Ask of God
I’m not sure how much of a secret it is that I’m religious or that I’m Mormon. Today I taught a lesson at church to the girls I mentor, in Young Women, about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I went to the Sacred Grove this summer. It is the place, I believe, that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He asked God and God answered. You can read more about Joseph’s experience here.
I made this print for my girls with a photo from my trip. It’s the scripture that inspired Joseph Smith to find out the answer to his question, James 1:5. I continue to ask questions.
Feel free to download this image for your personal use only. It prints as a 4×6 with a white boarder. Perfect for bulletin boards or cards. Please don’t sell it, okie dokie?
Featured: Modern Star Wars Wedding Styled Shoot on Green Wedding Shoes!
I am so thrilled to finally share this shoot with you! I feel like I’ve been hiding it away for so long that I’m about to burst. Jen over at Green Wedding Shoes is dedicating the entire day to the images from the shoot as well as the DIY projects (go check them out!). I had SO much fun putting this styled wedding shoot together and could not have done it without an unbelievable group of wedding vendors, all based in Las Vegas, NV. I love them all to bits.
Take a look at a little behind the scenes of this shoot in the video. My sweet husband, Sir Luke, filmed it for me and I edited the whole thing together. I forgot how much I love to do video, don’t go hunting on YouTube, it’s painfully embarrassing…
When Sir Luke and I got married back in 2007 I had never seen any of the original Star Wars movies in their entirety. Most I had not seen at all. A year into our marriage when I declared I should watch the movies he so cherished. After he picked his jaw up off the floor and told me he couldn’t believe he had missed this “deal breaker” he sat me down on the couch for a marathon into the galaxy. He is of the camp that don’t believe in the newer films and is hesitantly excited about Disney’s purchase of the Star Wars franchise. I feel like, had I known about all of the radness of Star Wars I may have been inclined to include some things in our own wedding day. At least more than a candy bar wrapper favor. And that’s why I did this shoot. Ladies, don’t be afraid of the geekiness of your man, embrace it! You an have an uber classy wedding and still shout out to his obsessions.
Melanie, the amazing graphic designer behind Fifth & Hazel and Caravan Shoppe, conjured up a pattern that began the entire brainstorming process. Then, she designed a marvelous invitaion to Han & Leia’s wedding on May 4th, because as true Star Wars geeks know, May 4th is Star Wars day. May the fourth be with you! Additionally you can purchase the “I love you. I know” Star Wars printables from Caravan Shoppe for only $5!
We knew the design needed to be modern but it also needed to harken back to the Star Wars empire without throwing it in the viewer’s face. From this point we went with a color scheme of dark navy blue, gold, and white with hints of black and yellow. I rented gold chavari chairs, gold rimmed chargers, and gold flatware from RSVP Party Rentals. The gold was critical as a shout out to C3P-0. Stars were another important motif, being STAR Wars I decided it was rather critical. I cut out loads of paper stars and stitched them together on my sewing machine to make lengthy garlands. Are you as in love with the starry backdrop as I am? Well get back on over to Caravan Shoppe to purchase it and six other awesome designed for only $7!
The most well known characteristic of Princess Leia is her hair buns! I decided doing a modern bun on one side and a “bun” of flowers on the other was just the ticket. Reminding true geeks of her style while keeping things fresh. With the talents of bridal hair and makeup team Your Beauty Call and the floral stylings of Layers of Lovely, the look came together perfectly. Makeup was kept glam and classic with golds on the eyelids and lips. Catherine, from Layers of Lovely, also designed stars made of baby’s breath for the bride and groom’s chairs and a baby’s breath collar for our Labradoodle, Chewbacca! Our Chewie was a welcome addition to the shoot, and so worth it.
The custom bridal gown adorned with rose lace was designed by Las Vegas Custom Bridal Gown designer Megan, of Mina Olive. This custom dress shop in Las Vegas is the ultimate place to purchase a gown that will truly represent the bride and the day. The dress fit our model, Amy, like a glove and was the perfect dress for our stunning Leia.
Tiffany from Peridot Sweets sculpted the this incredible Star Wars wedding cake. The three tier masterpiece used Melanie’s Star Wars constellation design for the middle tier and a lovely gold brushed white fondant for the top and bottom layers. Absolutely stunning work. Tiffany also contributed some tasty favors containing her signature “gemmes,” which are the MOST devine chocolates known to mankind. Our models, Amy and Jerrick, were devastated only four were for them!
I hope you’ve found some inspiration for your wedding day, Star Wars or not! Head on over to Green Wedding Shoes to check out the DIY projects and to see more from this amazing styled wedding shoot! A special thank you to Jen at GWS for opening my email, even if the title of it was terrifying 😉
So many thanks to this lengthy list of Las Vegas Wedding Professionals for their amazing help. Especially considering what I was asking them to participate in, a Star Wars Wedding! Haha!
Florals: Layers of Lovely
Cake & Chocolate Artist: Peridot Sweets
Hair and Makeup: Your Beauty Call
Invitation & Graphic Design: Fifth & Hazel
Printable Posters: Caravan Shoppe
Custom Gown: Mina Olive
Shoes: Chinese Laundry
Groom apparel: H&M & Men’s Warehouse
Groom’s Shoes: Steve Madden
Table Linen: La Tavola
Vintage Rental: The Wood Trunk
DIY Projects: Meg Ruth Photo
Hanging Star Decor: Shingidz
Photography and Videography: Meg Ruth Photo
Rentals: RSVP Party Rentals
Han & Leia: Jerrick and Amy Robker
Office Makeover!
I’m addicted to Pinterest. I’m 100% totally and completely, addicted to Pinterest. And for someone who loves to decorate and dream and live in a visual land of goodness, it’s like crack. My house is slowly becoming more like a home with more personal items, art, and furnishings that fit with our taste and aesthetic.
My loft has been either empty or a safe haven for in-progress projects for the last three years. I decided that it was far better suited for an open, well lit, office and client meeting space. So what do I do? I start a Pinterest board devoted to my office decorating/makeover.
I’ve gotten a few things and a few pieces of furniture in the works to make it complete. But here are a few other things that I want to add to the mix!
1. Parsons Desk with Drawers
2. Portobello Ruffled Throw
3. Karlsson Flip Clock and Calendar
4. Chevron Crewel Pillow Cover
5. Sculpted Origami Pillow Cover
6. Metallic Brush Pillow Cover
7. Kite Wool Kilim Rug
8. Dahlia Candleholder Set
9. Gold and Acrylic Stapler
10. Brass Accent Table (not yet available at Target)
11. Magical Thinking Feather Curtain Tie Back
12. Ceramic Hurricane
13. Poulain Tape Dispenser
13. Magical Thinking Constellation Globe
14. Ma’am Step Away From the Computer Print
And here are some inspiring black and white offices that inspired me via Husligheter
Kindred Baby Shower
It’s always a blessing when a baby is born. I became an aunt for the first time at age six and thought my niece was the most delicate, beautiful baby in the world. Every time a friend or family member announces a pregnancy I get the same excited feeling. Like the anticipation of Christmas presents. Well, for me probably more like the anticipation of someone opening a gift I give them, since I have SO much fun giving gifts.
I love LaVey and Tyson! They’re so much fun and laid back and genuinely kind people. And it’s only fitting that their last name is Kindred. I mean it’s built right in! Tyson’s sister, Kallie, put together an amazing shower with the help of some of our local friends and vendors. Take a look at this cute shower!
Congratulations, Kindreds! Can’t wait to meet the little dude. He’s going to be adorable and very, very loved.
Vendors:
Hair and Makeup: Your Beauty Call
Invitations and Paper Goodness: SHE PAPERIE
Cake and Confections: Peridot Sweets
Maternity Photos: Natalie Ann Photography
Happy Spring!
It’s officially the first day of spring!! I love springtime. Love it. We get spring a little early in this neck of the woods (or desert, as the case may be). Last year on my mom’s and my epic road trip we got the chance to visit one of her classmates in Idaho along the snake river. Minus the train tooting by on a regular basis they are living the life.
Wide open space, chickens, garden, bee hives, horses, goats, it’s like a dream come true. Someday I will live in the country. Ahh, to dream.
What are you doing to celebrate the first day of spring?
The Burks: Las Vegas Family Photos
Goodness me, I love this family. Most especially, I love Melanie Burk. She is the most amazing wife and mother and on top of that the fabulous brainchild and creative mastermind behind Fifth & Hazel and one part of the Caravan Shoppe. She was a HUGE part of my giant styled shoot I put together and I’m intensely grateful for her help, talent, and serenity. Believe me, I needed it.
I think the best thing any mother can do before a family shoot is remember, perfection doesn’t exist in anything but your child’s smiles. I’m not a cookie-cutter photographer, I focus on your life. Things get messy, sometimes there are tears, and most of the time there’s fun. I’m so glad that the Burk’s embraced this and rolled with a session that is probably a little more lax and a lot more fun.
You can’t stop a tiny new walker from strutting her stuff, and you shouldn’t have to! Melanie painted a couple walls in her garage and we hung out for a while. It was magic. The smiles were endless, and that was perfection.
Couldn’t skimp on the cute. Maggie loves her some Taylor Swift. Boys watch out, she knows you’re TROUBLE!
Thank you for being so awesome, Burk family!