Together with Amy Karp, Natasha Brown, and Anna Routh, we were the local contact getting everything in order. We had three fabulous Hair and Makeup artists, Emily Hudspeth, Adina Wright, and Zsanae. We had four awesome models, Cassie, Erica, Melissa, and Tristan. We shot at the lovely Ryan Manor that Chris Ryan so graciously opened his doors for (and the weather was dreary, by the way!) And we had knock out outfits, that Amy and I were able to find at the eleventh hour. (That expression always seems weird to me…) We also had three great teaching photographers, Heather Essian, Jason Huang of Table 4 Weddings, and Amy Karp.

Miss Cassie was also a contestant on one of the seasons of America’s Next Top Model, so she totally knew how to work the camera. Admittedly, I’ve never even seen a whole episode of ANTM, but I often hear all the hoopla from friends who can’t stop talking about it.

Jason taught lighting. Because he is a master at it. If you go check out his photos, you’ll understand what I mean. I was glad to get a couple of shots with his help. Erica and Tristan looked like the perfect vintage wedding couple.

There were about 30 photographers in attendance and were split up into three groups. One group with each teaching photographer. Then after about 45 minutes we rotated. So all the attendees had a chance to learn from all the teachers and work with all the models.

And the lovely Melissa. Isn’t her hair fascinator cute? It was made by Lisa Raser, of Ink and Button. And it just so happened to work perfectly with Melissa’s outfit. More to come of Lisa’s cute fascinators!

More to come!

Are you interested in participating in a Shootout? Email me!

I finally got to meet Carrie, owner of The Event Messenger, in person a few months later at Debby Jewesson’s Open House for Branching Out Events. And guess what? She’s just as fabulous and friendly as her creations. Love her!

I recently got together with Carrie to photograph some of her recent work. And let me just say that if I was still planning my wedding, I’d go straight to Carrie. After designing and assembling our invitations, I understand all the work that goes into it, and would gladly hire a pro to do it. And Carrie is a pro!

While I photographed these, I commented that even simple stripes can dress up an invitation. Simple and bright.

After the recent snowstorm, I ventured out to Carrie’s home to help her assemble this project. It’s so simple, and yet makes a statement.

This piece is perforated for guests to tear off and mail as an RSVP postcard. The flipside of the piece is stamped and addressed. Genius.

Carrie brought these pieces together for a Bridal Event. Who knew twine could add such pizazz. Yes, I just used the word pizazz.

To me, this screams Texas. Or at least picnic. It’s probably the gingham ribbon.

A little Latin flair, anyone?

Placecards with style.

And then there are these super sweet Bridal Shower weekend invitations.

And how cute are these boarding pass Save the Dates for a destination wedding?

And Carrie can also create the CUTEST stationery for those expecting! Check this out:

Please excuse some of the blurring out going on, but gotta respect people’s privacy, right?

If you are looking for custom event stationery, be sure to check out Carrie’s work on her website, The Event Messenger. You’ll get lost in it. At least I did.

Happy Tuesday!
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This is what it’s like with Justin and Mary Marantz. In a word, they are AMAZING!

On Tuesday, I attended their Spread the Love Workshop here in Dallas. After seeing them in New Orleans at the Pictage Partner Conference, it was a no-brainer about seeing them again. I mean, I got my ticket during their Black Friday Sale. While Cent was buying a new computer, I was getting my seat. Ever since I stumbled upon their blog, I think because Mary left me some blog love, I’ve been hooked. Their blog is like crack for a blog-a-holic like me. The stories, the beautiful photos, the advice and tips, their blog never ceases to draw me in, pull up a chair and get comfy to read.

Who are they? They are photographers from Conneticut, traveling the country, teaching other photographers and small business owners how to find balance with their business, finances, personal life, and world. Because when you are your own boss, it may seem like it’s “So TOTALLY AWESOME! No boss, no cubicle, no set work hours!” And yet, those might be the hardest parts about being your own boss. Discipline – whether it’s working too much or not working enough.

Justin and Mary keep it real. Through their stories, questions, and attitudes. They show you how to build momentum and get your life in order, especially if your work life is becoming a slippery slope into despair. If you read their blog, they are the same in person. Which I love!

Fun fact: When I still lived in California, I casually entered a contest running on their blog. And I won! They sent me a gift card to MAC Cosmetics which I used for my wedding day lipstick.

Thanks to Brandy of Bella Pop Photography for snapping this photo. I brought my P&S, only to find out it didn’t have the memory card in it. Way to go me! Me in the middle with the cake I brought. Yeah, I know, I’m such a cake nut.

Thanks to Cristina Wisner for hosting at your studio!

Spread the Love is coming to a city near you, if it hasn’t already passed. If you’re in need of some balance in your life, want to learn about creating a client experience, or just want to have a great afternoon learning, be sure to check them out! I believe Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are up next.

CONTACT CATIE | VIEW PORTFOLIO | SUBSCRIBE to the BLOG

No, I’m not sick (well, actually I am recovering from a gnarly cold I’ve had for far too long!)

No, I haven’t developed a food allergy to sweets.

No, I haven’t sworn off sugary treats forever.

Red Velvet and I are on a break because I’m taking a challenge. A New Year, New You Challenge started by my fabulous fellow photographer friend, Celina Gomez of Captivating Simplicity Photography.

I’ve struggled with my weight since junior high. I took 12 years of ballet, and I always felt embarrassed that I had the largest costume for The Nutcracker or our Spring Performances, or that it had to be custom made because nothing fit. I can honestly say that the only time I’ve been really satisfied with my weight was when I was studying abroad in France for a year in 2003/2004. Because I lost 20 pounds without even trying. No joke! My jeans started feeling looser. And when I moved back to the states and saw my weight in pounds (vs. kilograms), I was pleasantly surprised at the number! Even though I ate whatever I wanted (and trust me, France has it’s share of rich and decadent foods), I walked everywhere, every day. And it made such a difference, without even making a real effort. So fab!

This holiday season, my jeans felt tighter. Uncomfortably so. And they used to fit nicely. So after Christmas and New Years, Cent and I went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and I insisted we had to buy a scale. Because I was convinced that the scale at 24 Hour Fitness was full of lies. And after I mustered the courage to stand on it, and the look of disgust that developed on my face after seeing the number (the largest number I’ve EVER seen), I knew that this year had to be different. This year, there HAD to be a change.

There’s just something different about this group. I actually feel motivated to go work out. Even with Dallas’ current Artic Blast, (which accounts for the colder than usual weather) I braved the cold and made my way to the gym. I’ve heard it time and time again that it’s good to have a support group, a team of cheerleaders who can encourage you, and be there for you. I guess it just took me longer than usual to listen. I’m glad that I did, because I’m starting to whittle down that number on the scale! 4lbs, woo hoo!

And since I value every blog reader that I have, I thought that I would share my journey with y’all (yes, I said y’all), to help me stay accountable. Because who wouldn’t want a support group as big as the interwebz to cheer me on?!

So sayonara Red Velvet, I’ll see you on the flipside…in moderation. And maybe a bite for my birthday?

Happy Thursday!

CONTACT CATIE | VIEW PORTFOLIO | SUBSCRIBE to the BLOG

The seller’s accepted our offer!

Just last week I mentioned that we put in an offer on our first house. A HOUSE! Quite honestly, I didn’t expect to be a homeowner so soon after we got married. But a nice credit from the government for being a first time homebuyer was a very attractive incentive. So we started looking. I thought it would be just that, looking. But as it turned out, we found two houses we really liked and finally decided to take the big grown up step of making an offer.

We met with our real estate agent, Julie Beck, (she’s been so awesome so far in the process – call her if you’re in need of one in Dallas!) and she explained to us paragraph by painstaking paragraph exactly what we were signing and initialing. I totally appreciated all of her patience and help as real estate documents are longwinded and confusing! So we put in our best case scenario or “pie in the sky” offer, and crossed our fingers and prayed.

Waiting to hear back was like sitting on pins and needles. That night, I couldn’t get good rest. While I knew that there was no way we’d hear back in the middle of the night, my mind was racing in excitement and nervousness. “What if they didn’t accept our terms?” “What if they don’t want to sell their house to us?” “What if…?” Deep breaths help in this kind of situation. Totally.

When we hadn’t heard anything on Tuesday or Wednesday, waiting became a little easier. I still had the “What ifs” in mind, but it wasn’t as bad as Monday night. So when Thursday evening’s email rolled around, we were so excited. SO EXCITED! We’re going to be homeowners (as long as the rest of the process goes smoothly!), so please keep your finger crossed, send us positive vibes, and keep us in your prayers!

Happy Monday!

Our real estate agent’s info:
Julie Beck
(214) 446.2579
www.century21judgefite.com
juliebeck [at] judgefite [dot] com

We put an offer on our first HOUSE!

Just last week I was talking about house hunting. And now we put in an offer. It’s exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time. I feel like those couples on HGTV’s Property Virgins and My First Place. Anxiously awaiting an answer.

While it was nice to be able to go into our real estate agent’s office without the day to day hustle and bustle of office life. It’s also a holiday. A day off. People aren’t answering their phones as quickly as when it’s a “regular” work day. So our fingers are crossed. Toes too. In fact, I think if I could sit with my eyes crossed without the threat of them getting stuck (as my mom would say), I might try that too.

Home ownership is such an exciting thought. Like crossing the threshold into being a “real” adult. Personally, when I think of the word mortgage, I think of my parents. Because that’s what grownups are always talking about. I guess we’ll be included in that pool of people if all goes well! And a reason to buy a shiny new keychain.

And because everything’s better with cupcakes, look at what I made last week:

Happy Labor Day!

The photoshoot was held at a really cool space right outside of downtown Dallas called Off the Grid. It’s a great venue which would be awesome for a wedding reception or any other large party or function. With three floors, amazing light, and interesting architecture, it was set up for success!

Off the Grid
1723 Kelly Ln, Dallas, TX 75215
http://www.partyoffthegrid.com

How cute is she?!

A little fashionista in training!

I think this one is my favorite. She was a total ham and not scared of the camera by any means!

We took a couple shots of mom for her hubby.

I loved her shoes! So glad she brought some sassy heels to the shoot.

Thanks to Kristin Greenlee for setting up the shoot. Thank you to this lovely family for your time and big smiles. I also met some new photographer friends at this meeting! Karyn Kelbaugh – she’s a Texas transplant – and Maggie McDonald – she just moved to Dallas recently too!

To get in touch with me, CLICK HERE.

Well, good news for us, it’s a buyer’s market!

House hunting has been an interesting ride. We’ve seen a sampling of homes in this area and have learned about the big ticket items and little nuances to look out for. Visible foundation cracks. Where the water heater and furnace live. The closest schools and their performance. Where the attic is. If the house is a slab foundation or pier and beam. The surrounding areas. What the neighborhood is like at different times of the day. The list goes on and on.

After watching shows about staging and setting your home up for a showing and selling, I know how important staging is. In fact, I appreciate those who stage their home. To me, the potential home buyer, it says that the owners care about their home and would like for it to go to another owner who will care for it as well. Having seen some foreclosures and their state of disrepair, it really made me wonder what happened to the owners.

I’m really excited about two potential homes. Looking at homes is the fun part. All the paperwork that follows is not. It’s what makes homebuying so daunting and intimidating. However, that $8,000 tax credit sounds quite lovely and will make all the levels of bureaucracy worth it.

Helpful Home Buyer Websites:

Drama Free Real Estate Guide

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

Buying a Home (CNN)

US Department of Housing

Bankrate.com’s Real Estate Guide

Although, I must confess, I didn’t register at Crate and Barrel with Cent. I went with my bridesmaid Elana. In fact, I think I let it slip through the cracks that I had even registered at Crate and Barrel. Oops. Then boxes from there started to arrive on Cent’s doorstep. Well… I guess I did forget. Happens, you know? Wedding planning delirium…

But here’s the straight up truth reason why I’m such a big fan of the Crate and Barrel Registry. Customer Service.

For my bridal shower, I had received some beautiful mugs and pretty prep bowls from friends and family. Then I made the bonehead move of packing and shipping them to Texas myself. Let me just say that this was a bonehead move. From my experience of packing and moving, if there is ANYTHING that you even remotely care about and would like to receive intact, then get a professional to help you pack the delicate item. Or use a lot of bubble wrap. A LOT.

Needless to say, I didn’t use enough bubble wrap. When we returned from our honeymoon, the box that held the colorful coffee mugs, actually held colorful broken pieces. I was crushed. And secretly kicking myself for my own foolishness. Listen, as much as UPS may claim to take care of your items, take it upon yourself to kick around your item before sending it into the unknown world of package delivery. Because I’m pretty sure the UPS guy doesn’t take that much care… just sayin’.

Then I wondered if Crate and Barrel would help me out. I kind of felt like they were on par with the customer service guru’s of Nordstrom. So I went with my gut and brought the box of ceramic shards to the store. I explained my plight and asked if there was anything they might be able to do for me. I felt really terrible, but I thought that the worst that coul happen would be that they said no.

At first the Crate and Barrel employee hesitated. She said she would have to ask her manager. Totally understandable. I had a less than normal request. I was a little nervous, but I had to at least ask. When the manager asked if I was registered there, it was like the gates were unlocked and my request didn’t seem so outlandish. They gladly took my broken pieces in exchange for new pieces. Unfortunately, the mugs that had broken had gone out of season, but on the upside, they still had some that I had also registered for. Score!

Crate and Barrel also has great wrapping for both in-store purchases as well as shipped items. And everything is VERY WELL wrapped when shipped. Like, I didn’t know what I was going to do with all the wrapping it came with!

Thank you Crate & Barrel!

The events was held at the Cascades Event Center, at the newly built Fairfield Inn. While the event was intended for wedding planners, or those interested in pursuing a career as a wedding planner, I walked away with a wealth of information that I could apply to my own business. It was a great learning experience!

The beautiful stationery was designed by Carrie Foiles, owner and designer of The Event Messenger.

THE emergency kit. It’s serious. You’ll be in good hands when you hire Sweet Pea Events for your big day!

The tablescapes: lemon and lime!

Aren’t these ADORABLE favors?

I loved this simple, but sweet table number.

Kelly sharing her knowledge of all things wedding.

The attendees: (from left to right) Kelly Simants, Evie Howard, Stephanie Midkiff (Kelly and Lime),  Michelle Holland (Fret Knot Events), and Stephanie Torres (Stephanie Michele Events).

Thank you so much Kelly for your warm welcome! And it was great meeting all the attendees!

Event Design: Sweet Pea Events
Stationery: The Event Messenger
Wedding Planners: Kelly and Lime, Fret Knot Events, Stephanie Michele Events, Evie Howard

To get in touch with me, CLICK HERE.

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