4 Things.... Road Trip!

Recently,  Jen and I took the old Prius for a spin to Arizona. Sometimes getting away from it all refreshes my creative spirit.4 things I've been loving...

Listening: Billy Joel's concert in Phoenix, AZ was everything I could have hoped for. It was amazing to watch someone still love to perform after all these years. To quote my friend Jenny, "Sometimes music is transcendent."

Watching: A Book of Morman in San Diego, CA. It was epic. Run don't walk.

Playing: Exquisite Corpse with Lauren Natalie on Pinterest. This is a game created by surrealists around 1925 in which each collaborator adds to a composition in sequence, either by following a rule or by being allowed to see only the end of what the previous person contributed. I love how this game promotes collaboration. In our version, Lauren and I take turns pinning photographs for each other. First I pin an image, and then Lauren answers by pining an image inspired by the previous one. Soon enough, we have an entire board filled with photography inspiration.

Dreaming: Last week I booked a wedding in Italy. I have my fingers crossed that I will get to spend some time in Iceland on the way there. A girl can dream...

Happy Weekend! Hoping you get to do some road tripping this summer.

xoxo,

Suzanne

4 Things... Happy Weekend!

Hope you are all having a relaxing Sunday! Just wanted to pop in and share some fun updates about what I've been up to. This weekend Jen and I are going on a road trip to Arizona. We decided it was time for an art date with Billy Joel, the Phoenix Art Museum, and Sedona. We will be posting a few pics along the way on Instagram. #azstateofmind I'll definitely be taking a few shots on the road and share them here soon.For now, these are four things I've been loving lately...

Reading: The Firestarter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte. Recommended to me by the lovely Courtney Bright of Brightly Designed. This book helps you design your life in a way that is most meaningful for you.

Watching: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at the Old Globe Theater. Mike and I love the flexibility of season passes. I had the opportunity to catch this play last week with Mike, Jen, and my mom. If you get a chance head on over and have a laugh.

Listening: "Same Love" by Macklemore. I know I'm about a year late, but I just heard this song for the first time yesterday.

Dreaming: Of our destination wedding in Orcas Island in July. So excited for the chance to shoot and explore the pacific northwest. I made a Pinterest board for inspiration, check it out here Maybe it will inspire a trip of your own.

Happy Weekend!

xoxo, Suzanne

The $40,900 Question: Annette Gomez

 Annette Gomez's classic and timeless floral designs are inspiring. We were able to gain insight into summer floral trends, seeking inspiration, and dream summer trips when we interviewed Annette. She really is lovely. Be sure to pop by her website for some more floral eye candy.

1. Favorite summer blooms? Zinnias, cosmos, and garden roses.

2. Color palettes that are spiring you this summer? Bright hot color. Always orange. I love orange for summer. And green, actually green is my favorite color and I can't get enough green. Yellow is another great summer color.

3. Describe your signature style. My signature style has evolved over the years, but the look I have always loved is one that is loose and unstructured. It is usually created from lots of goodies foraged from my garden. I like to think my style is approachable and not contrived. I lean towards a simple, clean, classic, and timeless look.

4. Any advice for brides to be? Relax! Use Pinterest for inspiration but don’t insist that everything look exactly like the pictures on your board. Embrace what mother nature has to offer you at the time of your wedding. Hire wonderful professional vendors and then let them do their thing. Let go… let go… let go…. Surprises are a wonderful thing.

5. What keeps you inspired? Nature always inspires me… and my garden. I love working in my garden and digging in the dirt. This is where I get most of my inspiration.

6. Describe the perfect bouquet. There isn’t just one perfect bouquet, as it usually  depends on the bride. I tend to like a hand held cluster of just one type of flower, maybe sweet peas or lily of the valley or even daffodils can make a lovely bouquet. If I am not in a simple mood, then I go for lots of green textures with a few funky blooms.  Perhaps garden roses or what ever is growing in my garden at the moment.

7. Favorite summer destination? Guadalajara Mexico or really anywhere in Mexico.

8. Beach or mountains? I like both.

9. If you had $40,900 to spend on one trip, where would you go and what would you do? Italy. The Vatican. If I am really dreaming, I would have a meal with Pope Francis. I would love that! I would walk my way through Italy sampling all of the wonderful cuisine and I would take my darling husband with me.  

One Pic : Staci and Evan

"If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever."-Alfred Lord Tennyson

Here's a secret, wedding planning is hard.  That is why I love wedding planners, they make life breezier.  Here's a tip from a photographer, pick a venue that has a little magic to it.  Loving your venue will certainly add to your pictures. xoxo,

Suzanne

Calamigas Ranch Malibu