Alicia Ann Couture - Holiday Special!

I had actually planned on going back and talking about my glamour shoot again soon, but when Alicia posted her holiday special I couldn't wait!!  Last year, I talked a little bit about my experience in this post, when she had her last holiday special.  At that point, I hadn't purchased any pictures or done much of anything other than gotten some of the proofs back.  Soooo, I wanted to go back and tell you all over again why I LOVED this experience and think you should stop thinking and email her, now.

Below are a few of my favorite images...

This was easily one of the most fun Halloweens I've ever had!  I got to play a very different kind of dress up - and I have never felt more beautiful or had more fun. 

Before I even got my photos back, I knew what my plan for them was.  I was going to do "teasers" of some of the pictures for Ant as gifts throughout the year....with the final gift being on our wedding day.  He received photos in his cards on our 5 year dating anniversary, Christmas, Valentine's day, and his birthday/our engagement anniversary.  Originally, my plan had been to get him a photo album as the final gift, but in the time between booking with Alicia and getting my pictures back, she had added another amazing option - a matted folio.  I decided that was the perfect way to give them to Ant - it was unique and special!  Below is how I gifted it to him, and where it currently resides in our home :)

Long story short, here is the promotion - it is an INSANE deal.  $150 includes the shoot and hair & makeup - all you need to do is purchase the photos/products after!!

Thanks me later :)

xoxo

All I want for Christmas....

I'd love to talk about some of my favorite Christmas gifts to give others - but since Christmas hasn't happened yet - that topic will have to wait!  In the meantime, I thought I'd cover self gifting.

As new homeowners, Ant and I have found ourselves with an entirely new set of expenses and responsibilities....which we would never trade for the world!  We LOVE our home and the projects we continue to do to make it our own.  These new expenses and responsibilities, however, make the holidays that much more fun!  We love an excuse to spoil each other and ourselves......which is why 2013 is the Christmas of WANTS!  Absolutely beautiful and unnecessary things that we ask for just because we want them :) (Yes Ant, I just called XBox One unnecessary...sorry!)

When I was asked what I wanted for Christmas this year, I wasn't entirely sure.  But....as I've gone along over the last few weeks, I have managed to come up with a few things!  If I was going to be splurging on me, these are a few of the things I want that would be at the top of my list this year! As a firm believer in self gifting, maybe a few of them will make their way into our house over the next few months....

One thing I've always struggled with is all the great things I find that I LOVE while shopping for others!! This beautiful wave necklace is from Aquinnah Jewelry designed in Killingworth, CT.  I was shopping at a boutique that had a trunk show by this designer and fell in love.  I absolutely need this necklace for myself...but I held off (for now)! Like so many other pieces by this designer it is so simple and so pretty - I DID buy a bracelet for a friend!!  A girl can only say no to but so many things...

Ahhhh.  These booties by Jessica Simpson.  I can't decide if I'd buy brown or black, which is probably the main reason I haven't bought them yet.  I am not the best in heels. So wedge heels like these are the perfect solution - especially in the winter!  It's so cold which makes looking cute sometimes feel very challenging.....but these with any jeans and a simple top and ta da!  Crisis averted. (They're on sale now too!)

Okay, so my dad and I discovered this pillow while shopping at Pier 1 the other day.  It might look slightly...frilly.  But it is seriously the most surprisingly soft pillow!  and the frilly makes for a very soft, pretty detail for your favorite space.....mine currently being our brand spanking new living room.  Now if I can find the perfect new blanket to go with it, Ant's in real trouble.

Our engagement pictures were amazing...and we have big plans to display a few of them - our two favorite black and white ones - in our bedroom (my second gallery wall project!).  We already bought a frame for one of them, but the other would look even more stunning displayed as a Gallery Wrap - which you can order through our photographer herself!

Back to the basics - my go to mascara would be the perfect stocking stuffer...if I was stuffing my own stocking! I love most things BareMinerals...and this mascara is at the top of that list.  I have very long eyelashes, and it's easy for mascara to get too clumpy or too crazy.  This one is simple and does just what I need it to, curl & lengthen.  Enough said!

Sigh.  I buy myself two purses a year, and I am way overdue for my winter one :)  This crossbody from Kate Spade would do the trick!  Not too big, not too small....and I haven't had a simple black bag in about 4 years...I think it's time!!  My current purse is a beautiful mustard colored one I got in Florence though, so it's a little harder to part with than usual.

Is 2013 a Christmas of wants or needs for you??  What is at the top of your list??

Pretty things and good deals

Happy Saturday! (and a belated Happy Thanksgiving)

Today's post is a short(er) one....in honor of Small Business Saturday!!

I work retail, so Thanksgiving week means Black Friday - one of the busiest weekends for us, and the official kickoff to the holiday season!  Today is also small business Saturday.  One of my favorite things about living in Guilford is that we have so many small local businesses in town.  There is nothing more fun than spending the afternoon wandering in and out of the stores around the green!  I have a busy work weekend - so I didn't get to participate in too many deals - but this one jumped out at me as something I HAD to share - especially if any of you out there are local CT shoreline brides!!

A couple of weeks ago I spent my Halloween afternoon up in Hartford at Alicia Ann Couture's studio.  As you know - Rachel from No Eye Has Seen is our wedding photographer....in our initial meeting with Alicia - when we decided to hire Rachel, I found out that Alicia also does glamour/boudoir shoots! Her brand, Alicia Ann Couture launched just a few weeks later...and after a little bit of thought I decided to go for it and book a session with her!  A friend of mine had done a boudoir shoot for her fiancé as a wedding present, and only had good things to say.  I thought it would be a special thing to surprise Ant with - as well as a fun way to treat myself.  (I can safely write about this here, because he just got 3 photos as a teaser on our 5 year anniversary....he has to wait to see the rest!)

I can NOT speak more highly of the experience!!  I brought my middle sister with me for moral support (which I also highly recommend).  We told Ant we were busy all morning doing wedding things...not a lie, and enough to keep him from asking any more questions! Erin Infantino from Simply Gorgeous by Erin did my hair and makeup in the studio (again - HIGHLY recommend).  She was incredible and made me feel - and look - absolutely amazing (which is why I have since booked her for our wedding!).  Alicia was so professional and made me feel so comfortable throughout the shoot....and the pictures are stunning.  She advertises her shoots as glamour/boudoir which I think is the perfect description.  While I busted out some incredible lingerie I bought for the occasion from Beneath the Gown and Victorias Secret - the photos are not raunchy or in-your-face sex - but more soft and feminine - with a touch of sexy, of course!

Here is one example from my shoot (stolen bad quality screen shot - since I haven't purchased my album yet!)

Anywayyyy....long story short - Alicia just posted her 2013 Holiday Promo - and I am passing it along to all of you!!!  If you book now for a shoot this winter, you get a gift certificate for a free massage along with your glamour session!

I would recommend this to any woman - whether or not you are planning a wedding.  The photos make a perfect birthday gift, anniversary gift....or present to yourself!  It is a fabulous way to pamper yourself.  For me, it was honestly just a fun afternoon.  If you need more convincing - let me know! I can put any of your fears to rest :)

Have you ever done a boudoir shoot?  What was the occasion?