Sunday, July 31, 2011

On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon

On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, I headed to one of my favourite locations to meet up with Jenni and her partner Leigh for a maternity session.  They're expecting their first little miracle and having chosen not to find out the sex of the baby, it will be an exciting surprise for everyone!


We wandered around the park looking for ideal spots...  at one particular spot, we managed to find a lonely single dandelion which is promtly featured in a couple of the shots...
All in all, I had a fun time photographing Jenni & Lee, they were both so easy going, very easy to work with.

Jenny & Leigh, I cannot wait to show you the rest of your images, and look forward to hearing the exciting news of new arrival :o)  Thank you for such an easy going session ♥











Mixed Sessions & a Korean BBQ

Well on Saturday (30th July) I had the delightful opportunity in joining two other photographers (Heidi & Fiona) for a mixed session of different subjects... We had a family & a mixture of different dancers.

Unfortunately I arrived quite late... due to a 4 car accident that happened some time before I'd hit the M4 motorway.  I'd gotten quite a few images from the Family that was participating and one of the dancers.. but my late arrival hampered some of my photographic opportunities.. limiting me to photographing some quick offside images while Heidi & Fiona were "doing their thang".

So below are just a handful of images from yesterday...









I haven't quite finished editing all of the images from this particular session.... as my husband took me out for dinner that night to try out a Korean BBQ cuisine.  My hubby and I haven't been out alone for dinner for almost 7 years... so it was something we were both looking forward to.  A big thank you to Grandma for looking after ALL FOUR of our children that night, to make our date possible.

The food was great... Of course I took photos of the lovely side dishes and mains my husband & I both had... but with such a busy weekend, I haven't had time to edit & upload them yet, so I may have to post these images in my next blog entry...

Actually while I was snapping away taking photos of our meals... I almost get the impression that the managers & staff may have thought I was a reviewer, as they often came and checked up on my husband and myself, to make sure we were happy with our meals...
After my husband and I had filled ourselves with their delicious food, we paid our bill and readied ourselves to head home, but as we headed towards the door my husband & I were surprised by all the staff calling out goodbye to us...
Whether they thought we were reviewers or not... the meals were outstanding, the service impecable, and the atmosphere cheery throughout the whole of our stay.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Happy Birthday my darling Husband

Yesterday was my husband's Birthday, and so it was a perfect excuse to try making a chocolate butterfly cake..

I've only ever baked cheesecakes, so this was my opportunity to give it go :o)

And well the verdict is... the best chocolate cake ever!
Better then a cake shop... so I was told by my Lil Miss 5 yr old.

My husband worked till quite late last night, so unfortunately he hasn't even tried it yet... :(

For anyone after a top notch chocolate cake recipe... I've supplied it below, just scroll down to the notes for the chocolate variation :o)

I promise you, you won't be able to stop at just one slice!

>>> RECIPE <<<




Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Me in a nutshell

Wow... I really have let things go on this blog... ooops!

With my kids getting sick with colds, flues, my youngest having surgery, a few birthdays... you can see why I've been easily distracted.

Well, hopefully with my latest sessions and some other posts I really should catch up on, I'm hoping now that I'll be able to post here again more often.

To start off my blog again, I thought I'd share some things about myself,  and thought this would be a fun way to share a little bit about what makes me "me"!




1.) I'm what you could call a quote collector...  Just like books or movies, I find quotes can generate strong emotions, inspire, motivate or even make us laugh.  Just recently I've gathered my favourites, and printed them up to inspire my day to day life.

2.) I absolutely love anything that's Purple or Vintage. Seriously you cannot go wrong buying something for me that fits either criteria... hehehe even better if it fits both (hint hint) ♥


3.) Darcy my sassy, strong willed mini me! My eldest daughter who tries so hard to be Mummy #2 in the house.  There was a time when she was more like her younger sister... the ultra sensitive type, but she's outgrown her sensitivity and strives to please everyone... again alot like her mummy.

4.) I look at the world like a photograph. I find beauty in things big and small, and I love to capture those moments that might not seem photograph-worthy.  And, of course, I am an aspiring photographer. It has allowed me to have creative freedom present in my life on a day to day basis. For me, photography is the most exciting, wonderful & rewarding way that I have to express myself.

5.) My Mumma & Pappa.  And aren't they the sweetest couple ♥  Married for 54 years... and still going strong!!  If that's not something to admire & aspire to, I don't know what is..
They been there for me and supported me, guided me endless times... and not to mention put up with me and never gave up on me... when others would've.  I would not be where I am or who I am without them.


6.) Gus my darling baby boy,  the last edition to our family.  He entered this world quite dramatically... (another story), but he's completed us. He's a constant delight to our family and keeps us smiling and laughing every day.

7.) Tilly, my youngest daughter.. My lil Miss sensitive, storm in a teacup, my baby girl.. loves to demonstrate how independant she wants to be. As moody as she can be, she is the most friendliest child I know. Whether we're at the medical centre, out at the shops or just going for a walk she easily strikes up  conversation with anyone.. Yes we do tell her the dangers of "stranger danger" but as long as she's with one of us, I think it's a very admirable trait!

8.) My tarago (aka mummy bus). I've come to terms with the fact that my car does not define me. My family is my biggest achievement …so why not just OWN  my mumness and buy a car that makes my life easier... And  If I am being honest..I felt empowered when I let go of the stigma.

9.) My wonderful loving husband Matthew, my rock & love of my life. We met when I was only 16. I am lucky to have such a loving and supportive husband who enables my obsession as much as humanely possible. He is the love of my life and I just couldn't make it without him. I wouldn't want to try. He's the icing on the cake, cream of the crop. The smile that I long to see, and the voice I want to hear when I go to sleep and when I wake up.

10.) Zachery, my reason for being, our eldest son, the 2nd man of our house...
Zachery has taught me how to push and then how to back off again. He's taught me to put his needs before my own. He's encouraged me to break patterns I thought were normal. And even today, Zachery is teaching me to look at life in new ways. But the most amazing lesson my son has taught me is I don’t have to be perfect to be a good mum.  

11.) I'm the kinda girl I suppose you could say looks at life through rose tinted glasses. My sentiments on life are to try and see the best in everyone, in any given situation...
There was a time in my life where others attempted to lead me to believe that wearing rose colored glasses was wrong... that by wearing them I was somehow out of touch with reality.
I believe we are each responsible for creating our own reality.

12.) My taste in music is evolving and is pretty diverse.  I pretty much enjoy anything except for hard rock/heavy metal.  Above all though my favourite would be classical music, and classic artists, such as Sarah Brightman. I easily lose myself in songs like La Luna, Pie Jesu, Time To say Goodbye.

13.) And then that's me … in a storyboard nutshell.