Hello, my name is Kristen Olivares...the artist, writer, designer and full creator of this blog. I'm glad you made it here...nice to meet you!
So...I'm curious...what is it in life that inspires you? Do you take the time to surround yourself with things that you believe to be beautiful or have you gotten lost somewhere along the way in the mad rush of life?
I created this blog to not only share my photos, thoughts and experiences, but really, I've created this blog for you! Here I have the chance to put my thoughts and ideas out, hoping to bring to you a place you will find inspiration. I hope to help you slow down in life, slow your time down, making you realize once again all the beauty that you are surrounded with every waking day of your life. Here I want to share that beauty through my photography, my writings and experiences. I want to share with you things I've found that have worked wonderfully for me by either making my life simpler, healthier or more exciting! I want to share my thoughts, thoughts on love and motherhood. Thoughts on life, reminding you that it's OK to mess us, it's OK to make mistakes and it's OK to have to start over again. I want to use this space as a quiet place that shares all kinds of words and thoughts, almost like a whisper...one of those that kind of just lingers in the back of your mind. The kind of thoughts you might come back to...the kind you can revisit again. The kind of thoughts that may inspire you or comfort you reminding you once again what life is really about. That's my goal and that's why I've created this blog!
Here's a bit more about me if you want to keep reading…
I am a fun, loving, caring, considerate, hopeful, happy, creative, artistic girl. I have an extremely deep passion for photography and writing. I have the biggest case of wanderlust, yet at the same time I love a good day at home. I am a wife to an absolutely wonderful husband who is the kindest, most honest person I know. I give much credit to him for all he puts up with…me and all my crazy ideas! (Some of which I will be sharing on my blog as well!) I am also a mother to two absolutely incredible, adorable little boys who put a smile on my face every time I look at them.
I’m a big dreamer, yet I do get up before the crack of dawn. Every. Single. Day. Silently I make my way though the house to work on my art and writing, attempting to make some of my dreams a reality. Back in high school I attended cosmetology school and got my license to do hair. I haven't worked in a shop for over 10 years, yet I still keep my license active. I went on to a couple years of school after high school to a local community college for photography. It wasn’t there I learned how to take photos, but it was there I learned how to develop my photos from the ground up with film in the good old dark room. When digital cameras started to take over I swore I’d never get rid of my film cameras. Well, years later, I haven’t used film once since I got my first digital camera. What can I say, advancements in technology won that one! Now I sell my art through shows. (You can check out my website here. www.creativfoto.com).
Another passion of mine is interior decorating, I’ve been blessed with this cool vision to see a room…or an entire house finished in my mind…even in it’s worse conditions. (Like I stated, I’ve come up with some crazy projects)! I love clean, light, uncluttered spaces with lots of windows with a touch of country, to warm and cozy Tuscan style rooms. I have created both styles, effortlessly blending them together in our home. Even though I’ve realized decorating with lots of white isn’t always the most practical and smartest thing with a dog and little boys, I do so anyway because I love the sheer simplicity of the way it looks. You will never enter our house without hearing music on and being greeted by our wonderful, beautiful, loud German Sheppard and our cutest, quiet little Aussie mix!
As for everything else… I don't watch the news, I don't follow celebrities, and you won’t find me up on trends; in all honesty I couldn’t tell you the difference from a $500.00 purse or a nice clean one someone purchased at Goodwill. You will find me out on a morning or afternoon run or sitting on our patio writing while watching my son play in his sand box or tiny swimming pool or we'll be gardening. As soon as the weather breaks here in Illinois, I am out in our yard planting a variety of annuals and perennials that add beautiful color to our yard and home all season long. Throughout the year I’ll display flowers in vases, bringing the beauty, color and life into our home. Yes, you will see many photos of my flowers. It’s one of the things in this world that is most beautiful to me.
The most important things to me in life are being a good wife to my husband, treating him with the love, respect and loyalty he deserves. Being a good mom to my boys and the careful decision in homeschooling them. It’s a lot being a parent with the weight of somehow trying to raise a wonderful respectful, kind, loving, positive child in a world that sometimes seems to be the exact opposite. Yet I always look to the bright side of things. I see the positive in this world. I see the beauty. I see beauty in the simplest things. Which brings me to here. I really want to share this with you. I want to write about this beauty, the positive things in life. I want to inspire you. I want to bring inspiration and beauty into your life and show you that it’s there, you’re surrounded by it every single day. Take a look around you. Like really, really look. You might be surprised at what you find.
If you read this to the end...wow and thanks for taking the time. I hope you enjoy this blog and find some peace and inspiration here!
