I've won a Wedding Wire Bride's Choice Award!

I've been chosen to receive a 2011 bride's choice award from Wedding Wire. I won in 2010 as well, which means I've been in the top 5% of wedding pros 2 years running. Pretty cool! Thanks to my fantastic clients who voted for me!

Website Update

I had two websites. A separate one for weddings/portraits and another for food & art. I've tried merging them into one, what do you think?

In 2010...Resolutions

In 2010...

• I got to know, and love, yoga
• Read (or listened to on CD) at least 2 books a month
• Was a bridesmaid...twice
• Took a LOT of pictures and balanced work & art projects
• Supported by husband through his first year of graduate school (Emotionally - we both have to work)
• Ran a half marathon & gained weight doing it! Yes, I got HEAVIER not skinnier,  and through it learned to accept the parts of my body that I cannot change!
• Traveled to California with my husband
• Planned time with friends and cooked them dinners
• Wrote 45 blog posts here and even more for foodie blogs for work (see them here)
• Started buying more organic and local foods
• Used more cloth napkins & less paper napkins, plates & plastic forks. Recycled. Even at work.
• Flossed, almost every day
• Learned more about wine and how to buy and appreciate it
• Reduced my debt: paid down mortgage, student loans & credit cards
• Felt almost constantly busy & most often exhausted!

In 2011...

I am going to let myself off the hook. I am going to resolve to not create a laundry list of resolutions. Instead of always thinking that I 'should' be doing more I'm going to work on being content and happy as I am.

"I should be more outgoing. I should meditate more. I should cook more. I should clean more often. I should make more money. I should dress better. I should be a better wife, friend, mother, daughter….and the list goes on. Next time you find yourself thinking, “I really should…,” stop and give yourself a pat on the back for being exactly who you are. Ask yourself instead, "What do I really want?" You deserve it." -Kristen Mucci-Mosier

Wedding Tips for the Newly Engaged

It's the most wonderful time of the year ... for the wedding business! Did you know that 19 percent of all engagements take place in December? (according to data from the Fairchild Bridal Group) I know of two newly engaged couples! Well, lucky for you brides & grooms to be, I have a few tips for those just starting to plan their weddings. If this is you check out my blog post: I'm engaged, now what?

Other helpful posts for those just starting to plan a wedding are:

Venue Rental Packages

Inspiration Boards

Choosing Vendors

ME & MA coastal wedding locations

When to ask Attendants

What does a wedding really cost?

Sending a "Save the Date"

 

Enjoy! On a side note, aren't Carrie & Pat (pictured above) adorable? I can't wait to photograph their April 2011 destination wedding!

Maternity photos as nursery decor

 

Photos from a maternity photo session make a great addition to baby's nursery, don't they? Kate of This Place is now a Home recently posted this photograph of baby Owen's nursery including this print from a shot we got during her maternity session. See more of the nursery decor reveal on her blog. I love seeing how my photos are displayed - thanks Kate!

Engagement photo ideas

Shirts at: http://www.thelovetees.com
Photo by: http://cheyenneschultzphotography.blogspot.com


It's wedding Wednesday, so I have this tip for you. Make your engagement session your own! I was inspired to write this when I saw "The Love Tees." Seriously, how cute is it that this couple made these love t-shirts for their photos? So, when it comes to engagement photos, don't worry about following any certain set of rules! Take risks, bring up any crazy ideas, you can do the formal 'safe' photos that your mom will like later.  ;)

We did Abby & Chris's photos outside, in the winter, in Syracuse. Not an ideal time/place for photos -- but they turned out to be unique and so much fun!

With Bret & Anna I tried some unusual angles to add variety to their shots.



So don't be afraid to lay in the grass like Mike & Colleen...

 

go sight-seeing like Lindsey & Ryan...

Or, like one of my favorite unusual shoots, just go singing in the rain!

And if you want to try your luck at the carnival like Jessica & Thomas...

I say, go for it! This last shot was photographed by my friend Gwen Tunderman.

Paarsi Tomato - Poached Eggs

Ingredients;
-  Olive Oil, a few tablespoons
- 1 large Onion (I keep some in my freezer so I always have it)
- 2 or 3 Garlic Cloves (I used minced garlic in the jar)
- 1/2 teaspoon Coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon Garam Marsala
- 1/2 teaspoon Mild Curry Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cardamon
- 2 1/4 cups of Chopped Tomatoes (I like the ones in the carton better than canned)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 eggs
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped coriander (aka parsley)




Heat the olive oil in a large skillet, and cook chopped onions and garlic on medium until they are translucent. Add Indian spices, salt & pepper until they are all mixed in. 





Add tomatoes, reduce to medium low,  and wait for the mixture to thicken slightly. Once you can create little wells for the eggs in your tomato mixture you're ready for the next step. Make four wells in the mixture. 





Crack one egg into each. If you can, don't break the yolks! Cook until your eggs whites are no longer runny. You can make the eggs over easy, medium, or over hard deepening on your taste by letting them continue to cook. Sprinkle with fresh chopped coriander and serve with your favorite bread or toast.





I adapted this recipe from ones posted by Valerie Belew on Hubpages and the blog pot-puree.