You Say Organized, I Say Lazy

Posted in Personal

I used to have this dream of being really organized. An organized house, organized schedule, organized life in general. When I started my business, I dreamed of a clutter free office complete with structured calendars and daily planners, neatly placed decor, a meticulous filing system, and color coordinated sticky notes and sharpies. (Because clearly that shows how organized you are. When you color code things with sharpies and stickies.) Basically, I wanted an office straight out of Martha Stewart Home and Living. Or something like that.

Sadly, this dream is a bit far from reality… There are papers and stickies piled on my desk (not even color coordinated, I might add), a stack of boxes that need to be recycled filling one corner, and my lack of a filing system is slightly pathetic. Jake doesn’t even like coming up to my office because of how messy it is. (I married a bit of a neat-freak.) Sometimes I get very frustrated and overwhelmed by my lack of organizational skills. And yeah, even a little embarrassed. I mean, I don’t exactly love the fact that I have to say “excuse the mess!” to anyone who comes in my office. But on those days I just have to remind myself that I do actually have somewhat of a system going on. After all, it’s worked for me somehow the passed three years! I know where almost everything is, and if for some reason I don’t, I can always find it when I really need to. Eventually.

That’s not to say that I’m giving up on my dream of being more organized, though. I still believe I’ll be able to achieve the Martha Stewart office someday! But until then, I’ll just have to hang this little saying above my computer…

Right on, Pinterest. Right on.

And in other news, the winner of the $30 Pottery Barn Gift Card is ALICIA!!! Congrats Alicia! Hope that you can find a little something that makes you smile :) Thanks to everyone who entered!! Happy Wednesday.

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Lauren - August 21, 2013 - 3:51 pm

It only looks like Martha Steward until you actually start working. Even cooking shows look nice because they had someone else do the prep already and came and cleaned behind them.

South Jordan Newborn Session: Baby Olivia

Posted in Anytime

Some of you may remember the beautiful pregnant Amy and her husband Nick from a few months ago. Well, their amazing baby girl was born towards the end of July, and I had the privilege of taking some newborn pictures last week! Olivia is one of the cutest newborns I’ve ever seen. Seriously, her head full of hair, her facial expressions, her pretty blue eyes… I could basically just gobble her up! It’s impossible not to be smitten with her. And Nick and Amy are such sweet, loving parents! Just witnessing the three of them together made me melt. (And yeah, it got me pretty dang excited to meet my baby girl, too!) Enjoy some favorites of this beautiful family.

Nick and Amy, I am beyond thrilled for you guys! Olivia is perfect. I’m so excited to watch her grow and become the awesome little person you’ll raise her to be :) She is truly blessed to have you guys as parents. You are both wonderful! XO

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Lauren - August 19, 2013 - 3:19 pm

Simply beautiful! You are next!

Like Sitting on a Cloud

Posted in Giveaways

Things I’ve done recently…

Just now: Realized that I still have two baskets of clean laundry to fold later today. Le sigh.

This morning: Ate some delicious pancakes. Because my husband makes me pancakes when I ask. Good man.

Yesterday: Edited a lot of pictures. Which I will be blogging soon.

A few days ago: Got caught up on American Ninja Warrior. That show makes me want get my kung fu on and climb rock walls like Spiderman.

Last week: Was given my dream glider chair for Natalie’s nursery from my amazing aunts and uncles!!!

I sat down in it when Jake and I were registering at Pottery Barn Kids. (That was my first mistake. Ha.) This glider? It feels like you’re SITTING ON A CLOUD. Seriously, most comfortable chair I’ve ever sat in. So yes, I might have started crying when I opened the little gift bag and found a Pottery Barn gift card with a picture of the chair I’d been drooling over for the last month and a half. And yes, I know I’m super blessed to have such a wonderful family who loves and spoils me and my baby girl :) Thankful doesn’t begin to cover it!

This is the beauty that Natalie and I will be spending lots of time in this coming year! (I never thought I would be so excited about a chair… But I am.)

Also, can I just talk for a second about how much I love Pottery Barn Kids? Seriously, they have THE cutest baby things. The little leopard baby bath towel? I DIE. We already bought that chevron rug. I’ve been eyeing the ABC lamp for quite some time. I looove the ruffles on the curtain. And the only reason I haven’t already purchased that pumpkin diaper cover is because they don’t have it in newborn size. Otherwise it would currently be in her closet! I could have included a lot more ridiculously adorable baby things, but for your sake I’ll stop there.

In light of all of this, and because I figured it’s about time for another giveaway, who wants a $30 Pottery Barn gift card?! You don’t have to use it at Pottery Barn Kids, even though that’s obviously where I would be heading ;) I just love Pottery Barn in general though! So if you love PB too, simply leave a comment below to be entered to win! You can tell me if you’d buy a baby thing or grown up thing, or chime in that you love PB as well, or even just say hello :) I’ll randomly pick from the comments and announce the winner next Wednesday! Hope everyone has a lovely weekend :)

 

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Melissa - August 15, 2013 - 12:29 pm

Trevor and I found that chair years ago and it’s been on our list ever since. I’m so glad you got it!…and a little jealous too. ;-)

Alicia - August 15, 2013 - 12:35 pm

Sooooo cute! That chair looks nothing short of amazing! :D

I would either buy something for my niece’s one year birthday or buy something for my future home! :D

Gayle - August 15, 2013 - 12:41 pm

That chair is beautiful….I love PB and could think of a million things to spend $30 on.

Amy Lashelle - August 15, 2013 - 12:48 pm

Oh, wait, I have to tell you the one thing I would but from PB?! Never mind. That’s too hard. Their home office magazine just arrived, how’s about one of everything?

Leah Huhnke - August 15, 2013 - 1:00 pm

We love pottery barn!! We have the abc lamp! It’s so cute and perfect for a nursery. So excited to meet little Natalie when she arrives!

Chelsea - August 15, 2013 - 1:00 pm

Since we were fortunate to get all new plates (fine and every day use ones) we are getting rid of David’s prized blue PB ones – he is a bit depressed about it (apparently he thought we could register for two sets of plates and them still keep ours? Haha boys).

Lauren - August 15, 2013 - 1:42 pm

Well can’t NOT post on this one! PB Kids is my kryptonite! We spend way too much $$ every time we are there, hard not to! All of Sawyer’s furniture is from there, love it!

Whitney - August 15, 2013 - 2:57 pm

PB is my weakness! I have no idea what I’d buy right at this moment but I find something I just have to have every time I set foot in that store!

Emily Headings - August 15, 2013 - 4:40 pm

so… sad day.. we don’t have a PB near us. BUMMER! :( I DO order online, though. And I for real want that rug just for me.. haha! Love your style Carissa and can’t wait to see everything when it is finished!

Renn - August 15, 2013 - 5:21 pm

I love PB! Everything is so pretty! And I also can’t wait to see pictures of the finished nursery! I loved your inspiration board and I can’t wait to see it a reality!

Lauren Krueger - August 15, 2013 - 5:24 pm

Love the chair! Believe me when I say that you live in that chair! We bought a recliner for Joe and I have claimed it. Very happy for you. Never been to a pottery barn but it looks like my kind of place. Are you a hobby lobby fan? That is my absolute paradise.

mom - August 17, 2013 - 9:24 pm

I’d buy a baby thing!! :) :)

Colleen - August 19, 2013 - 3:10 pm

Ah! I loooooove Pottery Barn! So many pretty things I could put in the new house. And although Mark and I won’t be in the market for one for a while, nannying taught me the value of a quality glider :)

Samantha Taylor - August 20, 2013 - 9:44 am

I’ve never been to pottery barn, but LOVE what I’ve seen online..so many cute things it’s hard to choose :)

Jessica Eckert - August 20, 2013 - 9:58 am

Carissa! I love that chair! You are not going to want to leave it!’ I’m so excited for you and your cute fam!! Love ya!

Kara Vincent - August 20, 2013 - 10:33 am

I am so jealous! but so excited for you.
I would totally buy something for Brynnie! I love PB… a little too much :)

Danielle - August 20, 2013 - 10:42 am

Your blog is the cutest ever!!! I love looking at all the cute things!

Shelly - August 20, 2013 - 8:14 pm

I would love to buy something for my new (and first) nephew :)

The Next Fine Wedding

Posted in Engagements

Jake and I just got back from an awesome Fine family reunion over the weekend, and I already wish I could go back! I know that some people dread family reunions, but I have been blessed with an incredibly special and close knit family that I can’t get enough of. There are nine of us Fine cousins, and we were all born within about 10 years of each other, so we have a cousin bond that is truly something special. I love my family SO much.

In 2010, three more amazing people joined the ranks of our fam… Jake, my brother Carl’s wife Summer, and my cousin Allie’s husband Neil. (Yeah, three Fine weddings in one year, it was quite epic!) Joining the Fine family is a pretty big deal, but Jake and Summer and Neil have fit right in and only added great things to our family dynamic.

So imagine how excited we all were when my cousin Alex proposed to his girlfriend Lauren just a week before this reunion!! Woop woop! Lauren is seriously an amazing woman, one who loves the Lord and cares intensely for the people in her life. I honestly couldn’t dream of someone better for Alex. She brings out the best in him and I’ve never seen him happier than this weekend with his family and his fiance by his side! They are a beautiful couple both inside and out, who want to serve God with their lives and invest in the lives of those around them. Lauren is the perfect next addition to the Fine fam!! We took a group photo the last morning of the reunion, and we didn’t have much time after but I just had to snag a couple photos of Alex and Lauren. (Seriously, we did a mini photo shoot just under 10 minutes!) And I wanted to share a few because I’m SO excited for these two and this new journey they are embarking on together :)

Well done Alex, welcome to the family Lauren, and bring on the next Fine wedding!!! XO

Sundance Resort Wedding: Alex + Andy

Posted in Weddings

The clouds parted and the sun glimmered down from above as guests eagerly waited for Alex to walk down the aisle. And when the moment came, when she stepped out of the shadows, her dad’s face beaming as he tightly held her arm, every face in the crowd broke into smile as they watched the beautiful bride walk towards her groom.

No one’s face, however, shined brighter than Alex’s. Because there at the end of the aisle stood the boy she fell in love with during college, the boy she wanted to spend her forever with. As for Andy? The look in his eyes said it all. The look that told everyone just how much he loves Alex, and how ready he is to make her happy for the rest of her life.

After vows were exchanged and the couple kissed, the rest of the evening was spent embracing and laughing, eating and toasting, dancing and celebrating with the happy couple. Because when you’re the type of people that Alex and Andy are, caring and generous and full of life, you find yourself surrounded by friends who are deeply invested in your dreams and want to celebrate your triumphs. So they laughed at old memories, toasted to Alex and Andy and their love, and celebrated the couple’s hard work and planning of a beautiful wedding…. And what a beautiful wedding it was.

Married: Alex + Andy

Ever since I met with Alex for the first time last summer, I’ve been excited for this wedding… and it definitely lived up to my expectations! Alex and Andy planned such a gorgeous and personal event, and I SO loved being a part of it. Some of you may remember their engagements last year and their cute pup Toast! He was looking quite dapper with his little bow tie :) Too adorable. Alex and Andy, you guys are just such wonderful people and I feel so blessed that I got to be a part of your wedding and celebrate the beginning of your marriage with you! Thank you for being so kind from day one, and working with me not only as your photographer, but also as a friend. I hope that you love the photos, and that you’re enjoying every second of your time in Bora Bora! Much love.

Venue and Catering: Sundance Resort / Wedding Planner: Theresa Eason / Cake: Carrie’s Cakes / Florist: Silver Cricket / Videographer: Kale Fitch Films (Brides, need a videographer?? Check him out!!) / Hair and Makeup: Signature Brides / Invitations: RSVP By Linda / MC: Ryan Williams (Friend of the Groom) / Dress: Modern Trousseau “Larissa” via Alta Moda Bridal / Veil and Hair Wreath: Alta Moda Bridal / Earrings and Shoes: Nordstrom / Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Mia Bella / Groom’s Attire: Dsquared2 suit, Burberry Tie, Magnanni shoes via Nordstrom / Groomsmen’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / And a big thank you to Haley of Haley Nord Photography for second shooting with me! 

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Alex - August 7, 2013 - 12:03 pm

Omg Carissa! They’re amazing!!!! We are literally standing in the airport, just landed from the honeymoon, looking at them! Totally in love :) thank you