Love, Joleen Photography Blog

Shop Ruche

It has been an interesting week.. lots of good things, yes, but  lots of  bad luck, too. I really don't get how that happens but it is what it is. At this point I'm trying to take the bad with a grain of salt.. not literally, although a margarita might do the trick. ;) The topper last night was dropping bleach from the top of our stacked washer/dryer and spilling it on most of my favorite clothes that were hang drying, the guest bed, and carpet. Wha?? Who does that?? Other than that, Christmas was nice. It's been really great spending so much time with Alex this week. He has saved me from sinking into myself. I got some really fun gifts - some favorites are a cute Betseyville (Betsey Johnson) weekender, a polka dot point and shoot (I've been wanting a little camera to carry in my purse), polaroid film from my Aunt + fam (thank you!!), and some killer boots. ;) It was nice to see my sister and extended family yesterday.. we got to visit a bit with my parents, little sisters, and grandparents on webcam which was nice.. but you know, not the same. Anyway! :)

Today has been a great day! I had a photo shoot for ShopRuche.com, the most adorable shop, with the cutest clothing + accessories. The owner, Mai, was the stylist and so friendly and fun to work with. She has an excellent sense of style and how amazing are these clothes? The prices are very affordable.. go take a look. I worked with Susie again - she did hair and makeup. I am so in awe of her talent. She's very good at what she does, and also very quick! :) The model is Andrea Padilla - a true professional. Everyone worked so well together and the ideas meshed so well. It was definitely one of my favorite shoots. I hope you enjoy these few favorites of mine! :) {click to view images larger}

It's been a hard week

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I'm so sad. I'm overwhelmed. I'm stressed. I'm just heartbroken. I just want to fast forward a couple weeks. I want Christmas to be over. I don't feel like wrapping gifts or finishing addressing my cards. This week has been hard. Just one of those weeks where it's been one thing after another and has hit me from all directions. I didn't expect it to be so bad. From sick kids, to a flat tire, to a messy house, to a no-show model for a shoot, to Peyton leaving Tuesday and Spencer leaving today, to my parents and sisters not being here - I am just. Sad. I know it'll be ok. I know there have been good things too. I have plenty to look forward to in the coming days and weeks. I have a great husband and wonderful support system. I have my photography and my artwork. I have a lovely home. I'm relatively healthy. I have lots of really cute shoes. I get it. Life is good. My head knows that. I just need a couple days for my heart to catch up.

Spencer,

You were the best dog we could ever have. You were perfect for our family. Insanely laid back- content sleeping next to me or Alex all day as long as a part of you was touching a part of us. You are the world's biggest lap dog and weren't completely happy until you at least attempted to get on top of me. No other dog I know gives hugs, especially like you. You nuzzle your head in my neck and sling one arm (leg?) around me. We once fell asleep like this and boy did I wake up with a crick in the neck. There is no better hiking partner than you.. I'm not really sure what I'm going to do without you. You were so in tune with me. You could tell when I was upset and would do your best to console me. You are the most caring dog I've ever known. Thank you for an amazing 2+ years. We will miss you, always. All my love. PS - These are quite possibly my favorite photos of you, ever.

90210 Bride

I really want to thank everyone who commented, emailed, or called regarding the previous post. I cannot tell you how much your support has meant to me. It's been a tough week and I'm really trying not to get into a funk. We took Spencer to the dog park today to meet with a potential family for him.. so we'll see. *sniff* Anyway! I have been keeping incredibly busy.. I went to a fun Christmas party on Tuesday night after Peyton left so that was a nice distraction. I've also been busy preparing for 4 photo shoots coming up in the next couple of weeks! Below are photos from a bridal + bridal boudoir session I had last Sunday in Beverly Hills.

Such a fun couple- and she was such a trooper!! We did some of her boudoir shots on a patio balcony and it was about 40 degrees outside. Eeep! I just loved this idea of photographing her engagement ring on his artwork. :) Now if that doesn't speak to me, I don't know what does. ;) I got to work with a fabulous Los Angeles based makeup artist, Susie Chhuor. She is so professional and does amazing work! Here is Lacie's before and after. Susie and I will be working together for weddings in the new year so be looking for more information about that soon! Hope your week has been going well. xo

Dear Peyton

You turned one last Saturday. We went to the park and Alex took lots of photos of mama and her favorite girl. You were such a beautiful birthday girl! It was really cold but you were a trooper. Spencer was there for some Christmas family photos but was too cold so we took him home.

It was a bittersweet day for me. That day we met up with someone at the dog park who is going to be your new mama. You were cautious at first (good girl) but you warmed up. Alex and I have been torturing ourselves over the decision to find you and your brother new homes. We love you both so much- you're our babies. We are just so busy and there is no way around it. I can't afford to be home as often as I was before. I hate that we moved to this smaller place. We thought we could make it work but you've been without a yard and proper exercise- and I know that doesn't make for a happy dog. I am *so* incredibly sad.. it's gut wrenching and couldn't come at a worse time with our family moving but I know it's really the best thing. We will all be happier in the long run.

Tonight is your last night with us. I tried not to cry so much and be happy for you but this is really hard for me. Alex took me to dinner and a movie but it was a minor (though thoughtful) distraction. When we got home tonight it was all snuggles and playing on the bed (where you're normally not allowed). We played with your favorite toy- a fleece squeaky bone that I bought you when we first got you. You were quite the performer and snuggle bug. You definitely know how to make a mama feel loved.

The last ten months have brought us many changes and you've definitely tested my limits at times. You're still a total spaz and "little shit" but I'm going to choose to remember all the good memories I have of you and all the funny things you did. You've brought me so much joy and I just know you're going to do the same for your new family. Spencer will miss you tremendously as I'm sure you'll miss him.. but you're going to have a new brother, of the two-legged variety. Be nice to him. Be the special dog he remembers fondly from his childhood. I will miss you my sweet girl.

Love Always,
Your Mama

peeks of the coolest issue of the best zine ever.

seriously.

this issue will knock your socks off.

we used a professional printer and it's 44 pages of goodness!!

go get your copy or ask santa to put it in your stocking. :)

Celebrating Christmas

So, by now you know that my parents and little sisters have relocated across the country to Georgia. My parents are driving now and are just about there. *sniff* This made for one insane fit - everything - in weekend! It was wonderful!! :)

We spent Saturday evening at Aimee and Eric's place celebrating Christmas. First we did our immediate family exchange (which we usually do on Christmas Eve). Everyone has one person that they give a special gift two. Brad had me so my parents got me this REALLY cool(!!!) camera from the 20's (right, Mom?). It's in excellent condition. The really exciting thing is that they've ordered me hand rolled film so that I can try to use it... eee so nervous! Later on in the evening when we opened "Santa gifts" I got a Kodak Brownie. I have a couple of these in my collection of old cameras but this one is new in the box with flash and flash bulbs! My parents, *ahem* I mean Santa, ordered me color and b+w film for it. I seriously can't wait!!

One of the people Alex and I had for the gift exchange was Sarah (I wasn't able to give to the 2nd person yet because she wasn't able to be there). Here she is being a major ham before opening her gifts! Ha! :) As with all of my gifts this year I'm trying to make our buy handmade as much as possible. For Sarah I put together a scrapbook kit.

I decorated an album that you can see here. I bought one of those paper kits in the same size that comes with stickers and other embellishments and then included a CD of images of her family and friends in the last year. Adorning one of the packages were these super cute clips. I bought a few things from the etsy seller and highly recommend her. The products are adorable and the shipping was super fast, even coming from Denmark. The second little kit I put together for her were a few stationery sets so she can write her friends and family. A couple of the sets were from Target but I also got this personalized set for her from The Paper Princess. I've always been a huge fan of this shop and of the owner Leslie but this was my first time ordering something personalized. The quality is really great and I'll definitely be back! 

Last are a couple photos from the night. I know, we're huge goofs. I love it. So, er, Merry early Christmas. xo

I heart my dollies

I've been too tired to really do anything worth writing about but I have been playing with my dolls. xo.

Favorites

Thank you so much for all of your kind comments in the previous post. This is the second wedding Alex and I have shot together. I can't tell you how blessed I am to have him. Besides being so encouraging, he inspires me constantly. Some of his images from the day are among my very favorite! He has a great eye for detail and is able to catch the beautiful candids I am unable to. What can I say? I think we make a great team. ;) Without further ado, here are our favorites:

We're going to be doing a part two bride and groom session one day soon but for now you can view them all here (At the top right of the slideshow there is an "options" sections. Please be sure to uncheck "embiggen small things to fill screen" so it doesn't stretch the images).

PS- How much do you love that last photo, Aimee? :)

Aimee + Eric's Wedding

Here are some peeks from my sister and new brother in law's wedding yesterday. Alex said I can't leak the fave faves yet. ;) The wedding was so beautiful and intimate! Such a special time. :) I hope you love the photos! xo