Showing posts with label featured. Show all posts
Showing posts with label featured. Show all posts

Cake & Whiskey Magazine

A couple of months ago I had the pleasure of photographing Erin Brenneman of Brenneman Pork for Cake & Whiskey Magazine. This session was one of my favorites to date, not only because Erin is wonderful and fascinating, but also because while I was shooting I got to cuddle and even deliver a baby pig! It was such an amazing experience, and photographing people who are doing what they really are meant to do, is so inspiring to me. I am so blessed to have met Erin and to have been selected to photograph her doing what she loves.

Thank you to Megan at Cake & Whiskey Magazine for asking me to be a part of this, and for selecting one of my images for the cover. I can't tell you what this meant to me. xo - Jen


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Featured: Iron Leaf Press [Lisbon, IA]

A few weeks ago I received the most beautiful letterpress invitation to a grand opening for Iron Leaf Press in Lisbon, IA. Sadly, I couldn't attend that evening, but was able to schedule a visit with Danielle for another day! I'm not only a huge fan of paper goods (I made all of my own invites, etc for my wedding, as well as for several of my sisters when they were married), but I also love the opportunity to meet other creative business owners in the area. It's very inspiring to me to meet others who are chasing their dreams, and bonus - I get to share with all of you!

Danielle is an extremely talented graphic designer, who specializes in letterpress (and also offers flat printing). While at her new shop, I got to see the printing presses she uses, as well as some of the work she's create in the past. Not only would she be a great asset to brides looking for custom wedding invitations, but she also makes invites for baby showers, thank you cards...you name it! She also showed me her portfolio where she's designed logos for businesses, and also does custom packaging and other work. I'm pretty sure I was like a kid in a candy store, and purchased a couple great items for my office redesign (including the "Trust your Crazy Ideas" print - love!!).

If you want to find out more about Danielle and Iron Leaf Press, you can check out her website HERE and Facebook HERE.

Danielle, thank you so much for showing me around Iron Leaf Press!! It was amazing to see, and I wish you much success.

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[Featured] Darla at Lotus Salon

I admit it, I used to tan and I definitely tanned outside and in the bed before my wedding 5 years ago. However, I have since learned the error of my ways and haven't set foot in a tanning bad in several years. Since my lupus diagnosis 2 years ago, I now take medications that prevent me from enjoying the sun outdoors as well without SPF 5000 (I kid you not, I got burned in the shade last week). So, I couldn't get through the summer and all of the special events that come along during the warmer (or cooler) months without Darla from Lotus Salon.

Normally my skin is pretty pale, and I do embrace it most of the time, but there are certain times when I just feel more confident with a bit of a tan. I love going to Darla because she has the BEST airbrush tanning that I've found in the area. I was terrified the first time I got a spray tan, worried I would be blotchy or orange, but this tan always looks incredibly natural (I recommend getting it a day or two before your event as it's pretty dark over the first 8 hours of it developing). Darla's airbrush tanning is $20 and you can book an appointment with her by calling (319) 631-9100 or email her at darlamurrey@gmail.com. You can also visit her website HERE.
For all of you brides, Darla also does makeup for the bride and/or bridal party. For the bride she does a trial for color matching, and if several people in the bridal party want to get makeup done she can come to you for an additional charge (contact Darla for details on this), or you can come to the salon for makeup at the price listed on her menu HERE. (Random note: I'm also very curious about the eyelash tinting she lists on her menu - might have to try that sometime!!)

I can't say enough good things about Darla, not only is she wonderful at what she does - she's such a kind, beautiful person. I hope you guys give her a call! :)


Here's some various photos of me with my spray tans from Darla. The one in the black dress was in the winter so I asked for her to use a lighter formula, the other two were from last summer. If you've met me, you know this is not my normal skin color! 281448_701925773679_4135981_n





[Featured] St. Bridget's Flower Farm

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A couple of weeks ago I photographed little Myelle and her parents, Lindsay and Adam at St. Bridget's Flower Farm near Solon (thank you to my friend Becky for suggesting it to me!). After visiting the farm, and talking with Cathy, I really wanted to blog about it because I thought it (and she) was so wonderful.

St. Bridget's Flower Farm is a sustainable, chemical free flower farm which was established in 2005. They offer arranged flowers for local delivery (including a weekly or bi-weekly delivery all summer long - great for businesses or someone who just loves fresh flowers in their home!), as well as buckets of flowers if you like to arrange your own. They also can provide flower arrangements for weddings (great for you brides who love buying local), or again - buckets of flowers for the DIY bride. (Though Cathy came up with the arrangement above for Myelle in about a minute and it is GORGEOUS, so I would love to see what she could do for wedding bouquets!) The website also lists "Flower Camp" as an activity the farm offers, for groups of three or more where you get to come out to the farm, have some treats and learn about flower design before practicing what you've learned on the beautiful flowers provided. 

St. Bridget's Flower Farm has also hosted weddings (oh my word, this place would be beautiful for a small wedding!!), bridal showers, etc - so feel free to contact them if you are interested in hosting your event at their farm. You can also visit their Facebook page HERE.

Featured: Sugarplum Cupcakes [Iowa City, IA]

A couple of weekends ago, we had a 30th birthday party for my husband Josh. He loves cake (I prefer pie) but since we were having quite a few people over, I thought cupcakes might be more user friendly and wouldn't require extra plates/silverware. I remembered seeing Sugarplum Cupcakes mentioned in the GO section of the Press Citizen one Thursday awhile back and so I contacted the owner, Brenna to see if I could order some for the party. I ended up choosing simple flavors, classic chocolate and vanilla.

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Let me just say these cupcakes were AMAZING. I usually dislike cupcakes because of the too sugary/too much frosting but the frosting on these was absolute perfection. Truly everything just melted in your mouth, and the moment I put them out - everyone was asking where I got the delicious cupcakes. In fact, I only got to try the chocolate because the vanilla vanished in about 5 minutes!

I wanted to share my thoughts with you guys because I love supporting local businesses, and Brenna was incredibly easy to work with as well as so, so kind. If you are a cupcake lover, or just want an occasional treat - you can purchase her cupcakes at Revival in Iowa City or through her directly (her info is on her blog - click HERE to view). She also ships cupcakes in jars! :) I need to make a trip to Revival soon, or start planning another party so I can get some more! These would be fabulous for a wedding, birthday party, or whatever occasion you might be celebrating!

Featured: Forever Handmade + Avery and Savannah

A week or so ago, my adorable neighbors/models Avery and Savannah came down for a photo session featuring headbands from the lovely Andrea at Forever Handmade (visit her site HERE - I am super excited about the crowns she's offering now!). She makes a ton of newborn headbands, blankets, etc but also makes beautiful headbands for older girls as well. Here are some of my favorite shots - huge thanks to Avery and Savannah for modeling, and for their moms for taking some time out of their Saturday! Also thanks to Andrea for providing the headbands! :)

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Featured: Itsy Bitsy Boutique [North Liberty, IA Children's Boutique]

Some of you have already seen my announcement on Facebook, but I am so thrilled to share that 6 of my children's portraits (ok, one of them is just of Einstein but he's kind of like a kid - at least to me!) are on display at a new children's boutique in North Liberty called Itsy Bitsy Boutique! It's located in the North Liberty Plaza (next to Cinnamon Sun and in the same plaza as Revisit) and if you have little ones, or need to buy a great baby gift, you MUST check it out. It's incredibly cute, as you can see from the photos below, and Kelly & Nic are so, so kind. They have a ton of locally made items, but also do children's consignment - so if you have children's clothing in great condition you should stop by and consign with them! All of the details can be found on the Itsy Bitsy Boutique website HERE.

Be sure to also check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and visit Kelly's blog.

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When you first walk in, you might be greeted by Nic and Kelly's dog Wrigley. He's such a sweetie, just look at that face...
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I was in the shop on Saturday to take these photos and Kelly had some of these candles burning. The store smelled AMAZING. In fact, I am going back this week to buy one of the lilac ones so my house can smell just as good. :)
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I just love these little onesies!!
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