Okay so we recently worked with the super awesome Stacey from Stacey Vaeth Photography. More about her here. She is brilliant. We paired up for a really intense photo shoot a few weeks back. As you can imagine I patiently sat on my hands waiting to see some of these images. Yes, sat on my hands. You know, what your parents used to make you do when you were getting impatient and fidgetty? Yes, I still do that. Well when I saw these images I was pumped. Only that word describes exactly what I did at the mailbox when I received this lovely package from Stacey. I fistpumped.
 


Check out these shots of an awesome model and my beautiful cousin Katie.
She is wearing a few lovely items from Tigerlily boutque. Now. Getgiddy!

Okay, I seriously had to talk her into these skinny jeans.
Hot.

So Pretty. Isn't she? I love this. I want to give super special thanks to Stacey Vaeth for these fistpumpingly-good shots.
Enjoy my sweets!

We went to the Science Center for Carter's birthday this past April. He was, "way too cool" to take off his sunglasses. We walked around the whole place and he just kept rocking those shades. 
He starts first grade on Monday so of course I've been doing everything I can to make sure he's prepared.

I asked him if he was ready for first grade and his response was this, 
"I'm ready for anything. Just can you make sure to pack me better lunches this year?".

Geez. I guess I could get one of the little girls who's always knocking on my door to help me with the lunch thing. 

I can't thank God enough for the laughs, joy or smiles Carter has and continues to bring to my life.

Until Next Time....

Soo.. for the second time we are super excited to annouce we have been feature on the wedding wire blog.
 We did this super awesome styled shoot with some super awesome vendors:

 Stacey Vaeth Photography
K & B Bridal and Event Planning
Fay Daniel Jewlery Design
Evergreen Museum & Library
Say Cheese Paper Company

We are very pumped to have you come check out some more of the images from this shoot.
Click Here to see more of the shoot.

xo
Alison

I like to have a little tinted moisturizer in my purse for touch ups and those moments when I realize I'm in sweat pants running errands and may run into the man of my dreams. Maybe I should perk up a little?
I've spent $30 and even sometimes $40 for a tinted moisturizer that just ends up making a mess in the bottom of my purse. 

I've found a solution.

It seems to be pretty obvious, but I didn't think of this until I really did end up ruining everything in my purse carrying around my store bought tinted moisturizer. I prefer Cetaphil, but you can use whatever you want. Just get a small empty lotion container and mix equal parts of your foundation and your favorite moisturizer. 

So, just a little of this

and a little of that.

Voila!
You now have tinted moisturizer on the go! 
(or just a value conscious version for everyday use)

Just another friendly tip from your neighborhood make up artist.

I am madly in love with this video. It makes me want to travel back a good 80 years. <3

I have to take a second to say this, I see a lot of photos from the weddings we do. They are all special beautiful and special in their own creative ways.  For the first time in a long time I browsed through photos and actually teared up. Elza's wedding photos were touching. I am not kidding. It felt as if I could reach into the photo and hug them. Their love is raw, passionate and tangable. Normally I would walk you through the photos and talk about the details, but I really believe they speak for themselves. Please enjoy these beautiful photos by Rachel Smith Photography of a couple that is clearly madly in love.

   

   

 

This group looks like they had a great celebrating this couple's union.

  

  

    

   

I love seeing two best friends take that special walk to celebrate the rest of their lives together. Elza, thank you for allowing us to be a part of such an important event. We hope the two of you have many many happy beautiful and sunny days.



Check out Rachel Smith at 
www.rachelsmithphotography.com
www.rachelsmithphoto.com

We did a fashion show with T. Rose management company. Yay!

As Summer starts winding down I hate to say this but I'm totally ready to trade my sandals for boots and my tank tops for cardigans. A few of my favorites this week are Fall inspired and I hope you're ready for another wonderful season.

10. I'm a sucker for a yummy lip gloss and I can't always make it to my local Starbucks for a pumpkin spice latte. This does the trick when I'm too busy for Starbucks. 

9. A good night's sleep is hard to come by when you're a working single mom to one wild and crazy first grader. My sleep mask is my savior on night's when my mind is racing. (I just bought this Hello Kitty one, it's way cuter then the cheap one I got at Bed, Bath and Beyond)

8. Everyone knows I love the drama and this feather fascinator is all about the drama. On this model (obviously) it's a little more bad ass, but on a blushing bride (especially in Winter...oooooo) this accessory could be elegant and whimsical.
 You never know until you try it.

7. After a little too much sun exposure (or any at all) it's time to exfoliate and let that gorgeous skin show. I wanted the $130 Clarisonic cleansing system, but opted for this $30 Olay version instead and I have to say I love it. My skin feels unbelievably clean and fresh and you can use any cleanser you want. <3 it.

6. So, my brother and I have planned a surprise Disney trip for my son in October. My favorite thing about this is we're going to surprise him like the commercials. Where he knows nothing about the trip, thinks he's waking up for school but NO! we rush in and tell him, "We're going to Disney World!". Omg. I can't even tell you how excited I am to do this.

5. This stuff is amazing! and cheap! I found this Hard Candy Lash Ink at Wal-Mart (don't judge me) and thought $5 for a "lash stain", might as well try it. It's a temporary stain for your lashes, lasting about 3 or 4 days. Not having to put on mascara for 4 days. 
I'm in love. 

4. Brunettes always remind me of a Fall. I'm considering being one myself. Jessica's hair color is such milk chocolatey goodness I almost can't stand it. This is definitely my favorite color and style of this week.

3. Trader Joe's is a staple in my life and this coffee is no exception. There's something about grinding my own coffee beans in the morning that makes me feel cool.

1. Ok, I know we all at some point have played Jenga. For a more fun version take a sharpie and write silly things on each block (or just a few) such as, "hum a song" or "hold an acrobatic pose". Then whoever pulls that jenga block has to do whatever is on that block until their next turn. My son loves this and it works wonder on cold rainy Fall days. 

As always thanks for reading and I hope you find at least one of my favorite things to one day be one of yours. 

On a beautifully warm summer day we had the pleasure of making a very special woman look amazing on the biggest day of her life.

From the topiary style bouquets,
 to the 
sunshine inspired bridesmaids dresses, 
this was a gorgeous summer wedding 
done right.

Rachel Smith Photography did a fantastic job capturing some beautiful moments throughout the day. 

We didn't do too bad making these ladies look amazing either. 

This photo is beyond cute. 


I love that Elza was so easy going she'd throw her feet in the pool even in her wedding dress.

I can't wait to write a full blog about this sweet couple and their big day, but for now this is all you get. Happy reading and thanks again to Rachel Smith for allowing us to showcase her work. 

www.rachelsmithphotography.com
www.rachelsmithphoto.com