1,034.

September 7, 2010 //
0

I’ve been with you for one thousand and thirty four days. One thousand and thirty four days we’ve spent… watching svu, eating double stuf oreos, laughing with out end, listening to matt & kim-daylight, all you can eat sushi, toy story mania, competing as to who goes to bed first, taking pictures with me against your will, getting me water in the middle of the night, eating pei wei and pick up stix, kissing like it’s nobody’s business, making pinky promises, compromising, growing together and one thousand and thirty four good morning texts. One thousand and thirty four days we’ve spent, in love.

 

…I wouldn’t have changed a single thing.

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Categories Personal

celebrating my existence.

September 6, 2010 //
0

No words could describe how thankful I am to be so blessed. I’ve seen my worst, I’ve seen my best and I’ve definitely seen a balance. The times I’ve been down have made me appreciate every moment of happiness that much more. It is times like these where I take a step back, look at my life from a different perspective and couldn’t imagine changing it in any way. I wish I had that mindset every single day of my life but wanting more out of life gets me to who I am today. I’ll never forget where I came from, the people along the way and the journey that got me here… but I will always keep moving foward. I’m so thankful for all the people in my life that make me stronger not weaker, you guys make my heart happy. I will always remember to take NONE of you for granted, because I’ll never know the next moment you will be out of my life… and I couldn’t even imagine that. Thanks, for everything.











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Categories Personal

Happy Birthday Uhlee Designs!

September 1, 2010 //
10

You’re ONE years old! I’m very excited to say that today is the birthday of Uhlee Designs. As my readers, you guys have grown with this blog and seen the changes it’s gone through. Without my readers, this blog wouldn’t have reached the level it is at now. This blog started out as a blog strictly for Photography and my journey on that path. I always knew that writing was a great love of mine but never expected to share my thoughts with the world on the internet. My sister kept telling me, ‘you need to write on that blog of yours.’ I kept thinking to myself, what’s the point? No ones going to read it and even if they did.. they wouldn’t understand.

I woke up one morning, walking to the computer half asleep and began typing. For the first time on that blog, I posted and it had nothing to do with photography. I was surprised that I was opening up so easily to not knowing who would stumble across my blog and read it. But that’s how it all started, the blog then became my life journal and I was addicted to express what was on my mind. I had no expectations for people to sit and read what I had to say, but I didn’t care because I was writing for myself. I was writing for release, for the power of words, the love of writing, and for the respect of my thoughts… because they deserve every bit of recognition. Everyone’s thoughts do.

Even though I didn’t write with the expectation of anybody reading, I was blown away by the responses. There were readers I have never met in my life that I still connect with to this day. I started out writing for me but I also started growing with my readers. When my readers would tell me they can relate to my words, my heart would literally melt. It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard. The fact that my own thoughts can affect another is so powerful, and that is why I fell in love with writing in the first place. Words are the true connection we humans have, without words.. the people, society, the world would not be the same. The way we are able to express love, hatred, sadness, jealousy and simply emotions can be done from our bodies, our smiles, our eyes but when it comes to exactly how we truly feel, that is when words come into place. That is when words do what the body, the smile, and the eyes can’t do.

Lets take a stroll down memory lane, shall we? Starting out as a photography blog, there are photos done by yours truly all over the blog. I went back and chose my favorites and now I’m sharing them with you :)

Anonymous

Brittney Flier

Flaw Month

Aldo Quintino

Shir Yitzhak

Disneyland Giveaway

Ahramahzd Tatavoosian

Danyell Weinberg

Aldo Quintino & Adryella Perez

Jessica Horowitz

 This blog has been there for me when I need to escape and it’s a raw extension of the thoughts that are running around in my head. No one is forcing you to read what I have to say so I wanted to thank you for stopping by and reading. It truly means a lot to me.

In honor of this blog turning a year old I’m having a GIVEAWAY! You will have a chance to win A FREE PHOTOSHOOT by doing one of the three things:

1. Leave a comment here with your name and what you love most about life.

2. Tweet, tumblr, or blog about Uhlee Designs and include a link to this blog.

3. Place a link on your facebook directing to Uhlee Designs.

Doing all three will grant you three entries in the giveaway.

Don’t live in the area? No problem. For those who are unable to recieve the free photoshoot and also the second prize winners will recieve a custom made t-shirt from the SKINNY clothing line and an original canvas from ViviD.R.E.A.M.S.

There are a variety of shirts, after the winner is chosen they will be able to choose from one of the custom made shirts.

The winner will be chosen on Tuesday, September 7th!

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Categories Blog, Inspiration, Personal, Shoot Me

this world is my dance floor.

August 28, 2010 //
0

I close my eyes, I visualize. I see beyond what’s in sight because the world around me is only temporary. What’s up here, in my mind, I can only try to begin to describe. I feel alive, I feel unreal. My mind is moving at the speed of light, my body is being lifted higher and higher. I can feel the voices in my head, keep moving, keep going. My heart is keeping up, my breath is sweet and serene. My mind is high and intoxicated, it is too occupied to send messages so it leaves my body to do the rest. My feet have a mind of their own, they take the lead, they call all the shots. The music is filling the room, filling my body, my mind, my heart. I feel free, my feet are taking me far, they’re taking me to a place I’ve been to before. A place I can feel myself. I open my eyes, I see an empty room. There are mirrors covering the walls and I only see a strong, hopeful woman staring back at me. I’m in the middle of the rhythm and the beat, I can feel my heart and feet moving to what is flowing from the speakers. It’s just me, right here right now, in this empty room and I have the freedom to be whoever I choose to be. My mind is still high so I don’t think… I just feel. I start to feel the music in my bones, they are going deep into my skin and taking over my entire body. I close my eyes and my body starts doing what it knows best, it lets the music take control and begins dancing. I suddenly feel at home, I feel safe, complete and happy. My moves speak for me, they sing for me, they paint for me, they translate what my entire being is trying to portray. I save my emotions for when I dance because dancing is my biggest release. Dancing is an extension of my heart and this world is my dance floor. My passion for dance is beyond this world. The music stops, but my body keeps moving. I’m slowly coming back to reality and I feel my mind slowing down. I open my eyes and I’m suddenly in a room filled with people I recognize. I realize this high was only here because I put it there, that I can feel free and unreal any time I want as long as I never stop moving, as long as I always keep going. My body comes to a stop and I walk over to the stereo and press play. I close my eyes, I visualize. I see beyond what’s in sight because the world around me is only temporary.

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Categories Art, Inspiration, Personal

if only the world knew it was beautiful.

August 27, 2010 //
0

‘Someone asked me the other day, “why photography?” And at first my mouth wanted to start talking about how I was just “so in love” with it. And then I stopped, and actually thought about it.

Yes, I love photography. I love it more than a whole lot of things in this world, including many desserts and sadly many people. But there are things I love more. I love the blur of colours constantly surrounding my eyes, filling them up and changing. I love walking home at night with my headphones drowning out my mind, mouthing along to the lyrics because at that moment they all seem to make so much sense. I love looking out of the windows on trains and noticing the smallest things that would usually have passed me by, and following that piece of lint floating round the room for minutes at a time. I love all of this far more than I love photography. Photography allows me to remember it all, it allows me to enjoy it all because as a photographer, my life is utterly complete and utterly my own to enjoy at my own pace. As photographers, we can do whatever we want with our lives and it was only when someone asked me “Why photography?” that I really really realized why I am in love with it. Photography let’s me live, it let’s me feel alive. And damn, that came across way more dramatic than I intended it to, but hey ho, what’s life without a few metaphors once in a while!’

I couldn’t have put it better myself, a quote directly from my favorite photographer, Rosie Hardy. Want the honest truth? Rosie was the reason I fell in love with being a photographer. Not photography… but a photographer. Rosie never made photography about the money or the business but about the passion. She has a genuine love for the world around her and definitely knows how to show it working behind her lens. If you check out her flikr you will understand, because I simply don’t think my words could amount to how talented she is. I suggest checking out her ’365′ album, that is where the brilliance begins. I’ve been stalking her for quite some time :) I’ve grown to get to know her, and I can almost picture what her little British voice sounds like from reading about her life. She has a very beautiful mind and a very creative heart… she opens up, but just enough to really make you want to meet her. She isn’t afraid of going beyond, or creating what her mind has imagined. Each photo of hers is unique and you can truly feel the story behind it, she knows how to create a masterpiece out of a few buttons and marbles. She can create an entire world by a single photograph, and she has such depth in her photos and her stories. I have fallen in love with her art and her mind. What I respect most about Rosie is the brilliant self portraits she makes, it’s one thing to shoot a person… but to shoot yourself is a whole different ball park. Ha, I just read that last sentence. I love a photographer who can be in front and behind the camera and capture both photos beautifully. When I wanted to give up on photography I would go on Rosie’s flikr and I would be inspired time and time again.

Photography to me isn’t about the photo shop or the lighting or even how perfect my model looks, photography to me is capturing the world around me just the way I see it through my eyes. Photography is being able to tell a story with a photograph, it is a memory you can’t store in your mind, it is details that make your eyes go crazy. Photography, is an extension of our hearts and our minds. It is about creativity, escape, and release of your emotions. Anybody can pick up a camera and click a button… it’s far beyond that. It’s being able to look deep into the photo and see more than meets the eye. To be able to feel the emotions in the photograph and see the story being told. A talented Photographer can simply achieve that. A talented photographer also knows there are flaws in this world so they don’t strive for a perfect picture… they strive for a beautiful interpretation of their own imagination.  There is no correct interpretation, yet your own. That is why I love photography… because unlike society, people or math problems… there is no wrong or right answer. There is the beauty that you see through your eyes.

Oh yeah and, she’s fucking amazing with photo shop. :) She’s so incredibly creative and I’m very glad I stumbled across her photography because it’s beyond inspiring.

I haven’t photographed in a while and I think that urge is coming back. The urge to photograph everything in sight. Photography coming soon.

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Categories Art, Featured, Inspiration

i absolutely love

August 26, 2010 //
5

my english class. For now. I definitely don’t love my crazy teacher. He talked about Brittney Spears, twitter, and his grateful dead t-shirt for about a half an hour. Oh yeah and he calls weed a ‘smokey thingy’ Ah. I do love when he forces us into groups and makes sure we communicate with people who might seem as if they’re mute. No sarcasm intended. The best part about being an english major is being surrounded by people who… think like you. Rolls off the tongue doesn’t it? It’s easy to find people with common interests these days but it’s not so easy to find people who have the same views, or even share the same thoughts. We shouldn’t judge a person because they don’t see our way of thinking or they disagree, but we do find  stronger relationships with those who we do connect with on a deeper level. It blows me away when I meet someone, totally do the humanly thing to do and judge and then the conversation completely mind fucks me. When one person can open up my mind by simply expressing what is on their mind, that… that is what I absolutely love. It’s crazy to not be able to know what another person is thinking, and it’s even more crazy to think that there are so many different ways of thinking. We don’t all just think alike nor agree on the same thoughts every time. When I was in my group talking about English Lit I was also falling in love at the same time. Falling in love with the people who were surrounding me, falling in love with literature all over again, and falling in love with my own mind for being able to love other minds just as much as my own.

Having an ‘open mind’ doesn’t necessarily mean you are willing to open yourself to anybody, or even willing to say yes to every event or person because you’re trying to be open minded about the situation as they say. To me, open minded means thinking outside the typical human thoughts. Being open to interpretation, being open to stepping outside of your comfort zone and understanding a different perspective. Being open minded can be anything you make of it, as long as it’s beyond simple thoughts. Taking your mind to a higher level. It’s very difficult to explain such a thing but if you know exactly what I’m talking about… then you just know.

When collaborating in my group, I felt such an electrifying feeling. The vibe was real, it was refreshing. For once when I was speaking exactly what was on my mind, they’re werent people looking at me like I’m crazy. They understood what I was saying. I’m not saying what goes on in my head is the way to think but it’s as if I stepped into a chemistry class or even an algebra 2 class! I would have no idea what they’re even talking about, it would be in a completely different language. When God created the human race, he knew we weren’t all going to be alike but that is the best part, I get unravel a person like a present… I can’t wait to open them up, find out what’s inside. I’m like a little girl on Chanukkah. Open minded people, plus a mind blowing conversation is WHAT I LIVE FOR.

Whenever I feel like I’m down on my luck with people, there is always that one person that comes along and changes my life. It’s the one person where you can sit for days and the conversations never end, it’s when you just look at them and know what they’re thinking, it’s when you say something and even if they don’t agree they completely understand and yet they don’t judge you for it. I absolutely love, those kinds of relationships. I seriously thank God for placing those people in my life. I can sit for hours and talk about this topic but in reality what I think could be completely different from the next person. I just place my thoughts onto the computer screen regardless of whose reading.

On a lighter note, this cracks me up every time. My favorite animal is the hippopotamus. I’m actually a bit obsessed. Did you know that? Well now you do :) What’s yours?

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Categories Inspiration, Personal

the only constant thing in life is change.

August 25, 2010 //
0

I remember it like it was just yesterday. I was woken up by the man that was on the tv, my eyes were still sealed shut but I wanted to get up and lower the volume because his voice was filling up the entire house. Why was the volume that high anyways. I told my body to get up but it wouldn’t, it was simply too early.

“NATALIE!”. Yep my body’s up now. I run to my moms room worried that something happened and I walk in to see her staring at the tv. I turn around and the man’s words are filling my ears with words I couldn’t believe. Aaliyah has died in a plan crash coming back from filming a music video for ‘rock the boat’. She was talented and knew where she was going in life. I grew up with Aaliyah’s song’s in my cd player and as I was standing infront of the tv, I was confused to why I felt so sad. It was weird to me that I felt sadness for someone who I have never met but I guess I just thought it wasn’t fair… it wasn’t fair that our lives could just end one day without any notice. I know God does not owe us anything, but sometimes it’s hard to plan our lives out not knowing when our last day here is going to be. Aaliyah definitely left her mark on the music industry and will forever be remebered as an artist with, a ‘street but sweet’ kind of voice.

It was nine years ago today that Aaliyah has left this world. My favorite song by Aaliyah is, I miss you.

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Categories Inspiration

“what are you thinking about”

August 24, 2010 //
0

ello. I wish I was british sometimes. Anyways, fall semester started and I still feel like it’s summer, especially since today was hot and Shir is here. :) I love that I get to see her anytime I want to. It just sucks because it won’t last. I’ve been feeling very creative lately and my head is running nonstop. My ideas, they don’t stop screaming at me until I get them down on paper, but I rather have them screaming than hiding so I’m feeling pretty good. I’m having dancing withdrawals and can’t find the right way to fix it. I’m taking an english class towards my major and a hebrew class because I can. My english teacher is straight nuts but as long as I don’t start speaking hebrew in my english class and Shakespeare in my hebrew class… I’ll be fine this semester. I don’t do this often… start talking about random stuff in a post but I felt like it today. I felt like letting you in on my life for a little.

I’m going to miss one of my best friends, I don’t tell him how much I’m going to miss him but I will.. a lot. Oh yeah, he’s going away to school and I’m not use to having him so far away. It’s interesting how friendships work, some friendships are only there when they need you, sadly. Some are there when you need it most and will always be, and my favorite are the ones where you don’t talk to the person for who knows how long and the minute you guys do… it’s like time stopped and you are starting just where you guys left off. That’s definitely my friendship with this kid and some times I wish I could see him more but I know reality wouldn’t let me. I really do live by, I won’t make an effort to keep you in my life if you don’t make an effort to keep me in yours. I simply don’t see the point? Friendship is a two way street and I will meet you half way because I’ve learned my lesson with going all the way. For the time being, I’m very thankful for my friends because they are waiting in the middle with a huge smile on their face.

I still haven’t seen eat pray love. I know, I know. Shocking. I’m waiting to see it with my sister because I probably can’t imagine seeing it with anybody else. She came over today and I completely attacked her because I missed her so much. I love that she has a baby that I love him as if he was my own child but I do miss her. I miss being able to see her whenever I wanted to, I know having a child is hard and time consuming so I step back and give her the space but some days I want to be selfish and want her all to myself.

I’m looking for interesting blogs, any suggestions? My usuals are taking too long to blog. While I’m at it… music as well. Any suggestions for that too? I’m always looking for new stuff to stimulate my mind.

I wanted to stop and thank you guys for reading, no one forces you too and you do it on your own.. that’s what I love the most. This blog will always be for me but to know someone is reading along makes my heart a bit happy. I wanted to share two songs, one that inspires me no matter what mood I’m in and one that will always affect me in a way I don’t even think I can describe.

Good night world.

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Categories Personal

Don’t believe the hype.

August 24, 2010 //
0

Nothing is ever all it’s cracked out to be. Unless… you are the one cracked out. Not so fast, I don’t mean drugs. I mean cracked out on life. At times we don’t necessarily go with the flow, we go with the crowd. Whatever we find everyone doing, we want it to. We crave the ultimate drug.. the addiction of acceptance. We just want to fit in, we just want to be viewed with eyes full of approval. Even if it means we don’t exactly make good choices or we do stuff we don’t even want to do, we don’t care.. we’re young and beautiful right? Wrong. Every choice you make affects you in the future, every choice leads to another, EVERY CHOICE brings you closer to finding what you want in life. Some are not as big as others but they make you who you are. If you are pressured into doing things you don’t want to do, if you are too weak to say no, if you are simply putting on a masquerade for people you barely know… is that truly who you are? The world abuses drugs and alcohol  to escape, ‘free their mind’, and become somebody else… but that’s exactly it. Under the influence you aren’t who you truly are or who you want to be. Drugs and alcohol are a temporary high and that escape brings you back to reality the very next morning. I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t believe all the hype. Make your own moves, plan your own life out, step away from the crowd and… breathe. Do you feel alive yet? I feel it already.

This post wasn’t even meant to be about drugs and alcohol, what you do with your time is your business. When it comes to who you are, that’s when it truly matters. You literally have ONE life, live it exactly the way you want to, be who you are and don’t let anybody change you. No one wants to be left out or viewed as different, but whats all the hype about being the same as everybody else? Break out, break free… dance like you’ve just stepped out of a mental institute, paint as if you were blind, sing as if you had no voice, and don’t let anybody tell you different. You can do it. Do you understand that? You can do anything you truly want, because this is your life and nobody is living it but you. The longer you push off your dreams, the less time you will have to achieve them. They’ll tell you, you won’t make it. They’ll tell you that you will fail and you’re wasting your time. But how do you ever know what will happen if you don’t take a risk and find out. If I want to do something, I can’t imagine not going for it. The only thing stopping you from trying… is yourself. You can’t let other people’s words hold you back… they’re crazy, I promise. Living is what you make of it. I live to let my mind grow, to have a fearless heart, to let my soul live in happiness, and get to where I want to be. This is my life, I’ve got one chance to embrace it.

I try my best to not believe all the hype and make my own rules to how I should live my life. I might not be going in the same direction as everybody else but as long as I stay who I am, I’m as happy as I can be. That is what’s most important to me… to remember where I came from and to not let society change me. She looks free huh? I agree. Well, I feel free.

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Categories Inspiration, Personal

Goodbye Summer.

August 22, 2010 //
0

You will be terribly missed.

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Categories Personal
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