“It is in the nature of babies to be in bliss.”

~Deepak Chopra

This little one is just such a sweet, good-natured baby.  She was so happy and it was such a pleasure to photograph her and her parents in their beautiful, historic home.  It used to be a dance hall!  Their home is decorated with beautiful art and fabulous pops of color and was so fun to photograph in and around.  One of my favorite parts of their home is the home theater downstairs in part of what used to be the dance hall!  Thank you for such a fun session–it was wonderful to meet you.  Enjoy your few sneak peeks and I look forward to you seeing your gallery!

xoxo,

laura

“But then, shall I never get any older than I am now? That’ll be a comfort, one way — never to be an old woman — but then — always to have lessons to learn!”

~Alice, Alice in Wonderland

Amazingness.  Not a word, I know, but when I think of this weekend’s Alice in Wonderland shoot, I just think to myself…amazingness.  Yep.    The past month was spent planning and organizing and dreaming of this shoot, and it was simply awesome to see it all come together.  So many incredibly talented designers and creative women were involved in this endeavor, and I want to thank each and every one of them.  I know you will love checking out their websites and blogs to learn more and to see more of their fabulous talent.

The tablescape was styled by the ultra-talented Kim of The TomKat Studio.  She did such an amazing job, don’t you think? She turned this dream tea party into a reality!!!    Clothing and hair accessories were beautifully styled by Grace of Finley and Oliver and Mia of Dolce Vita Mia, with hair styled by Traci Rogers and flowers beautifully done by Zuzu’s Petals.  They.all.rock!!!

So, without further ado, Alice welcomes you to her bright, fun, modern + chic Wonderland!

amazing vendors

Tablescape Styling | Kim, The TomKat Studio

Hair | Traci Rogers, Assistant Brittany Martin

Hair Accessories + fabric floral rings | Dolce Vita Mia

Floral Arrangements + some vases/accessories | Zuzu’s Petals

Some tablescape styling items | Kim of The TomKat Studio’s own collection, including items from Homegoods

Vintage Bottlecap Necklaces | Belle Chateau

Party Printables | The TomKat Studio

Styling + creation of Mad Hatter mustache ensemble + accessories | Grace, Finley and Oliver

Vintage birdcages + some styling accessories | Belle Chateau

Cupcakes + cookies | Decadent Delights

Hanging lanterns, white poms, polka dot plates, cups + napkins | Polka Dot Market

Rosette tanks + chiffon ruffle tanks | Finley + Oliver

Clothing:

Boutique Mia | Three floral tuxedo dresses

Classy Sassy Girls | turquoise ruffle dress

Lillipops | Vintage camera dress + leggings

Little Mave | Lavender bloomers

Pink Confetti Boutique | Polka Dot tea party ruffle dress with hair accessory

Suburban Stash | Mad Hatter jean skirt/tee/legging ensemble, suspender dress

Sweet Plume | Leading Lady peacock feather dress

Three Yellow Starfish | teal + black floral knot dress, ruffle bloomers

Tiny Belles Boutique | Tutus

“Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year:  The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again.”

~Menachem Mendel Schneerson

One.  So hard to believe.  My sweet Addison is one today.  Everyone tells you how fast time flies, but it is hard to really feel what they are talking about until you experience it yourself.   I have a mixture of emotions today.  I am sad that my baby is growing up, I am happy for her smiling little face, I feel content that we made it through that first, wonderful year that is also filled with challenges–a year of many sleepless nights trying to help her figure out a sleep schedule, countless hours of nursing, teething and getting used to having two very young children.  See, though, it is hard to call these “challenges”, because as I write this I just see the amazing blessing.  All those nights spent up with Addison in the wee hours of the night nursing her each time she awoke were precious, quiet moments that I got to spend with her and only her.  Moments that I already long for and miss.  I *almost* want to wake her up some nights just to rock her.  Notice I say almost.  Sleep can happen when I’m old.  Right now I have my beautiful children.  My mind travels back to laboring with her and wanting so badly to bring her into the world with peace and love and calmness and being present.  Realizing as she lie next to me in the still of the night with her big, wide eyes staring back at me and not making a sound, that THIS is how it is supposed to be.  THESE are the amazing first moments of having a baby.  Not being drugged up, not tears and sadness, not fear and worry, not wires and ventilators or not holding your baby for ten days.  Addison, you healed me.  I saw that those first days can be relaxing and exhilarating.  You make me so happy and I feel so incredibly blessed to have both you and your brother.  I love the relationship the two of you already have–you one and Jackson three.  Wow.  I have a one year old and a three year old.  How did that happen?!  The past three hundred and sixty five days have been nothing short of spectacular, my love.  Here’s to enjoying the joy of a million more.

all the love in the world,

mommy