the Ferguson Wedding

A few weeks ago (well maybe more than a few weeks) I shot my dear friend Myrissa Ferguson's wedding photos in Columbus, OH. I had a blast hanging out with friends I haven't seen in such a long. It was a joy to see my close friend marry the man of her dreams! 

She's such a breath-taking bride! 

  

May God bless you Myrissa and Charles! love you two!

I'm now a student in the Lighting Course by Arrow & Apple

I just enrolled in a lighting course by Arrow & Apple. If you've never seen her work, YOU must stop by and check it out. It's amazing. Here are a few self portraits i took in my room to practice different lighting techniques.

I took these photos with just natural light from my window :)

Happy B-Lated Birthday America :)

Photo is courtesy of Matthew! Thank you Sugar Bear :D

We had a lovely 4th of July climbing trees in the am.

Then fireworks in the pm at Universal. 

<3

THEN THE UNEXPECTED YET SOMEWHAT EXPECTED HAPPENS….

The past two months have literally been the best moments of my life. On April 8 of this year Matthew officially asked me to be his girlfriend. It was super sweet the way the whole asking process went down.

a few hours before he asked me :)

Well let me start from the beginning….to make a long story will kinda short, Matt and me have been friends since January. We officially met one another in November but neither of us remember that so lets just say we met on Friday (or maybe it was Saturday) night in January. It all went down at a mutual friend Dannelle’s house. A big church group crowded into her living room to watch Avatar (which is Matt’s favorite movie by the way). Afterwards, we introduced ourselves to one another and Matt explained how he loved running 5K’s and at the time worked at Lulu Lemon. I recently retired from track (I know its kinda sad) and was really interested in running 5K’s too so we set a date to workout together on Monday and go to an aerialing class (im sure that’s not grammatically correct but oh well).

Fast forward to April 7^th, several dates, long talks, and vulnerable conversations later I found myself the day before Easter looking around Target and the Dollar Store for Matt’s favorite candy and super hero accessories. While walking up and down each aisle so excited and eager to see the look on his face as he opens the Easter basket I affectionately put together I stop in my tracks at Target as the vulnerable thought “I love Him so much” comes to mind. WAIT!?! Did I actually just process that? Could that possibly be true? No…no no no…but I actually REALLY do love him! But of course my juvenile self comes to the conclusion that I would never ever tell him that! Stubborn “Brandi” will wait until he says it first! Fast forward to 9ish that nigh, I arrive at Matt’s house and do the same thing we do almost every time. Briefly say “hello” to his roommates and then dart directly to his balcony that over looks Universal Studios (psss by the way it’s a gorgeous view at night time). While sitting under a blanket of his we look into one another eyes, which is such a common, and now a form of “hello” for us. And then I think THAT foreign yet so familiar thought again! “sigh, I love Him!” (come on now Brandi GET CONTROL of yourself!)

THEN THE UNEXPECTED YET SOMEWHAT EXPECTED HAPPENS….

Matt explains that He has been wanting to say something to me all day but really didn’t know how to say it. (is he seriously going to say what I think he’s going to say) He explains that he told two other people this, about this feeling towards me and he hasn’t gonna go another day without saying it to me…..”Brandi, I don’t care if you don’t say it back, but I LOVE YOU!” (PTL!!! I am so thankful Im not the only one!!!)

As calm as I could muster up into words, I responded, “That’s funny, because I love you too!”

There is such a freedom in vulnerability. I hope I’m not the only girl out there that is deathly afraid of being the first one to say I love you but for some reason I’m sure I wont be the last!

- Wuv U Wednesday <3 - 

Sedona, AZ

I spent the past two weeks in Phoenix, AZ for work and I got the opportunity to go to Sedona and the Grand Canyon! It was absolutely amazing! Everything....absolutely EVERYTHING was beautiful there. I spent my time with three unique and hilarious co-workers and by the end of the trip we all became close friends. From finding out our individual love languages to too many unwanted conversations about pooping....lets just say we got to know one another at rapid speed! I had a wonderful two weeks but I must say I am happy and thankful to get back to Orlando.

xoxo

Brandi

i have a secret

attention! mini confession here....

i absolutely love storage wars (maybe because i love thrifty so much)
i love Disney movies and actually had a princess themed birthday party last year
i have painted while listening to worship music. the painting didn't turn out great but it was a lot of fun
i sing in the shower very often (who doesn't)
i ran track in college for four years
i NEVER sleep with a pillow

confessions are good and everyone has em!

my march wish list

you know it would be quite lovely if i could some how magically receive all the little "wishes" below but i guess ill just keep wishing....

the Cotton Muslin Backdrop is definitely  an investment that i need to take in the near future. i can't wait to do banging head shots, fashion, and daily life photos with this baby!

i have a funny story about this novel. today i met the cutest older lady that was reading it and really excited to go the Zora Neale Hurston festival in Florida. I've been to this festival several times while growing up but after hearing this womans excitement and thrill to go - i became over joyed to go! She was reading this novel "Their eyes were watching God"and i've been saying for a while now that i want to read more. So, here is my chance.

my plan for this year is to upgrade my iPhone to the new 4. i seriously need to burn and bury my iPhone 3GS cause it's just that bad! is it just me or does Apple make your iPhone start failing you after two years so you HAVE to get an upgrade maybe it's just me but i want to get the "older 4" after the new iPhone 5 comes out this summer so i can get it cheaper. always looking for the latest deal!

i have been literally drooling....yes drooling over this Kelly Moore bag for a while now. i saw it here and couldnt stop obsessing over it since! 

this dress is gorgeous on any red blooded girl. i actually tried it on at Urban Outfitters but didnt buy it now i have buyers remorse.

these are just a  few things that would be nice to have this march!

   

..why does planning come so easy

This weekend I went to a bridal shower for my dear friend, Hali Schaedtler (last name properly pronounced Shh-at-lar). This bridal shower was the most exciting to me because Hali and Ian aren’t really known for taking “normal” pictures together but their engagement pictures came out stunning! I’ve never seen such a super duper cute couple. Joshua Kane is their photographer and he did any amazing job!

Before Joshua......they're cute but then....

After Joshua.....gorgeous!!!

Here are a few pictures of the decorations I did for Hali's bridal shower.

the "pearl" on the ring is a Christmas ornament                          

Inside each "POP corn the question" bag was a candy ring pop!!! I thought it was a cute way to make a carnival theme bridal party girly.

Windmills, photo booth props, candy and sunflowers...just a few of the bride's favorite things!

Hali and Ian's wedding theme is carnival so I just HAD to make the bridal shower "girly" carnival themed too!

..Saturday with Sarah..

I spent my Saturday morning with my bestie Sarah on a yacht! Two years ago (gosh in 2010) which seems like just yesterday we went on a day cruise and Sarah won two free tickets for another cruise. Thank goodness these tickets didn't have an expiration date on them. So we decided to use them and do a photo shoot on the yacht with a lot of "older Boca people" watching....which was a little awkward but Sarah worked it out like a pro!

This photo shoot was truly bitter sweet. SWEET!!! because i got to spend an awesome weekend with this gorgeous and hilarious girl and BITTER because Sarah leaves for California in one week! 

...so excited for the places this girl is gonna go!!!

trying something new!

today a friend invited me to an aerial arts class. i must say, this was so hard but so much fun! working out really gets me in the mood to do anything! i feel super inspired!!! love this feeling and i encourage you to try aerial!!! youll feel like a SUPER HERO!!!!!!!

Thrifty little thing

Antique and thrifty things

I got this lovely typewriter on a road-trip with Dannelle while we were driving from Gainesville, FL. 

I love the fact that this typewriter has probably told so many stories and has so much history.  

I must say it is one of my favorite things in my room.

 I also got this antique phone while I was at the same antique store! 

Every time I look at it, it reminds me of how much we've grown with technology.

PLUS! it's so darn pretty!!!

(sigh) I love good ole Frankie! I listen to him every morning. 

I was so excited when I got this for 99 cents at Goodwill...SCORE!

Starting swing dancing classes this month and I cant wait to hear His voice while I'm dancing! 

Brandi

Details in my room

Here are a few little details in my room.

 If you know me, you know I love all things girly and princess. Therefore, it only makes sense that my room would have a little bit of princess details to it! This quote I got for my birthday last year from my friend Janiece! I always remind myself of this quote when I'm getting too impatient. 

Thank you Cinderella.

These gloves I thifted a couple weeks ago and I love them! I can't wait to have an awesome dress to match them perfectly. (coming soon)

These Princess mints Janiece also got for me! I love it!! It is totally me.

Brandi

NYE new look

i REALLY wanted a change for this new year, so I decided to get BANGS!!! I love them....and I'm surprised because my mom actually likes them too and normally she never likes when anyone changes their hair.

This is my NYE outfit. I love this dress from Zara. When I say LOVE....I mean I truly just might be "in love." The minute i tried it on, I said to myself "This dress must be mine!" hehe

Now, I know it looks like the typical all black dress but the back has a lovely low cut. 

Sorry, I dont have any pictures of the back. I'll try to get some soon!

(Thumbs up!) for new beginnings and new looks! 

Brandi

lets make it a "Mexican Night!"

i cooked Mexican rolls for the first time!!!!









Doing my domestic thing!

 It turned out awesome. check out this for the recipe!

Yep! Great value is the best!!! (and the cheapest)

Sorry i don't have a picture of the final product! We eat it too fast...haha