courtney jade’s blog

valentine’s day is my most favorite day of the entire year.

What other day do you get to indulge in all of the hearts, pink, love, and romance you can imagine!?

Ok, ok, so maybe I do that more than just one day a year, but it’s nice to have a designated day set aside to plan for it I didn’t get to do or capture nearly as many valentine-y things as I wanted this year, but I did take a few pics this weekend.

My friend Jenn came over, and we decorated cupcake valentine’s! It was super fun, and there was a LOT of pink happening!!! I didn’t snap any photos of my cupcakes (i know, shame on me!), but I did snap a couple of Jenn’s! Here are some of her fabulous and adorable cupcakes!

First, I just want to say that my boyfriend is the best boyfriend ever. I seriously can’t believe sometimes how lucky I am to  have found such an amazing person to share my life with.

We have been wanting to go to this one particular restaurant for over 5 years… now you might be thinking “5 years is a really LONG time Courtney… just go to the dang restaurant!!”, and I know. However, being in college, broke, always living paycheck to paycheck, etc. we just could never bare to “afford” it. Our anniversary happens to lie on the same date our lease is up, so we’d either be broke from moving or just not have time. And as for other special occasions, it just never worked out right.

I’m happy to say that the stars finally aligned, and we were able to enjoy an incredible dinner together at The Melting Pot! I brought my camera along, but I knew it would be SUPER dark down there, so I wasn’t expecting any amazing shots, but I did catch a few good ones. Here are some fun moments from our Valentine’s day dinner!

We started with the cheese fondue. Not my favorite, but Mark sure liked it! they give you breads, green apples, and raw veggies to dip. I did like the apples with it, but I knew there was so much more on the way and wanted to save room.

Next we had salads, I took a photo but didn’t export it, lol, they weren’t anything amazing, just plated yummy dinner salads. Then the next course: MEATS!! Look at all of that delicious raw meat, just ready to cook. We chose the “Bajo Style” broth, it was a citrus-y garlic broth, and completely delicious!!! Our plate included lobster, filet minon, new york strip, kielbasa, shrimp, garlic chicken, and raviolis. We also got some raw veggies to cook, and a variety of sauces to dip the meats in after they cooked.

And last but most definitely not least: DESSERT!!! This was my most favorite part of the entire meal (of course), and I would go back a million times for it again!! Our server brought out the chocolate and then poured in the fire!!!

a little stir…

a lot of delicious things to dip…

and mmmmmmmm two very happy valentine’s!!! We chose dark chocolate with marshmallow cream

they give you SO many fun things to dip! Cheesecake, strawberries, bananas, pound cake, brownies, rice krispy treats, and different marshmallows… can you say heaven?? They are also all refillable, excluding the cheesecake.

SO yummy!!!

And of course, we had to take a pic of the bill. This is the most expensive meal Mark and I have ever indulged in to date. It might not seem like a lot, but I guess you can say we live on the conservative side. Oh yea, that doesn’t even include tip, hahaha… so awesome. Like I said, my boyfriend is amazing.

Then Monday I had the day off, and I was a total and complete BUM all day. I managed to take Quincey over to my cousin’s house to play with their pup (Quincey’s cousin and BFF) Rufus, so that was fun. I also did ALL of my laundry and folded/put it away. As well as re-arranging our bedroom. But BUM city it was, and it was amazing.

Overall it was a great Valentine’s weekend. Hopefully next year I’ll be able to document more! How was your Valentine’s weekend??

Now it’s time to get ready for Costa Rica!!! I leave in less than 4 weeks now- CRAZY!!! I’m so excited, but I’ve never travelled outside of the country. Advice? Tips? I’d love to hear them!! Also, what’s one thing I should make sure to do while on Vacation? I’ll be staying in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

<3

Can I just start off by saying that I am so in love with this entire session! The colors, the lighting, the subjects, everything just lined up perfectly, and I couldn’t be happier with the photos. This is the first professional portrait session I did with my new camera, and I don’t know about you, but I can tell a HUGE difference!

I met these two darling’s mother Jenn back when we were both working in cosmetics, and I was still in school for graphic design. She was just starting her very own business- a cute, funky-fresh retro themed line of baby apparel, bibs, burp & bum rags, and blankets: Pearly Grey. (Fun Fact Alert!: she was my first “client” for design! I created her logo, hehe) Check out her site and if you know anyone who’s expecting, she makes these awesome little Hospital Take-Out kits that are completely adorable (they even come in a Chinese-style take-out box!)!! I just gave one as a gift at a baby shower I attended, and you should have heard the “oohs” and “aaaahs” it got. Total win.

Jenn and her family are just beautiful. She is such a wonderful person, and her kids are to-die-for gorgeous!!! So of course, when she said she wanted to do newborn photos for her newest addition, little Liam, I was more than excited!!! It’s always fun to work with other artists, and Jen is just so laid back in general, I knew we would get some really great photos!

A lot of people ask me where I shoot, if I have a studio, bring props, etc. I am an on-location natural light photographer. That means that I show up with my camera, a few basic essentials, and my talents. One of the most important things to me is to capture people’s genuine self, which means capturing them in their own element, with things that are special or important to them. When I showed up to Jenn’s house, I was more than thrilled to walk into her completely adorable kitchen!!! These photos were shot in her kitchen right next to a sliding glass door. All natural light. Of course, she has a completely adorable kitchen, I mean, look at the wall color!!! And not to mention the black and white tile floor… my mind is spinning with all of the possibilities that I didn’t take advantage of… well, we’ll just have to do another shoot This woman has got style!!

Now, onto the photos! Welcome to the world little Liam Vincent You are perfect in every sense of the word.

Liam’s older sister Jane Pearl was such a perfect little model for me too! She wanted so badly to be a part of the whole shoot, and I couldn’t have asked for a more cooperative little model. Isn’t she completely gorgeous!? I can hardly believe she’s just 5 years old…

And she just loves being a big sister You can tell she takes so much pride in it. Little Liam, you are in good hands!

These next shots are probably my favorites from the entire shoot. Completely beautiful <3 There were too many good ones. Just look at how peaceful little Liam looks in her arms

Another cute shot of Jane I can’t help it, if only all 5 year olds were this excited to have their photo taken! haha.

Check out those little lips

A few of my faves with mommy, of course!!

I just love his expression in this one, it’s like he’s saying “awww come on mom! geez…” haha, I just had to post it!

And we just had to get a couple of product shots in there for Jenn to use to promote her business!

And of course, the adorable chair shot! (I know, I posted it in the sneak peek, but I just can’t help but post it again I love it so much!)

Thank you Jenn, for being so great, and for choosing me to take Liam’s first photos I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

<3

i have so much to say about this darling little boy and his family, but that will have to wait for the full post, as i am about to run out the door… for now i’ll leave you drooling with these

<3

Have you ever read the book “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman? Well, if you haven’t you should, it’s a very interesting book!

“Of the countless ways we can show love to one another, five key categories, or five love languages, proved to be universal and comprehensive—everyone has a love language, and we all identify primarily with one of the five love languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.”

At the end there is a quiz that you take to determine which of your love languages are the strongest. My top results were “Receiving Gifts” and a tie between “Words of Affirmation” and “Quality Time”. Everyone speaks all 5 languages to some degree, but it’s natural for most people to have a dominant one or two.

This was no surprise to me by any means. I value gifts, little and big, immensely. Whether it’s a quote written down on a napkin, or a beautiful sparkly something, it has the power to take my breath away. I also love giving gifts! I feel like it’s a great way to show that I’ve been thinking of someone, and I always put great time and effort into selecting and preparing special presents for people.

I believe that this is why I love photography so much. When you take someone’s photo, and then give it to them, it’s a very special gift. No one can ever relive the moments that have passed, and memories fade with time, but a photograph lasts forever. Those little moments frozen in time to remember and hold on to forever. There’s just something so special about that.

So it was to my complete surprise when I opened my mailbox this evening and there was a “You Have a Package in the Manager’s Office” slip sitting atop my mail! I racked my brain trying to think of what it could possibly be… did I order something? Did Mark order something? A print order? A large envelope from the insurance company (you know, one of those horribly ridiculous packs of paper that they are required by law to send out once a year or something.. waste of trees!) None of those. I raced up to the office since it was about to close, and eagerly handed her my slip.

“Ah!” she said as she turned around and picked up a medium sized brown box.

She handed me the box, and it was sealed with SAINT CUPCAKE PACKING TAPE!!!! Saint Cupcake?? But, who? How? Why??? What was in there?! My mind went racing, thinking who would be so nice as to send me something so amazinly sweet and awesome… and what was in it?! I thanked the manager and raced back to my apartment. Once I got in the door, I cut the tape and opened the package.

The glory of it all. I LOVE this place. It is the first cupcakerie I ever stepped into years ago, and I’ve been in love ever since. My good friend is friends with the owners of the place (one who is a graphic designer superstar– in case you couldn’t tell..) How gorgeous is this presentation!?! I flipped the card over…

Of course!!! My lovely bride (and friend of MANY years) Jesse from last Saturday’s wedding! She had asked me for my address and I thought nothing of it. WHAT. A. DOLL!!! At this point I have serious little pink hearts floating all around me, I’m so happy. Pink + cupcakes + amazingly gorgeous packaging/design= DROOL!

I realize that it’s not just cupcakes, but an entire “Saint Cupcake cupcake kit”!!! What the heck!? Completely amazing.

Six un-frosted cakes, 6 containers of different flavored frostings, six spreading sticks, and six little baggies of sprinkles! No sparing on the presentation, this is completely adorable and to die for! Not to mention tasty!1

Naturally, I had to take some fun photos of my kit before indulging

Hot fudge!? That’s my fave!!!!

pink, pink, and more pink!!!

a pile of frosting cups!

Thank you SO much Mr. & Mrs. Thiel & the Davis’s!!! You totally made my day SO much sweeter (literally & figuratively!) You rock, and I was honored to be a part of your special day!!!

Now, something sweet for you… a sneak peek pic from your wedding day!!! Enjoy!

Now if you’ll excuse me, IT’S CUPCAKE TIME!!!!

<3 <3 <3

One of my very most favorite blogs is featuring me and my new packaging!!! I feel so honored, especially since I have been following Robyn (the blog creator/admin) and her work for YEARS! Stop on by Paperie Boutique and check out the post

One of my all-time favorite bloggers that I follow does a “10 things i love Sunday” post every week, and I adore it! So I’ve taken her idea and run with it, because it’s something I look forward to reading on her blog, and also it inspires me! I also think that in general, it’s good to focus on the good in life, so what better way to do that than to stop, think, and share some of the things that I love about life, or just love in general with all of you?

Here are ten things i’m loving this week…

one.
Hostess cupcakes! I know, it’s completely horrible and they are awful for you, but for some reason, I’m totally addicted! <3
I bought 2 boxes at the store today because they were on sale! Good thing one of my goals this year isn’t to lose weight, haha! Here are a couple “hostess cupcakes” that I made last year for valentine’s day…

two.
Romance. Romantic gestures. Particularly boys who do out-of-the-ordinary, sweet, creative things for their girls. Something about that just gets me every time. Whether it’s in a magazine, book, movie, advertisement, a friend’s story, etc. I just can’t help but get butterflys in my tummy. Absolutely adorable.

This painting is done by my favorite artist- Kurt Halsey. He used a photo of Mark and I as inspiration. One of the most precious things in my life <3

three.
A&W cream soda. Completely delicious, and completely bad for me. Yummy!

four.
HGTV! I have been totally addicted to this channel for about the past 2 months. I used to watch it a lot before, but now, from the time i get home, to the time I go to bed, it’s on. And I love it!! Can’t get enough! They have so many crafty ideas and projects, plus there is so much to learn about renting/buying/owning! Loves it!

five.
Bangs. Straight bangs particularly. It’s probably because it’s been completely dark and gloomy here lately. Rain, darkness, gloom, cold, wind, snow, darkness…. it all equals blah! But for some reason, it also reminds me of London… which is somewhere that I hope to travel to someday, but from what I hear it’s dark and rains a lot there… although I could be completely wrong. Anyways, yes, loving the straight bangs!

six.
Cupcake flavored foods! It’s funny how things become “popular” and then everyone jumps on the bandwagon. This week I’ve discovered and purchased Cupcake flavored Magic Shell, and Cupcake Pebbles cereal. I love both! So weird, but so fun!

seven.
Goals. As the first week of the new year, everyone is making lists of goals and aspirations, and everyone seems so positive about life! I just love it. I’m such a list-maker and goal oriented person that it’s hard when other people don’t “get” that, but this time of year, it’s almost like everyone is on the same page. It’s quite refreshing! Not to mention, I have my very own list, which is exciting

eight.
Blogging! I have been doing such a good job at blogging every day! Even though today is only day five, I already feel like it’s part of my daily routine. It encourages me to not only write and connect with you all every day, but also challenges me to think more creatively, and makes me more productive! I can’t wait to start shooting again so I have more photos to post on here for you all.

nine.
Sunshine. It’s dark when I leave for work, and dark when I get home. It’s even dark out during the day on the weekends. This has made it extremely challenging to play with my new camera, since my main light source is natural/available light. It’s been quite discouraging, and I cannot wait for the days to be longer and the sun to come out more! Oh sunshine, I love you so much, please visit again soon!!!

ten.
Laptops. I finally got my laptop, and it’s been SO nice to have! Not only can I now work on the go, but I can watch movies in bed, surf the web anywhere in the house, and just be more mobile in general. Such a luxury, but I love it!!!

Well, it’s time for bed, my puppy keeps scratching my arm because he’s ready to go cuddle up
What is one thing you’re loving this week!?

*all photos not by me were found on weheartit.com

today, i found the best thing ever!!!

CAN YOU EVEN BELIEVE IT!?!?!

Also, my darling boyfriend surprised me by having my new Tiffany’s bracelet re-engraved with the same thing as my original one, plus the word “Forever”. I was seriously so happy I cried. He is the best, I love him more than words.

As I sit here in my living room turned to office, cuddled up in my hot pink and zebra minky blanket (with a beautiful silky edging, might i add!), it keeps ringing in my head that today is the very first day of the year. The first day of 2010.

How should we say it? Twenty-ten? Two-thousand ten? oh-10? Just 10? I guess that part really doesn’t matter much anyways…

So, it keeps coming to my attention, that as the first day of the year, today is a day to start new things, new routines, traditions, regimines, etc. I keep thinking “I should blog EVERY day”. Well I only have about an hour and twenty two minutes left of today, so I thought (in-between netflix movies) that I should take a moment to jot down some thoughts for the day.

How did I spend the very first day of the new year? Well, I woke up at 8:08 wide awake as could be. I tried to roll over and fall back asleep, but I simply could not (go figure, I finally get to sleep in a little and my internal clock refuses). So I get up, shower and get ready for the day. I had plans to go to breakfast with my dad and cousin, so I went to pick my cousin up and we headed to the breakfast joint.

One of my favorite breakfast places here in Portland. They are small, a little grungy, and very old school– The Gateway Breakfast House. They have the most awesome sign up on their wall (one among many!), and as a former waitress I appreciate it all the more. It reads “All children left unattended will be given a large espresso and a free puppy”. Also, on their menu, it reads “rude and grumpy customers are subject to a $20 fee” (or something close to that anyways). Hilarious! I love little hole in the wall gems like this. Plus, the food is to die for, and the prices are insanely low! (If you live in the area, you MUST check them out!). Oh, and I also love the assortment of white sphere lights that hang from the ceiling, some working, some not. Here is a pic from a previous breakfast at the Gateway Breakfast House via my iPhone, and you can view another on my flickr if you like

Anyways, we had a lovely breakfast, bid my dad adeu, and Alishia (my cousin) and I headed off towards the movie theater! We have a habit of seeing movies and eating at the Olive Garden, our date night usual when we’re able to get together. We ended up seeing Nine. I honestly had no idea what it was about going in, other than everyone I know wants to see it and it had some big name stars in it. It was very well done! I recommend it, quite entertaining!

After our little day-date, I dropped her back home and headed home to my boy. He was, of course, cleaning While he finished up and got ready for dinner, I cleaned the bedroom (my, it feels SO good to have a nice clean vacuumed bedroom with no clutter and no dust!) We went out in search of a delicious dinner from Trader Joes, but they were closed so we settled for Subway It was nice though because I had been craving Subway since everyone at work yesterday was eating it… lol.

Anyways, we came home, relaxed a bit, and I FINALLY got to see Confessions of a Shopoholic! I’ve been dying to see it since it came out and I’ve even read the book! It was quite excellent, I just adore Isla Fisher (and her hair!!!). The colors, music, storyline and humor all just lined up. I know, I’m a sucker for those movies, but what can I say??

Anyways, the first day of the year has felt like Sunday all day… except it’s only Friday!! That means two more whole days of weekend! Woohooo!!! Today is also the anniversary of Mark and I being together- 5 1/2 years, officially! Seriously crazy how time flies.

Hopefully I will be able to blog at least once a day this year. I will really try, even if it’s just one image, or one sentence. I hope that my personal blogs will help you all to get to know me a little bit better, and please feel free to leave comments, suggestions, or smileys on any of my posts! I’ll leave you with this photo I found online of Isla Fisher, and how I wish my hair looked… sigh.. how does she do that???

Happy New Year!!! <3

A decade ago, I was a freshman in highschool, just 14 years old. It’s hard to believe how fast time goes by.

A year ago I was trying to recover from being laid off, working the worst job I’ve ever worked in my entire life. It was probably the most challenging time in my life thus far. I was completely unhappy with my job, the job market was horrible, i’d been applying and interviewing, yet not landing anything. I was forced to enter back into the world of food service, and it was completely devastating.

I think it’s the hardest when you have so many goals you set for yourself. You get ahead, and then life and circumstances send you 3 steps back. But I buckled down, persevered, and focused on the things in life that made me happy, like photography.

A year ago I registered my photography business with the state. It’s interesting to look back on the goals I had for my business over the past year, and how far I’ve come. I’ve accomplished many of those goals, exceeded some, and there are some which remain on the list for this coming year.

In July, I landed a career-oriented full time position, and I was able to escape the food service industry yet again (this time hopefully for good!). I feel completely blessed and lucky to have the job I have now. I get to utilize my education and degree, learn TONS, and there is so much room for growth and promotion within the company. Not to mention, it has enabled me to really focus on my photography business and it’s growth.

I’m VERY happy to say that this fall I was completely booked! It was busy, at times stressful and chaotic (it’s not easy to run your own business AND work a full time job at the same time), but I made it through, and I’m really happy with the work that I accomplished. I think that this coming year will be a great year for the growth of my business. I have recently re-branded and re-packaged everything, and I cannot wait to reveal it to everyone! I’ve also upgraded all of my equipment, so my quality has gotten much better.  I feel like I finally have a sturdy foundation for my business where I can now focus on perfecting my style and workflow. I am excited to see what the new year brings in photographs

I’m not much of a “resolution” person, but I am a crazy list maker and goal setter. I guess they are similar, but still different.
I, of course, have a list of goals for the coming year (and the coming 5 years, lol). Here are a few for this coming year that I look forward to working towards:

• Take more personal photos. Possibly, at least one a week– if not more. It would be great if next year I could re-cap the year in photos a bit more accurately.
• Bake more cupcakes
• Travel out of the country (I’m looking very forward to Costa Rica!)
• Blog a LOT more. With photos.
• Pay off some debt, if not all of it.
• Grow my cupcake collection
• Take Quincey on more walks
• Cook more dinners at home. Learn more recipes and start a recipe collection of my favorites.
• Let go of negativity, and those who are constantly negative. I don’t have time for this in my life anymore, and I refuse to be an “enabler”. This one could be really tough, but I’m just not willing to keep dumping positivity into people who keep dumping negativity on me. It’s completely exhausting, and a waste of energy. I look forward to surrounding myself with positive and inspiring people.
• Make a better effort to spend more time with friends.
• Save more, spend less, stick to a budget.

And there are some more which are top-secret for now! (I have to keep SOME things to myself, until they happen at least Don’t worry, hopefully you’ll find out soon enough)

Also, here is a list of things I’ve accomplished this year

• Turned 24 (gasp!!! getting so old…)
• Learned how to bar tend/cocktail/ mix drinks
• Made some great new friends
• Landed a career-oriented position at a growing company that I really believe in
• Spent time and made memories with friends and family
• Quit the job from HELL, on the spot, no notice. Something I have never done, but man with that job, if you only knew… it felt SO good.
• Visited Mark’s family in Reno for Thanksgiving
• Really focused on my Flickr account, and through it, had a couple of my photos published
• Built up my photography business: got serious, booked fall season, shot a few weddings, re-branded everything, upgraded all equipment, found new sources of inspiration.
• Celebrated 5 years with my boyfriend <3 (so crazy!)
• Had Quincey’s 2nd birthday
• Baked cookies, from scratch!
• Had my very first ever “paid vacation” days! eek!
• Booked my first “destination wedding”
• Went to my first Blazers game (thanks little sis!!)
• Finally tried In-N-Out, haha

I’m sure there are many more things, but I’m pretty sleepy haha. Anyways, this year went from crap-nothing, to everything I could ask for. I feel like I have finally found a place in life to plant, and this coming year will be about growing and establishing roots. I feel so lucky and fortunate that I have been blessed in so many ways this year, and I hope and pray that this new year brings more good than bad (by a lot). I also hope for some other things, but I’ll just keep that to myself for now

Thank you all for reading my blog, and loving on me and my work. It truly means the world to me!!! Look forward to many more posts, and even more delicious photos this year, as I intend to really bump up the blog! So excited. I hope that all of you had as exciting of a year as I did, and I hope that the new year brings a clean slate, a new sense of hope and optimism, and more good than bad.

And because I feel weird posting without a pic… here’s a random couple Mark and I on Christmas 2009

and Quincey and I <3

cheers to you and yours! <3