weekend festivities...

This weekend was fabulous. It was spent at home. No planes... no suitcases... no plans. I love what comes from a weekend with no plans... you just never know...

On Friday, we turned this....

...into this...

...which resulted in this...

...a wonderful date night at The Cheesecake Factory. We have tightened up on our budget a bit lately. Don't worry, we cashed the coins in for dollar bills at the bank before we actually paid for our dinner. No, we didn't just leave a bunch of rolled quarters on the table... thought about it... but we decided that might get heavy in the waiter's apron for the evening.

I enjoyed a yummy caramel apple spice from Starbucks for dessert...

While Lance caught up on recent events...

Saturday involved a quick spray paint job...

...an amazing Goodwill find...

...and a massive organizing overhaul.

And Sunday included a walk to and from church...

Oh, and a couple of photo shoots (sneak peek soon). Told you. A weekend without plans is sometimes the very best kind of weekend.

dominique & chris :: married!! {louisville wedding photographer}

Last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing a beautiful wedding in Mobile, Alabama. I could not have asked for a more perfect day... the weather was a sunny 70 degrees... the event location was gorgeous... the bridal party was incredibly easy going... the DJ was flippin' awesome... and the bride and groom were amazing. See, perfect.

I loved everything about this wedding... here were a few of my favorite moments...

...the handsome groom...

...the stunning bride...

...that moss-covered "K" (love it)...

...wearing mother's pearls...

...the sweetest first glance moment...

(Chris literally did a 180 all the way around his bride to make sure he didn't miss a thing, so sweet)

...those purple flowers (sigh, love)....

...groomsmen lookin' good in their bow ties...

...gorgeous bridesmaids...

...sweet moments between bride & groom...

...a super fun (and good lookin') bridal party...

...father/daughter love...

...a groom that makes his bride smile from ear-to-ear...

...a candlelit first dance...

..."a little bit softer now" (love this one)...

...dancing the night away...

...a bride that's not afraid to take over the dj table...

...spinnin' records...

...a sparkly get away...

...happily ever after...

Which one is your favorite? I'm not sure if I can pick just one. Be sure to share some love with the newlyweds! Congratulations Dominique & Chris!!

thankful thursday {link up} & embrace the camera

{Link up your own Thankful Thursday post below}

This Thursday I am thankful for:

1) People that pray for us. This past week my heart has swelled with gratefulness for the friends and family (and even people we don't know) that stop and take time out of their busy day to pray for us. After publishing this post, I have been overwhelmed by the kind words and prayers that have been sent our way. Thank you.

2) Sweet tea. No... REAL sweet tea. None of this "Kentucky sweet tea" business. Real Southern sweet tea... the kind that has more sugar than tea... that's right, the good stuff. I was in Mobile, Alabama this past weekend, and let me tell you... the sweet tea was sweet. I'm convinced that the further south you go, the sweeter the tea gets.

3) My mom... who happens to be celebrating her birthday tomorrow! I am so grateful for my mom... for so many reasons. She is my mentor and encourager... my friend and confidant. This picture is me and mom embracing the camera from our trip in Germany. I love you mama... happy-day-early-birthday!

So, what are you thankful for this week? Grab the Thankful Thursday button from right sidebar and link up your own Thankful Thursday post below...

And be sure to head over to Emily's blog at The Anderson Crew to join in the Embrace the Camera fun...

that one room... you know the one...

I have this one room in my house.

You know the one... It's the room where anything that doesn't have a home goes. It's the room where any unpacked miscellaneous boxes are sent (and stay). It's the room that is missing important furniture pieces. It's the room that has nothing on it's walls yet. It's the room that has delayed any type of home tour on this blog.

It's the guest room. Well, it's supposed to be.

We have beds... ahem, scratch that, we have mattresses... on the floor. We haven't quite got around to purchasing box springs and bed frames yet.

There is also this pile of boxes that has made it's way into this room... it's a big pile of miscellaneous shit that I have no idea what to do with. So... it stays.

But we're making it work. Making lemonade out of lemons if you will. Little Cat seems to like this room just fine. And don't you worry... we're still recruiting visitors to Louisville... we'll have the mattresses all ready for you:)

So, there you have it. Part I of the house tour... more to come eventually, promise.

Linking this up to Picture Me {Im}perfectly over at Capturing Motherhood. Be sure to read her post this week too if you have time... it's a good one and hit me right where I'm at.

top 10 :: christmas ideas i want to try this year

Twas two months before Christmas...

I know, I know... still 60 days... and we still have to push through Halloween and Thanksgiving... yeah, yeah. I can't help it. This cooler weather automatically gets me thinking about cinnamon, Christmas shopping and jingle bells. I apologize in advance to any of you die-hard-no-Christmas-until-after Thanksgiving-people. Any of you out there might want to just skip over this festive post.

Thanks again to Pinterest, here are the top 10 Christmas ideas I want to give a go this year...

1) Evergreen Joy...

I love the country chic look of the white ceramic pots. The best part... this holiday decor could stay out way after Christmas time. {source}

2) Peppermint Oreos...

These look delicious... and beautiful. {source}

3) Christmas Planner...

I really want to put one of these together this year. I kind of tried last year, but it really just resulted in a pile of Christmas magazine clippings. I think this would be so, so helpful with Christmas shopping every year. {source}

4) Jingle Bells...

...tied to cabinet doors! Brilliant! I love how simple and sweet this is. This would also work on the corner of a kitchen chair or the drawer of a nightstand... nothing beats a little bit of unexpected Christmas cheer:) {source}

5) North Pole Cupcakes...

How adorable are these?!? They look super simple too! Just a peppermint stick and a red hot on the top, and presto! You're at the North Pole! {source}

6) Stamped Gifts...

I have always been a huge fan of the brown kraft paper... but I've never really thought about stamping my names directly on the paper! I love this idea! {source}

7) Thumbprint Christmas Tree...

This would be a great project to try with the kiddos. I think this tree would look awesome in a frame by the kitchen sink. This source has tons of great fingerprint ideas... snowmen, reindeer, stockings, carolers, etc... {source}

8) Advent Envelopes...

I love the simplicity of this advent calendar, and there are so many things you could do with this! A note to different family members on different days... a Christmas activity for each day... a piece of scripture to read with the family every night... you get the idea. I am so doing this. {source}

9) Kitchen Chair Decor...

What a pretty way to "tie" in (haha, get it? tie in?) some red & green at your house. Again, super easy. {source}

10) December Daily...

I will definitely be doing this again this year. I've made one the past 2 years (granted, I finish waaaaay into the next year) and I love this project. You can read more about Ali Edward's December Daily project right here. {source}

So... what about you? Anyone else itching for Christmas music and holiday decor? Anyone want to give the December Daily a try this year with me?? It's soooo fun, I promise:)

Linking this up to Oh Amanda.

weekend festivities...

My weekend was spent in Mobile, Alabama... and started bright and early Friday morning when these two little stinkers woke me up before 8:00am demanding their Aunt Juuuah pedicures...

And because I simply can't resist their sweet little faces, they easily talked me into manicures as well. I mean... look at them.

After manis & pedis, it was time for breakfast... waffles, bananas, an orange, some bread... and broccoli... don't forget the broccoli. Order up!

Then it was off to work. I had a few mini-sessions scheduled with some beautiful families. I really enjoyed these sessions... the weather was perfect and these were all families I knew from my college days. It was great to catch up a little and to see how their families have grown...

Then, of course, the main reason for my trip out to Mobile, AL... a beautiful, beautiful wedding. I can't say enough good things about this adorable bride and groom... by far one of the most laid back couples I've ever photographed. Planning to share a full wedding post later this week!

Congratulations Dominique & Chris!

What about you? How was your weekend?