Easter 2014

Brightly colored eggs, lemon macarons, and wonderful weather!  Happy Easter to all those who celebrate it :-) 

France: Part V- Alsace & Burgundy (Colmar, Beaune)

After leaving Strasbourg, we made a stop in the city of Colmar (the third largest in the Alsace region.)  Colmar is such a gorgeous city, it's know as "The French Venice" because of it's series of canals winding throughout.  They even offer gondola rides!

When we first began wandering around there was a man sitting on a bench playing the accordion.  The music echoed through the narrow streets and off the old buildings and added a certain ambiance to our visit.   I could have stayed there and listened for a while, but then I would have missed out on seeing how cute the city is!

Alsace is also know for it's storks.  You know... the ones that bring the babies?  I'm sure you've heard the story before, how a stork will deliver a baby to a family that wants one.  Well, here are THOSE storks- The stories originated in this region.  If you want a baby, all you have to do is leave a sugar cube on your windowsill and in 9 months one of these large birds will drop off a bouncing bundle of joy.  Needless to say I was VERY careful of only putting sugar cubes into my coffee!   

We saw them all over Alsace, not just in Colmar, but I just happened to be able to get a few pictures of them in this city.  There were TONS perched on the cathedral, jabbering away at each other and taking off to soar through the air (to deliver babies no doubt.)  

Ah yes, the pictures below definitely show why the city is known as the French Venice.  So quant and picturesque.  If we had the time I'm sure we would have taken a gondola ride.  It's just so pretty! 

After leaving Colmar and the Alsace region we headed for Burgundy and the city of Beaune where our amazing hotel was located!  Hostellerie le Cedre was absolutely gorgeous.  I don't know if I've ever stayed in a 5 star hotel before, but a girl could totally get used to that!  We had double windows that opened and allowed a lovely breeze to permeate the room.  Our room over looked the courtyard, which had a fountain and lanterns hanging in all the trees.  I know I've been using the word a lot, but it really was, well, pretty.  

After checking in at the hotel, we headed toward Fixin to visit the winery of Clos St. Louis.  Philippe, the winemaker, took us through his vineyard and showed us how he makes some of his delicious wines- and they were delicious, we got to taste many!  His wife even made fresh cheese puff/biscuits called Gougeres that she passed out during the tasting.  They were amazing and still warm since they were fresh from the oven.

Aviary

The blizzard that hit Rhode Island towards the beginning of February brought with it some pretty heavy snow.  My fiancé had warned me that a lot of branches in the backyard had snapped but I wasn't really prepared at HOW many had actually fallen, let alone how many LARGE ones.  As I explored the backyard I couldn't help but look at these massive fallen limbs and think, wow, what a waste, I should really do a photoshoot with these.  My dilemma- I'm only going to be in Rhode Island for a very short time and I'm swamped with things to do.  However, it just seemed like such an awesome natural set of sorts and I knew I had to do something.  I ran the idea by Holly, the amazing makeup artist I've used often in the past, and told her I was thinking of something with wild, big hair, and maybe animalistic and bird like.  She of course was completely into the idea and it took off from there.  Thank goodness for her!  She contacted the model and hair stylist and stayed up all night creating a wardrobe for the shoot.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to help, but I know how Holly is with making things and I didn't doubt she'd come through.

So, hair and make up all worked out wonderfully.  Ariana Lazzarino captured exactly what I was thinking for the hair and Holly even found a small (fake) bird nest to add to it.  Holly's makeup and wardrobe- perfection!  Amanda, our model, was such a trooper even when I thought she would need a break from the cold she kept pushing on.  I was even cold and I had wayyyyy more clothing on than she did.

So, here's just a small preview from today.  I have PLENTY of pictures to edit through but I just couldn't resist posting one little shot!

Bones

Antlers and succulents

a perfect autumn weekend: part I

My big brother's wedding was last weekend at a beautiful Winery/ Orchard in Massachusetts called Nashoba Valley Winery.  They have an amazing restaurant on the premises which acted as the reception location and also the site of the wedding ceremony (due to the threat of rain).  It was by far the perfect venue for a Autumn wedding.   Even though I was in the wedding, I didn't let it stop me from snapping a few photographs when I had the chance.  I particularly love the images of my sister-in-law, Cynthia, and her niece before the ceremony.  Her niece had tripped on the stairs and Cynthia held her and comforted until all her tears had dried up.  It just seemed like such a calm, peaceful moment before she headed down the stairs to marry my brother and I'm so glad I had my camera on hand to capture it.  I also had to the opportunity to snap a few photos while Cynthia had her makeup done.  Her other little niece was there as well and I just couldn't resist snapping some photos of her adorable self in between snapping photos of Cynthia.  It was a fantastic wedding, very intimate and cozy... just what I love!