Michelle & Mike

I met up with Michelle & Mike last week at Elizabeth Park for some before you go pictures. Mike will be deploying this week and they were home on leave - I photographed them as part of Operation Love Re-United.

I had only been to Elizabeth Park during the summer so it was neat to see it in a different season - beautiful afternoon light, a spunky couple so clearly in love....recipe for pretty photos :)

Look at Michelle working those boots :)

I love the look of sheer adoration and joy on her face.

There was literally one tree with leaves on it still....luckily the light was pouring through it!

Love love love this series :)

Michelle & Mike - it was great to meet you both - safe travels and safe home.

Brian & Ashley's New York City Engagement

I was thrilled when Ashley emailed me a few months ago and inquired about photographing her wedding. She and I were on the diving team together in high school (I'll have to try and dig up a photo of that before their wedding!) so it was great to re-connect. Funnily enough a week or two after I got her email she happened to be a guest at another wedding I was photographing...small world :)

She and Brian will be getting married in Florida in mid-January and needless to say I can't wait :) They really have a lot of fun together and didn't stop smiling and laughing during our shoot....I have no doubt the wedding will be just as fun!

We met up in front of their building and then explored from there!

This one makes me giggle :)

These were the final few frames I took - an older man asked what we were doing and when I told him that Ashley and Brian were to be married in January he proudly recounted that he had been married a very long time and gave them some good advice :)

Ashley & Brian - two months to go! I can't wait to see you then.

Happy Turkey day!

xoAmanda

Chris & Kelly's North Fork Long Island Wedding

Chris & Kelly - November 7, 2009
Ceremony Venue - Jamesport Meeting House
Reception - Jedediah Hawkin's Inn
Florist - The Downhome Shop
Hair - John Mendello from Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon
DJ - DJ Shakey - Julie Covello
Kelly's Dress - J. Crew
Bridesmaid's Dresses - Jenny Yoo

Read Rehearsal Dinner post HERE

Chris & Kelly's family all stayed at the Jedediah Hawkins house so the whole day leading up to the ceremony just involved everyone hanging out and enjoying each other's company - no formality....my favorite :) Prepare yourself as there are A LOT of photos!

A few details to start the day.....Kelly sweetly sent me a whole envelope of the various paper products associated with the wedding. I loved the colorful and diverse postcards she found for the save the dates. Guests were welcomed with a bag containing goodies from the North Fork and sent home with wine from the region and a caramel apple :)

Kelly relaxes as she gets her hair done

Try as everyone might for the longest time this little guy wouldn't take a nap - he didn't want to miss the action....you can just see how much he's fighting it :)

Kelly's Mom and Sister provided lots of laughs

The Inn is so unique and the rooms provided a ton of great photographic opportunities!

Love this one.

Forced separation? I don't think so! Chris & Kelly hung out although when the finishing touches were being put on her hair Chris was shooed out of the room :)

Chris with his sweet nephew...the kids at this wedding were just to die for cute!

The flowers that Kelly chose for the event led such a festive harvest air to everything!

She's a bride....off to her first look!

The autumn sun provided such amazing rich colors for their portraits

Love this one too :)

Chris is refinishing this Porsche so of course we had to incorporate it!

Some details. Kelly's dress was embellished with details from her Mother's wedding dress - buttons, lace, and a sash...the result was stunning.

COME ON. No really.....COME ON.

One good looking bridal party!!

Well.....not quite but almost!!!

Kelly is ready to get married!

This little one took his instructions very carefully.....step. together. step. together. step. together which provoked some amused expressions by the waiting bridal party :)

I love love love the moment a bride enters the church, the music swells, everyone stands....it's finally here!!

The meeting house was so simple - I loved the dramatic flowers at the alter.

:)

WOO HOO!!

They exited right at sunlight and for about 20 minutes the light held and was just stunning

The kids appreciated the ringing bells

Very cool monograms :)

A quick kiss before heading into party

More cute kids boogey-ing down on the dance floor :)

Dancing? I don't think so.

LOVE this shot of Kelly :)

Chris & Kelly organized a marshmallow roast for the kids (and the adults!)

One more bite before the end of the night!

Married!

Chris & Kelly - SUCH big hugs and love to both of you for inviting me to be a part of your amazing celebration!!!

xoxo

Chris & Kelly's Rehearsal Dinner

Chris & Kelly's wedding weekend was a fitting end to my '09 wedding season. The whole weekend I was embraced as a guest and friend and just caught up in the emotion of the event. The weekend kicked off with the rehearsal at the beautiful Jamesport Meeting House. This was to be either the very first or the second wedding ever held in this beautiful building built in 1731...pretty amazing!

I really enjoy photographing rehearsal dinners because it helps me to really understand the relationships the bride and groom have with their family and friends and meet and get to know the VIPs!!

Kelly's Sister and sister-in-law greet guests!

It was like a family reunion as everyone arrived at the Meeting House

On the right is Kelly's Dad and the apple of his eye....his Grandson who feels exactly the same way about his Grandpa!

I love the top image because it illustrates the organized chaos common at a rehearsal....somehow everyone always gets straightened out by the next day :)

We continued on to Bedell Vineyards for a wine and cheese celebration to kick off the evening. Chris & Kelly were so thoughtful and bought gifts for all the kids in their bridal party...clearly they were a big hit!

After Bedell we headed over to a private room at the North Fork Table and Inn. The food was incredible and the atmosphere full of warmth and good cheer. Once again I was welcomed in and sat with Kelly's family....lots of fun :)

The toasts were wonderful and really spoke to how giving and love Chris & Kelly are with their family and friends.

Kelly is a caregiver - simple as that. She's never worried about how she's doing but always checking in with everyone else. The three kids she cares for gave SUCH sweet and amazing toasts that had everyone in the room wiping their eyes.

Coming up shortly....wedding day!!

Boys x 4!

I've been photographing these boys for the past few years (they were one of my very first clients) so it's always fun to see how much they've grown and see them interacting with each other.

Dwyer has gotten SO much bigger....a little person now chatting away!

He and Kit are bestest buds and love hanging out together :)

Despite chilly temps we braved going outside!

Thor and Cyrus played a very impressive game of skateboarding street hockey :)

4 handsome boys all in a row :)

Back inside and heading upstairs to play!

Silly dress up :)

A little bit of wrestling for good measure

And studying the Guinness Book of World Records :)

It was so great to see you all again!

xoAmanda

Orvis Cover Dog Contest - Vote for Me!

This is a photo I'd been meaning to take for awhile but when I heard that the Orvis Cover Dog Contest was starting up again I figured that before the summer was over we needed to make it happen!

This is Strider's friend Luke who is the bestest ever doggie jumper! This photo involved me being in water up to my waist, Jeff holding Luke and then throwing the stick, and many people cheering Luke on :)

Each year Orvis holds a contest for the chance to be on one of their catalog covers.

I've entered the photo in the contest and would love for you to go vote for it! Every vote equals another dollar that will be donated to The Canine Cancer Campaign, and matched by Orvis and Eukanuba (up to $30,000), to make each vote worth $2 for the campaign.

The actual cover dog winner is not influenced by this vote but it would still be nice to raise some money for a great cause and give Luke some more votes.

If you click on "Search Dogs" and enter "Luke" he's the 4th dog pictured....let's at least have him be the head of the Lukes :)

CLICK HERE TO SEARCH - to vote you do have to donate.....but it's for a great cause!!

The current leader has 2520 votes....very impressive. Let's try and catch up a bit!!

Living Room Re-Design - The Big Reveal :)

If you've been reading this blog for awhile you remember that WAAAAAAAAY back in early June my fabulous friend Sarah designed an inspiration board for us to makeover our tired looking living room.

Check out her suggestions and post HERE

We've been renting our little ranch dressing house for two years and early in the summer decided that instead of moving to a nicer place for now we'd stay put. The location is great and....we're already moved and settled in. Jeff and I have both moved pretty much every year of our life since high school so to have been somewhere for two years is just heaven!

But the living room was drab and dark and just made me feel closed in. So fairy godmother Sarah made some suggestions to transform the space.

Well you wouldn't believe it since it's now November 11th but we did get started pretty shortly after that.

In late June we (and in this case for the most part I mean my dear sweet Husband Jeff since I was crazy with wedding season) got to work re-painting the living room to brighten and lighten it up.

We used Benjamin Moore "Creme Brulee" on the walls (2022-70) and "Shades of Spring" from the Pottery Barn Spring 2009 Collection. Decorator's white went on the chair rail and trim.

Our cousin's doggies Grit and Cole were visiting at the time so when we didn't have them barricaded outside of the living room they were very helpful :)

Yes the living room got worse before it got better :)....it was total chaos for awhile!

After the painting we took a Sunday trip to look for rugs and furniture. We found an amazing steal of a rug at Targe' for $30 and also purchased a Mission Style coffee table, TV Stand, and two matching side tables. Try as I might to find another matching rug (searched the internet, went into Targe' stores multiple times) it was not to be so we just have the one.

The next step was an update to the drab curtains that had adorned our windows to that point. For some reason at the very beginning I decided to do it on the cheap so I bought panels at Ikea and then (internet world forgive me!!) cut off the bottoms so they wouldn't drag....it wasn't a pretty site!!

So one day in early July I took a cruise by Osgood's fabric store in West Springfield....holy overwhelmingness Batman! Literally it was a warehouse filled with fabric from floor to ceiling - I almost fainted! Thankfully Sarah had given me some parameters and I had pretty much decided on what I was looking for so after getting lost for awhile I located the linens and picked out the colors below.

And then the fabric sat. And sat. And I looked at it. And was intimidated. And it sat some more. Finally I put a 911 call into Sarah and begged her to come visit for a day. I plied her with food and promises of fabulous company and kind person that she is she relented. So in the middle of August she showed up with not one but TWO sewing machines and we got to work. There was smoke and sparks (literally....her serger gave out in the middle of the day!) but after about ten hours of solid work (and an emergency trip back to Osgood's for more fabric) the curtains were done. And we went out and ate A LOT of sushi to celebrate. I can't tell you how they completed the room - they just looked awesome.

But we still had blank walls. I had analysis paralysis about which photos to hang so with my busy schedule I just kept putting it off. Finally I sat down and figured it out - so in early September we ordered all the pictures (and pulled some from our own collection) and voila....almost done.

We bought the frames and the mats and Jeff's colleague from work kindly agreed to cut the mats for us. Well long story short she has had quite a busy fall so literally last night Jeff hung the final two big prints and the living room was complete.

We had a friend coming over so of course we made the place spick and span. It reminds me of those facelift commercials where the before pictures looked like the person literally rolled out of bed, no makeup, no hairbrush, and the after are retouched and airbrushed and everything....these before/afters are kind of the same way.

When I took the before pictures I had no idea it would turn into a blog post -I just took them to send to Sarah so she could see the space she had to work with...and obviously I didn't tidy up whatsoever!

Ok - enough writing - onto the photos!!!!!

Jon painted this beautiful picture for us as a wedding present - we are sailing (Jeff loves to sail) towards Vermont with Strider and my camera in tow - we were thrilled to find a place for it in the new living room!

The vases/votive candle holders below are Tabbatha Henry - an artist in Vermont. They positively glow when a candle is lit inside them - beautiful!

One of Jeff's family friends kindly had our wedding invitation framed as a gift to us....what an awesome idea!

Our wall of Italy!

Pretty amazing transformation right? I can't tell you how much happier and lighter I feel when I walk into the room.

So the nitty gritty:

What we spent money on:
Paint
New furniture (2 end tables, coffee table, and TV stand via Target and table + 4 chairs via Craig's list)
2 frames for our large Italy Prints (Michael's - $20 each on sale!)
Fabric for curtains

What we scrounged from other parts of the house:
Decorative items
2 lamps (wedding present)
Frame Collection (wedding present....thanks Phil & Nancy) - Red Envelope

What we didn't end up doing:
Buying new curtain rods (sorry Sarah!)
Re-wiring the lights in the dining area - we really don't mind them that much
Recovering the old dining room chairs....I think that might send my Mother over the edge (they were my Grandmothers!)
Create a curtain to separate the kitchen (this will motivate us to keep it cleaner!)
Matchstick blinds - would be nice but just didn't want to spend the $$
Buy a second rug for the living area....still haven't found the perfect one
Losing the footrest completely (I removed it for these photos but we do use the room as a living area so will keep it....except when guests come over!)

This is by far my favorite part of the new room - all the photos are from our honeymoon in Italy this past May....happy memories :)

Close up of the awesome frame collection (available through Red Envelope) and given to us by Phil & Nancy :)

The painting on the left was also a wedding present

The photo on the left is one of our favorites from Daria & Andy

The one on the right is from the Amalfi Coast (can you spot Jeff??)

I also have two wedding canvases that can be swapped out when clients come over.

This photo doesn't do the curtains justice - they really tie the room together and turned out beautifully!

So what do you think?

Hope it inspires you to get re-decorating!

Recipe - Ridiculously Delicious Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Yes yes I realize this may not be the healthiest thing I've ever featured but OH MAN is it melt in your mouth good....yum yum yum! We first tried this recipe when our cousin Sarah came to visit last winter - she brought her slow cooker and Jeff fell in love. I don't think I've mentioned it on the blog but there is some construction going on at the lake (an addition!) so we've been without gas the last few weekends. Enter our new slow cooker courtesy of Targe' for only about $60 - can't beat it!!

Sarah emailed me this recipe two weeks ago - it's a mix from Bon Appetit and Cooking Light.

I am calling this "RIDICULOUSLY DELICIOUS PULLED PORK"

Rub:
1 T. ground black pepper
1-2 t. cayenne pepper
2 T. chili powder
2 T. ground cumin
2 T. light brown sugar
1 T. dried oregano
4 T paprika
2 T. table salt
1 T. white sugar
1 T ground white pepper

1 (6-8 lb.) bone in pork shoulder
1/4 c. white vinegar
1 bottle BBQ sauce (choose your weapon....and your flavor)

Mix all spice rub ingredients together in a bowl and rub all over meat. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and marinade for anywhere from 3 hours up to 2 days (we marinated it overnight...about 12 hours).

Unwrap roast and place in slow cooker with 1/4 c. white vinegar. Turn on and cook on low for nine hours.

Transfer meat to cutting board and discard liquid in bowl and any fat. Shred with fork.

Place shredded meat back in slow cooker with 1 c. (we used a whole bottle instead) BBQ sauce and cook on low for 45 minutes.

Exclaim over the gloriousness that is pulled pork as you feast :) (sorry....clearly this post isn't for vegetarians!!)

Chris & Kelly's Wedding Day!

Today I'm on the North Fork of Long Island photographing Chris & Kelly's wedding!!

Norah

I went over to hang out and play with sweet Norah the other day. Norah is at an age (eighteen months) where you can just see and feel her sucking information in. She knows so many signs and understands everything that you say to her....and she's a total cutie to boot :)

COME ON - look at her little elephant outfit :)

Thankfully the leaves weren't raked (I'm glad I'm not the only one who hasn't raked my leaves!) and they provided a beautiful fall backdrop.

Airplane!

One of the goals of the shoot was to get an eighteen month portrait of her against a white backdrop (hallway wall!) so we tried to keep her in the general vicinity with whatever we could think of!!

My favorite :)

Peek a boo!

Climbing up to slide down :)

Love this one :)

Train tracks run by her house and she is just totally delighted whenever a train comes by!!

Sleepy sleepy time - getting your picture taken is hard work!

Hope to see you all again the spring to meet your new arrival!!

The Space Between Us - GREAT book!

We've been at the lake both of the last two weekends so I've had some time to do one of my favorite things again....reading! I have a mini routine at the lakehouse on a Saturday - sleep in a bit, go for a long walk with Jeff and the dog, then have lunch and sit on the couch with a cup of tea in front of the woodstove reading. Sometimes I fall asleep :) It makes me relaxed and happy just thinking about it.

My Mom loaned me this book awhile ago and it's been sitting on my shelf. Her note inside read: "A good book worth reading. Absorbing and well written, especially the last 75 pages or so which are gems in expression." I couldn't agree more.

Though the subject matter is difficult at times I couldn't put it down and really really enjoyed it.

I hope you will too!

CHECK IT OUT ON AMAZON

Kate & Jeff's Riverside Farm Wedding

Kate & Jeff - October 18, 2009
Venue: Riverside Farm, Pittsfield, VT
Caterer: Occasions
Band: Tarbox Ramblers
Florist: Pittsfield Garden (Trish)
Hair/Makeup: Jamie Dragon
Kate's Dress: Selia Yang
Cake: Cuisine Lucette

Kate & Jeff planned their wedding to be quintessentially Vermont - most of their guests traveled up from around New York City and they really wanted people to enjoy Vermont and the beautiful surroundings. Riverside Farm was the perfect location - Kate & Jeff's friends stayed on site in the beautiful outbuildings and their families stayed a mile down the road at Amee Farm. The weather was a bit chillier than they might have envisioned but they just rolled with it and everyone had a blast. Settle in for a lot of photos :)

We were greeted at Riverside by this quirky sign showing the way :)

The "bride's cottage" had beautiful light and lots of elegant Vermont touches that made it a dream to photograph in.

Jeff's Mom and all the parents were radiant all day - just so happy :) It made my heart warm!

We headed over to the Groom's cottage where the boys were being boys....watching a movie and hanging out :)

Jeff, relaxed as always!

Jamie Dragon did a great job with Kate's hair and makeup

I loved the texture of the wood!

LOVE this one of Kate :)

Kate's Mom takes a break from makeup to see her daughter the bride!

Kate & Jeff left oodles of time for photographs....a dream on a property filled with great spots for portraits.

A beautiful covered bridge :)

Love this one.

Kate & Jeff wanted a sign by this post pointing to Manhattan!

A relative kindly gave up his jacket to warm up Kate who insisted she was not cold!

Due to the cold temperatures the ceremony was moved inside - again tons of charm and beautiful details....notice the candles on the beams!

Sweet moments during the ceremony.

Jeff decisively breaks the glass....and they're married!

Some guests walked up to the cocktail tent but others opted for a ride on the yellow bus :)

Love these two.

The reception was simply decorated - the barn is so beautiful it doesn't need much adornment!

Kate & Jeff enter the party

The horah is danced to express joy. There was A LOT of joy in this room as the Tarbox ramblers played on and on and people kept dancing- moving between the main floor and the porch outside. The energy was just electric and it was fun to get swept up in it!

Let the horah begin!

Jeff's Mom wasn't convinced she could grab onto the napkin :)

Dancing continues on the porch!

Love this one :)

Funny and touching toasts

Mr. & Mrs. in front of a spectacular Vermont autumn sunset

Kate & Jeff - your wedding was just perfect - I loved being there with you and your families. Have a fabulous fabulous fabulous trip!!

xoAmanda

My thanks to Kathleen who second shot with me!

Siblings :)

I met up with these two cuties at The Hartford Golf Club last week. Their relationship reminded me a lot of me and my Big Brother and I had fun getting to know them, hearing about their Halloween plans, and searching for treasure (or buried golf balls) in the pond. Mom & Dad kept their distance which at this age is great - it allows me to really engage them.

Adoration :)

And a sprinkle of big personality of her own :)

Not to be outdone :)

My favorites :)

Smiling at her Big Brother :)

Snuggling :)

We close with this message from your local zen master!!!

I had a wonderful time - hope you had fun at the Halloween party!

Katie & Brian's Boston Wedding!

Katie & Brian - October 17, 2009
Ceremony - St Cecilia's
Reception - The Langham
Catering - The Langham
Florist - Chapman's Florist
Hair - Salon Acote
Makeup - Shu Uemura
Katie's Dress - Pronovias
Bridesmaid's Dresses - Aria Bridesmaids
Cake - Party Favors Brookline

Katie & Brian were going for the perfect fall wedding in Boston and they rocked it! The weather was just a bit on the chilly side but thankfully the forecasted rain held off....gotta love those weathermen :)

We started the day off on Newbury Street at Shu Uemura where I caught the tail end of Katie having her makeup applied

Love this photo of Katie and her sister outside of the salon

Chapman's did SUCH a beautiful job with the flowers!

Katie's beautiful dress and shoes

Katie gave these elegant bracelets to her bridesmaids as gifts

Everyone hide your eyes as Katie gets dressed!

I love when people first see themselves as a bride - Katie looked stunning!

LOVE LOVE LOVE Mom's reaction :)

Katie waits for the limo so she can hurry up and marry Brian :)

Brian waits at the end of the aisle :)

Love this one too!

Fun during the ceremony!

Married!

Some quick portraits in the Public Gardens - this one is my favorite :)

Big 'ole fun tree with pretty people in front of it...can't go wrong!!

Loved the pop of Katie's ring against her flowers

Details details back at the Langham

I loved the intricate design on their cake.

Brian & Katie get down on the dance floor :)

On the left is one of my brides for next year Audra (but wait....where's Steve....off chatting I think!!) and a classmate of mine, Dave, from high school.....I love when things connect :)

Congratulations to you both- I hope you had a FABULOUS trip to Italy and ate some parmigiano for me :)

xoxo

Cara & Andrew featured on Ruffled!

Head on over to a neat new blog I just recently came across - Ruffled - Amanda just did a really nice write up of Cara & Andrew's wedding at Amee Farm.

Andrew & Cara - Part 1
Andrew & Cara - Part 2

Thank you to Amanda for the feature and to Andrew & Cara for having such a fabulous wedding :)