2012: A Year In Review

This past year has been a whirlwind of excitement for me. If you had asked me a year ago if I ever dreamed I would accomplish everything I had this year the answer would be a big fat NAH UH GIRLFRIEND! I could write a small book about everything this year meant to me, how far I’ve come, and honestly how proud I am of myself (as weird as that is to say about yourself), but for the sake of brevity…I’ll brush over the highlights.

> I ATTENDED FREAKING creativeLIVE WITH JASMINE FREAKING STAR!!

I figured I’d go ahead and get this one out-of-the-way first since it was easily one of the best experiences of my life and really is what encourage me to push myself and my business. My time spent there could very well be the reason I accomplished so much this past year. Without that experience I really don’t think I would have had to courage to do it all.

> I launched my business full force

This kind of goes hand in hand with the above highlight. After attending creativeLIVE I decided I was GOING to do this! I re-branded with the amazing Lindsay from Paper Bloom, started networking my butt off and made some INCREDIBLE and EXTREMELY talented friends in the industry that I didn’t think would ever be possible, registered my business, got insurance, managed my book-keeping, and really decided to try to focus on giving my clients the best possible experience.

> I successfully put together my first styled shoot

Last year I never dreamed I’d be able to put together an inspiration shoot. I always looked at them lovingly, but doubted anyone would ever want to work with little Ole’ me. People who did inspiration shoots were TOO LEGIT TO QUIT and had super popular friends who walked around the wedding industry events with a constant fan that blowed their hair ever so lightly. Well, as it turns out that scenario is only true in the dreams of a scared little girl who’s afraid to put herself out there and TRY. This year I did just that. It was hard because it was something I wasn’t use to and sometimes cold contacting someone who you’re not super close with can be awkward and uncomfortable. I didn’t really have any industry friends (I was just starting), but I contacted a handful that I had met and surprisingly enough they were more than enthusiastic to join on. In the end I not only put together my first styled shoot, but it was also published on STYLE ME PRETTY!
Sell my clothes, I’m off to heaven.

> I attended WPPI for the first time!
> I second shot with some amazing photographers this year
> I networked, put myself out there and made incredible friends and mentors
> I put together a SECOND styled shoot, that was also featured on SMP
> I had a lovely engagement session featured on Le Magnifique
> I shot a wedding that appeared on TLC: Little People, Big World
(My family was pretty excited about this and kept sending me photos of myself on the television)
> I got awesome news that a wedding I shot this past year will be featured on another wedding blog
(but we’ll have to wait until 2013 for that awesome surprise!)
> I booked a wedding a year in advance!
(I actually booked MORE than one, but at least one was my goal!)
> I maintained my blog
(This was a HUGE one for me and one I really wanted to keep and I feel I did a pretty good job at updating it regularly!)
> I got to know and photograph some absolutely AMAZING people. Seriously, I don’t think there is anything better<3

Here’s a look at some of my favorite images from 2012:

However, If I’m going to be completely honest:
One of the biggest changes that happened to me this past year and the absolute BEST decision I made all year was driving 6 hours to pick up this little bundle of joy from the Humane Society out in Prineville, OR
She was the cutest little teddy bear looking puppy I had ever seen and grew up to be the sweetest little monster. I couldn’t ask for a better companion and I can’t imagine spending a day without her<3

 

Here’s to the new year, new experiences, and constantly growing<3

XXOO.

Winter Industrial Wedding: Styled Shoot

Jenn is my home girl, for real.
She’s one of the lead coordinators at Champagne Wedding and Events and I just absolutely adore her. I had been wanting to do another styled shoot since my last one, but wanted to do something completely different and with the rainy/cold/off-season approaching, I felt a bit under thrilled with my options. Everyone in Portland wants that beautiful summer wedding and I think it’s because we live in the rain and gloom for so many months out of the year. So Jenn and I decided we were going to set out to put together a winter inspired wedding theme with a location that was realistic and some of the absolute BEST vendors in Portland. We wanted to show that you can get married in the off-season and it can still be beautiful, chic, and even more cozy than summer weddings!

We wanted to stay away from the typical “fall and winter” theme since the obvious choice is decorating with christmas trees and pumpkins. Instead we opted for an industrial chic look with icy blues and lots of texture. Our florals included in season cabbages which were INCREDIBLE! The only thing I told Jenn was that I didn’t want roses and oh my goodness if Dalia didn’t deliver with these cabbages! They are elegant, beautiful, chic, different, and so flipping cool.

Lindsay from Paper Bloom BROUGHT it with the paper goods. Using brushed bronze for the invites and even getting the table number and bride and groom name engraved out of a bronze flexibrass material. Seriously, how do I have so many insanely talented friends?!? In leu of a traditional wedding cake, we went with a sweet bar from Candy Buffet and Liz did not disappoint! We had all the delicious and comforting sweets you dream of on cold days. I guess I should stop bragging about how totally awesomesauce everyone involved was and just show you the dang pictures already!

I think the end result was absolutely phenomenal and I would definitely have this wedding! Union Pine was the perfect location for not only this shoot, but for a wedding any time of the year! It’s a blank slate with amazing wood detailing and an absolutely GORGEOUS sunken living room. Seriously, I can’t wait to shoot here again next year!

Be sure to check out the Style Me Pretty feature and leave some love for everyone involved!

Coordinating: Champagne Wedding and Event Coordination
Florist: Dalia’s Fine Designs
Paper Goods: Paper Bloom
Sweet Bar: Candy Buffet
Gown and Hairpiece: Sarah Seven
Jewelry: Elizabeth Perry Collections
Hair: Ceci Myers
Make up: Nicmartini Makeup Artistry
Venue: Union Pine
Rentals: West Coast Event Production
Patio Lighting: Barclay Events
Cement Vases: P E T A L O S
Wood Table Top: West Elm
Photography: Brittany Lauren Photography

XXOO.

Happy Holidays to You and Yours!

I’ve always wanted to say that phrase, but never felt quite “dignified” enough, I guess? (Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that when I say it in my head I have a glorious British accent) It sounds like something so fancy schmancy that I should only be allowed to say it while wearing a *faux* fur coat and long white gloves.

I suffer from a syndrome that runs in my family called: “workaholic” and unfortunately it’s not quite as humorous as the television show. Yes, this means I work while I eat, while I’m watching movies, while I’m out and about, and even while I’m sleeping. So, today in an attempt to beat my workaholic syndrome to a pulp I finished up my emails, scheduled my blog posts for the week, and finished my last piece of work until after the holidays. I’m now going to try to NOT work and enjoy the rest of the evening (which will probably just involve  last-minute crazy shopping frenzy! Can I get a WOOT WOOT from all my other procrastinators out there?!) and tomorrow. I want to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday!

I will leave you with this amazingly sweet stop motion I made for Amy from One Divine Party of a day in the life of her and her two amazing boys. I think it was the perfect project to complete before my “holiday vacation” and I hope it brightens your cloudy Christmas Eve as much as it does mine<3

XXOO.

WWD: Add Some GLAM!

Having a winter or better yet, NEW YEARS wedding?! Here are some quick & easy last-minute things you can do to add some GLAM factor to the big day!

Metallic nails are all the rage and these gold ones are begging to be LOVED!

As seen on Nailtopia

This necklace completely embodies old Hollywood glam!! 
As seen on ideeli

These amazingly sparkly twigs are SO easy to DIY and can be added to any part of your wedding for some instant sparkle GLAM fest!

As seen on The Glitter Guide

XXOO.

BAM: Dreaming of a White Christmas

Last night Jason and I went to Peacock Lane to view the Christmas lights. It’s a couple blocks from my house so we decided to go a little later in the hopes there wouldn’t be too many people. I made hot chocolate and we drove two blocks down the street. (We were going to walk, but GOODNESS was it cold!) It was the perfect night to view the lights. It didn’t rain, the air was cold and crisp, and the street wasn’t overly crowded. It was wonderful and exactly what I felt I needed to get out of my own head and into the Holiday spirit.

I’m pretty sure every child’s Christmas wish is to wake up in the morning to fresh, white, deep snow on the ground…(and a pony)

That’s a wish that didn’t leave me as I grew up. (The snow. I got over the Pony) Every morning this time of year I wake up with a faint hope of seeing snow falling from the sky as I open my curtains. Most of the time I am not so pleasantly surprised to find it raining instead.
However, THIS morning….THIS morning was different.

Waking up to beautiful snow coupled with the immense amount of holiday happiness I felt last night was almost too much for my little heart to handle. Lou and I snuggled up while we watched it fall through the window and then went outside to let her experience her first snow. Surprisingly, she loved it! Well, loved eating it at least<3

 

 

How are you getting into the holiday spirit this year???

XXOO.

Kate and Will: Portland Engagement Photographer

I’m so excited to announce that Kate and Will’s engagement session was featured on Le Magnifique today! This absolutely AMAZING couple will be getting married at Union Pine in SE Portland next year and to say I’m looking forward to their wedding is a MAJOR understatement! Really, would it be too much to say I have thought about potentially counting down the days on a home-made advent type calendar?! …Just wondering.

Kate is the epitome of cute! She has her own blog where she writes about the outfits she wears, drinks she makes, and food she eats! She’s totally into DIY and stylized her entire engagement shoot. Really she made my job super easy. Take the Adorable DIY details and add an amazingly fun and loving couple then send me off to heaven. Be sure to check out the feature on Le Magnifique!

XXOO.

Wednesday Wedding Do: Return Address Stamps

With engagement season in full swing you’re undoubtedly going to be sending out lots of letters in this next year.
(Think Save the Dates, Shower/Bachelor Party Announcements, Invitations, and Thank You Cards!)

One of the best investments you can make is a little something most people over look: A return address stamp.
They will save you so much time! I prefer stamps to labels because they’re more eco-friendly, you can use them again and again, and change the colors if you want! Plus they just darn look cool and that’s more than enough of a reason in my book.

I did some searching online for stamps I personally adore to get your creative juices flowing…but there are literally TONS of stamp designs out there, tons of places to get them, and ones you can even custom create. Plus, with each stamp averaging about 30-40, you could get two!

Here some simple/classic ones that you could use after your wedding as well:

Source: Etsy

Source: Etsy

Source: Etsy

Here’s some that are a little more modern, but still great for any kind of use:

Source: Paper Source

Source: Etsy

Source: Paper Source

Source: Paper Source

You can even get some fun and funky ones that perhaps match your wedding theme!

Source: Etsy

Source: Paper Source

Source: Paper Source

Well, I hope that helped persuade you into purchasing a stamp this wedding season and gave you some ideas on all of the options there are (seriously…did I mention there’s TONS?!) Just a quick, google search will return any type of stamp possibility you could dream up. So, with so many ways to customize it, so many fun stamp pad colors to choose from, how cost-effective and environmentally friendly they are, not to mention how just dang awesome they look when stamped on pretty envelopes…WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? [=

XXOO.