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1 For Me // 1 For You

Sunday, September 5, 2010 Posted in 1 For Me // 1 For You

Once upon a time, we held a contest. A contest to get to know you all better. A contest that made me realize even more just how sweet our little blogging community truly is. And then, once upon a week later, Dylan and I came up with a crazy idea. An idea to go down in the history of ideas. Think – the wheel, fire and sushi. We’re talking BIG, people. At least for us. ;)

My whole life long, I’ve had this peculiar love for gift-giving. Be it Christmas (I start shopping in September), or my best friend’s birthday, there seriously is little else more fun than giving gifts you know the recipient will actually enjoy. (Okay, okay.. Except the year I got my mom an Easy-Bake Oven since she’d always wanted one as a little girl. Not sure she put that one to enjoyable use as a thirty-something mother of three. But hey, it’s the thought that counts, right?) Here’s where YOU come in…

The deets:

  • What: Beginning today, we will be running a monthly giveaway called “1 For Me // 1 For You.” Which is, essentially, exactly what the title implies. If I have one of something that I find useful or cool or just plain purty-looking, I get one for you. And by you, I mean, one of you. ;)
  • Who: Anyone and everyone. And their mommas. (Minus mine, of course.) Please see the fine print below for full rules and restrictions on who can enter.
  • When: Kickoff is the first Sunday of each month. You will have until the following Saturday at midnight CST to enter. The winner will be chosen at random using the random number generator at Random.org and announced the next morning (the second Sunday of the month).
  • Where: You must comment (and answer the specific question asked at the end of the post) on the 1 For Me // 1 For You post to enter. Comments left via Facebook, Twitter or elsewhere will not be taken into consideration.
  • Why: Because it’s fun and you could win some pretty sweet loot! :)

Without further ado, this month’s 1 For Me // 1 For You is something I’ve gone 22 years without, for some unknown and crazy reason. I give you: One Vintage Trunk Jewelry Box from Pottery Barn. Wood, hand wrapped in beautiful distressed faux leather, with weathered-iron hardware. No more using ice cube trays to separate my earrings from my necklaces, folks. And I mean it. Now imagine me all Vanna White on you, as I present the lovely item. (Fact: When Dylan was 5, he wanted to marry Vanna White. Today is his lucky day.)

A jewelry box? A super fun prop for a photo shoot? You tell me.
And just to prove we’re serious, here is 1 For Me and 1 For You. :)

Question to enter: How will YOU use this item? (Easy enough, right?) Now ready, set, GO!!

Not so fine print: Only one entry allowed per person. All contestants must live within the continental United States and must be able to provide a valid mailing address upon winning. I am not responsible for items that are lost, stolen or damaged during shipment. The winner will have 24 hours to contact me and redeem the item or a new winner will be chosen.

by Alyse

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Aunt Martha’s Bed & Breakfast | Richfield Springs, NY: Lisa & Jonathan

Thursday, September 2, 2010 Posted in Weddings

There are some brides and grooms who just exude that explosive, fiery, 180 dB sort of love. (That’s the decibel level of a rocket launching for ya’ll who aren’t pro-Googlers like myself.) And then there are others, whose love, albeit more quiet, holds just as much passion. Others, who’ve enjoyed a life-long friendship. And who, amid the chaos of last minute wedding day preparations, can be still and know the day has finally come when their best friend will so soon become so much more. Lisa and Jonathan are that bride and groom.

L & J – It was such a joy capturing your beautiful day. The love you both share for one another is so evident and sweet. Thank you for the honor of documenting that love. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek! :)

You can never go wrong with a beautiful dress in a beautiful tree. Word.

I could have shot in the Andela’s living room my whole life looong! So much character!

Perhaps a new favorite ring shot?
Dear Lisa, even when you’re out of focus, you’re drop dead gorgeous.
Love, love, LOVE this moment between Lisa and her aunt, with mini-Lisa capturing it from a different angle.
Wildflowers = Bomb.
Dear grooms of the future, bow-ties done right are saaa-weet!! Do it up!
Meet Jonathan. His face says it all. “There she is..”
And BAM. Married. :)
Lisa and Jonathan were a dream come true when it came to their wedding day timeline. Not only did the 2.5 hours between the ceremony and reception leave me ample time to complete formals, wedding party, and B&G shots. But it also allowed time for my car to completely shut off while driving. See the backstory here. ;)
The folks at Villa Isidoro were kind enough to let us shoot there for a bit.
FAVORITE from the entire day. Beauty-LICIOUS.
Work it, Jonathan! WORK IT. ;)
Doesn’t this remind you of a cute little gingerbread house?
I always love watching the way a groom holds his new bride on the dance floor. I think he loves her. :)
Happy Thursday!

by Alyse

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September 2, 2010 - 12:17 PM

Amy - Dear Alyse, this is entirely beautiful. And the ring shot…BRILLIANT…I am in love with it.

September 2, 2010 - 11:52 AM

Kristen Padula =) - yayy I’ve been waiting all day for this =) beauty. she kinda looks like Jane from the new Pride and Prejudice. and the wildflowers certainly are the bomb. I don’t even know what to say about them. nice work, Alyse love =)

Tidbit Tuesday #38

Tuesday, August 31, 2010 Posted in Personal

People think I’m outgoing. And I guess they’re right. If anyone knows that, my clients certainly do. I’ll make a complete fool out of myself to get a genuine laugh out of you. (F’real, I am funny.) But there’s this certain situation that seems to cripple me every time. And it’s when I’m at my weakest. My hungriest. Be it Chipotle, Subway, or Cold Stone, I simply can’t gather up the nerve to place my order. There’s something about saying “barbacoa,” then “pinto beans,” then “that watery salsa in the upper-right corner” that is so daunting. Maybe it’s all the choices that intimidate me. Or maybe its the fact that whatever Dylan orders is ALWAYS better than whatever I order, so I just stand in line behind him and say, “I’ll have whatever he’s having.” I am a walking contradiction.

Every time someone in Houston learns I’m new to the area – let alone, that I’m from blustery upstate New York, they gasp, “Gosh, how are you adjusting to the heat?” To which I reply, “Who knows? I live in the AC.” I remember I live in Texas when I’m getting the mail, but that’s about it on a daily basis. So on the two month anniversary of becoming official Houstonians, Dylan and I finally went in the pool yesterday. Because we live in Texas. Apparently.

Song of the week: In the Shadow of the Glorious Cross by Mars Hill Church in Seattle. I’mma be honest. I love a good hymn every time and again. I was introduced to this winner at church this past Sunday and was floored. And the best news? It’s free on iTunes in Podcast form. DO IT.

Photographer spotlight: Caroline Joy, based out of Abilene, TX. What, oh what to say about a photog with some of the sweetest branding I’ve ever seen? Well for starters, she has some of the sweetest branding I’ve ever seen. :) Caroline‘s style is photojournalistic and inspirationally creative all at once. Her images tell a story in the strictest sense of the phrase. Follow her work, and fall in love.  Her website. Her blog.

I’ve never been much of a movie-watching type girl. My idea of a good time is sitting and – imagine this – TALKING. About everything. Dylan will be the first to tell you I switch topics about once every 30 seconds, so when I say everything, I mean ev-er-y-thaaang. But with that said, I am a sucker for going to the movies. Real movie-watching fun happens where you can people-watch, movie-watch, and candy-eat simultaneously. This past weekend, Dylan and I saw Dinner for Schmucks, and I snuck in some Fun Dip, Mamba, and Airheads. You know how we cool kids from the 90′s do.

I’m looking to pick up a hobby. Isn’t that such a strange phrase? Pick up a hobby. It’s like saying, “Please tell me what I like.” Nonetheless, I’d love to know.. What is YOUR favorite hobby? And can I steal it? I’m looking for something non-photo related. If it involves ice cream, however, count me IN.

I know it seemed I tricked you all into thinking Lisa and Jonathan’s wedding would be up last week. But the plan has always been to post this Thursday. I just wanted to wet your appetite a little early. ;) Perhaps you’d like another taste? Yes? Okay. Enjoy, and come back in a couple days for more of THIS beauty!

Happy Tuesday!

by Alyse

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September 1, 2010 - 10:22 AM

André - First, just let me say that you are a great writer Alyse, extraordinarily engaging and illustrative, demonstrated clearly in your blog. Second, I concur with others that suggest something of a vocal nature, having been on the receiving end of your unusual gift. Third, You dabble in the guitar, an instrument that may at this moment be resurrected from its casket if you find the idea appealing. Then too, there is the keyboard, whose multifunctionality is just waiting to surprise and inspire you. Tunes like the Mars Hill offering you mentioned are extremely pick-up-and-playable, and something that would serve to warm your chops and rebuild your callouses. So what do you get when you combine a great writer with a great voice and a hunger to play? You get a songwriter. …just sayin’ :)

September 1, 2010 - 9:20 AM

Diane - omg!!! yes, lorae is right..i don’t know why i didn’t think of it!! there must be open mic opportunities!!!! do it!!! your voice is amazing

September 1, 2010 - 3:57 AM

lorae - anyone on here who’s heard you sing will agree – your new hobby should involve singing – join a musical group of some kind – you have too much of a gift for it to go unused :) there’s probably a good singer/songwriter community in houston…and i bet a lot of people need studio backup singers…and harmonies…hint hint ;) ‘amember how we used to fight over those…

August 31, 2010 - 8:36 PM

pam - some of my favorite hobbies are baking (mmmm and eating all the goodies!), crocheting & needle point. I feel like such an old lady but I’ve loved it all since I was a teen! :D

LOL I know how the whole “i live in A/C” thing goes, one summer I didn’t even realize we were breaking records and it was sweltering outside because i was so piled under work.

August 31, 2010 - 3:43 PM

jessica - hey:) what abour air plant gardens, gardens in a jar, terraniums…i am so into them right now! google it…

August 31, 2010 - 2:04 PM

Kate D - so can I just say that I love that i’m back to my routine of reading your blog with something tasty after school. I hope so because I just did.haha .watercolor painting is one of my hobbies and such a blast. or going to bead shops and picking out pretty things to make into jewelery. or biking. but i suppose that doesn’t quite work in houston. p.s. I think you mentioned baby turbtles a couple posts ago. and I LOVE BABY TURTLES. I want one something fierce.

August 31, 2010 - 10:21 AM

Diane - Just checked out Caroline Joy…wow…great stuff…reminds me of YOUR style

August 31, 2010 - 10:17 AM

Jesslyn Amber - Decoupaging!!! It’s addicting…for me anyway. :)

August 31, 2010 - 10:17 AM

Diane - How about cooking? Pick one thing per wk. that you want to try and make it!

August 31, 2010 - 9:44 AM

Caroline Joy - you’re lovely! this made my day. :)

August 31, 2010 - 9:20 AM

Peter - Alyse, seriously, you can’t go wrong with baseball cards

August 31, 2010 - 8:17 AM

Jeeana - As a fellow transplant from Upstate, I have to chime in and say that you should know you live in the South because your electric bill is ridiculous. Ridiculous.

Also, I love you.

August 31, 2010 - 8:16 AM

Stephanie Pillsbury - I looooooove to crochet afghans for family and friends, alyse. Especially in the winter because the blanket jeeps my legs warm! Ive picked up a new stitch (the granny square!) and it’s so easy and fun to do!

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