Coffee Date with Kristin Schmucker

If you were to sneak a peek at my Daybook Planner, you would find at least two coffee dates penciled in each week. Not only do I love a good excuse to get my Starbucks fix; I adore spending an hour (or three) of one-on-one time with the sweetest, most encouraging women I know. Each Friday I try to bring that same laid back atmosphere and warm conversation to the blog by featuring some of my favorite ladies. These Coffee Date guests are all in different seasons of life and have great stories and wisdom to share. Highlighting them on the blog is something I look forward to every week.

When I think of encouraging ladies, Kristin Schmucker comes to mind. I've been following along with Kristin and her business on Instagram for several months, and not a day goes by where she isn't reminding me of what's most important. She's the heart behind a beautiful shop and photography business, she's a wife to a church planter and recent seminary grad, and she's a mama to two precious little girls, Stella and Sophia. I know you'll enjoy getting to know her this morning. 

What's in your coffee cup this morning?

I am not a huge coffee drinker, so I drink lots and lots of water. But when I need a little boost to get through the day I have coffee with a little bit of cocoa powder!

Give us a glimpse into a "day in the life" of Kristin Schmucker.

Having a toddler, my days can vary, but here is a peek at what a typical day is like. Since I am self-employed at Stella likes to sleep in, I don't have to get up too early. My day usually starts around 7 or 7:30. I get up and spend time in Scripture right away. For me being in God's Word as the very first thing I do is the best way to start the day. Stella usually wakes up before I finish and we spend the morning together. I also try to get some reading and exercise done in the morning. We usually have lunch as a family, and then Stella naps for most of the afternoon. This is when I really get most of my work done. Answering emails, fulfilling orders, painting and designing prints and products, and writing and designing Devotional journals. Just about the time Stella wakes up and it is time to start dinner, and then we spend the evening as a family.

You recently launched an Etsy shop full of prints, coffee mugs, and devotional journals. What inspired the shop and what has been your greatest joy in this new venture?

Opening my shop was what I refer to as a happy accident. It was never something that I set out to do, but as my passion for God's Word grew, I wanted to be able to help others cultivate a passion for God's Word. A lot of people started asking me to write a devotional, which was actually something I had always dreamed of doing and even told my husband about when we first started dating. My husband and I felt that it was time, and that it was a way that we could serve the Lord and minister to other women, and encourage them to make Scripture an important part of their lives. My greatest joy has been hearing about how women are spending time with the Lord using our journals. It is amazing to see something that was a dream of mine help others in their walk with the Lord.

How did you and Jeremy get into the wedding photography business? Do you have any advice to other ladies who are starting their own business?

We got into wedding photography because we fell in love with our wedding photos and the memories that our photographer captured, and because we love marriage. It started slow and grew into a full time job for both of us. My biggest advice to women wanting to start a business is to never stop learning and to do what you love. If you do what you love, it won't feel so much like work.

I have a feeling that life as a mama, wife, and business owner can get pretty stressful. How do you simplify?

It can be! Simplifying is a huge passion of mine, but something I am learning that I need to do more and more. I think you need to figure out what things are most important to you, and try to get rid of some other things that consume your time. Learning to say no is a huge thing. When I say no to something I am not passionate about and I don't really love, I am able to say YES! to the things that are most important. I try to keep my marriage and family more important than any work I am doing, and try to be aware that sometimes a tea party is more important than email.

What is something you've been loving lately?

I am kind of obsessed with the color white. Our home is full of white furniture, white picture frames and white decor. I think it makes everything look fresh and clean. I may be the only mother of a two year old with white furniture, but I am okay with that.

And just for fun, if you could have a Coffee Date with any woman, who would it be?

This may sound silly, but I would love to have a big coffee date with all of the women I have met through Instagram. It is my favorite form of social media and I have met some amazing women that just love Jesus and have a passion for life, and I would love to get together and just soak up their wisdom.

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Follow along with Kristin

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It just so happens that Kristin launched her new Freedom and Grace journal yesterday (and lots of pretty art prints, too!) And guess what? She's offering Elle & Company readers 20% anything in her shop through next Friday, August 8th! Head on over there now and use the code elleandco at checkout. 

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Recent Coffee Dates:

Coffee Date with Katelyn James

I have been so excited to share today's Coffee Date with you!

Katelyn James is known by brides and photographers everywhere as a leading photographer in the wedding industry. Small business owners admire her for her client relationships and business savvy. But the one thing everyone appreciates about Katelyn is her sincere and friendly personality. She's a joy and an inspiration to follow along with, and I have a feeling I'm not the only one who would jump at the opportunity to have Coffee Date with her. 

This morning Katelyn is joining me to share about what her normal day looks like, what she would change about her wedding day, and what she's learning during this season of life. 

What's in your coffee mug this morning?

Well, I have to admit that Michael and I are still learning to be great coffee drinkers! When we have time, Michael likes to try out new blends in his french press! But today, I'm sipping on Trader Joe's strawberry lemonade! We buy that stuff in bulk because it's so delicious! :)

Give us a glimpse into a "day in the life" of Katelyn James.

Whew! Well, the first thing you should know is that our day-to-day is never the same, We don't have a set schedule Monday through Friday because our work takes us all over. We have, however, decided recently that we needed a system for making sure we have several "Stay at Home" days per month. We mark the calendar several months in advance and we save days to just be at home. This is crucial for us! On these days, we try to have somewhat of a routine. We normally get up around 7:30 or 8:00am on a GOOD day, I try to spend my first hour up NOT doing work. This is a great time for quiet time, journaling, and doing "house stuff". After an hour, I either start blogging or tackling emails. I try to get the "urgent" items accomplished first and then I work on the less time sensitive to-do list items. Normally around late afternoon or evening, Michael and I look at each other and say, "Wanna take him on a w-a-l-k?" Bokeh (our little bichpoo) knows what that means... even when we spell it out. So we walk around our neighborhood and then finish our work until dinner time. If I'm being completely honest, we work late sometimes. And when I say "we", I mean "I" work too late sometimes. Michael is the one who is good at cutting work OFF. I'm still working on it! 

Seasons of life are often marked by specific lessons that God is teaching us. What lessons have marked this current season in your life?

I think God is teaching us just how important people are right now. While we may work a little too late in the evenings, we do make time for our friends in our life and the more we're able to do this, more joyful our life is. We're so busy and our schedule is so demanding but we normally see our parents every other week and we make random road trips to go relax with friends in the mountains. We're learning that a FULL life is ok but it's not ok if it's full of WORK. We desperately need balance!

Knowing all that you know about the wedding industry, would you go back and make any changes to your wedding day?

Yes! I would have delegated more! I wouldn't have let the stress of the details overwhelm me and I would have enjoyed more time with all of my guests! I also would have invited less guests! I have no idea how I would have made those cuts but having 415 guests is a little overwhelming! However, these little details didn't take away from our joy! That day was absolutely amazing!

Between shooting weddings, hosting workshops, writing blog posts, and running your business, I have a feeling life can get very busy for you and Michael. How do you simplify?

Scheduling our "Stay at Home" days has been life changing! When we're swamped and on the go, we can look at the calendar and know we have a break coming our way! "Stay at Home" days also guarantee that we can schedule double dates with friends and nights with our families! We have also started blocking off weekends and weeks one year in advance to make sure that we get some vacation time! We just recently slipped away to the lake with my family and those four days were glorious!! So I think it's safe to say that we simplify by being strategic and planning time off!

What is something you've been loving lately?

Michael and I have been LOVING "Fixer Upper" on HGTV! I know that's such a random thing to love but we are obsessed! Chip and Johanna Gaines are believers that design the most AMAZING renovations! They totally change their client's lives and it reminds us of why we love doing what we do. So we record all of their episodes and watch them while we work at home! :)

My husband, Jake, is joining in to ask you this last question. You and Michael are clearly dog people. Are you willing to share any dog shaming photos of Bokeh?

Ha! This cracks me up! Now you're going to think that we're just lying because we're obsessed with our perfect little pup... but he has only chewed up TWO things in his life... and that was my computer cord! He chewed up to of them! He has a thing for Apple cords. They are expensive to replace but I'll take two power cords instead of losing a ton of shoes or corners of tables. We have hear horror stories of our friends' dogs chewing up crazy things! We're super thankful that the only annoying things we have to deal with with Bokeh are his nerves. He gets SO nervous when we pack our suitcases. He shakes and he hides. Poor little guy.

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Follow along with Katelyn

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Recent Coffee Dates

Coffee, Anyone?

What do you do when your blog schedule gets rearranged? Roll with the punches and switch things up a bit - that's what! Yesterday I reached out to my Instagram friends and invited them to ask me anything for today's Coffee Date. They came up with so many great questions and it was hard to choose just a handful! Here it goes.

Andrea Pesce Photography

What did you want to be when you grew up? What made you want to pursue a career in design?

If you were to ask my friends and family, they would be quick to tell you that I've always wanted to be an artist. I was the child who could be entertained for hours by a few sheets of paper and a box of crayons, and I had quite the art supply collection (if I do say so myself). I love the saying "created to create," because I can't remember a time when I didn't enjoy drawing, creating, and making things pretty!

My parents have always been (and continue to be) supportive of my artwork. They allowed me to sign me up for every after school art program and they came to as many art shows as they could. I've been wracking my brain trying to remember a moment when I decided to pursue design as a career because it was just a given! After 18+ years of art obsession, graphic design seemed like the logical step for me.

What's your favorite color combination?

At the moment, I'm pinning everything white with pops of pink, green, orange, and blue. Clean, simple, and bright - right up my alley!

Where are most of the clothes in your closet from?

In college, I babysat for kids who had a young momma with great taste in clothes. And wouldn't you know, we just so happened to be the same size (hallelujah chorus). She had gone through her closet one day and had piles of clothes that she was getting rid of, so she kindly allowed me to go through them and pick out what I wanted. I kid you not, I came home with 1/3 of what's in my closet right now. I wore one of the dresses I got from her yesterday, as a matter of fact! 

As for the other 2/3 of my closet, they've come from a wide, random selection of stores. These past two years I've committed to scaling back on clothes purchases, so I've made choosing outfits a little game each morning. I've been trying to reinvent older purchases from Loft, Old Navy, and TJ Maxx with fun accessories and new color combinations. 

Since you're running your own business and create your own hours, how do you stay motivated to keep everything running smoothly?

I'm still trying to figure that out, now that you mention it! I'm learning that maintaining a schedule is crucial for staying on track and meeting deadlines. Now that I'm taking on client work through branding projects, I'm scheduling my days to look something like this:

• 6:00am  Coffee, quiet time, Bible study, & getting ready for the day
• 8:00am  Uninterrupted design time
• 11:00am  Emails, social media posts, etc.
• 12:00pm Lunch break
• 1:00pm   Uninterrupted design time
• 3:00pm  Blog post prep
• 5:00pm  Done for the day

As far as staying motivated, I've found that it's easy to be productive when you truly enjoy what you do. I love designing and blogging - it's actually become difficult to step away from it all at the end of the day and put projects down!

Jessica Mae Photography

What is you and your husband's love story?

Jake and I have known each other since the fourth grade. He was the cute new kid to our elementary school and I was the awkward, obnoxious girl who had a huge crush on him (we have my old journals to prove it!) During this part of the story, Jake normally jumps in to ask what girl didn't have a crush on him back then. He's a mess.

We hung out in the same friend group in high school and were always good friends, but we never dated each other. After graduation, we ended up at schools a couple hours apart - Jake at VMI and I at Virginia Tech. I would see him occasionally at church when we were both in our hometown, and I remember sitting in service thinking about who he would marry someday. That thought always made me a little jealous; I knew that whoever she was, she would be one lucky girl.

Jake and I reconnected during our junior year of college and he ended up asking me to a big formal dance at VMI. Our first date was anything far from typical: I wore a long white dress (VMI tradition) and placed his class ring on his hand in front of his parents and peers in a big formal ceremony. Who would have thought that less than two years later, we would be placing rings on each other's left hand in front of our friends and family? God had a sweet way of working things out. 

What are a few of your favorite things?

The sounds and smells of the coffee maker in the morning, long phone chats with friends, afternoon walks around the pond beside our Suite, and Homestead Creamery's lemon crunch ice cream, to name a few.

I'm visiting my family in Virginia this weekend, and my favorite thing today was waking up to the giggles of my 4 small nieces and nephews. Pure joy!

Coffee Date with Bailey Robert

My greatest hope with Elle & Company is that it would encourage others to live creatively. That's the goal I have in mind as I'm designing planners and Library printables, communicating with freelance clients, and creating blog posts. And it's the reason this whole Coffee Date Series got started in the first place! Friday morning Coffee Dates give me the chance to highlight the ladies who have encouraged me most and share them with you.

Here's a lady who encourages me daily through simple (and lovely!) photos on Instagram. Bailey Robert is the girl behind Brave Love Blog - a theatre director, a soon-to-be grad school student, a writer (whether she would call herself that or not, I don't know - but this girl has such a gift!), and a fellow creative. Prepare to be encouraged as you get to know Bailey this morning!

What's in your coffee cup this morning?

Somehow I managed to live a full year in Seattle, the coffee capitol of the world, and never learn to love the stuff. I simply adore the cozy coffee shop atmosphere, and I'm a proud owner of a coffee candle or two, but my mug remains empty. If you and I sat down at a coffee shop, I'd order a hot chocolate with all the fixin's. It makes more sense in the winter, but sometimes I still give it a go ;) This morning you'll find me sipping on a glass of ice cold water from my favorite Baylor tumbler. It's a personal goal this summer to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and finally cut my caffeine fix (a Route 44 Diet Coke from Sonic) out of my routine. So far, so good!

Give us a glimpse into a "day in the life" of Bailey Robert.

Ah, the daily routine. I can't wait to have one again! My schedule has all but been flipped upside down since the big move last week. I traded in my jam-packed days in the Pacific Northwest for some rest and relaxation down South. It really is an entirely different way of living down here! Before the move my days started with several swats at the snooze button (I know it all too well...) followed by a race for the shower before my roommates were up and around (I had four!). If I'm lucky, I remembered to set out my outfit the evening before because looking Anthropologie-ready at 6am does not come easy for this night owl. Ideally I would spend time following along with the latest She Reads Truth devotional before work, but it often falls during my lunch break. At Anthro you would find me un-packing hundreds of monogrammed mugs and other beautiful home goods or at the cash register for hours on end. 

When that shift is done I would have a short break before heading to the suburbs for my afternoon as a children's theatre director. I just wrapped up a production of Peter Pan with 28 spectacular 4th-6th graders, and it was easily the highlight of my year! I wear all sorts of hats during rehearsal: leading warm ups, choreographing pirate duels, playing any number of lost boys that might be missing, and somehow writing it all down, finding costumes, and building sets ;) The kids make every crazy second worth it, but by the time 6:00 rolls around I'm ready for a nap. My evenings were spent either with my church community, taking West Coast Swing lessons, or watching old Grey's Anatomy episodes to wind down for the night.

You recently moved from Seattle to Texas. What are you looking forward to most about this brand new season?

My season in Seattle was such a gift, but somewhere around February I sensed that the Lord would take me in a different direction. I had already begun pursuing the grad school option, eager to get back into academia, and over and over again as doors opened and closed I had the opportunity to trust Him or blaze my own path. Oklahoma State University was on his agenda and far from mine. But until classes start in the fall, I am blessed to be able to spend the next six weeks at home in Texas.

This season is wide open with plenty of opportunities to reconnect with the friends and family I've missed so much, and to rest in the work that God is doing in my life. I am so looking forward to being back in school, surrounded by theatre artists who are passionate about storytelling and understanding the human condition, and I am also eager to find a church home. I would love to get involved with Young Life or another youth ministry; I am passionate about investing in young women but have not had much opportunity this last year. And honestly for the first time I am excited about stepping into the unknown! This has been a journey with the Lord in itself, taking a control freak, planner-dependent girl and turning her into someone willing to say yes to a new city, a new state, a new community two years in a row. He has been faithful so far and I know he will continue to be so!

How did you get into the blogging scene? What advice do you have for other ladies who are hoping to start their own blog?

My first introduction to blogging was in middle school, back with Xanga was the cool thing to do. I know, I know, just stick with me here. My spelling was terrible, I used a strange combination of chat lingo and small caps, but somewhere in the middle of it all I found my heart flowing through my fingertips far faster than when I put pen to paper. I started my first "real blog" when I went off to college, hoping to capture my Baylor adventures. The blogging world has grown so much since then -- I've blog hopped a time or two myself -- and lately I've been trying to get back to the basics.

So my advice? Remember the why. I found myself more caught up in the number of followers I didn't have and the types of posts I thought I was "supposed" to be writing, when instead I could have been building friendships with the followers I did have and sharing the things on my heart from the start. I started blogging because it was a way of processing and sharing life. Blogging became much more enjoyable and fulfilling when I switched gears. The comparison trap is easy to fall into, and if you catch yourself doing it, make the switch; celebrate that person or blog you admire instead of criticizing your own. It makes all the difference!

Life can get busy and stressful. How do you simplify?

So far 2014 has been a year of learning how and where to simplify, finding the joy in surrender. It is still a learning process, but my biggest take aways so far include:

• When shopping: If I don't absolutely love it or absolutely need it, I don't buy it. Working at Anthropologie I saw dozens of trendy clothes come through each week. If I tried it on and was not willing to wear it out the door at that moment, back on the hanger it went. If I picked it up but it did not have an immediate use or if it did not fill an immediate need, back on the shelf it would go.
• The Big Three: I am a huge fan of lists and my to-do's become several pages long with ease. Narrowing it down each morning to the top three things I must take care of before the end of the day helps me prioritize and learn not to fret about the small things.
• Dressing for work: Like I said before, setting out my outfit the night before made 5:00 or 6:00am wake up calls so much easier. And finding something I could dance around the stage or sword fight with Captain Hook in was also a priority ;) One of my managers shared a tip for being work-ready: top, bottom, layer, accessory. She called it BLAT or T-LAB or something catchy I can't remember, but hey it works!

What's something you've been loving lately?

I recently invested in the ESV One Column Journaling Bible and I love it! I am an avid journaler, highlighter, and note-taker but my Women's Study Bible (which I also love and highly recommend!) left little room for me to do so. The journaling Bible has wide margins where I can add favorite or relevant quotes, alternate versions of certain verses, interesting facts, and so on. I love looking back through old journals to see where I was in each season, and being able to take glimpses of past prayers or insights from previous studies is so refreshing and encouraging. I also love using Rifle Paper Co. journals for Bible studies, church notes, and brainstorming for my blog. You can pick up a set at Anthro or even in the gift section at Target!

And just for fun, what would be your dream job and why?

Oh, I love this question! If you're around me long enough you'll hear me say that I'm constantly dreaming in six different directions. But I am actively pursuing one of those dreams. I would love to be a professor, teaching and directing theatre at the college level. I want to invest in students who are deciding if and how to pursue theatre with their lives. The professors I had were incredible and so influential during my time at Baylor, and they encouraged me to dive into my dreams with great faith and determination. Theatre is a world where you are putting the most vulnerable parts of yourself on display, and your success largely depends on the opinions and judgments of others. It is daunting, but I was blessed to have authority figures in my education remind me why I wanted to pursue it and how to be secure in who God says I am and who He created me to be, no matter if my name ends up on the cast list or not.

Earlier in 2014 I had worked myself into a frenzy, wondering how to combine all of my dreams and fit them into my timeline. After much prayer and waiting, the Lord gave me a mission statement, something to hold onto as I dream. I want to be engaged in encouraging community, cultivating a creative life, and investing in the lives of women in all seasons. These are the foundation, the big picture pursuits, and I am trusting Him to fill in the details as we go along.

Follow along with Bailey

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Coffee Date with Annamarie Akins

Happy Friday, friends! I'm sitting at my gate, getting ready to board a plane to Orlando for the Gospel Coalition Conference. But before this whirlwind of a day takes off, I'm excited to introduce you to a beautiful, talented friend of mine, Annamarie Akins. This wedding photographer is one of my favorite people to follow along with. Not only do I love her stunning photos, but I really enjoy her sweet, kind heart. She's sincere, friendly, and easy to get to know. It's no wonder she's becoming more and more successful in her field! I think you'll really enjoy this Coffee Date today - it did my heart good already. All, meet Annamarie! 

What's in your coffee cup this morning?

I actually go to bed each night excited that I get to wake up and drink coffee... you could say I'm addicted! Ryan makes a big part of dark roast coffee in the morning before he leaves for work around 6 AM and always leaves enough for me to have a cup or two! I always enjoy it with coconut milk in one of my favorite anthro mugs. On my wish list though, is one of those Nespresso machines... Cappuccinos are my absolute favorite so I think it would be a fun investment!

Give us a glimpse into a "day in the life" of Annamarie.

Ohh this is tricky because I feel like my days are never the same... and I love that about what I do! I like routine in a lot of things, but I think TOO much structure can make life feel monotonous. My favorite days are the ones where I get up in time to have breakfast with Ryan and then do something non-business related before I start working like take Lexie on a walk and spend time in prayer! Then I normally head up to my little office and take care of things on the back end of my business, prep for a shoot or meet a new client, or get editing done with our cockapoo puppy, Lexie, curled up in my lap depending on the day! And I have to take regular breaks or else I get easily distracted... The Pomodoro Method has been my saving grace! Sometimes I get to have work days with one of my best friends who is also a photographer... that makes working from home much less lonely!

And if we're talking "ideal" day in the life of Annamarie, it's waking up in a fun place for a shoot! This week I shot an Anniversary Celebration Session in NYC and it reminded me once again why I'm passionate about what I do... Getting to celebrate love and marriage with the couples I photograph in new and inspiring places is such a dream come true!

If you could travel anywhere to shoot a wedding, where would it be and why?

Italy! The south of France! Northern California! New York City! Jamaica! Is it really possible to pick just one? There are so many beautiful places! But honestly, I'm currently really loving the Georgia coast... Ryan's grandparents own a condo on St. Simon Island and we visited for the first time in March and are actually heading there again this weekend for our anniversary! Needless to say I fell head over heels in love with that place! The mossy oak trees...the gorgeous architecture...the southern hospitality...sigh... So somewhere along the Georgia coast around Savannah or the Golden Isles would be a dream!

I've also been learning to really love and appreciate weddings that are close to home... one of my favorite places to shoot is Charlottesville because it's such a gorgeous area and only about an hour from home! That means more weekend time to spend with Ryan and Lexie :). I'm a travel loving homebody... meaning that traveling and visiting new places brings me so much joy, but sometimes there's nothing better than being curled up on the couch with my little family watching a movie or reading a book!

Having your own business can be busy and stressful. How do you simplify?

This is a toughie but I think it's all about focus. I really believe that if you put your main focus on loving people and serving your clients as best you can then everything else will fall into place. It's easy to look at a mile long to-do list as a small business owner and feel overwhelmed. But if you choose to focus on doing the things that are going to make people feel most loved and taken care of then it's easier to discern what you should do first and that every little thing on there isn't really even important. There's a quote that goes something like "The secret to doing it all is to not actually do it all." I have to remind myself daily of what matters most so that I donn't get caught up in thinking that life is found in "more"...more stuff, more accomplishments, more shoots..."more" clouds our vision and weighs us down... Learning to say "no" to things changed my life! I truly believe it's better to do "less" really well because it allows you to enjoy it and gives you time to appreciate it!

You recently redesigned your website and your branding (and it is absolutely gorgeous!) What spurred you to change things up and how important is design to your business?

Thank you so much, Lauren! I think design is so important! To me, your mission and your brand go hand in hand. At my core, I love what I do because I love people and really believe in marriage and the power of capturing a couples love story! So, I wanted a brand that would reflect that and reach couples who love timeless, romantic, and refined style. Ohh don't you love that word, refined? There's something about it that goes deeper than what you see on the surface. Making the Robert Browning poem, "The best is yet to be..." a foundational element of the new brand and design was important to me because I knew I wanted to take my business in the direction of making Anniversary Celebration Sessions a focal point and it's exciting to see that playing out! As much as I love weddings, I'm even more passionate about the marriages that begin on a wedding day! For me to be the photographer I wanted to be, I wouldn't fit into the mold of my old website. I wanted a website that would share a powerful brand and story in an understated and sophisticated way! And my designer and friend, Krista, did such an incredible job of bringing it to life!

What's something you've been loving lately?

Veil shots. When a bride has a beautiful long veil on her wedding day I do an internal happy dance. The way a veil catches the light is so ethereal and I think they make portait time more dynamic! This might sound sill to any non-photogs reading this, but ohhh do I love a good veil!

And on another note, lately I've just been loving people and am so thankful for the ones that God has placed in my life... I've been overwhelmed by the joy that comes from really investing in relationships and caring about people for who they are at their core despite what they do for you in return... from the couples I work with, to the people in my small group, to other small business owners and wedding industry professionals... I think when you look at life with that perspective that loving people matters more than anything else, the race to do more or get ahead or feel defeated by the hard things fades... loving people is done best in the times when you choose to live slower and create the necessary margins in life to be giving of your time. One of my favorite authors, Ann Voskamp, writes "Your best necklace is always the arms of someone you love laced around your neck, and your greatest jewels are not what you buy but the relationships you spend your life on...".

And just for fun, please share s story or two about sweet Lexie :)

It's so crazy to think back on times before Lexie the Cockapoo... she adds so much joy to my life! I love having her as a snuggle buddy and companion during the day when I'm working from home alone... We are some of those crazy people who personify their pet and say what we think she's thinking for her... she just has so much personality! Her favorite thing to do right now is run to the mail slot as the postman is sticking the mail through and grab it from his hand... then she growls and shakes it around like she is trying to make sure it's not alive. She hasn't ripped up anything too important besides a new J. Crew catalogue last week... We should probably discourage her from doing this before she rips up anything that's actually important!

Be sure to follow along with Annamarie on her blog, Instagram, and Facebook!