Conscious Body Pilates – October 30, 2007

You may have seen a few of the previous blogs about Heather Scearce and her fabulous Pilates Studio, (or heard me talk about her!) Conscious Body Pilates. She opened her Studio not even a year ago and has been so incredibly successful! Within the first six months, she was voted Best in Seattle by Seattle Metropolitan Magazine – featured in numerous magazines & of course my favorite place to practice pilates. =)

Heather along with a few of the instructors will have a booth at the CRAVE SHOW this weekend - (I hear there will be champagne) you should stop by!!!

Since opening she now has six very qualified trainers at her studio, we had a little photo day at the studio and I would love to introduce you to all of them.

The studio has a mat class (that may have a few openings) on Mondays at 7pm, Wednesdays at 6 & 7 and Saturdays at 10am if you are interested in working out!! Check out her website, http://www.709-core.com, or give her a call 206.709.CORE

Here are the fabulous instructors!!

P.S – Every couple of months Heather features an artist at her studio…. Guess who the artist in November will be????? (I’ll give you a hint… her name starts with a B!)

Heather Scearce ~ Owner

Shaunna Kotka

Echo NorrisJamien Cvjetnicanin

Olivia CorradoJana Broecking

The Arnold Family October 24, 2007

A couple of weeks ago, Paula, Paul, Max and I headed over to the bluff in Magnolia to take their annual family photograph - I haven’t laughed so much in a long time. Max is not only THE smartest little boy alive, he is also incredibly funny. Paul & Paula are incredibly proud I’m sure because their son is a genius. I wish I could record a conversation and play it for you so you could get a full understanding of how intelligent he is. But, for now… you’ll have to take my word!

These photos are so fun - we were running, jumping, singing and finally at the end… waiting for the sun to set - so we could have photos at that magical moment when the sun is barely gone and the sky is filled with pinks and reds…. makes me love living in Seattle.

Enjoy!!

The Gray Family Photos!! October 23, 2007

Amy Gray is a great friend and a fabulous (professional) organizer (we all need one in our lives!!) I met her when she joined the Madison Marketeers chapter of BNI about a year or so ago. She is a professional organizer and part owner of Empty Your Nest Organizers. Check out her site - www.emptyyournest.com

She is such a fun, outgoing (and very organized) person, I was thrilled when she asked me to come and photograph her family!! Her family includes - Amy of course & her wonderful husband Jim, (I got to see their wedding photos - they were married on the Skansonia a few years back) son Sam(1 an amazing musician and composer, and daughter Anna (15) who spends much of her free time on the Crew Team - so fun! We spent about an hour hanging out at their lovely Mt. Baker home with their two dogs – normally I am a cat person, but these dogs were SO loving and cuddly, they are definitely on my list of favorite four legged friends!!

Here are a few shots from the afternoon.

ChickChat! October 20, 2007

About a year ago, I went to a Crave Party - yes that fabulous women’s pampering party you’ve been hearing so much about. I met SO many wonderful women business owners, Artists, Designers, Market Researchers… everyone!

Tracy, from Epiphany Research was one of the women I met – she does market research for her clients with a group called Chicks that Chat. SO fun! Last week, I was one of eight women who met to chat – they fed us dinner, kept our wine glasses filled and asked us questions about where we shopped and what for… Its all top secret, so I can’t tell you until the products are (hopefully) released. They also paid us $70 for our time!

Here is a photo of the group of us – (taken just for this fabulous blog!)

Top Left - Toddy Dyer, Darnell Sue, Lindsey Sargent, Emily Whitish, Chris Lang, Patricia Pearlman, (front left) Yours Truly, Sharie Hyder

So, if you want to (which of course you should) register to be paid for your opinions. It isn’t one of those ridiculous online scams… these really are real (not to mention fun and fabulous) people. =) go to: www.epiphanyresearch.net

Also – one of the gals at the group is an amazing networker – Darnell Sue - she knows everyone around town and hosts a women’s networking group called the Girl Power Hour – the next one is November 15th in Ballard, there will be a hundred or more fabulous motivated creative women sipping drinks and having a great time. You should be there too! www.girlpowerhour.com

Elisa & Jeff …. Tied The Knot!! October 18, 2007

Elisa & Jeff – On July 22nd, Elisa & Jeff had their wedding up on Orcas Island, (my favorite of the San Juans) where Elisa grew up.
The ceremony was on a beautiful bluff overlooking the water, and as it does many many days out of the year here in Washington…. It rained!! Everything went through as planned, only a little wetter than normal. =) The reception was amazing – beautifully decorated (thanks to Elisa’s family and friends!!) and the band was SO fun!

Since we were blessed with rain – there wasn’t a lot of time for photos of just Jeff, Elisa and Kayla, we decided to wait for a Sunny Seattle afternoon & get dressed up for a few more photos.

Here are some photos from the wedding day and a few more from the portrait a few weeks later. =)

(The boys were hilarious!!)

Jeff was so sweet, during the ceremony he gave a ring (that matches Elisa’s) to Kayla promising to be the best Step-Dad , SO CUTE!

- Photo by Gina Cholick

Philippe & Shannon (soon to be) Bishop!! October 10, 2007

Philippe, a great pal from back in our Art School days & Shannon, his lovely bride are getting married in just eleven very short days. The ceremony will be up at the DAR and a reception following at the Tyee Yacht Club. Their wedding website is connected to Philippe’s website if you want to check it out - www.philippebishop.com/bigday.html. (Philippe is a fabulous photographer!)

On Saturday we all went down to Lincoln Park in West Seattle for an engagement session, co-shooting along with Laurel McConnell (there is a great shot of her on the swing!!) we walked through the woods, played on the beach and couldn’t help jumping just for a few shots at the end!!

Too fun - I can’t wait for their big day!!

Catherine & Cait ~ October 9, 2007

Catherine Parker is one of my very favorite people, she is a wonderful acupuncturist in Madison Park and runs her very successful business - Acupuncture in the Park. We met a little over a year ago and hit it off right away, I love hearing all about her family and their fun travel adventures!!

A couple of weeks ago while Cait was home from College on a break we dashed over to a fun little studio in Pioneer square to take some Mother Daughter photos - it was so fun. Catherine & Cait are so natural together and I think the photos turned out fabulous - here are a couple of my favorites from the day.

Mike & Shana ~ October 5, 2007

On their one year anniversary Mike and Shana got all dolled up in their wedding wear and we headed over to the very same place they had exchanged vows, embraced in their very first kiss as a married couple and then rushed off to the ER in an ambulance for a couple of stitches before heading to their oh-so-fun reception.

At the end of a Jewish ceremony, the groom traditionally steps on the glass (found this info online) It is a reminder that relationships are as fragile as glass and must always be treated with care, love and respect. -

Well, when Mike stepped down onto the glass, it broke and went straight through his shoe and into his foot…. OUCH!!! But, he was way tougher than many would’ve been, he finished the ceremony with the most passionate of kisses then hopped over to a chair nearby and the ambulance was promptly called. It was a little scary then - but makes for a great story now!!

When we arrived at the Palace Ballroom for the reception we were greeted by every single guest out in the street clapping and cheering for Mike & Shana, it may have been the greatest entrance to a wedding….ever! The party went on as scheduled (just a few hours later than originally planned) the food was fabulous, plenty of drinks and LOTS of cheerful family and friends.

Here are a couple of photos from the wedding day as well as a few of my favorite from our portrait session just a couple of weeks ago. =)

Enjoy!!

2006

(photo taken by the fabulous Brooke Kempner)

One year later….

Carlanne McCrystal - Top Dawg Travel October 4, 2007

I’m sure many of you know that I am part of a fabulous group - The Madison Marketeers (A chapter of BNI …Business Network International) and I get to have lunch with over 20 fabulous business owners each week. It has not only been a huge part of my success, but it has also taught me how to speak in public (confidently) and I have also met SO many fabulous friends and wonderful people.

One person who recently joined our chapter is Carlanne McCrystal with Top Dawg Travel - she is an amazing Travel Agent with a heart of gold!! I have talked with many people who have used her services and they have had nothing but fabulous things to say about her. She is honest, patient, and really looks out for you to make sure you have the best vacation or honeymoon!!

I had always thought that I couldn’t afford a luxury like a travel agent, but one thing I did not know before I met her is that in most cases it doesn’t cost you a thing! So, not only can she get better deals for you - but she knows the best places to stay, the fun things to do and she loves sharing her knowledge!!

So, if you are planning a honeymoon, a destination wedding, family trip or a business trip give her a call and see if she can help you out!!

Here is a photo of Carlanne and her supercute Top Dawg - Andre.

(I can’t wait for my next vacation!!)