Wedding Photography!!

So, the last couple of weeks have been spent hunting for a wedding photographer. Yes, literally hunting. I am planning on and have been completely calm, cool, and collected about every aspect of the wedding, all, except the photographer. This is the one thing that I will be anal about. I have come across so many talented artists. However, there just haven't been too many people that are exactly what I am looking for. Shane and I met with a couple of people and called a ton of people too. I just was not satisfied. However, we found this guy out of Houston and he is absolutely AMAZING. He is completely out of the box, editorial, and so artistic. I am obsessed. I spoke with him last night on the phone and we totally clicked. Hopefully things with him will work out. I must share some of his work. I really just can't say enough about him.

He is a true artist with complete raw talent. These days that is so rare. I just love that his pictures don't need to undergo 5 1/2 hours of Photoshop before they look decent. He just captures personality, style, and emotion. I am praying that we can make this all work to get him for our wedding.

Well, that's all for today....hope that you have a great week!! Do some praising as often as you can!

Ash*

Class this Saturday!!

So, I am teaching a class this Saturday at Scrapalicious. It is a mini album using looms. It has a little Valentine's Day theme. I have never ever liked Valentine's Day but for some reason, I am in the mood this year. Anyways, here are some peeks at the class.

If you are interested, call the store to sign up. The space is limited so hurry up!

Excited about the wedding planning that I will be up to this week. Headed to see the photographer on Wednesday and going to Madewood tomorrow to finalize plans. I am thrilled to meet this photographer because she seems lovely. I am also pumped to spend some quality time with shane. Those times are always the bomb diggity.

Here's a little sweet eye candy to get you through the rest of your Monday.

I'm off for a run and some more work at the gym. Then, headed back home to read. I also see some Starbucks in my future. Happy Monday!

Ash*

10 things i Love (not on Wednesday)

Well, I am supposed to post ten things that I love every Wednesday. However, I have obviously not been keeping up with this commitment. Life just does not allow it! But today, I am in such an inspiring mood. Here are 10 little things that are just adorable.

Number 1!

These sexxy suede boots. Even though I only have about one month left to wear winter attire, these boots are to die for!

Number 2!

These precious camper illustrations. Love the quotes....love the campers.

Number 3!

This completely phenominal outfit. I must and will own it! Like tomorrow!

Number 4!

This is just FAB! I already ordered old gas and oil cans to do something a little like this.

Number 5!

These handmade journals. I am creating one tonite with my own little style.

Number 6!

Can you say pretty, pretty, pretty? I will just get married in this. Gorgeous antique lace and a pink bow. Nothing else needed.

Number 7!

Speaking of pink bows, how about a whole entire bowl full. Lovely!

Number 8!

These flowered pugs....I love pugs..especially mine.

Number 9!

Ahhhh! This room. It is so pink and so pretty. I love all the books just stacked on the floor.

And last but not least, Number 10!

Sooooooooooooooo, yesterday i ordered my wedding cake and this is what it will look like. It will be black and white and it will not have the daises on the fifth tier. Instead, there will be a thin strip of ribbon with a little bow. There will red roses on the top of the cake with my little cake topper in the middle. Here's a peak of the cake topper:

Of course, the bride is a blonde. Well I hope that you are all having a good week. I am so excited...you know why? Because tomorrow is Friday of course!

Ash*

So..this is what life looks like

Well, these days, this is what my life looks like...

The wedding planning has OFFICIALLY begun. I was trying to put the wedding planning off at all costs, however, my friends and family were ready to begin the minute the ring was placed on my finger. Before today, the only thing that had been done was asking the bridesmaids to be in the wedding. But, today, we went to Madewood and scoped it out. Me, Shane, my dad, my mom, Jess, and Kasi all headed out there with our game faces on. Let me just say that the owner is absolutely precious and oh so charming. The house is gorgeous and the perfect place for shane and I to say "I do." So, with that said, the wedding date is December 4th. Wow! I am a productive bride and I actually got something accomplished. I even made my cake tasting appoinment for Wednesday. The entire team is attending that also. The lady at Madewood today called us the A team and I think that I am using that term from now on. I am so thankful to have such a supportive wedding party. The entire wedding party even the people that were not in attendance have all been so helpful and are really making this experience so wonderful and positive. Anyways, I have to set up all of the other appointments for photographers, videographers, the band, and other stuff but I totally feel like I got something accomplished. ................................Speaking of getting something accomplished, here is a little peak at the binder I made to keep all of those wedding details organized.

I have to have it all in one place and of course it has to be cute. Everyone was making fun of me today because they said the binder made me look like i meant business and I was going to make a lot of business deals. I just have to have everything in order and organized. I also actually found a picture of one dress that I like. I am anxious to go try on dresses. However, I am allowing some time for the running and Weight Watchers to take effect. I was on a hiatus from the gym for a while and now I am trying to make up for the damage done. Oh, and by the way, I did not get my Elsie inspired challenge accomplished. I know it really sucks but hopefully I am able to get some creating done soon.

Enough of the wedding stuff and so sorry that the post was full of it but I am planning a wedding and this blog is about my life so you guys better get used to it. On another note. SASSAFRAS IS GIVING ME A STROKE, A HEARTATTACK, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, AND A COMPLETE HERNIA!!!!!!!!!!!! The new lines are TO DIE FOR!!!!! They have completely outdone themselves. Cherry Delicious is my FAVE. I can't wait to touch that stuff, smell that stuff, and cut that stuff up. Go check it all out on the Sassafras blog. You will die! Okay well, I'm off to finish celebrating my boo's 25th birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANE MICHAEL!!!

Thank you for being there for me in the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. Thank you for loving me unconditionally! Thank you for making me laugh. Thank you for all of the sweet things that you do day in and day out. Thank you for understanding me and taking care of me. Thank you for being my best friend! Thank you for wanting to make me your wife. I love you and I can't wait to get wrinkled together! Happy Birthday baby!

Well, guys...nitey nite. Happy Monday!

Here's to Them

So, this post is going to be one where I get a little personal but I just really feel like it's necessary. The last two years of my life I have been praying for God to weed out those people/friends in my life that were not the best to have. The people that were fake, selfish, and only in the friendship to get something from me. I prayed that prayer for a long time and I feel that the process is over. God has definately gotten rid of certain people in my life. He has definately allowed me to see peoples' true colors. I am so thankful for those in my life that are close to me and that have been there for me through thick and thin. I am so thankful to share so much with them and I can't wait to have them involved in my wedding and the rest of my life. No matter what is said by others or the beliefs of others, these friends are tried, true, and daily showing the love of God to me. I hope that I do the same in return. Here's to them, the true blue friends that bring the sunshine in the rain. The people who are there to pick me up off of the floor, dust me off, and tell me that it is all going to work out. Here's to the people with whom I share the good times and absolutely can not get enough of. Here's to them. Thank you and I love you oh so much!

Surprise Holiday

So, I have been off from work for the last two days and OVERJOYED is the best word to use to describe how I feel about it. They had to cancel school on Monday and Tuesday because of busted pipes around the schools in the parish. It has been lovely being off. Of course I have been staying up late. On Sunday, I read till really late at night. I got this new book that I will post about later that I just can't put down. Last night, I went to the store to help Vera decorate the front windows with a little love feel. I must say we were worried at first because we had no clue what we were going to do. However, it came out really cute. Yesterday, I watched Madelyn all day and it was so much fun. She is such a rockstar and I just can not get enough of that girl. Today, so far, I have slept very late and I have plans that include, PJs, lattes, reading, and creating. Ah, to live a life like this every single day. It would be a dream. So, here are some layouts that are really inspiring me today.

Well, Im headed to pick up a latte and then hibernate in my studio. I think that I am going to finish the rest of the wall decor in there today. I hope that you are all having an inspiring day too. Oh and by the way, Sassfras posted sneaks and I hate the way that they are toying with my emotions. Go check it out on their blog. I'm so thrilled to see the full collections. Happy Happy Tuesday.

Praise the Man with the plan!

Ash*

A new treat!

So, today, Shane and I joined phone plans and I finally got a cool phone. I have never ever gotten anything but the phone that is free with your plan, so getting the new IPHONE is a whole new adventure for me. It took me about 5 seconds to become completely obsessed. It even has a weight watchers app so that I can keep track of my points easily! Whoop Whoop! The phone is absolutely delicious. I plan on spending hours playing! Happy Happy Monday!

(Excuse the hair...i just got out of the shower!)

Elsie Inspired

Yes, it's me and I'm posting twice in one day. Oh, and yes, it is 12:46, I am wide awake and I have to be up for work very early. Oh, well. Anyways, you all know how I love me some Elsie. She posted a little challenge on her blog and it inspired me. I just have to play along. She decided to challenge herself to do 10 paintings this week and she will reward herself with a little treat. Well, I am challenging myself to do at least 3 layouts/projects this week and post them for your eyes to see. If I complete my challenge, I will buy myself a clutch that I have been having my eye on. If you decide to play along, post about it and let me know. If I can actually meet this goal I will be thrilled. I never make any time to create during the week so three layouts/projects will be lovely. Well, I am going to hit the sack. Button says Happy Monday everyone! I am praising Him a whole lot today! Ash*

Class at Scrapalicious

So, this weekend was lovely, and I have absolutely no desire to go back to work tomorrow. I'm never going to make it. I spent tons of time with Vera this weekend at the store and got lots accomplished. I did a couple of layouts using the new Studio Calico. Vera and I also gave Scrapalicious a complete makeover. It looks really good. We literally moved every single thing in the store. It was fun. You should go and check it out. There is going to be an all day crop at the store on Saturday and I will be teaching a class. How many of us make New Year's resolutions every year? And, how many of us really keep them. I am not much of a fan of New Year's resolutions. I think they are a tad cliche'. I think that we should set goals all throughout the year to self improve. I usually make lists of promises to myself about 5 or 6 times a year. So, I completed a layout of promises for the beginning of 2010. Here is a pic of the layout.

Check out the Scrapalicious blog for a list of what you will need. The class will cost $25 and it will start at 2pm. We will use this layout to highlight the things that we promise we will do and will not do this year. We will do a cool decompage' (however you spell that) technique, use the new Studio Calico, paint and stamp a hanger, and you will also get a little poloraid treat from my new fabulous camera! I hope lots of you guys sign up because I look forward to seeing you. Happy Sunday!

Ash*