there's something about the weekend that is so relaxing and you feel like you can eat anything, just because it's the weekend. so i finally made those jiffy blueberry muffins i was craving all week. and it was delicious.

Font: Mrs. Eaves Roman 

simplicity is my philosophy when it comes to design. if you haven't noticed, when designing blogs and even in my own, i like to keep things simple and minimalistic. i think it roots back to my childhood--growing up i learned from my mom how to be clean and organized (she's a professional organizer). so within my life, through photography and design, i stick to my simple moto because that is who i am. and i like it.

i'm obsessed with practicing window lighting and i love to experiment with different subjects- so i grabbed my older sister to be my model. i'm so happy that she's home (!!!) and she has awesome cheetah sunglasses.

ONE MORE MONTH UNTIL THE WEDDING!
obviously i'm stoked.
and i just had to get that off my chest. phew!


 

meet the lovely genna from freed at last! i loved getting to know more about her and her fiance and their story. her blog name is so unique and it was fun reading about how it came to be. genna is so sweet and i'm so thankful i got to know her a little better! she really wanted to simplify her blog, which is my specialty, and i'm excited to share it with you! check out her new look and leave her some love.

since reading my new book, i've gained so much inspiration and motivation to practice shooting in different lighting situations. today i told my brother to put on his white shirt and bowtie and model for me. he's a natural. he modeled in elementary school and was in the macy's catalog. i think now that he's not in his awkward stage anymore (brace-face, short hair days) he should take up modeling again! although he already gets the ladies looking like justin bieber...

my family was shocked when they saw me sitting on the chair downstairs the other day, actually reading a book. (i'm not one to seek out books to read, but when i've found a good book, i can never put it down!) my mom bought The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands for me to read, so i picked it up and loved it. lots of great insights and the author writes very well. i'm not married yet, but i thought, why not get a head start on it? i'm excited to read it again after a few years of marriage and see the difference-- because i'm sure there will be!

i also have been longing to read the book, The Luminous Portrait. i searched on amazon and decided to buy it cheap (and when i'm done i can always re-sell it!) i just got it and cannot wait to dive into reading it. i am in awe with all the wonderful images in the book taken by Elizabeth Messina. she's an amazing and very talented photographer.

since my dad bought his dream blender- the blendtec- we have been making smoothies in this house like a busy day at jamba juice! i thought i'd share one of my favorites that my sister created; it's a great way to start off your day and give you a boost of yummy-ness. truly.

small handful of spinach 
a little over a cup of Trader Joe's Green Plant juice blend
frozen strawberries
frozen blueberries
scoop of vanilla whey protein powder 

i loved getting to know geena along the journey of creating a new look for her blog Seafoam Dream! she even has her own shop on etsy! (lately i've been wondering if i should make my own shop and sell graphic prints.. hmm) check out her new look and leave her a little blog lovin!

i can't believe how slow fast this summer has gone by! i can now say "next month!" when people ask when we're getting married. (!!!) saturday was my bridal shower-- i had such a wonderful time! i was overwhelmed with all the love and support of those who came. we had a yummy breakfast (complete with my favorites: chocolate croissants and chocolate milk) YUM. a huge THANK YOU to everyone who came to the bridal shower!

i feel like now we're heading into the whirlwind of getting all the details and to do lists done for the wedding! luckily, i haven't been stressed, but i definitely wish there were more hours in the day.  
 

i can't wait to see you this weekend. i love you!

love,
your fiance

i got a package in the mail today! my aunt is so clever and has such cute gift ideas-- you'll love this one she sent. i was supposed to get it in time to open up at my bridal shower, but unfortunately it was a little late. i thought this was such a fun, hilarious and totally cute bridal present!  follow along with the poems and you'll see why :)

For my little panty queen
I gathered up some twine
And working as an experienced team
I made a panty line.

Andrea, these undies are to last you
All throughout your life
And Kevin will be pleased to say
He has a sexy wife.
So listen up to hear about
Your lifelong panty plan,
These underwear, I have no doubt
Will last your whole life span.

The first are for your wedding day
Of course they are pure white
We know Kevin will shout "Hooray!"
When he sees you on that night


The next are for your honeymoon
They're sexy and all lace
We hope you'll leave your hotel
'Cause Park City's a gorgeous place!


On Valentine's you'll wear this pair
Before you go to bed
Cuz Cupid's arrow in the air
Shoots tushies that are red



After a year has passed you'll face
Anniversary number one
With those you'll surely have a blast
'Cuz leopard's so much fun 


Then when the time is right for you
And don't be saying, "Maybe"
You'll wear your little pink and blue
In honor of your baby


And when your years of wedding bliss
Become the big 2-5
Don't worry you'll just slip this on
To keep the sparks alive

When finally you're old and gray
With these you can't go wrong
'Cuz sorry Andrea but at this age
You just can't wear a thong. 

meet the lovely chelsey over at the life that i love. we've been good friends for quite some years now and i seriously just adore her! she is one of the most ambitious, energetic, one of a kind girl and every time i visit with her, i love hearing her stories and goals in life. seriously, this girl is going places- and when she gets famous, i hope she'll remember me! :)

i seriously cannot wait to see the rest of the photos. Lora Grady Photography did a wonderful job! Thank you Lora! you can check out more from our session on her blog here.

i love him and cannot wait for the day i will become his wife and eternal companion. he's my everything and my best friend. 

we're in love.

i've been asked many times about the camera i use and what lenses i own, so i thought, why not write a post about it?

i shoot with a Nikon D90-- i've had it for a couple years now and my first DSLR camera was the Nikon D3000 (great beginners camera and affordable!)


i own only Prime lenses- where you cannot zoom, you move yourself. prime lenses are amazing. the aperture can go lower than any zoom lenses which is how you get the gorgeous shallow depth of field (or fuzzy background in photos, for those who aren't super camera savvy).

my first lens was the 50 mm 1.4. for anyone looking to buy a new lens, this one is a must. it is the lens i use about 85% of the time! it is the perfect lens for portraits and my go-to lens.



the next lens i bought was the 85mm 1.8. this one is my favorite for photographing weddings and receptions- great lens for portraits as well. why i love this lens so much is because i can be farther away from my subject, but be zoomed close to them to get amazing portraits.
with the photo below, i was quite a few yards away from the bride (one of my best friends!) and groom, and i was second shooting while they took their bridals. so this lens was great for staying out of the photographers' way but capturing photos as if i were closer using my 50mm. i hope this helps you visualize what i'm saying a little better and makes sense!



the third lens i bought is the 35mm 1.8. i purchased this one specifically in mind for wedding group shots where i needed a wide angle to fit everyone in (and boy has this one been a life saver!) this lens has treated me well while photographing huge group family photos. it's also a great lens for portraits when you don't have much room to work with but want to have good composition (like the self portrait i took--below)
 

if anyone has ANY questions about lenses or anything related to photography, i would gladly lend you a hand! photography is my passion and something i love to help others out with. don't be afraid to ask :)

Happy 4th of July America! i started my day with a pancake breakfast and celebration with church members. it's a traditional thing we've gone to every year and it's a great way to start off this holiday!



we'll be BBQ party hoppin and tonight i'll be going to the broadway play "Les Miserables" in Seattle and watching fireworks.
oh, and might i add, the sun decided to come out today (finally!) and now it's really starting to feel like summer around these parts of town. yay for seattle weather! unfortunately we get short summers here-- but when it's summer, its gorgeous.