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

<3

“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!

YUMMY!!!

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

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

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.

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