Internet, none here.
June 30, 2009

My Internet has been down all day so the posts ( and I had them, I promise!) I had planned for today will have to wait.

This a random quad cam photo from Sarah and Chase's wedding - I heart the quad cam.

I also heart Adele- her songs are keeping me in a good mood despite the productivity sabotage going on right now. Internet, come back!

Posted by raya 2:45 PM 1 comments Links to this post    

CA Grown
June 23, 2009

I LOVE to receive flowers. Every time I go to the store the first thought I have is, "Should I buy flowers today? I really want to buy flowers." They make me so happy and Forest knows the way to my heart is through a bouquet.

Our friend is really involved with the California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC) & I've been learning all about California flowers. There is as much to know about the flower industry as any & I thought I'd share a bit here - it goes along with the "buy local" movement so prevalent today.

Like, for instance:

-75% of all US grown flowers come from California, however they account for only approximately 25% of all cut flowers actually sold in the United States. The remainder is imported from South American countries.

-California’s cut flower industry generates $10.3 billion in economic impact for the State of California

-The cut flower industry overall generates 121,950 California jobs and $3.3 billion in wages for other industries.

These flowers in the photograph above are "CA Grown" (that's their slogan) & what I immediately noticed was the fragrance. For the first three days it was SO INTENSE, almost intoxicating- it was crazy! I think it's probably because they were just in the field maybe one, two days before they got to me. Same thing with my CSA veggies - the greens last forever because they haven't been on a truck for a week like most grocery store produce. Local is so good.

With my bouquet, came these little hint cards from the CCFC if your man needs some "encouragement" in that department - they are cheeky, but let's face it! Some people need a little reminder.

So, in short I think we've solved the California budget crisis. BUY MORE FLOWERS! Just make sure they are CA Grown. If you want to learn more about the CCFC or learn where you can buy CA Grown here's where you can find them:

Posted by raya 10:48 AM 4 comments Links to this post    

Labels: Link Love, My Home

Take me away
June 22, 2009

Swooning over the Editor Series from Steamline Luggage.

Posted by raya 9:32 PM 5 comments Links to this post    

Labels: Let's Talk Fashion, Link Love

Father's Day

Posted by raya 3:55 PM 2 comments Links to this post    

Labels: Family Life

Happy Weekend
June 19, 2009

Oh, the fields of Colorado. This is down the road from my grandparent's house - they have the most awesome house for many reasons:
1. kegerator made by my Grandpa, covered in fishing photos & always stocked with ice cold Bud & chilled glasses
2. indoor hot tub - no longer functional, but fun when were kids
3. hanging chair where I passed many an hour reading The Wizard of Oz books
4. & of course OZ & Joy, my Grandpa & Grandma

I would love to be there this weekend, especially if my little sisters were too.
Happy weekend everyone!

Posted by raya 9:19 AM 1 comments Links to this post    

Labels: Family Life

Sarah & Chase's Wedding
June 17, 2009

I was just reading event designer Ariel Yve's blog & she described Sarah & Chase's wedding as "romantic vintage" which is the perfect description. Sarah & she dreamed up the most lovely, timeless day.

Every detail was perfect, down to the Melissa Sweet dress & heirloom handkerchief in Sarah's bouquet.





Camille of Modern Day Design created the stunning bouquets of pink peonies for the bridesmaids & white for Sarah. I adore Camille's website & you must go there after here! I probably go on there once a week just to enjoy the pretty.











While I was photographing the cocktail hour I just kept thinking of a 1920's garden party. Flowers EVERYWHERE, soft color, buttons, moss, chandeliers & crystals hanging from the trees to catch the afternoon sun.

Sarah spent months collecting the vintage post cards on which the guests could write a message to the bride & groom.

Each place card was held by two pearl buttons sewn together & another as a base. This is one of my favorite details from the day. It's the little things like this that bring the whole look of a wedding together.




A little after dinner treat - cookies! Some favorite family recipes were there as well as the classics. Cookies are my thing so I had to try one chocolate chip. It was delicious.



I usually don't write this much about a wedding, but I thought I just had to let you in on some of the story behind the details that made Sarah & Chase's wedding so dreamy. I have to also mention Marvin, the Ukelele player. He played Somewhere Over the Rainbow for their first dance & if you have heard the Hawaiian version of that song it's so romantic, especially live. We got to chat a bit during dinner & Marvin is a cool guy - which is not hard to understand since he lives on Maui : )

Thanks again to Sarah & Chase & their wonderful, fun families and to Ariel Yve & all the talents who contributed to this perfect day:

Hair: Sheila Stone
Makeup: Theodora Allegra
Flowers: Modern Day Design
Venue: Rockwood Women's Club
Catering: Lorraine Lim
Music: Josh, Goodbeat Productions
Cake: Crumbs
Classic Car: Classic Motoring Car Rentals

Posted by raya 7:51 PM 9 comments Links to this post    

Labels: rayaphotography, weddings

Obsession: Full skirts for Summer
June 15, 2009

Posted by raya 11:13 PM 4 comments Links to this post    

Labels: Let's Talk Fashion