hope

I'm so happy I had the time to captured these images of a recent beauty, Thea.  She was simply delightful, with such style and grace.  She is a talented graphic designer/art director from NYC, based in Rotterdam, NL.   It's not every day that someone like Thea comes along, so I felt super lucky and excited to do her makeup.  She wasn't interested in "the typical" bridal look, which was so refreshing for me.  Her vision was this: "retro hollywood style with a hint of backyard country wedding, 60's eyeliner inspired eyes and perhaps pale lips (potentially red if it looks good).  I basically would like to be Veronica Lake/January Jones for a day. :)"  I was GAH-GAH.  We tried both the red and pale pink and each looked amazing.  But we ended up choosing a color in between, which was so perfect for the occasion.  The location for her ceremony and reception was at this charming place in Hope, NJ.  I was drooling over her oh-so-feminine and romantic gown, which she found at Elizabeth Fillmore Bridal in NYC.  I cannot wait to see the work her photographer,  Amy Touchette of Brooklyn NY, creates from this extraordinary wedding.  You could call her the non-wedding photographer, wedding photographer.  She's a gem.  Thea's friend handmade that gorgeous french veil - the perfect touch.  Last but not least, Stephanie Gueldner of StudioArtiflora in NYC, was the talent behind the exquisite flowers. 

                                                        

home

Four years ago today, an internet conversation with a complete stranger began.  What caught my eye was his photo of a pug with a banana peel on it's head.  Captivating, I know.  Our mutual love for pugs (I had two, he had one), and obsession for creating fruit helmets for them, was the first of many attractions.  I knew I was in trouble.  Things moved very quickly from there.  We didn't want to let go, so we took a risk and we JUMPED right in.  Sometimes you just gotta go with your gut.

Today I sit here and cannot imagine my life without him.  Funny how that happens.  At the risk of sounding even more cheesy, I want to say...being with him brings out the best in me.  I feel more grounded, understood, inspired, hopeful, creative, passionate, and determined than ever before.  He just makes me better.  As if anything is possible.  Sometimes I wonder if all the little bits of life that formed who we are, then brought us together ; exactly where we were meant to be.  A random encounter with a stranger that turned into a happy life.  He is home to me.