africa is a m a z i n g

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to whom it may concern

I am taking a small break from ALL YOU TOUCH AND ALL YOU SEE, but leaving behind a few posts for the month of March.

I rarely look at this blog collectively. Since I am the one who finds all the photos, shoots the ones which are mine, writes most of the babble, and reads most of the quotes; I have obviously already seen it all the first time around. Usually I put together a post and then leave it be after that, because there are many more beautiful images I have yet to discover, reflect on privately and then choose which to share with you. That and it takes long enough to create the posts that I actually have to go live my life with the rest of my time, instead of sitting around drooling at the pretty pictures even longer.

I have noticed some patterns looking at it now..

It seems that as stated in the short and sweet ‘about me’ over there to the right of the page that I do indeed still have an obsession with the following --- suitcases, traveling, nature, colors, love, connections, the human form, non human forms, animals of all kinds, fashion and food. I continue to be fascinated by how perfect a cupcake can be or how lovely a shared picnic can make any day. I hope that these small things are ones that I will continue to find happiness in until I am 99 years old. I will never ever be bored by a photo of someone in a train, plane or automobile. Where are they going, what are they doing and who on earth are they in general? I love everything that is woman. I think there is something beautiful in everyone if you are really looking. The perfect curve can be the most beautiful thing.

Today my sweet man sent me a few teaser photos and it absolutely worked. A few of some yumminess that awaits me (that poesface is just so smart and knows that the way to my heart is through my stomach), some pictures taken in the woods signifying unexplored terrain for us, some adorable angel baby that I hope I get to meet too and a road trip plan in the works. I c a n n o t wait to explore Johannesburg and Cape Town. Africa is a whole new animal for me and I am diving in all the motherfucking way. I love being in a completely new place and I couldn’t think of a better companion to do it with than my best friend.

Packing has been interesting. How does one pack for a month away from home? It is the end of summer in Africa and I am in the middle winter at home, this equals a lot of closet turbulence. What is reasonable, what makes you feel good, pretty AND comfortable, stay warm in case of cool nights, cool off on hot days, how many swimsuits, how can I possibly cram ALL these shoes in my bag, how do I choose which books I will be into then, what if I finish them before I get off the airplane like I always do, markers or colored pencils, lined paper or blank, 4 pairs of sunglasses or maybe just 3? These are the things that actually went through my head while packing. If these are my biggest worries, then I have a lot to be thankful for and include in my prayers tonight. I settled for laying out everything on the floor of my living room for the last few days before taking off so I was constantly looking at the spread making sure everything made sense and nothing was forgotten.

So many people have asked me how can you afford to go away for a month, it’s so long, blah de blah etc etc. Primarily, strategic planning and saving have made this possible --- but having the best family in the world, really cool bosses, and a slew of awesome co-workers and friends definitely didn’t hurt. I have Adam to thank for my ticket and it definitely wasn’t easy prepaying multiple months of bills and rent, but it WAS do-able. A lot of hard work and number crunching later I get to take off and go see my love, meet and spend time with his family and friends, have a gang of new experiences, taste things I have never had before (!!), see things I have never seen before, feel the African sun on my face and not think about anything at all except that which is before me at that e x a c t moment. Every long night at work just became worth it.

I have been learning so much lately about life, love and distance but mostly about myself. I have learned that instant gratification is not equal to happiness and that is something that I look forward to knowing and taking with me everywhere I go. I am an avid supporter of living life to the fullest and indulging every day, but I have learned that long term happiness can only come from being truly content with your actual Self. Being real with yourself on every level is where everything begins and ends.

Thanks for the love,

Camelia

PS

I didn’t name my first born blog baby this AND tattoo it across my ribs for nothing..

All you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be ♥

South Africa

Johannesburg



Cape Town

my so called life

cherokee

my papa has the coolest kicks ever :)

he said, "take one of me! take one of me!"

so I did

cherokee

best granola bowl in the universe - at Mudhouse

best in St. Louis - Merb's

chocolate covered strawberry Valentines tradition :)

awesome glitter poster

for mama, chocolate and vanilla cupcakes

for papa, gooey butter cookies and carrot cupcakes

sweet treats make work go by much faster

cool tights, Jamie

sweet sweet teeny tiny baby Ava

I adore baby feet

Paige's glitter hair

more on Cherokee

my new favorite stripe nail polish

a new friend

he stood up fearlessly to some wind that almost blew his little ass away

again, my dad is cooler than yours

addicted

what more do you need than spray paint and shimmer??

something Ryan made that I love

hanging out in the dungeon

serious spraying

yes, glitter in a can!

the bomb ba bomb trail mix from Whole Foods called Mocha Marble Crunch

pecans, yogurt covered peanuts, almonds, chocolate kisses, chocolate covered espresso beans and white chocolate chips

any product that has this on it rocks - Vanity Mark got it right

saying goodbye to old loves

typical day off

playing beauty parlor on myself

Danya - Hey what are you doing, can I come over?

Me - Sure, but can I paint your nails?

Danya - Definitely.

Cristina couldn't resist the stripey polish either!!

I love Mudhouse.

The babiest cactus in the world.

cool cool cool

finally every hair is dye free and au naturel

heathy happy hair :)

new blunt cut by my new favorite, Natalie Clark at St. Louis Salon Lofts in Maplewood

4 things I cannot do without

Dry Cleaning Spray Shampoo by Kevin Murphy

Keratin Intensive Treatment by Paul Mitchell, wild ginger

Lancôme bronzing wand

Vanity Mark mascara

Fried Yuca with spicy cheese sauce

Mango

Avocado, tomato, oregano with romaine and citrus vinaigrette

Mango

Tilapia, mussel and shrimp ceviche - will change your life

Mango

fucking off while waiting for dessert with some of my favorite people ever

dessert

sponge cake rolled in dulce de leche and homemade chocolate cake with fudge icing, both with vanilla ice cream

Mango

Please pay attention to what's going on in the news regarding Planned Parenthoods federal funding - this is criminal and a crying fucking shame.

"Took my chances on a big jet plane, never let 'em tell you that they're alllll the same.."