Events – Page 7 – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Décor November 4, 2015

Our 2015 Family Photos

Remember how I was going to wait to share our family photos (taken by the absolutely incredible Paige Budde) until after our card was sent? Well, here they are… on November 4th. And I haven’t even given thought to our Christmas cards (although I’m eyeing a few Artifact Uprising ones that are ah-mazing). That, my sweet friends, is the embodiment of impatience.

But do not fear – I’ve saved three of my favorites that are top contenders for the card so that there will be SOME element of surprise when people receive theirs in the mail!

We took our photographs with Paige at 6:45am on Sunday… in the rain. Thankfully, we had already discussed taking them at the Menil Collection, which has a covered sidewalk. I’m also so grateful that Paige showed up with the gorgeous chair you’ll see below (she also owns The Foundry Rental Co.), which gave some extra flair given that we were limited to where we could shoot with the rain. When I saw this sneak peek, I was very excited. And then I saw the email in my inbox this morning and got teary eyed looking at all of the photos. I feel so incredibly blessed (I’m “so basic,” I know) to have these two in my life. Sasha is the best best-friend and husband I could ask for, and I didn’t know it was possible to love anyone like I love Isla.

Thank you, Paige, for capturing these special moments. It’s amazing to see how much she’s grown since our photos last year, and even since Isla’s first birthday photos. Please don’t retire from photography or move before 2037.

50 days until Christmas! I can’t wait!

Décor October 30, 2015

“Mummy and Me” Halloween Party with Salata

On Wednesday, Isla and I headed to a ‘Mummy and Me’ Halloween party that our sweet friends, Destiny and Truman, were hosting in their new gorgeous house.

Salata kindly catered the party, which was such a blessing. It was so easy – we chose the Salata Bar, which came with lettuce, 12 toppings, three dressings (with the choice of 10), protein (you choose from four chicken, four seafood and three vegan options!), bread, croutons and pita chips. I swung by the store on the way to the party, and they had everything bagged and ready to go. It couldn’t have been more simple!

I absolutely love Salata (as do the other ladies who were at the party), and it was like having the entire restaurant experience at your house. The new online ordering platform (developed in-house by Salata!) makes catering orders easily customizable with the click of a button. Guests can quickly select their orders through the visual customization options and schedule on-time order deliveries. Other new offerings include new premium salad recipes, developed through a Salata employee recipe contest. Four of the winning recipes are now on the menu – Sweet & Savory, Green Goodness, Spicy Thai Crunch and Keen Wah Kale, with superfoods quinoa and kale. The combinations are available in the salad bowl, wrap tray and boxed lunch catering options. I highly recommend you order from Salata if you’re hosting a party and need to feed a lot of hungry mouths – they’ll love you for it!

Now onto the party – Destiny is seriously the hostess with the mostess. Every single detail was perfect! Her invitations were from Saturday and Ninth, and a lot of the decor was from Sweet Katy Lane. They only recently moved into their house, yet she opened up her doors for us amidst getting her kitchen cabinets finished (super mom!). It is already decorated so well – house envy!

So, are you guys ready for Halloween tomorrow? Are you going trick or treating or to any fun parties? Stay safe!

Baby October 29, 2015

Introducing Baby Lincoln

Last weekend, I had the privilege of photographing sweet baby Lincoln, who was less than two weeks old and the cutest little man. I’ve followed his mama’s blog – Veronika’s Blushing – for years now, but hadn’t actually met her until this newborn session. She is just as gorgeous in ‘real life’ as she is in photos – and sweet to boot.

Some of my favorite photos were those of Lincoln’s older sister, Harper, holding him for the very first time. She softly stroked his head, and it melted my heart. Plus, we let her bounce on her brand new bed, and she loved that too!

I’m sharing some photos from the session below – prepare yourself for some serious baby fever.

Baby October 2, 2015

Introducing Baby Jack

Ailee_Petrovic_150929_4B3A0759-2 On Tuesday, I got to meet the cutest little newborn named Jack. His mom, Katie, asked me to take his baby photos at their gorgeous house unknowing that we have a few mutual friends in common – the world is so small! I’m grateful that she asked me, because Jack is adorable and I’m glad I got to photograph these special early days.

Today I am sharing a few of my favorite photos from the session! Isn’t he a doll? Plus, his nursery decor is perfect!

Décor September 22, 2015

Planning the Perfect Picnic with Kids

Months ago, the idea for a picnic photoshoot popped into my mind, and I immediately began looking for the perfect blanket, as I knew this would be the starting point for the rest of the styling. As soon as I saw the blankets in Lindsay Marcella’s gorgeous shop, I knew I had found “the one.” Flash forward a few months (I posted about the blanket back in July here) and a whole lot of planning later, we held the picnic this Sunday at our local Spring Valley park. We invited our good friends, Jenny and Bailey, who, may I say, is the perfect little model. I adore her!

In addition to the blanket from Lindsay, we had unbelievably gorgeous cookies from Miss J’s Sugar Cookies. Jessie is so talented. I seriously did not want the girls to eat the cookies because they were so pretty, but alas, they won – Bailey knew she wanted a pink cookie (and got three!).

Nashville Wraps sent us the beautiful scalloped boxes, which I love so much (I’m a sucker for scalloped edges!). They also sent oodles of gorgeous ribbon, which I want to use on everything in our house. I made four little picnic bites for each box (in their own divided sections), which I’m sharing details about below. Two of my favorite details about the food were the adorable corn holders from Talisman Designs and the fun umbrella party picks (from Emerson Sloan via Meredith).

We also had berry baskets and clear juice bottles from Shop Sweet Lulu, as well as colorful plasticware, which I wrapped a napkin around and secured with a candy bracelet. Meredith of Cake & Confetti made vinyl lettering for the bottles that said “Sweet Like Me,” as well as creating “You’re One in a Melon” for the cooler that she lent us.

Leah at The Monogram Shop gave us a tray and ice bucket, which was perfect for the juice to be chilled in. Last, but certainly not least, were the girls’ outfits. Esther of cuteheads dressed Bailey in the Kennedy Seersucker Dress, and she made a custom design for Isla, which I adore. You can order this ‘Isla dress’ in any color or pattern you like, just send an email here! Bailey chose one of the Willow Crowns pink glitter clips for her pretty blond locks, and Isla wore my favorite navy heart clip.