Couples in Love Imagery by the Inimitable Critsey Rowe

I'm a huge fan of international Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer Critsey Rowe. When I saw this image on her blog it literally took my breath away. I decided to create a mini gallery of some of my favorite images she's posted on her blog in 2009.

Beach wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico

CLICK HERE to View More Images from this Wedding and After Session

Critsey's style may be best described as "intimate glam" because whether a couple is in casual wear or wedding attire, and it doesn't matter if they are standing in a Times Square, are wading in the ocean or relaxing in a field of green, the intimacy she captures between couples is truly beautiful. And did I mention she can make anyone look glamorous? I can say that with complete conviction because I had a photo session with Critsey earlier this year.

So take a peek at her images and enjoy!

Kristin and Reese's Engagement Session - CLICK HERE to View More Images from this Session

Kely and Chris' Engagement Session - CLICK HERE to View More Images from this Session

A memorable lifestyle shoot in Munich, Germany with Dani and Daniel - CLICK HERE to View More Images from this Session

NYC Nighttime Engagement Session with Sherry and Kevin - CLICK HERE to View More Images from this Session

Lake Wylie Engagement Session with Ashley and Ben in South Carolina - CLICK HERE to View More Images from this Session

Charlotte, North Carolina Engagement Session with Ashley and Nick - CLICK HERE to View More Images from this Session

Charlotte, North Carolina Engagement Session with Amanda and Jeff - CLICK HERE to View More Images from this Session

Lifestyle Photo Session with Bethany and Kevin - CLICK HERE to View More Images from this Session

New York Engagement Session with Andrew and Helen - CLICK HERE to View More Images from this Session

Day After Photo Session with Kim and Jeff in Hoboken, New Jersey - CLICK HERE to View More Images from this Session

The Rooftop of a Holiday Inn, Jessi and Randall's Wedding - CLICK HERE to View More Images from this Wedding

Sherry and Kevin's Beach wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico - CLICK HERE to View More Images from this Wedding and After Session

Stowe Botanical Garden and Brandy and Steven's Wedding - CLICK HERE to View More Images from this Wedding

Linsey and Brian's Wedding Day - CLICK HERE to View More Images from this Wedding

A Porcelain Limoge, Wedding Cake, Ring Pillow

Years ago, when I first began creating custom bridal accessories a bride came to me with a unique idea for her Ringbearer cushion. Her only problem was finding someone who could make it happen. CLICK HERE to learn about the very simple solution I came up with to make her dream come true.

A Caketastrophe at Patisserie Philippe, San Francisco, CA

I have written about Patisserie Philippe once before when I went to hang out there with Evonne Wong before The Knot event earlier this year.

Yesterday I was up in SF and realized I had some free time at the last minute so I called my friend Josie (Who I hadn't seen in about 25 years since High School, gotta love Facebook) and she was free too! So I picked her up and we headed over for a little nibble and some sweets... We both had this smoked salmon and herbed cream cheese sandwich. I wish I could live next door to a restaurant that makes food like this. I'd be there every day!

I ordered the Fig Tart. It was divine. Of course I had to take a picture.

Josie decided to photograph her Pear Frangipane. Photographing pastry should be a pleasure and not as stressful as Josie is making it look. LOL

And then it happened. The restaurant had a steady stream of people grabbing to go orders and others dining in. All of a sudden we heard the collective sound of people screaming "Nooooo" and gasping "Ahhhhhh"... I turned around and saw a man frozen in place holding two plates, one had a dessert on it and the other was empty! After the gasp was dead silence. Everyone was somberly staring at the floor. It took mere fractions of a second for Josie and I to realize what had just transpired. I was saying "that's tragic" and "what a waste" when Josie said: "Quick, go take a picture!"

I grabbed my camera and went to document the Chocolate and Banana Cake carnage that only moments before had been a delectable dessert. As I approached the fallen cake people had begun to scurry to clean it up so I had to work fast.

When I whipped out my camera and started taking pictures the whole place erupted in absolute laughter. I explained the pictures were for my blog which made one woman laugh even harder. Then Josie came and took some pictures with her camera too. Good times.

Anyways this is Josie and I yesterday. We took this picture using my auto-timer and propping up the camera on my leftover lunch box and to go pastry box. They were the perfect height!

The last known picture of us together was at her Birthday when she turned 8 years old. It was great seeing her yesterday. You'll probably be hearing about more adventures with Josie on the blog as we are planning to get together to do more fun stuff in the city :D

Auction Items Needed to Help Robert Yamada

Some of you may be following the progress of 21 year old Robert Yamada who was paralyzed from the neck down earlier this year in a swimming accident. Though he was insured his insurance will not cover all of the medical costs he has accrued since August. Currently he is spending 4 months receiving the care that may enable him to someday breathe, move his arms and walk on his own again:

Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado has earned the recognition as one of the top rehabilitation centers in the world because of the successes of our "graduates". Craig is exclusively dedicated to the specialty rehabilitation and research for patients with spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury.

The tab for each month of his rehabilitation is $80,000 dollars and his insurance will only cover the first three months. His family is also renovating their home adding an addition and a lift (elevator) so that Robert will have access to all areas of the house in his wheelchair when he returns from Craig in December.

To help raise funds to help Robert receive the treatment and care he needs an auction is being organized. This is where you can come in. Team Robert is looking for people who are able and willing to donate an item for auction...

They are requesting anything and everything from a time share get-away, week or weekend stay at your cabin, an item or service from your business, computers, bikes, cars, appliances, sports memorabilia, trips, wine, golf packages, golf supplies, TV's, furniture, artwork, electronics like video games or iPods... Nothing is too big or small! Please use your imagination and help to raise some funds to assist Robert in his recovery!

Please CLICK HERE if you can help. Or call Aimee at (509) 714-0980 or Patty at (509) 413-3311 and they will give you more details and tell you how to send your donation or arrange to pick it up if you live in Spokane. Thank you!!!

You can also purchase a "Friend of Robert Yamada" t-shirt or sweatshirt at Eggers Better Meats & Seafood in Spokane, Washington. The profits go to Robert's fund and you help publicize his need whenever you wear yours.

Silicon Valley NACE at the Capital Club in San Jose, CA

If you've never been to the Capital Club in downtown San Jose here are two tips for you:

1. It is located on the top floor in the Knight Ridder building pictured above, on the same block as the San Jose Museum of Art.

2. The elevator is the 17th floor with the "CC" for Capital Club.

Here Chris Citti of "Citti's Florist" greets guests attending "Over the Top" a special evening designed for Corporate Event Planners and hosted by NACE's Silicon Valley Chapter.

Party Theme Productions decked out the entrance in grand style!

I loved the zebra!

It was a sold out event so the space was at capacity for the dinner and presentation later that evening. The theme was "Fire and Ice" beautifully represented by the florals provided by Citti's Florist, the chair covers and linens by Exquisite Party Rentals and the lighting and ceiling draping were provided by North American Theatre Technology.

Citti's Florist created tall centerpieces that I love because they allow guests to see each other all the way around the table. Tall centerpieces with wide bases become obstructions so the slender clear vase was perfect to allow guests to meet each other once seated and for conversations to flow.

The "Ice" side was my favorite. I love this snow cone blue lighting with shades of purple and lavender. NATTI also provided the lit bases for the centerpieces adding an extra touch of drama to the entire room.

A small private dining nook at the far end of the room was beautifully lit and particularly stunning.

This photo shows the length of the event space. I am standing at the far end of the "Ice" side and you can see all the way down to the far wall on the "Fire" side.

This is Natti Pearce-Thomson, President and Senior Lighting Director of North American Theatre Technology, setting up a customizable LED chandelier before the event began.

There were many companies set up at open table booths showcasing their services and products to dozens of the Bay Area's top Corproate Event Coordinators. Rich Amooi from Hey Mr. DJ and Robbie Schlosser from the Magnolia Jazz Band were both participating in the showcase that evening.

I LOVE this. Rich's branding is superb. See how his business card and flyer compliment perfectly? If you visit his website you'll see that it does as well. Rich said he designed his flyers himself. I think he did a fantastic job!

And here is Robbie Schlosser, Communications Chair on the Board of Directors for the local NACE chapter,with photographer Richard Mayer. Later that evening Robbie and his trio performed after dinner but unfortunately I was unable to stay to take a picture. ETA: I just spotted this video clip of Robbie and the trip performing that night over on Rich Amooi's blog. Enjoy!

If you ever want to hear the Magnolia Jazz Band perform you can visit the schedule on their website for their Bay Area performance schedule.

Wedding Photographer Claudia Akers was there with a super sharp display. Her photography is beautiful. If you're considering who to hire for your wedding be sure to take a peek at her website or Flirty Guide Profile. She's easy to talk to, low key and very talented.

Both guests and professionals alike had a great time!

And the food! Wow there was a lot of food and chocolate there that night. I spotted this appetizer at Cosmopolitan Catering's booth. That's owner Cheryl Martinez in the red blouse in the photo above this one.

Events of Excellence created this beautiful "Poached Salmon Timbale Stack" with Portabella Relish and Baby Greens. And to go with it a beautiful view of Downtown San Jose courtesy of the Capital Club.

The Hotel Montgomery offered this shrimp dish and to think there were even more caterers offering even more food and dinner was still to come!

I have to say I was surprised to learn that Schurra's Fine Confections has been making confections in San Jose since 1912... And this was the first time I've ever heard of them! What's up with that? I mean seriously, you know how much I love chocolate. I just don't understand how I never knew about them. I'll be making a trip to their shop down on the Alameda some time soon.

Vintagio was also there with their bottles of wine dressed in customized labels. A very fun idea for special events or gift giving.

And how cool are these photo cookies by Freedom Bakery? I loved the golfball cookie in particular because the shading of the dimples looked so lifelike you would have sworn the cookie itself was dimpled. Behind it were more samples of logos and images that they have put on cookies in the past. Currently they are offering a special price through the end of November on their photo cookies and chocolates. Pricing on full color cookies begins at $1.20 per cookie and $2.20 for per chocolate.

A beautiful dessert buffet was in store for guests later that evening.

Chocolates á la carte was there with trays of gorgeous truffles. Yum!

Chocolats á la carte also displayed these unusual chocolate puzzles!

Ah, it's always nice to see a friendly face! I ran into photographer Micahel Soo shortly after I arrived. It was a pleasure to chat with him and catch up a bit. I've mentioned Michael on the blog before because he was the photographer at the Proposal in Paradise Video shoot that I participated in a year ago. His pictures were stunning! I loved that the photo that happened to appear on his onscreen slideshow when I took this photo was a dessert photo of what I'm assuming was frozen yogurt and fresh strawberries. How appropriate for me. I love frozen yogurt :P

Another friendly face was Susan Sheinkopf of "The Party Staff Inc." TPS Inc. provides professional food servers, bartenders, captains, event managers and cooks for every kind of social function and special event imaginable from corporate events and weddings to backyard BBQ's.

And Screenbooth, a modern alternative to the traditional guest book, was there with new and improved services then when I first met them last year. Soon they will be launching printed "photo booth" styled pictures to their list of services provided along with their video guest books.

Rosie is Home Safe and Sound!

A Message from Rosie's Mom:

So, the adventures of Rosie...she's safe at home with me, hungry and thirsty but otherwise fine. She's curled on my feet about to pass out. Somehow she made her way to Upper Arlington, got tired and sat down in someone's drive way. They called the UA AC, she came out and rescued her

What a huge relief! Thanks to all who helped to spread the word. It's a wonderful feeling knowing that there's such a huge safety net out there of people, friends and complete strangers, who care and were willing to jump in and help out!

REWARD! LOST GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG (Grandview Heights X Upper Arlington area of) COLUMBUS OH

ROSIE WAS FOUND! Thanks to Kate and all who helped me to spread the word yesterday in Columbus, Ohio.

Rosie escaped this morning from her pet sitter's fenced backyard. She actually managed to unlatch the gate and presumably is headed for home. Her owner is one of my best friends and was scheduled to go out of town today hence the need for a pet sitter.

Rosie is an adult, female, German Shepherd with a very black colored face. AC saw her at North Star and Northwest Blvd. at 10:00 AM this morning but couldn't catch her.

Rosie was wearing a pink gingham collar, she has all her tags on. For updates please visit www.FindRosie.com

Please help me spread the word to anyone you know who lives in the Columbus area. Share this message on Facebook and retweet on Twitter.

There is also a PDF printable flyer on her website. If you know people who live in Columbus can you ask them to print and post some on bulletin boards they have access to around work, the supermarket, busy street corners, etc.

We are worried sick for Rosie's safety.

Thank you for any help!

More "Dog Halloween Costume" Press for Kitai

Sometimes I wonder why it's so easy for me to create press for my dog. I mean seriously, he gets more press then my business and other then sending in a picture of him in a costume, I don't even have to try. His press page is quite extensive. CLICK HERE to check out his press and you'll see I'm not exaggerating.

Today he was in the news once again. While visiting my family in Washington state I submitted his photo to an online Halloween photo gallery on a local news website. This morning my mom opened the newspaper and who was the lead in to the photo gallery? Kitai! Will have to go add this to his press page today...

Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining at all. Every bit of press Kitai has received has hopefully helped people to realize that there are some truly fantastic dogs waiting to be adopted at their local shelter. As word of Kitai and his costumes spreads it only helps to raise this awareness. I know my mom and dad will be telling their friends about their grand-dog being in the paper. Every little bit helps. If even one person adopts their next pet from a shelter after learning Kitai came from one then the work I put into his costume each Halloween is well worth the effort.