Woman of Style II

A few weeks back I started a post that I am calling "Woman of Style." It's simple. It's inspiring (okay, in a shallow girly, fashion type way;)and it allows me to pick the brains of some of the most stylish girls I know! This time I asked my friend Beth to be my Woman of Style and I was SO excited to get the responses from her questions back. A little back story on Beth, she's a musician with an AMAZING voice and mad guitar playing skills. I met her almost 10 years ago and she's the one who set Brandon and I up on a blind date! Needless to say, I think she's absolutely fabulous! She's always so well put together and looks like she belongs in a fashion magazine. And the best thing about Beth's style?? She's totally into a bargain--who doesn't like a girl like that?!! Beth gives great tips and I'm thrilled to share with ya'll:)
Enjoy!

You have such great skin, what do you do to take care of it? (cleanser, moisturizer, etc…)
For most of my life I have used ivory or dove white bar soap to cleanse my face. It’s cheap and works well even with my drier skin. I use Nutive organic extra virgin coconut oil for a moisturizer. This isn’t something you’d find in the moisturizer section of Wal-Mart, but rather the cooking oil section of Publix. I like it because it has no added chemicals, keeps my skin soft, and one jar lasts me about a year for my face and body. It may seem oily when first applied, but quickly soaks into the skin.
Your style is very unique, where do you get inspiration from?
I am most definitely a style copycat. I take my cues from magazines, celebrities, movies, and random people on the street. Once I see something I like, I just try to mimic it as best as my budget allows. I am unbiased in where I shop, so if I find the black and white striped long sleeve shirt I’ve been looking for at Wall-mart or K-mart, so be it. I’m not looking for staying power in fashion trends. Fashion changes so often, I save the big bucks for items that I’ll be using for the next few years. For instance, my black fitted pea coat from Guess.
The color of your eyes are so striking and you always play them up with a great smoky eye! Where did you learn the technique and what kind of makeup would you recommend for someone wanting to try out some new looks on a budget?
Well, any of the techniques I use for eye makeup have come from searching looks on YouTube. They have great tutorials on how to do a smoky eye and in different color variations. Not to mention, if there is a particular actresses eye makeup I like, they have tutorials that will mimic the style. For instance, I loved Kristen Stewart’s smoky eye from 2008 MTV music awards, so I searched YouTube and found a tutorial. As far as the best, MAC has the best selection of colors for eye shadows and is definitely worth the money, but if you’re going for a cheaper brand, Revlon’s ColorStay 12 Hour Eye Shadow in Sultry Smoke and Revlon’s ColorStay eyeliner in black, are what I use.

You are quite the lipstick connoisseur, what is your favorite lip product?
If you’re looking for longevity, it would be Cover girl Outlast all day lip color. It really does stay on all day and they have a large selection of colors. Also, the top coat that comes with it is a great lip moisturizer on it’s own. However like most lip stains, it does dry the lips some, so I wouldn’t recommend it for someone with dry chapped lips. My favorite all around lip product is, Neutrogena’s Lip Sheers. It goes on and feels like Chap Stick, it’s glossy but not sticky, it smells good, and the colors aren’t’ too overpowering. Also, it’s an SPF, so it’s fine to wear to the beach in the summer.
What is your most coveted fashion piece/accessory?
I would say my most coveted fashion piece would be a thin black military styled jacket I got in Atlanta about 3 years ago. It was more than I would have normally spent, but I fell in live with its simple style, and it’s the perfect fit and cut. I’m not really sure that anyone covets it, but I know I get a lot of people asking where I bought it and how much they like it. I love it because it’s simple, unique, and has stayed in style for the last 3 years.
Best cheer up…a good meal or a great day of shopping?
Great day of shopping most definitely! Of course, this must include an iced coffee beverage and my IPod set too my favorite tunes:)

Mr. & Mrs. Houston part 2

A few weeks back we got to shoot Caitlin and Brandon's wedding out in Sandestin. They were married on beautiful, Crystal Beach and had their reception at the Destin Culinary Center. Words cannot express how much Brandon and I have come to love Caitlin and Brandon! We met them over a year ago when they booked us to shoot their engagement and wedding and in that time we have gotten to know them (me especially since Caitlin and I talk almost everyday at work!)and they are such a sweet and fun couple! Their wedding was not only a celebration of their love for each other but a celebration of the love that they have for their families and their friends. Ya'll, your wedding is one we will remember always. You guys are back from Hawaii now (for an amazing recap on their honeymoon-check out Caitlin's blog and I'm so excited for you guys to switch gears from wedding planning to domestic bliss;)! Enjoy a few more picture from your wedding, these are some of our favorites! We got to shoot a couple of B&C at their B&B the morning after and they look so much in love, I LOOOVE these pictures!


Garter toss!

Mr. & Mrs. White

This last weekend our good friends Austin and Beth met Brandon and I at Baytowne Wharf to snap a few pictures of us for our five year anniversary. It was such a great surprise to me (since B did not let me in on the secret until we had gotten to Baytowne). During the shoot we turned the camera on A+B for a few fun little shots. Just to give you some insight into these two...#1- they did not come dressed up for this- they both have a unique fashion sense and could have an impromptu photo shoot any day of the week. #2- They are both musicians so we never had to prompt them to do anything. We pointed the camera in their direction and it's like they turned into professional models...it definitely makes a photographers job easy. Here are the links for A+B's musical projects: Austin&Beth
Thanks again guys!
S

5 Year Anniversary Wrap up!!

This last Friday was our 5th anniversary and what a great weekend of celebrating it was! I was fortunate enough to be off all last week and I took that time to study for a test I had to take early Saturday morning. So instead of celebrating on Friday night (when I knew i'd need a lot of rest) we celebrated on Saturday. I should mention one of my favorite parts of the weekend though was when we exchanged gifts on Friday and had a peice of the top layer of our wedding cake that I had re-created (flowers and all!), that was so special! So anyway, i'm such a horrible story teller...Brandon told me that he had some special stuff planned for Saturday and that when I got home from my test that I needed to hurry up and get gussied up quick like. So I raced home got a shower and threw on my new Express bandage dress, black Nina heels, and wrap (because it was a brisk 55 degrees outside). So where did we go?? Brandon took me to Baytowne Wharf and our awesome friends Austin and Beth met us there to take pictures of us! It was so much fun and that is what I really, REALLY wanted for our anniversary (not that my new ring wasn't highly appreciated!!!). Ironically, Brandon and I have very few pictures of the two of us together. I am including some of the pictures that A+B took of us and will blog some of the pictures that we took of them tomorrow! After our photo shoot at Baytowne we went to a special dinner in Pensacola at our favorite restaurant, Jackson's. YUMMM-O!
So another anniversary down and another year that I can say that I love my husband even more than the day we got married. I wouldn't have thought that possible on our wedding day five years ago but it's true and it makes me even more excited about what our future holds. Have a lovely evening blogland, it's time I go catch up with my hubby before bed!
SC

Sneak Peak of C+B's Wedding

This last weekend Brandon and I got to document Caitlin + Brandon's wedding which took place at Crystal Beach in Destin. The day was absolutely GORGEOUS! It was a little cold...a little windy...and Caitlin was...more than a little sick...however by the smile on her face I don't think anyone could have thought the day was anything BUT perfect. I have SO much to say about this last weekend but I will save it for my next blog post on this wedding. There are a TON of amazing pictures that we will be sharing with you all. In the mean time we want to share a few (Caitlin needs some pictures for her facebook;)! C+B, we love you guys. Enjoy!
oh...don't forget to click on the picture to make it larger:)

I LOVE this picture of Caitlin!



Brandon hanging out with his guys before the ceremony...



My Brandon caught this sweet picture of Caitlin during the ceremony stealing a glance at her soon to be husband...

Mr.& Mrs. Houston taking their first steps as man and wife!

This was the rather large (18!) bridal party hamming it up for us after the ceremony;)

This is one of my Brandon's favorites of all time. The father daughter dance that brought Caitlin and her papa to tears...

And because Caitlin + Brandon are truly the coolest...they let us come shoot them the morning after at their wedding night hideaway, the beautiful Henderson Beach Inn.

Woman of Style

Some of of my favorite things about being a girl is makeup, fashion, accessories...and I am lucky enough to have some great girlfriends in my life who are amazing at putting these elements together. Nobody accessorizes better than my sister in law...my friend Beth is a makeup genius...my bff Alicia makes looking classic and chic absolutely effortless...and my bff julie is a risk taker with her black, black eyes and the gutsiest pixie hair cut ever. These girls inspire me. They are one of the biggest reasons I love taking pictures of people. This weekend we are shooting Caitlin and Brandon's wedding in Sandestin. Caitlin is another girl in my life that has this amazing style, the kind of style that makes you jealous and envious but all in a good way. I asked Caitlin a few questions recently about her beauty routine so that I could share it with all of you. Thank you Caitlin for being such a great GIRLFRIEND and sharing with us some of your uniqueness!


What type of makeup do you use? Give us the dish on your favorite cosmetic finds… from your favorite mascara to the most decadent perfect lip gloss you’ve ever scored! I have a face full of freckles, small eyelids, and naturally pink lips...therefore I don't really use that much makeup because when I do I look like I am 'trying too hard.' My everyday makeup consists of Clinique under-eye concealer, bronzer, blush, and Naturally Glossy black mascara. On special occasions I usually wear a little bit of eyeshadow - shimmery pink, beige, or light purple - and sometimes a little black eyeliner. I call myself "makeup challenged" because I don't really know any cool techniques or tricks. If I am around my sister or best friend I usually entrust them to make me look pretty!

You have such beautiful skin, how do you take care of it?
I wash my face at least once a day using a deep pore cleansing face wash. My favorite is anything that makes my skin cool and tingly afterwards. I don't have a favorite brand because I switch it up every few months. I think my skin gets used to a face wash after about 6 weeks, because that is when I'll find a blemish or two. I use a daily moisturizer with a SPF 15 that I purchased from my dermatologist to protect my fair skin from the sun.

Will there be any new makeup techniques that you will be trying for your wedding day? I am putting my face in the hands of one of my bridesmaids!! We aren't going to have a trial run or anything - I just completely trust her to make me look pretty.

How do you keep your hair so healthy looking? Also, you’ve been growing your hair out for your wedding, any special tips that you can share? When I decided I wanted long shiny hair for my wedding day I asked my hairdresser for advice. She told me to take Biotin vitamins, shampoo only 3-4x a week, condition every day, and to give up my dreams of being a blonde. We dyed my hair dark and chopped off all the dead layers. I started from scratch and for the last year I have tried very hard to keep up with her prescribed regimen!

Nails on your wedding day: Demure or Colorful?
I think that I am probably going to stick to a simple pink and white french manicure. I currently have acrylic tips, but plan on switching to gel for the big day!

Where are your favorite places to shop?
I am a big online shopping stalker of clothing. I usually check my favorite websites for inspiration before I go shopping and then look for particular items in the actual stores. My favorite shops are Banana Republic, J.Crew, Forever 21, and little boutiques

What is your most prized “fashion” possession?
AHH - do I have to choose just one? My most current prized possesion are my brand new Tory Burch Reva Flats in black and gold! I don't own any shoes that cost over $100 so my TB Revas are my new babies. My mom bought them for my birthday and I love them so so much. Another prized possession is a vintage Fendi purse my mom and best friend gave me for my 21st birthday. It is a small hobo in different shades of orange with a big gold double F strap. I only bring that purse out on special occasions because if something happened to it I would probably die!

J+K

A couple of weekends ago Brandon and I had the pleasure of shooting Jackie and Kevin's beach wedding at Sanctuary by the Sea off of 30A. It was such a beautiful afternoon for a beach wedding. After the ceremony, guests mingled around the pool during the cocktail hour and after that the party moved to The Palms Resort in Destin for their reception. Never in all of my life (working with brides and being friends with many...) have I ever met a bride and groom quite like Jackie and Kevin. J+K were the epitome of laid back. It was definitely more about kicking back and celebrating their love for one another and sharing it with their families then trying to have a "perfect" wedding. It's my opinion that when you relax and have that kind of fun...those are the weddings that truly end up being "perfect" ;)

J+K- Thanks for letting us share in your special day. We wish you both some much luck in your journey into marriage:)
S+B
P.S. as always...click on the picture so you can look at it big Big BIG!



I loved the colors of the bouquet...


I didn't even get to see this happen because I was already waiting down on the beach but Brandon caught this special little moment...


Jackie's moms dress could not have been a more beautiful shade of blue. It popped against the powder white sand.








This is one of my favorites so far. It's just so classic- I can picture their grandkids looking at it one day marveling at how good looking grandma and grandpa were!

The future Mr. & Mrs. Wells:

A few weekends ago Brandon and I met up with Rebecca and Brian at Rosemary Beach for their engagement session. What a fun afternoon! We had never been out to Rosemary Beach and it was so amazing...it reminded us of a small tuscan village. While roaming around and checking out the cottages and interesting little nooks and crannies, we got to know Rebecca and Brian a little better and they are a super sweet couple and we cannot wait for them to tie the knot;) Rebecca and Brian met a few years ago while they were both working at an emergancy vet clinic and began dating by taking a dance class together once a week. Can you believe that?? What a fun way to get to know and fall in love with someone! Because of their busy schedules, they had date night once a week and that consisted of a dance lesson and dinner and this went on for months. I don't know if I ever asked when exactly Brian knew that Rebecca was the one but I have a sneaking feeling that it might have been from the first, "may I have this dance..." Shortly before a trip to Italy Brian decided to pop the question (in the cutest way!! Brian attached the ring to a buoy that a dolphin brought to Rebecca!)and of course Rebecca was over the moon! B+R, we are so excited for you guys--enjoy the sneak peak of your engagement session.
S+B