Archive for September, 2011

Last week I celebrated my 28th birthday doing one of the things I love most. Eating. My besties both took me out for sushi on two separate days (score!), and my hubs took me to experience the legendary Killer Shrimp in Marina Del Rey – which actually just reopened earlier this month after shutting the doors of it’s landmark Venice location in 2008. After 4 years of talking this place up, I finally had the chance to judge the Killer Shrimp for myself, and let me be the first to tell you- it did not disappoint. If you like shrimp and spicy food, let’s plan to be best friends forever and go to Killer Shrimp for lunch every day.

On top of devouring all that delicious food last week, I also got the chance to do something else I love: put a smile on some faces. This year for my birthday I hosted a giveaway for 2 engagement sessions and wedding photography. It is always amazing and inspiring to hear stories of love and experience love through the eyes of my readers. If I ever win the Lotto, I promise I will offer free photography to all of you, but as of now there were 3 winning couples who I’m really looking forward to working with.

Couple #1 Todd & Sara

Todd and Sara are planning their wedding for June 2012. I totally laughed out loud when I saw this picture with the caption “Our faces when we saw or wedding bill.” HILARIOUS.

Couple #2 Anna & Jimmy

Anna and Jimmy are planning their wedding for August 2012. Anna’s caption: “It is amazing what a spray tan, hair, and make-up artist can do… Jimmy likes to be bronzed and beautiful.” Clearly, I love the jokes!

As for Couple #3.. the WEDDING winners… well, that’s my little secret.  I decided not to post the picture or names of the wedding couple, because I don’t want their wedding to be scrutinized in any way. Just know they are AWESOME and SO deserving of this grand prize. <3

Thanks everyone for making my birthday extra special!

I met Debra at a Creative Connection USA/LA event. I really didn’t know what this event was, I didn’t really know what Creative Connection USA was, but I wanted to know. We met at the Santa Monica lounge-spot Upper West. My expectations were low, not because of the location, but because I had literally been referred to this event hours before. I thought to myself, if nothing else at least I can check out a new spot and get a glass of wine. I pulled up, valeted my car and walked into a private room of fashion forward ladies who were chatting away while sipping on pretty drinks. My kind of scene. Elise, a petite girl with an enormous smile, and Emilee (who had an equally big smile and a fun vintage frock) were at the door to greet me with a name tag and a little bag to collect business cards. In the first 10 minutes, I met photographers, stylists, florist, and a few other crafty ladies who offer superb services like invitation design, and blinged out cake toppers. My low expectations were squashed.

Debra is an event planner (Purple Meadows Event Studio) who was in need of a photographer for a friend’s bridal shower (that’s were I come in). We were chatting though email the night before and she suggested I check out the CCUSA event. Bada bing bada boom. That’s how the magic happened. Debra planned out a tropical bridal shower in a Venice backyard. If you’re familiar with Venice, you may have trouble putting “tropical” and “backyard” in the same sentence, but Debra’s genius design skills made it happen and it was gorgeous!

The bride and her personal bartender. And above her? Those are called S’muffins. I’m sure they are just as magical as this bridal shower was. I will be getting that recipe asap!