the Tiffany Zajas Photography website has launched!

I am so happy to announce that the new Tiffany Zajas Photography website has officially launched! This project has been a few months in the making...and now that it is complete, my heart is dancing with joy. I have been dying to show this to you guys, and now I finally can!

My wonderful, amazing, super-talented web developer husband made this website for me...and I couldn't be happier with it! He is the bomb dot com.

So...go check it out:

www.tiffanyzajas.com

Even though I've been in business for several months, it really feels official now since my site has launched. Thanks to all of you: God, my family, friends, mentors, clients, and blog-readers for all of your support during these beginning stages of my business. I really couldn't do this without you. Your comments, encouraging words, and smiles have meant the world to me. THANK YOU! :)

While we're here talking business, I should also let you know that:

I now have a Facebook Page. At first I felt really weird setting one up, because I thought it was awkward to ask people to be my "fans"...but Jonathan convinced me that "this is what small business owners do" and that you guys won't think I'm full of myself for setting one up. haha. :) So, if you're interested, you can go on over and become a fan of Tiffany Zajas Photography.

And, if that isn't enough, you can also follow me on Twitter.

Thanks again for all of your love and support! You guys rock. :)

my wonderful family.

I cannot even begin to explain to you how very thankful I am for my family. They have always been there with me through everything. They've been my bestest friends growing up. Encouraging me to be everything I can be, and to pursue all of my dreams.

I've always heard the saying: "You can't pick your family." But even if I could, I wouldn't choose any differently.

Mom + Dad have always been such amazing examples throughout my entire life. Through their marriage, through their relationships with us kids, through their relationships with God. I love them to pieces. Mom is one of the most joyful people I know...and my Dad is one of the funniest {and godliest} people I know. Love love love them. Can't say that enough.

Miranda and I are three years apart, so we've always had that special relationship. I was the typical bossy older sister who always wanted things done my way {when Miranda wouldn't let me do her hair, I would run to Mom and ask her to "make" her...ha!} Thankfully she's never stopped wanting to be my friend, and we're closer now than ever. She's super talented {she's written a NOVEL, folks!} and I know God has great plans for her life. Love her.

Ben. haha, this picture makes me laugh...because you have no clue how long it took me to get him to not make a goofy face! This guy has me in stitches pretty much every time we're together. He always let me play tonka trucks with him, which I always appreciated. :) Ben is also super-talented. He's currently studying animation, and he's SO good at it! You'll see his name in the credits of a Pixar movie one day {"Ben Turpin", remember it.} Love him.

Alycia. Alycia and I have always been close. When she was little {and I used to babysit}, I would convince her to do things by pretending to be cows with her...and asking her to do things "for your mommy cow?" haha, yeah it was silly...but to this day we still joke about her being "Baby Cow" and me "Mommy Cow." Good times. She is super-talented. She's an amazing pianist, flautist, artist, and photographer. She also has one of the sweetest, kindest hearts I know. Love my baby cow.

Moriah. Goodness, she looks so grown up in this picture...it's making me tear up a little. Jonathan and my future kids have Moriah to thank for me being at least a little prepared for parenthood. :) Ever since Moriah was an itty bitty baby {and I mean itty bitty}, I had the joy of helping take care of her. She is also super-talented. She's a great artist, has a beautiful voice, and is one of the most organized 10 year olds I know! Love her.

Here we are. The Turpin/Zajas family! I love these people. And see what I mean? Ben can't be serious for a picture. :)

I encourage you to always show appreciation to your family. Tell them you love them, even though you think it is implied. Even if your sister won't always let you do her hair... :)

P.S. Of course, Jonathan and Max are also a part of my beloved family. But I think you've heard a little bit of them before, right? :) Best husband + puppy ever! Love them.

P.P.S. What's that you say? You want to see more photos? Well, you don't have to twist my arm! Click here to see the rest of the images from our little family shoot. :)

you are too blessed to be stressed.

Good morning, friends!

I hope you all are having a terrific day so far. If not, then maybe these will inspire you to smile:

{image from here}

{images via ffffound + we heart it}

our thanksgiving.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It was oh-so-nice to have my family visit us for a few days last week. I had such fun cooking my very first Thanksgiving dinner and playing hostess. Jonathan and I have so much to be thankful for...and we realized that even more this past week. Ah, I just love the holidays and spending time with family. It's the way life should be.

Here are a few snapshots from our Thanksgiving:

My turkey! It actually turned out perfectly! I was so happy.

{thanks for all your prayers...haha}

I cooked my first turkey.

Jonathan carved his first turkey.

We're a team like that.

The family!

We were so happy to have Jonathan's brother, Jeremy, join us as well.

I made this double layer pumpkin pie.

It was YUM! It has an additional cream cheese layer to the normal pumpkin pie.

Apple crisp. My fave. :)

Maxo was thankful that he gets to wear his jacket again.

Look at the excitement on his face!

i'm thankful for...

I'm thankful for...

My Lord and Savior.

And for His many blessings.

Without Him, I am nothing.

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

—Psalm 9:1

Smiling.

It makes me happy.

{image via ffffound.}

Husband.

My sweet, wonderful, Jonathan...

He makes life so much fun, and is such a blessing to me every day.

I love him more than words can describe.

Friends.

hehe.

Nashville.

Our new home.

For this place, for the people, new friends we are making.

For our future here together.

Max.

He brings lots of joy to our hearts.

And he lets us dress him up in silly costumes.

Our Family.

We're so thankful for all of them.

They're great blessings to us.

The opportunity to do something I love.

For Inspiration.

{image via vol.25}

Happy Thanksgiving! :)

diy felt leaf garland tutorial.

When I saw this handmade felt leaf garland by Elsie, I knew that I had to figure out how to make one for myself! I love festive decorations, and thought this would make a fun addition to our Thanksgiving Day decor.

The materials you'll need:

• three (or more depending on how long you want to make it) sheets of felt--I got mine at Wal-Mart in the kid's craft section for just $0.25 each.
• yarn
• marker or fabric pencil
• scissors
• crewel needle (it has a larger eye for the yarn to go through.)
• needle threader

To start things off, I hand drew a little leaf...then, I cut it out to use as a guide to draw out the rest of the leaves. I drew about 10 leaves on each sheet of felt (for a total of 30 leaves.)

Next, I took my yarn. Cut it to the length I wanted it. And then pulled the yarn apart into two separate groups of two strands. (I hope that makes sense...if not, here's a picture for you below.)

Now it's time to thread the needle. I use a needle threader, because I just don't have the patience to thread that needle without it. :) Make sure to tie a knot at the end of your yarn.

Then start stitching away! Don't worry about it being in a perfectly straight line...I kind of like the imperfect look of it.

Once you've stitched one leaf, you overlap another leaf on top of it and sew it into place. Stitch & repeat. (I alternated my leaves--red, orange, brown--but you can do it randomly if you'd like.)

Just keep stitching until you've reached the desired length for your garland. And, VOILA! You have yourself a pretty little Thanksgiving garland that you can use year after year. :)

{all images by me}

This little project only cost me $0.75 and took just an hour of my time. Plus, it was super fun to make!

monday inspiration: look at the sunny side of everything.

{via kind over matter}