Twin Oaks Antebellum Venue Bridal Photography

Y'ALL. Seriously. Can we just talk about how amazing bridal portraits are, just in general? I think they are my new favorite type of photo shoot. The only downside is having to wait until after the wedding to share them! Heather's wedding package included a bridal session, and she knew right away that she wanted to take them at Twin Oaks, a beautiful Antebellum home located just outside of Jackson. The home is used as a wedding and event venue, and the owners were just a dream to work with. They are great people, and the house was perfect for a photo shoot. It was furnished, but not over-done. The window treatments didn't completely block the light, like some older homes. It was just amazing. I broke out my reflector and played with bouncing the light a bit too. It was fun!

The one above is now the image on my business cards. I just thought her gaze was so gorgeous and eye-catching. I don't know many people who can do the "serious look" so well.

The trees and grass were still dead when we did this shoot, so I didn't have a lot to work with outside. I think they turned out well though, despite that. I really love the two above where she's standing inside the gazebo. That light was PERFECT.

This was just right at the end as she was going back upstairs to change. I shot through the mirror on the opposite wall, so I was able to get an off-camera flash look with the flash on camera. I love the drama of this one!

So I'm sure you can see why I am officially obsessed with bridal portraits. I just felt like I had so much creative freedom! I'm pretty excited that I have a bridal portrait session this afternoon too. It's going to be outdoors, and the trees are nice and lush now. Wish me luck!

shoProcrastination

I definitely don't fancy myself a procrastinator, but occasionally I fall short of being a hard worker. I have a lot of work that needs to get done outside of my full-time job, and the weekend is the perfect time to do it! I got a moderate amount done this weekend, but I really just ended up shopping when I should have been working.

This is Paige. (You say: "Hi, Paige!") We decided to walk down the street a bit to an estate sale. We just happened to see the sign in the yard, and since neither of us had been to an estate sale since elementary school, we decided to go. See those cars? We were only halfway there and the cars were already lining the street. Those that know me well know that I am not a crowd person (with the exception of MLB games), so I automatically decided this would be a miserable experience.

This estate sale started outside, which essentially meant that they put all the crap barely good enough for a yard sale in the garage for everyone before opening the inside up. I did get a roll of Reynolds Wrap for 50 cents. Score? Apparently you have to get a number to get inside first. Since neither of us are estate-sale-savvy, we weren't part of the chosen few (actually 75 to be exact). We went back once the numbered people had gone through, and there seemed to be plenty of things left.

 

I got a sewing machine! It's a Kenmore machine, and it's ridiculously cute (in my opinion). I don't have a stinking clue how to use it, but owning one is the first step, right? I wish I could get someone to come over and tutor me, but I may have to settle for finding a manual for it online. I also picked up a shirt (outfit with it tomorrow), necklace, shoes, a bowl, a bag, and a couple of scarves. All in all I'd say it was pretty successful, despite the crowd.

Later that day I got distracted by Goodwill when I was on the way to visit with my family. I was passing it and thought, "oh I'll just pop in for a second." I wasn't in there for an insane amount of time, but it was certainly longer than a second. I picked up a bag that can only be described as...no wait, there are no words. I saw one almost just like it on Amanda's blog a long time ago and fell in love! I was so bummed that she had found it, and I hadn't. But lo and behold, I found it's fraternal twin! I also got a dessert plate with a fun pattern.

And finally, here is my loot from the antique store. I dropped by after lunch on Sunday to look at the attached home store because I need to find some laminate flooring. Of course I HAD to peruse the entire antique store, which actually did take me an insane amount of time. I got two milk glass pieces, a book of Edgar Allan Poe stories, and a gorgeous Polaroid model 150.

Whew, that was a lot! I hadn't shopped for a while, and I sort of went crazy this weekend. No more buying until June! Ok, that won't happen, but I can pretend. I actually do need to save for the new couch I'm planning to get.

I hope the rest of you had a wonderful weekend as well!

My Heart Skips a Beat

I read a lot of vintage clothing lovers' blogs, and I see them say that certain places and pieces make their heart speed up. A room full of 1930s dresses will make their palms begin to sweat and their stomach do flip-flops. Well, I get that way when I find vintage cameras. I wasn't interested in collecting them until I inherited about 10 of my grandfather's cameras. I've started searching for them in the stores around my town and I've got quite a collection going! My built-in bookshelves are becoming my camera display area.

I found this little treasure this afternoon and I'm SO excited. Not only is it the sexiest camera I've found, I can actually get film for it! I ordered some as soon as I got home, and I can't wait to try it out. 

When I saw this on the table,  I had no idea what it was. I didn't see the box under it, and I thought it was a cigar case or something like that. Anyway, I just decided to pick it up and look at it and I noticed the Polaroid manual underneath it. That's when my heart started skipping, and I realized what I had in my hands. I have a weird obsession with things that are this practical. I LOVE that I can fold it up and stick it in my purse.

This is how I'm displaying it. I just love the brown color! 

I'll hopefully have some images to show you soon. 

Does anyone else have this camera? How do you like it?

Uncle Bubba's

This place was so fun! There's SO MUCH STUFF, but it's all neat to look through. Going through it made me feel like the guys in American Pickers, which is becoming one of my favorite shows. The owner is, of course, Uncle Bubba. When we walked in he asked how we were and where we were from. Paige and I talked to him for a little bit, and he was just incredibly nice. He's one of those people who doesn't appear approachable, but once you talk to him, you can see how nice he is. This shop is only about 30 minutes away, so I'll be back for sure! I've driven by it all my life, and never stopped. It's not necessarily full of my type of home decor, but I came across several things that appealed to me.

There are tons of odds and ends hanging from the ceiling. I saw several things up there that would be so great hanging in the kitchen!

I would love a huge window with a shelf full of jars like this! How gorgeous does that look?! Paige ended up buying one of the jars. She has a bit of a collection, and the one she bought is now in our kitchen and full of candy.

There were tons of little posters, most of them Budweiser ads (I think). They were a little pricey in my opinion, but I don't know anything about that kind of stuff.

Before I left I decided to ask Uncle Bubba if he had any cameras (besides some way over priced ones in a basket I found). He said he just bought one from a guy the other day, and he offered it to me for a price I couldn't refuse. I LOVE it! It's another Polaroid Land camera, but a little different from the one I already have. I've starting finding unique ways to display my collection all over the house, so I was excited to add this. It has a cover, so that's what is hanging down in the picture.

Now I'm off to the county fair! Happy Saturday!

Tiny Treasures

I try to stop by the antique store down the road at least once a week just to look around and see if there's anything new. It's been a week or two, but recently I found this lovely Oscar de la Renta scarf and snatched it up. On the same trip I found a cute little Kodak Brownie Hawkeye camera which I'm so happy to add to my collection!

I went to the Oscar de la Renta website and the model on the intro page was wearing a scarf that reminded me of the one I found. I might have to get a beautiful red/orange coat to go with it!

Here's a camera like the one I picked up. This one is offered by ImSoVintage, who happens to have 19 pages of spectacular vintage home decor. Is it bad that I'm foaming at the mouth?!

...in other news...

I'm up to 99 followers!!! Special thanks to Pretty Little World and Simply Inviting Cards for spreading the word to get me up to 100 followers. I'm already planning my celebratory giveaway!

I hope you've all had a great weekend!

Another Trip to Brays

I mentioned last weekend that my mom came to town for the flea market, but it was closed. Well, besides getting some stellar BBQ, we drove to the outskirts of town to one of my favorite stores: Brays Furniture (and antiques).  Miranda and I went there not long ago (here), and I bought my lovely buffet for my dining room. This trip was more just a "lookin' around" trip, but I got some great milk glass pieces. I haven't decided where to put them, but I love them!

Here are some interesting things I came across

LOVE THE ICE CREAM CUTOUTS! I also love that the seller decided to frame them on that gorgeous green/blue paper. 

Paige sort of gets lost in all the stuff, and this room takes a little patience.

There's a whole wall of these "taxidermy" animals...I have a feeling some of them aren't real animals

And here's what I wore for the nice, breezy Saturday out. It's not that great of an outfit, but boy was it comfy! Those little shoes have gotten WORN OUT over the past few months. The dress is one I got before I started college (4 years ago!) at Forever 21. It was only $5, and I still wear it. I ordinarily don't put much stock in the quality of F21 garments, but this little beast of a dress has really stood the test of time.

Dress: F21

Leggings: can't remember :(

Bow, shoes: Urban Outfitters

Tank: Express

Saturday with Miranda

Saturday proved to be a very relaxing and enjoyable day! I decided to wear some new things today, and I felt great in what is now one of my favorite outfits.
Shirt: vintage from MouseTrapVintage
Watch: Target
Shorts: Express
Shoes: Bass

The watch and shoes can now be marked off my wish list!

Miranda and I went to Goodwill after lunch (morning was filled with rug shopping, visiting with friends...more on that later...and farmers market)
She's teaching Kindergarten starting this year, so she's always looking for good books. We found it interesting that the kid books were right under the romance novels.
The top picture is the bruise on her leg...she tripped in the attic this week and her leg went through the floor. We now have a hole in our garage ceiling. Luckily we don't have a Miranda shaped dent in the garage floor!

Next we went to an antique store! I've never been to this one but I'm definitely going back. They had so much to choose from, and at very reasonable prices! I shopped around for a buffet or server to put in the dining room. I loved a lot of them, but I decided on this one:

It's the oak piece in the foreground. I'm going to refinish it in a little darker shade, and maybe switch out the hardware. I am going back next weekend with a truck to pick it up! Hooray!!!

We hope you've had a good Saturday as well!!!

I should also note that I'm starting a new diet tomorrow...Miranda is doing it too (and letting me have a guest pass to her gym for the week!) Wish me luck! :)

Weekend Shopping

I've been shopping quite a bit lately, but something has changed. I used to have a bad habit of buying things I didn't need....well I still do, but now I usually find better deals! I stopped by the antique store down the street again yesterday (same place I got this stuff), and it was a GREAT trip!

I went to look for camera since I found a good one last time and I found another one! This is the second one I've gotten from the early 60s lately, so I'm pretty excited!

I cried when I saw this (not really...but drama is good entertainment). It's a Christian Dior night gown and I think it's so beautiful! I have no idea what year it's from, so if you know I'd love to hear! I had been wanting a nightgown anyway so this was fate.

Farmer's market! Hooray for fruit...the black berries turned out to be really bitter :( But I'm still going to leave them out for a little bit as decoration. I might be able to salvage them in a cobbler with a ton of sugar...just maybe.

Happy Saturday to everyone! Enjoy this lovely weekend <3

Antique Magic

Yesterday was a day that I had basically to myself. After work I decided to go to an antique store close to my house, and boy was it fun! I've been there before, but each time is totally different. Here are the things I snagged this time around.

This is a vintage Polaroid land camera model j66. It's worth about $40 in the condition I got it in, and I got it for $12 :) Of course I won't be selling it, but it's nice to know I got a deal! Polaroid produced around 1 million of these between 1961 and 1963. I'm going to do some research and see about shooting with it.

I also found this sweet little heart necklace. It appears to be handmade, but I'm not sure.

Last, but not least, I picked up this petite glass jar. Recently I went to a Ke$ha concert, and I took home some of the "glitter" that she threw into the crowd. I finally have somewhere to keep it! That was definitely one of the most energetic concerts I've been to, although the crowd of people were not the most fun to be around.