Paint Night No.1

After a million revisions, Paint Night was relocated and whittled down to a tight group of 4 ladies.  This was not the original plan, but it ended up working perfectly for a simple test run.  If we are defining success by delicious food, wet whistles, and attendees who had a great time and left happy with their final product, then in spite of a sudden downpour, Paint Night was a definitely success!

Downpour?  Yes, we had a very unexpected 20 minutes downpour midway through the event (as well as all day Saturday...), so these photos are actually a compilation of 3 different days of documentation.  We all had to scramble to bring everything inside: the table full of paints, the food table, the rug for chilling, and of course all the easels with their canvasses.  The rain failed to dampen our spirits and we continued on drinking + painting in the middle of my living room!  Snacks and dessert was served just before Kevin arrived home.  He was probably expecting/hoping to return to a quiet home, however, he was instead accosted by a room of roaring ladies forcing him to play "guess whose painting is whose" followed by a critique of each piece.  Best.

Alright, enough chatting, onto the photos...

RECIPES
Crostini Platter via The Artful Desperado
Chocolate Cake inspired by ILĀ


Mega thanks to Kevin for the insane amount of work he did throughout the week helping to prepare everything from designing + building easels to slaving in the kitchen making all the delicious food and sangria for our lovely guests.  Big hugs to my buddy Dave for helping me to streamline my ideas and keep my mind focus while accompanying me on the grocery run!

Stay Tuned for PAINT NIGHT No.2 coming this July!  Date to be announced!

 

fête carnival | south park's spring fair

Had one last shoot to check off my list the evening before my Cali weekend getaway, the photobooth for the kids' Spring Fair!  I can't take too much credit for the backdrop, I put it together, but all the elements were created and ordered and delivered thanks to the two organizers, Colleen + Lee-Ann!  Enjoy a few select images from our successful fair!

good times

xo
 

Family Session with Baby Avery

I might have to start an LFA Alumni tag for the blog soon!  I've got another family session this weekend with an old classmate.  I really fought my parents on going to LFA when the majority of my friends went East to St Pat's, but I must admit, being at an all-girls school was pretty terrific and having made friends with so many great women, it's a blessing to be able to meet and capture their mini-me(s)!  To have memories of so many heart-to-hearts, fun-but-bad decisions, falling outs, or even calling up the girl who sat behind/beside you for 5 years because she was Chiu and you were Chan and she was really good at math and you were not, and then to take photos of them 15 years later is pretty special.  Pamela Chiu is so up there on memories of highschool although we ran in different circles.  I'm probably giving myself a bad reputation as a Baby Floosy, but I really love Avery.  We were buddies right away because all Asians look the same, so it was super easy for me to pretend to be her mom! 

Jokes aside, photographing Alumni offspring is the best.  Seeing glimpses of your old-time buddies resurface in chubby yummy form and to see these old-time buddies smile with so much joy in their heart is like being magically transported to Candyland.  Jason, you're alright too :P
 

Love you Pam
Salvo, you're a lucky guy


xo

family session | happy 1st birthday Pierce!

I am in love with this little guy.

We first met for Pierce's Family Session shortly after his arrival to earth and to proud parents, Chelsea + Aaron.  We got together again for Holiday photos where I really got hooked on him!  He was the most smiley and chill little guy and by the time his First Birthday rolled around, he was still laughing and smiling throughout the entire course of our session (ok save the car ride, but who likes car rides anyway....).  I headed out to Abbotsford and jumped into the family car to our destination at Woodbridge Pond, the same location where Chelsea + Aaron tied the knot!  What an absolutely romantic and special way to celebrate Pierce's First year. 

Enjoy all the smiles from this cheerful little button :)

thank you for welcoming me into your lives
and allowing me to capture these joyful moments for you guys

parenting is no walk in the park
you are doing a truly fantastic job with this sweet boy

xo