I have always been fascinated by photography. I have spent countless hours studying photographs of people, while considering the angles, the lighting, and the editing the photographer used. I love the fact that photography has the amazing ability to transport us to a different time, or place with one single shot.
It was not until I started blogging that I decided to take photography more seriously. With camera in hand, I started experimenting with photographs of my apartment, of friends, and family. It was after experimenting in this way that I realized my passion for photography. I have no formal training or background in this field, but I realize that passion can open your eyes to the impossible, so not only did I invest in the proper equipment I also spent the necessary time to learn everything I could to enhance the skill it takes to be proficient with this passion.
I enjoy, and appreciate the opportunity to photograph bloggers, couples, influencers who make an impact in their profession, families, and also lifestyle type setting. I take an individual approach to each person I photograph. I make every effort to embrace and highlight the focus of what they are trying to convey to their audience with each session.
I look forward to working together and capturing the potential magnificence of your moments through my eyes and the lens of my camera.
It’s Valentines Day weekend! I am so excited and have lots to plan so this will be short and sweet. Since I planned Valentines Day last year it was the hubs turn this year. I must say, I am beyond excited to see what he has planned. Actually, I am more excited to spend the evening with him. We have both been so busy I feel like we haven’t had a chance to connect this week and I hate that. Even though I am sure he has something fabulous planned I would be open to just about anything as long as we got to spend time together. Actually, I had an idea of buying an adult teepee, set it up in the backyard with blankets and sleeping bags, roll our outside T.V. to the opening and watch a movie in it. I don’t think we will be seeing the inside of a teepee tonight but there is always next year! Honestly, I just want an excuse to buy a teepee!
One thing I really want to do with B is take him to the Goss Michael Foundation. You may remember me talking about it from an earlier post this week but I really did fall in love with it! These photos were shot in their back room! I loved this painting with all of the colors and whimsical shapes. Whatever this weekend holds I am not sure but one thing I can count on – B will be heading to see this place! And you should too! Cocktails, art, and then dinner – Isn’t that a romantic/beautiful evening?
I am an avid reader of Conde Nast Traveler. They always have amazing articles and are spot-on when it comes to recommendations. And, their content is so beautiful it is hard to not get inspired for your next trip. While flying home from L.A. a few weeks ago I decided to re-read my Traveler that I had read on the way there. In between learning french, taking a nap, and looking out the window I must have missed the article on Romantic Getaways. However, I didn’t miss it the second time around. Basically they polled a handful of well-known travelers on their favorite romantic trips. The editors were surprised when they learned that it wasn’t about “where” but more about “how.” Just about every couple interviewed said their favorite trip was the one they didn’t have to plan. In fact, it was a complete surprise. The reason this was their go-to, most romantic trip they have taken – the pressures of planning are out the window. Think about it, when you plan a trip you are wondering: did I get the best deal? should I book another hotel? are we staying within budget? There are so many questions flying in your head you forget that you are going on a V.A.C.A.T.I.O.N. With a surprise trip you are more focused on keeping it a secret than the actual details.
Since surprises are my speciality I figured I would put my own spin on this article and share my tips (and a few from them) on making this romantic “surprise” a success!
1. Figure out the vacation you want to take: This was a really good quote that I thought I would share from MSNBC host JJ Ramberg – “The key is to plan the trip you want to take, not the one you think your spouse wants to take. Scott loves surfing, but he’d put together a much better surf trip than I would.” If you’ll love it, assume your partner will too. Just keep an open mind! The key to the “romance” part of the trip is to experience something new together. Wether it is South Dakota or Ireland, find a place you both haven’t been. Experiencing something for the first time together helps you bond and make lasting memories.
2. Do not over plan: This part is excellent for me as I am not a planner but for my husband, who grew up with a mom who is amazing at organization, it drives him crazy. However, on a romantic surprise weekend try to have days where you can just get lost together (be it in the city or the sheets). Sometimes the best things to do to keep the trip fun is to do something you don’t normally do at home – have a glass of rose at lunch, go on a hike, do a couples massage. Over planning can kill the magic that will happen on a trip if you just let it. Also, if the person who is planning the trip has to organize every activity and meal the pressure is really on and that can take away from the relaxing and spontaneousness of the trip.
3. Have one place you splurge: Is your bliss a great hotel or nice meals every night? Have one area you really want to wow her/him. For me, I love a great hotel but I love delicious meals and great wine even more and I know the hubs is the same way. Knowing this I would probably spend my money on great food. However, don’t forget that you two will be spending more time in the hotel than a normal trip so keep in mind where you stay should have a romance quality. Maybe book the medium priced hotel but get the ocean view.
4. Figure out their routine: If you don’t want to tell the person where you are going until the airport you are going to need to pack a bag for them. For the weeks leading up to the trip try to study their morning and nightly routine. This will help you to not forget any necessity they might need. If all else fails have one of their friends tell you what they think they will need. This is a really tricky element and one I think you should let the person do, but if you are the ultimate surpriser be very sure to grab everything they need (and more). You don’t want to add to their stress of not having the right pieces.
5. Have a cleaver way of revealing: Now that all the prep work is done start the trip off right by surprising them in a clever way. Maybe wait until their boarding pass tells them where they are going or the one I read that I liked (by Ashlea Halpern) was to print a fake gift card (for a birthday, anniversary, holiday), but have the fine print say it is only redeemable in a specific store in a specific city. The sky is the limit on how you tell them but the one thing that is certain – you are going to have a great time. Just take deep breathes and enjoy every second. Oh, and having a bottle of champagne in the car on the way to the airport never hurts! Bon Voyage!
Valentines Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. V-Day really gets the eye roll most of the times and I find it quite unfortunate. Why aren’t we all excited for a day dedicated to love? Valentines Day was always one of my favorites in school. I loved as a child getting to see what cards I had received. I would sit and read each card one by one smiling at all the little sayings, hoping that one was from my crush. Every time I see a Valentines Day card it takes me right back to that happy feeling of seeing red and pink lining the hallways and candy being tossed around the rooms.
Now that I am older I don’t have a brown paper sack full of Valentines Day cards- I now have a husband. The hubs doesn’t exactly “get” Valentines Day and how all of America flocks to buying the right flowers, candy, or gifts. For him, being Swiss, it is just another silly American day where candy companies laugh all the way to the bank. Bah Hum Bug! Unfortunately (or fortunately) for him he married an AMERICAN who LOVES Valentines Day so he has learned to except that this is his life and he better play into the entire shindig. Actually one of my favorite stories of him involves this magical day! A few years ago, before he knew what a big deal it was in America, he went to the flower store on his way home from work (around 6:30pm). He had no idea flowers actually sell out on this day (who knew) so he asked for red roses. Much to his shock they were all out. So in he comes with two dozens of orange roses. As he handed them to me he said, “did you know orange is the new red?” I almost died laughing but wanted to make him sweat a little so I called him out. “B, did you wait until the last minute to buy flowers and this was all they had left?” Well, long story short that is exactly what happened. However, I now look forward to receiving my orange roses every year! Because, did you know, orange is definitely the new red? ha!
Since I planned Valentine’s Day last year I told him it was his turn. I can tell he is really thinking about what to do because he will drop random questions, “um, would you be more in the mood for Italian or Greek?” “Would you want dark or light?” I just look at him and say, “did you not learn your lesson?” “Are you waiting until the last minute again?” Since the plans are clearly still in the air and out of my control, the one thing I CAN control is what I wear! I always try to wear a little black dress that is a little tighter or sexier than usual so he has something to look forward to. Since I am not feeling 100% about my weight right now I wanted to find a sexy little jacket to go over the dress. Lucky for me my friend, Ashley, reached out wanting to partner together with the store LuLu’s on a Valentines Day look. I found the perfect LBD and jacket for what is sure to be an eventful or memory making evening.
Since us women are always stressing about what to wear around this time of year, right now LuLu’s is giving away an entire year of 12 free dresses to one lucky winner and her best friend. Can you imagine never having to stress about what to wear for a year? Sounds almost too good to be true! To enter the contest just click here to subscribe to the Lulu’s newsletter! You can gain additional entries by referring a friend or submitting your bestie who will receive an e-mail on how to sign-up and enter! How nice would it be to win this and instead of orange roses, you get 12 free dresses! That means your evenings just got a LOT more fun!
