Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
{Vendor Spotlight} Jayne B Photography
I'm very excited to showcase my 3rd Photography Vendor Spotlight - Jayne B Photography! Back in August, while at the Elegance in the Park Bridal Show I met Jayne, who was nice enough to take a few pictures of my booth! You can see the pictures she took of my booth design here. Jayne is so adorable and has the greatest personality!! We share the love of Eco-friendly lifestyles, as well as, being very crafty and love DIY projects. Even though she is based in Atlanta, Jayne can easily come over to Savannah to work a wedding or do a portrait session & has already done a few in SAV already!
I hope you enjoy our little Q&A and get to know Jayne a little better.....
I hope you enjoy our little Q&A and get to know Jayne a little better.....
Layla: Which are your 5 favorite images and why?
1) This photo was one of those unexpected gems. We were in the middle of Alabama, it was pouring rain for the first half of the bridal shoot. We did as best as we could and shot some inside portraits, then decided to risk it and go find a field. By the time we got there it stopped raining and this one was one of the first shots that I took in the field. It was just that moment where I knew I got something I was really excited about, after being totally stresses out by the storm. I have to give credit to the bride, who was such an awesome sport. (she actually lead the way into the field) Totally worth it!
2) This shot is my new Jayne B Photography Facebook photo! I knew I found a special little spot when I was location scouting, I immediately saw it in my head and couldn't wait to get my shot! Then when I brought these two lovebirds to it, they just completed my vision perfectly.
5) This is one of those "ahhh.... lighting moments". We were in the right place and the right time!
Jayne: We are Jayne B Photography! We are inspired by brides that want exciting wedding photos! We love creative brides with a vision and style! I have been shooting weddings since about 2007. I quickly realized this is it for me, this is what I want to do...everyday. Once I had this realization, I enrolled at a University in their Fine-Art Photography program. It was there that I gained my knowledge and foundation in art and photography (which I think helps out a lot). After this, I wanted to learn the commercial photography world so I enrolled in the most intense 2 year commercial photography program. Upon graduation I went into photographing weddings full-time and have been loving life since! : )
Layla: What inspires you?
Jayne: I am inspired by that warm fuzzy love feeling! : ) It is a pretty cool job to get to document a couple's wedding story.
Layla: What do you use to edit?
Jayne: I use both Lightroom and Photoshop to edit. If I had to pick just one I could do it all in Lightroom if I had too! I probably spend about 40% of my life in Lightroom.
Layla: Are you a PC or Mac girl?
Jayne: Mac all the way! I edit from my 24" I-mac! (ahhh I love this thing!!)
Layla: Do you drink coffee, what's your favorite? or what is your weakness?? (chocolate, etc)
Jayne: Coffee??!! Yes, Please!! I like it sweet, with loads of sugar!!! Other than that my weaknesses include cupcakes, candy, chocolate covered frozen bananas. I have a pretty huge sweet tooth!
Don't forget to check out her website at www.jaynebphotography.com or www.facebook.com/jaynebphotography
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
{Organic Wednesday} Savannah Bee Company
Savannah Bee founder Ted Dennard was first introduced to honey as a 12-year old boy on his father’s Coastal Georgia retreat property when a battered old pickup carrying beehives rattled into his life. The bee-covered driver of that flatbed truck was Roy Hightower, an elderly beekeeper scouting sites suitable for gathering “Swamp Honey” from the White Tupelo tree. In return for a place to keep his bees, Roy offered young Ted an education in that magical, buzzing world, but with a prophetic word of caution, “Son, bees sort of become a way of life.”
Returning home to Savannah, Ted kept bees along the Altamaha River, extracting his honey and pouring it into beautiful found bottles, and crafting lip balms with the wax from his hives. Mixed with luscious essential oils, his lip balm formula was hand-poured into tiny tins and given as gifts to friends and family. When he started selling his home-extracted Tupelo around town in 1998, people loved the purity and richness, and the word spread quickly. “I was bottling honey in the kitchen and keeping bees on the roof,” he recalls. When more Savannah stores wanted to sell his honey, he moved the operation to his garage. The little business continued growing, until he was forced to ask himself the ultimate question: To bee or not to bee?
With his passion blossoming into a business, Ted decided that he couldn’t ignore the potential, so in January of 2002 he quit his job, mortgaged his house, and put all his money into the venture—the Savannah Bee Company. He expanded the honeymaking “plant” into an old 800 square foot classroom at the Oatland Island Wildlife Preserve, where he paid his rent in honey. 2010 finds Ted operating a 40,000 square foot warehouse on Wilmington Island, a bridge’s distance from the City of Savannah. Savannah Bee operates three retail stores, bottles two distinct lines of world-class honeys, and manufactures a luxury beeswax-based body care line. Today’s operation is stark contrast to the days in Ted’s kitchen, but his passion has never changed. “I just love it,” he says. “I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
How can honey help my allergies? Local honey is great and by all means support your local beekeeper and perhaps it may be better for allergies. The Apimondia world beekeeping congress believes that honeycomb (no matter the geographical origin) is best for allergies and asthma. Ted believes both statements above: that honeycomb is best and that you should support your local beekeeper. If you have problems with allergies try the honeycomb first and if you can’t get it from your local beekeeper then buy any honeycomb. To reduce allergies with honeycomb therapy, enjoy a daily regime of eating 1 tablespoon of raw honeycomb once in the morning and once in the evening. Swallow the comb, or chew like chewing gum for 20 minutes and spit out. Delicious!
Need some inspiration and ideas??
My favorite: Honey perfection, Tupelo Honey is the gold standard by which all other honeys are measured. Two weeks every spring, White (Ogeche) Tupelo Trees bloom in the Southeastern swamps with fine sunburst-shaped flowers that glisten with nectar. Savannah Bee Company Tupelo Honey has buttery undertones and mellow, clean-finishing sweetness like a thick, slow-moving river of liquid sunshine. Tupelo Honey complements a variety of foods, but is so delicious, we like it best just with a spoon! KSA Kosher Certified.
I can't get enough of this! When I finish my jar I need to get another one because it is amazing!!
Royal Jelly, the most precious product from the hive, is combined with propolis to nourish and moisturize the skin. Packed with vitamins, lipids and amino acids, Savannah Bee Company Royal Jelly Body Butter promotes skin elasticity and smooths skin texture. Rich, softening pecan butter and a delicate blackberry scent add the final touches to this luxurious formula. 99.7% Natural ingredients. A Savannah Bee Company Best Seller.
Welcome gift bag ideas or gifts for your bridal party
Come visit their stores:
104 West Broughton Street
Savannah, GA 31401
800.955.5080
Store hours: Monday thru Saturday 10 am-7 pm
Sunday 11 am-5 pm
800.955.5080
Store hours: Monday thru Saturday 10 am-7 pm
Sunday 11 am-5 pm
1 West River Street
Savannah, GA 31401
800.955.5080
Store Hours: Monday thru Saturday 10 AM- 9PM
Sunday 11 AM- 8 PM
Savannah, GA 31401
800.955.5080
Store Hours: Monday thru Saturday 10 AM- 9PM
Sunday 11 AM- 8 PM
211 Johnny Mercer Blvd.
Savannah, GA 31410
800.955.5080
Store Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:30am-5:30 p.m.,Saturday: 10-4 p.m.
Closed Sunday
Savannah, GA 31410
800.955.5080
Store Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:30am-5:30 p.m.,Saturday: 10-4 p.m.
Closed Sunday
216 King St
Charleston, SC 29401
800.955.5080
Store Hours: Monday thru Thursday 10AM- 6 PM
Friday and Saturday 10AM- 7 PM
Sunday: 12PM- 6PM
Store Hours: Monday thru Thursday 10AM- 6 PM
Friday and Saturday 10AM- 7 PM
Sunday: 12PM- 6PM
Friday, September 23, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
{Organic Wednesday} TOMS shoes
TOMS shoes have been around for awhile now and they have been catching on in the wedding industry. TOMS philosophy is philanthropic in nature and deserving to be part of my {Organic Wednesday}. To find where TOMS are sold near you click here
In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers.
Why Shoes?
Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:
•A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
•Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.
•Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.
"We require that the factories operate under sound labor conditions, pay fair wages and follow local labor standards. All factories sign a code of conduct. In addition, our production staff routinely visits these factories to make sure they are maintaining these working standards. We also have third parties audit the factories at least once a year to ensure they adhere to proper labor regulations. For more information: http://www.intertek-labtest.com/services/auditing/intertek_compliance/?lang=en"
Who is Tom? There is no TOM. Our name comes from the abbreviation of “Shoes for Tomorrow”. The original idea was – for every pair purchased today a new pair of shoes will be given tomorrow. This is how the One for One Movement was born.
www.toms.com Monday, September 19, 2011
{Vendor Spotlight} Make Believe'N
I am super excited to share with you my new Etsy vendor who has been added to my list of FAVORITES! I <3 my Etsy community!
Krissy of Make Believe'N Alternative Weddings LLC located in Atlanta, Georgia hand designs high quality handcrafted keepsake bouquets, boutonnieres and accessories for your wedding day and beyond. She also does custom orders (especially for wedding flowers). Make sure you allow 6-8 weeks between order and expected completion date from the date that you will be needing your order.
Krissy has been making these amazing accessories for two years now and is also the proud team captain of the Offbeat Weddings Etsy Team: Wedeclectic and team member of the Etsy Weddings Team: Etsy wedding team. To see more of her collection shop her Etsy store: here
She will also be spotlighted in my upcoming Inspiration Wedding Styled Shoot with a local Savannah photographer, invitation designer, and make up artist. More details to come!!!
Her moto: Live your story, Love your life!
Have a look at some of her gorgeous work:
Each flower is individually handcrafted with high quality satin, organza, chiffon, tulle, crepe and/or veiling.
The flowers are then centered with your choice of photographs, pearls, beads, buttons, vintage buttons, charms, rhinestones, rhinestone buttons etc. A typical nosegay style bridal bouquet measures 9 inches wide by 12 inches long. Larger and smaller sizes are available.
Packages including boutonnieres, corsages, boo hoo bouquets (matching tissue cases) flower girl wands, hair accessories, pomanders, centerpieces, pew décor, and loose petals are available.
Aren't these AMAZING!!!???
Detailed wedding dress sash on a long taffeta belt. Each flower is handcrafted and every petal is deliberately formed into delicate layers. Flowers are crafted to resemble peonies, hydrangea, and poppies.
Perfect for a stylish bride! You can also add an authentic vintage brooch to the center to add some sparkle!!
The belt are 7 feet long so you have plenty of room to tie a bow or knot it and allow it to trail down the back of your dress.
Wear this belt on your wedding day and then dress up your LBD (little black dress) for your first anniversary night out.
Perfect for a stylish bride! You can also add an authentic vintage brooch to the center to add some sparkle!!
The belt are 7 feet long so you have plenty of room to tie a bow or knot it and allow it to trail down the back of your dress.
Wear this belt on your wedding day and then dress up your LBD (little black dress) for your first anniversary night out.
Many thanks to the following for the wonderful images provided: http://darlingstudios.biz/ and http://www.cheyphotography.com
Friday, September 16, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
{Bright Idea Thursday} Wine Themed Wedding
Your guest will sign your favorite bottles of wine instead of a traditional guest book, and on your milestone anniversaries you can drink the wine and read your guests' well wishes. What a great way to be able to reminisce about your wedding day, and have an eternal keepsake as well. EVCreations custom create special labels to put on your wine bottles, design a coordinated instruction sign for the guest book table, and give you a special pen that will write on the wine bottles. You will have everything you need to have a unique guest book at your wedding....all you need to do is add the wine.
Easy centerpieces: footed glass hurricane with wine bottle corks. Idea from BH&G Sept. 2011
Sold in Savannah in the River Street Marketplace! Find out more here:
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
{Vendor Spotlight} Lisa Leonard Designs
Are you looking for a beautifully hand crafted, personalized, and sentimental gift for yourself, friend, family or for your wedding? Lisa Leonard’s designs are the answer!! Each piece is a work of art, hand cut, hammered, polished, drilled and assembled with care. Her custom jewelry is hand-stamped with names or a special phrase or verse. Lisa mentioned that she loves to touch her necklace throughout the day and reflect on my husband and my sweet boys.
She uses only lead-free metals! Their jewelry, all of the charms, and chains are either sterling silver or pure silver unless stated otherwise when they use other metals it is noted in the product description! Their home products are made from stainless steel or pewter.
My favorite is her "in memory" collection:
"Loss changes us and leaves an emptiness in our hearts. Slowly, little bits of beauty begin to break through the sadness. With beauty comes hope and joy can't be too far behind, right? Find the perfect necklace or bracelet to celebrate a precious life and keep that person close to your heart."
To shop online and see more of her beautiful work:
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Martha Stewart Weddings Fall 2011 Wedding Dresses
Fourteen top designers debut their most showstopping new gowns and give great words of wisdom!
Who is your favorite? Read more about this article here
Oscar de la Renta's Words of Wisdom: Try on as many dresses as you can, and don't limit yourself to one silhouette
Vera Wang's Words of Wisdom: "Stay true to yourself -- to your taste and what works for your body," she says. "My ideal client is a woman who really knows who she is and who she wants to be."
Monique Lhuillier's Words of Wisdom: Don't trust a picture -- ever. "The only way you'll know what looks best on you is to try it on," she says. "A gown could seem great on paper, but until it's on your body, you won't really know."
Amsale Aberra's Words of Wisdom: The ideal gown reflects a bride's personality, she says. "Think about what you wear every day -- are you classic? Avant-garde? -- and go from there."
Tom Mora for J.Crew Words of Wisdom: Take a chance.
Carolina Herrera's Words of Wisdom: Herrera is adamant about making important decisions alone. "Go dress shopping by yourself," she says. "A lot of opinions will only confuse you, and at the end of the day, it's only yours that matters."
Badgley Mischka's Words of Wisdom: "A good fit is so important," says Mischka. "If it suits you perfectly, even a basic gown can look incredible."
Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig for Marchesa Words of Wisdom: When choosing a gown, go with something that highlights the features you like most. "If you don't feel completely comfortable, you are simply not going to look your best," Chapman says.
Lela Rose's Words of Wisdom: "A lot of women come in and choose something off the rack because they don't want to wear a 'wedding gown,'" says Rose. "But why not? You're getting married -- it's the one time when you can really go for it."
Angel Sanchez's Words of Wisdom: "When you find 'the dress,' you'll know. If you don't feel an instant chemistry when you look in the mirror, don't buy it!"
Lazaro Perez for Lazaro Words of Wisdom: Embrace the spotlight, advises Perez. "If you're proud of the way you look in your dress, why not flaunt it?"
Reem Acra's Words of Wisdom: Hard as it may be, try to avoid trends, says Acra. "Years from now, you don't want your children to ask, 'What were you thinking?' Your wedding look should never go out of fashion."
Friday, September 9, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
{Organic Wednesday} Medlock Ames
Medlock Ames is dedicated to environmental sustainability as well as the production of premier quality wine. Their vineyards are farmed organically with no insecticides, chemical fertilizers or herbicides and solar power provides the energy we need to run. It is their belief that the land they farm is their greatest asset and they take every precaution to nurture and protect it. They also partner with local wildlife (owls and hawks make excellent gopher foes for example) and have reserved the majority of their acreage for oaks and wildflowers, not vines.
Their commitment to sustainability goes further, however, and flows through everything at Medlock Ames in a truly holistic approach - this management style forces them to evaluate formally every business decision they make, and determine its impact on our environment, on the health and well being of their employees, and on their bottom line.
The company's greenness is among its greatest assets, allowing for unflagging energy and a fresh perspective to the industry while maintaining a thorough commitment to the proven practices of making high- quality wine. They are driven by both their customers' satisfaction and the pure enjoyment of creating an ideal product. They strive to mirror the perfection of their surroundings by crafting equally ideal wines.
They even have sunflowers growing there!! My favorite :)
Medlock Ames Tasting Room
3487 Alexander Valley Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448
3487 Alexander Valley Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448
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