love letters

so I realize this is a photography blog but I also want to share some beautiful things that I think you might like. I love love love paper. It has always been one of my weaknesses (there are many). Being a navy wife you get used to emailing your love when they are far away, but there is still something so special about mailing a handwritten letter. So every time I walk in to a beautiful paper store, I look for something special to send my husband. So here are some of my most recent purchases and the talented companies that made them, enjoy!

{above} the inside says "go change the world"

this one is in honor of our little dog! he looks just like this.

and this is one you can send to one of your buddies, who is there for you no matter what.

where to find them:

1. hand holding

2. orville wright

3. basic needs

4. bumping bikes

5. puppy

6. mani pedi

print is not dead.

handmade hats

I found these too-cute hats at a precious little baby boutique in Solvang, Ca.
they are handmade by a local gal and I couldn't resist buying a couple as props for some winter portraits.
happy monday.

south of france {welcome baby celebration} part two

planning

So I made this idea & menu sheet thinking it was just to prep the party, but once some of the guests saw it (kim) they suggested I include it on here.

On the menu- BC stands for a Barefoot Contessa recipe (the new mom's favorite). I got these recipes from the Barefoot Contessa's Barefoot in Paris book. The idea for the bebe sign came from a Martha Stewart post on her site about baby showers, I would love to take credit for it, but it was Martha not me :) Also, we did something a little different for the favors. We made Barefoot Contessa's chocolate bark and it was so good & pretty! We wrapped it in little bags for everyone to take home with them. I was so eager to give them away I didn't take a picture of one, so sad. We wanted the party to feel like you spent the day at a french farmers market and came home to cook a big meal and enjoy fresh bread, cheeses, and fruit. I also placed framed photographs of the new baby that I had taken all over so everywhere you looked you could see his little face. The new parents took them home with them along with a cart full of gifts! It was wonderful. 

party time

these were taken right before the guests arrived so some of the food is still covered :)

antique goat cart filled with gifts.

lunch is served!

the fresh flowers

and of course, the guest of honor...

bon appetit!

south of france {welcome baby celebration} part one

this may seem like an odd theme for a baby shower, but I considered these things when planning:
-the couple loves french food and southern french wines
-I just traveled to the south of france this summer so it was fresh in my mind
-my mom has an amazing array of incredible french linens from this company- Le Jacquard Francais
-this couple is really special and nothing about them is ordinary (in a very good way) so why not?

so first, some photos of the beautiful city of Cassis for some inspiration

this is the view from the beach looking back at the cliff from the first shot.

up next, planning & photos of the party!

summer fun

a wonderful family. a very warm summer morning. an empty beach.

a really fun photoshoot!

happy monday

this adorable little girl was very serious when we first started this shoot. Once I told her that she looked like Ariel, from the Little Mermaid, she smiled with joy and proceeded to tell me all about her most favorite princesses. so precious.