I know you’ve been anxiously waiting on the edge of your seats for part 2 of my welding adventure.  I mean…what does this bar cart look like?  Is it finished?  Did Lauren go blind from welding without eye protection?  All valid questions but I have good news friends…today is the day!  Part 2 is here and…drum roll please….we have video!!  This has been SO fun to learn and I have SOOOO many ideas of all the things I can make (I’ll also be taking requests if there is anything you’d like to see come to life).  I will say this…welding is no joke.  While I may have successfully put together a bar cart, I by no means have this thing figured out.  It took lots of help and welding is most definitely an art of it’s own.  One I’m excited to learn more about but in the meantime…I’ll be sipping cocktails off my most prized possession.  So here she is…part 2 of my welding adventure…

Once I got the frame welded together I primed it.

Then on to paint.  This was so exciting because it finally starting looking like my vision!!!

Pro tip: don’t spray paint in clothes you care about.  Totally ruined that dress.  #oops

This may not look like much to you guys but this is some serious progress!!!  It’s hard to weld well and that looks pretty damn good!

Cutting the supports for my shelves!

Celebrating finishing this beauty!  I bought mirror shelves so once they were done it was obviously time for some celebratory champagne.

And my first cocktail party!!!!  I can’t tell you how happy this night made me!  All my people sipping cocktails off my bar cart having the best time.  Let’s just say it was a late night…

And there she is…my little lady all dressed up and looking quite beautiful if I don’t say so myself.  It may sound dumb but every time I walk by my bar cart I get so happy.  I have so many projects swirling around in my head so stay tuned for many more adventures to come…

So when I think about Becky and Kevin’s day…I definitely remember her incredible dress and the gorgeous, vibrant flowers.  The band that kept that party going all night and the unbelievable sushi spread making it’s way around cocktail hour.  I remember the laughter and tears and love that filled up that room.  But what I remember most is a couple who undoubtedly found there perfect person.  Two people who, even knowing them for a short time, really make you believe in love.  Becky and Kevin…I can honestly say you guys had a GREAT wedding.  But I have no doubt you are going to have an even greater life together.  I love you both to death and I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to document it all!  xoxo

A HUMONGOUS thank you to my second shooter, Karina, for all her help!

And another GIANT thank you to all the vendors who made this day possible!

Wedding Planner: (the one and only) Ali Phillips – Engaging Events by Ali  |  Florist: Exquisite Designs  |  Venue/Caterer: Galleria Marchetti  |  Band: Entourage  |  Dress brand: Romona Keveza  |  Cake: Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe  |  Makeup: Beautify Spa & Makeup  |  Hair: Mario Tricoci

The first reaction I get when I tell anyone I’ve been welding is laughter.  Lots of it.  Which, trust me, I get it.  It’s funny.  Little ol’ Lauren melting metal together in her glitter sneaks…it’s a funny visual.  I mean hell…it even makes me laugh sometimes.  If I’m being honest…before I started this new little hobby of mine, the only knowledge I had on welding was what Channing Tatum taught me in Magic Mike (which can I just take a second to say…welding shirtless is very unrealistic – and frowned upon.  **ouch**).  But there is something so fun and somewhat empowering about learning something completely new and out of your comfort zone.  The idea of building something completely from scratch out of steel WITH MY OWN TWO HANDS was not something I ever thought I’d be doing.

I feel like in the last several years I’ve spent a lot of time standing still.  Maybe not professionally or even literally…but personally I’ve felt stuck.  Kind of like those dreams where you are trying to run but you can’t get yourself to move.  That’s how I felt.  Just stuck in one place and like life was flying by without me.  So maybe welding isn’t the answer to a happy, fulfilled life.  But it’s something I did for me.  It was a step towards something that I wanted – which wasn’t just a piece of furniture – but a life spent moving and doing and learning and becoming better.   A life that fills me up instead of breaks me down.  A life that I can truly say is my best.

So…here’s the beginning of my welding adventure.  As silly as it sounds I haven’t been this excited about something in quite a while.  So while you may see the beginning of a fabulous one-of-a-kind bar cart (stay tuned of part II to see the finished product)…I see a girl who got a little lost along the way but is finally back on track.  And is 1000% living her best life.

May I present…the beginning of my steaming pile of pride.  Otherwise known as my bar cart. 

So when Jess emailed me asking me to photography Rylee for her first birthday I literally did a happy dance.  Jess and Jake are two of my favorites who will always hold a special place in my heart.  So getting to photograph their new family of 3 on the most beautiful night made me happier than I can put into words.  It’s sessions like these that full me up to the brim and make me so grateful to get to work with such amazing people.  Not to mention this baby is BEAUTIFUL!  I mean look at those eyes.  I can’t even.  But enough from me.  Meet Rylee….in all her adorable cuteness.

Lincoln Park • Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool • Lincoln Park Nature Walk • Lincoln Park Zoo

Anyone who lives in Chicago knows the winters aren’t exactly the highlight of the year.  Typically they’re so cold the idea of being outside is treacherous.  And there are several weeks in a row of grey and gloom.  Basically, they’re awful.  But when I met up with Caitlin and Jason for their family session, Chicago gave us a perfectly sunny day.  It might have been a tad cold but the sun was shining and it made for such a great session.  It’s not often in the winter that I get to get outside and photograph adorable families…so this was a nice little treat.  I did Caitlin and Jason’s engagement session several years ago so getting a chance to document them as a family of three is, as you know, my favorite.  Enough from me…here’s a little look at all their cuteness. 

There’s something so intimate and special about December weddings.  Maybe it’s the chill in the air or the dim lighting that creeps earlier and earlier into the evening but I just love them.  The warm and cozy feeling of it all.  And Cari and Alex’s wedding did not disappoint.  They promised forever to each other literally surrounded by their family and friends.  Who stood around them in a tight circle pouring all their love into this new life they are starting.  You could feel the happiness in the air.  From the Hora to the non-stop dance party it was an unforgettable night.  And I, for one, felt so lucky to be a part of it all.

Cari and Alex…I still standby that you guys are the most laid back wedding couple I’ve ever worked with!  I am so grateful I got to meet you guys and be a part of your special day.  I wish you guys nothing but happiness!  P.S. Thanks for braving the outdoors with me.  I think it was worth it.  xo

I really don’t even know where to start with these two.  They are two of the sweetest, kindest, most in love people I have ever met.  From Jen and I’s “first date” at The Cake Bake shop to sharing a bottle of wine on their amazing deck after their engagement session.  Every time I’m around them it just makes me feel good.  Not to mention Jen and I are birthday twins which automatically means we’re meant to be.    But in all seriousness, getting to know Jen and Mike and witnessing their love first hand…it is truly special.  There were very few dry eyes as they became husband and wife (present company included) and as they danced the night away every person in that room knew…without a doubt…they were exactly where they were meant to be.

Jen and Mike…I just love you both so much.  You are seriously my kind of people and we WILL be double dating soon.  Thank you so much for including me in your day.  It is one I will never forget.  Love you both!!!!! xoxoxo

A HUGE thank you to my second shooter, Anya, for all her help.  I couldn’t have done it without her!!

And another HUMUNGOUS thank you to Lindsey from Ooh La La Events for making the day run so smoothly.  Always a dream to work with her! <3 

And to all the vendors that made this day happen:

DJ:  DJ Jason Fritz with Pro-Sound Entertainment  |  Cake: Classic Cakes |  Hair:  Julia Broaddus-Coffman  |  Makeup: Sarah Jenkins  |  Linens: LGI Linens

It was pouring, a shade of gray outside that might as well have been night time and there was no end in sight.  I was sure going into the day that our session was 100% going to have to be rescheduled.  As the day went on it started to get a little lighter but it was still pretty iffy outside.  I messaged Susan and asked what she wanted to do and and we decided to just go for it.  I put all the positive, stop raining vibes out into the world and headed out to Holcomb Gardens to meet them.  I kid you not, five minutes into my drive the skies turned blue and the clouds parted and the most beautiful fall light started to peek through.  It turned out to be the most gorgeous evening and I had an absolute blast with Susan and Jon.  It’s like Mother Nature just knew. 

So now…I’m anxiously counting down the days until December 9th!  Enough from me…internet, meet Susan and Jon.

lis

When I shoot weddings out of town I always quadruple check everything.  I make sure all my equipment is where it’s supposed to be and I map out every place I have to be and exactly how long it will take to get me there.  On the day of, I re-map said places at least 10 times in case there are any unexpected delays.  It may sound crazy but it keeps me sane.  On Erica and John’s wedding day I did just that.  I knew exactly how long it would take me to get to their venue.  The coast was clear and I called the uber with an extra 30 minutes to spare.  I shared an uber with one of Erica’s friends and we spent the car ride chatting away.  I couldn’t tell you what we were talking about but I’m sure it was pretty riveting stuff.  After about 25 minutes in the car I decided to check the uber app to see how close we were and when I opened it up it said we were 35 minutes away!  Mind you, this should have been a 30 minute TOTAL drive.  My chest instantly tightened and my heart started pounding.  I pulled up my own map to see where in the HELL he was taking us and I realized he had gone THIRTY MILES out of the way.  Like literally in the completely wrong direction.  I tried to ask him where he was going but he didn’t speak much english so I used every bit of Spanish I could remember to tell him to HURRY IT UP!  At this point let’s just say I was in a borderline panic.  Then…he breaks down.  On the highway.  Lisa and I looked at each other and I swear to you had she not been there I would have had a full on nervous breakdown.  We were 30 minutes away from the venue…I needed to be there in 20 and we were literally stranded on the side of the highway. Thankfully we found another uber to rescue us (in under 5 minutes!) and made it just barely late.  I still don’t think I’ve fully recovered yet but the wedding went off without a hitch and Erica and John’s day was an absolute blast.

Every part of their wedding weekend was so much fun.  I was so lucky to get to be a part of it all and I still can’t get over how amazing it was.  The whole weekend was full of good people, great times and one seriously fun wedding.  I think I slept for a week when I got home because I didn’t want to miss a second.  They say you are the company you keep and Erica and Johnny’s wedding was a reflection of just that.  From their family to their friends…everyone was literally exploding with love and excitement for them and it was so awesome to witness.  I not only came home having photographed the most perfect wedding day…but with so many people I’m now lucky to call friends.

Erica and Johnny…THANK YOU so much for allowing me to be such a huge part of your day.  I love you guys SO much and spending the weekend in Orlando with you and all your people will always be one of my favorite memories.  I can’t wait for many more empanada nights and if we’re lucky…some crazy games of Hot Seat.    I’m so happy for you guys and so grateful to call you friends.  xoxo

Thank you to my second shooter, Sidne Hirsch, for all her help!!

And to all the vendors who made this day happen!

Wedding Planner: Lora Ritzie Wardman  |  Florist: Porch Therapy  |  Venue: The Acre  |  Caterer: Arthur’s Catering  |  Band: Bay Kings Band  |  Dress brand: Stella York  |  Cake: It’s Tasty Too  |  Hair/Makeup: Makeover Station   |  Specialty Signage: Charlotte George Calligraphy  |  Rentals:  Orlando Wedding and Party Rentals