Category Archives: Stuff We Love

08.31.11

Miami Bridal Shower | JCG Events

Hello Dear Internet Friends.  It is again #WeddingWednesday and as luck would have it I actually have another wedding related post for you.  Now you may think that is this is not such a surprise coming from a wedding photographer.  But seeing as I don’t do weddings every weekend, and it is the off-season in Florida, this is a great accomplishment indeed!

Before I get to far into this wedding related post I must tell you that I have made decision.  And that decision is…..if you are one of those crazy, annoying people that drive 45 mph on the freeway….. you DERSERVE every dirty look, cursing, tailgating you get.  And if you are a tourist….lost…..next time get the F$%^& GPS!  It’s only 10 dollars.  A drink in Miami Beach costs more than that.  As these type of people happened to me twice on the way to the wedding event I’m about to tell you about….I felt the need to state this for your benefit.

Ok, so this last Sunday I was priveledged to be asked to attend and photograph a bridal shower thrown by the amazing Jessica Masi of JCG events for her beautiful sister, Elsie.    However, when I walked into the room I couldn’t help but think “This party must be for me!”  Nevermind the fact that I am not getting married (already did that), nor is it anywhere close to my birthday (however its less than 3 months away…hint, hint) I just couldn’t help but figure that this beautiful party, which has so many things I ADORE, must have been created with ME in mind.  I mean…..right?

Oh is this for meeeeeee??????  Awwww…..you shouldn’t have! My mind  then registered the total silence in the room.  No shouts of “surprise” echoed upon my entrance.  Apparently, other people love what I love.  And there really was a bride who did show up looking beautiful, glowing and perfectly bridal.   Darn it!

Needless to say, having a sister who is a PHENOM event planner with an amazing eye for detail…means your bridal shower is the most amazing thing ever.  Ummm….can you say “not fair”?  I contemplated sulking in the corner and contemplating the unfairness of it all….but I was quickly distracted by all the yummy details surrounding me.  It’s like being a kid in a candy store. I kept getting distracted by the next FAB thing my eyes landed on.  I call this “shiny object syndrome” and I have suffered with it for a long time….:D

So, the theme of this A-MAZ-ING bridal shower was all about romantic comedies (see now anyone who knows me is going “ahhhhhhhh…… I now undertand why Candice thinks this could have been for her….makes total sense.” ) And if you don’t know me, you now know I am a connisour of the romantic comedy.  Date night? It must be a romantic comedy (what other type of movie makes you all warm and mushy and probably gets you laid?).  I have seen each and every one of the major ones….and most of the “you’ve probably never heard of them” variety.

But I have to say, it did fit Elsie as well.  As an actress and a model, what better type of bridal shower could you have.  Complete with red…I mean PINK carpet, backdrop for pictures, and music from the movies no one could help but be filled with romantic bliss:D

Take a look……

So everyone walked in on the awesome PINK carpet to the ultra glam polaroid papparazi area.  This was a huge it.  The Polaroid’s were then put into a book for everyone to sign for the bride.  A perfect keepsake:)

The room was decorated in shades of pink and grey.  A beautiful combination that was chic, sophisticated, and girly.Aren’t these tulips BEAUTIFUL????  Love.  Wish I could keep fresh tulips in my house all the time!  Appetizers included this CRAZY-ASS-AMAZING ceviche!  Seriously the best I’ve ever had.  Oh and since I’m talking about food…..you are just gonna be sooooooo jealous to hear you missed out the the best mini cheesecakes in the WHOLE WIDE WORD!!!  Yummm….    Ooops!  I just drooled on my computer.  Drat.

All of the drool-worthy food was brought to you by Gabriela Xacur of Gourmet Sweets.

Ok I just sooooooo LUUUUUUUUUVVVV these linens.  I have a thing for texture.  It makes me want to run my hands all over everything (its ok…I washed them first).  And the effect is soooo chic & modern!

Guys must have sixth-sense about these things because the groom crashed the party just in time for dessert and presents.  Aren’t they cute???

I think maybe he just likes sitting in between lots of pretty girls;)You go…..ummmmm….guy?  LOL.  Maybe these should have come with instructions…..

These adorable little bath goodies were a perfect favor!!!Of course I couldn’t finish the day without a picture with with the amazing talent behind this whole party!!!  Note to self: do not hand the camera to the guy who’s spent the last several hours drinking beer by the pool….the picture may be slightly blurry…..

post by | Candice

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Posted in Stuff We Love, Weddings

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The Friday Fresh Squeeze | Floridian Weddings - [...] this an adorable bridal shower that local planner Jessica threw for her sister? So [...]September 2, 2011 – 9:37 am

08.16.11

Fav picture and a breakfast recipe

Ok before I get started on my randomness I wanted to share this sneak peak image from Aaron & Renay’s recent engagement session.

I <3 this image.  I keep looking at it again and again and again….and I’m like…..did I really do that???? I just love everything about it.  That moment just before the kiss that makes butterflies in your stomach.  I love the way her hair blows back just perfectly and her dress slightly ripples in the breeze. This probably sounds incredibly conceited, but I just can’t help it!

Oh I think I need to name this picture?  Any ideas?

Ok onward to randomness….

Lately I’ve been really inspired by a couple of blogs I like to read on a regular basis. These amazing bloggers have actually become good friends and I’m so inspired by their ability to write in a way that makes me feel like I’m totally connecting with them and they show so much personality. What?  You want to read them too??  Of course you do!!!  Ok ….here you go….

Definitely read The Knotty Bride Blog.  Definitely.  I mean it.  What you say?  You’re not a bride??  Never fear!!!  Neither am I!  But this blog is sooooo awesome because although it does keep up a steady stream of pretty wedding loveliness.  It is SURROUNDED my amazing non wedding ramblings and writings that WILL make you laugh, nod your head, empathies, and feel like you’re talking to a long lost friend (if you leave comments….which you should.  And if you are at all a dog lover like me…..you will become addicted to the daily mischief and life of Bambino McPuppypants.  Beware….it may make your dog(s) jealous.

And the other blog you really must read….absolutely MUST…. Is Think Pretty Thoughts.  Now I’ve mentioned this blog before as being absolutely inspirational….and it is.  But its also one of those blogs where you wish the writer was really one of your BFF’s and you could just hang out all the time.  It’s a fitness and fashion blog.  But when it comes to fitness you feel an amazing sense of “you can do it” without being pushy or overbearing.  Besides….she admits she eats warm gooey brownies and sprinkles cupcakes.  Which means she’s a REAL LIVE GIRL!  Yeah!  Because the last thing we need is another fitness expert talking about their crazy bland diet and never ever having another sweet again.  The fashion posts are just as amazing and will leave you wanting to head to your closet and come up with a new outfit you haven’t tried before…or maybe go shopping.  But I always want to go shopping.

Well even though this may not be a personal blog or fitness blog or whatever blog I decided to incorporate some of their techniques into our fabulous blog so you are going to get to see a bit more of our crazy life.  Maybe a bit about trying to get back in shape (fingers-crossed!) and maybe some personal pictures from my iPhone.  (Disclaimer: These are not professional people. Keep that in mind!) We’ll just see where this goes. Be sure to let me know what you think!

So dear Internet, this is a BIG week I have huge news!!!  This last weekend I did something I don’t normally do….. I took the weekend off!!!!

{GASP}

I know you’re shocked. I do. I know what you’re thinking.  “Did she actually take the whole weekend off???”

Well ….sorta…. I DID take Saturday off and had a GREAT day. Really, an AMAZING day. I slept in VERY, VERY, LATE …and then went to the pool .  From which, I came home with a tan while Travis has to baby his newest sunburn (tehe) (Is it evil of me to laugh that he ALAWAYS sunburns???  ALWAYS!!!)

And then I rested, read a book and rested a bit more.  Really, it was the most AWESOME day ever!!!  I really need to have more days like this.  Sunday I consider a half-day off because I did not tiny smidgen of work.  But all in all this was a very productive, restful, weekend.

Well, for today’s blog post I thought I would take a page from the Think Pretty Thoughts blog and share with you a recipe.

If you know me you are now either: A. Wondering if I was abducted by aliens.  Or B. Deciding that I’ve hired someone to write my blog. However, you would be sooooo wrong!!!!

Now I can’t pretend to be a cook, by any means, and actually, I really kind I hate it!  But I have a recipe that I love and I make it almost every day. I’ve had some people ask me about it so here it is.

Ok so what I do know is important for eating healthy is having a good breakfast.  Especially hot oatmeal in morning for the awesome fiber. But, I cannot eat a whole bowl of oatmeal!  It’s too much!  I also know I need to have protein and I if I couldn’t eat a whole bowl of oatmeal how in the HECK was I going to add protein.  I have in the past tried adding protein powder to my oatmeal.  I DO NOT recommend this!!!  It is maybe the most disgusting thing I have ever tried to make myself eat!

So this is what I do instead.

EGG & OATMEAL PANCAKE

(*Note* I know I’m not the first to come up with this.  Although I didn’t have a recipe I know I heard somewhere about something like this and I just decided to try it out.)

(*Note #2*  The professional photog has left the building for this peeps.  Don’t be expecting world class food shots….This is iphone material!)

Ingredients:

2 egg white

1 whole egg

1 half cup of old fashioned oats (or steel cut)

1 packet of splenda

1 tsp cinnamon. (I don’t measure just sprinkle it in)

1 serving applesauce (I use Musselmans cinnamon lite)

Ok this is pretty darn simple.  Just put all ingredients in your blender and blend completely.  Pour in your hot pan.  Cook. Flip. Cook.  Put on plate.

Top with a bit of healthy butter type spread and the applesauce.  ”voilà”!  ABRACADABRA!  The perfect breakfast.  Best part is it tastes like French toast!!!

ENJOY!!!

Post by | Candice

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Posted in Life With Us, Stuff We Love

5 comments

Kate Elliott - What a great and creative idea for pancakes! I’m definitely going to try it out! If you want even more pancake recipes, including those with a delicious fruit topping, check out my blog http://www.katescuisine.com. Thanks again for the great idea!August 28, 2011 – 8:04 pm

lisa h - um, 1 – that image is AWESOME!!! absolutely beautiful. 2 – oatmeal in a pancake sounded weird, but the more i looked at it, the better it looks! I am going to have to try that recipe!!August 17, 2011 – 12:44 pm

Ivan Apfel - OK Candy Cane, you so need to come across the street so I can make you a real healthy breakfast. Ya know I love ya, but this is just a crime and a violent attack on your taste buds. ;) August 16, 2011 – 3:12 pm

Alison @ The Knotty Bride - You rock my world. Thanks for the AMAZEBALLS shout out. Wave pooooooooooool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!August 16, 2011 – 2:04 pm

J (Sparkly Love) - I <3 this post and I cannot wait to try that recipe!! Sounds yummy :) August 16, 2011 – 1:34 pm

04.28.11

What inspires you?

What inspires you?  As an artist you’re constantly trying to figure this out.  Digging from that deep well of so-called inspiration find that one piece of inspiration that will make this shoot different from the last one.

So, when people ask me what inspires ME….it’s not a hard question.  Because, really, people inspire me.  There’s no thing, no song, no movie.  It really is just people I come into contact with everyday.  Real people, with real goals, real dedication, real dreams, real passion, real love, and that’s what makes life so interesting and varied.

So, who does inspire me?  I’ll tell you.

Well the first one I want to tell you about is my cousin, Katherine.

Katherine and I only know each other long distance even though our parents are siblings.  We’ve just never lived close enough.  But thanks to modern technology and social networking….we now connect on a daily basis:)  Now, she is one of my biggest inspirations!

You see, about a month ago Katherine posted this picture from to her Facebook page, and my jaw just dropped. (the first one is dec 2010 and the 2nd is march 2011)

You see, Katherine had made a decision to do a fitness competition.  And when she decides to do something….watch out world!  It is simply amazing what dedication and passion and hard work  can do!

Personally, I had really come to point, where I didn’t think this was possible.  I told myself that those before and after pictures in the magazines weren’t real.  Or at the very least, were a LONG time apart.  Like every other girl I know, I’ve dieted on and off for the last 15 years.  Without much to show for it.  Nothing seemed to work for me.  I tried lots of cardio, low calorie, low carb, etc.  I’ve tried it all.

But then I asked Kat was she was doing…..and it was not the typical answer.  No crazy diet, no crazy cardio.  Just workout like the guys and eat clean food (a lot).  So, now Kat has me started on a whole new way of life.  I am now working out 5-6 days a week.  I’m eating more than ever before but it all feels so much healthier.  I am dedicated and passionate about where I am going.  I’m enjoying the process.    Because become stronger every day is so much better than killing myself on a treadmill.

Kat is my inspiration and I look forward to the day when I have an after picture too!  (Make sure you follow her blog and on twitter!

I do have another healthy inspirational person.  And I don’t really know her personally, although her blog makes me feel like I do.  One of my favorite blogs I read everyday is Think Pretty Thoughts. Katy is the awesome, fantastic, so fun, author behind this FAB inspirational blog.  Isn’t it interesting how both have similar names?  Dun-da-dun-dun-da

So, Katy has a similar healthily passion as Kat and I especially LOVE reading her Muscle Monday posts.  In addition she has an amazing since of fashion, and a great sense of humor.  And this makes Think Pretty Thoughts a must read with my morning coffee.  I am so addicted I have been known to send her a tweet when I haven’t seen a recent post.  SORRY KATY!!!!

Katy also inspires me to write.  To write and just be me.  And hopefully if I am me, then people will like me….right?  If she can write almost every day….I can write a couple of times a week!

I’m sure you’ll agree that Katy is the type of person that makes the best kind of friend and the PERFECT shopping buddy (**hint**hint**).

So, you’re probably still wondering what inspires me artistically and professionally.  Right?  Ok, well I’ll tell you.

It’s YOU!!!

It’s my couples.  And every single one is my inspiration.  It’s why we do things the way we do.  It’s why we only take 20 weddings a year.  Because I could do the same thing time after time, without caring who the people are, just a paycheck in my pocket.  But that’s not really the life or career I’m looking for.  It doesn’t show passion and it doesn’t bring joy.

What I love doing is getting to know people and translating that into images that show something about them.

Whether that’s how she feels most beautiful,

or the way he looks at her when she’s not looking,

or the way she makes him laugh,

or the way they hold hands,

or just the way they love.

Every little thing is something important.  Without that inspiration, capturing life just wouldn’t be so interesting.

So that’s a peek into my world.  Tell me, what are YOU inspired by?

post by | Candice

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Posted in Life With Us, Stuff We Love

5 comments

Jeannie M. Waters - I’m with you on this one, Candice. I am inspired by people. I’m particularly inspired by those who have faced challenges and have risen above them or those who give back to the world when often they have so little to give. I am inspired by those who make this world a better place.April 28, 2011 – 1:41 pm

SUSAN ALBURTUS - Here’s a quote that explains what inspires me:
“As we strive to make it through diffucult times, hearing the wisdom of those who have struggled, questioned, and dreamed before us can make the journey easier.”April 28, 2011 – 12:51 pm

Travis Cossel - I’m the same way, Tye. Nothing brightens my day more than a gushing email or phone call from a bride who just watched her film. d;-)April 28, 2011 – 12:45 pm

Tye Olmsted - What inspires me is hearing how much my couples love their wedding film after they’ve first seen it. It reminds me what is important about my work and pushes me to continually improve every film over the previous one.April 28, 2011 – 9:48 am

Karen - What inspires me: my students. Seeing them grow from insecure college freshmen to confident seniors–and, in some cases, future teachers–makes me realize that I do make a difference in the lives of young people.April 28, 2011 – 8:21 am

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