Monthly Happy Goals for May

It’s Mayyyyy!!! (Insert happy dance.)

There is so much going on in May! So much to celebrate and be happy for! The first being MY BIRTHDAY!!!! I am one year older and wiser. (Really trying not to obsess over the older part.) I have gained an incredible year of knowledge, adventure, lessons, wisdom and, most importantly, tremendous love. I have enjoyed every minute, even the not so great moments, because I know everything that occurs in one’s lifetime is what molds you into the human being you are. I truly look forward to what lies ahead!

The second very important thing in May I am celebrating, is a life-changing milestone. In May, all those years ago, I met my prince charming. I did not know that at 19 years old I would meet my forever person. The man that would love me unconditionally, support me in everything I did, would be my rock when I needed him, would be my partner in crime, and would be the love of my life. It has been an amazing ride and I cannot wait to see what the next 50 years have in store for us.

Another joyous occurrence this month, we are finally getting some R&R. We are always grateful to be working and we never take it for granted, however, it has been a long 2017. We have been working non-stop or at least it feels like it and we need a few days off. Looking forward to our alone time together.

Lastly, we have a few new projects in the works. We like to keep things fresh and new. We aren’t the type to rest on one’s laurels, rather we like to shake things up and try new things.

It is turning out to be a wonderful month!

My Monthly Happy Goals for May
1. Dazzle in at least one shiny/glittery/sparkly item each day.
2. Sport my special birthday floral crown at home everyday.
3. End every week with a cupcake.
4. In May Mondays will be celebrated with a yummy margarita- Margarita Mondays.
5. Be more creative. Make or create at least one thing everyday.

A Fun Carnival Engagement Shoot

john arriola films

Who doesn’t love a carnival, with all its fun games, delicious treats, exhilarating rides and array of colors. It brings back such wonderful memories of a time full of frivolity, whimsy, excitement, and giddiness. It reminds us of a simpler time without all the woes of adulthood. This is precisely why my husband and I have had our hearts set on filming a fun Carnival Engagement Shoot.

Every time my husband and I passed a carnival on the road we vowed to film an engagement there. However, something would inevitably come up and it would end up on the “Maybe next time” list. This excuse went on for years. Then, one night in March the stars aligned.  As we drove home from a date night we saw the glowing lights of a carnival. In unison we yelled, “we have to film an engagement there!” So, the decision was made. We would in fact finally get around to filming that carnival engagement film. (It was only about 5 years in the making.) The minute we arrived at home the research began. We soon found that our window of opportunity was small since the carnival would only be around for a few days- four days to be exact. In four days, we had to finalize our shooting schedule, create our shot list, get permission to shoot at the carnival, and find a fun couple willing to go on this crazy, but fun journey.

Time was of the essence. We had not a moment to spare. The very next day we contacted the carnival via email and permission was granted. The shoot would take place on Friday. Now to finding just the right couple to bring our idea to fruition. We advertised a model call for a fun, outgoing engaged couple. Within minutes we were bombarded with entries. We had to make our decision, and quick!

We gathered all of our entries, and with great difficulty made our decision. (Anyone of the couples would have done wonderfully.) We called the lucky couple and everything was arranged. We were ecstatic, then the call came. Sadly, the couple would have to decline due to a work schedule. Unfortunately, we could not reschedule, so we had to find another couple. And serendipitously, it all worked out.

We were disappointed, however, it didn’t take us long to find our new couple-Yvonne & Ruben. During the decision process we had been torn between two lovely couples- the couple who cancelled and Yvonne & Ruben. Funny, things seem to always work out for the best. This time around we made certain our new couple was a go.

Yvonne and Ruben were real troopers throughout the filming process.  They were up for anything we threw their way: target shooting (balloon casualties), duck hunting (rubber duckies, of course), touring the fun house, eating cotton candy, throwing around some pop corn, and so much more. It was a long and exhausting shoot filled with laughter and a large helping of fun. Yvonne and Ruben truly made our Carnival Shoot come to life!

I am so happy to share the finish product! It is one of my favorite shoots to date! Enjoy!

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Lovely Vendors
CINEMATOGRAPHY John Arriola Films || SHOOT STYLIST Brenda Martinez-Arriola of Lovely & Amazing
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MODELS Yvonne & Ruben

 

Classic Cocktail Recipes

ClassicCocktailsEvery year there is a new fad/trend on the horizon, ready to take center stage in the wedding industry. What exactly this new fad/trend is no one can predict until it is out dominating the blogs, magazines and social media. I love trends as much as the next person, however, I don’t like the disposability of it. Sadly, the trend is here today and suddenly gone tomorrow. I prefer something that will leave a lasting impression on the day of and for years to come. And I am not the only one who feels the same. Many newly engaged couples feel as I do.

These couples aren’t scared off by words like, “old-fashioned,” “traditional,” and “conventional.” Rather, they are intrigued by such an idea. They desire a wedding filled with classic touches. They are looking to inject their wedding with tried and true traditions or classic elements that were once a staple in weddings. They see a value in what used to be, rather than a fad that may be here today, but gone tomorrow. They desire a wedding that is timeless and won’t show its age in 10 or 20 years.

Creating a wedding filled with classic or traditional details is quite easy, there are a multitude of ways to do so. You won’t have any problem finding just the right elements for your special day. One lovely way to do so is through classic cocktail recipes. You will likely serve your guests a drink or two, so why not serve up a classic cocktail. Whether you choose one, two or all of the following recipes, your guest will thoroughly enjoy them!

These Classic Cocktails are sure to be a favorite on your wedding day and for years to come!

OLD-FASHIONED WHISKEY SOUR
1 1/2 oz. whiskey
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
4 tsp. cherry juice
5 oz. sweet and sour mix
olives or mushrooms to garnish

Mix whiskey, bitters and cherry juice in an ice-filled martini glass, and fill the remainder of the glass with sour mix. Garnish with olives or mushrooms and serve with a swizzle stick.

TOM COLLINS
2 oz. gin
1 1/2 oz. lemon juice
2 tsp. sugar syrup
splash of soda water

Combine gin, juice and sugar syrup in a highball glass. Stir, add ice and fill with soda water.

CLASSIC MARTINI
1 1/2 oz. gin
1 tsp. dry vermouth
cocktail olive to garnish

Stir gin and vermouth with ice cubes in a mixing glass until chilled. Then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cocktail olive.

CLASSIC CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL
sugar cube
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
3 oz. Champagne
1/2 oz. cognac
twist of lemon
slice of orange to garnish

Soak sugar cube with Angostura bitters in a Champagne flute. Add Champagne and cognac, squeeze in a twist of lemon and garnish with half a slice of orange.

GIMLET
1 1/2 oz. gin
2 tsp. lime juice
wedge of lime to garnish

Shake gin and lime juice in a shaker with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

MOJITO
5 mint leaves
1/2 cup fresh chopped lime
2 oz. white rum
1/2 oz. sugar syrup
1 tsp. superfine sugar
splash of soda water
sprig of mint to garnish

Muddle mint leaves and fresh lime (with peel). Shake with rum, syrup and sugar, and pour into a highball glass. Top with soda water and garnish with a sprig of mint.

CLASSIC BLOODY MARY
2 oz. vodka
3 oz. tomato juice
1/2 oz. lemon juice
black pepper and salt
3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
2 drops of Tabasco sauce
wedge of lemon and celer stalk to garnish

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a highball glass over crushed ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge and celery stalk.

MANHATTAN

2 1/2 oz. bourbon
1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
4 dashes of Angostura bitters
maraschino cherry
orange peel to garnish

Combine bourbon, vermouth and bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Strain over a cherry placed in a chilled martini glass. Rub the cut edge of the orange peel over the glass rim and twist it over the drink.

OLD-FASHIONED
1 tsp. sugar
splash of water
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
1 maraschino cherry
wedge of orange
2 oz. bourbon

Mix sugar, water and bitters in an old-fashioned glass. Add cherry and orange wedge. Muddle into a paste, then add bourbon. Fill with ice and stir.

MINT JULEP
1 tsp. superfine sugar
5-6 mint leaves
3 oz. bourbon
sprig of mint to garnish

Muddle mint leaves with sugerfine sugar and a splash of water in an old-fashioned glass. Fill with ice, top with bourbon and garnish with mint sprig.

FRENCH 75
2 oz. sour mix
1 1/2 oz. cognac
5 oz. Champagne

Combine sour mix and cognac in a Collins glass with a litter ice, and stir. Fill with Champagne, then garnish with a French flag!

Cocktail Source THE COCKTAIL 200 Fabulous Drinks by Jane Rocca

Sofia in Wonderland

This Alice in Wonderland themed shoot was AMAZING! I am a huge fan of the books and movies and I have to say I was blown away. It was such a well thought out idea executed to perfection. All those spectacular props, the set up and actors were magnificent. Distant Lands truly outdid themselves with this wonderful production. And luckily, it was captured by John Arriola Films and David Pezzat Photography for our viewing pleasure.

The following was included in the original post on John Arriola Films:

Welcome to Wonderland

I invite you to take a leap down the rabbit hole for an adventure filled with whimsy and the surreal.

We are ecstatic to have been a part of such a spectacular production as this Alice in Wonderland themed shoot. It was quite the scene as the work of Distant Lands came together to create this fanciful world.

As a great fan of the Alice in Wonderland books, movies, art, and paraphernalia I was bowled over to see such an elaborate set up. Distant Lands would have made Lewis Carroll quite proud with their rendition of his work.

This way to Wonderland!

There was no shortage of tea cups, topsy-turvy clocks, tiny doors leading to far off places, DRINK ME potions, deceiving EAT ME desserts, and loads more of whimsical props. And we cannot forget about the cameos of the distinguished Rabbit and Mad Mad Hatter. All came together to create a fantastic world for this unique shoot.


 

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Lovely Vendors
CINEMATOGRAPHY John Arriola Films
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CINEMATOGRAPHY John Arriola Films || PHOTOGRAPHY David Pezzat Photography || PROPS & RENTALS Distant Lands || LOCATION Casa Los Ebanos

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