In a world where you turn on the news and its nothing but national tragedy, followed by national disasters, by killings/death in your own backyard….its hard to have FAITH in the greater good. Its hard to put into understanding the kidnapping of an innocent child, the death of 19 firefighters whom were heroes in the truest form, or the brutal home invasion attack on a mother in front of her 2 year old in our very own state here in NJ. Its all just far too sad to wrap our heads around.

I spent yesterday recovering from a wedding, shooting a gorgeous mama-to-be and then had dinner with my mom, sister, aunt, children and husband. With take out subs to go, we sat around the beach house table and played “Heads Up!” For those of you that do not know what that is….PLEASE GO LOOK IT UP!! This is Ellen DeGeneres’s game/app she plays with hers guests on her iPad. I am not sure I have laughed that hard ALL YEAR…and 2013 is HALF OVER! We had the best time playing together and the beauty of my family laughing is enough to MELT my heart!

On the way home I got to thinking about the SIMPLE PLEASURES in life….the pleasures that amongst all the sad, devastating, tragic and evil things in the world…I am happy with and thankful for. Pleasures that make me take this gift of life NOT too seriously….enjoy the moments that take my breath away, and soak up every love filled moment to cherish it forever.

I encourage you…even on the hardest and darkest of days….to think about your Simple Pleasures….the things that make you stop and say, “Life is hard, but goodness I am blessed and happy by these few things.”

Here are SOME of my Simple Pleasures…. (Not in order of importance past number one : P )

1. My family. My Friends! My hardworking hero of a husband that saves lives and impacts them every single day. My 2 boys…that give me the love and strength to make it each day. They all give me such purpose and I am thankful and blessed by that!

2. My camera. It is not just a tool or object. It is an extension of my heart and soul. It is a outlet for the passion and love I have for priceless moments in life that I can share with those in my life.

3. Coffee. Because lets be real…Id be pretty useless without it. My addiction meets new levels each and every day. My poor Keurig!

4. My baby blanket. Go ahead. Judge all you want. Laugh it up. But when I dont feel well and just want to melt into bed and cuddle up, Mr. Blanky NEVER disappoints! (Unless of course I forget him in the washer and then he is useless when wet : P )

5. My TOMS. Because I have some pretty fat and abused feet that only TOMS seem to compliment.

6. 80’s music. I listen to it on my XM everyday and when editing. “Don’t you, Forget about me….lalalala”—Ugh…I just cant help smiling when I hear songs like that! CLASSICS!

7. My clients, brides, grooms. I would NOT be where I am today without their love and support. I literally get to meet and work with some of the most beautiful, smart and amazing people in the world. My job is a total “pinch yourself everyday” kind of experience and I honestly COULD NOT be more thankful for their trust in me with capturing their most priceless of moments.

8. My yoga pants. Aka my work outfit. Because without them, my legs would be cold, exposed, and zippers and tights jeans are just NOT my biggest fan and I am not one of theirs. Comfort all the way!

9. TJ MAXX + HOME GOODS. Seriously…this should be called GUILTY pleasure. I LOVE THIS STORE, (Here in NJ they are combined into one store) but my wallet doesn’t! : P

10. Anything, movie or book…Nicholas Sparks. Truth….I actually LOOOOOOVE to read, and I never get enough time to do it. So I plan to read ONE book this summer. Have a fave author I need to be let in on? Leave your fave author or must read book below in the comments…Im up for suggestions. : )

So NOW you know a little more about me and hopefully you feel inspired to look at all the SIMPLE PLEASURES in YOUR life and find a reason to smile and have faith amongst a very trying world and a life that is not always so “peachy.”

There is always a reason to smile. Always someone who loves you and someone who needs love. Life is hard, but finding a reason to be happy in moments of this life is SIMPLE!

XOXO,
Kaitlin Noel