Written by Candace on April 2, 2012 | 3 Comments

Vlog Challenge
Facing Your Fears

We have officially completed three months as Pictilio and I couldn’t be happier! Though I’m thankful for how far we’ve come, we wouldn’t be where we’re at today without the three years we spent as Prokopets Studio. As we began preparations for our current website, there was one wedding that stood out in our minds as a perfect reflection of the Pictilio brand. Callie and Brady were married on June 19, 2010. It’s so encouraging to see glimpses of Pictilio in our work even two years ago.

I’ve come to realize that it’s a fine line between being content with where you’re at today while constantly working towards evolving and refining your craft. So we’re trying to stroll through the process instead of sprint. I’d say that’s a good visual for me to hold on to, still moving forward while enjoying all the life around me.

We launched our new website back in January without a Home page. Some people might have recommended against it, but we went for it. We wanted to just “ship” as Seth Godin would say and refine as we go. That page is in the works and will hopefully be up in the coming weeks to help navigate new visitors to the site.

Sometimes refining can be difficult though. Even painful. Last Thursday night, we shot a video for our home page with Meyer Photography. It was an exciting yet extraordinarily humbling experience. Regardless of what transpires, I’m happiest to have faced my fears. Only good things will come from facing your fears. So you will all get to see that video soon as well.

But we didn’t want to stop there. Why not continue the torture, right? The day after shooting that video, we came across Tim King’s 30 Day Vlog Challenge. Vlogging, apparently, is blogging but through a video format. Wanting to incorporate more video into our brand, we have decided to take on the challenge. The videos will be in line with our current blog content only in video form rather than written word. You’ll get to hear my squeaky voice!

If you’d like to see out first video to the challenge, come join the fun on our Facebook page. We hope to bring you some great content over the next 30 days. If you’d like to join the challenge, you have until midnight PST tonight to take the plunge.

Cheers to facing your fears! One video at a time.

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Written by Candace on March 28, 2012 | 5 Comments

I Moustache You
a Question

They called us into their bedroom for a family meeting. I didn’t recall many family meetings so I knew it must be serious. I sat on my parents’ bed. I now find that ironic seeing that a couple’s bed should be the cornerstone of love and intimacy. Theirs was the meeting place to announce they were getting a divorce.

Pain. I never knew what it was before this day. It hurt bad and sent me into a mess of emotions. Fear. Anger. Confusion. Sadness. Combined together and the result is a loud siren of pain that never seemed to subside.

Until one day. I met a man. His name is Jesus. He brought clarity to the mess of emotions and healed my beat up heart. And He took all that bloody pain and formed a new heart that beats a deep red passion. It’s scarlet red, fierce but pure.

And it beats to prevent the very thing that broke it in the first place. It beats for love. Not a superficial, Hollywood love that’s easy and makes you feel good. But for a love that endures.

This is the heartbeat of Pictilio.

So here is the question I moustache you, do you have the same heartbeat? Does your heart long for a love that endures?

Vitaliy and I are determined to keep our love alive. One date night at a time. Is it possible to stop the pain for the next generation? Is it possible to have marriages that flourish? That’s my hope. Vitaliy and I are going for it!

Will you join us?

Facebook.
Twitter.
Blog.

And most importantly, will you invite a friend? If so, please share. We can’t do it alone.

Photo credit: iDropPhoto

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Written by Candace on March 26, 2012 | 3 Comments

The Pink Box

On our way back to the Ace Hotel, we drove the streets of downtown Portland with the pink box in hand. People called out asking for a donut. The way people responded to the box, I felt the need to stay close to Vitaliy in order to protect our prized possession from any thievery. We laughed about how famous VooDoo Donuts were, but when I bit into the maple bacon, I understood immediately. And if I’m being honest, I’ve been craving it ever since.

There is something special about getting donuts. I think that’s why moms and dads across America treat their kiddos to a little doughy goodness on Saturday mornings. It’s a perfect way to start the weekend. But likewise, I think there is something special about staying up late with the one you love to bite into your favorite fried dough covered in sugar. It just makes life sweet! And your love even sweeter!

Date idea: Stay up late and find a local donut shop that’s open 24 hours.

Eating donuts while the sun rises isn’t a bad idea either!

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