Awake Photography – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Events January 7, 2016

Merry Serbian Christmas & Our 2015 Cards

Merry Serbian Christmas! Serbia uses the Julian calendar (as opposed to the Gregorian calendar that most of the world uses). Therefore, Serbian Christmas Day falls on the 7th of January, alas, today our family celebrates too! I’m glad I get to keep our tree up an extra week (and dread taking it down tomorrow!). We went to the Serbian church in Galveston last night for a service and will exchange gifts and eat dinner at Sasha’s aunt’s house tonight.

I meant to share our Christmas cards in December, but I was very busy and never got around to it. I published a blog post (here) with most of our family photos (taken by Paige Budde of Awake Photography), and I couldn’t decide on just one or two photos, so I went with a collage card from Artifact Uprising (I’m obsessed with this company!). I made wrap around labels like last year’s card because they are relatively simple to create. I wanted to add a little something fun, as we’ve done a Christmas ornament card and gift label card in the past. I found these adorable ‘Naught or Nice’ scratch-offs by Sweet Potato Shop on Etsy and personalized them to say “Isla thinks you’ll find coal in your stocking!” and “Hooray! Isla’s vote is ‘Nice!'” We stuck pennies on the back of each scratch off, then strategically packed our envelopes, giving all families with kids the nice cards and mixing it up for couples. We got a lot of funny responses to “Isla’s decisions.”

Personal May 18, 2015

Week in Review

The big week is finally here – we leave for Europe on Thursday, and while I’ve been preparing for months, there are still a ton of last minute things that need to be taken care of. Like… actually quitting my job, which is a big on! I have an exit interview this week, and I have to go and turn in my badge and laptop. The only thing that is totally done is packing! We took care of that on Saturday night, which is a big thing off our check list. And of course, there was the typical passport scare (how do I always misplace them?).

The past week was full of playdates and lunches with friends, which I love so much. We are so blessed with the wonderful people in our lives.

The highlights of this week included:

Finding out more about an upcoming collaboration with Decorist, which I’m really excited about. Just as Sasha thinks we’re done with changes to the house after we finish our master bedroom, I’m throwing a curve ball by re-fiddling our entry/living room. I cannot wait to share the process with you!
Meeting two of my closest (and longest-lasting) friends, McKenzie and Brittany, for lunch at Dish Society. We’ve been best friends since elementary (17 years and counting), and we always have the greatest giggles. I love them to pieces, and Isla does too. It’s such a joy seeing them interact.
Going to Isla’s The Little Gym class – we had to miss for two weeks while she was sick, and before that, our nanny was taking her. I was very ready to be playing on the gymnastics equipment with her, blowing bubbles and doing flips.
A visit from my newest ‘bestie,’ Meredith, who is helping with Isla’s party. She is the owner of Cake & Confetti (on Instagram), and I love every single creative idea she’s thrown at me. I cannot wait to celebrate on June 6!
Getting a surprise visit from my little sister, Jill, who brought over a juice from Big Yoga’s new juice bar. It was delicious, and I need to go myself!
Taking Isla’s first birthday photos with Paige of Awake Photography at T.C. Jester Park on Friday. She sent them to me that same day (I love her), and I’ve already ordered the Shutterfly book, which guests will sign at her party (order now for 50% off with code ‘Celebrate’)!
Getting my makeup done by the incredibly talented Brittany Williams (I cannot wait to share details about her new business!) – she’s the sweetest friend ever and came over at 6am on the day we were taking family photos. I love her to pieces. We then went to lunch later at Adair Kitchen in the day and met our other ‘bestie,’ Jessica.
Celebrating Lainey’s first birthday with the cutest party at her house. I loved all of the little lady bug details (a nod to her nickname, Lainey Bug), and especially her silhouette from Biscuit Home.
Eating lunch at Yard House with our friends, Alexis and Mike, and their sweet little boy Kevin (who you’ve seen before here, here, here and here).
Going on a triple date (plus Isla!) to True Food Kitchen with Amanda, Scott, Taylor and Luke (all featured in this post!). I love these two couples so much.
Sneaking in a visit to Crave Cupcakes for a vegan cupcake for Isla’s cake smash (I sprayed it with water and rolled the icing in sprinkles!). They definitely have the best vegan red velvet cupcake in Houston.
Fighting the Texas heat with a dip in the pool for Isla’s swim class at Dad’s Club. The lessons are now outdoors, and it’s literally the only opportunity I have to get a tan. Killing two birds with one stone!
Finally making my way back to Life Time Fitness after a hiatus with Isla being too sick to take to day care. I’m doing my BBG workouts there, and loving them so far!
Having a playdate with our sweet friends, Emma and Alexander. He is seriously a doll. I love him! He’s two weeks younger than Isla, and already says, “Hiya.” Cue my heart melting.
Treating myself to a Drybar visit. I watched The Notebook while sipping champagne and getting my hair done. That’s seriously my idea of heaven.
Hearing Derrick preach at Bayou City Fellowship about suffering. It was so good. We sang the most beautiful songs – ‘Come and See’ by Matt and Cameron Hammon and ‘Good Good Father’ by Housefires II.
I told my sweet neighbor that I missed reading the Houston Chronicle, and the next day, she put her copy on my door mat. It was the best surprise all week.
Getting my new Johansen Totes camera bag in the mail, as well as my second lens for my new Canon Mark III – a 24-70mm f/2.8L. I am loving it so far. I already purchased the 50mm f/1.2L, and adore it. So anxious to finalize details about my new photography venture!
Celebrating my mother-in-law’s birthday on Wednesday and having her babysit twice!

What were the highlights of your week? I would love to know. Have a great Monday!

AwakePhotography-1110 Isla’s first birthday photos by Paige of Awake Photography (more on Instagram!) 4B3A2344

Events December 5, 2014

The Semple Family Christmas Photos

The 18th annual Semple family photos were taken last Saturday, and I was excited to view the gallery yesterday (the shining highlight of a 72-hour stomach bug!). We were lucky enough to have our pictures taken by Paige of Awake Photography, who took our Petrovic family photos earlier this fall. We took them in a rustic little nook of Memorial Park, which I’ve never seen before (and I’ve trekked all around the park).

We took them in the early evening, which is not Isla’s best time of the day, so she wasn’t quite as cheerful as the other pictures we took (plus she had a cold!). I do love that one of her sitting by the tiny tree though! I am very, very ready to get my hair back to its original brown (happening Wednesday, after eight weeks of ombre)!

After picking the photo, Mum hurriedly ordered her cards from Minted yesterday, and I’m excited to see how they turn out. We sent ours out this week, and I was super excited to get three in the mail yesterday! I love holiday cards so much. Have you received any yet?

As a reminder, today is the last day to enter the Baby Registry giveaway, valued at over $400!

Happy Friday! Do you have fun weekend plans?

Large Family Photos Baby Coordinating Outfit Ideas Houston Memorial Park Paige Budde Awake Photography

Baby November 19, 2014

Isla at 5 Months

The majority of our 2014 family photos were posted last Monday (read the post here); however, I wanted to take a few non-Christmasy pictures, and I’m glad we did. With a quick outfit change, we moved into more neutral colors and added an Anthropologie headband, A Little Lady bow, a big Geronimo-style balloon, and Thimblepress confetti (this was a big fail, but a good laugh).

Paige of Awake Photography did such an amazing job capturing Isla’s sweet smiles and sassy personality. We took these two days before her 5 month anniversary – I wish she would be able to take each month’s photos! I’m looking forward to taking our ‘big’ family pictures with my family (parents, two sisters, brother-in-law, Sasha, Isla and me) in two weeks time (right before her 6 month anniversary!). My mom even managed to sneak into a few photos from this session! She was so helpful to have with us at Memorial Park.

A little 5 month update, because I think these are sweet! I’ve been capturing all of the milestones in her baby book, but thought I’d share some here. Isla is now officially mobile, and first made her way from one side of the rug to the other the day before her 5 month anniversary (albeit, very slowly). She laughs non-stop – her stomach is so ticklish! She adores when I sing, which is fantastic, as nobody else does. Her favorite story is Good Night, I Love You. She wants to eat everything and certainly will lick whatever comes her way. We still haven’t started solids, as she is still vomiting a lot, but it’s coming soon! She is so much more predictable, although we’d had a few off-nights here and there. Her hair keeps getting longer and longer – it is a legitimate mullet. She is much more observant and I can tell her thoughts are getting much more developed. She still doesn’t like getting into her car seat, but now falls asleep almost every time the engine starts. She’s at home with me every day, but has been going to the Life Time Fitness day care 1-2 times a week and most recently, at Bayou City Fellowship. I had to take her to the pediatrician recently for her erratic breathing that causes me a heart attack. Other than that, she’s a healthy 15 pound baby girl whom we love beyond imagination. I cannot imagine life without our sweet little miss Isla.

I hope you’re having a happy Wednesday and that your week is going well so far!

5 Month Baby Photography Houston Photos 6 Month Texas Park Memorial Balloon Anthropologie Headband J. Crew Paige Budde Awake Photography

Isla's Christmas with Carter's November 10, 2014

Isla’s First Christmas with Carter’s: Family Photos (Giveaway)

My absolute favorite time of the year is the holiday season. Halloween gives way to Thanksgiving, which means Christmas is right around the corner. I get giddy when lights start to be strung on trees in the neighborhood and when wreaths and ornaments begin to adorn shops across the city. There is so much joy in this season, and I am incredibly excited for Isla to celebrate her first Christmas.

We have many family traditions associated with Christmas, and this week, I’m going to share all of them, including our annual family photo, Christmas Eve candlelight church service, opening stockings in our PJs on Christmas morning, getting dressed up to open presents under the tree, and then lounging around after a festive lunch and playing with our gifts.

As I mentioned here, my family has taken family photos for the last 18 years (ever since we moved to Texas from Scotland). We take them every November to use for our annual Christmas card, as well as to be framed around the house. I knew that as soon as Sasha and I had babies, we would keep the tradition alive as well. We were lucky enough to have our pictures taken by the very talented Paige Budde of Awake Photography. I am so pleased with how they turned out and highly recommend her to anyone living in Texas (she’s based in Houston, too!).

One of the most important decisions when it comes to family photos is everyone’s outfits. For this year’s photos, I chose a red French Connection dress and Sasha wore a J. Crew button-down and khakis. After picking our outfits, Isla was next. Thankfully, Carter’s offers classic styles and coordinated looks that are perfect for family photos, so I had the best selection of pretty dresses to choose from in their Holiday Collection (think lots of bright plaids and colorful patterns). I had the hardest time picking just one, but knew that too many outfit changes would result in a not-so-happy Isla. I decided on the classic Rosette and Lace dress in ivory, as it was a neutral color which was easy for Sasha and I to complement with our outfit choices. Since it was chilly outside, I put on these sweet Glitter Bow Tights and kept her feet warm in little sparkly gold shoes. Both Isla and I wore matching floral crowns by the very talented Jess Hamilton.

Carter’s has a ton of great options for siblings too – both their girl and boy selections are adorable. My favorite choices for little boy’s outfits are the Poplin Plaid Bodysuit with Jeans and the Jersey Henley Tee with Twill Pants.

In celebration of Isla’s first Christmas, I’m partnering with Carter’s to give one lucky individual a $100 Carter’s gift card, as well as one of the outfits (boy or girl) featured during the week-long series. Enter the giveaway below (so many entry options) to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure to visit Snapshots and My Thoughts again tomorrow to see more sweet photos of Isla, and good luck with the giveaway!