IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! :D

It's my birthday!!

Today I am 27!! I've never been one to hate my birthdays and I don't think I ever will - I LOVE birthdays, especially my own :) So today, even if I'm stuck at work half the day, I'll be celebrating with cake at work - followed by dinner and drinks with my family and real celebrations this weekend. 

This year has been AMAZING!! I'm so thankful for all the good fortune and opportunities we've had with our photography business starting and blossoming. I wish for nothing but continued happiness in the next year! :D I have a few more wishes too... to get closer to old friends and make more new ones, learn and challenge myself as much as I can in our business and do more of what makes me happy! :D

Nothing but good vibes over here today!! :D

Holiday Party Time!

It's that time! Time to start thinking and planning out the Holiday Season! This year we opted out of the Halloween Party but I wouldn't let my friends get away that easy - instead I decided to host a Holiday Dessert Party! [yup! all my friends reading this prepare yourselves now!] I'm so excited but this time I am going all out! I'm asking all our guests to bring a homemade dessert and we sample them all and vote for the favorite! This is extensive because I'm not gonna put my guests in a sugar coma so I'll have hors d'oeuvres and cocktails as well as coffee and hot chocolate to wash them sweets down. YES this is a lot to handle - but I'm always up for a challenge :) And I just love parties and a reason to get everyone together, ESPECIALLY for the holidays! 

Below is my little inspiration board I made! The colors I'm sticking with are red and green [we go traditional around here] and as you can see, lots and lots of yummy treats and drinks. 

It'll be on December 15th, a month away, so there is lots of time to plan and get things sorted - and lots to report back to here :) Stay tuned!!

Who else is throwing a Holiday Party this year? I'd love some tips! 

Tina's Birthday Wishlist!!

It's that time of year - my birthday!! I will always be excited it's my birthday [I am not one of those haters that doesn't like birthdays] because why not celebrate a fresh new year of life? WHOO! I am about to turn 27 next week and am pretty darn excited! Sooooooo time to share my wishlist!!

Bliss Products! steep clean mask . fabulips . triple oxygen mask / kate spade planner / hunter boots / friends on bluray / steve madden boots / vinylmation / kate spade iPhone case / butter nail polish trio

Now this is no lie - I legit want each and every thing on this list. Some I REALLY need [like new facial products, new boots and a new planner] and some I REALLY REALLY want! It's always fun to wish for some cute "things" on your birthday :) 

If you could have anything off my birthday list [one for me, one for you!] - which would be your pick? :) 

The aftermath of Sandy...

Last Monday night Hurricane Sandy - hitting New Jersey & New York fiercely. We lost power Monday night at 10pm and after almost an entire week with no heat or power [the longest week of my life] - yesterday night at 6:30pm we finally got it back. I luckily had written a whole week of blog posts so though it doesn't seem like I've been absent I was and it was terrible. It became even worse when we heard of the devastation of two of our most beloved spots - the Jersey Shore & Hoboken. 

Jose is from Hoboken and so much of our relationship started, began and blossomed in Hoboken so it almost has felt like a second home to me as well. We have friends and family in Hoboken that lost their cars and a lot of their own personal property and have been without power. This storm has hit us hard - it's hard to think the entire town of Seaside Heights down the shore has been wiped, including the boardwalk. My prom memories, memories in college... gone! It's so heartbreaking. Not just for Jersey of course but New York as well. This has been a long week of reflection, feeling grateful for what we have and for each other. A lot of bonding and feeling closer with my family, a lot of appreciation for those who were concerned. I haven't worked in a week either... so to finally be able to go back to a normal life, minus the gas shortage situation, is a huge relief. 

I appreciate you girls reaching out to me and checking up on me [you know who you are! i wanna send you christmas cards this year i love you so much!] to everyone from New Jersey and New York, this is just another test to prove we are strong and will get through this. We got this!

Just wanted to give a brief update on our life :) my birthday is in a week from tomorrow! time to start planning and celebrating life being oh so good!! 

Jewel-Tone Drop Earrings!

I've never been one to wear earrings... ever. But I still love to look at them :) With the holidays upon us, drop earrings are such a gorgeous way to dress up your look. Especially in these beautiful jewel tones! And at such affordable prices, it's best to buy great pieces you can wear again and again this season. 

Shop these gorgeous Earrings below!

What's your favorite piece of jewelry to wear? I don't know if you know this but I'm more of a necklace girl :)

It's November!!!

IT'S NOVEMBER!!!!

Oh it's just the greatest month ever. Come on, let's be honest. Thanksgiving is the greatest holiday ever [the official kick off to the holiday season AND the best eating day EVER!]. Not only that but it's my BIRTHDAY MONTH!!! Yesssss November is seriously special in my book for that reason. There's a lot to be thankful for as I turn another year older and suddenly can not WAIT to be 27! 26 was an awesome growing year and it can only get better. I have A LOT of goals for 27 and hope to keep it good :D

So expect to see a few birthday wish lists, lots of personal photos from celebrating and lots of getting souped for CHRISTMAS!!! Though I'll try really hard not to get ahead of myself until Thanksgiving [which is bullshit. If I wanna play Christmas music now, than FUCK YOU I'm gonna.]

Any November babies out there with me??

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU TOO! :D

Happy Halloween [& october instagrams!]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Honestly, I don't know where the time goes! It was JUST the beginning of October!!! Though I'm SO excited for November to be here [tomorrow] I'm shocked at how fast these months continue to go. October was a speedy month but a lot of great things happened. I hope the rest of the year continues to be just as great :)

date night with Jose - and finally figuring out what my favorite white wine is!

pumpkin picking!

having our first wedding client meeting...

& booking them!

little shopping pleasures :) 

Riddle as a dragon for Halloween! look at that cute skinny little body!

my pumpkin done with no stencil, Oogie Boogie from The Nightmare Before Christmas! [i LOVE oogie boogie!]

magnolia bakery cupcakes for breakfast in Mahattan :)

an old jacket and new scarf have become my favorite pieces

my first DIY nails didn't come out too bad :)

beer flights and drunken football nights

finally saw JERSEY BOYS on broadway! it was amazing!! :)

Thank you October for a fun month! Can't wait for NOVEMBER!!!!

It's love at first sight...

And it is with a cape. Yup, a cape. From Anthropologie. The nicest, chicest, warmest cape in the world.

I'll be making a splurge big time on this cape because I just love it that much. I can see myself walking thru new york city with Jose at Christmas time wearing this cape. Yes, like that.

Check out the cape HERE.

SPOOKY!

This year I decided to forgo a Halloween Costume Party, mostly because I really wasn't into decorating really crazy, buying costumes and the oh so fun next day party clean up. But I still love Halloween & wanted to still entertain. So instead, we hosted a Pumpkin Carving Party! With just a few finger foods & sweets out, we had a fun night carving. Though I failed to take pictures of most okay ALL of the pumpkins - maybe that means I was caught up in the fun?

 simple Halloween decorations found in the Target $1 bins!

my mom's delicious cupcakes are a must - though next time I might need someone else to decorate them lol

tried out Fabulous K's "boo crunch" recipe and LOVED it! will be doing this for all future parties :) 

a spooky champagne cocktail - midori sour and champange! voila!

 look at the intense faces! people were concentrated!

 my sister-in-law was the smart one and opted for stick ons instead of carving! what a cute little pumpkin princess :) 

my friends and their pretty dope carving skills!

LOVE this time of year! Halloween is so fun!

Did you pumpkin carve this year??

Pumpkin Picking Time!

Pumpkin Picking was always one of my favorite things to do as a kid with my family. I haven't done it in years and made it an absolute must-do on my fall bucket list this year since Jose never did went as a kid! And last week we crossed it off! We went with his brother & sister-in-law on the most perfect fall day & found so many great pumpkins we brought all 6 of them home with us along with some apple cider donuts and apple cider [my fave!] It was a fun time and I hope to do it again next year :)

 i found a nice one!

such a cute baby pumpkin!

 nothing but pumpkins for miles!

Jose carrying our load :) 

my sister-in-law found the cutest mini pumpkin at the farm stand!