Photography

Photography has been an interest of mine for several months now, but it wasn't until this past month that I really felt like I could call myself a photographer. I've come to consider photography one of my passions, right up there with writing and reading, so I guess that's a pretty big deal. And I had my first ever photoshoot Monday. (for my cousins. they wanted family pictures. keep in mind that they are a family of photographers and basically set themselves up and brought a camera of their own. all i did was stand there and click the shutter. it was still kind of intimidating.)

I've learned that I'm anti photoshop. I'll use it for collages and the occasional brightening up, and there are a ton of things it's useful for and that I intend to play around with, but I've discovered that whenever I go to edit a picture, I usually end up just sticking with the original. I like to get it right the first time. Nothing is quite so satisfying as setting up your camera, snapping, and discovering later that you got it just right.

I'm the type of photographer that likes the candid and the everyday. The kind that shies away from the posed and organized. That likes finding simple, everyday moments and zooming in and highlighting them. The type of person who believes that beautiful moments are everywhere and who has vowed to keep her camera close at all times (i'm still working on that one). The type of girl who tries her very hardest to see everything with new, fresh eyes, even if the sight is completely and utterly familiar to her.

Sincerely, mad

Last photo by Rachel Corbally

mad Obsession: Maroon

So I guess you could say this is my favorite color?

My favorite color for the first eight years of my life was purple. My favorite animal was a penguin. When I was eight I came to the realization that there are other colors and other animals out there to choose from and from that day forward I was the kid that said she loved every color and every animal. Now flash forward ten years to when I'm eighteen. I find myself sitting in my room in maroon tights, a maroon skirt, with maroon lipstick on and knitting a maroon scarf. So I guess I can't say I don't have a favorite color anymore. Well actually, I can say whatever I want, but the above photo seems to contradict the no color bias declaration. I should probably also point out that maroon and gold are the colors of the rival high school... sorry blue and orange, I'm not feelin it. Maroon and gold have got you beat. (update in the animal department- i call one of our dogs freak and don't really care for the zoo. i'm not an animal hater, no matter what my siblings say. animals and i just aren't best friends.)

Update: I wrote this two weeks ago and it's been patiently sitting in my drafts, but I'm wearing the maroon lipstick again. It's my favorite. Congrats maroon, you win the title of Sincerely, mad's official favorite color.

Sincerely, mad

mad Obsession: Lipstick

You could say I'm obsessed. I could tell you the brand and color name of every single one. It's kind of a problem. And actually I've added two other tubes since those pics were taken...

So yeah. Lipstick. I love it. Like leaving the house without it is similar to forgetting to put in my earrings or charge my phone or something of equal annoyance. I center entire outfits around what shade of lipstick I want to wear that day. Mascara and lipstick are tied for most important makeup item. I care more about my lip color than my shoes. Is that weird? Maybe. Does that weirdness bother me? No.

I mean, lipstick is just so classy! Red lipstick especially. I am constantly on the hunt for the PERFECT red. Not orange, not pink, not purple. Red. Let me know if you find one, yeah?

Sincerely, mad

Let's Talk About Words

I'm going to tell you a secret. Are you ready?

I'm a word nerd. 

Ok. So it's not actually a secret, but it is kind of fun to be dramatic, don't you think?

Since this is my blog and it is all about things that make me happy, I'm going to impart of my obsession with you. Partake if you wish. 

First off, yesterday was National Punctuation Day. Who knew? In honor of that, this clever riddle appeared on my Pinterest feed. 

^^^How clever is that?^^^

Second: today, Pinterest presented this gem. A list of 100 of the most beautiful words in the English language. My current favorites are petrichor, gambol, and halcyon. 

^^^Could you just die?^^^

And last but not least, a quote from my weekly calendar. One of my passions is language (if this post hasn't just made that obvious enough:-)).

Well, I hope you all have enjoyed this post as much as I have! Have a wonderful Wednesday! 

Sincerely, mad

mad Obsession: Sunnies

Hey! So I've been thinking... how would you all like to here about some of my mad obsessions? You know, like I talk about in my bio? Oh good! I thought you might;)

So here is the first mad obsession! Sunnies. Don't you just love them! (and don't you just love calling them sunnies?) I love sunglasses. It's been raining for days here and honestly, I'm ready for the sun to come back just so I can wear sunglasses. Rain is depressing because it means no sunnies. Don't you just feel cooler with a pair of shades on? I do.

*Disclaimer: I am not a selfie person. Check out my instagram for proof. But this time, I just couldn't resist.

Please tell me I'm not the only one in love with sunnies.

Sincerely, mad

Hi! I'm Mallory.

Hi! I'm Mallory. I am a senior in high school and the oldest of 5 kids. My initials spell mad, which is kind of perfect. 

I'm madly in love with anything vintage or 50s and 60s related, and I love getting dressed up. Lipstick and heels are my idea of perfect. Although I love looking cute, I'm madly obsessed with crossfit and enjoy tennis. I've always been madly in love with music, which means I've played piano for 12 years, am a newbie at guitar, and play organ in church sometimes. I'm madly in love with reading, talking, laughing, and on occassion American history. I madly devour mint and chocolate combinations, and I am madly in love with driving. I always volunteer to run to the store or drop my siblings off because it means I get to sing in the car.

My new mad obsession is blogging, so buckle up and we'll see how this goes!

Sincerely, mad