I’ve been so anxious to share pictures with ya’ll of our new, beautiful, bright, updated kitchen! It was a big undertaking, bigger than we expected to be honest, but we are so in LOVE with it and spend lots more time in the kitchen these days. I definitely caught the “remodeling bug” with this project, but I’ll be shifting to more do-it-yourself for a while ;)

So here is everything we changed…

- Painted the walls from red to tan.
- Refinished the cabinets white. We had the oak grain smoothed out with puddy and then the cabinets were painted white.
- Added hidden hinges on all the cabinet doors, new hardware from Home Depot, and bigger crown molding along the top of the cabinets.
- Replaced the white tile counter tops (on the perimeter) with Black Pearl granite.
- Doubled our island size and replaced the white tile with a walnut wood counter. We found the island legs on Ebay and the stools at Newegg.
- White porcelain sink was replaced with a Blanco black granite composite undermount 60/40 sink.
- New stainless Delta touch faucet, RO dispenser, and soap dispenser.
- White plastic outlet covers were replaced with stainless steel covers from Home Depot.
- Added a slate brick backsplash from Monterrey Tile Co. Also added lights under the cabinets from Home Depot to show off the backsplash.

We found and worked with some wonderful local companies…
Stonhenge Marble & Granite completed the cabinet refinish, granite counters, tile backsplash install, and sink install.
Powers Wood Source made and installed our beautiful walnut wood island counter.

So take a look at the final product! taaaa-daaaaa…

♥ Emily

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Jen and Tommy were married on 4.13.13 at the San Marcos Resort in Chandler, AZ. Such an easy-going couple with an amazing group of supporters and the cutest lil cheering section (their adorable nieces and nephew). I loved getting to know these two and capturing their looooove at such a cool, historic resort in downtown Chandler.

Ceremony + Reception – San Marcos Resort
Rentals- Classic Party Rentals
Bridal Gown – David’s Bridal
Hair + Makeup -White Lotus Salon
Cake + Treats – Milk & Honey Cake Co
Florist – The Wildflower AZ
Entertainment – Complete Music

Thanks to my awesome ladies, Julie and Dacia, for helping with the day!

♥ Emily

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Happy May 1st! May Day! Does anyone still celebrate with May Day baskets? Leaving a basket of treats or flowers on someone’s doorstep, ringing the doorbell, and then running…if you were caught, then you had to kiss! Maybe it was a Wisconsin thing and maybe I should just talk about these two…

Kayla and Rohan :) An adorably sweet, and goooorgeous, couple planning their fall Arizona wedding. I’ve loved getting to know them, I LOVED their engagement session, and I can’t wait for their big day!

♥ Emily

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Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam…

On 4.6.13, my sister married her best friend in our hometown of Black River Falls, Wisconsin, at her very own coffee shop to the words of The Princess Bride in front of their closest family and friends…all dressed as hippies. Let’s just say, they made it their very own. I was so so happy to be there with them, to celebrate, and yes, to take pictures. When the girls got their make-up done, I got my make-up done. When my sister cried, I cried. When they kissed, I tried to remember to take a picture ;) It was an amazing day and so special to me that I was able to document it for them. Love you sister and new brother!

Ceremony + reception – Molly’s Rude Awakening
Bridal Gown – Andrea’s Vintage Bridal
Hair + make-up – River Haven Salon & Spa
Florist – Falls Florist
Officiant + music – Brian Bethke

And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva…

♥ Emily

Since my sister owns her own coffee shop, this seemed only fitting. Thanks for the idea, Sara!Making her “something blue”Yes, that is ME getting my make-up did. Photo credit to my awesome niece!My sister has always been known for her BIG hair. Love that she rocked it on her wedding day!My mama arrived!♥Gettin on her muddin bootsWent and hung with the boys for a bit too. Love that I got to see everyone getting ready!My cute little bro getting in his hippie attire.I kidnapped the groom for their “first look”My sister laughs a lot…even more when she’s excited…even more when she’s nervous :)Then things got real with a couple tears…sniffleLove.My pretty pretty neice!One of my favorites!The coolest bouquets Off to the coffee shop to get mawwied!Their ring bearer, Henry the Min Pin. Super impressive job, Henry!And then lots of goofiness with the fam!And I’ll end it with…me :) Photo credit: my aunt Andrea

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If you didn’t already know, I’m an ice cream person. I could eat it on a daily basis. I could eat it for dinner. And yes, I have before. We all have, right? :) Cold Stone has always been my weakness, but since there is no Cold Stone drive-thru and it can be a somewhat pricey treat, I’ve been able to limit my cravings. Recently though, I saw an ad for the Culver’s Mint Oreo Concrete Mixer. Its not like mint and Oreo are a new combo, but it sparked my ice cream craving and I had to make a Culver’s visit. Let’s just saaaaaay, I haven’t been to Cold Stone in a few months.

Culver’s is a big chain in the Midwest where I grew up and in recent years they’ve taken over Arizona too. Thank goodness! Their ButterBurgers are oh-so-good, cheese curds an added bonus for this cheesehead, and their frozen custard (specifically the Mint Oreo of course)…deliciously yummy! So this month I share a $25 Culver’s gift card with you. Take the fam out for dinner, try out Culver’s for the fist time if you haven’t already (you must, you must!), and make sure you try custard for desert :)

When: You can enter now through Wednesday, April 24th. The winner will be randomly picked and announced on Thursday!
Who: Anyone and everyone that loooves Emily Snitzer Photography, and lives in the continental US with a valid postal address.
How: All you need to do is comment below on this blog post, and be sure to enter your email address. Don’t worry, your email will only be visible to me. Easy beans, peeps!

Hope I didn’t trigger too many sweet tooths! ;) Just in case, look up a Culver’s in your neighborhood and watch the below video ;)

♥ Emily

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Somehow it has been over a month since I’ve shared my weekly random babble. How in the world? And what…its mid-April already? Ay-ye-ye! I know for those in the Midwest (like my fam) and other chilly parts of the country, winter is draaaaaaging on, but for me it has flown by just like that! The last few months have been filled with weddings, traveling, spring portraits, kitchen remodeling, and lots of visitors. Its been crazy, its been amazing, but I find myself looking forward to less travel, a quiet office, cooking in my kitchen, and hot summer days…aaaah yes. I’m sure I’ll be hating summer in…a couple weeks!

Lately I have been getting lots of people asking when I’m going to FINALLY share pictures of the completed kitchen remodel. I promise, it will be very soon! I have been working on the finishing touches before I took the final and official “after” pictures. This week I’m checking off the last task of hemming and hanging the curtains for the window. We’ll see how my sewing skills fair and if I can actually get this one done on my own.

Did you know my sister got married?? She did, and I was super thrilled to capture the day for her in our hometown in Wisconsin. It was a beautiful day, it was a day filled with lots of love, so much happy, it was a bit unconventional, but it was SO my hippie sister ♥ Love her and my new bro-in-law!

Oh yes I did: stayed up until 1am sewing my brother’s Boy Scout patches. I must befriend a good thimble for next time. Ooooowww, my fingers!!!

Currently: reading Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. You know I love those teenage zombie/vampire/monster love stories. I can’t resist! Just started it and love that I’ll have a movie to go see after I’m done. This means I finally finished (and LOVED) Stephenie Meyer’s The Host. Seriously good read and again, I’m excited that I have a movie to see for this one too! Hard to explain the plot of this one, but its about souls and the bodies being a “host” for the souls. Kinda end of the world-ish. Definitely a love story. And fun that it takes place in Arizona.

My current and next read…

Enjoy the rest of your week!

♥ Emily

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A little preview into the adorable spring mini sessions I held last month…

♥ Emily

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Allyson and Luis were married on 3.30.13 in their hometown of Yuma, Arizona at Allyson’s family farm. I had been so looking forward to their big day…a farm wedding, a beautiful couple, and add to it a bride that is a designer that you just know will put together a gorgeous day. From the smallest of details, Allyson planned the perfect day. Beautiful succulent details, lots of amazing DIY decor totally matching her style, fun entertainment for the guests, and on and on. I loved being a part of it all!

Florist – Fortuna Floral
Rentals- Reddy Rents
Bridal Gown – La Bella Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaid Dresses- David’s Bridal
Hair – Hair Z End
Makeup – NDG Makeup
Entertainment – Ultimate Creations Crew

Thanks to my girls, Julie and Dacia, for traveling down and helping tell the story! And be prepared, I think this is the largest wedding post I’ve ever shared :)

♥ Emily

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With all the work going on in our kitchen this month (remodeling, not cooking silly!), I figured it would only be fitting that I give away one of my favorite things in the kitchen!

Yep, that is a pig cutting board my friends. For those of you who don’t know, I had a serious OBSESSION with pigs when I was young. My room was decorated with pigs from floor to ceiling, I wanted a pig as a pet (my wish even came true for a short stint), and I decided I would be a pig farmer when I grew up. That was until I discovered what these pig farmers really did. eek! No! Now I opt to have random pig decor around the house, including this cute little guy that we received as a wedding gift.

So I hope you like piggies too! The winner will get their very own pig cutting board, or a hen or a plain old square cutting board if you must :)

When: You can enter now through Friday, March 22nd. The winner will be randomly picked and announced over the weekend!
Who: Anyone and everyone that loooves Emily Snitzer Photography, and lives in the continental US with a valid postal address.
How: All you need to do is comment below on this blog post, and be sure to enter your email address. Don’t worry, your email will only be visible to me. Easy beans, peeps!

♥ Emily

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♥ Emily

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