Angelic Bridal Style

I love me a good styled shoot, and this one definitely makes me smile. Evoking the angelic aura a bride exudes, this shoot is ethereal and light.

HG Photo Studio loves to get their hands in everything! As well as being the photographer on this shoot, Holly Rone, owner of Higher Ground Photo Studio, styled, crafted hair accessories and bouquets, and did the hair and make-up on these beautiful ladies. The lovely models you see here are friends who donated their time and wedding dresses. Everyone had a blast reliving their wedding memories!

I love NYC!

Last weekend I had the surprise of my life, you guys. When I woke up in the morning, I thought it was just another Thursday before a long weekend - little did I know that my four days off were about to drastically change.

The boy plunked a pretty package on my lap when I was still groggy with sleep. A pretty package with a simple bow, just for no reason. Unwrapping it, the spines of three books were revealed... Best of NYC, Travelling NYC - I was sending a theme? When the final strip of paper came off, two plane tickets fell out - we were LEAVING THAT NIGHT!

So I had a surprise four day vacation in NYC, full of shopping, food out, and shows - it was absolutely incredible. Here are some highlights:

Eataly - http://eatalyny.com/

This place is a foodies dream. At 23rd and 5th, this market slash restaurants slash school slash dreamland is absolute heaven. You can wander the aisles of perfect pastires and imported spread until your feet hurt, and then sit down for a perfect cappuchino to rest your weary toes. If you want a little more nosh - like we did - you can eat at one of the eleven food stations or make your way up to the 14th floor for a rustic meal and some roof-top brewed beer. It. Was. Amazing.

C Wonder - http://www.cwonder.com/

Being a Canadian I had not heard of C Wonder, but when we stumbled across this Soho Emporium I was in for a treat. The candy colours and vast variety of goods will keep you occupied for ages - from clothes to jewelry to home decor, they have it all and it all at a decent price. I got a few things there - including a belt with a big gold letter B buckle and those white sunglasses you see above. What a find!

Gramercy Tavern - http://www.gramercytavern.com/


A New York staple for some 17+ years, the Gramercy Tavern consistently ranks on the top of New Yorks top nosh lists. Known for their dramatic flower arrangements and world class food, we had to check it out. It was a bit over our budget, so we opted for an apres dinner cocktail and dessert - their assorted cookie tray to be specific - and soaked in the vibes. And the vibes were delicious.

Central Park in the Spring


I don't need to go into detail here... this is a must see. The flowers were in full bloom and the sights were plentiful - from the Boathouse to Strawberry field, this American icon is it's most beautiful in the spring.

Dylan's Candy Bar - http://www.dylanscandybar.com/

The gorgeous daughter of Ralph Lauren dreamed up this confectionary wonderland. Complete with candy staircases, a chocolate wall, and a candy-cocktail bar, it is the perfect place to fall into a sugar coma. Even the music is candy themed! A must hit for sweet-toothed travellers, this bright and tasty destination is my favourite place to grab a snack. Or a kilo of them.


It goes without saying that 5th Avenue is a must-see and Broadway is a do-not-miss - but I hope that these are some suggestions that you may not have pondered. We had an incredible incredible time - one of the biggest surprises I've ever had, and a charged up and recharging weekend of fun. Le sigh. I heart NY.

Sunset Cliffs E-Shoot

Ah, there is nothing like being young and in love! This San Diego E-shoot from EWatts Photography manages to capture the innocence and the passion perfectly (and don't forget a little drama!). Classic, gorgeous photos that I'm sure the couple will treasure forever - is there anything as precious as that? 

And just for giggles - you don't get a dramatic shot like that without getting a little wet! Looks like these two had a lot of fun :) 

Honeymoon - Safari Style

As you may know, the boy and I are getting married - SOON! After our wedding we are fortunate to have a month off before starting a residency, and so we get to take a honeymoon. A REAL honeymoon. And get this - we are going to Africa.

A few days on the beach at the beginning will allow us to relax, and then we hit the mainland and have an incredible safari planned. That's right folks, lions and giraffes and elephants, oh my!

Nothing gets my fashion wheels turning like a good vacation in the future, and safari style is absolutely one of my favourites. Lucky for me, this look is really on trend, and today I've compiled looks I love to inspire those wanting to bring a little adventure to the home-front.

Michael Kors Spring 2012 

No one does it quite like Michael Kors. To me, he is the king of women's fashion - wearable, current, and classic - there is nothing quite so glamorous. His Spring 2012 collection was all about the safari - blending natural hues and textures with the colours of the setting sun.

Donna Karan Spring 2012

Donna Karan was all about the rustic tribal prints and vibrant hues this spring.  I especially loved the cropped top with the full skirt, and the geometric necklaces would dress up even a simple beach dress. 

Alberta Ferretti Spring 2012

Alberta Ferretti was all about the details - beading and crochet reigned supreme on the runway. The outfits that I really am taken to, though, are the creative uses of day-wear to bring them into the evening. Tying your safari-style shirt with a textured skirt turns it into a dinner appropriate outfit, and creative use of your beach sarong can make it the perfect cocktail dress. Le love. 

Man am I ready for a holiday! I can't wait to take on the adventure in style. 

Real Wedding: Creative Schoolhouse Charm

When you're really in love, you can feel like a school girl again - giddy and youthful! This brilliant couple managed to harness that feeling and direct it into their wedding, which is full of school-day throwbacks and childhood memories. From the lunch-bag favours to school-portrait save the dates, I'm sure their art teachers would be made proud... and in my opinion, the RSVP "permission slips" are one of the most adorable ideas I've seen yet! Enjoy this wonderful event below! 

From the Bride:

At age seven, Jerry and I were classmates in elementary school in Pendleton, Oregon. We lived a couple of houses apart and would go to each other’s houses to play after school. We remained friends until halfway through our eighth grade year, when my family moved to Portland. But in 2010, we reconnected through Facebook and met to catch up on the past 23 years. We chatted exactly like we were old friends and connected on so many levels almost immediately. From that day on we were inseparable. In February of 2011, during a wonderful surprise weekend in Bend, Oregon, Jerry proposed. The drive home gave us plenty of time to talk wedding and it was obvious that our wedding was going to have a Back-to-School theme. For the wedding gown, my mother and I took elements of various gowns that I loved and designed a one-of-a-kind gown. Once we had the design, my mother spent the next several months making my gown come to life. We added whimsical school elements like a school bus parked outside of the winery during the wedding and brown paper lunch bags as favors. We had two vintage school desks, (that were Jerry’s and his brother’s when they were kids) and, with the creative minds of our photographers, set them up as a self-service photo booth for our guests. It was a hit! All of the save-the-dates, invitations, programs and thank you’s were designed and made by myself. The programs were cootie catchers, a form of origami used in children’s fortune telling games. And the thank you’s were reminiscent of elementary school Picture Day packets. Jerry’s and his groomsmen’s boutonnieres were miniature pinwheels and my bouquet, along with the bridesmaid’s, incorporated green pencils as bouquet “stems.” Our wedding day went without a hitch with family and friends pitching in to make it a joyous, memorable and fun occasion. It was a day filled with love and laughter; a truly unforgettable day, 32 years in the making.

Photographer: Wilton Photography

Hair: Taglio Salon

Catering: Olive Marketplace & Cafe 

Flowers: Jacky & Fiedler Flowers

Makeup: Face Body Beauty