Confidently Katie

Autumn Leaves

A few weeks ago, I was blessed with the gift of a new camera.  Well, new to me.  And it wasn’t really a gift.  I bought it, but how it ended up in my hands, it seems like it was a gift.

I had just decided that it was time to take the leap and buy myself a DSLR camera when a friend of mine posted hers on Instagram for sale.  Of course I knew it was meant to be.  So I messaged her and a couple days later, it was mine.

I had been preparing by studying Pinterest graphics on how to set up in manual exposure and all that, but let me tell you…It is hard.  Getting it just right for the setting and the light you’re in is a real skill. I’m still working on it but I thought I’d share some photos that I’ve taken since I got it.

I haven’t really ventured into the world of presets yet in Lightroom, so all of these photos were manually edited based on the light I took them in…So please be gentle. I’m learning!  Can you tell that my baby girl loves the camera?

They’re not perfect, and to be honest, I shot most of the pictures on auto…But I’ll get there! Hope you enjoyed these pictures of my adorable little girl.

Finally Fall

I never thought I’d be saying this, but I’m so happy that it’s fall.  Today I turned the heat on at the house.  There’s something about the smell of turning your heat on for the first time in months…I’ve also put in all my Fall Scentsy wax melts and put up my adorable fall wreath.

Today I’m celebrating fall by watching Gilmore Girls, having soup for lunch, and wearing a cozy sweatshirt.  There is so much family fun to be had during the fall season in Utah.  If you’re looking for me this fall, here’s where I’ll be:

1// The Mabey’s Pumpkin Patch

Every year my family does an annual pumpkin carving contest.  We stroll through the Mabey’s Pumpkin Patch, fill up our wheel barrel with pumpkins and run home to carve them. The Mabey’s also have an adorable set up with hay bales and picture perfect pumpkins to take fall photos in their yard.  It’s adorable and we hope they never stop growing pumpkins. 

Clara clearly loved the pumpkin patch her first year and our pumpkins turned out looking pretty great.

2// Gardner Village Witch Fest

Gardner Village is a cute little historic village in West Jordan, UT.  Every fall they have “Witch Fest” coupled with lots of different events like scavenger hunts, kid-friendly obstacle courses, plenty of photo ops with the witches, dinner theatre, a 5k, breakfast with witches, and all kinds of other fun things.  I want to look into basically all of them for my family.

3// Canyon Drives

Corey isn’t from Utah, so last year when we drove up to Oktoberfest (that’s at Snowbird and is also a great fall activity) he was mesmerized by the changing leaves.  There are so many canyons to choose from too that all have different things to see.  I like to drive up Big Cotton Wood Canyon personally.

4// Heber Valley Railroad Pumpkin Train

Our family did this last year and we had a pretty good time.  The ride up to Heber is beautiful and so is the town.  It would probably be best for kids ages 3-7. They also do a Christmas event that is a longer train ride and I think there is dinner involved, but don’t quote me.

5// Corn mazes and haunted houses

Okay so you will NOT find me in the maze or the haunted house, but most Corn mazes have other activities too like petting zoos, giant slides, and other fun photo ops.  There are all kinds of them around here. The one we’ve been to was Cornbelly’s.  I’ll be honest, we were in that maze for a long time.  It was cold and my arm was broken…But I’m sure it’s fun for other people!

One of the best things about today being the first day of fall, is that I’m doing a giveaway!  I’m teaming up with two Scentsy consultants Alexis & Jessica and I’m giving away a warmer, three Fall wax melts, and a full LipSense Starter kit. (P.S. If already has a starter kit and you want a different gloss we can do that!) The giveaway will close at Midnight on September 30th.

Here’s how you enter, the first one gets you in, and all the rest are extra chances to win!

  1.  Head over to my Instagram page and follow me @confidentlykatie
  2. Like the photo for this giveaway
  3. Tag a friend! Each one you tag is an additional entry.
  4. Join my LipSense group  (If you’re already in, you’re automatically entered!)
  5. Join Alexis’s VIP Scentsy Group
  6. Comment on this blog post with your favorite fall activities no matter where you live.
  7. Make a purchase! If you make a Scentsy or LipSense purchase before the 9/30 you will earn 1/2 the dollar amount in giveaway entries!