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Sewing Adventures- Vogue 8577 Dress

This was one of the first patterns I picked up. After I was first introduced to sewing and sewing patterns,  I started browsing Vogue’s collections one day. I came across this one and fell in love. So, like all things sewing, it sat in my stash for some time. I’d pull it out every once in a while and wonder what type of fabric I’ll use and where I could wear it.

 I’ll admit, I was a bit overzealous at the time of purchase,  but by this past July, I felt ready. This pattern looked intimidating. All the darts and pieces and lining and buttons. I just kept thinking to myself “baby steps, just take one at a time”. Then, over the course of about 2 weeks, I completed this dress. All in all, it actually wasn’t too bad. The “hardest” part was the pockets, but that was mostly just fiddling with the ease across the curve. Also, I found a really awesome sew-along tutorial for this dress, which helped immensely. See Kittenish Behavior on YouTube.

For the fabric, I used a white and navy polka dot cotton lawn picked up at SCRAP in Denton during one of their “fabric by the pound” sales. For the lining, I used  a plain white muslin. The white muslin doesn’t quite match with the cotton lawn, its a bit stiff and doesn’t have much drape or fluidity. Lesson learned.  I used 10 opaque white buttons, going down the front. Next time, I might be a bit bolder with the buttons. Maybe completely different color or a really unique shape. For the hem, as suggested by K.B., I attached a satin bias tape and then hand sewed the ENTIRE HEM using a blind stitch. At first I wasn’t going to do this, but then I liked the look and decided to go with it. 5 days later…….

What I like about this dress: the gentle v neck (not too deep, just enough to be flattering), gathers at the shoulders, darts in front and in back, fully lined, and POCKETS. Since this dress is fully lined, the only hem was the skirt, which gives the edges a seamless finish.

I went with a size 16, although according to the packet, I would have been 18. The 16 fit pretty well, and I might even take in the waist a little bit more.

So, first go around with this pattern- this is technically my “muslin”, but i think it turned out great and very wearable.

I also love the amount of fabric used in the skirt- lots of volume. Perfect for twirling around.

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Adventures in Arizona

Every journey is a quest, whether you know it or not. The people and experiences will ebb and flow by themselves- don’t deny yourself these adventures.

Journey to The Canyon

So this is what happens when you invite yourself on road trips. 

Several months ago, I invited myself on a trip with my bestie from Jr. High (Citrus Hills!!!!! Wow that takes me back) and her friends. She was telling me about it and I was like- hey I'm coming with you. Fast forward several months and I’m on a flight to Ontario, CA.  The Grand Canyon had always been on my bucket list, but not as high up there as international travel. I can’t help it- I’m a beach girl, so when I vacay, it’s to the ocean, wherever that may be, and not so much an outdoorsy explore America vacay. But when I do get to explore America, I always wonder why I haven’t done it SOONER.

PRO TIP: Apparently, locals refer to the Grand Canyon- “the canyon”.

I'm still not sure how I would like to refer to it. THE Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon. The grand canyon. The canyon. REALLY THOUGH Does it matter? Y’all know what I’m talking about.

I really wanted to go on this trip to get some awesome landscape photos and have some girl time. This past years’ trips have been to see friends and family, and not anything recreational. Which is completely fine, but sometimes I get that itch to explore, experience, create, and soak in new views. I really wasn't sure what it would actually be like- the canyon. I've seen pictures, like everyone else. But to stand at the edge and look down down down, and still NOT see the bottom. Wow, what an experience.

We had plenty of snacks for the road, all 6.5 hours drive of it. Oh and along the way it snowed. We may or may not have been driving through a blizzard, but it’s cool, everything's fine. 40 miles of limited visibility. 4 girls packed into a Honda Fit. Who’ve never driven in snow. 10 pm at night. In the middle of nowhere. It’s fine. EVERYTHINGS FINE.

Bedrock City

On our way out, we saw this cool looking sign: Fred’s Diner and Bedrock City. It looked faded and worn out, a perfect recipe for exploring and spontaneity. It was a $5 fee to get into the back to see Bedrock City and wow it was fun! #worthit.  It was a couple acres of nothing but flintstone inspired homes and cars and everything you could imagine! It felt like we had been dropped right into the Flintstone cartoon. So, if you’re on your way back from the Canyon, check it out- the kiddos will love it too.

As we entered the home stretch into California, we took a scenic route through the desert. It was gorgeous and full of interesting things to see, abandoned buildings, de-capitated palm trees, names written in rocks along the railroad tracks for miles and miles and miles- I have it on my list to go back. So, who’s down for next roadtrip and where should we go?

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#ExistinPhotos- New Print Products

Ya'll, I am SO exciting about some new products that I have available for you! I spent months scouring the interwebs, searching for the highest quality, unique, and glamorous products for my clients. So without further ado, here are my *NEW* Heirloom Glass Boxes, with mounted prints.

I absolutely love the delicate glass, encased in gold framing, complete with a sliding tab to keep that lid in place. Inside, you'll find mounted prints, which are your photos, professionally printed and mounted on styrene. This makes them thicker, more durable and protects against warping and creasing. And as always, the finish is in a beautiful METALLIC finish- my favorite!

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Heather & Matt | Hamilton Farm Golf Club Wedding | Gladstone, New Jersey

It’s amazing that in just 3.5 hours, I can fly across the country, 1500+ miles and see my bestie get married. It’s a surreal feeling to be in Texas, dry, flat and boring and then suddenly be in New Jersey: raining, green and hilly. I really enjoy traveling to new places, especially for weddings. So when Matt and Heather asked if I would be willing to travel to Gladstone, New Jersey to photograph their wedding, I couldn’t help but say “YES!”. As I found out more details, I got more and more excited. Matt and Heather would be getting married at Hamilton Farm Golf Club. The reception would be the same location, but indoors. For the bride and groom “just married” photos, we would be at a beautiful park, Bamboo Brook just down the road. They don’t call New Jersey the garden state for nothing!

Heather and Matt’s beautiful and elegant summer wedding had accents of sunflowers, peonies and white roses. Hamilton Farm Club in Gladstone, New Jersey provided the perfect backdrop for their wedding day. The ceremony was beautiful and moving. It was, a photographer’s dream.

This is no doubt, the most beautiful location I have seen- and that statement is an understatement. It was very picturesque. The day before had been wet and rainy, but the day of the wedding was absolutely gorgeous. Warm and sunny, with perfect fluffy white clouds intermittently floating across the perfect blue sky.

The wedding ceremony was also streamed live onto Facebook- how cool is that??? Ok, ok, I'll stop babbling and let you get to what you REALLY came here for.

  Dear Matt and Heather

Thank you for asking me to photograph your special day. I feel blessed to be part of your lives and I'm honored I got to be there see to it begin. I can't wait to see where life takes you next!

XOXO,

Nicole

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Ocean Avenue

SIRI GPS: " take a left on Ocean Avenue". 

"THERES A PLACE OFF OCEAN AVENUE; WHERE I USED TO SIT AND TALK WITH YOU. WE WERE BOTH SIXTEEN AND IT FELT SO RIGHT- SLEEPING ALL DAY, STAYING UP ALL NIIIIIIIGHT"

My bestie and I both yelled out these lyrics, in EXACT unison, not even a second after Siri's instructions.

It's been awhile since I was last in Santa Monica, on Ocean Avenue. I really miss the beach. And it still gets -me every time I drive to the coast and first see the ocean peeking between the buildings, I'm like " Ooo look its the beach!" and suddenly I feel like I am 9 years old again. Living here in Dallas, it doesn't get you much sand, sun and waves. The Santa Monica Pier is such a cool place to visit- you have the beautiful pacific ocean as your backdrop, colorful rides and even more colorful people. Right next to the pier is Muscle Beach, where you can show off your gymnast skills. Which I wanted to, of course, but I was too sore from all my hard working out. And by working out, I mean, walking.

I didn't set out with a particular list of images or ideas that I wanted to capture, but....... I hope you enjoy them!

  Here's the music video if you need a little refresher on this Yellowcard song. :)

"Let your waves crash down on me and take me away"

Below are some additional, random images from our day in LA. 

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Pole Fitness Portraits- Marisa

I don't know what to write today- but here are some really awesome pictures of a pole dancer. I really enjoy capturing part of someone's pole journey. Doesn't she make it look so easy?

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Dancing photos don’t have to be in big ball gowns or tulle skirts! They are just as wonderful in a pretty floral dress

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Pole is life #polefit #poledance #poledancersofig #fitspo #fitblr #poledancephotography #strongisbeautiful #polesisters #xpoleusa #badkittypride#dallas #dallasboudoir #gorgeous #beyoutiful #confident #confidence #loveyourbody #photooftheday #nicolerenephoto #poledancenation

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Throwback Thursday to Stacey’s session in 2015! She slayed in those red pumps! And can we talk about those legs? Hot damn… seriously getting jealous over here ;) http://ift.tt/RJzmvO #JessicaMichaelPhotography http://ift.tt/2hzIyUV

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#tbt to my “first” pole photoshoot. I just playing around in my living room, but the light was so pretty!!!! #polefit #poledance #badkittypride #xpoleusa #fitspo #fitblr #poledancersofig #strongisbeautiful #dallas #dallasboudoir #gorgeous #beyoutiful #confident #confidence #loveyourbody #photooftheday #nicolerenephoto #poledancenation #potd

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This is definitely one of my top favorites of all time #polefit #poledance #poledancersofig #fitspo #fitblr #poledancephotography #strongisbeautiful #polesisters #xpoleusa #badkittypride #dallas #dallasboudoir #gorgeous #beyoutiful #confident #confidence #loveyourbody #photooftheday #nicolerenephoto #potd #poledancenation

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this is so pretty!!

#boudoir #dance #hair #boudoirphotography #tbt #throwback #throwbackthursday ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Warwick Boudoir Photography⠀ www.warwickboudoir.com⠀ info@warwickboudoir.com⠀ Houston, Texas⠀ ⠀ MUAH: @kissandmakeuphouston ⠀ ⠀ #warwickboudoir #iamfearless #boudoirinspiration #bestboudoir #boudoirshoot #photographer #photography #potd #houstonphotography #houstonphotographer #texasphotographer #feminine #beauty #beautiful #boudoirphotographer #houstonboudoir #texasboudoir #houston #texas #beautyandboudoir #longhair #red #lingerie

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Outdoor Beauty

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Outdoor Beauty

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Outdoor Beauty

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Outdoor Beauty