I know im not the only woman who feels this way. Some days are just made to kick you in the butt. The food boils over, the computer

acts like it doesnt know how to open google, you run out of sticky notes, your child’s nose never stops running, just when you

are going to savor your spaghetti you find out your parm cheese is all gone. These type of things. Are these Haiti scale issues?

Heavens no. Not even close. Not even.

But its funny how, on a day when your feeling sensitive or cranky, or tired, how they can literally make you want to cry.

I had such a day recently. I felt that my tears were at “spill level” (as I call it) all day. I was nervous as I interacted with

people, that if someone said the wrong word I would burst into embarassing, unexplainable silly tears.

Ever felt this way?

I took Adam aside and said, “listen. I need a good cry. I don’t know why, I just do”

He said randomly “Oh poor little scamper. Wasnt that so sad when you were 10 and he had to be put down?”

This was my childhood DOG!!!

He had to be put down because he bit children that were not in our family. Not a good or safe trait.  But I loved him.

The day he was put down, I sat on my swing all day & sobbed & sang “wind beneath my wings”.

I still cannot listen to that song without getting teary. It was that emotional for me.

So Adam, in his wisdom & cruelty, mentioned Poor Ol’ Scamper to get me to cry.

It worked. And I felt much better.

Sometimes its weird how well someone knows & loves you.

And yet, comforting.

(p.s. I LOVED this Bride & her pizzaz & style!!!)

Eternal Reflections Photography is an International Award winning studio providing glamorous

wedding photography for Fabulous People. With Roots in Edmonton, Alberta, Eternal Reflections

photographs Edmonton (& area) Weddings & is an leader in International Wedding Photography.

Eternal Reflections Photography also provides consulting and workshops for photographers wishing

to grow their business & learn luxury wedding photography.www.eternalreflectionsphoto.com

You know what I love?

I love it when I am all cozied up in bed. Sleeping.
Dreaming.
Sleeping.
And Dreaming.
Its fantastic.

Wanna know what I love even more???
I love it when Matthews phone alarm goes off…

2 hours before he has to wake up.

I hear it.
Every morning.

At  4 o’clock in the morning.

And then another one at 6 o’clock.

Which is the actual time when he has to wake up.

I finally asked him the other day…

Why? Why must you set two alarms?  Two hours apart?

He said:

Well I love the feeling of when the first alarm goes off, because I know that I have another two hours to sleep.
It feels great knowing that I get an ‘EXTRA’ two hours!

I said:

But you dont get an extra two hours? You already had those two hours….
Why would you want to be disturbed from your sleep to find out you get another two hours you already
had.

He said:

I dunno, I just like to. It makes me wake up happy knowing I got an extra two hours of sleep.

I said (to myself, in whispered hush tones):

You didnt get two extra hours…they were already yours….!

But internet, it isn’t happening today… no alarms were needed.
We both get the day off…

Happy Saturday Internet!!

I get packages all the time. For clients. OK fine and my online shopping parcels. But never suprises.

Im fine with it, im mature about it. I mean I dont need presents throughout the year. Right? RIGHT?

But one time, I ordered a potty training book (for my son obviously) and it literally took months to arrive.

So much so, that I had forgotten about it. When it arrived I was so suprised I practically phoned everyone I knew. I was

THAT excited. A suprise parcel (that I had, ahem, ordered and paid for…..)

So, you can imagine my suprise when I got a HUGE brown bubble envelope in the mail. Addressed to me.

and me alone.

I ripped that puppy open and inside was ribbon that I had been searching high & low for (for packaging my clients products).

You see, I had told my girlfriend (also a photographer) about a week before that I was desperate to find a certain type of ribbon

to go with my Branding. Wouldnt you know, she had seen some and bought every roll. And not only that, but she included

the most warm, fuzzy, feel good, HANDMADE card.

It was a great day. Some People are so kind.

Have you ever felt like you just can’t keep up with the world? Like everything around you is a whirlwind?
I feel like that. Alot.
I feel like I am in an Archie Comic with a huge question mark over my head.
Everybody is so busy to get things done.
Get groceries. Go to work. Pick up the kids from school. Do laundy. Make supper. Check email- and by email I mean Facebook- of course LOL
I feel like many opportunities pass us by when we get all caught up in the day to day things.
Opportunities to help others. To notice the beauty of the world. To realize that there are more important things.
I feel like if we could all take a moment to make our lives a little more simple, we wouldn’t be missing those moments.
One of my favorite sayings, that I feel I made up is- Living Simply.Simply Live.
Turn off the TV. Put away the Xbox. Turn Off the Computer.
Spend time together with your loved ones. Cherish those moments. Prioritize.
Take a moment to show everyone you know that you love them.

Everything else can wait. It can just simmer on the back burner.

I like to think that I am somewhat green. you know, as in all environmental and what not. And no, not because its trendy.

Ok fine, totally because its trendy.

This dream house that we are building (I drew up my dream plans & we hired an architect to turn them

 into real plans & im LOVING the plans!), is so environmentally

friendly you wouldn’t believe it. Its off the grid. As in solar panels & wind power baby. Yes you read right,

 im forward thinking.

So sometimes I pat myself on the back with my hippie ways.

Yesterday early evening I had a million errands to run. Well fine, not quite a million, but darn close.

Anyways, as I was leaving our house and just one road over, I noticed in the middle of the road, what looked like

rockwell’s insulated (and fairly pricey–at least in the world of sippy cups) sippy cup lying in the middle of the road.

 Our vehicle had straddled it. I eerched to a stop (whilst looking in my rearview mirror for safety of course…err right…)

 turned around (picture inching forward, then back, then forward, then back until I had maneuvered the full 180 degrees

 like a 14 year old student drive) and drove back.

It was a used Tim Hortons cup. I just growled. I wanted to save the day. Be super mom. Find my son’s random cup

 in the middle of a random street using my keen mother intuition. I was nothing more then a scavenger.

I put that puppy in reverse (then forward, then reverse, then forward) until I had inched my way back around

180 degrees and I sped off.

Not a single thought of the little that I left behind. Not a single thought. Did not even cross my mind to pick it up.

I may as well crank my furnace, put all my light bulbs back to the bad kind, find the biggest SUV I can find & do 40 loads of laundry.

I am so ashamed.

Hello my dear friends!
This weekend rocked my little blue socks off!
I got to spend the entire Saturday with an amazing couple- Amber and Shawn!
They had their wedding at the Hotel Macdonald!! Oh how I love it there!
Everytime I walk through the rotating doors I take a moment and just stand in awe!!

I purposefully wore my diamond earrings. ok, and a bracelet…
and I may have pretended it was my home when I walked through the doors.
I am keeping my fingers crossed.

The rooms at Hotel Macdonald, where brides get ready have such HUGE GORGEOUS windows, which allow
beautiful light to shine through… creating breathtaking pictures.

3 things I know for sure…

* I adored… no, loved… no, CRAVED her birdcage veil and her feathered headpiece. It was so unique and gorgeous!!
* Shawn and Amber toughed out the cold/snowy day! They are such troopers!
* Amber was a bride after my own heart, she was all about the details
She had the most beautiful vintage necklace that my eyes have ever beheld.

Thank you for letting me be apart of your beautiful wedding.

So im copying Kari & Radelle with their “about me” posts.

1. When I was in high school, I won the award “fastest tongue in the west” for my TRUMPET playing abilities. (don’t laugh)

2. I like to grow out my stubble & give Radelle whisker rubs. She’s hates it. (but I think secretly likes it)

3. I lock my keys in the car at least 5 times a year. AMA loses money on me.

4. I play on a recreational hockey team, but im terrible. My goal is to not suck by the end of this year. (Im  a basketball boy)

5. I am always on the search for the perfect shirt & yet continue to buy the same shirt (plaid, button up) over & over.

This week ive managed to:

-Wear my lulus out backwards & inside out. These are the lulu’s with the runner’s slit in the back (over the calf).

You can imagine how awesome that looked with my knees being featured up front in the slits.
_____________________

- Leave my blowdryer on, on my bed (how??) and consequently melt the blowdryer to the blanket, thus resulting

in a mixture of 2 huge burnt holes & 1 melted nozzled blowdryer. Good thing I peeked in there again before I headed

out for the day (no smell radelle? No ears radelle? really??)
_____________________

- Tried to phone Telus & dialed wrong and phoned a sex line. I was greeted with “hi there sexy fella”. I swalled hard, squeeked

“hi” and then hung up so fast im sure the slam of the phone was ringing in her ear. Oooops. Then I went and washed my hands.

I just felt that I needed to.
______________________

I seriously think we should all take a moment and summon God to bring my back my brain.

If even He can find it.

And now to copycat Kari’s post. 5 Random things about myself.

1. If I stop my vehicle and then wipers stop half way up, I have to redo it. I cannot leave them like that. It makes me go crazy.

They must be down, returned to their proper resting position.
_____________________

2. Before I got pregnant with rockwell, I would put a pillow in my shirt and walk around the office as though I was pregnant.

Sometimes I would even pretend people are asking me about the baby, and play out the whole scenario in my mind.
___________________

3. I love romantic comedies. They just make me feel warm and fuzzy.

But, I cant stand how drew barrymore and kiera knightly move their mouths, liv tylers man voice, or how much

hugh grant blinks. Im just sayin’.
__________________

4. As I kid i pierced and re pieced my ears no less than 10 times without ever freezing them. I just pushed the earring through!

they are now scarred (nice work radelle). Have a close look on your wedding day, I won’t mind.
__________________

5. I don’t like cats.  I respect my cats because they hunt, but I really don’t “like” cats. Mostly because they put a weird taste

in my mouth when they are around…(allergy? imagination? we are not sure.), but also because they always look at me like

they are expecting something and I am the daft that just doesn’t ‘get it’.
________________

p.s. THIS is totally making me laugh today. In case you are wondering, this is how we get so super energetic before a wedding.

See? Easy peasy.

Photo Credit: Kari (www.eternalreflectionsphoto.c0m)

My philosophy that I live by is, be true. to you. I never have wanted to hide who I am.
I have never wanted to put on a facade. I am me.  I wanted people to get to know the real me.
So here are some quirks about me that not many people know.

** I literally am addicted to chocolate. I told Matt  verbatim  ” I could go without chocolate for 2 weeks! I am not that obsessed’

I tried giving it up, but on day 2 I started tearing up and bundled up in the fetal position on our couch. I had to phone Radelle for strength to get past such a craving.
But even she couldnt help.
Oh hell, I have been eating those words ever since  they slipped off my tounge.

** I am scared to walk down streets at night by myself. If you are at a wedding I am shooting, go take a peek out of the window,
and you will see me, carrying all my camera gear, sprinting across the parking lot to the vehicle. Other times,  I will pretend to talk on my cell phone.
I never think to actually call anyone. I just talk to myself. Scared and alone.

**  I don’t like Bananas. I probably haven eaten one since 1999.

** I love board games. Love them. I want to have the biggest, baddest board game collection around.

** I speed all the time. I really do. Unless I know it is a spot where the po-po usually are. But most times, I rip it.
(if Christine Hayes/Sawatsky is reading this.. close your eyes!) And if Matt is driving, I am a HUGE backseat driver. I think he tunes me out.

** If I find a song that I really really like, I will listen to it on repeat for hours and not get tired of it.
This can last up to months and years.. Dead serious. Beautiful Life by Charlotte Martin one of my all time faves.

** I really try not to read or watch the news. The main reason is because it is so depressing.
I know that this makes me ignorant of my surroundings and rights, but hey, ignorance is bliss.
Plus, I dont think I’d ever leave the house at night if I did know what is out there.

** When doing laundry, I usually put in twice the amount of soap that is needed. I want them realllly clean!

**  Two words. Audrey Hepburn! I have loved her all my life. It isn’t rare for me to sing the songs from
My Fair Lady in an old British accent. (Matt is sooooo lucky that he is married to me!)
“Someone’s ‘ead restin’ on my knee, Warm an’ tender as ‘e can be. ‘ho takes good care of me, Aow, wouldn’t it be loverly?”

** I have naturally curly hair. Oh, and when I go to bed with my hair damp, I wake up looking  like a little monster.  It is wild!

** In a suspenseful/scary part in a movie or show, I plug my ears. Matt doesn’t understand why. And frankly, I don’t either. I just do it.

** I think I am pretty funny, and after I tell a witty joke, or a funny comment,
I ALWAYS ask Matt if I am funny. His answer, Yes. So I choose to believe him.

** I am sooo unbelievably lucky to be married to the man of my dreams, to be surrounded by my friends and family.
I don’t really know why my friends have stuck with me all these years, but I am a lucky girl. And as for family, they have to stick
with me, and I am so grateful for it!

** Click to know more about your curly haired, scared at night, board game fanatic!
AND if you want to know even more… Follow this (if you dare..!) jk!

To say that I love Melice & Nathan would be a huge understatement. Let me just put it this way, I bought them

 Hawaiian bride & groom Christmas tree ornaments as a surprise, with their names…and I was tempted to put

 them on my tree, look at them & sigh.  When I made them their wedding day slideshow, I watched it 4 times.

They were married in Hawaii this fall. Overlooking waikiki beach (honolulu). We LOVED their wedding,

We LOVED Hawaii, We LOVED the getaway, We LOVED how the photos turned out, but mostly, mostly we loved them.

The type of people who were in attendance of their wedding spoke volumes of who they are, and the things that

 they value in life. Every person that we met blew us away with their sweetness, generosity or genuine-ness.

Adam & I wanted to slowly morph our way into their lives & become friends with them & their friends.

One of my highlights of the trip was on our 2nd time surfing on Waikiki beach, (the day after their wedding!) we saw them.

They were out on their surfboards as well, all pro like. We caught some waves, and for my 2nd time,  I did quite well (ok fine,

Adam did quite well too).

 But I was so embarrassed that they had to witness the awkwardness that was me. They were nothing but gracious & encouraging.

As Adam and I drank salt water and missed wave after wave, they cheered us on. We felt like rockstars & loved the coaching.

These friends were people that we had just met the day before & now they were people that we loved, respected & greatly admired.

Mark my words, we will surf in Hawaii again with Melice & Nathan. We will. (heart you guys!)

Melice recently emailed this to me & I wanted to share with you the importance of having great destination

wedding photography. Just because you are getting married ‘abroad’ does not mean you need to settle for cheesy shots,

and only 50 poor quality images. You can still have your wedding day captured beautifully, the way that it is. And, if your

 quick on the draw, we offer 3 free Internation Destination Wedding Photography shoots per year. Email or see

our website for details. Its a great offer & we love it as well! (Happy photographers=Amazing photographs)

Radelle & Adam,

I was just watching our wedding slideshow…again… yesterday (three times in a
row, does it sound crazy?) and I was so overwhelmed by the emotion and the beauty of
your shots that I couldn’t help shedding a few tears. I love every minute of it and
I only wish we could be back to that magical day. The two best decisions we made
when organizing our wedding were for sure: to have it in Hawaii and to have you and
Adam photograph it!

I knew when you accepted to be our destination wedding photographer in Hawaii that
we were in it for a blast, and if we had to do it all over again, we wouldn’t change
a thing! (except maybe that we would stay in Hawaii for ever and go surfing with you
guys everyday!

Even the best of the local photographers out there could not compete with the
extravagance of your free destination wedding package. The style and quality of your
photos are definitely worth being in those fancy wedding magazines. Gosh what an
amazing job you guys did!!! I still can’t believe how you made us look on these
pictures. And you made it so easy for us, we didn’t even have to think, you had all
the shots figured out beforehand! You captured all the emotions, the magnificience
of the Island, the joy and the laidback-ness (???) of everyone around. THANK YOU,
THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Nathan himself couldn’t believe it when it saw our album (and
he’s hard to impress!).

Everytime we look at our wedding pictures, we think about you guys with our hearts
filled with love for what you have given us. It really is an eternal gift.

Again, thank you so very much! We love you both!

Melice & Nathan

When my mom used to yell the word ‘cupcakes’, I would run… no, sprint the other way. Cupcakes…eww!

I was never able to understand why people would eat cupcakes.
The cupcakes that I knew were made of bran, flax, whole wheat….possibly molasses??
My mom was a health guru. I am certain that she may have even figured out a way to
blend wheat grass into our ‘cupcakes’.
One of the first weddings I ever shot, the couple decided to substitute a wedding cake for cupcakes…
It was incredibly adorable and each little cupcake look delishious to the eyes… but I wasn’t fooled.
I knew better.

I watched as the guests went and put a cupcake on their plate…. oh, should I warn them, they are all so innocent!
and then, the most obscure thing happened… many people went of for seconds and thirds.
I couldn’t help but stare and watch them. I was curious… why would they eat those things??
I had to try, I had to see what they loved about them. Did they love the bran? The Flax?

I hestitantly took a bite.
Oh Sweet Mother Of Cupcakes.

I have never tasted something so moist, so sweet, so…perfect.
I thought to myself ..’Had my tastebuds decieved me all these years??’
No.
My mother did.
She made me believe her cupcakes is what every mother made for their child. ha!

I had to find out who made these perfect little cakes in a cup.
Flirt Cupcakes.

I feel like I have never lived my life fully all those years, without knowing of what real cupcakes were.

So many brides now are substituting the traditional cake for cupcakes, and I think that is such a cute, fab, trendy idea.
I took a little stop at Flirt Cupcakes the other day…. ordered 4…
Yes, Matt and I devoured every little crumb. Possibly licking the box…
and maybe licking the ‘cupcake paper lining’… ( i am not saying i did and i am not saying I didnt!)

I just wanted to give a shout out to Flirt Cupcakes. It is the most cute and quaint place you ever did see!
I am a huge fan and now, so is Matt.
I love that they treat my brides top notch, and I highly, highly recommend them to brides, friends, family.

They are a real treat!! (Well, Matt thinks I am funny…i think.)

Mucho Love,
Kari

Take a peek at their gorgeous Album

Krystle & Matt had a lovely outdoor wedding ceremony in Camrose.
Their Camrose wedding was done to the nine’s including wine & cheese served immediately after the wedding “i do”s.
They impressed all with their darling “i do” wedding napkins, in the most beautiful camrose backyard with the bright sun
making the occasion aglow. To say that Krystle’s wedding gown was simply stunning is an understatement. It was divine.

They held their lavishly decorated reception at the Norsemen Inn in Camrose. A fantastic venue for wedding Receptions in camrose.

It was a simply fabulous wedding, which resulted in FABBBBU-lous images.

These darling shoes made me almost turn heel & go shoe shopping, they are that cute.

I love how Krystle is looking in the mirror. What a surreal moment!

Being walked into the exquisite backyard to meet her groom. I love this moment as the wind picked up and is tossing her hair around so pretty-ily (yes its a word.)

Saying their I do’s.

Dad watching his baby girl grow up right before his eyes. This will SOO be adam when our kids get married. Ok, and me as well. totally.

Everyone clapping as they are announced Husband & Wife! I love the photojournalistic aspect in this photo. Fantastic Moment.

Beautiful Krystle looking at her ring & having it all sink in. What a beautiful moment.

I love, LOVE the drama in these black & whites! These are screaming to be featured as Gallery Wraps!

I am in love with the following few photos. IN LOVE.

I was scoping around before I needed to arrive at Krystle’s house for the “getting ready” photos & found this stunning green wall!

It added a lot of “pow” & drama to their photos!

The first dance totally warmed my heart. In my mind it was

Adam & I dancing. And in that moment I completely felt Krystle’s joy.

Christmas is one of those times when you can really dig deep into your soul & really show yourself that you care. The one time

 of year when you are really reminded to look outside of yourself & have your main goal to be touching other people's hearts.

 This Christmas, Adam and I had a few opportunities to do just this, in our families & communities. To say that our hearts were

warmed and our lives brightened in our efforts is an understatement. I found myself a few times with tears rolling down my

cheeks at gratitude to have been in the right place at the right time, or feeling so blessed to be in a position to help others.

Or humbled by the joy in other people's faces. It truley is better to give then to recieve and I feel my soul renewed and my

heart so enlarged after the amazing experiences that I was able to have this Christmas season.

On a slightly different-yet similar note, when Adam and I exchange gifts, we do a few things. One of which is we try to find

 a gift that doesnt cost a lot of money, so that Christmas doesnt just become totally commercial & there is some sweet

thought that went into something really heartfelt.

So, adam presented me with my present. He seemed nervous. Which made me nervous. Everyone knows you can read my

emotions on my face. To the point where my best girlfriend says "FACE RADELLE" if we are out in public and I (for example)

see a naked guy walking around the park all nonchalant (note: this has never happened) but while everyone else in polite

society knows to be cool & act like they don't see....my face gives me away before I even know. My eyes bugg & my jaw drops.

This is when those who love me whisper (or nudge and yell FACE!). So, if I get the worlds wierdest present, while I try to fake

 being excited and knowing what it is, my face betrays me. Then I feel bad.

So, back to the story, there I was pullling off the lid to the box. Nervously swallowing as beads of sweat are falling off

Adam's forehead. Oh gesh im thinking, we just need to stick to jewelry & perfume...this is just stressfull for both of us!

I lift of the lid and see......black boots. My OLD black boots.

"Oooohh you gave me my old boots!!! How charming" I say...as my face betrays me (im thinking "seriously what the crud??")

Then I notice they are all clean. Sparkling clean. Im touched. He cleaned & conditioned my favorite leather boots.

"No he says, look closer, at the stitching" You see internet. I love these boots (see original post below). But their stitching

started to let loose fairly quickly after buying them. It made me sad.

Turns out, adam had taken them to a leathersmith lady

& she repaired them. She was so cute & so old he tipped her 200%. I just grinned.  They were as good as new. 

He saw a need & filled it. This is the man I adore. So thoughtful to both me and the lady. Oh how I love him.

(scroll down past photo)

Here is the original post from the day I bought the boots (fall 2008):

Frugal & Frivolous

Ok internet, here is the scoop. Adam and I went to west-ed last night. ....

Let me get to the point. I have been wanting some stilleto-"y" type of boots for the fall, winter, spring seasons.

My last pair were $40 from walmart and id been wearing them for 4 years. And im pretty sure they were  p-l-e-a-t-h-e-r-.

 the sole was cracked and the right foot hurt.

 it was sad. I was sad.

So, with no time to spare as the weather is getting cooler, and, lets face it, fall fashions are in full force..I had to hurry

and get these boots!!

So, I went from shoe store to shoe store. Nothing was making me happy. Im not into the pointy toe ones as adam

 thinks the look like witch shoes (and I tend to agree), and besides, think of the torture on my toe that tends to become

 ingrown (did I just lose all my "glamour" by disclosing that??)  ( update:<--- pls note, ive since had surgery on that toe and

such annoyances are no longer a problem. wahoo!!!)

.....so the search continued. Me pushing rock's stroller through the hoards of annoying people who cant part the sea

 to let my big rig through.....agh...

and then I saw them.

I actually jumped up and down and said "Rock, these are THEM!!!" in typical male fashion, he looked at the floor and

 then at a cheap pair hanging beside his shoulder ( a pointy toe pair none the less....agh..). I had those bad boys on in

about 2 seconds flat and was modeling them for him. I do have to say that the look on his face said it all. Even he, a male,

looked impressed! that sealed the deal. they were coming home with us.

At the till, I flipped them over to check out the price and saw that they were....gasp...Ralph Lauren. A huge grin

 crossed my face. We werent in kansas anymore dorthy.

 I was about to buy my first brand name something (ok, not my first, but it rarely happens as I always go for the bargains...).

 Is it wrong that I was giddy and yet secretly sad that the label was so descrete? I mean, it would be nice

 (as I told adam later) if it said "ralph lauren" in huge print across the toe or something......

(I need to get out and buy name brand more often..sigh...)

......

So, I had to present the $---(very expensive) purchase to adam. I started by saying,

 'they were regularly $399, I stole these bad boys officer, arrest me now, but let me keep the boots please!"

Adam just grinned (hes so good this way, lets me buy anything). I went on "i'll wear them all the time, they are like an investment,

in fact spread over 5 years, these boots are really quite cheap on a daily basis. like really cheap. and they will last forever......

( I went on)...

in fact they may even be a business write-off as I could wear them to consultations, thus showing brides that im hip,

stylish, with-it, but yet, still professional...... think about honey! these are going to MAKE us money!!!"

He just smiled and said "I remember hearing this same speech not that long ago....what was it for?

 hmmm... oh the boots that you bought last fall ...." I replied "errrr...honey those have a totally different heel....duh".... 

He just smiled sweetly(in true adam style) He could see I was in love and he was not going up against these boots.

wise choice jensen...wise choice....

Upon arriving home, we settled in to watch a movie, and I put on the boots. Over my sweatpants. the affair had begun.

He just laughed. really hard.

You know the cool group in high school, the one that had all the cool kids? Yah im not that familiar with it either…… 

(I sure wasnt in it. I was the girl in the library studying…or the girl on the sidelines of a sports event flirting–take your pick.

But I looked at the Cool group longingly). That group in the wedding world is the Wedding Chicks. Only they are super nice.

But everyone knows they are fancy…oh & famous. Very Famous.  Their website is pretty much the most popular wedding

planning site….(do I dare say it) in the world. Brides & Wedding planners from all over have it bookmarked.

Photographers stalk it for inspiration. Everyone adores the pretty, cherry site featuring weddings that are incredible.

And that was why they featured Tarynne & Matt. Because their wedding was incredible. They are also two amazing,

cultured people with hearts of Gold. No one deserves to be featured on the amazing Wedding chicks site more then them.

They live their lives with the consideration of other people in the forefront.

Check out their lovely feature here.

…and for your viewing pleasure…a few more….

Eternal Reflections Photography is an International Award winning studio providing glamorous

 wedding photography for Fabulous People. With Roots in Edmonton, Alberta, Eternal Reflections

photographs Edmonton (& area) Weddings & is an leader in International Wedding Photography.

Eternal Reflections Photography also provides consulting and workshops for photographers wishing

 to grow their business & learn luxury wedding photography.www.eternalreflectionsphoto.com

When we work with a company/facility/florist/DJ/caterer/videographer/etc  that is phenomenal, we love to pass

the good word on to our fabulous brides. Planning a wedding can be daunting. daunting. tears can & will be shed.

I hope that these ‘reviews’ will give you a little glimmer of light to follow as you forge ahead with creating the wedding

of your dreams.

I remember when my sister Krystal was planning her wedding…she had always had her little heart set on a classy & popular

Edmonton reception location. We made an appointment & met with the gentlemen in charge of weddings. He could not have been

ruder. I’m serious. We were seriously surprised to be treated this way. Our questions were answered with a condescending attitude

& sarcasm. We were made to feel like a huge inconvenience. Needless to say, we booked her spectacular reception….elsewhere.

As such, it is highly unlikely that I would ever recommend that reception location to my brides, for fear that they would be

treated in the same terrible manner.

HOWEVER, there are so many wonderful places in Edmonton to hold a classy wedding reception and we loved the Edmonton Oasis

Conference center. This beauty features a stunning marble foyer & gathering area with vaulted ceilings. Not to mention the

1300 gallon super tall indoor fish aquarium. Awesome right?  First impressions are everything  and this place brings it.

The Oasis’s (tounge twister) ballroom is spectacular…it even has a balcony (which is just lovely for us photographers)! When

it is time to play the slideshow for guests, dual 12′ projections screens come out of the wall to the delight & enjoyment of all. Everyone

can easily see your show! (and at the end, the zip back into their hiding spot)

There is a lovely courtyard in the back for greeting your guests &  a few quick photos.

Must importantly, when you meet with Leigh Ann (780.451.9227), you will fall in love with her warmth,

her sincerity and you will know that this gal call pull off the wedding of your dreams.

Soulmates. Do you believe in soul mates? I never use to. I use to think many people are compatible with eachother.
That was until I met Matthew.

Now, I 100% believe in soulmates.
I believe in the romantic fairytales. I am a believer. Through and Through.

And in this post I am going to tell you my conversion story. my conversion to believing in soulmates.

We had been only dating for 2 weeks. It was still very new. very fresh. very untested.
Two weeks into dating I still felt a little awkard saying good night at my door- where I would nervously pat him on the
back as he was leaving as if I was one of his guy buddies..
(yes its true. i did. i shake my head in shame as well).

My family was getting together at my brothers house on a Sunday.
I was rather nervous bringing him out there. I knew they would love him, but
it is ALWAYS nerve wracking when ‘The Family’ meets ‘The Newbie’.

We ate food, laughed, played games. It really could not go any better. Life was grand.
Until something I ate was not sitting well in my stomach. I decided to not play the next round of games and just layed on the couch on my back.
Ohhh boy. I was not feeling good.
Matt decided to take me home (back to edmonton),
and while driving I couldnt get comfortable. My stomache ached soo badly.

And then it happened.
I tried to signal to him to pull over ASAP!!! I couldnt hold it anymore…
He reaches over to try to unroll my window (while attempting to pull over)….
I couldn’t ‘control’ it anymore… there it went. all over his arm.
I couldnt let him see me hurl. I mean… how embarrassing… !
so I turn away and hurl on the car door.
We’re finally pulled over on the side of the road. I break away from the car
as soon as possible and hurled like it was nobodies business.
FINALLY my stomache was empty. I walk towards him on the side of the road all shakey.
I told him that I need water because the taste in my mouth
is not very pleasant. He opens the trunk and grabs me a water bottle.
I washed out my mouth and felt some-what human again.
He told me that i may or may not want to take off my pants…. I was shocked…
‘ahem… what did you say?? in this kind of moment that is what….” I was interupted by a pointing hand.
The hand pointing to my pants that were drenched… and i mean drenched in you – know- what.
He also grabs a blanket in from the trunk and  holds up the blanket as I am taking off my pants..
He knew how embarrassing this whole ordeal was for me. and wrapped first in the blanket then his arms.
There we were, on the side of the road..
Headlights were constantly whizzing by. It was so ‘romantic’. I mean- considering the circumstance…
And then he said ‘ oh no…’ . my heart skips a beat… ‘what?? what is it??”
He looks at me with a sincere face and says, ‘ you have vomit in your hair’…
at this point I could barely look at him. My face when bright. BRIGHT. red.
He grabs another water bottle and begins washing out my hair. on the side of the road. at night.

On the drive home, I am still mortified. it had only been 2 weeks of dating…
We had to drive in this contaminated car for another 1/2 hour. Home seemed so far away at this point.
I look at him and I see him slowly unrolling the window…
me: ‘ What are you doing?? Is the smell that awful??(said in a very quiet, embarassed tone.)
matt: ‘ ooh what? ohh no… I was just wanting to catch the temperature outside (windows begins to roll
back up)..Infact, I was just thinking to it smells like roses and summer time in here.’
liar. but a sweet, kind, thoughtful liar.

I was sure he was going to break up with me the next day(heck I would have!).
but he didnt.

Instead,
he brought me my favorite Organic juice.

That is when I knew it. That is when I knew he was in for the long haul.

The moment he picked vomit out of my hair.
The moment he brought the juice.
the moment he said it smelled like summer and roses. and I almost believed him.

That is when I knew.
That is when I believed in soulmates.

To say that these two are meant to be is an understatement. Besides being in love with Chantal’s eyes & adorable
boots (and Blains cool jeans), I fell in love with them & their quiet love.
They are just simply magical together. The way that they look at each other & speak so softly to one another would
make you melt.
Enjoy your sneek peek slideshow you two! (many, many more on you image disc!)

To Radelle,
"Hi!!!!

Sorry for the late response, but i have to Say WOW!! I know you get this all the
time but we are so grateful to have such wonderful photographer as you guys were!
Not only did you give us beautiful pictures but you made us feel at ease on our day
that we will never forget:)(maybe because you are so down to earth) Your
creativeness on both parts was fantastic! I felt like a beautiful women even center
of attention when you guys took our pictures. I must say it was a pleasure to have
you part of our day and we would recommend you guys to everyone! well everyone that
have seen your pictures were impressed!! When Justin and i looked at our pictures
you put us to tears.... as you know i cry at everything but Justin .... Well it
takes a lot to bring him to tears and  that in itself said a lot:) I will have to
book you guys for a trash the dress photograph session:)  don't think we could say
enough on how Fantastically  Awesome you guys are!"

Shannon & Justin- Edmonton Wedding. To see more of their Unique Edmonton wedding photography.

As a little girl, I was full of energy.  I loved to dance. Loved it.
I would make up dance routines and performe them for the family.
I would wear little black tights and a bathing suit over-top(and sometimes I would put it on backwards,
just so it would be more ‘pretty’… at age 7??)
(hey, give a gal a break… it was the closest thing I had to looking like a dancer).

I would dance my little heart out.
Splits.
Leaps.
Somersaults.
Jump Kick.
Hand stands.
Kartwheels.
Jump of piano bench.

I did it all.

Once I completed The Routine the house would be in dissaray.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
That is what happens when I get an album.

I bust a move.
and I am not talking about a little hip circle (just kidding Radelle).
No but seriously… I bring it all to the table.

Whether or not I have an audience.
Matt has witnessed this event.
Many times.
such a lucky guy.

Christine and Derek went with our fabulous Extravaganza package and  12X12 album is included. and boy oh boy… its a keeper!!!

Mucho Love,

Kari.