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Thank you 2011. Don't forget.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

"The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers."






I still remember last year when I cried in my car after an unsuccessful meeting with a photographer. I learned to say "no" to opportunities if it meant compromising my business. I finally understood that my identity is not in my business or in being a photographer -- but in Christ. That my worthiness isn't up for grabs so I won't base my success or self-worth in my business because God's grace has already shown me that I am good enough.

Good enough. A concept that I hope to teach others for the rest of my life. To help them find their strengths, hold on to them, and realize that no one can be "you" better than yourself.

After a lot of behind the scenes in the wedding industry, I opened Imaginale's doors to the wedding industry as well. I don't have words, I simply don't when I think about how special my relationships with my clients are. After getting a call from my bride's mom, I immediately grabbed my journal (I know, real paper!) and wrote down "don't forget" followed by a description of my emotions and the words "this is why you do this." For those moments when I feel left behind, when I question where my business is going or if I'm good enough -- I look at that paper and remember why I'm doing this.

Cling to that moment when it happens to you. Write it down. Freeze it. Because we're all going to need reminders one day. Thank you 2011 for the no's, for shoving me, holding me, challenging me, frustrating me, guiding me, and growing me. Thank you most of all for leaving me behind in order to search for "different ways or truer answers."

And you, what would this blog be without you? Thank you. I hope you're with me, whether in front of my lens, reading my words, or beside me in person as we head into this new year :)

0

Black Glasses & Fascination

Thursday, December 29, 2011

I've been having a thing for glasses lately...




Woke up yesterday morning at 3:30 A.M. to catch our flight back to Phoenix. We stopped at El Paso first and I cannot tell you anything about that flight because I passed out so fast. On the second flight (to Phoenix) I had this sudden burst of energy to start taking notes on my 2012 goals. Right there. Middle seat. In my little black notebook.

I'm swimming in thoughts you guys, swimming. I know it's a good place to be, full of inspiration and passion, but I'm trying to catch up with my mind and set some action plans. While at home in Dallas I found an old notebook from a college conference I went to with a quote that jumped out at me:

Inspiration + No Application = Fascination
Inspiration + Application = Destination

Funny how notes from my past can compel me in a way that may have not been quite so gripping had I not pursued this path. Anyway, I have some catching up to do now that I'm back in Phoenix. It's my grandma's birthday today so Tuesday night while Jose and I were still in Dallas we bought a small tres leches cake for her and sang her happy birthday with my mom and brother. She clapped, sang, blew out her candle, and asked if the cherry on the cake was a tomato. Goodness... I love that silly woman :)

2

Outfit Chronicles: Rainbow Thrifted Top

Monday, December 26, 2011

You see, this top was a joke. We were ugly Christmas sweater shopping at Goodwill and this rainbow-bright top practically danced a little number for us with its brilliant colors. Jose and I couldn't stop laughing and I knew that I had to own this top.

Did my husband ever expect me to wear it as an ACTUAL outfit? No. Definitely not.



But as I stood in my closet and stared at the top, I embraced the courage it takes to be bold -- heck, to be foolish. It's not so much the actual mistake we'll make every now and then, but the willingness to risk making it that takes courage.




So I decided to try. If I failed, then I'd put that top back in the closet and reserve it for an 80's party I foresee in my future.




cardigan + necklace: H&M, button up: Goodwill, jeggings: Walmart, socks + clutch: F21, heels: Plato's Closet

And if you didn't know, I'm awesome at making mistakes ;)

0

An Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

Thursday, December 22, 2011

In case you missed it on my Facebook Page... here's a little video of our small group's Ugly Christmas Sweater Party...

(remember to select HD if you're going full screen :)



Can you believe it?! Three more days till' Christmas!!

3

Fashion Bend

Wednesday, December 21, 2011


model: Hannah Sutton

Sometimes all you need is a black dress, an alley, and a chain.

Oh, and a model who can bend like no other. That helps ;)

4

DIY Anthropologie Mason Jar Snowglobe

Monday, December 19, 2011



I'm in Texas! At least that's what I figured when I saw all the boots and cowboy hats coming off the plane. Yes, the stereotype is true my friends. Or maybe the airport is just that nostalgic. Anyway, we're going Christmas shopping today so I'm going to make this one short and sweet :) Inspired by the snow globes at Anthropologie and refusing to pay $30 for each, I came up with this tutorial.

// SUPPLIES





I bought all of these little Christmas figurines (penguins, snowmen, trees), the Martha Stewart craft glue, glitter, and snow at Michael's (craft store). The figurines are only a couple of bucks for a bag of 5 in the Christmas craft section where they sell ornament crafts! You can find mason jars at thrift stores, but since I was making 9 (and they need a lid) -- I found a box of 12 at the grocery store.
//

Step 1 // Hot glue your wooden block to your mason jar lid. Then hot glue your Christmas figurines on top of that block.



This is basically serving as a base (and adding height) to your Christmas figurines. We happened to have 1x2 wood from Home Depot that Jose cut into little blocks. If you don't have (or want to buy) this, you can just use crumpled paper.

So glue your scene to this wooden block (or glue it to the crumbled paper that is securely glued to your jar lid).



Step 2 // Tear strips of notebook paper (or even better, white printer paper)



Step 3 // Hot glue the little strips around your wooden block to hide it



It'll look like this..



Step 4 // Cover your paper with a light coat of glue. Then add your frosty snow! It won't always stick perfectly, but that's okay! Tip: toothpicks are a great help when/if your fingers are covered with glue.



I also found these gold toned pine cones at Michaels. They're great for a more refined look. Just depends on how playful you want your snow globe to look :)




Step 5 // Drip your craft glue on to the bottom of your mason jar. Take a brush and make sure the entire bottom is coated along with some of the edges. Fortunately my hand was able to fit inside the mason jar so I used the same glue brush.



Step 6 //
Sprinkle your glitter and swivel your jar to make sure the entire bottom is coated.



Let it sit this way for a few hours along with your bottom lid. I made the mistake (due to an overdose of Christmas spirit) of immediately closing my jar. The next day when I opened it, the glue was insanely STRONG smelling. It's because I didn't let it air dry.



Plus, it helps to let the glue in your jar dry with the glitter instead of dumping out the excess immediately.



After a couple of hours (or the next day), flip it over, dust out the excess glitter, and screw on your lid!



I know, I didn't talk about the hanging pine cone. But it's ridiculous to get that thing on there and not really necessary :) I glued some fishing wire around the pine cones and squirted some hot glue at the base then literally STUCK MY HAND inside the jar to press the wire against the glue. I yelled many times in the process, burning myself 3 times at least. I made 9 of these for my party and I think I only put the hanging pine cones on 4 of them.



There's no need to be ridiculous. With or without the hanging pine cones, they'll add a kiss of whimsy to your Christmas either way ;)



Happy Holiday Monday! Hope you enjoyed the tutorial :)

1

Ugly Never Looked So Good

Friday, December 16, 2011

These were probably the only pretty things you'd see in our place last night...



Cause we had quite the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party :) I made those ornaments as party favors and I'll be sharing my DIY tutorial on them next week!

In the mean time... let me walk you through the process that REALLY happens before the party.

Exhibit A // Setting up my photobooth

Clearly I only have one model to test it on. My husband. Sometimes I know he wishes I knew people that lived near me.






How sexy is that "done" face?! Someone slap an Express logo on that image and we have quite the AD!

So then I moved on to making the actual booth itself. I had this idea in my head, but the execution came out COMPLETELY wrong. Had ugly written all over it.



It was late. I felt the gold tinsel mocking me. I took it all down and thought "if only I had a really nice fabric with... stripes... WAIT A MINUTE!" I remembered the stripe fabric from IKEA I bought to upholster a cushion that will never get done and crossed my fingers that it would be wide enough.

IT WAS! Design was revamped. And all was good...



Testing it out in my PJ's. Flash wasn't on....



We were ready to go. Ugly has never looked so good! ;)



Today I'm going to be packing, prepping my hard drives for our visit to Texas, and possibly attending another ugly Christmas sweater party! We took some ridiculous photos at the party last night and it's taking a lot of will power to not sit here and start editing them. You can't really appreciate the hideous top I'm wearing from that image. You'll just have to wait for a front view of it. I would say I am a cross between Cindy Lou (from Horton Hears a Who) and Austin Powers.

And truth be told, it's not even a sweater. It's just plain ugly. But that's all that really matters for these parties, right? Are any of you fashioning any ugly sweaters this Holiday? Happy Friday!

12

David + Devon: Mesa, Arizona Wedding Pt II

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Just wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone's sweet words on Facebook :) If you haven't seen Part 1 yet, stop by there first! I have a special surprise at the end of this post ;)

And here is Part II of Devon & David's wedding...


Devon and David decided to have a first look which is always exciting. This is basically when the groom and bride have a private reveal moment before the ceremony...


I love First Looks so much because you can actually throw your arms around each other, laugh your nerves off, and not worry about a crowd of people watching you.


From the reception space, looking into the ceremony space... My Vintage Venue is such a beautiful location.


One of my many favorites..





Jillian's perspective right before the kiss...


then mine..


Clearly Devon inherited her mother's beautiful looks. Love these two :)


Rust and Lace
... they left me speechless when I saw their amazing work. I've never felt overwhelmed with where to start with details before. Which is a really amazing place to be.




And right as the sun dipped below the horizon, we took some of my absolute favorite images. Like something out of a fairy tale. I felt like I was peeking into their home as they slow danced by the light...




Time to celebrate!



Take a good look at these people here. They will teach you how to party.


A fairytale night indeed


And that is all, my lovely friends. After second shooting for so long, I can't tell you how full my heart is to be able to share with you my own weddings with more to come next year! Sadly I couldn't squeeze all my favorites into this post (I KNOW. Ridiculous ;) So like my Imaginale Design Facebook Page -- and I can stuff your eyes with more ;) For now... we will end with this special slideshow:

(make sure the grey HD is selected if you're watching full screen! :)

The amazing vendors involved + Details:
Flowers: Emily Burton (works with Rust and lace)
Venue: My Vintage Venue
Event designer: Rust and Lace (Lettie Peterson)
DJ: Starz Entertainment (Matthew Bolt)
Catering: Classic Catering ltd.
Wedding dress: Mariee by Martina Liana
Shoes: Nordstrom (Beverly Feldman)
Garter: Etsy (rosebudlips)
Clutch: Nordstrom (Sondra Roberts)
Groom's suit: Men's Wearhouse (Calvin Klein)
Flower girls' dresses: Etsy (The Little Pea)
 

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