Sarah & Slayden: Engagement

Sometimes it takes a difficult time in your life to realize how much you love and care for the person that was there for you all along. That was the case with Sarah and Slayden. Slayden transferred to Sarah's small private high school at the start of their junior year. From the beginning, Sarah wanted nothing to do with Slayden, and even though they had mutual friends, it wasn't until the end of the school year that they got to know each other. During the summer leading to their senior year, the friendship continued to grow. It grew through a very hard time in Sarah's life and Slayden was always there to listen and offer a shoulder to lean on. It was through this difficult time that Sarah and Slayden realized how much they truly cared for each other and that their relationship had grown into something more - love.

Over the course of five years, Slayden and Sarah graduated high school, attended college together, and later this month, will earn their degrees together. Together they leaned on each other through the good and bad, and together they can make it through anything life brings. When they exchange rings and vows this October, they know that together, they will have each other to support and love for the rest of their lives.

Just Ours

Bacon was cooking, hollandaise sauce was bubbling, and english muffins were popping out of the toaster. It was Easter morning and I was making our annual eggs benedict Easter brunch. Douglas got on the phone to wish his parents a happy Easter and told them that I was making eggs benedict... the one time out of the whole year that I make it. As I was stirring sauce and flipping eggs, I smiled to myself. This is our tradition. Douglas and I don't have family in town and we are always comforted by family traditions that we grew up with. But this was one of the first times that I felt like it was our tradition... just ours. As we sat down to eat our meal I realized how lucky I am to be able to start new traditions with my little family of two, as small as they may be.

Madeleine: 1 Year Session

Madeleine recently turned one and her parents asked me to take photographs to document the occasion. All I can say is this baby is so adorable! She was so expressive and was a perfect little model the entire shoot! She was all smiles and didn't care when we changed outfits or locations. To add a little personality, her mom made a birthday hat, wrapped a birthday present, and brought balloons and a cupcake. Madeleine LOVED the cupcake and I loved the details!

Wedding Organizer on Steroids

I LOVE being organized....it seriously makes me happy. It's sad that few things give me as much joy as a label maker and The Container Store. So when my sister got engaged, I knew that my organizational skills were in order - in the form of making a wedding planning binder. When I got engaged I was frustrated by the lack of good wedding planning tools. Sure, Martha Stewart's wedding tips are great and wedding blogs are beautiful, but I couldn't seem to find the perfect planner. So I decided that if I wanted the best wedding planner possible for my sister, I would have to make it myself.

Since the wedding season is quickly approaching, I thought I would share the monster wedding book I made for my sister. It's pretty much a planner on steroids, and I must say, it's kind of awesome.

If you want to make one of these handy-dandy planners for yourself, this is what you need:
- 1 white 3-inch three-ring binder with a clear plastic pocket in the front and back
- At least 5 clear zippered pencil pouches that have three-ring binder holes. (These can be used to hold any clippings, inspirational photographs, fabric swatches, etc.)
- 24 or so tabbed dividers
- Photos of you and your fiance
- And last but not least, you need wedding planner forms. I think that Russell and Hazel has the BEST wedding planner sheets. When I saw them, I literally squealed with delight and practically did a little jig. They are amazing. You can get their free downloads by clicking here. You should use them...you will thank me later. :o)

Happy planning!

21 Days and Counting...

There she was, a little girl walking through Target drinking her Diet Coke. Just minding her own business. Little did she know that I was having visions of tackling her in the bread aisle and ripping that Diet Coke right out of her hands. Seriously....I had to hold myself back. And really, how dare she? Didn't she know that I was on my third day of withdrawals?!

They say it takes 21 days to make a habit, so I'm hoping that it takes 21 days to break a habit. I'm not really sure if it works that way, but I'm giving it a try. Today is officially the 21st day of me quitting Diet Coke. And, oh, how I miss it. I've pondered the thought of giving it up many times. Really, it was my only vice (besides shoe shopping), but it had to go. It wasn't worth the tidal wave of chemicals my body endured every time I drank it, and I had an inkling it was the culprit of my daily headaches. When visions of knocking over Diet Coke-toting children at Target entered my mind, I knew the addiction had reached a new and ugly level!

So, it's day 21 of being free of my favorite drink, and really, I do feel healthier. It still speaks to me - calling my name - and I still eye anyone who's drinking it within a 10-foot radius. Let's just hope I can make it to day 22 and that little girls at Target will stay clear! Diet Coke, you are evil.

Penny: One Year Session

For those of you who have been following my blog for about a year, you know that I've been documenting little Penelope every three months since she was born. I can't believe that she is already over a year old! It's been amazing to watch a little tiny newborn grow into a happy baby with tons of personality.

For Penny's birthday shoot, we not only had a handful of outfit changes, but yet again, she sported a tutu! This shoot was extra special because she got to try her very first cupcake! I could barely shoot I was laughing so hard. Penny seemed so unsure of the cupcake at first, and then once she realized that it was delicious, she shoveled it into her mouth with no expression at all. She just stared straight ahead and shoved each little crumb into her mouth like it would be her last. She was literally in a sugar trance and her mom and I couldn't stop laughing. Oh, how I love this baby girl...

My Cure for Narcolepsy

I can finish a scarf in about 3 or 4 hours, the exact time it takes to make it through a football game on TV. Note the word "make it". Nine times out of ten, I end up falling asleep about 15 minutes into a football game...it's literally like taking a sleeping pill.

I feel bad about my football-induced narcolepsy. Douglas loves football and his Atlanta friends don't watch it, so I sit with every intention of watching it with him. I never make it. The sleep takes over. So I decided to start making scarves while I watch. It keeps me awake and I can fly through a whole scarf in the time it takes to get through the fourth quarter. Let's just say I have A LOT of scarves and so do my friends. Here's what kept me awake between watching Super Bowl commercials earlier this month.

Alison & Logan: Children's Session

Alison and Logan were so much fun to photograph a few months ago. Alison is full of personality and energy, and Logan is the cutest little nugget of a baby. Despite freezing cold weather and Logan getting over a cold, we had a great time taking photos!