If any of you have been following my dear friend Emily and her husband Chris through their adoption story you will be floored to see that little Erika is already 3 months old!!! I feel like it was just yesterday that Emily was squealing with excitement on our Knitch weekend that they had been chosen to be birth parents....and as I sat at her house on Friday I was in awe of how amazing of a mother Emily has become in just 3 months to little Erika. She loves her, kisses her, hugs her and is everything a mother could be to a baby girl...to watch a friend's life turn into everything joyous because of a little baby is so unbelievable!

A few weeks ago I had the spunk in me to ask two of my favorite creative friends to collaborate on a project....it came as a random idea of something fun to do in the dead of winter and turned into something so much more that I had ever expected. Bethany from b*spoke, whom I have known since college and traveled across the oceans with, along with Dena, another friend from college and all around crafty girl who is an unbelievable graphic designer, both decided to help me on this wild endeavor that I had casually suggested via e-mail one afternoon. Little did I know that the combination of our three creative brains would be so much fun and rewarding! :)

We got together one afternoon to brainstorm, think and try and see if this was even possible to pull off in the matter of 2 weeks! And man did our brains start to spin. Beth posted some behind-the-scenes photos and thoughts on her blog today of where, why and how to this little Valentine weekend of fun came together!

This styled shoot, much to our surprise, got posted on Style Me Pretty earlier this week with raves coming from many many people. It was overwhelming. And awesome. Getting encouragement from people you don't know, people you have just met and having the feeling that you are doing something worth while in your life is so rewarding. I am not trying to argue that styling a shoot is my life's goal, but rather living with creativity, laughing with friends and doing what I love is becoming more evident to me as time passes.

I have to say a GINORMOUS shout out to the amazing vendors that helped us, loaned us items and gave us some trust to come along side us:
Event Design: Bethany Hway
Photography: Emily Steffen Photography
Styled by: Bethany Hway, Dena Swenson and Emily Steffen
Paper Elements: Dena Swenson
Floral: Ginger Floral Design
Bouquets: Jillians Etsy Store
Bridal Attire and amazing fur shawl: Che Bella
Grooms attire: second hand/vintage
Hair and Makeup: Lindsay Schlotte

I had ideas of traveling a day early and staying a day late while on my mini-vacay to Orange County Cali in January for that amazing Sylelab workshop. I envisioned walking along the beach, reading books while the sun beat down on my face, sipping cold Lemonade and taking in some much needed Vitamin D from those rays! Doesn't that sound perfect? And it sounded even more perfect after the blizzard-mania that we had just before Christmas.....

WELLLLLL...if any of you watched the news in January you heard stories upon stories of the massive amount of abnormal rain and winds that southern California was getting. Mudslides, hurricane-type-winds, street flooding, umbrella-whipping-through-the-sky kind of weather... And, of course, this was at the brink of my trip. Awesome! Needless to say I still had an amazing Emily-only vacay with many glasses of wine and much relaxing at the ever-so-wonderful La Casa Del Camino hotel in Laguna Beach ! :)

Although, the first day I got there I was able to see the sun peaking through the clouds for about 30 minutes just as the sun was setting so I immediately strapped on my camera and took a walk along Laguna beach and explored the amazing artist community!

SO. GLAD. I. DID!

It wasn't surprising that I saw MY FAVORITE quote from Henry Moore in Eliesa's little book....

If you are ever in need of a good conversation, Eliesa is your girl! Her business is thriving and she is inspirational to her core! Thank you E for everything you shared.....myself and my business are better because of our time together! :) Honestly.

Hattie and Dave COULD NOT have asked for a more perfect February day to celebrate their vows! The sky was clear (most of the day that is) the sun was partially out and the temps hit a balmy 20 degrees....a good day, in my mind, for a Minnesota wedding! :)

Their intimate wedding ceremony led way to a larger party upstairs at the St. James hotel as guests were greeted with hugs from the bride and groom and a tower of delish cupcakes at the reception! Hattie's details were wonderful with her purple, ivory and brown color palette and custom truffle boxes for guests as they left the party! She was even thrifty enough to find her designer Sophia Tolli wedding gown on craigslist for half the price of retail! :) I was impressed! :)

Every guest grinned ear to ear as they got greeted by Hattie and Dave at the reception doors---their love was contagious and their personalities perfect for each other! :)

My *favorite* part of the night is when we went over (across the hall) to Jimmy's Pub where Hattie and Dave had their first date almost 2 years ago to the day! :) We just HAD to snap a few at "the table" where they first laid eyes on one another! :)

Hattie and Dave's amazing vendors! :)
Reception and Ceremony site: St. James Hotel in Red Wing, MN
Hair and Makeup: Indigo Salon
Dress: Sophia Toli
Florist: Ardesign
Cupcakes: Hanisch Bakery

The day was blustery, overcast, smoggy and UBER cold in downtown Chicago...but that definitely didn't stop Audrey and Aaron from struttin' their stuff! If you know Audrey (or even sneak and peak at some of these photos) you can tell that she is hilarious, fun, outgoing and madly in love with Aaron (because he can make her laugh about ANYTHING...and I mean anything, which is sooo endearing!) They are counting down the minutes until they tie the knot near Chicago in July and I am THRILLED for them.

Ya know when you just look at two people and just KNOW they should be together...well, that is how I feel about Audrey and Aaron. :)

Oh gosh guys...I couldn't be happier for you two! :)

The details were *off the charts* for the reception set up! I LOOVEED this....
 

Chenin, Amy, Jocey, Doug and anyone and everyone else that had a hand in this rockstar experience I give you a giant HIGH FIVE and a virtual hug! So Cal is my new friend! :)

And another high five award goes out to these awesome vendors! :)
Styled by: Angel Swanson
Stationary: Wiley Valentine
Floral Design: The Treasured Petal
(the amazing) Dress Designer: Joan Shum
Makeup and hair: All Made Up Team
Desserts (mmmm): Vanilla Bakeshop

I couldn't have been more excited to hang out with Pam and Olin for the morning to shoot their engagement session---not only are these two extremely fun to be around but every time I am with them I walk away with a smile on my face for the time we have spent together. They braved the -12 degree temperatures to share their love in front of the camera and we didn't even have any snot-scicles when we were done! :)

And apparently we ran into "owlie-eyed-Joe" too......OLIN cracks me up! :)

OH---And the thing I am *most* excited for (besides the beautiful bride and charming groom) is the fact that they plan to have a handful of old cars around since it is one of Olin's hobbies. He happened to find this old steering wheel in his garage and it will be used for a car that they are going to fix up and drive as their "get-away" car on the big day.......cute eh?

My *fave* from the day.....don't you just love their love for each other!?!?! :)

Pam found this old-school Toboggan in her parent's garage that WE HAD TO USE! :) I am not sure we used it right, but it made for some super funny moments and even better photos!!!

Pam and Olin, your wedding is something I am soooo looking forward to this summer---it will be the most rad September wedding EVER and I am honored to be a part of it! :) I am counting down those days right along with you!!! :)

Ceremonies make me teary eyed *every time*....every time......

I love little kiddos at weddings.....and Hadley had me giggling all afternoon...

My most favorite ring shot of the year!!!!
Our receptions this year could also have been nominated for parties of the year...live bands, bonfires, props, photobooths......our receptions were hoppin'.....

And *OF COURSE* I love me some sunset photos.......beware 2010 couples I will drag you outside kicking and screaming if I have to in order to get some good ol' sun-ray photos! I promise you will kiss me for it later! :)

And if we don't get sunset....there is always moonlight! :)
Happy New Year......I wish you all many smooches, hugs and new memories at Mr and MRS in 2010! :)

Happy Holiday Pug...I hope you love your wonderfully knitted hat........ :)

Merry Christmas and happy sledding everyone! :)

Two of the raddest and most fun-loving people are right here folks...Krystle and Brian! They are in love and planning their gorgeous October wedding and I am STOKED to be a part of it! :) If you can't already tell, they are funny, outgoing and so perfectly made for each other!!! We spent a snowy afternoon trekking through Hudson and some surrounding groves of trees to find some of the most perfect spots for their photos......and ended the session with some sledding which yielded to wet and snowy clothes from, more or less, tumbling down the hill rather than racing on the sled....oops!

Disclaimer: This is the BEST engagement session on the face of the earth. Promise!

      

And I couldn't get over how cute Krystle's coat choices were---if only I could look that cute in PLAID! I can promise you that I don't! :)

Off to the sledding hill.........

Gosh, you guys.....you couldn't have made me any more excited for your amazing wedding in October---I honestly can't wait! From the fun we had sledding I KNOW that we are guaranteed a good time at the wedding full of laughs and surprises! Merry Christmas Krystle and Brian!!!!!!

The morning after the biggest snow storm since last year Carly and Scott decided to brave the -25 degree weather to share their morning and their love story with me! :) Gosh, are they great!!!!! Our noses only froze tiny snot-scicles so it wasn't that bad and we strategically jumped inside to outside to make sure our fingers stayed in tack while shooting.......

Carly and Scott are madly in love and HONESTLY know how to have a fun time together laughing the day away (if you can't tell from the photos).......

OK OK....I have to say that this was one of the more funny moments I have ever had with a couple. I asked them if they would want to do the "breath-really-hard-to-make-as-much-cold-air-come-out-as-possible" and fog the air up......they happily obliged and this is what we got......I find their expressions absolutely HILARIOUS! :)

And of course they had to include their favorite member of their family....RIO! The young, energetic and totally cute German Shepherd..........

Carly and Scott, I wish you the BEST and most happiest day in JUNE and wish I could be there to photograph! You will be gorgeous and it will be the best party this side of the St. Croix river.........I JUST KNOW IT! :)