Wedding Wednesday: The Cupcakes

They're sweet. They're cute. They are fun size like myself, but better. They are CUPCAKES. Everyone knows about my love affair with the cutest cakes in all the land. In fact. If I had never met Chris, I would probably marry a cupcake. That my friends, is true love and devotion. But because I did meet Chris, I get to have the best of both worlds. And all I gotta say is that it's a sweet, sweet world.

For our wedding, Chris and I have decided to nix the wedding cake. Instead, we're going for my second true love. Cupcakes! Yep, cupcakes. An endless tier of cupcakes. Ok not endless, but there will be a ton. The lady at Sift where we had a cupcake tasting last month, said that 1 person averages about 1.5 cupcakes. But she clearly doesn't know me well enough. Because 1.5 for me isn't going to cut it. Especially if i'm diggin the flava flav. Dontchaknow?

We've decided to go to Sift Cupcakery for our Cupcakes. The flavors we've decided for our big day are as follows:

Pink Champagne- Fresh Raspberry Cake w/ Champagne Frosting

Ooh La La- Red Velvet Cake w/ Cream Cheese Frosting

Snickerdoodle - Vanilla Cake w/ Cream Cheese Frosting Covered w/ Cinnamon Sugar

My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Yes, it's 9:25 and I want cupcakes. I'm a cupcake-a-holic. If you can't find me on my wedding day, I guarantee I'll be at the cupcake stand. Just sayin.

Happy Wednesday!

Totally Rad!

Two things:

1. I finished my last class ever on Thursday night. No more signing up for classes. No more 1st days of school. No more tests. No more essays. No more SCHOOL! I graduate in May after a 12 week long internship in the spring. Can you believe it? It seems just like yesterday when I moved into my dorm room, now I'm done with classes forever. and ever. and ever. I'm all grown up, and ready to party ;)

2. If you click on this link, you'll see my name. Why? Because I got lucky! Oh so so so lucky! and I won a free seat to Chenin Boutwell's Style Lab Workshop! Oh party people, I've been dying to go to another workshop since Jasmine's in November. And I am so blessed to have won a free seat to Chenin's in January. Word on the street from one of my lovely photog friends, that Chenin's workshop is probably one of the best she's ever attended. And to top it off, I also won a camera strap from my funky camera. Hootie hoooooooo! Sure I entered for a chance to win, but the best part is that for every comment they receieve, they donate a dollar to NILMDTS! Totally Rad or what? ;) Thanks TRA for giving me the chance to go and a camera strap to boot!

Oh and last thing, here is a sneaka peeka of Chris' work. Yes, people! He is a photographer now. He quit his job at Equinox and is starting his own photog business called "I am better than my fiance" photography! :)

Ok, he didn't really quit. HE IS STILL A PERSONAL TRAINER! But isn't he good? I've taught him well.

Happy Saturday Loves!

Wedding Wednesday - Our Photographer

At Thanksgiving, Chris cousin Michelle mentioned her friend's blog which had a Wedding Wednesday feature. And I thought to myself, Wow! Why didn't I think of that? This girl gets major cool points for being so cool.

So in honor of Michelle's friends coolness, I am going to do my own little wedding wednesday feature. In which I will share with you details of my wedding which will be in exactly 338 days. Yes, my fiance and I count down. We're in love like that. But besides that, I'll also be sharing other wedding details which I hope will be an inspiration to future brides. So here it goes, my first wedding wednesday.

I've thought hard and long about what detail I'll share with you first. And I've come to the conclusion that because I am a photographer, I'd share with you who will be capturing our special day. It's still a bit unreal to me because when Chris and I got engaged, we knew who we wanted to photograph our wedding. At least I for sure did ;) We just didn't think it would actually happen.

The fabulous photographer who will be spending our big day with us is Jasmine Star. You should have known who it was after reading the word fabulous, but it's ok. I forgive you. Everyone and their mom knows how much I adore Jasmine's work. I've followed her since the day I clicked on her name on wedding cabaret because it sounded cool. And that she is, and more.

The short story: Chris contacted her behind my back and asked if she was available on November 5th, 2010 (Our first initial date) And she was booked. So Chris lets me know of this breaking news and I go online searching for other photographers that we could possibly get in contact with. I even posted a blog post here asking people for suggestions. But somewhere between all the searching, I texted Chris and I said "We need to have a talk, I really really really want Jasmine to be our photographer." So then. Over salads at Plutos, we came to the conclusion that we had to have Jasmine photograph our wedding. Right then and there he busted out his iPhone and sent her an email asking her what available dates she had for November. And that my friends, is how we decided on our date for November 19th, 2010. We are the only people I know that have decided on their wedding date based on the photographer's availability. 100 Brownie points for us.

Chris knows just how much I love photography, and how important it was for me to have a photographer that I really loved to capture our big day. Chris loves her too, so we are definitely excited to have her and her husband JD with us in Sonoma for our wedding. We know our photos will be nothing but fun, fresh, and fabulous ;)

*This photo was taken when I attended Jasmine's workshop in November

Happy Wednesday!

Just Dance Monday!

Hello Blog World! I hope all of you are having a wonderful Monday, and that your week is shaping up to be nothing but fantastic!

Tonight, Chris and I are going to see Lady Gaga in concert. I might not be a fan of Lady Gaga's crazy antics, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE her voice and music. She's a talented one, no doubt. I love it so much that I secretly dedicate at least 10 minutes of my day to a dance party by myself w/ her music playing loudly. Afterall, Just Dance. Riightt? Chris loves it too. He's never said that he loves it, but below is video proof...



This was a couple of months ago, but you can clearly see how Chris just loves singing and sit dancing to Lady Gaga's music. He rocks it even more than I do. Ellen will probably choose him over me to have a duet in the bathroom for her bathroom concert series. It's ok though, I know I'm the better dancer at the end of the day. I'm also better at Doodle Jump w/ a high score of 35,102

HAPPY MONDAY! and remember...Just Dance!

The Girl w/ the Red Umbrella

Drop after drop, the rain fell all around us. She danced without a care in the world. Tip, tap, happily in the rain. As the rain continued to fall, her attitude gave way for sunshine. She turned the endless sea of grey skies into a colorful world of joy. Her and her bright red umbrella.

Sara, I was honored when you asked me to take these photos of you for your special project. I love what you are doing with them, and I can't wait to see the end result ;) Though I had to re-sched one session this weekend because of the weather, I am glad that we continued yours in the rain. You and that perfect red umbrella. Xoxo

Here are some of my favorites...

Click here for a Slideshow

My Ornament

Chris' family has a tradition. Every Christmas, they put an ornament on the tree that represents something that has happened to their family that year. Ornaments range from a little drummer boy from when Chris was born, to a lawn mower for when Chris and Tim spent a summer at their favorite job ;) (hi tim!)

Last night, Lynn had us over for a yummy dinner. If you've never had cheesy corn, try it. Anyways, after dinner Lynn had us decorate the Christmas tree. I had so much fun getting to see all the different ornaments from year to year. When Chris and I finished, we were so dang proud of our work that I wished I had my camera so that I could take a snap shot.

And that wish came true. Except this camera can't take pictures. It does flash though, and it's fun size like me. This years ornament is a camera to represent myself because next year, I will officially be part of the Allen Family. I was so happy and so excited for my ornament on the tree, but even happier and more excited to become part of such a great family. Love you guys!

I didn't have my camera last night, so I used my iPhone to take the following photo.

I love my ornament. Thank You Lynn!

Happy Friday!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am Thankful for my Family.

They've been a constant support. With school, with the wedding, and with my dreams.

I love them so much, and I don't know what I'd do without them.

Happy Thursday!

P.S. My little brother is such a ham.

And the winner is...

I really don't even know where to start. I guess I can start with a thank you. A very big thanks to everyone who participated in my little blog contest. Near or far, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your responses were beautiful. Selfless. Filled with Love. They brought tears to my eyes, and a smile to my heart. You might not realize it, but you have given those in your lives the best gift of all. Your presence, and your love.

It was extremely difficult to choose the winners because everyone had such amazing answers. I truly wish I could declare everyone a winner, but I can only choose one.

And the winner of the free photo session goes to Jessica Rose from SF, CA. Congratulations Jessica!

Her response was:

...If I could give anyone anything, I would give my sister back her father for a day, so she could know him, and love him, and have what my other sister and I will most likely never have. She's had a rough life and has three kids, and she would totally deserve it.

Also, Congratulations to Kristy Uzelac from Salt Lake City, UT. She is the winner from afar, and will be receiving a special prize.

Again, Thank you to EVERYONE who participated. I truly do appreciate you, and your responses. I give you all big hugs, and best wishes!

Xoxo

That's what we do, We GIVE.

Man, time does sure fly by fast around here. Today marks the first day of December, and the beginning of the last month of the year. Decorations and lights are up. Christmas songs are on the radio. People are hitting their nearby shopping centers to make sure they have everything they need to give. Because that's what we do, we give.

On Sunday, Chris and I roamed the streets of downtown San Francisco taking photographs of anything, and everything. I usually shy away from taking photographs of people directly because I am afraid they will yell at me. But on Sunday, I somehow mustered up some courage and took photos of a couple of people. Afterwards, I made sure to tell them that I wanted to give them the photos through email. I loved it because once those words came out of my mind, it turned into a smile on their face. It made me happy because I get to share what I love with others. Because that's what we do, we give.

In the spirit of the Holidays and giving, I want to give more than just an email with a photo. I want to make someone smile. I want the chance to give, and I want to give others a chance to give. Because that's what we do, we give.

Who knows if people will even play, but I just wanted to post this to remind myself and everyone that the Holidays aren't about receiving. But all about giving. I hope that I can bring a smile to one person's face by doing this. If not, then I'll keep trying until I do.

THE CONTEST:

The Question: If you could give one person anything in the world, what would it be? Why?

The Rules:

Leave a comment below with your answer.
Must leave your name, and an email address for contact.
Be Creative.
One entry per person.
Deadline for entries is Friday, December 4th, 2009 at 10 AM.

Winner will be announced that weekend.

The prize is only open to entries from the Bay Area. Trust me, I wish I could travel all over.

But I'd still like to give something to those outside of the bay area, so I'll pick a second winner from afar and that person will receive a special prize :)

The Winner of the Contest wins a Free Photo-Session which includes:

1 to 1.5 hour session.

A disc of all high-res digital proofs including 10 images of your choice to be edited, and ready for printing.

And maybe a cupcake. Because I love cupcakes.

You can either win this session for yourself, or you can give it to someone as a gift this Christmas.

Because that is what we do, we give.

*Photos below are from Sunday.

Happy Tuesday! Happy December! and Happy Giving!

Through Chris' Eyes

We spent the day in the city shooting everything and anything. I love what I do, but I gotta say...I love it even more knowing that Chris is there shooting everything and anything with me. He used my old camera to shoot, and he handled it so well. Caressed it and worked it. Communicated with it. I'm so proud of him.

I'm also proud of myself for not getting frustrated at him while teaching

Today we were able to shoot with each other and just have fun. It was the best way to spend a beautiful Sunday.

I'll post my photos another time because I think Chris' photos deserve it's own post.

:)

These were touched up with my new Totally Rad Action set :) So glad they were on sale on Friday. I just had to get them.