{Valentines Day} boudoir by CB promo
Okay, so I've received several last minute boudoir inquiries...so I thought I'd make it a win win for everyone. Do it all in one day at half my normal boudoir session fee. Please contact me ASAP, as I will be doing limited sessions.
Who do I look like?
Everyone on Facebook has been changing their Facebook profile picture to the famous person they look like. I honestly have no idea who I might look like. So I was just a bit intrigued to find a site that matches your celebrity with your face. So just for fun, this is what they came up with...(by the way, Charlize Theron? That's seriously shocking. I love her and she is stunning. I'm pretty sure I don't look like her)
| http://www.myheritage.com/collage |
{charla BLUE} faves
I have a confession. I hate to shop. Seriously. I avoid it at all costs...to the point of having an empty fridge and no diapers in the house. Now online shopping is a whole different story. I can get lost for hours perusing the web for gifts, inspiration, or ideas. I rarely buy clothing online though because it is incredibly hard to fit my 4'11" curvy figure (and I'm infamously terrible at returning things). Well, that is all about to change because I found an online boutique that makes me swoon! I love everything about this site...the style, vintage looks with a modern feel, gorgeous images, and AWESOME PRICES! I can't believe how incredibly affordable their clothing and accessories are. I have been so bored with my Target, Ross, & Marshalls wardrobe. Well, no more!
Meet Ruche and visit their blog too! All images were taken by Stephanie Williams Photography, which just so happens to already be one of my FAVE SoCal photographers. Love love love everything about these...
I love the combination of yellow and turquoise together...
Meet Ruche and visit their blog too! All images were taken by Stephanie Williams Photography, which just so happens to already be one of my FAVE SoCal photographers. Love love love everything about these...
I love the combination of yellow and turquoise together...
{Jasmine - Class of 2010} Huntington Beach Senior Photographer
Saturday I met up with Jasmine in Huntington Beach to capture the last half of her senior year at Canyon High School. I work all day long with high school students teaching but it's so awesome getting some 1-on-1 time with a young person and hear all about their life. We talked about her family, college, boyfriend, and shopping. We share a love for Forever 21! And even concluded our time together shopping there. Thanks again, Jasmine, for letting me play a small part in a memorable year. Enjoy a sneak peak...
{Brooklyn} The days are long
...but the years are short.
"The days are long, but the years are short." (borrowed from The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin)
"The days are long, but the years are short." (borrowed from The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin)
{iPhone} Hipstamatic Prints
I have discovered some fun camera apps for the iPhone. The ability to capture such awesome images from the iPhone is quite thrilling, since it's the one camera that is always with me. I used the app "Hipstamatic", in order to capture the following images. Not bad for a camera phone, right?
{Brooklyn} Going on 16 months
As you may have noticed, the pictures and blog posts are fewer and far between for little Brookie Brooks. It's not that I'm neglecting her, it's actually the opposite. I have discoved that my time with her, is my time with HER! Which means no more multi-tasking. She requires my full attention and interaction. Or else! I'm sure my mom is somewhere having a little laugh that I have a daughter that is so strong willed! And I must admit, it is super difficult to get a decent picture of her because she is so active.
The above picture was taken while trying to capture little Lu. Brookie wanted to be part of the fun though. It's actually really awesome seeing Brooklyn with Luella. She loves her! She mimics us so much and wants to tickle Lu and says "hi baby" and "cute baby" with perfect intonation, as if I was saying it. She leans into Lu's face and coo's and ahh's. And it's so fun to see Lu's reaction. Cora and I joke about how these two little girls may relate to each other one day. Partners in crime? Or competition?
Recently our doctor and book What to Expect the Toddler Years informed us that B may have an advanced vocabulary. The book mentioned that it's normal for a child her age to have between 3-6 words. I thought that was kinda crazy knowing Brooklyn's vocabulary, so Dan and I made a list of all her words. 35! I mention this not to brag but to document my child's progress (as many of you know, I get my blog printed each year and it serves as our own personal journal). It's really crazy how she is such a sponge right now. She has most recently learned to say "please" and today it was "car". When we ask her questions, she always replies with a definitive "yep" head nod or "nope" shake (which I find myself doing all the time teaching, so I know where she gets it).
Dan took Brooklyn to her most recent wellness check...
Weight: 23 lbs, 70th percentile
Height: 30 in, 49th percentile
Head: 90th percentile (haha...our child has a large HEAD! - so much that she can wear my headbands, as pictured above)
She got 4 shots on this visit. I was a little alarmed that she had a pretty good size knot in her right leg where she got two shots. The doctor assured me that it was okay and to just ice and massage it after a warm bath. I honestly could not imagine any serious concerns with our child..it would send me into a frantic state of worrisome. God bless all of the parents that have had to deal with disabilities, disease, or loss. My heart hurts for you. It's really crazy how much becoming a parent amplifies your every emotion.
On another note, Brooklyn continues to be a very picky eater. She's pretty much a vegetarian. Her diet consists of milk, yogurt + blends, apple sauce, goldfish, cereal bars, and anything crunchy...such as crackers or chips. It's so frustrating and often I feel as if I'm depriving her of nutrition. But she refuses most everything I have to offer her...cheese, apples, lunch meat, pasta, nuggets, fries, veggies, you name it! I hear and have read this is normal, but it still worries me.
I will affirm that the best part of parenthood is laughter! Today Brooklyn and I were playing in her bedroom throwing a little blanket in the air. She was cracking up laughing every time the blankie fell on her or next to her. It was awesome! Her laughter is so contagious. It's amazing to see the joy that a child gets out of the simple moments. In moments like this, I'm always half laughing, half crying. I never take those moments for granted.
Brooklyn is a daddy's girl. Dan gets up every day with Brooklyn and they watch Sesame Street cuddled in bed, while she drinks milk from her sippy cup. It's really sweet, and melts my heart. They have all sorts of little tricks together. For example, Dan says "cookie monster" and Brooklyn growls 3 times just like the character. Dan will also sing "Old Macdonald had a farm" and Brooklyn will reply "ei-ei-o". The funny thing is that she will only do this with him and not me or her babysitter.
{Veronica} Long Beach Headshot Photographer
It was nice to be back in the shooting mode this weekend. And great to meet young people with big dreams...such as Veronica. Veronica has worked in Hollywood before as a child and is hoping to get back in the industry. Which would require a few updated headshots. Best of luck to you on all of your pursuits, Veronica. I love to play a small part in young people living out their dreams. That inspires me!
{Luella June} Long Beach Baby Photographer
Little Miss Luella June is getting big. So big that she is almost as tall as my Brooklyn (seriously...they are only like 5 inches apart, even though they are a year apart). I cannot believe how strong she is and how much she smiles and laughs ALREADY. This is such a fun age (3+ months) for a baby because they start doing so much and interacting with you. And although she is changing a ton, some things have not changed. For example, that crazy little tongue of hers that she loves to stick out. Silly girl. So glad I had a moment to capture her one more time...before she goes and changes on us again.
Bride's Choice Award 2010
I was happy to be notified today that I have been choosen for the 2nd year in a row! See details below...
Long Beach, CA – January 19, 2010 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced charla BLUE photography has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for Wedding Photography!
The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.
charla BLUE photography is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.
“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”
We are happy to announce that charla BLUE photography is among the very best wedding photographer within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™.
For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today HERE.
About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding vendors. WeddingWire enables engaged couples to search, compare and book over 100,000 reviewed wedding vendors nationwide, from wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding vendors, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. In addition, WeddingWire has partnered with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) to provide its network of local vendors and online wedding-planning tools in the Weddings section of www.MarthaStewartWeddings.com. For additional information, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.
Photography + Videography = Win
On Facebook tonight, I ran across a photographer friend of mines status update...
"Somehow, I always seem to forget about the video side of weddings. Gosh, this is beautiful! NEVER underestimate the beauty of having both a photographer AND a videographer to capture your wedding day."
It linked me to the videographer's brief of the day. I cried. And although I've met Jessica Claire (A SoCal premier wedding photographer), I really don't know her! It's just amazing the emotion that "video + images + music" can bring.
If you're planning you're wedding and wondering what you should spend your money on...my advice to you is that a photographer & videographer are non negotiable! I say this as someone who had the opportunity to do it again! There is so much that you forget when you are the spotlight on your wedding day. I am so thankful that we have so many amazing images from our wedding phtoographer and the live story from our videographers. One does not replace the other! After three years of marraige, we still revisit our wedding album and watch our video frequently. They are our treasures!
"Somehow, I always seem to forget about the video side of weddings. Gosh, this is beautiful! NEVER underestimate the beauty of having both a photographer AND a videographer to capture your wedding day."
It linked me to the videographer's brief of the day. I cried. And although I've met Jessica Claire (A SoCal premier wedding photographer), I really don't know her! It's just amazing the emotion that "video + images + music" can bring.
Jessica Claire & Jeff Norwood's Wine Country Wedding from Elysium Productions on Vimeo.
Elysium Productions: Stylish & Contemporary Wedding Films in Orange County and Beyond!
If you're planning you're wedding and wondering what you should spend your money on...my advice to you is that a photographer & videographer are non negotiable! I say this as someone who had the opportunity to do it again! There is so much that you forget when you are the spotlight on your wedding day. I am so thankful that we have so many amazing images from our wedding phtoographer and the live story from our videographers. One does not replace the other! After three years of marraige, we still revisit our wedding album and watch our video frequently. They are our treasures!
{Manic Monday} 11th ed.
Well, I've been a little absent on my blog this past couple of weeks. I was so enjoying my two weeks of vacation in December that I thought I would extend it a couple of more! I, honestly, needed the break!
Today was a wonderful day...because I didn't have to work! Yay. However, I did spend most of the day "working" anyway. I devoted my entire day to doing laundry, folding, putting away, and getting rid of years worth of clothing (seriously a 55 gallon bag + 2 trash bags). It wasn't so bad because it was crazy raining outside.
I have committed to reading a book a week in 2010 and I have been so inspired by my first week's choice and other books that relate. I am beginning to realize how much clutter and disorganization bring me so much unhappiness and angst. It's my goal this year to declutter and simplify! You can find some inspiration here and here....
My first three books of 2010...
I forget how much happiness reading brings me. I have spent the past few weeks reading in bed instead of glued to my computer. It has been so therapeutic and rejuvenating. I think this project is going to inspire me to do great things with my life.
Another goal for 2010, was to take a photo a day with my iPhone. Although I have awesome cameras...they are not always with me. They say the best camera is the one that is with you! So, I'm committing to capture a significant or memorable moment of each day with my iPhone. I can already see the value of this project as the days begin to fade into one another. Time fades, and I hope to capture at least one moment from each day in 2010.
I was seriously so affected by today's show of texting while driving on Oprah. There were some heart wrenching stories of loss as a result of drivers using their phone while driving. I am so guilty of this! They say it's worse than driving while under the influence. I can believe it! I wonder why we still choose to do it? Well, no more! I'm committing to no cell phone use while driving. I can't imagine the reality of the loss of a loved one, but especially the loss of my little Brookie. Oprah has a campaign going here. Can you commit? Here's the pledge...
I pledge to make my car a No Phone Zone. Beginning right now, I will do my part to help put an end to distracted driving by not texting or using my phone while I am driving. I will ask other drivers I know to do the same. I pledge to make a difference.
Today was a wonderful day...because I didn't have to work! Yay. However, I did spend most of the day "working" anyway. I devoted my entire day to doing laundry, folding, putting away, and getting rid of years worth of clothing (seriously a 55 gallon bag + 2 trash bags). It wasn't so bad because it was crazy raining outside.
I have committed to reading a book a week in 2010 and I have been so inspired by my first week's choice and other books that relate. I am beginning to realize how much clutter and disorganization bring me so much unhappiness and angst. It's my goal this year to declutter and simplify! You can find some inspiration here and here....
My first three books of 2010...
I forget how much happiness reading brings me. I have spent the past few weeks reading in bed instead of glued to my computer. It has been so therapeutic and rejuvenating. I think this project is going to inspire me to do great things with my life.
Another goal for 2010, was to take a photo a day with my iPhone. Although I have awesome cameras...they are not always with me. They say the best camera is the one that is with you! So, I'm committing to capture a significant or memorable moment of each day with my iPhone. I can already see the value of this project as the days begin to fade into one another. Time fades, and I hope to capture at least one moment from each day in 2010.
I was seriously so affected by today's show of texting while driving on Oprah. There were some heart wrenching stories of loss as a result of drivers using their phone while driving. I am so guilty of this! They say it's worse than driving while under the influence. I can believe it! I wonder why we still choose to do it? Well, no more! I'm committing to no cell phone use while driving. I can't imagine the reality of the loss of a loved one, but especially the loss of my little Brookie. Oprah has a campaign going here. Can you commit? Here's the pledge...
I pledge to make my car a No Phone Zone. Beginning right now, I will do my part to help put an end to distracted driving by not texting or using my phone while I am driving. I will ask other drivers I know to do the same. I pledge to make a difference.
{Pielaat Family} Lakewood, CA Family Photographer
My intern and former student Amanda asked me to capture her & her siblings as a gift for her mother for Christmas. Of course, I was stoked to do so! Since it was a surprise to their mom, I couldn't blog until now. All three Pielaat kids went through or are going through Lakewood HS. They are a fun bunch and could not be any cuter together! We walked the grounds of Long Beach City College, which is now in my neighborhood. Brothers and sisters are the best!
See the entire session here...
See the entire session here...
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