Flowers, Feathers & a Fuzzy Puppy.

happenstance designs Photoshoot, January. What a great way to start the year! I'm lucky to have talented friends. There is so much fun to be had when the right people come together. With a cute bungalow house as our set, unlimited handmade accessories to choose from, and a curious puppy sniffing the photo equipment, this shoot was bright and fun. You can't even tell it was pouring rain outside! First, a couple of behind the scenes shots: the designer Clarice and I prepping our model Alison.

Kona (the cutest Labradoodle!) likes to lick furniture. I guess he has a thing for texture.

Alison was an easy going model with amazing features- perfect eyebrows, full lips and fun freckles! And of course, the best hair ever. Look at the great feather headband and how it just pops against her dark hair. I don't know how she sat still for so long and kept that sweet smile. Yay for Alison!



I kept the look soft and natural. We tried to imagine the type of clients that would wear Clarice's accessories. Happenstance customers are easy-going, fun, pretty, and are able to throw on anything to give their look just a little extra pizazz. These looks were designed with a girl on the go in mind. After we polished Alison's skin with just a little foundation (really her skin was already flawless!), added a pop of pink blush and a natural soft pink gloss all we did between looks it change up the eyeshadow.

I love the flushed bridal face below. It was definitely my favorite look. If you're wondering, that's a Melissa Sweet bridesmaid dress Clarice wore for her sister's wedding. Isn't it cute?
And the easiest way to change your look from day to evening (perhaps you want a little more drama for your reception?) is to use a darker eyeshadow and thicken up the lash line with a heavier eyeliner. Be sure to blend and smudge your liner just a bit. Top it off with an extra coat of black gel based mascara to keep your lashes from flaking, then swap out for some sexy accessories and you're ready for fancy time!
The necklace is my favorite piece from Clarice's new collection. Imagine it with simple tee and a blazer for a night out. Or with a jewel toned cocktail dress as a guest to an evening wedding? So versatile!
Our photographer Paul Bothwell editted these next photos with a Poloroid finish in Photoshop. Try toning your own photos for that vintage finish! I thought the antiqued look perfectly complimented the fun feathery hairpiece and our cottage porch setting. The fabulous fabric flower belt made from ribbon, that is beautifully hand-beaded, can also double as a headband. A great gift for your bridesmaids- something they really can wear again!
All these beautiful accessories can be found at Lilac Boutique or Modern Mouse, both great little shops in our hometown of Alameda! Visit happenstancedesigns.blogspot.com to contact Clarice. Maybe she can help you design your dream accessory for your big day?

So we met in a bar...

... no really, we did! Actually, it was the restaurant/bar where I worked as a waitress. It's been exactly two years since we first met and we've been inseparable ever since. What better way to celebrate than with a little photo shoot? My good friend Clarice of Happenstance Designs helped to style me since I had no idea what to wear. Thanks Claire for all the beautiful accessories!
I also wanted to do this as practice to see exactly how much make-up I would need in photos. Who knew that my skin would photograph so pale, especially in outdoor lighting? If I had to do it all over again, I would have used more blush and bronzer to create more dimension on myself, since I have very round cheeks! I would have also added thicker eyeliner for more frame on the eyes. I've found that it's much easier to do make-up on others where I can step back and look to see if more or less is needed. In spite of my lack of coloring, I was really happy with how all the pictures turned out. It was fun to wear lashes and play dress up for a bit.
Hope you enjoy some of the fun moments we had while shooting with Paul Bothwell. He's awesome! I love the splashes of blues he captured. Kevin and I have a fun life together and Paul helped us convey that in our photos. Thanks to Kevin for being such a good sport and keeping me smiling throughout the two hour long shoot (and every single day too!).