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I sat at the table and picked at the cream table cloth on Friday afternoon. I counted the stains, rearranged the pitcher of water a few times, and unwrapped a candy I didn't eat. My ears pulsed and my face felt hot, so I made sure to count my deep breaths in Spanish to ensure I was taking my time. Uno, dos, tres... I felt like Dora the Explorer. Just two days earlier I felt the same way, but the circumstances were slightly different.
When I walked into the tightly packed room of ALT Summit speakers on Wednesday night, I texted JD: I'm Going In. I didn't know a single person, but I promised him I would attend the mixer because I was determined to get out of my comfort zone, a zone that is usually demarcated by the lines of my sofa and a pint of ice cream. I shook a few hands, introduced myself, made small talk, but then I hit a wall. My ears pulsed and my face felt hot, so I got all Dora. Uno, dos, tres... When I realized I was by myself on the periphery of the room, I noticed the following coaster... |
| ...it was then when I realized if I wanted to feel comfortable, I needed to be behind my camera. Sure, it was a cop out (it's easier to see life through my viewfinder), but for this introvert, it was a big deal. I stayed a bit longer then hailed a cab back to the hotel, promising myself to be braver the next day at registration. |
| It was my first time attending the ALT Summit, so I was pleasantly surprised to be surrounded with hundreds of other designers/creatives/bloggers who loved all things lovely. Rooms were decorated by sponsors and tables filled with goodies for people who think one can never have enough stationary. It was cuteness overload. |
| The two and a half day summit is comprised of keynote and breakout sessions covering a myriad of topics for creatives and I found myself scribbling pages of notes. Of course, no one spoke about photography (there were just a few photographers in attendance), but I found it valuable to learn what other industries were doing and learning the art of creating content. I was forced to look at things in new ways and I loved the challenges it presented...I really felt so lucky to have been invited. |
| One of the keynote sessions I thoroughly enjoyed was The Relationship Between Traditional and New Media panel, hosted by Martha Stewart's Pilar Guzman, the Wall Street Journal's Deborah Needleman, and Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan of Apartment Therapy, moderated by Gabrielle Blair. It was awesome to hear perspectives from both print and online media outlets, and the trajectory of each in regard to content, advertising, and reader response to each. |
Okay. So. This picture? It's not the best, but I promise, it's a big freaking deal. And I'm betting my mother just gasped at the notion that I used "freaking" on my blog. She's praying for me right now, but before I repent, I need to explain the gravity of this moment. This is Dooce, otherwise known as Heather Armstrong. I started reading her blog in 2005, when I was stuck in law school and downright miserable. Life was almost unbearable at the time, but I somehow stumbled across her site and I was hooked. Even during my darkest days (leaving law school, sitting with my mom during her chemo treatments, being jobless), her posts brought a smile to my face. In a weird way, she gave me the permission to write about myself and life on the web...something that would later redefine my entrance into the photography world.
When I discovered she was slated to be a panelist at ALT, I made sure I arrived early just to stalk maybe say hi. When I walked into the ballroom, she was standing in the back and I almost fainted. No, really. It was UNO DOS TRES time, Internet. As the room quickly filled, I realized that if I wanted to say hi, I'd have to do it then...so...I did. Kinda.
It's all one, big blur, but I think I said hi. Or something loosely related to a salutation. I wanted to say everything...to tell her thank you...to say I adored her dogs and daughters (HELLLLLLLO CREEPY!)...to say her newly growing out hair looked great. But only managed a whispered, Hi, can I take a picture with you? Way. To. Go. That's all I managed, but seeing how I went to a mixer by myself for 25 minutes AND approached a girl crush in the same week, I cut myself some slack. |
| This is Pinterest's CEO, Ben. Ben doesn't need a last name because he's so awesome I feel like he's my friend after his amazing presentation. Oh, you know, my friend, Ben. I walked away so inspired from his life story and business approach that I wanted to tuck him in my pocket and bring him home with me. |
| On Friday afternoon, I had the distinct pleasure of hosting the Building a Personal Brand panel with Cassandra Lavalle and Camille Styles, moderated by Hunter Sebresos. I had a wonderful time getting to know this group of amazing people and it was an honor to share a stage with them. |
| Many thanks to my good friend Promise Tangeman for capturing photos of the presentation... |
| I was overwhelmed and honored by the warm ALT response...for those who attended, thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you. |
I'm going to end this post with this picture...one of my favorites from the entire summit. My entire trip was made beyond perfect because of my roommates...in moments of complete social awkwardness, they saved me. We stayed up late and had great conversations, pushing me me to think bigger and hope for more.
Liz of Liz Designs Things, Kirsten of Simply Grove, me (obvi), and Promise of Promise Tangeman. |
    
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Featured : Destination I Do Magazine
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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S he walked into the room and though it was a gloriously sunny day in Southern California, but her smile illuminated the lounge even more brightly. Monique held hands with Mike when we first met and they sat on the sofa across from me and took stolen looks at each other, like star-crossed lovers. She held his hand and when she asked what he wanted, Mike looked at her and said he just wanted her to be happy.
And so it was. She was happy.
Monique and Mike's wedding at St. Regis Monarch Beach was recently published in Destination I Do Magazine and it's an honor to see their images in print. It shows their love, joy, and happiness...but, above all, just how happy they are. Together. |
| Many thanks to Details, Details for their amazing styling and coordination on the wedding day! |
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Friday Randomness : Valentine's Edition
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H appy Friday, ya'll! Wait...y'all? Or...ya'll? SOMEBODY FROM TEXAS PLEASE CLARIFY THIS FOR ME! Speaking of the Lone State, I'm beyond thrilled to announce that The {Dallas} Fix is Sold Out! The support for The Fix has been unreal and I'm dying to meet ya'll/y'all. In other news, I'm in the snowy state of Utah for the Alt Summit as I'm presenting on a panel today (ummm, hello, nerves!), but I thought it be perfect timing for a Random Friday post.
But today's not so random. Ahem. These are great Valentine's gift ideas for that perfect person in your life...
I want a luggage tag, but I have a proclivity to cheesy tags, but I found the best remedy...the Leather and Metal Luggage Tag with Custom Quote. This just screams cool. If I saw you at an airport with this tag, I'd think you were way cooler than me. |
| The double ring has been something I've wanted to sport for a few years (clearly, I'm not a trendsetter), but look at these Custom Double Banner Rings. Adorbs! If I saw you eating dinner with your boyfriend wearing this ring, I'd think you were way cooler than me. |
Dear avid book lovers, I've found the prefect art piece for me you! Jane Mount does Bookshelf Paintings of your favorite reads. I want to cuddle with it. If I saw this painting in your house, I'd think you were cooler than me. |
| These shoes are absolutely ridiculous, but I want a pair just to wear when JD's around. That'll show him who's boss! ;) These Sand Imprint Flip Flops are available on Etsy. And let's be real, if you saw me at the beach, you'd probably think I was cooler than you. |
Besides singing in the shower (Broadway show tunes are my thing, Internet), I love dreaming up new ideas while lathering. Most of them end up going down the drain, but with this Waterproof Notepad can be the end of that. Love it!
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| This iPhone Flip Clock made me swoon. I love the mixing of new technology and a nod to modern aestheticism. I only mentioned how much I liked it to JD eight billion times so here's to hoping Cupid's good to me this year. |
To see more Valentine's finds, cute DIY ideas, and tech talk, check out more from the ever fab Hello Brit...a blog I'm smitten with!
Happy Friday! |
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Featured : Town + Country Magazine
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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I 'm biased. I know this. I think my pillow is the best pillow...I think JD chooses the best nectarines...I think I'm the best Riverdancer (I'm a wannabe Irish girl). I also happen to think I have the best brides. They're smart, stylish, and classy...and have impeccable taste. No more was this apparent when I caught sight of my bride, Anne, in the society section of Town&Country Magazine announcing her marriage to Cory Hathaway.
Their August wedding at the Los Angeles Athletic Club was delightful and I was thrilled to see the happy couple grace glossy pages together. Oh--and lemme point out--her shoes were the only pair to make an appearance in the entire section. Like I said, TASTY. My brides have impeccable taste. |
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Villa Siena Wedding : Heather + Tony
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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T he story started when he stopped sending the photo albums, online libraries of his recent adventures to keep his out-of-state family up to date with his life. Tony was a precocious kid (the type of junior high kid who took apart his father's new computer just to see how it worked), who quickly formed an alliance with his parents when they thrusted the weight of their belief in his ability to succeed in anything he put his mind to. Many years later, after landing an engineering job at Intel in a different state than his family, he sent them pictures to keep them up abreast with ongoings.
Until the emails stopped.
Tony's father casually inquired about the sudden silence, but wasn't surprised when a new photo album arrived a few weeks later filled with pictures of Tony...and a beautiful girl at his side. Soon the photos became the story of a new adventure (hiking the Grand Canyon, biking, skiing) with Heather becoming his best friend along the way. Slightly shy, Tony cautiously approached a relationship with Heather, but if his parents taught him anything, it's knowing his ability to succeed in anything he puts his mind to. Last Saturday in Arizona, Tony and Heather started a new photo album...this time as husband and wife.
Heather and Tony, thank you for your kindness and overwhelming welcome into your lives. Your wedding was truly delightful and I couldn't have pictured a better way to start the year. Hope you enjoy the Maldives...and please be sure to take lots of pictures of your new adventures together! Much Love and Appreciation... j* |
| The day started exceptionally well when I discovered Carina of Flawless Faces was on hand for makeup...after loving Carina's work for her Orange County engagement session, Heather decided to fly the both of us to Arizona for the wedding day. Loved it... |
| Tony and Heather married at Villa Siena in Arizona...the light was just perfect and the backdrop lovely for a wedding. JD captured this photo of Tony just before the First Look... |
| I absolutely lovelovelove when a bride and groom see each other before the ceremony. Not only does it provide plenty of time for wedding photos, but it's a private moment just for the two of them. When Tony and Heather saw each other for the first time, the moment was pure magic. I know that sounds terribly dramatic, but there's no other way to explain it. Tears, laughter, joy...love. I felt incredibly honored to document it all. |
| Heather is a stunnah and I loved the moment JD captured on the right...that's right...a husband checking out his wife. Holler. |
| I say this often, but I love shooting with JD. He just sees the world differently...and makes us a better team. While he was capturing this photo... |
| ...I was capturing this photo... |
| This is Heather. Working it for JD's camera. It made me jealy. |
| I become emo when a father gives his daughter away...it's gut-wrenchingly beautiful to watch... |
| I'll end this post with a photo of the First Dance...and the start of many memories...together. |
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