Doggy paddlin'

We spent a lot of time in the sun this weekend and I have the red nose peeling shoulders to prove it... but it was wonderful!  I definitely needed that hefty dose of Vitamin D.

Sunday afternoon we loaded little Shelby up and took a trip to Falls Lake. 

Other than the bathtub, Shelby hasn't been introduced to the water yet.

We decided that it was the day...

I promise the water wasn't as disgusting as it looked... good ole NC water!

The first time, Trey didn't take her out far enough - her feet could still touch the ground.  She didn't care too much, she just walked right out.

I just love this next picture so much, its so them!

Back in for round two...

there we go!

"Just wait until I shake on you...."

She didn't love it, she didn't hate it...but she is pretty darn cute!

Skinnydipping

... a book review!
What did you think I was going to talk about?!

I am a Bethenny Frankel fanatic!  I have loved her since the very first days of The Real Housewives of NYC.  What I love about her is that she is REAL.  She doesn't put on a show just for television and doesn't put up with the hoity-toity crap the other housewives did.  And she is hilarious!  She speaks her mind and says exactly what everyone is thinking.

You know she is real when Trey will stop what he is doing to come watch her show with me.
(Sorry, for ratting you out, honey!)

I received her book A Place of Yes back at Christmas and really enjoyed it.  I'm not normally a "self help" book type of girl, but it was more than just that... it gave an insight into her life and all the struggles she faced to get to where she is.  She is one tough woman!

Just a few weeks ago I found out that she had published her first fiction novel, called Skinnydipping.  That is a catchy title, right?  And Bethenny wrote it (ok, so she probably had help), so it has to be good!  

Here is the description from Amazon...

"Who do I have to sleep with to get a drink on this plane?”

Beloved by countless fans for being devilishly dishy, outrageously funny, and always giving it to us straight, three-time New York Times bestselling author Bethenny Frankel now makes her fiction debut with the story of Faith Brightstone. Faith is an aspiring actress just out of college, who moves to LA determined to have it all—a job on the most popular TV show, a beach house in Malibu, and a gorgeous producer boyfriend. But when reality hits, she finds herself with a gig as a glorified servant, a role that has more to do with T&A than acting, and a dead-end relationship. Finally, Faith decides she’s had enough of La La Land and moves back to New York with just a suitcase and her dog Muffin.

     Five years later, Faith has finally found her groove as an entrepreneur and manages to land a spot on a new reality TV show hosted by her idol—the legendary businesswoman and domestic goddess Sybil Hunter. Diving into the bizarre world of reality TV, Faith’s loud mouth and tell-it-like-it-is style immediately get her in trouble with her fellow contestants—the delusional socialite, the boozy lifestyle coach, the moody headband designer, and her closest friend, the ambitious housewife who eventually betrays her. Even Sybil is not what she appears.

     As the show comes to a dramatic close, Faith discovers that the man of her dreams may have just walked in to her life. Will she choose fame or love? Or can she have it all?

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Overall, I enjoyed the book.  Personally, I thought it lacked depth and a plot... but I can't fault Bethenny, she isn't a writer.  The story was mirrored a lot after the struggles she faced in her own life, so I basically knew what was coming next.  If you are a Bethenny fan like me, then it is definitely worth the read!

Weekend Recap : "The Main Event"

Yesterday I recapped the "personal" side of our little beach get-away.  But today, I wanted to show a little sneak into our real reason for the trip... a wedding!

Their families rented an ocean front duplex for the week - the bride's family on one side, the groom's on the other.  Brittany and Chris stuck to tradition and didn't see each other before the ceremony, but that didn't stop us from grabbing a "pre-ceremony" shot.  Thank goodness for a divided deck, how cute is this?

Tropical Storm Beryl threatened us for a few days leading up to the wedding.  However, Sunday could not have been more beautiful.  They truly had perfect weather and a perfect location!

Newlyweds!

And check out this sunset picture... hello, gorgeous!

Check out our business pages...

BLOG//FACEBOOK

Long time, no blogging...

I know I was MIA for the end of the week last week, but I just wasn't feeling the whole blogging thing.  Sometimes you just need to step away from the computer and actually live life... and we did just that this weekend!  It was very refreshing!

We spent the weekend at Oak Island, NC where we had the opportunity to shoot a beautiful wedding!  I haven't had a chance to sort through the wedding pictures, but here is a peek at the "personal" side of our little vacation...

We stopped in Wilmington, NC to grab a bite to eat and take in the scenery.

We ate on the waterfront, then grabbed some ice cream before hitting the road for the rest of our trip.

We spent the weekend on this beautiful beach!

In this cute little house!

Man oh man, my husband is so handsome!  And my arms are SO burned!

We got some awesome shots of the bride and groom here at sunset!  I can't wait to share them soon!

Trey has a thing for lighthouses, especially the North Carolina ones.  Oak Island is home to one of North Carolina's lighthouses, and neither Trey or I had seen it before.  So, on our way back home we made a quick pit stop!

We both agree that the Oak Island lighthouse is the most unfortunate looking lighthouse NC has.  Trey said it looked like a cigarette, haha!  I guess we are just a little partial to Cape Lookout's lighthouse!

We'll be seeing you, Oak Island!

BBQ Pot Roast & Cheddar Ranch Grits {a recipe!}

I always tend to end up on Pinterest at about 4:30 every afternoon.  The work day is winding down and all I can think about is FOOD!  One afternoon last week, I stumbled across this gorgeous looking meal...

Seriously, my stomach growled and my mouth started to water.  I knew I had to make it, and make it ASAP!

I had high expectations for this meal and let me tell you - it did NOT disappoint!  It will definitely be making it into our rotation.  It is SO easy, SO delicious and it makes a ton.

BBQ Roast & Cheddar Ranch Grits

Roast

2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 (2.5lb) boneless chuck roast

1 can (12 oz) can Diet Coke

1 (12oz) bottle of BBQ Sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray's)

2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 Tbsp hot sauce

Place roast in slow cooker.  Sprinkle garlic salt and pepper over roast.  Combine coke, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.  Pour over roast.  Cook on low for 8-9 hours.
Shred with two forks.  

Grits

1.5 cup quick cook grits (not instant)

3 cups chicken broth

2 Tbsp Ranch dressing

1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese

In medium pan, bring chicken broth to boil.  (You could use water and throw in a chicken bouillon cube instead)  Slowly stir in grits.  Reduce to medium-low heat.  Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Stir in Ranch and cheese, until cheese is melted.  Serve immediately. 

A few notes - Next time we will add mushrooms (of course!).  And seriously, I am the garlic queen and I didn't put any in here?  I'll definitely be adding some next time! Trey and I ate this one night, and again for left overs.  I also had enough meat to freeze and we will be eating it again this week!   

Enjoy!

Weekend, Weekend!

I woke up early Friday morning, ran some errands and got on the road...

First on the agenda was to take pictures of this gorgeous girl!

Meghan is my Mom's best friend's daughter and is about to graduate from high school.  She has danced her entire life and she had her senior recital Friday night.  She was the lead - Sleeping Beauty.  She was absolutely gorgeous!  And seriously, I'm jealous - shes beautiful and athletic!

Then, Saturday morning it was PROM time!  I met up with Meghan and three of her girlfriends for some gorgeous portraits!

Seriously, they didn't make them like this when I was in high school!

After those shots, we rushed down the road to meet Miss Brittany for her bridal session!  Shhh, I probably shouldn't be sharing these yet... but I trust you guys!  Doesn't Brittany have the model look down?  I'm so excited for her beach wedding this weekend!

But wait, there is more!  Sunday afternoon before I headed back to Raleigh, I met up with my long-time hair stylist.  She has recently opened up her own studio and asked me to take some pictures of her and her girls for their Grand Opening.  These girls were a lot of fun!

Needless to say, I'm pooped.  

I'm short on sleep and short on words today... I apologize!

Happy Monday, y'all!

Random Bits

Happy Thursday!

Even happier Thursday to me, since it is my Friday!

You may have noticed my absence last Friday, and there is a very good reason for that.  During the summer semester, my work hours change to 4 - 10 hour days.  I work Monday - Thursday for a verryy long time, but then I have the luxury of being off on Friday.  

I have a love/hate relationship with this schedule change.  I feel like all I do for 4 days is work.  I get up, go to work, stay there for what feels like forever, and come home and go to sleep.  Wash, rinse, repeat.  There is hardly even any time to cook dinner.

BUT... Friday, glorious Friday.
It is like a mini-vacation, every single weekend.

Therefore, I'll be taking a blogging vacation, too!  I plan on sleeping in, baking laying out at our pool, taking Shelby for long walks, and going on weekend trips.  Don't miss me too much!

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Shelby, Shelby, Shelby...

She has been full of herself this week.

I just had to share this picture of her...

Yes, that is a puppy pad that she is attached to.  We are still in the process of training, so we have a pad in each room "just in case".  She has this sneaky little habit of dragging them from room to room and tearing them up.  Each time she does it, I pop her little butt and tell her no.  But this time, I couldn't help but die laughing.  I heard her rustling the pad in the next room, so I go in there, pop and yell, but then run to get my camera.  Crazy dog has chewed a round hole in the pad, then proceeded to crawl her body through it.  And got stuck.

Guilty as charged.

Am I bad dog Mom if I left her in it?  And continued to take pictures and laugh?

Hallie wondering what the hell her sister has done!

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I have been busy, busy with photography stuff lately.  I don't feel like I have stopped editing since March.  I'm not complaining, it is a wonderful thing!  And this weekend is going to be jam packed... Friday evening I will be shooting a dance recital, Saturday I will be shooting some prom portraits and a bridal session, and then Sunday I will be (hopefully!) taking some shots for a hair salon grand opening.  WOW!

While you are here, check out what we've been up to...

You should definitely "like" us on Facebook!
Pretty please?

And we have two brand spankin' new sessions on our blog...

Jessica & Daniel's Raleigh Engagement Session

And Jessica and Mathis' beautiful spring wedding...

Check out our blog!

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Ok, seriously, could I be any more random?

Happy Weekend!