There are big ships and small ships.

But the best ship of all is friendship. ~Author Unknown

The 350 Project

What three independently owned local businesses would you miss if they disappeared? Stop in. Say hello. Pick up something that brings a smile. Your purchases are what keeps those businesses around.

If half the employed population spent $50.00 each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.*

*Employment statistics courtesy U.S. Labor Department 2/6/09 report; 68/43 stats courtesy Civic Economics 2008 study.

For every $100 spent in locally owned, independent stores, $68.00 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.

So, pick 3, spend $50 and save your local economy. It only takes 1 person to start the trend.

Wisdom from a Silly Ol' Bear

"Promise you won't forget me, because if I thought you would, I'd never leave."
~Winnie the Pooh~

Though Karon and I feel that we have the best jobs in the world, it's hard when the wedding is over and our "job" is done. Each bride and groom we work with, truly become dear friends as the weeks and months of planning ensue. So the day after the wedding is always a little bittersweet for us. We hold out hope that we won't lose touch and the newlyweds will be kind enough to send us a quick email now and then just to let us know what they're up to.

Imagine our surprise last week when Laura and Jay (bottom photo) stopped in to say hi as they they were walking by the studio and saw our lights on! It was so awesome to have a few minutes to catch up with them and share more of the laughs we enjoyed before (and during!) their wedding.

A few minutes after Laura and Jay left, we had another surprise! Sarah (top photo) stopped in to say hi after yoga class. And not just any yoga class~ prenatal yoga! YAY! Another Red Shoe baby! We're really excited to shoot some belly pics and maybe a newborn in a few months?! With parents like that can you imagine what a beautiful baby that little one is going to be?

I can't help but think about the immense value in the clear-eyed wisdom from the lovable little bear called Winnie the Pooh.

"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is... even if we're apart, I'll always be with you." ~that is what friendship is all about.

My favorite romance movies

Spring is in the air so, it goes without saying wedding season will soon be in full swing. Spring weddings are extra special to me. Not only because my anniversary is in the spring, but everything is fresh and new. The air is even better in the spring. The season just lends itself to love and romance.

With all the love in the air, I thought I'd make a list of my favorite ROMANCE movies. You know, the ones with the big ending, that no matter if you watched it once or a thousand times, it still makes you tear up and clap with happiness.

My top five favorite ROMANCE movies (in no particular order) are:

1. An Officer and a Gentleman. Richard Gere. Seriously, no one looks hotter in that uniform than he does. Can the final scene where Mayo marches into the paper mill, surprises Paula and sweeps her off her feet in his dress whites be any more romantic?

2. Pretty Woman. (again, Richard Gere mmmm!) But really, is there any need to explain why this is in the top five? Hopelessly optimistic, romantic (and out of place) call girl, Vivian, gets the fairy tale she's always dreamed of when, her prince charming, Edward, climbs the fire escape to rescue her. They live happily ever after.

3. Sixteen Candles. A quirky movie that brings us back to the pains of high school. A cult classic. A winner because the heroine, Samantha, finally gets her man in the end even after sporting that hideous bridesmaid dress!

4. Gone With The Wind. Frankly my dear, if you haven't seen it, you'll never understand. Go rent it, NOW.

5. The Wedding Date. Single girl anxiety causes Kate to hire a male escort to pose as her boyfriend at her sisters wedding in an attempt to dupe her ex-fiance who dumped her a couple of years back. He turns out to be more perfect than she could have ever imagined. 

Sometimes it's just what a girl needs: An escape with a romantic movie for an afternoon.

Netflix anyone?

Remember to Breathe

Weddings, no matter how you slice it and dice it, will tug at your heart strings and push your buttons. You're emotional because you're thinking about your families and what this shindig will mean for them, because you're excited about the new family you're about to build, because all of your bff's are there to support you, you're emotional because there's a lot to do and you're kind of stressed out! You're emotional because you find yourself walking that fine line between keeping everyone happy and being true to yourself...

...you're emotional because you're committing to f.o.r.e.v.e.r with that one amazing person...and want the wedding to be that kind of perfect...

It's just one day, but it's significant, you know?
So amidst the flurry, should things ever get a little hairy or overwhelming, take a step back and remember to breathe and think about what it's all about. (hint: it's not about the flavor you choose for your cake or whether you pick a strapless or sweetheart neckline on your wedding dress.)

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - maya angelou

Tara and Eric

So beautiful and natural. Tara and Eric are a stunning couple and both ever so charming and fun to hang with. They're playful and happy and it made for a fun-filled and comfortable day.

Tara chose an incredibly romantic setting for their engagement portraits. We spent the afternoon at the oasis that is Shattuck St. Mary's school. It's a beautifully romantic location with the ornate and historic chapels and other regal structures. My favorite is the grand stone arch entrance, it looks so strong and impressive. We started there and then it was off to the warmth of Shumway Hall. Because like many of our recent engagement shoots, it was ridiculously cold outside!

Amanda and Michael

Michael could quite possibly win fiance of the year award. He agreed to shoot engagement portraits during one of the last Vikings games this season. Of course, we all know how the magical and exciting season ended, but when we shot, there was still a lot of fans hoping that this year would be the year.

Besides being the day of a really big game, it was freezing outside!

Here is a small glimpse into their delightful (and very chilly) engagement shoot.