Welcome back!  I trust your Valentine’s Day weekend was a celebration of all things that bring a warm smile to your heart.

Here’s an engagement session that’s bound to bring a smile to your face this Monday.  I’d like to give a huge “Grazie” to this style savvy bride-to-be Jennifer, who shared her tale.  It’s the story of a cinematic engagement in Central Park, an upcoming Latin American & Caribbean fusion wedding and sultry style…punctuated by “Hello!” yellow heels

Jennifer & Chicho.

She’s a Bronx native of Ecuadoran descent and he’s from the Island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean.

It all started in January of 2009, right after new year’s.  This city couple had a romantic evening dinner at one of my favorite spots in New York – Tavern on the Green.  Jennifer was totally oblivious to the magic that would unfold which included a cinematic carriage ride through the park and a pit stop at a gorgeous fountain at the heart of the Central Park.

Although they were just friends in college, love blossomed soon after and you can see it in these photos.  I always say that a smile heals one’s soul, but a laugh saves a thousand.  Joshua Dwain’s unobtrusive shots of Jennifer and Chicho’s frolic is exactly what engagement sessions should be about: Love, Play and the salvation in laughter.

As a Columbia Grad student in New York, I had the surreal pleasure of living right next to Central Park – a labyrinth of hidden gems and secrets.  One of those gems includes Cherry Hill, a famous fountain in the heart of quintessential New York and the location that Chicho chose to propose to his unsuspecting fiancee.  I love that the fountain, the location that will forever be encapsulated in their life story, was incorporated as one of the sites for their engagement shoot.

(Above: All images by © Joshua Dwain Photography)

Their upcoming wedding this summer is a photographer’s dream.  They’ve chosen Long Island’s Jericho Terrace to host their multi-cultural affair.  It’s bound to be a celebration of delicious cuisine, contagious merriment and a vibrant gumbo of soca, salsa and love.

Thanks so much Jennifer, for sharing your engagement story and for introducing me to Joshua Dwain’s work.  Congrats to you and Chicho. I can’t wait to see your wedding pictures.  Happy Planning!

“Your love is better than chocolate, better than anything else that I’ve tried.”

-Ice Cream by Sarah McLachlan-

This “slap-me-it’s-so-romantic” photo by Joshua Dwain is a teaser from Monday’s feature, the perfect way for me to wish you and your loved one a HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY.  Believe me, you don’t want to miss the engagement photo details in Central Park.

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Well, happy Monday to you!  I trust your weekend went well?  I hoped you tuned in to the Hope for Haiti Now telethon that aired last Friday.  It was truly a start studded event, all for the sake of raising money and support for the relief efforts that are underway in Haiti now and in the future.

We kick off this week with more work from Tunji Sarumi.  I told you I would be checking him out more after I was introduced to his work form Onida and Daniel’s Winter wedding.  I’m so glad I dove in further, because this fine art wedding photographer has all the goods to capture your wedding and/or engagement with charm, fun and magazine-worthy style.

Just take a look at this engagement photo he recently did for newly engaged couple – Leanne and Mekdim:

I’m also slightly biased.  I spent a bit of time in my tween years growing up in Baltimore, the location of this fabulous shoot.  It’s so nice to see familiar backgrounds juxtaposed by images of such a lovely couple.

(All Images by Tunji Sarumi)

There’s something about seeing multi-ethnic couples with the American flag in the background that really speaks to me.  As a matter of fact, I remember being captivated by a similar shot in a previously featured engagement.  To see more lovely images from this Baltimore shoot, visit Tunji’s blog.

Congrats to L&M on getting engaged.  I love when weeks start off so inspiring.

Spicyhugs,

Fri

…Well, they’re married now, but I absolutely love the story told by these gorgeous photos, taken by Singapore based photo-humorist: The Peeping Thom.  A hip and modern approach to love and denim, fused with a classic white wedding look, and topped by a robust celebration of traditional couture.  How could you not love it?

Grace is from Singapore, Deepak is from Northern India…and I’m from the land “Smitten.”

(Above.  All Images by © The Peeping Thom.)

Congrats to G & D!  And a Spicy Blogger Shout out to The Peeping Thom for the lovely photos.

Spicyhugs,

Fri

Happy Monday people.  Hope your weekend was relaxing and filled with little happy moments.  At 37 weeks, the countdown begins for us, and we’re anxiously awaiting the grand entrance of our little girl.  But I digress…

What better way to kick off a new week, than by sharing the recent engagement photos captured by a trail blazer who’s work I absolutely admire.  I’m talking about Onada of Onada Photography.  My  initial admiration was based on her unique portfolio of cheery moments, candid interactions and playful balance of love, flirtation and solace.  But after talking to her, I understand now why I’m enamored by her work.  She is all soul, all passion and all heart, qualities that go hand-in-hand with great photography.

I can’t wait to feature more of her work.  For now, the story of high school sweethearts – Nadege and Joe..told in a few words):

…okay, is it just me, or does Joe (in the shots above) not remind you a little of Tatum Channing?

(All Images by © Onada Photography)

For more details on how Nadege and Joe met, how he proposed…and most of all, more engagement photos from their Princeton, NJ session in Palmer Square, head on over to the post on Onada’s blog, here.  Congrats to N & J of NJ, for getting engaged!

Spicyhugs,

Fri

What I love about weekends?…It’s the weekend!

There seems to be more time to get lost in the internet labyrinth of inspiration.  One of the images in yesterday’s “Bits from the Week” on 100 layer cake (a Nouveau read) caught my attention.  I admit that like Pepe Le Pew, I think I found my next love:  Jill Thomas of Jill Thomas photography.  She recently took these stunning, sun-kissed engagement photos of Dawn and her fiancee- Brian, that I just can’t get enough of.  So simple, so intimate, so “eye candy” for the romantic soul.  Whether you appreciate southern california sunsets or rustic wooden homes, one thing’s for sure: Dawn and Brian are absolutely glowing in these images.

(All Images © Jill Thomas Photography)

For more photos from their October session, please visit the full spread here.  Congrats to D & B on your engagement…may your wedding plans be easy, breezy and spicy!

Spicyhugs,

Fri

Triple score today.  White Rabbit Studios,  is my newly found stalking victim this weekend, as I unfold a charming October harvest-inspired post-wedding shoot.

Jane and John (who’s earlier Mountain wedding was rained out)  are the stars of today’s inspiration.  And just when I thought “enough already, this is so charmerific”…I saw the photos from their actual wedding.

(Photography by © White Rabbit Studios)

For the full spread of John and Jane’s post wedding shoot, visit White Rabbit Studios’ blog.

Spicyhugs,

Fri

As promised, here’s a little more from the vintage engagement session I was talking about earlier today.  Honestly, I couldn’t decide which ones to feature, as Clayton Austin never fails to offer such difficult choices from the depth and timelessness of his work.

For an equally impossible challenge of picking your favorite, check out the full spread here.

(All images by © Clayton Austin Photography)

Don’t you just love the last photo?  Bird cage netting, solid lines, tailored suits, focused lips….I’m speechless!  A Postcard from another era.

Thanks Clayton…I’m so happy you reached out to share these.  They’re quite simply: Inspiring.

Have a Fantastic weekend.  I know I will…I’ve got a baby shower to go to…mine:-)

Spicyhugs,
Fri