Jen, James and I, we go way back. :) Back to jr high actually :) It was quite funny when James emailed me – I hadn’t heard from him in YEARS and all of a sudden he was emailing me about a possible engagement shoot – he was planning on proposing to Jen, which pardon my silliness, I totally didn’t realize they were together! I knew them both separately growing up. Anyway, I kept emailing James back, asking him when he was going to propose – did Jen know that he was planning on doing this? Can I say anything? Did he already propose?? And finally James emails me back saying no, he didn’t propose yet, and he had no idea when he would. lol. He just wanted to book an engagement session with me already! ;)
We did the shoot when they were going to be in So Cal for a wedding, and we had a blast because 1) it was great seeing them again 2) they told me they didn’t want anything traditional – and they wanted something totally unique for the shoot… and 3) which prompted me to bring up the idea of an abandoned hotel. :) I went scouting the day before the shoot by myself and I was freaked out beyond belief! But it was awesome, and I just had to do it. Sometimes the most unusual places make the best shoot locations ;)
But first, we stopped at some trails ;)
The onto the abandoned hotel, where we stopped at the tennis courts first
This was the only open room – I wish the other ones were open! Next time… ;)
We were kind of rushed during the second location because of security issues (plus it was creepy as heck and we were scared of getting caught!), and I kind of want to do another shoot there sometime… I have more exploring I’d like to do there :)
Yay! Finally time to post Cathy & Erik’s beautiful day. What can I say about these two? They are Awesome. With a capital A ;) You may remember their amazing engagement session at SeaWorld, which apparently was all a buzz! I knew after doing their shoot that the wedding would be out of this world, and I was right! Right down the last detail (Melanie Chiong did a fabulous job coordinating it all, of course!), it was perfection. :) I really had to try and restraint myself from posting TOO many photos, and while there is already a lot, I couldn’t bear take any more out of the post than I already had!
The wedding was held at the Bahia Hotel Resort, with the reception on the William D Evans Sternwheelers Boat. They had a popcorn bar (fun!), got to see the fireworks from SeaWorld, and can I just say how much I love her bridal socks? Yes I do :)
Cathy & Erik, thank YOU for allowing me to capture these beautiful moments for you, you are both beautiful, inside and out ;)
Their expressions from him pulling out a rubber snake instead of a garter is classic ;)
And the night wouldn’t have been complete without a little fun in the photobooth :)
wedding coordination . melanie chiong . something blue weddings.
flowers . tessilk.
dj . daniel peterson . disco friend.
makeup . maggie hansen.
hair . teresa piazza.
officiant . jerry bryant.
photobooth . red cheese.
Serious love. Can’t wait to show more :) And can’t wait for our trash the dress next week! :D :D
re: planning a bridal shower.
Is not easy when you’re not even in the same town as the bridal shower location! My wonderful friend Cynthia is getting married next month and I am maid of honor! So it’s interesting being on the other side of things, if at least I’m just the maid of honor and not the bride. :) This next month should be fun (and busy!) though :D
re: old navy.
Why are the guys clothes/colors/patterns better than the girls stuff?! The sandals above are from the guys section!! If I didn’t have freakishly tiny feet, I would’ve gotten the red/white pair.
re: so you think you can dance.
Wow, Will is gone already! I’m surprised but I’m not. He doesn’t have as large as a fan base as the other dancers. It’s obvious that the judges are biased towards Katee and want her to win. Which she will. I think she’s a great dancer, but she isn’t my fave. My fave is already gone (Gev!)
I think over all the seasons though, Travis Wall my fave. Overall the best dancer, performer, flawless (in my eyes) and most lovable. I miss watching him on TV, but thank goodness for YouTube. :) I love his solos. Gah!
re: myers briggs personality types.
You may have had to take this in high school, and it basically told you 4 letters describing your “personality type” but it’s really more of a “how I approach the world around me.” I’m an ENFP, and reading the descriptions about me make total sense. If anything, it helps my put in perspective why I do and think the way I do. And know that I am not alone :) Plus, it really helps embrace ourselves in the way we are, rather than comparing, knowing that we’re all just different. :) Reading this particular first person description is pretty darn eerie cause it describes me so well! I am always striving to help people find the potential in themselves, and it is really easy for me to make discoveries and start projects, but hard to follow up on them! You should take the test and see what it says about you. :) What is your personality type?
re: inspiration.
Stop animation is amazing. I love it. :)
Happy 3rd (21st in doggie years) birthday, my little guy :)
The birthday photos below are from his 1st birthday two years ago. Yes, I baked him a cake. :) You can find the recipe below.
P.S. Look how old and gray he looks now compared to two years ago! Ahh, he’s getting to be an old man ;)
He’s such a good boy :)
Peanut Butter Carrot Cake
1 cup flour*
1tsp baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup honey
1 egg
Mix flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients. Pour into greased 8″ round cake pan and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Let cool. Puree cottage cheese* in blender for icing. Decorate with more peanut butter and carrots.
* I used wheat & gluten free flour and cream cheese instead of cottage
It is NOT easy to pipe with peanut butter!
