If you’re a frequent visitor to the page and have been noticing no action, you’re not crazy! I haven’t forgotten about the blog at all … in fact, I can’t wait to get back to it! The silence is thanks to my beautiful baby girl … Seraphina Evangéline Sure, she’s turning five months old, soon. I’ve been lucky enough to be able to stay at home and enjoy each moment with her. And for the next two months my husband will be off work so we can bond as a family. First stop … a month in B.C.!

Until I’m back, guest bloggers may pop in (although I suspect they’re enjoying the break, too) and I may drop by with a picture or two of our escapades!

Thanks for your patience xo

I’m not sure why they decided NOT to toot their own horns so I’ll do it for them!

Erin and Jessica at Periwinkle Flowers have advanced to the SECOND round of voting in the “Pick Ontario” design competition. Not only have they advanced but *four* of their designs are in there!!! Let’s do them a favour and VOTE VOTE VOTE!

VOTE HERE!!!!

The site doesn’t say whose creations belong to which company so to give them a bit of help, here are their pictures …

Once again, voting is HERE!!!!

A day late but I wanted to get in on the Best-Dressed/Worst-Dress hoopla from Sunday night’s Golden Globes. Unfortunately, there were only two dresses that had me excited, a gazillion I thought were ‘nice’ and then a handful I thought were dreadful. Makes for picking apart these outfits really tricky! I’m going to break things up with a top five in each category and cross my fingers that the Oscars will bring more buzz

#5 – Best: Tie Between Zoe Saldana and Jennifer Garner

I *LOVE* the plum colour of this dress and also the unique tags and tassles all over. ‘A’ for one of the most original choices!

Jennifer Garner rarely disappoints me. This year was a simply classic look with a great asymmetrical neckline.

#5 – Worst: Julianne Moore

Love the actress, can’t stand the dress. Too much of a sack for me.

Keep Reading .: ‘Cause It Takes Me So Long Just To Figure Out What I’m Gonna Wear :.

You winterize everything in your life….your car, your cottage, your gardens, your home. Not to mention an entire wardrobe transformation into heavier, layers of clothing to protect your body against the bitter, winter elements.

With all this “winterization” going on, it’s important to remember to winterize your skin too. Here are some simple tips on how.

First of all, think of your foundation as your winter coat. You wouldn’t leave the house without proper outerwear, so don’t leave without your faces’ version of outerwear. Not only does foundation even out your skin tone and add warmth to pale, winter complexions, it serves to lock moisture in while keeping aggression out. It’s an ideal protective barrier against cold, wind and environmental bacteria,

Keep Reading You Winterize Your Car Don’t You? Same Thing Goes With Your Skin …

I’ve got this feeling…that 2010 is going to be a FABULOUS year for decor! The latest trend is for simple, yet modern chic and luxe (on a budget of course!). Rich colours and bling bling and feathers. It’s a fabulous bride’s dream come true.

Keep Reading Top 3 Colours & Trends for 2010

I meet so many lovely brides that have a great personality and love of life! Each and every one of you have your own spark that makes you,you. That’s one of the things your groom fell in love with. Yet when it comes to your hair styles and accessories many people are afraid of being a little adventurous. I don’t mean weird, just putting your own signature on your look. I mean you really wanted a dress that expresses you and your personality and was like no other, why not your hair.

Keep Reading Be Different, Be You!

Dealing with multiple bridesmaids in the wedding party while on a budget can be challenging, however on the plus side you do have the power of repetition on your side-so something simple become magnified by the fact it is seen many times. One option that we at Periwinkle do often is to create an airy “bouquet” of gerbera bouquets with bear grass and some beads for a little sparkle:

We attended a fellow florist wedding a couple of years ago,

Keep Reading Bridesmaid Bouquet Alternatives

I love weddings and wedding planning. It’s true. But I don’t like wedding budgeting. Nothing related to wedding planning brings you crashing down to earth faster than realizing that the small extra colour item you want would add $200 to the budget.

I’ve been careful. MM and I have edited out a lot of extraneous things that the wedding industry seems to try to suggest are absolutely necessary. Not for us are the custom printed cocktail napkins. Gone are the favours, the toasting flutes, the special cake cutting knife set and yes even the garter. W’e have an open bar until dinner, then we’ll serve wine, but after that, it’s going to be a cash bar. We’re hoping too that will cut down on drinking excess and keep people sober enough to remember the fun. We’ve cut corners where we don’t think it will be noticed and we’ve tried to stay on track and focused on the celebration aspect of our upcoming day. As one of my bridesmaids put it so eloquently the other night, this day is about celebrating the formal blending of MM’s life with mine, which includes the mingling and blending of his family and friends with mine. So really, as long as the details related to the mingling and the celebration are taken care of, the extras shouldn’t be missed.

Keep Reading Wedding Juggling

My Boudoir Marathon dates have been very popular and book up quickly! On Sunday, January 31st we will be pulling out the red backdrop for a very Valentine Boudoir Marathon! Our next Boudoir Marathon will be held on Sunday, March 21st to kick off the 2010 Wedding Season!

My boudoir portraits take place at my studio located near downtown Toronto. The cost of a session is $350 and includes a disc containing high resolution files of all final photographs, including your top twenty favourite portraits all retouched so that they are as close to perfect as possible! The fabulous .: Dorota Buczel :. will be doing make-up. Please visit my .: blog :. for more information and do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in booking a session!

Cheers,
Jessica

Jessica Blaine Smith Photography
w | http://www.jbsmithphotography.com
b | http://www.jbsmithblog.com
t | 647 688 3875

Every once in a while I’m contacted by or come across a vendor who is new to area or industry. When that happens, I think back to when I started and how nice it was when others took the time out to make me feel welcome. So I try to give a little back! Lisa McRae is a photographer who isn’t really new to the profession but she is new to my area. I wanted to make her feel a bit more at home so rather than just get together for a meeting with her, I thought I would introduce her to all of you, too

Hi Lisa … welcome to the Durham Region! How do you like it here so far?

Thanks Susan, I really like it so far – I’m in Courtice and I love the quiet neighbourhoods. I am still getting my bearings, so far I’ve found the essentials, and I’m looking forward to exploring and getting to know all the great spots in the area.

Most photographers I’ve had conversations with say there was a specific moment they knew they wanted to do this for a living. If this is the same case with you, when was your moment?

For me it was more of a culmination of smaller events – I had always had an interest in photography, growing up I always took lots of photos. I took art courses in high school and loved using the darkrooms. I took extra night courses at the local college to learn more. But when it came time to finish high school, Photography didn’t occur to me as something I could do as a career. Long story short, I went to University, traveled for a while and then realized that I should have been doing what I love, photography. So I enrolled in the Photography Program at Fanshawe College. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else now. I meet so many great people through my photography and I get to be a part of the excitement as they go through life’s milestones.

Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?


Keep Reading .: All I Want To Do Is Melt Away With You :.