Daisy + Adrian's Engagement Photoshoot by PACO + BETTY PHOTOGRAPHY

Hello!!
Back in November, I raved about this really awesome couple, who are friends of mine, and their photography business: Paco+Betty Photography. Today, I have the honor and privilege to share their latest photo session of this gorgeous couple, my sister Daisy and fiance (future brother-in-law, yay!) Adrian.

So, it's been a few weeks since the day they took these photos and I've been anticipating for the moment to finally see them. I knew they were going to be stunning and all, but I didn't expect it to deeply move me and get all teary eyed. Yes, maybe because this is in fact, my sister that I'm so freakin' happy for her and love her to pieces, but also because I'm taken by the way these photos have a timeless appeal with a sense of nostalgia. It sorta feels like I'm looking at story from the past, but of a love story brought back to life. My sister and Adrian, definitely had a unique vision to recreate a harlem-inspired photo shoot, but it could not have existed without the gift and talents of  Paco+Betty!

 

 

 

 

You can see more of their recent work on their blog. 

Have a good day!!

C2 | VALUES.COM : Foundation For A Better Life

Wednesday already? It seems like last week just flew by with a quickness! I guess December is really not one of those months that we can expect to be slow. Everyone is in a rush and hurry to prepare for the holidays and get their homes decorated, trimming the trees, sending out cards, shopping and wrapping gifts, planning a menu (or maybe wondering where to order food), attending gatherings and social events, and just the typical holiday busyness that happens every year. As chaotic as it can be running around here and there with a million things on your mind, it's a season of excitement and anticipation to spend time with friends and family and celebrate Christmas and the coming of a New Year. Nevertheless, just like the song goes, "It's the most wonderful time of the year!". And well...as we all say, time flies when we're having fun, right!

So, because we get so caught up in such crazy schedules and our minds are always running away with so many things that need to get done, I thought I'd share a really heartwarming website, the kind that makes you want to stop and slow down and cherish the moments in life a little more or even A LOT more. If you love Chicken Soup for the Soul, than I'm positive that you will enjoy what this site is all about.

Today's CREATIVE CONNECTION is --- VALUES.COM | The Foundation for a Better Life

To me, having values is important especially for the sake of my family, my boys indefinitely. And I strongly believe that our creativity rises up from strong values that motivates us to create and design art. Art is an expression of our heart and soul, its a window into who we are and what we value. As a scrapbooker or photographer, our photos are reflections of our love for others and the passions we have in life and we invest our time and energy into them because we want to leave something valuable and priceless behind for our loved ones, hoping it will strengthen their values about love, life, and our world we live in.

And this is what I find so AMAZING about VALUES.COM because not only will you find inspiring stories about triumph and victory, but you will also be touched by real stories of misfortune and loss, causing us to appreciate our lives and the people we love, even more so. You will also discover that there are so many goodhearted men and woman, from all walks of life, still left in this troubled world that have a vision or have left a legacy to touch lives and make differences.

I still have not gone through every single story or quote, but I confess that every time I do, I melt and sometimes even cry buckets of tears. Other times, I'm filled with so much inspiration and encouragement that I feel that no matter what the circumstance, I'm going to be successful in life and that no matter what mistakes or challenges I've faced, there's always time to change and become a better person. Like my pastor said recently, "BE THE CHANGE."

Values.com is such a great place that encourages us to do good things and become more compassionate towards others, even towards ourselves. We all need to be encouraged from time to time and I know that reading through some of their amazing stories and quotes, will have you striving to keep moving, to keep growing and learning, and to keep believing in yourself or if you are spiritual like me, to keep trusting and having faith in God. This place is life-changing and it will change your perspective on what it means to really live a fulfilling, purpose filled life.

This is their company overview and mission:

Overview:

The Foundation for a Better Life is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2000 to promote positive values. The Foundation creates public service campaigns to communicate these positive values, such as honesty, caring, optimism, hard work, and helping others, in order to make a difference in communities. Viewers are encouraged to step up to a higher level and to pass on positive values. These seemingly small examples of individuals living vales-based lives may not change the world, but collectively they make a difference. After all, developing values and then passing them on to others is The Foundation for a Better Life.

Mission:

 "The values we live by are worth more when we pass them on."

So, I challenge you to find some time to visit this site and maybe connect with your family to discuss your values and things that are important for you to share with your children, friends, or extended families. If you're a scrapbooker, this is an incredible site to find the perfect quote or saying that you'd like to express in your pages. Overall, may your heart be heavy with gratitude, humility, peace, joy, and love through this empowering organization and regardless of how hectic the holidays are, may you find the time to value the things that matter most...

Enjoy and have a great rest of the week!

C2 | Paper Crave + DIY Paper Wreath

 Happy Wednesday!

Today I have a really awesome C2 | CREATIVE CONNECTION  to share with you... If you've been reading my blog up until now, you may already know that I have a thing for paper and all the creative things you can do with it. Not only do I love making cards or scrapbook pages, but I love making gifts or crafting with it to make art pieces or decor. There are tons of DIY craft sites that are incredible resources for making handmade items using paper. One valuable site does just that----PAPER CRAVE.

Paper Crave is a blogger site of all things paper from stationary to packaging design to paper crafts and printable resources, to gift wrap and greeting cards and so much more. I really like the new series installment that has just begun which is called the Weekly Wrap. Every Friday will feature unique gift wrapping and packaging ideas that will serve as inspiration for your own personal gift wrapping/packaging projects. SWEET, huh? Now is really a great time, before Christmas, to get inspired for this if you're looking for a new or fresh way of making your gift giving fun and unique.

I have a particular paper crafting project that I want to share. which was taken off Paper Crave's recent article a few weeks ago about Paper Wreath Tutorials. The article highlighted a few bloggers who shared their paper wreath making skills and the links to their blogs where you can find the step by step tutorials to create them. I was immediately taken by the looped paper wreath by Razzle Dazzle Crafting (another great craft blog) and decided to make one of these beauties. It was really easy, fun, and fast to make. Check out the photos below and see how wonderful it turned out.

 Stapled 1x5 inch strips of looped patterned paper.

Used Wonderful Winter glittered paper stack by My Mind's Eye.

 Using a hot glue gun, I then adhered the strips onto this 12 inch styrofoam wreath found at any local art/craft store.

 

 Close up photo of the layers of paper.

 

My handy dandy glue gun.:)

Ta da! Mission completed and it turned out beautiful!

( Thank you Dusty @ Razzle Dazzle Crafting! )

I have one more wreath to make, but thinking of creating three all together to add to my wall since a single one seems a little too small for the huge space. Plus, I'm definitely going to reuse them over and over again or even keep them up all year round just because they are too cute to put away. Maybe, it'll be one of those crafty decorative pieces that I can hang in my own personal craft room.... Yes, still dreaming of that day. :)

Anyways, hope you have a great rest of the day and thank you for checking in. Hope you were inspired! More updates on my digital designs and hybrid projects to come soon!

Be blessed!