A newly discovered make-up technique

I don't know if you have heard of this new social networking website called Pinterest, but if you haven't, you should take a look. I have a slight addiction. If you would like to follow me, you can find me at http://pinterest.com/amhphoto/.

On this site, that I have spent plenty of time on, I have found an endless amount of beauty tips. And one that I have actually tried out is something called tightlining. It is away to define your eyes and make your eyelashes appear thicker.

If you were to look at my son Braeden, you would notice his eyelashes, they are thick and long and all my girl friends are jealous. He did not get that from me. I have always been on the lookout for a way to make my eyelashes look a little fuller and tighlining does a great job.

After finding a video on Pinterest (see the link below), I followed the instructions and purchased Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner in Black Ebony and a flat eye liner brush and have tried it out. I am impressed with the product itself. It is easy to apply and lasts all day long. I am not an expert with make-up, so that says a lot. I recommend you try it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfXQN5FlF2Q

Another question for everyone. Did anyone see the premier of The Carrie Diaries tonight? As a very loyal fan to Sex and the City, I tooned in. It is the prequel to Sex and the City and shows Carrie Bradshaw as a teenager. It's cute.

The Start of 2013 and Travel Thursdays

Happy New Year everyone!!

It has been a busy start to the new year for me, at least with my day job. And 2013 will be a very big year for me.

Not only do I plan on some home renovations including decorating my living room, hopefully installing hard wood flooring throughout the better part of our main floor and some major landscaping for our backyard, but I am turning 30!!! Yikes, it even looks scary in writing.

I will also be doing some travelling in 2013, which is pretty exciting.

There have been a couple mentions of my day job on the blog which I haven't really gotten into for a few different reasons. But I think now, with the start of new year (and blog schedule) is the time to get into it.

I am very fortunate to have three jobs that I am passionate about. The first, and most important is being a mom to my four year old son, Braeden and a loving and supportive wife to my husband Adam. The second is part-time wedding and boudoir photographer and the third (which pays the bills) is a full-time travel agent. Yes, I am very fortunate. I am new to all three jobs and in some cases, learning as I go.

So with this passion for travel and having a career that revolves around it, I am again very fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to some incredible places. In 2012, I had the opportunity to travel to Greece with Transat Holidays, which was amazing.

With trying to be more organized in 2013, I have come up with a new blog schedule which will include regular, weekly posts about travel. So to start, over the next several weeks, I will be posting about my trip to Greece. Of course, I have "some" photos from the nine day trip.

Stay tuned....

2012 - A Year in Review

As another year comes to a close, I thought I would write a small blog post about my 2012.

It was a pretty great year. There are a few things that I would have liked to try or have done differently, but I can always try them in 2013. Some of the highlights for me:

Braeden started school. Not only is it great for him for making new friends and obviously learning, but it is great for me. I occasionally have to work Saturdays at my day job, so I have requested that my day off during the week be on one of the days he is at school. This has allowed me to start horseback riding again, time to catch up on photography and time to do some housework.

I finally, after talking about it for two years, had a new logo designed:

I went to Greece for a work trip. It was incredible. This is just a little sneak peak, I will have many more photos to follow in my new travel series. Stay tuned to the blog for more.

I just want to thank my followers for following me and I wish everyone a very happy and safe New Year. I hope 2013 is a happy and successful year for everyone.

Cheers!!

Miss E's Very Provocative Fifty Shades of Grey themed boudoir session

After ready E.L. James "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy, I couldn't resist doing a themed boudoir session with certain aspects from the books incorporated into it, and Miss E was my willing victim.

She totally rocked the session and looks fastastic. There was a lot of laughing especially when we brought out the restraints...did I get your attentions. See below.

Make-up and hair was done by the very talented Melanie Sivitilli(http://www.melaniemakeupartist.com/)

I will be hosting a boudoir marathon in time for Valentine's Day. It will be on January 20th at my home studio in Oshawa. Your session will include Sexy Little Thing album, make-up and minor hairstyling with a 45 minute session with unlimited outfits. I only have six sessions available, so book yours today, while you still can. Please contact me for more details.

Happy New Year!!

The Girls from Ottawa and Newfoundland and their Little Black Dress Session

Recently, I was lucky enough to work with a really great group of women on a collaborative concept session that I have been wanting to try for a couple years.

It all came together quite easily and I owe a lot of graditude to Christa Hann of Christa Hann Photography. Not only did she help find the right set of clients but she gave me the kick in the pants I despearately needed to take action. After a lunch date with Christa and a lot of chatting about photography, family and what it all means, I decided to just go for it.

So after some location scouting and research, we made plans. Hang on a little longer and you will see the results of those plans.

A lot of my focus is on boudoir photography but after speaking with numerous women, specifically about the boudoir parties that I offer for girls night out and mostly bachelorette parties, I have found that not all of the women that are attending these parties are 100% onboard with boudoir photography. So I got to thinking about what I could offer to those clients that will still allow them join in the festivities and celebrate with their friends. After all, every woman deserves to feel sexy and be spoiled.

I am proud to announce my brand new Little Black Dress Sessions. A session can be arranged in lieu of a boudoir party or in addition to a boudoir party. The pricing varies based on how it is booked. You can contact me directly for more details.

And now, the most important introductions, the lovely ladies that travelled all the way from Ottawa and Newfoundland to help with this session: Pam, Tammy, Joan, Erin and Charlotte.

Again, a very special thank you to Christa Hann and Nikkie Gatto who did an amazing job on the make-up for each of the girls. And thank you to Tammy, Pam, Joan, Erin and Charlotte for being so awesome and easy to work with. Without the help of these wonderful people, my image may never have come to life.

A little pick me up for a rainy and miserable Sunday

Who doesn't love cupcakes??? I really do, especially this recipe. Now let me just say, I am not much of a chef but I do enjoy trying and this recipe which I found on Pinterest was pretty easy to follow and the results were delicious, if I do say so myself. I urge each of you to try it out today. Raid your pantry or kitchen cupboards. Make a quick run to the grocery store for any items you don't have in stock and get in the kitchen with someone you love and bake some cupcakes.

I love cooking and baking on days like today!!!

Wedding Cupcake and Buttercream Icing Recipe

Ingredients:

1 (18.25 oz) box of white cake mix
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup granulated white sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups of vegatable or canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
4 large egg whites

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 365 degrees F. Place cupcake liners in cupcake pans (you'll need approximately 30).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together cake mix, flour, sugar and salt. Add remaining ingredients and beat with hand mixer for 2 minutes or until well blended.
3. Using an ice cream scoop, fill the prepared cupcake pans, fill about 3/4 full. Bake for about 18 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean and dry.

Buttercream Icing

Ingredients:

3 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons of whipping cream

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, with a hand or stand mixer, cream together sugar and butter on low speed. Mix until well blended. Increase speed to medium and beat for another three minutes.
2. Add Vanilla and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for one minute more, adding more cream if needed for desired spreading/piping consistency.
3. Scoop into a piping bag and pipe decoratively onto cupcakes or spread onto cupcakes if desired.

Notes:

I have made these cupcakes twice using this recipe and I found the icing a little to sweet. Apparently there is such a thing!!! So the next time I make them, I might decrease the amount of icing sugar used for the butter cream by maybe a 1/4 of a cup.

Happy Baking and remember to follow me on Pinterest!!!

What to Wear Wednesday - Staying comfortable during hot and sunny days

The current heat and humidity that we have had this week has inspired a blog entry. Some of the more obvious boudoir photography related attire can be a little bit uncomfortable, especially when you add hair and make-up to the picture. When you are having your session either outdoors or an older building which lacks openable windows and A/C, the hot weather can make it a challenge for both the phoographer and the client. So this blog post is all about staying comfortable in the type of climate we are in.

For my new clients, who are new to boudoir, I always start the session with the client wearing some less revealing attire to give them a chance to get comfortable. Something to start with that is light and airy and still sexy is a sundress. When picking one out focus on the material. Make sure it light and a little bit sheer. And then, don't forget bring a range of accessories to really finish the outfit. These can include cowboy boots, a hair scarf...which I am in love with this look. I just can't seem to to find the right scarf or tie it correctly. And sometimes "the right" accessory is nothing at all. Go barefoot.

Sometimes the best outfit is what you already have in your closet.