Tuesday, January 10, 2012

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The holidays this year were hectic, as is every year, so I apologize that this post is a few weeks late! Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year, well at least in my opinion. It's filled with family, friends, food, parties, more food, gifts, and of course GLITTER! My husband and I hosted Christmas at our house for the first time this year. By the time I was done decorating there was literally glitter in every corner of the house, oops! I wanted to create a special table decor that was elegant and festive for Christmas Eve dinner. Below are some simple ideas and tips that I wanted to share with you. I wish everyone a fabulous, healthy, and prosperous 2012!

Chargers are a great investment. They are very affordable and add elegance to a table setting. I purchased silver satin napkins to match the decor. You can find satin napkins at an affordable price online, I purchased mine from amazon.com. I always love the look of wrapping the folded napkin vertically around the plate.
I wanted to make party favors for my family to remember our first Christmas. I bought a huge box of assorted silver ornaments from TJ Maxx Home Goods. If you haven't been there you have to go, they have beautiful things for the home at affordable prices. I wanted to create a little tag to attach to the ornaments, so I purchased a few different items from Michaels to make them. If you have a printer, cardstock, glue, and some ribbon, you can easily make these yourself. It's a fun memento that my family can now hang on their tree every year.
The centerpiece was quite simple. I had 3 different size candy jars that I filled with different ornaments. I bought 3 bubble votive candle holders to add a little candlelight below.
I also decorated one more table for "the kids". I attached silver sparkly ribbon towards the top of 3 cylinder vases that I had. I filled up the vases with water and added floating candles at the same height as the ribbon. I bought glittery branches from Michaels to put below as a base.
I found this delicious recipe on Martha Stewart's website for Pomegranate Champagne Punch. I wanted to make a cute sign to display by the punch. I attached a key ring to one of the silver ornaments to create a holder for the sign.
Everyone loves a good cheese spread. I displayed a variety of cheese, meats, and crackers on a huge cutting board as one of the appetizers. Super simple to put together. My sister-in-law and husband make a delicious butternut squash soup and they were nice enough to bring some over on Christmas. We put the soup in martini glasses and handed them out as an appetizer. Soup is an easy appetizer because you can pre-make it and then just reheat when you are ready to serve. 

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow...

My friends Taleen and Hrag wanted me to take some photos of their little boys for their Christmas card this year. Both Daron and Sevag were in my wedding back in September, they made the most adorable ring boys! I stopped by after work one day and took some photos of them in their backyard. I made "Let it snow" signs, bought some Christmas colored lollipops, and cut out snow confetti to make the mood a little more festive. I love photographing kids, they are always full of energy and always do the unexpected. Taleen and Hrag, may God always bless your beautiful family. Merry Christmas!


Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Engaged: Anna & Hovsep

Both Anna and Hovsep are good friends of mine and I was delighted when they asked me to take some engagement shots of them. This was good practice for their big wedding day next October. I definitely recommend an engagement shoot for couples before the wedding. It gives you the opportunity to feel comfortable with each other in front of the camera. That way by the time the wedding comes along you become professional models ; )

We wanted to have a real natural and playful feel for the shoot, so we got some picnic goodies and headed over to an orchard near my house. We had our fingers crossed the entire time that the weather would hold up. Luckily there were just a few drops of rain. Thank you Anna and Hovsep for giving me the opportunity to capture some special moments. You are a beautiful couple both inside and out. I can't wait for the wedding, I'm having wedding withdrawls!