Thanks to so many of you who helped make Flamingo’s Food Drive for the Second Harvest Food Bank a success. Fun was held by all as we enjoyed a fantastic summer night and raised enough funds and food to help feed about 800 children in Santa Clara County and surrounding areas. Great music was supplied by Ron Grandia, A Different Kind of DJ, and dessert was by by Rachel Myers of Sweet Tooth Confections. I think her Red Velvet pops were devoured before I even knew they were there. Potluck was so much fun as we learned who likes to cook, who doesn’t, and well who was just lazy like me and brought Bucca’s . Bounce house, three legged races, and the sack race were just a few of the things that had people literally laughing on the ground. Meeting everyone’s spouses, kids, and dogs was so enjoyable. Many of us read about them all the time on blogs or facebook but great to meet them in person. I’m so blessed to have such great and FUN friends in the industry who knows how life is supposed to be enjoyed. People are already requesting we do it again next year. What do you think?
There are 120,524 children in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties who are at risk for experiencing hunger during the summer months. Summer is the season of childhood hunger. The Share Your Lunch campaign is committed to collecting food and raising funds that will be used to feed children during the summer months when they do not receive free or reduced-price meals at school. The need is great. The Summer of 2010 will be one of the most difficult seasons for local families to endure. Second Harvest is partnering with the community to help stave off hunger for thousands of children who don’t know where their next meal will come from. Statistics along from summer of 2008 to summer of 2009 increased by 30% for the demand on the local food bank. To meet the increased need, the Share Your Lunch campaign has a fund raising goal of $1 million and collection goal of 100,000 pounds of food. Reaching these goals will provide food to approximately 85,000 children each month this summer.
Flamingo and I will be hosting “Flamingos Family Food Drive and Potluck Mixer” along with some other talented and giving individuals in the wedding community. The event will be on June 22 at Edith Morley Park in Campbell. This will be a very laid back and family fun mixer with some of the greatest people in the wedding industry. A potluck dinner/picnic and a lot of activites for adults and kids. Yes, I said kids! We encourage you to bring your families and your dogs as long as they are on their leash. In fact, dress your dog up for the “hottest dog” contest. It’s a picnic you have to have HOT DOGs. They can literally be dressed up as hotdogs or as HOT DOGS your choice.
How can you help with the fundraiser
·Bring a minimum of 10 food items or a minnimum donation of $10. Each $10 feeds abut 20 kids.
·Bring a dish to pass for 6-8 people.(Salads, fried chicken, sandwiches, pastas, veggies, fruit, etc) (preferebly in a disposable tin so we don’t have to worry about them)
·BYOB Bring your own beverages (not allowed to sell anything there)
·Bring a blanket or chairs-some tables are provided.
·Gas grills are allowed but no charcol grills
·Below is a great video where you can learn more about how Second Harvest Food Bank and how they help children and schools. There is also a link for food request that you can bring to the food drive. If your not able to make it there a link and directions are so you can donate online to Flamingo’s Food drive.
When talking to Sam about her engagement session she said we wanted a modern day look but her real dream was to feel like she stepped off the set of the movie “The Notebook”. I told her no problem we can do that, I have a secret weapon that can transform you through time and her name is “Tia the Magnificent”! These two were so fun and was game to do anything. They had a great spirit of adventure and we laughed all day as we drove along the Santa Cruz Coast. I don’t know how many times I heard Tia say “Their great kissers!” and we laughed some more. We did do a little trespassing, we learned not to crunch down if a mountain lion appeared, we transported back about 50 years, and I ruined one of my favorite pairs of shoes but it was all worth it. My favorite part was in the middle of all that we did a little mystery shoot for Jeff. The best part is he was in the photos blind folded and has no idea what was happening. The best part is he won’t get to see them til his wedding night. How fun and creative is that girls? It was the best kind of a torture. Will share those images in August when Jeff has had a chance to see them.
Congratulations on the third year for “Una Bella Sera 2010″. This event is one of the highlights of the year and its creators Crystal Lequang from Amaze Special Events and Nicole Ha of Nicole Ha Designs did a beautiful job transforming the Craneway Pavilion. The Craneway Pavilion is a beautiful open space with natural light pouring in from all directions. Located in the Marina District of Richmond it has an amazing view of the bay with its water front location. If your looking for a location for your wedding or reception this place is breathtaking.
I love participating in this event and it is always such a great time with wonderful vendors. To see everyone that helped create this event please click here. The photos below were taken by friend Tanja Lippert and me. The dress featured is from Priscilla of Boston in Santana Row and you can see all the wonderful windows at this location. My favorite room was the colorful, fruit and veggie room. From the amazing centerpiece with it’s whimsical design to the veggie art on the wall by Thomas John Events (one of my favorite caterers). I really loved the fun and creativity of this room. I also had the honor of meeting Mr. Shin of Michi Sushi in Campbell, California. He is quite the character as you can tell from his photo with Flamingo. He caught the bird stealing some of his display. But if you love sushi you should try his. If you don’t like sushi try his. I’m not a fan of sushi but his could make you change your mind. It was really delicious and you can tell they take the time to create an experience with their food. Plus, how can you not love his presentation. The caterpillar was adorable.
Thanks again to Crystal and Nicole for inviting me to participate. I hope that some of their creations inspire you. If you have an event/wedding you would like to throw contact these girls or any of the wonderful vendors listed to help make your dream happen. Even if you don’t know what you want, they can help create a dream you didn’t even know you had.
We had so much fun shooting Teresa in her last couple of weeks of pregnancy. She wanted to do a classic beauty shot but she also wanted to try something a little different. She mentioned that she had heard of getting henna on your belly when your around 8 months pregnant. Well, I went on a search and was referred to a wonderful woman, Ravie Kattaura (510-453-4393). Her work was amazing and she was one of the fastest artist I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen Henna done before but never from such a talented artist and never done on a pregnant belly. It was really beautiful and I loved the colors and glitter she added to the design. I also loved how Joe, the dad, was all excited about getting his henna done on his arms. We asked about the blessing and was told that the patterns used are acknowledged to bring health, protection, and luck to the new mother and her child. I just know that we were blessed to be part of it all and to be able to create some beautiful images of their first pregnancy together.
As always this turned out to be a fun and adventurous shoot as Tia and I lugged the bed and headboard out in to the grassy field, caused only a slight traffic jam as everyone was interested in what we were doing, and I didn’t even mention that little case of trespassing. But the field was just to pretty to pass by. Better yet, a client of mine drove by and yelled my name out. I had to laugh that someone even recognized us because it really wasn’t a part of town that I frequented very often. She called later and said I saw someone with furniture in a field taking pictures and thought it had to be Jill Johnson.
. Bounce house, three legged races, and the sack race were just a few of the things that had people literally laughing on the ground. Meeting everyone’s spouses, kids, and dogs was so enjoyable. Many of us read about them all the time on blogs or facebook but great to meet them in person. I’m so blessed to have such great and FUN friends in the industry who knows how life is supposed to be enjoyed. People are already requesting we do it again next year. What do you think?
There are 120,524 children in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties who are at risk for experiencing hunger during the summer months. Summer is the season of childhood hunger. The 
