Happy Friday everyone! Jesse took the day off today so we can take the kids somewhere fun before a big work weekend. Our house is going on the market and though I am a little sad about it as we love our place and neighborhood, I am really trying to focus on the adventure ahead and stay positive. Sooo, without further adieu, here are some Friday gems.

I saw this a couple times on Facebook yesterday and it made me smile and laugh out loud. When the bride finally walked down the aisle, I got chills- I think it is so fabulous. I love love love when couples make their wedding day unique. I have been to more than my fair share of weddings, and I know it is easy in our culture to think your event “should” be a certain way, so when a bride and groom let their personality shine through my heart pitter pats. It is what makes their wedding memorable. So check this out if you haven’t.

Blackberries- I love them. They remind me of my childhood, every time I eat one, I am taken back to the Oregon coast and picking berries on my grandparents property. My grandma makes the most delicious pies- my siblings and I would pick bucket fulls in hopes of getting a slice of homemade pie with Umpqua ice cream. This summer, we have been taking our kids to Swanton Berry Farm on the coast near Davenport for strawberry picking and you know what? Blackberry picking time begins now! I love this place because their berries are organic. Pick some berries, grab a picnic lunch and enjoy the nearby gorgeous beaches.

Sunday Suppers- I know, I know, I blogged about them a while back. I am really loving the sneak peek they just posted and can’t wait to see more. Wouldn’t that cake be amazing at a wedding? I love the turquoise and tangerine combination. It is so fresh!

Photo from Sunday Supper Blog

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Yesterday I had the honor of photographing Gretchen and Rive’s wedding at a private ranch outside of Angwin. Although we all nearly melted (it was over 100 degrees outside!), it was a breathtakingly beautiful event filled with so much love, lots of family and plenty of laughter. I will save the theme and wonderful ways Gretchen and Rive made this a completely unique event for the big post. For now, please enjoy a sneak peek of what is to come.

Welcome to this Friday’s edition of Friday I’m In Love…. I’m focusing on decorations this week that can add punches of color and wow to your event.

I love love love the paper parasols from Luna Bazaar. I think I will have to purchase some to bring to weddings as props- they are that cute. Wouldn’t it be dreamy to have these for your guests to protect them from the hot sun for your outdoor ceremony? I heart the paddle fans too. Oh, and the lanterns… I dream of having them hang under a huge oak tree in my backyard, perfectly ready for a summer dinner.

Nettleton Hollow has gorgeous decorative branches you can use to add height to table decor at wedding or decorate your home.

Delicious ice cold Jones Soda, customized with your engagement photo. Wouldn’t that be a great way to add color to your event?

Laughter, there was so much of it between Patrice and James and it was such fun to witness. These two compliment each other beautifully and truly seem to relish each other’s company. They were so sweet to treat me to dinner after the shoot, and I loved hearing some of their history and getting to know them more. James recently returned from spending 10 months in Antartica… Antartica! I had never met anyone who had been, and given my science/ biology background, I was completely fascinated. They are two of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, and I can’t wait to photograph their wedding in September! Thank you Patrice and James for a fabulous evening in Half Moon Bay!

Click HERE to see the slideshow!

I love my job, that’s all I can say after this afternoon. I spent it with Patrice and James in Half Moon Bay shooting their engagement session. We had a few drops of rain and loud thunder rolls- but it was beautiful, and we had so much fun! Here is a sneak peek of what is to come.

TGIF!

Have you been looking for some tabletop inspiration? Then look no further than Toast and Table by Sarah Dennis. She has some inspiring looks and ideas up on her blog, give it a look!

I adore this next one… doesn’t the lemon place card scream SUMMER?

Style me Pretty states that it is an obsession for brides…. ummm, how about for photographers too? It is a wonderfully inspiring blog full of delicious images. And it is updated so frequently! Love it!

In Style Weddings… I know, I know, this is a no brainer. I just adore the wedding ideas section, put me in a happy place.

Old friends are the best, and I got to see a few of them the other night. Well, one is my sister and I see her all the time, but the other two, Sarah and Jaime are some of the oldest friends I have and I don’t get to see them as often as I would like. These three are all dear to me and it was so fun to have a night out with them. There is never a lack of things to talk and laugh about- it’s just so easy and I love it. Thanks ladies, and Jaime…. I had no idea you were such a bowler! It’s on lady, I’m taking you down next time! (any bowling coaches out there?)

I had all the confidence in the world going in…. it was me (thanks Jaime for pushing the button on this one!)

Versus these three… (from the left Smokin’ Sarah, Jivin’ Jaime, and Karumba Katy) It was ON!!!

Jivin’ Jaime proved to be a great bowler- I should have known when she brought her own shoes! There were a few moments when I thought I could gain on her….

But once she got a turkey and did the official turkey dance, I knew it was over!

So when we walked by the basketball game on the way to the bar- I didn’t even think to challenge Jaime to a match- but Katy did- and it wasn’t even close!

Thanks ladies- much love to you all!

Janice and Robert not only celebrated the 4th of July this past weekend, they also celebrated their 2 week anniversary! They chose a gorgeous day in June to tie the knot in San Leandro at Casa Peralta. What I loved about this wedding was that Janice and Robert set aside time in between the ceremony and reception to go to Sushi Avenue where they not only had their first date, but Robert proposed! The owners of Sushi Avenue were gracious enough to open the restaurant especially for them. The decor there is beautiful and it looked like a delicious spot- I think I’ll have to make the trek back to San Leandro just to try it out! Here are a few photos from the day as well as a slideshow. Janice and Robert danced their first dance to “That’s Amore” so I thought it was fitting for the soundtrack of the slideshow. Congratulations you two! Enjoy your belated honeymoon this fall!

This Friday is all about preserving your personal photographs. When you work with a professional photographer, you are privy to their connections with professional album makers, but what do you do with all those photographs you have on your computer that you can’t have made into an heirloom album?

Blurb Books offers the opportunity to make your own book store quality books. Make a book for each year, highlighting your favorite images. Make a book of a favortie trip to preserve the memories of your travels. Write a story for your child, featuring pictures of your child as the main character. The books are reasonably priced and look great! They have a design program that is easy to use. I just got one as a yearbook for my daughter Cecily’s year at preschool.  You can also buy books created by other people- there are all sorts of fine art photography books, children’s books wedding and fine art books. You can create them with your galleries from Flickr, Picasa, Smugmug, and TypePad

Kimbra Studios features all sorts of custom photo jewelry and gifts. Have a treasured photograph made into a ring, necklace, or bracelet.

Last, but not least, one of my very favorite DIY photo site, Photojojo. Photojojo has great photo tips and DIY projects. Their most recent feature tells you have to make zipper pulls, jewelry and other fun items from your photographs using shrinky dinks. Uh huh, I know- shrinky dinks!!!

Photo from Photojojo

Oh, and Happy Friday!