Spring Inspired Shoot by Simply Bloom Photography

You know what's funny, blogettes? I have a blogging bucket list. I've always thought bucket lists were rather daunting when it came to life as a whole, but making a bucket list (or rather, a fancy-titled list of goals) that pertain to this little blog here, was totally a ton of fun and really has helped me stay motivated and inspired. One of the things on that list of mine has always been to feature an exclusive shoot and wedding from my most fave photogs of all time, the sweet Christine and Vania from Simply Bloom. Imagine how fabulous it was then, to get this submission from them with news that it would be exclusive to Hey Gorg? I probably celebrated that day with a Starbucks. A Starbucks Venti that is. Then proceeded to tell Christine and Vania that they were already hired for my maternity session (all of this coming from a girl who never wants kids. I've lost my mind).

Enough about me though because this shoot is way too gorgeous for words. The thing about Simply Bloom is not only does every single shot look like something sent from above, but these chicks have an acute sense of style that makes even bunnies, fruits and veggies look downright stunning. Check out some of my fave shots below and to catch more fabulousness from these two head over to the Simply Bloom blog where I promise you find yourself submerged in pure prettiness. Christine and Vania, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I can't wait for you to one day shoot my belly; emphasis on the one day part :)

{About the shoot, from Simply Bloom} When we dreamed up this session we had major spring fever. Everything seemed on the verge of birth. We were inspired by Caravaggio's Bacchus for this spring-themed shoot and incorporated real fruit, a rabbit, and a hand-crafted headpiece overflowing with fruits and extravagant florals - an important element in Caravaggio's paintings. We appropriately held the shoot in an orchard at its flowered peak. While we were working to bring our vision to life, we knew we needed a powerful and meaningful colour palette. Our favorite resource for color and inspiration boards is always Magnolia Rouge; we chose this gorgeous board as a starting point: 

What do you think, guys? Pretty spectacular right? Enjoy your morning :) xo

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Pep-Talk Tuesday {The Blogging Blues}

I had this post on my mind for a while now. Just finding the right time to spell out my feelings in a way that wouldn't come across as whiny, was tough. But today when I found it hard to drag my little butt out of bed and when husband brought me breakfast, then refused to bring me lunch to the bedroom too, I figured I had a little bit of a problem on my hands; I may be suffering from a mild case of the blogging blues.

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Everyone has their own reasons for blogging and for some, there's more than one main reason. Yet, it can be tough to maintain a sense of purpose and a sense of acceptance from your blogging peers when it seems like everyone and their Mom (seriously, I mean this in the most literal ways possible) has started a blog. Blogging is the new facebook. An accessory to some, a way for others to claim their chunk of Internet real estate. Sometimes blogging feels like I'm swimming in an overcrowded pool of bloggers; I'm not drowning but instead grazing other's legs as they too try to tread and maintain their position on the surface. Then all of a sudden, 50 new swimmers cannon ball into the pool. And you know what happens next. Blogging can feel like a fight to the surface, like you need to kick a little harder to avoid getting trampled by the new swimmers.

Remember in high school when you'd get dressed in the morning in your brand new jeans and top, heading off to school feeling like a million bucks? Only to get there and see that that much prettier, smarter and more poplar friend of yours was sporting an even better new outfit, leaving you in turn feeling defeated, left out, maybe even reconsidering why you even bought your new digs in the first place. I feel like this with blogging sometimes. When I look at my blog, and my blog only, I feel a great sense of accomplishment. For more than two years I've groomed this little babe into something that's become my full time job, my purpose and my calling. But then I look around at the gazillion others, who in much less time have more followers, more pictures of themselves and their girlfriends, better submissions, prettier posts, more happiness it seems (all while they make it look so effortless) and I think, what could I have done differently?

The answer is, I think nothing. This whole comparison game is all too familiar (remember the comparison game I played here?) And in short, comparison is the road to madness. Apb gets on my case daily about my little pity parties because they probably drive him nutty. Actually they do drive him nutty because I know how they make me feel. Close friends (you know who you are and I adore you) continually sing praises to me in an effort to either shut me up or allow me to realize I am fabulous the way I am (or perhaps both). And me? Well, these bouts of the blogging blues are a sign that I care. That I really truly care about this blog, what's its been, where it's going and what it represents to me and the thousands of you that read it everyday regardless of how boring you may find me or the content here. That if I didn't feel the need to be better, to grow, to learn, to stay inspired and on top of myself personally and professional then these blogging blues wouldn't exist; and I am a firm believer in going through a little bit of bad to feel a whole lot of good.

Jenna McKenzie took these fun little shots of me. I asked her to capture the real me. I think she did just that xo

Anyone else out there ever feel the Blogging Blues?

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Urban Anthro Inspired E-session by Rachelle Rousseau Photography

There's not much I can say about this super rad engagement session sent over by the always fabulous Rachelle Rousseau. The photos are so cool and hip and simply gorg. And not only do Susie and Dan have the most stylish wardrobe ever, but they have this sweet sweet love for one another. In just two weeks these two will be getting married and I can only image how beautiful their big day will be. P.S. Susie and Dan, you guys live in my hometown! Big hugs to you both back in Burlington :)

And this my friends is my most fave e-session picture of all time. Simply amazing!

{Susie & Dan's Love Story} Dan and I met when we were 20 at Snug Harbour Restaurant in Port Credit, Ontario. I was bartending while Dan was sitting behind the bar eating some oysters! Dan and I definitely kept checking each other out but I never really thought anything of it. I came into work the next day only to find out from my boss that a "young gentleman" was coming back into see me that night! I had no idea who he was referring to, but I knew as soon as I saw him sitting at the bar again. I finished work earlier that night and joined him behind the bar for a drink. We had an instant connection and spent every minute of the day together for the next four days. After four days of knowing each other, Dan and I both had to get back to reality. I went off to college and Dan went to finish up his last year of junior hockey. We kept in contact for that whole year and began dating as soon as we both returned for the summer. Shortly after dating for four months I moved to Hartford, Connecticut where Dan was starting his first year of pro hockey. Dan and I got engaged after three years of dating while we were on vacation with our families in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. The proposal took place on the beach right at sunset. Dan got down on his knees and asked if I would "spend the rest of my life with him." My answer of course was YES! We bought a house two years ago in Burlington, as well, we are living in Germany nine months of the year where Dan plays hockey. Dan and I are getting married June 25th 2011 at Greystone Golf Club in Milton, Ontario.

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Photography: Rachelle Rousseau / Suzie's red dress, purple plaid shirt, purple and yellow tube top: Antropologie / Silver shoes: Vera Wang / Bracelet: David Yurman / Jeans: William Rast / Brown boots: True Religion / Black shirt: Hugo Boss Orange / Dan's shoes: Steve Madden / Watch: TW Steel / Dan's plaid shirt: Dolce and Gabbana / Black running shoes: D Squared / Light blue shirt: Lulu Lemon / Grey shirt: Scotch and Soda

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First Anniversary Paper Shoot by Courtney Dellafiora

Happy Monday everyone! Hopefully you all had super rad weekends celebrating the official start of summer. I think I'm finally starting to feel like I'm back in the swing of things. Last week was so crazy busy with my girl cave shoot on Monday (which was so incredibly fun) and the inspiration shoot up north (which was also so incredibly fun), that when I woke up Thursday, I thought it was Saturday. And on Friday I was telling people Happy Monday. Ugh how embarrassing right? Suffice to say, I was a hot mess and ended up taking a few naps throughout the weekend to get myself back on track. That and a nice Sunday afternoon at the Bucks. So sit tight I have an entire week of pretty posts prepared for you all! Starting with this one right here.

Which leads me to explain: The first thing I thought after all the excitement came to an end following our wedding, was how can I feel like there's something big and blog-worthy to look forward to? (Before you go thinking I'm all selfish and stuff just hear me out, guys). Like most girls, and especially as a wedding blogger, getting back my professional wedding photos was one of the highlights of post-marital bliss, and once that was all said and done, I was itching to get engaged all over again just to have another engagement session. But whose kidding who, that wasn't going to happen. Enter this adorable and clever shoot idea sent over from Courtney Dellafiora; why not celebrate your first anniversary (you know, the one that's all about paper) with a fun photo shoot? Obviously, I'm all over this wicked idea. Scroll on to catch the amazing details prepared by the gorgeous Deirdra, who happens to be Courtney's wonderful assistant. This is one post you'll want to bookmark, blogettes! xo

{From the beautiful, Deirdra} The inspiration from this shoot started with the concept of our first anniversary being another chapter in Duston and I's Love Story. We met in college and have really gotten the opportunity to grow with one another from college life, starting our first careers, getting engaged, making the commitment of a lifetime together, and now living out our life dreams with one another. I wanted the shoot to capture the chapter of our first anniversary by having a very soft, passionate setting. On your first anniversary, you are supposed to give paper gifts to one another (a boudoir album was definitely the best paper gift ever to give him!) Therefore, I wanted to try and incorporate paper into the shoot as much as possible. Some of the paper items I created up for the shoot were: paper flowers for the bouquet, boutonniere and vases which were jars wrapped in paper doilies, tissue balls to hand from the ceiling of the barn, paper doilies found under the desserts and place settings; a paper umbrella used for a prop, and awesome paper invitations, menu cards, dessert cards, and banners were made by Lauren VanZandt. The set included many items borrowed from my grandmother and mother which made it even more personal as each of the tea pots, plates, platters and some furniture had meaningful history behind it. I do not think our love story could have been captured any more perfectly then by the one and only Courtney Dellafiora, and I hope that she captures the many chapters that lie ahead in our lives. (To see the rest of the beautiful shots from their shoot head over here).

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Photography: Courtney Dellafiora / Hair/Makeup: Courtney Davis, Kiki's Consulting / Paper Goods: Lauren VanZandt, Everyday's a Soirée /  Deirdra's dress: Bustle / Couch: The Estate Center / Bouquet, boutinniere, decorations, hairpieces: Deirdra Doré / Bowtie: XOELLE

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Rustic Elegance Inspiration Shoot {Sneak Peak}

Last week, I had the pleasure of coordinating and styling an inspiration shoot up in Traverse City,  Michigan. The fabulous Tonya, flew in from New Mexico to shoot the entire thing and her and I spent three days getting to and from Crooked Creek Ranch; I think we were in my Jetta for close to 500 miles in total. Let's just say we're pretty good buddies now! The photos turned out beautiful, and the above doesn't even do justice to our sweet models, the incredibly jaw-dropping florals, the sweet favours and pretty paper products, the stunning venue, the gorgeous cake, the dress, oh my gosh that dress. And I could go on and on and on. Once we find out where all of the photos will be shown you can bet I'll have a full recap for you all but for now hopefully the above shot will hold you over. Team Crooked Creek Ranch? I heart you all. Thanks for the wonderful day! xo

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Spring Inspired Beauty by Shannon Grant Photography

While your little self is reading this blog post, yours truly is making a five hour trek up to northern Michigan for an Inspiration Shoot I've been planning since February. Can I can three cheers for that? You can bet all the money to your name, I'll be stopping for multiple venti lattes along the way (we're talking almost 350 miles of traveling in one day here people), but I can promise you that it'll be worth the three days journey around the entire state. The fabulous Tonya flew in from New Mexico last night (now that's dedication!), we're off to pick up the florals and voila, we'll be in styled shoot heaven by this afternoon.

In other news, I love me some Shannon Grant, guys. Like seriously, isn't her work is just so darn pretty? She sent me over this fabulous shoot a few weeks ago and since then, I've been dying to show it off. Don't get me wrong, I love a shoot filled to the brim with steal-worthy ideas and wedding decor inspiration, but a shoot with inspiration on how to look your bridal best, is a bunch of wonderful all of its own. Check out all of these gorgeous gowns, hair styles and make up that you too can use for your own big day (hello, long eyelashes!) Happy Wednesday, blogettes. See you all tomorrow for some more gorgeousness!

{More about the shoot, from Shannon the photographer} In celebration of our New England winter finally coming to an end, we orchestrated this editorial styled photo shoot "From the Estate with Love." Our goals were to capture the feeling we get when Spring is approaching and love is in the air. Serenity mixed with unbridled optimism. Giddiness laced with a calm peace. The feeling that everything is right with the world and the possibilities are endless. 

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Photography: Shannon Grant Photography / Hair/Makeup: Jeni Teran / Dresses: Angels Bridal / Models: Erica Pires and Kimberly Giardino

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St. Louis E-session by Clary Photo

The colours, the love these two have for another, those red pants. Red pants! Come on now, people. Every man needs a pair of red pants, no? I think that I adore everything about this sweet little engagement session sent over from Clary Photo. Including Alice, the couple's dog named appropriately after 'Alice in Wonderland.' Admit it you're all really dying to see these two love birds in their wedding day glory as much as I am. Enjoy the rest of the photos and whatever you do today do it wonderfully xo

{Mary Catherine and Joe's Love Story} Joe and I went to the same high school, but didn't start dating until after we graduated. With him being a senior, and me being a freshman, he was 'too old'. My first year of high school, I met Joe's sister, Maria, and we quickly became best friends. Joe takes complete credit for this, and says he made Maria and I become friends so he would get to see me ;) Around the time I was finishing up high school, the three of us hung out once or twice before it quickly turned into just Joe and I hanging out. We had our first date at the Art Museum and outdoor ice skating rink in Forest Park, which is where these pictures were taken. We can't thank our amazing photographer enough, Clary Pfeiffer, for taking these gorgeous pictures in our of our favorite places in St. Louis! 

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Confetti Dreams

I've always had dreams of blowing pretty hued confetti into the air. So yesterday I finally did. And it was glorious. I can now promise you that nothing compares to the magic of watching itty bitty pieces of fun float so slowly into the blue sky. More to come from the lovely Jenna McKenzie who captured my girl cave and yours truly yesterday afternoon. I am one happy girl xo

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