GHOST STORIES AND THE SPICE GIRLS

Yesterday I had the lovely pleasure of second shooting with Adina from Wren and Rook Photography yet again at the Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet.  The Island has been going through somewhat of a dry spell  lately and Mother Nature surprised us all with a healthy dose of rain, so the wedding was moved indoors to the wine cellar.  But it was still a beautiful wedding day filled with love and lots of laughter.

On the way back home we drove through the twisting and winding road back to Port Alberni as we talked about the most random things.  First concerts we've attended (Adina's was New Kids on the Block, mine was Spice Girls), ghost stories, new recipes we've tried, embarrassing stories...the list goes on.  Eventually our stories come to an end when she drops me off at our usual spot, we say our goodbyes and I make the last bit of that days adventure home alone.  As I drove home listening to Lady Gaga and Tony Bennet with the rain pitter-pattering on the windsheild, I took a sip of my peppermint tea and cheered to my new beginning.  May it be merry and oh so sweet.

THE PERILS OF BABYSITTING

Today I was left with the undeniable Auntie Roll to babysit my grandsiblings today.  What a chore!  First they wanted to go downtown to the library to do this Make Your Own Bookmark thing, then, after realizing it was for little kids when we got there, decided not to go.  So we came home, walked to 7-Eleven and bought a package of Mentos and two bottles of Coke Zero, because according to them, Coke Zero works the best.  

By now I'm sure you know where this is going.  Yes my friends, we made our own gysers with some pop and mints.  We got them ready outside and on the count of THREE they dropped the Mentos into the bottles and the pop fizzed up to the top, tickling down the sides of the pop bottle.  Immediately they were dissapointed that the dropping of the mints didn't cause a huge explosion of pop around the backyard.  I had to explain to them that 1. We didn't have a big enough bottle of pop to make it 'explode' out of the spout and 2.  Did you really think I was going to let you fill the back yard with pop residue in the middle of summer.

So, needless to say, next week we will be redoing the experiment.  Coke and Mentos 2.0.  Prepare yourselves folks, it will be one for the record books.

Just kidding, I'm not that ballsy ;)

Happy Friday!

BACKYARD LIFESTYLE SESSION : THE PINTO FAMILY

What lovely weather we've been having.  Summer is so close I can taste it!  At least I think I can.  I clearly wrote this post a while back (ha!) but regardless, the weather has been pretty fantastic this summer...aside from all the forest fires we've been having on the island lately.

Holly and her children are no stranger to my blog, so when her husband, Darren, left for Depot he wanted a few photos of his family to keep in his hat.  Yeah, I know, cute right?  We all gathered in the backyard with a blanket, some pillows and of course, a little reading material ;)  The dog was there too!

Stories in the grass...I certainly cannot think of a better way to enjoy the afternoon.

You can never start them too young ;)

A lot of my favourite frames happen on accident.  Haddie was being fussy and wouldn't stop moving around so mama came to lay down beside her.  So sweet and one of my favourites.

We were officially done, but as we moved on inside, the cuteness just kept on going.  

As I was making my way inside, I heard a little voice call for me from outside.  It was Emrick.  He wanted pictures in the tree.  obvi.

MY LIFE AND THE DOCTOR

Whoa!  A lot has happened in these past couple of weeks and I'm slowly finding myself playing catch-up with all that needs to be done.  Emails.  Weddings.  Editing.  Lately I feel like the more I've been checking off my list, the more that has been added on.  However, slowly but surely, everything has been coming together like a fresh baked pie.

June was a busy month for me.  I had a meeting with my mentor and friend, Adina and a surprise visit from my brother who I haven't seen in close to two years.  Shortly after that, my mom made her way onto the island for a quick little visit.  I had an engagement session and two weddings (one my own and the other I second shot with Wren and Rook Photography).  Among countless other musings to keep me occupied throughout the rest of the year.  

Anyways, I think it's time for a shower and a little bit of Doctor Who before I tuck myself in for the night.  I just started watching it about a week and a half ago and I am totally addicted.  This is why I try to stay away from Netflix...once I get into a show it is so hard for me to stop watching when I have the next episode at the touch of my fingertips.  siiigh.  

C'est le vie.

ROYSTON SHIPWRECKS WEDDING : SAMANTHA + ALEX

The air was calm and relaxed as I walked through the doors of Hairpins salon in Courtney.  After making a quick scan of the room, I seen Samantha tucked away in the corner as the last bits of powders and creams were being applied to her delicate face.  She had planned her wedding in a few short months, and even though she was leaving the last minute details in the hands of close friends, she was as cool as a cucumber - and in my opinion, the happiest bride in the world.

Alex waited handsomely for his bride under the wooden archway he had made the day before the wedding as the hot midday sun kissed the day with all its love.  At this same moment, Samantha was making her way down the dirt pathway to see the man she has chosen to spend her forevers with.  With nothing but the sound of her beating heart and the rocks crunching beneath her white studded sandals, she slowly made her way to her future husband.  The tide was out, but salt water still managed to trickle down the faces of family and friends alike as these two souls became one last Saturday at the Shipwrecks in Royston.

Samntha and Alex, I have no words. To adequately sum up everything you are, the beauty of your day, and the fun of your wedding would be impossible, but what I hope is that these photos document your unadulterated love. Thank you for making me feel like part of the family and surrounding everyone in your amazing care. The world is so much better with you two in it. XO

Samantha made her bouquet.  Adorned with real AND paper roses (which she made herself), pearls and jewels...it was absolutely perfect!

Alex seeing his wife-to-be for the first time.

Samantha, you are gor-gaus!

May I present to you, the happy couple!

Samantha and Alex didn't have an official bridal party, so they told their close friends to dress in earthy colours so we could get some bridal party-esque photos.

Once we were done with their friends, I stole the two away for bride and groom portraits before the reception.

These two though.

Samantha, I knew I loved you.  And I loved you even more when you decided to pose on the ground in your wedding dress!

A BIG HOLLLA to the girls at Hairpins salon in Courtenay for doing such an amazing job with Samantha's hair and makeup.

Seeing as they planned their wedding in such a short amount of time, they were lucky enough to have the help of their family and  All In One Party Shop to transform this backyard into this lovely outdoor reception.

Alex is a mechanic so Samantha being the crafty connoisseur she is wanted to incorporate that somehow into the wedding décor.  She decided to add little touches along the reception decor such as these napkin holders which are made out of nuts.

She also made these cheesecake jars for dessert.

The first dance.

To see more of Samantha and Alex's  wedding photos, feel free to CLICK HERE for a SLIDESHOW for a fuller sneak peek of their day with music by MusicBed! 

Happy Friday!

BAM!

We're just finishing up at Reitmans, they said, we'll be right there!  I smiled as I placed my phone down on the table then gave the room a quick look-through.  I was meeting one of my oldest childhood friend's mother in law, Debbie, in a coffee shop down town.  Debbie, along with her mother and sister decided to have a week-long mother/daughter vacay on Vancouver Island and thought they'd stop by before venturing the ferry over to Quadra Island. 

The four of us sat down at the dark wooden table, sipping on coffee (decaf, of course ;) and laughing the whole time.  We talked about Amanda's (Debbie's daughter in law and my best friend) wedding last July and the birth of her first baby later on this summer.  I sloshed more coffee around my mouth and swallowed as the warm liquid fell into the pit of my stomach.  They told me about their trip - the B&B they stayed at the past two days in Qualicum Beach, and the stops that are soon to follow throughout the week.  As our coffee began to run cold, we realized an hour had gone by much too quickly.  Before they left for the ferry, we thought it was only appropriate to take a few photos to remember such a fun time in their lives - and to spice up their trip that much more like one of Emril  Lagasse's famous dishes.  BAM!

Venturing out of the dark coffee shop we were blinded by the summer sunshine which greeted us on the outside.  After a quick look around I spotted a mere 4x4 foot patch of shade on the side walk and got some images if them just being them.  Crazy.  Loud.  And of course, all sorts of Fun.

Here are a few of my favourites...

Of course an all girl mother/daughter trip wouldn't be complete without shopping.  They all got matching hats because, well, why not?!  

Ok, Grandma, we get it, you're adorable.

Mama and her crazy girls.

I wasn't kidding when I said they were fun ;)

Off to the ferry they go.  In style no less.

Happy Wednesday!