For now, I want to take a moment to wish everyone a happy Christmas! For the last few years Jayse and I have been making personal holiday cards with the theme of “Christmas in the Desert.” Here’s the photos from this years card:

I hope you have a magical Christmas and New Years with the ones you love the most! 2012 here we come!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas & New Years filled with all your favorite things, people and puppies!

xoxo
Chelsea, Jayse & Bella

Frances & Eddie: We love you guys! Thanks so much for the sweet surprise!

And some treats and delicious birthday cake from Sniffany & Co. Mmmm mmm!

Things got a little messy…

But it was all in good fun and totally worth it to see her happy face!

I can’t wait to share all the photos and stories from our trip once we return back to Vegas! Until then, here’s a photograph of Jayse and I enjoying the Eiffel Tower. Seeing it in person made me finally get why it’s so famous. Seeing it in the skyline creates an element of romance and magic, and it’s new with each different vantage point.

Big thanks goes to Sophie for taking this of us!

A bientôt! xox Chelsea

So I’m stoked about the release of the Dexter Season 5 trailer and had share for any fellow fans out there! Warning: It’s intense! I’ll refrain from specific details as to not give spoilers to those that aren’t caught up, but I’m still torn up over the Season 4 ending. It’s funny how attached you get to certain characters over the years. But as much as I wish things were different and that the ending of the last episode could simply be a dream sequence rewinding time, I can tell this next season is going to be KILLER! No pun intended. I can’t wait for the premiere on September 26th!

Also, I need to think up new decorations for this year’s Dexter party. If anyone has some creative ideas, shoot them my way! Here’s photos from the Season 4 Premiere party Jayse and I put on last year…

The invitation (designed by Jayse):

Little details:

The Ice Truck Killer’s barbie doll (complete with rainbow-colored painted finger nails)…

Dexter is a blood splatter analyst, so we set our front room up like one of his crime scenes…

And last, there was Bella dressed in her adorable “I love Dexter” shirt…

ECO-FRIENDLY WEDDING TIPS:

To start, here’s a couple of my favorite green vendors in here in Vegas!

- Earth Limos & Buses: Earth Limos & Buses is a limo company committed to minimizing their impact on the environment. One of the main ways they do this is using vehicles that run on eco-friendly fuel sources such as biodiesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). And not only are their limos earth-friendly, but they are also super comfortable and stylish! I especially love their luxury limo bus.

- The Springs Preserve: This 180-acre environment-centered preservation is tucked away in the middle of the city, just 10mins outside of the busy Las Vegas strip. Whether you’re looking for something a bit different for your Vegas wedding or just looking for a place to explore and have a little fun while in town, the Springs Preserve is wonderful. For weddings images from here, check out a few of my recent features on Style Me Pretty - Whitney & John’s Wedding and the Vegas Inspiration to Reality.

Also, for a great resource on more green wedding vendors, be sure to check out Juliet Douglas of Green Orchid Event’s blog – The Las Vegas Wedding Planner, which is updated frequently with great information for brides.

MY PART:

While I’ve never been the hugest tree-hugger on the planet, I do have an appreciation for the little things and products that attempt to make a difference. And I’m always looking for ways of incorporating more earth-friendly things into my own business. Here’s a few:

-  All proofing, ordering for prints, albums, etc. is done online via Pictage.com, which is much more convenient for me and my couples and really cuts down on printed forms and paperwork for product selections.

-  The album company I use and LOVE like crazy should seriously win an award. Not only do they offer the most gorgeous high-quality albums, they are the greenest album company I know. They take great care in selecting the materials they use. They take great care in how they package their products. And they even have an extensive office recycling program.

Some specifics:

JUST FOR FUN – MY FAV THINGS:

- Simple Shoes: My newest craze! Their tag line “Shoes for a Happy Planet” says it all. And my feet are also quite happy wearing them. They are colorful, stylish, fun and oh-so comfortable! I made Jayse take a couple photos of them for me – thanks love!

Could one ask for a more perfect sneaker? Here’s a cool video about their bio-degradable soles:

If you haven’t seen their site before, it’s really cool and even has a whole section dedicated to bridal jewelry. So, if you’re in need of that one last romantic piece to complete your ultra chic ensemble for the day, you may just find the perfect fit. Here’s a few of my personal favorites:

1. Blu Bijoux Deep Blue Oval Crystal Necklace – (also in purple) I love this! It would even make a cool bridesmaid necklace or gift.
2. Brian Danielle Pearl & Diamond Earrings
3. Carolee Austrian Crystal Hinged Bangle Bracelet
4. Lata K Illusion Pearl Drop Necklace So simple and classy. Love.

And just for fun, here’s a sneak peak at a project I’ve been working on for Style Me Pretty called Inspiration to Reality. Our Vegas team of fab wedding professionals had our shoot last week, and I’m so excited to share the images from it – there’s lots of eye candy!  But in the meantime, here’s the style board – “Feathers and Fur” by Chiara – that we got our inspiration from…

Happy one year birthday bloggity-blog!

Happy New Years Everyone!

So I’m looking backwards for this post and wanted to thank some people for an amazing year! I can’t believe how fast time flies. These first two years of starting full-time in this little photography business feel like a fantastically magical whirlwind. I’ve learned so much and yet have so much more to learn. It can be dizzying sometimes!

I had a ton of fun this year photographing the best couples ever! Some have become close friends that I hang out with often – others have become long distance friends and still more have come back to do anniversary shoots and maternity shoots (yay!)

It’s hard to not feel extremely grateful and extremely lucky for all the good that’s happened last year. I got to start my dream-path to destination weddings by shooting in California, New Orleans and New York City. My images were Admired by Beckstead, featured on Rock and Roll Bride, Wedding Chicks, Little Black Book Blog, TrashtheDress.com and many other fantastic blogs. I just learned I was placed in a special spot of Ruby Slippers ’5 photographers I want to be’ list (out of her ginormous list of 120 or so fab photographers! Thanks Kat!)  And, lastly, I finally made it in to Style Me Pretty’s much coveted Little Black Book – as a ‘Premiere Destination Wedding Photographer‘ no less!

So it’s been amazing to say the least. And I couldn’t have done it without all the support of the amazing people in my life. Thanks are definitely in order! I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone that’s supported me along this journey of photographing people in love: my wonderful couples, fantastic photographer friends, family and love of my life – jayse! Thanks for all the love and support and for helping me get to the point I’m at now in my business. Because of you I’m able to do what I love everyday.

This new year brings new goals, new dreams, new challenges. And though it can all pile up and be a little scary at times.. I say, BRING IT ON!

I’m SO excited for all that 2010 has in store! Happy new year everyone! It’s going to be a fantastic year.