Breaking the Rules? Yes, please?

Well, I have a stash of some newborn photos to show off tonight along with the story of this mild mama who just can't help but wonder is it ok to teach our kids to be a little wild? I figured some photos of brand new life might fit this topic well and help inspire my thoughts.

So here's the deal...

Every Wednesday night I drive my oldest daughter to our church youth group. On the way home, she always tells me EVERY detail about what they talked about. Don't get me wrong, I am very glad she feels comfortable enough to talk to me and actually answer the question "How was your day" with more than a shrug of the shoulders and a mumbled "mmok" but she tends to ramble and mumble which can make me concentrate more on hearing her than on the road. ANYWHO...tonight they talked about peer pressure. A great thing for kids to learn about, especially in a church setting.

The youth pastor talked about different things he was peer pressured into doing as an adolescent and how he was given tough consequences because of those actions. Yes, mom and dad definitely don't want to hear that their child has been arrested or that they might be kicked out of college. AGREED! I reassured her that it is a terrible idea to listen to what other's tell you to do especially if it means possibly ruining things for yourself. HOWEVER, when it came time to put Mama in the hot seat, I started whistling a slightly different tune. She turned to me and asked if I had ever been peer pressured into anything. The first thing that came to mind was of course, probably the worst one at this particular Godly moment.

I blurted out "Yeah. Sneaking out of church camp." REALLY, Renee? Well, she of course, let out a big gasp and immediately wanted all the details. I quickly assured her I didn't bust down some chained gates, with a cigarette tucked behind my ear and a bottle of gin in my back pocket. I said some older boys came to our "dorm" window and asked us to come outside with them. So with my 2 giddy girlfriends, we readily (and without peer pressure I might add) shimmied our way out the window. We just walked the grounds talking, we climbed a tree and we all tried to swing on a bench swing at the same time. I explained to her that this was my decision and that the only part of that I regretted was not putting on pants. It was a cool October evening and I was sporting a pair of baby pink shorts. 

Now, I get how terrible that sounds BUT what you also have to know about my daughter is she is TERRIFIED of ever doing anything wrong or upsetting anyone in any way. So she has ALWAYS turned down peer pressure because there is no way in Hannah Montana that she would want to risk being scolded or heaven forbid, grounded. This has been fantastic and I greatly appreciate the breeze it's been to raise her, but I also think that it's those few moments in life when we bend the rules a little (but ultimately stay true to ourselves) and go on an adventure that are the moments we cherish and giggle about for the rest of our lives. I didn't drink in high school, I tried smoking (gross, man) I kept my knickers to myself into adulthood and to this day haven't had a date with the reefer (are you enjoying all the cheesy references?) For the most part followed my parent's rules. (I probably snuck some candy here and there, don't judge) I did however have many harmless adventures where I learned to have fun, loosen up and maybe letting loose the few times I did helped keep me from finally snapping and giving into the MAJOR peer pressure? Who knows... 

I did my best to explain to her to still enjoy her youth and her life responsibly. While I do wish she takes a few more chances, I hope she does her best to follow what God has laid out for us as rules rather than fall in line with whatever "cool thing" people are doing. 

A Wedding with Class...and a little snack!

Bare with me as I attempt this blog thing, yet again. I am very quick to post mobile uploads to Facebook and never further elaborate on them or pop up a few sneak peek photos to my Elizabelle Photography page and never give the couple the full credit they deserve. Today, I'm going to try and tackle both of these problems.

I love photographing weddings, and attending them, for that matter. One of my best liked things about them is the vows and listening to the wise words of wisdom the pastor (or whomever) has chosen for each couple. It just gives me a refresher and then sends me home feeling like a newly wed. Until reality hits me the second I walk through the front door. By reality, I mean my children. God, love them. 

This particular wedding was...FABULOUS. I loved all the detail, the elaborate decor that somehow fit perfectly with the simplicity of the food and the over all elegance. 

                    

As a very family orientated girl, I loved the added touches the bride chose to use that incorporated her roots. On the left is a photo of the bride's jewelry and hair accessories. Her grandmother's necklace and hair comb. There's nothing more amazing than a vintage look that is actually vintage. The photo on the right, a heart cut out from the bride's recently deceased grandfather. I heard that Kim Kardashian did something like this with her father's shirt...on ALL of her wedding dresses...for her one (sham) marriage. While I despise everything around her big, fake, wedding, I loved the idea and thought it was quite the creative idea to use it also as your something blue.

<3 shoes. shoes. shoes. <3 I never leave a wedding without a shot of the shoes. To me, these are one of the small details that truly define a wedding and the woman wearing them. A simple pump with golden sparkles makes me think back to basics and all the classic women of Hollywood. They tell me that the woman wearing them is simple, yet elegant. It may sound corny, I don't care. I have a slight shoe obsession, and trust me...they all make a statement of their own.

I love natural shots, especially of mother's and daughter's. You can stand strait and smile at a camera any 'ol time, but these precious moments capture real soul. 

Now back to what I was saying about "cheesy posed" photos, this ones makes me smile. A personal attendant, if carefully selected, can be your best tool on your wedding day. For example, when you are outside in the frigid cold, trying to get amazing, romantic shots, who will be there to keep your dress from getting soaked? You guessed it, your personal attendant! This particular one also did a little sucking up to me, with a celeb look-alike compliment, which I always appreciate. Except those awkward years in middle school when people kept telling me I looked like Christina Ricci. She's great and all and a very beautiful woman, but to me, she will always be Wednesday Adams and that's one face I sure don't care to be associated with. 

Although I could go on, I figured I'd wrap up this wedding with a party (and yes, of course, a snack.) I have never loved a bride and maid of honor shot more than the ones I captured of these two. So often times people see a photo they like and they desperately want to capture it exactly as they saw it. Well, I'm here to say, it all depends on location, timing and the people in the photo. Not every wedding is the same which means no one should have the same photos. I love those moments when I happen to see something that captures my eye and I roll with it. What I love even more? When I have a subject who "rolls with me" like these two lovely ladies. Finally, the heroic groom and his groomsmen. Each groomsmen was given a different super hero t-shirt to wear under his tux this of course, makes for a fantastic photo opp! 

I wish this lovely couple well in their life together, as I do all my wedding couples. If their wedding was any indication to how the rest of their lives will go, I'll predict these three things: lots of love, witty humor and...glitter (despite the grooms wishes).

Top it off with a treat...

My latest obsession? Visalus. What is Vi? Basically, I'll do 3 words again: healthy, energizing and delicious. Want more info, check out the site ReneeBenes.myvi.net (hey, if I took the time to explain it, we'd be here all night) Well, Vi comes with a variety of recipes for their shakes as well as I few others, I couldn't help but feel the need to get creative with it today. As I was working out my bod at the gym, my brain was concocting this tiny miracle in a glass. So simple, and not too shabby as far as fat goes. 

Layer 1: Fat free yogurt

This stuff tastes DISGUSTING on its own, however, you add your 2 scoops of Vi and you're in a whole new ball park. Just for fun, I added about 1T of brown sugar. I did this before to the yogurt before I poured it over some chopped apples and was pretty pleased. I did realize, however, that it is unnecessary for this particular desert. 

Layer 2: Chopped frozen strawberries and peaches. Again, quick and easy. I bought some frozen fruit, I plopped about a cup and a half into the blender and chopped it up in "Ice" mode. Voila!

Layer 3: I turned to my always faithful Deceptively Delicious cook book ala Jessica Seinfeld. This is her recipe for chocolate fondue which is made up of (brace yourselves) avocado and carrot puree. Mix in some cocoa powder, vanilla extract, a wee bit of margarine and sugar (I've been opting for organic for the first time in my baking career) So aside from the sugar you've got a snack with yogurt, fruit, veggies and Vi! 

Oh, almost forgot

Layer 4: Vi brownies. Google it. I make them in very small cupcake tins so that they are a great quick grab and also a reasonable serving amount. If I didn't do this I'd cut myself half a pan and call it a serving. Those babies are amazing!