Pinned It Tried It - Flower Crowns

So, how do you make 2 flower crowns in less than an hour?

With a good helping of luck.

I went to Wal-Mart the night before to purchase silk flowers on sale (used for the greenery) and finished my trip to Hobby Lobby for the rest.

What to Get:

• floral tape
• wire cutters
• floral wire
• silk flowers
• thick green or rustic floral wire to use as the base.

1. Using the thick green wire, measure your head for the correct size.  Give some extra wiring to adjust to the flowers, and adjust for how you want to wear it (as a headband, hippie-style across the forehead, as a halo sitting on the head, etc.)  Halo-style is my favorite, as shown in the photos below by Liz and Hannah.
2. Twist a second layer of the think green wire for base support.
3. Map where you want the flowers, greenery, and spacing.
4. Working backward on the crown, wrap the thin green wire around the silk flower stem, and attach it to the base.  Hook the green wire onto the stem, so that it doesn't fall off.
5. Cover the thin green wire with floral tape.
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until finished!

For more tutorials and floral crown ideas, go to:

A Little Dash of Darling

Bridal Musings

Emma Dime

DDG Daily

Preparing for Baby - Easy Budgeting Tips

Since it is the season of babies, I wanted to share some tips that I learned from other mommies that worked wonderfully.

1.  Every time you go to the grocery store during your pregnancy, buy a box of diapers and wipes.  Tape the receipts to the boxes, so if you need a different brand or size once baby comes along, you can easily exchange it for the right one.  I did this for almost every grocery store visit, and I haven't had the need to buy diapers or wipes for Henry yet.  He is 9 months old next week.  (This also save the hassle of trying to budget for diapers.  You can use this extra padding in your budget to buy other baby necessities, like formula, clothing, or baby food.)

2.  Shop end-of-season clearance sales to stock up on the next year.  This can get tricky since you have to guess sizing for the following months, but it never hurts to buy bigger.  I've found that some stores have awesome deals for inventory they're trying to push.  (In-store clearances tend to have better deals than online, since they need to push the inventory for "real-estate" space in the store.)

• Old Navy Baby
• Baby Gap
• Target - Baby  (I've bought multiple shirts, jackets, and pants for $2.70 at Target sales.)
• Carter's
• Babies 'R Us

3.  Request baby books at your shower instead of cards, with  a personal note in the front cover.  Many books can be purchased for cheap prices at dollar stores, Wal-Mart, Target, used books stores, or many of the above listed stores in the baby section.  This way the cards won't be lost in storage, and your child will have a lifetime reminder of the wonderful people who loved him before he was even born.

4.  Gather all of you mom friends together (or find new ones with play date, church, or La Leche League groups) for a co-op.  Trading gently used clothing and toys for babysitting time, other needed items, homemade gifts etc.  I've used a few photography sessions to trade for baby clothes, toys, and babysitting time!  (It's a great currency.)  Items can be easily cycled to maximize its life, and you have a great built-in support group.

Congrats on your addition and may it be the beginning of your happily ever after.

2014 Vendors - OKC Metro

I've had quite a few brides ask about possible vendors for their upcoming weddings.  Here is a great starter list of top-quality service:

Makeup -      Beauty by Eva

Hair - Lauren or Brittany     Lush Blow-Dry Bar

Hair -     Hair by Whitni

Photobooth -    Tap Snap

Photobooth -    Little Black Booth

Photobooth -    OK Photo Booth*

Cakes -    Rosebeary's Designs in Baking

Cakes -    Amy Cakes

Florist -    Emerson Events

Florist -    Christi Gulley Floral

Entertainment -     405 Productions

Entertainment -     Epic Entertainment with DJ Dan

Event Planning -     Events By Morgan

Paper -     Occasions Paper

Do you see any vendors that should be added?

gRACE Trumps

gRACE Trumps was a fast-paced show of 25 dances featuring RACE company members, Men of Race, and Jr. Race.  They were so entertaining, I'd find myself watching instead of photographing their performance.

You can find more information about Oklahoma City's first professional jazz dance company here:

http://racedance.com/

Maggie & Marley - Newborn

Henry and I traveled to Ponca City to meet Marley in May.  Marley is sweet, and cuddly, and curious.  She has the most beautiful black curls!  With this new beginning for both Maggie & Marley, we had to celebrate in the best before and afters there are.  Congrats on your bundle of joy, may she forever be your spring renewal.

Walter & Alyssa - Engagement

Walter and Alyssa met at a summer job 7 years ago, and as Walter said, "I bought a lot of candy from Alyssa that summer."  (She sold candy at the retail store at White Water Bay, and Walter worked at the Cabanas.)   Alyssa's sister played cupid, and now they are going to celebrate a beautiful wedding in October!  

We traveled across Oklahoma City on a windy summer night.  Walter would carry her bags, and you can just tell that they are meant for each other.  I even sneaked in a photo of Walter helping change shoes.  I mean, did you see those stilettos?!

Congrats to this beautiful couple.  May this be the beginning of your happily ever after!

Computer Trouble

I would like to announce, my computer screen broke.

Not just broke.  My screen is hanging by one hinge.

This happened in mid-April along with my cell phone debacle.  So, this means that I have to hold my computer to edit photos or write this blog.  It has made my time much slower, and it will be amended!  I'm looking forward to sharing more adventures with you.

In the mean time, I have enjoyed photographing engagements, pets, graduation announcements, head shots, dance photos, my first big series, couples, newborns, kiddos, and families.  You all make this so fun for me!  Hope you are having a lovely summer.