Chef Kas.

January 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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If you live in Las Vegas and happen to be in need {I think we all are} of a top notch Chef, I just happen to have found one. Chef Kas!  This East coast raised Chef has a ton to share about healthy eating and doing it to fit your lifestyle.  Since starting Vegas Bloggers, we’ve had a great time meeting tons of local businesses, schools, attending events and just Las Vegas as a whole {and it’s only been a month}.  This great city offers tons of great resources and having a knowledgeable, fun, reliable and just darn right awesome Chef on hand is a good find to have.

I love his philosophy that he shared at our workshop,

“Food should not only look good & smell good but it should make you feel good after you eat it.” ~ Chef Kas

Awesomeness right!  This Social Media Savvy Chef has enough energy to keep any hungry crew entertained, well fed and feeling good throughout the whole process.  If you would like to learn more about Chef Kas, you can check him out on his website: http://www.customcuisinelv.com/

However, like I said…this Chef is social media savvy so make sure to give him a tweet or two.  Or maybe a comment on his Facebook wall and tell him Lala sent you!

Here’s just a taste of his yummy yummy dish  he prepared for us:

Filed Under: Conferences, Food, Personal Tagged With: , , , , , ,

the James.

November 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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What do you dream about at night?  Or during the day for that matter.  When the house is still and I’m left with my thoughts, I dream about all things photography.  I know I know a bit of a cliché but it’s true.  I think about locations to shoot, things to say to my clients to get them to move into the position I want.  What time of day…..seriously, I love this stuff.  My hubby has even told me he’s seen me smile and giggle in my sleep – I’m sure it was about a lens…hehehehe.

*shameless personal Christmas plug – Um Santa, In case you didn’t know I truly want the Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM
{just sayin}*

Anyway, back to the topic….I saw this next shoot in my dreams, no seriously I did.  And can I tell you…it so came true.  When I took out the card and popped it into the computer – I had chills!

Take a moment, because I did.  I loved everything about this sweet family and getting to know them more…. was icing on the cake.

Their beautiful love affair started 11 years ago and seamlessly shines it’s love through their smiles when they look at each other and their more than handsome son.  Spending an hour with them was like being on your favorite carnival ride. Effortless fun!  and can I say that when she said to me, “shoot wherever you like and however you want”..I think I literally lit up :-)

When I shot “the” image for their Christmas Cards, I knew it!  I knew it was the one. … and because I love the element of surprise, I can’t share it in case they have family members that might pop over {or subscribe} to my blog…BUT…I have to tell you it’s MY FAVORITE that I have EVER shot!  Seriously, it’s that perfect.  Do you remember my mention of the Tattoo artist I know here in Vegas on the gorgeous Litwalk post?  Chad is also an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G artist as well in that same shop.

without further ado…

….meet the James Family

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: , , , ,

Artisty Captured in Vegas

November 28, 2011 By 1 Comment
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Taking pictures is like weaving a blanket.  For me anyways…lol.  It’s brought great connections in my community, family and blog.  Having the opportunity to photograph friends and friends of friends have brought so many wonderful special gifts.  All emotional.  I love to get to know people better.  I want to know them.  Getting to know what makes them cry, smile and laugh is what it’s all about.  I just love it!   All that mushy gushy stuff, yep..that’s me.

I watched this beautiful family welcome their newest member of their family in the late summer.  There aren’t enough words to describe this little beauty.  And her brother, watch out world…if his beautiful eyes doesn’t take you, his laugh will.

Jime is one of 3 Tattoo Artist I know here in Vegas and let me emphasize on the artistry part.  So make sure to head over to their Facebook Page, like them and check em out.

Thanks to the Litwalks for letting me into their home and capture their absolutely warm, super sweet family.  Hoping I don’t spoil any Christmas Card pics, I’ll only be sharing a small few…

Meet….The Litwalks

Filed Under: Babies, Family Tagged With: , , , ,

Building a Community through Photography

November 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Holidays….urgh!!!  wait wait…that’s not a bad urgh.  It’s a …wow, it’s a crazy busy sound and that’s phenomenal.  Being behind the camera all the time is an amazing experience.  A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.  But sometimes it’s always good to get out in front of the camera and see how your clients feel.  What better practice for you as a photographer than during holiday season.  Everyone needs holiday cards..right???  right!

Meet Denise & Family.   Beautiful accent and smile that can fill a room.  She’s beautiful!  There’s nothing sweeter than to watch the interaction of husband and wife with their child.  They are sweet to watch……..

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What are you wearing for Thanksgiving?

November 20, 2011 By 1 Comment
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This day to me is all about being comfortable with the people you love the most.  Right?  Eating good food, doing nothing but smiling, laughing and for heavens sake…being comfortable.  However, this is also the time everyone pulls out there camera {i.e. me}  to take that “forever lasting” picture of you that you didn’t plan for.

There is such a thing as “being cute” and “being comfortable”.  It takes a bit of work but I try to pull it off as often as I can with two little ones in toe all the time. Here’s a little outfit I put together to let you see what I consider a Thanksgiving Comfort outfit.

by the way….I’m in love with this sweater, just in case anyone wants to tell Santa…lol

For me, this works!  I’m usually cold because someone will have the windows open because they’re sensitive to smells.  Plus, I always carry all of my hubby’s gadgets {phone, wallet…i.e.things to weigh down my purse}  in my bag so having a big enough “cute” purse is essential.    What are you wearing on Thanksgiving day?

Thanksgiving Day Comfort

 


Dorothy Perkins tie sweater
$49 us dollars - dorothyperkins.com

Wet Seal denim skinny jeans
$33 - wetseal.com

Tory Burch flat heel shoes
$127 - nordstrom.com

Mango woven bag
70 - mango.com  $109 us dollars

Dorothy Perkins gold tone jewelry
$11 us dollars - dorothyperkins.com

sweet potato pie
foodlorists.blogspot.com

Filed Under: Happy Spots

Pure fun: Kady & Olivia Part 1

November 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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I’m always super excited to try something out different.  And even though this year I’ve focused on doing more babies & children,  this was so fun to take part in.  When there is teaching and learning opportunity to be had, I’m right there if I can be.  Being a mommy sometimes {ok, most of the time} takes priority, but I always try to work it out.   And how could I possibly miss the fabulous & famous Scott Bourne heading up a styled shoot with gorgeous models.  I had to be there …right!!!

So glad I did because it was a fabulous place to get together with other photogs that I haven’t seen for a while and meet new ones.

There were tons of fab shots so I’ll break this post up into two.  So…here’s to the first post:

Without further ado, the gorgeous Kady Kay & Olivia Goode

Filed Under: Styled Shoots Tagged With: , , , ,

Pure Family: Thompson’s take 3

November 11, 2011 By 2 Comments
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Every year I photograph this family and every year I love it more.  Now, I have to give a bit of history because you’ll need to know this.

Prior to myself taking their portraits, this sweet family only went to the studio like everyone else does.  And don’t get me wrong, when you need pictures and have a tight schedule, department store pictures are an option.  However, I did a little begging and a we did some last minute planning and then…wa-la!  A session was booked….3 years ago.

I’ve been trying to get this cute little family to let me photograph them in the summer for Christmas Card pictures and finally….finally….after 3 years of shooting them, they are finally on board. They understand and get what boutique lifestyle photography is and it’s about how you live.   I can’t wait to see those future images!

I love that being able to photograph a family, a child or a newborn I get to see that special “the moment” …whatever it is.  The moment when your makeup isn’t just right and your hair wasn’t quite in place.  Or, that snort laugh was captured instead of the pretty smile you thought you wanted.  I love “that” moment.  I love it!

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Stud Master in the building

September 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Do you remember the first post about our little stud?  He seemed so big then but now looking back, he was a itty bitty. However,  our little guy is officially growing up.  Even though he’s still a puppy and only 7 months old as of 2 days ago, he has made that leap.   And just in case you were trying to guess if we were going to have a birthday party for our little guy….why yes, YES we are!  Stay tuned February 2012!

 

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Who cooks in your household?

August 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Food_0085.jpg

I love that cowboy loves to cook!  I love it so much that I’m sure he thinks I take advantage of his love by allowing him to cook most dinners.  Yep!  That’s right….my sweetest hubby does most of the dinner cooking.  Fact: my family is from the south.  We love butter.  Another fact: I love to cook with butter.  So, with all this factual information he has, he’s made the decision to cook most dinners because he wants to ensure he lives past the age of 50. Really?  Does he think my cooking could do that to him? {probably}

The other night he made a kick butt, killer, super quick meal and I had to share!  I’ll be posting the recipe on my Deal Blog because I want all my recipes in one spot, so be on the lookout.  The recipe came from the Fine Cooking magazine. And if you can believe it….the kids loved it. It did take a bit of coking but after the first bite they loved it.

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Living in a cute little box

August 4, 2011 By 2 Comments
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That’s what most of the houses that are built now adays are, a box.  Unless it’s a custom home it’s a track home or semi custom.  Either way, I love looking.  I love looking at how it could look {the “new” homes} or how people live in their homes {the”‘re-sales”}.  I just love it!  I love it so much I even took Real Estate classes to get my license, JUST so I could look at homes when I want.  I know crazy right….but still, I love it.

Back when Las Vegas was booming about 10 years ago and they even has the ahhh famous house bidding called “The Lottery”, there were tons of Model Homes all over Vegas.  You couldn’t drive one block and not see a new home sale sign.  Ok, maybe not every block but there were tons {I miss that}.

I think I’ve seen almost every model home in Las Vegas. Seriously, I do.  My family will tell you, I would drag them around town or I would be MIA because I’m checking out new homes.  Even after we purchased our home, I still loved to look.  The lines, the textures, the colors….it all is an overwhelming sensory smorgasbord for my creative habbit.  

There aren’t too many these days but when I do see one I must stop.  Design ideas are always fun to gather so over the weekend I saw one…we stopped!

Now, I didn’t have my snookie {my canon} with me but a good ole’ point & shoot worked just fine.  Details, details and lot’s details.  This wasn’t one of my faves but they had a great deal of details that I did love.  First up, the medicine cabinet {see I told you I look at details}.  This medicine cabinet is to die for!  It has a mirror inside and is super deep.

Just in case you Love it too, the image over to the right has the name of the manufacture.  Love you Zaca!

The pictures above is the same room.  Top – is the view from the kitchen.  Bottom – is the view from the family room.  I love the sitting area in the middle.  Although we could better use that space for a pool table area, but still this is a quaint little space.   I’m all about function.  If I can’t use it, I don’t want it in my home.  I remember growing up and have plastic – yes plastic – on certain items in the house.  I can’t even fathom that now.

What can I say about this room.  Theatre seats lined the back of the room.  And dark burlap curtains hung from the windows. My hubby’s dream. One thing I never thought about was painting the door to seem…well, seamless.  Love this idea, I will be adding this to the “must do” list on my dream home.

My ultimate favorite builder in Las Vegas are the Christopher Homes. They’re unique, generous on space and are filled with quality details.  Everything I love! But when your needing a “house fix”  looking at anything new is always nice.

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