I’ve been eagerly anticipating spring and couldn’t wait to start shooting outdoors again. The idea was to create a sweet picnic for two adorable sisters with a yellow theme. As I’ve been assembling this post, Pandora played a live version of Coldplay’s Yellow. No kidding. I had to laugh at the very appropriate selection.

I love cotton candy & how it never fails to take me back to being a little girl. Usually, the portions are too much to eat at once. I made some quick cotton candy suckers by slicing the cotton candy, then cutting it with a cookie cutter. I assembled the cotton candy hearts on the candy stick with a small dab of lemon curd. I recommend them if you have some main desserts but want a pop of color and flavor for a shower, wedding, or birthday. I’ll have to post a DIY with pictures of how I assembled them and some creative ideas. The only drawback: they won’t last long.

I don’t plan on updating my other blog, Military Spice anymore. I have to admit I miss food photography. I love it.

I usually try to brainstorm ideas for cakes early in advance, but it’s been very busy. I only had 24 hours to sketch, gather supplies, bake, assemble, and decorate the cake {and cupcakes}. I was inspired by cakes I found on Flickr, it never fails to give me unique ideas.

The monkey, green pillow & tag were last minute additions. They helped bring some color to the cake that fit my color palette. I had tried to incorporate some yellow as the crib sheet color, but I added too much gel & it was almost fluorescent! I covered that layer with white fondant & I’m not sorry.

This is kind of what it’s like when you become a mama… your baby puts the world into focus.
It becomes easy to make decisions because you can see what matters & what can wait…

Best wishes to Sam & Suzanne as they welcome this baby boy soon!

Next I’ll talk about seeing Wicked at the Schuster Center in Dayton. I made the mistake of reading & falling in love with the books first…

{The “Subscribe by E-mail” option for getting notifiications when there are new posts is finally working!}

For a photographer {or anyone for that matter} in Ohio, Winter is a great time to be inside . This season has been valuable, because I have been able to take care of some design & organizational tasks that I hate doing when the weather is more pleasant. Slowing down has also given me time to reflect on last year & set new goals for this year… and the next five. If I only take on predictable projects, I will never mature as a photographer. I have decided that every month, I want to take on a shoot that is inspiring, artistic, collaborative, and makes me completely uncomfortable.

When I mentioned this to my friends, sisters, Ruby & Sarah, they were completely on board. Ruby Randall is a very gifted make up artist, model, and vintage lover, so she offered to do all the styling for our shoot {amazing}. You can check out more information about Ruby here, she is available for weddings!

Their lovely friend, Demi, looked incredible in one of Ruby’s vintage dresses:

I haven’t been baking very much lately, but made an exception for our Valentine shoot. It wouldn’t be the same without Red Velvet Cupcakes!

I’ve been close friends with Sarah for over thirteen years & she’s always been gorgeous, but she was perfection in this shoot.

Don’t you think she is from another time? This is one of my favorites.

Sarah brought some of her own treasures that completed her look. The sweater she is wearing is her husband’s Grandmother’s that she made herself!

It was so fun to hang out with my friends & stretch my photography muscles. We wrapped everything up by having coffee & red velvet cupcakes. Perfect.
Ruby, Sarah, & Demi, thank you so much for sharing your time, talent, & beauty!

I am hoping to squeeze in one more styled Valentine session with cookies & the lovely little Nataly!

It turns out that Saturday is not a very good day to start a blogging series. After spending all morning in the kitchen baking, the afternoon at a photo shoot, then the evening enjoying my in-laws’ Christmas party… the post was never actualized. Yesterday’s topic was My Favorite Christmas Song. In all honesty, that one is a little hard to narrow down for me! Today, however, is pretty simple.

My Favorite Christmas Recipe: Sugar Cookies.

This was platter of cookies from last February, when my family celebrated Christmas {after my husband’s homecoming from Afghanistan}.

I bake a lot of cakes & cupcakes, but sugar cookies are always a holiday staple {in fact, they are what I was baking yesterday}.  My mother-in-law gave me a cookbook as a wedding present. It was a good thing too, because I had just turned 22 the day before my wedding and had no cooking experience. I was a bit overwhelmed with the big book, so I started where I felt most comfortable- desserts. At some point I tried this sugar cookie recipe, and decided I would always make them at Christmas. I love baking them when I am not rushed and Kevin can help & play in with the extra dough. I love seeing his ideas for what to make and his little creative mind at work. It can be a mess, but these cookies are always worth it!

I have started a little collection of cookie cutters. Okay, I’ll admit, it’s more of an obsession. I have a deep drawer full of them! They represent everything adorable about childhood. If you are ever looking for a little gift for me, cookie cutters & ornaments will always be cherished :]

From that same day, my husband Rocky & Kevin making shark cookies for our late Christmas.

Sugar Cookies {from Better Homes & Gardens}:

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Our Christmas morning tradition of homemade waffles topped with strawberries comes in a really close second…

If you were not able to read my previous post, I am participating in a A Blogger’s Christmas via Wives of Faith. I love to write & I love Christmas, plus it’s an excuse to post some personal photography.  As an Air Force wife, I also support the Wives of Faith organization & what they do to support & encourage spouses. I will continue to update my blog with weddings & photo shoots, so there may be a two posts a day at times.

Christmas is coming so soon & I look forward to the chance to reflect on Christmas topics daily… I just thought it would be a nice way to share my own thoughts & traditions from my favorite holiday :]