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Ailee Petrovic

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Week in Review

Ailee_Petrovic_151201_4B3A3915It looks like Tuesday Week in Reviews may be the new thing for a few weeks, as Isla and I are heading to San Francisco this weekend to visit my sister-in-law, one of my closest friends, and a few of my favorite people whom I’m never met 🙂 Isn’t the internet a wonderful thing? I’ve got dates planned with Jillian, Annie and Kristy, and I could not be any more excited about seeing all of these wonderful ladies. 

  • Taking photographs for the cover of January’s Buzz Magazines – this publication is sent to all homes in River Oaks, Tanglewood, Memorial, Bellaire and West U., so it was an exciting project! I cannot wait to get my hands on the various copies!
  • Photographing Lyndsey and her two gorgeous girls for a holiday collaboration she is doing with a very fun brand – I cannot wait for her to post the pictures!
  • Going to swim class and showing Coach Alicia Isla’s new trick of blowing bubbles under water – we’ve practiced every week for months, but she’s only now doing it (and not just drinking the pool water!).
  • Getting the MacBook I got while I was in college re-booted by installing a new hard drive and battery, and getting it re-imaged at the Apple store… it literally is as good as new and cost about $150! I can finally work on the couch next to Sasha versus having to always be at my desk! I’m seriously so excited.
  • Attending a Villa Wanderlust party that is hosted by two amazingly talented ladies – Sarrah of La Mochi and Joy of Priya – 
  • Going to our nephew’s party at Wonderwild and watching all of the kids bounce, slide and play together.
  • Taking family photos for an old sorority sister of mine, Sarahbeth, at Lost Lake; a friend’s sister-in-law, Lindsay, on Rice’s campus; my sister-in-law’s high school friend’s sister, Elizabeth, at the Arboretum; Sasha’s co-worker, Rosie, at The Houstonian; and my friend, Ellen, at Briargrove Park. I am almost done with family photos for the year – just a few left when we get back from California!
  • Celebrating Olivia’s 3rd birthday party at the cutest little indoor party place called Giggles & Fun. She was so excited about her cake (which made sense because it was beautiful!).
  • Taking photos for Caroline at her house and getting to snap a few of her adorable son, Knox, too!
  • Having Sunday brunch at Sweet Paris in Rice Village with my two favorite people! Isla was very strategically picking out all of the strawberries from her Nutella crepe – such a healthy little lady 😉 
  • Going to the Cake & Confetti workshop, which was so much fun! We got to decorate adorable little cakes, make garlands, eat lots of cheese, drink cocktails, and learn hostess and beauty tips!
  • Celebrating Destiny’s 24th birthday (such a baby!) at Ruggles Green on Monday! Then she jet-setted off to Utah, then Vegas, then SF right after. Looking forward to her being back this week!
  • Taking photos for Elly at River Oaks District. She is absolutely flawless, and I love snapping her photos. These photos were some of my favorites we’ve done so far!
  • Having my very best friend over for dinner and tree decorating on Monday. She is moving to Chicago and I’m so excited for her, but so selfishly sad! We’re having a going away dinner celebrating for her in a few weeks, and I need to bring my Kleenex.

How was your week? Are you ready for Christmas? It’s only 16 days away! I’ve got a lot to do before then!

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Week in Review

Happy Cyber Monday! Have you taken advantage of any of the amazing deals yet? I hope Sasha is not home when my boxes arrive! Some of my favorite stores’ sales include Madewell: 25% off your entire purchase, LOFT: 50% off everything, J. Crew: 30% off everything, Gap: 40% off everything, Old Navy: 40% off everything, and Nordstrom: Up to 40% off. Yikes

Anyway, can you believe there are only 32 days until Christmas? I’m so excited. Sasha finally got our tree down from the attic last night, and I started decorating. I need some serious help though! 

  • Having our annual Serbian “cousin night out” at Benjys and then heading to karaoke at Glitter afterwards. Sasha and I sang Uptown Funk and embarrassed ourselves, but had a great time doing it!
  • Eating dinner at Ruggles Green with one of my best friends, Kirby, and Isla’s best friend, Lillian. Isla pushed Lily around in her doll stroller and loved it!
  • Celebrating Thanksgiving day with my family, our friends and then Sasha’s family! I love that holiday so much – it’s so nice to spend a whole day with people you love!
  • Putting up the tree and decor – follow along on Snapchat @aileepetrovic for short little videos!
  • Taking my family’s photos with a latter and umbrella in the rain… we are crazy! See photographic evidence below!
  • Photographing five sweet families in various pretty spots throughout the week and on Saturday and Sunday!
  • Getting a small toe surgery to remove an ingrown toe nail on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving… just an hour before taking family photos!
  • Doing a festive Christmas shoot at Firethorne with two of the most gorgeous little ladies!
  • Taking blog photos for Alex, Destiny, Sara and Caroline – a busy fashion blog week!
  • Taking Lauren Mills’ family photos at her parent’s house!
  • Having a call with Natasha of Burdlife for an upcoming shoot – she is so sweet and I’m excited to collaborate with her!

How was your Thanksgiving? Are you participating in Cyber Monday sales?

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Cake & Confetti Holiday Hostess Workshop (Plus, SAMT Discount Code!)

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Happy Black Friday! I hope you had the best Thanksgiving yesterday, and if you’re planning on shopping today or have already been… well, God bless you. I couldn’t do it! I’m all about the online deals right now. I’ll share some of the best Cyber Monday discounts soon!

Since today is technically set-up-your-Christmas-tree-day (Sasha, please!), I wanted to share details about one of my closest friend’s upcoming holiday workshop since it’s going to be so much fun, and I want you to join. Plus, you’ll get 10% off, but you’ve got some reading to do before you get there!

Week in Review

Today’s Christmas countdown is brought to you with sheer excitement as well as some panic, given that I have not bought a single gift, and we’re going to be sitting under a tree unwrapping presents in just 30 days. Yay and yikes. Black Friday sales, here I come. And by that, I totally mean Cyber Monday because let’s get real: I am not patient and will not go and stand in any lines at the mall.

I don’t want to sound like a broken record, so I’ll save you from the details on , and that Sasha told me he felt like a stay-at-home dad (SAHD) this weekend (ha, shocking that a husband would do dishes and laundry!!). I am so incredibly grateful for amazing opportunities, but also ready for family photo season to come to an end, as I want to see my family again!

Also, my mom was unexpectedly in the hospital this weekend, but she is back at home now and in good spirits. We greatly appreciate the calls, texts and prayers! 

Other than that definite low-light of the week, some of the more fun moments included:

  • Meeting and photographing Caroline Harper Knapp of House of Harper at her house twice – the second time involved a very smokey situation, as the flue was stuck… and we only realized that after the fire was started! Thank goodness her GC was nearby and came to fix the situation!
  • Going to the Buzz magazine office for a meeting – excited to work with them on photography and contribute for a fun (and relevant to all of this blogging/Houston creatives) article!
  • Ducking out of the rainstorm for TCBY with Leah of The Monogram Shop – I love her!
  • Taking head shots with the fun gals behind Moms Without Answers. They were very colorful, and I’m excited for you to see them (sneak peek below!).
  • Doing a holiday blanket pickup around town and getting to chat briefly to Meredith and my old Accenture boss, Andrew, whose wife just had twins!
  • Taking five sets of family photos at Rice University (with Elly Brown‘s adorable family!), Lakeside Country Club, Lost Lake, the Arboretum, and the Menil Collection.
  • Going to Isla’s swim class, which is always so much fun until we have to leave… which she never wants to do. Cue tantrum! She would truly want to stay in that pool all day long!
  • Meeting my good friend Alexis for drinks at Devine in Memorial. I could literally talk to her for hours at a time, and I always leave with a laundry list of things I forgot to ask her about!
  • Taking photos for Lauren Mills of Sunday Beach twice on Friday – in the morning and afternoon. She is a doll, and that bump is the cutest thing ever!
  • Going to Sasha’s grandma’s Slava, which is a holiday celebrating a family’s patron saint. His mom hosted it at her house, and it was so great to see Sasha’s cousins and their kids.
  • Surprising one of my best friends, Kirby, at Down House for dinner on Sunday. She is visiting her family for Thanksgiving, and we got to shower her (and sweet baby Henry in her belly) with love! I miss her so badly and wish they lived in Houston!
  • Eating lunch at Carabbas on Saturday before heading to REI for our family’s annual trip where we all get a new jacket. I got a new ‘Underwater Blue’ Patagonia puffer jacket that I love, and Isla got a new fleece and her first backpack. I’m obsessed!
  • Having my SIL, her boyfriend, Sasha’s dad and stepmom over for late lunch on Sunday. Ivana lives in San Francisco (we’re visiting in a few weeks!), and I love when she is in town. As does Isla, who has been saying, “NANA!” on repeat for days.
  • Photographing our sweet friends, Amanda and Scott, at Memorial Park with their rescue pup, Gilbert. We may or may not have been surprised mid-shoot when the cops showed up with flashing lights on. Whoops. I guess we weren’t supposed to drive down that dirt road! No arrests though, thank goodness.

I hope you had a fabulous week and that this one is starting off well too. Happiest early Thanksgiving!! xo

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Liam’s Woodland One-derland Party

Ailee_Petrovic_151114_4B3A0122This past weekend, I was asked to photograph a first birthday party at a neighborhood park. Walking into it, I had no idea that I was going to encounter the cutest and most-Pinterest worthy celebration ever. The theme was ‘Woodland One-derland,’ and I was gushing over every single intricate detail.

Unfortunately, I can’t source things, since it isn’t my party, but if you have questions about any of the party decor, I’m happy to ask Sarah (Liam’s mom) and get back to you! Nobody should ever question the amount of blood, sweat and tears that goes into these first birthday parties! I know from first-hand experience (Isla’s party blog post here and Project Nursery post here) that they take umpteen hours to plan and fly by so incredibly quickly. 

Feast your eyes on this gorgeous woodland party, share with friends who have young babes and Pin away! 

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