these places since they started popping up all over the US a few years ago. It was such a fun group activity and felt so good to have a paintbrush in hand again.

For a quiet week, I had a quiet post — just one photo. But it’s a good one, because it inspires me to finally make good on that promise I always make to myself. A promise to start creating art again.

 . . .

Well, I guess I can’t ask which photo is your favorite this week! So I’ll ask a few other things instead — are you interested in camera review posts? Any artists out there that travel with their tools? Does anyone else find cleaning out their closet infinitely more satisfying than filling it? Inquiring bloggers want to know! See you in the comments!

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34 Comments...
  • Rashaad
    June 28 2015

    My question is… what characteristics do you look for in a new camera?

    • Alex
      June 29 2015

      Well, I buy new cameras very infrequently (like I said, my last dSLR lasted almost five years and I generally get two years or more out of an underwater setup) so I’m usually looking for an upgrade from what I previously had — usually I feel I’ve grown as a photographer and am ready to tackle a new challenge. I do stay in the Canon family, as that’s what I’ve always had, so it’s what I feel it most intuitive for me!

  • Camels & Chocolate
    June 28 2015

    Can’t wait to see your snaps with your fancy new cam!

  • Definitely keen to see more camera reviews! I based my purchase of my 15-85mm lens off your review, and have been thrilled with it so far 🙂 Interested to see how you find the 60D over the T2i (I currently have the T3i).

    • Alex
      June 29 2015

      Oh man, I LOVE that lens. I’m so glad you have too!

  • Kacy
    June 28 2015

    I love cleaning out my closet! I always wish I could find a few quality clothing items that wash well that I can wear over and over so I don’t have to worry about such things, but that doesn’t seem to be a possibility in my life quite yet.
    I’d definitely be interested in camera posts. I used to be more into photography than I am now (odd considering that I blog now) and miss such things. Hopefully one of these days I can upgrade again.

    • Alex
      June 29 2015

      This is my third dSLR, starting with my first back when I started college. I wish I had been into photography back then the same way I am now! I’m sure I would have absorbed a lot more of the technical lessons 🙂

  • Kyle
    June 28 2015

    Paring down useless things is satisfying … currently have things that fit in a small box and a manila envelope back home … and that’s it!

    • Alex
      June 29 2015

      Oh man… you’re far more a minimalist than I, Kyle. I have a hard time getting rid of things, funny enough! I’d love to pare down a bit more… but I move slowly with it!

  • Rachel Jones
    June 28 2015

    Home in Ohio & cleaning out my closet too before I go back to India – have 4 laundry baskets full. Although I’m not AS generous as you, I try to sell some things first then take the rest to Goodwill. I LOVE cleaning out my closet!!! Actually, each year when I come home and I come in my bedroom I’ve had since childhood I feel overwhelmed with all my “stuff” and immediately start finding things to get rid of.

    • Alex
      June 29 2015

      Because I never really bought expensive things to begin with, reselling my stuff has been kind of fruitless. If anyone does buy it’s for such a small amount of money, it’s almost hard to justify the time! Things would definitely be different if it wasn’t discount stuff to begin with, ha. And yup, I do the same thing every year when I come home…

  • Kristin
    June 28 2015

    I’m interested in seeing what kind of underwater set-ups you’re looking at! I’ve been wanting to branch out more into underwater photography and am reading all the reviews I can!

    • Alex
      June 29 2015

      Awesome! My post for my s100 was pretty popular so I’ll definitely be sure to do one for the G7x!

  • Ása Steinarsdóttir
    June 29 2015

    I agree Kristin! I really love your underwater shots…I only have GoPro and I feel like the photos always get a little bit greenish. 🙂 But I would love to read your camera review! I just updated my gear in Japan though! It’s soooo cheap over there and plenty of second-hand options too 🙂

    • Alex
      June 29 2015

      Oh man, jealous! 🙂 I often buy refurbished which I think is a pretty good way to save cash on electronics (from reputable outfitters) here in the US. But you’ve just given me another reason to visit Japan…

  • Congratulations on your new gear! I’m still using my old, reliable Canon 500d, but am thinking about investing in a new lense and filter. I like reading about photography too, so I would love to see a camera review post and maybe also get a few photo tips 🙂

    • Alex
      June 29 2015

      Awesome! I’m glad to hear there’s interest — sounds like I had lots of fun photography posts to write ahead!

  • Definitely interested in camera reviews – especially in regards to your underwater setup. We only use a go pro at this point too which is pretty limited. Might be cool to do a go pro/DSLR comparison??? And I LOVE cleaning out my closet – agree that it is infinitely more satisfying than filling it. 🙂

    • Alex
      June 29 2015

      I actually almost never use my GoPro as a camera — I’ve really only used it for video! I’ll be using it a bit this week in place of my underwater camera as my new one hasn’t arrived yet and the old one is totally kicked. So I’ll be interested to see how that goes!

  • Leah
    June 29 2015

    Cleaning out my closet feels SO good! I’m getting better at being ruthless so there’s less waffling between “but I miiiight wear it again soooomedaaaay” and “don’t be stupid, you look terrible in this, not to mention it’s SO three years ago.”

    • Alex
      June 29 2015

      Ugh, can you come do my closet with me? This was a good big clean out but I was far from ruthless. I just have such a hard time letting go!

  • Marbree
    June 29 2015

    Yes please to more camera reviews!

    • Alex
      June 29 2015

      Excited to hear an enthusiastic yes from y’all on that one! Coming up soon 🙂

  • Mary B
    June 29 2015

    I LOVE cleaning out my closet! Sometimes I get a little overzealous and then realize I have nothing left to wear 🙁 But it feels so good to purge!

    • Alex
      June 29 2015

      Oh man, I wish I was so efficient, ha. There is only one thing I ever sold/got rid of that I regret — a pair of ridiculous ombre pumps from Aldo. WHY OH WHY did I sell those?! So many times I wish I could have worn them since, ha.

      • Mary B
        June 30 2015

        Those shoes sound amazing. I gave away a pair of gold wedges after college that I thought I would NEVER wear again… until I needed to dress up as a drag queen for work 10 years later and they would have been perfect. #thestruggleisreal (Luckily Payless came to my rescue.)

        • Alex
          June 30 2015

          Oh Payless! It always does. I love their wide sizes!

  • becky hutner
    June 30 2015

    Definitely interested in camera reviews! And LOVE cleaning out my closet and shedding belongings in general. The lighter the better!

    • Alex
      June 30 2015

      Me too! Yet I rarely live by it, ha. I keep stuffing my closet with hand-me-downs and second-hand finds, so I try to clean it out to keep the equilibrium at least…

  • Wanda
    July 10 2015

    Creating art is great! I advice you to really start doing it! I was painting a lot when I was in school and after that I stopped. Last year I saw brushes in one shop and this is how I started again and I feel amazing! 🙂 Thanks for the post!

    • Alex
      July 13 2015

      Me too, Wanda! I haven’t painted since college (until now) and am trying to get back into it.

  • Camille
    July 14 2015

    Yes! When I came back from my first RTW trip I was shocked at how many clothes were waiting for me at home and I wanted to give it all away, so I had a pretty thorough closet cleaning! Also, I’d never heard about Paint n’ Sip – it sounds like a really fun concept, but unfortunately I draw like a 2-year-old so it would be very embarrassing!

    • Alex
      July 14 2015

      Ha, it’s very friendly to beginners — they really walk you through every step of the painting process, which is kinda fun and makes it into a group activity. I thought I’d hate it as a former art school snob… but it was a blast!

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