…the new cover of MODELE weddings…

this beautiful TRU LUV shoot was produced & designed
by the amazing LISA VORCE of OH, HOW CHARMING! & the ever
talented MINDY RICE….thank you MODELE  weddings for the lovely
cover & spread…the gowns are by CLAIRE PETTIBONE…head pieces
by TWIGS & HONEY…hair & makeup by ERIN SKIPLEY….xoxoxoxo
_____________________

stunning model ASHLYN PEARCE

the holidays are full…full of food…wrapping paper…dishes…& for some of us, sadness….while some of use are enjoying are loved ones & the excitement that comes along with the holidays, some of us are lonely, hungry, full of longing….if you are missing a loved one…remembering happiness form years gone by…missing kisses that are no longer in reach, this goes out to you….if 2011 was a hard year…life can be sad & beautiful…i hope that 2012 brings peace & love your way…many blessings..xoxo

what you see all depends on your point of view…xoxo

….congratulations JOSE VILLA & JOEL SERRATO….

today is a good day…JOSE VILLA & JOEL SERRATO’S stunning wedding is featured in an 8 page spread in MARTHA STEWART WEDDINGS…stop whatever you are doing & run to the store & pick up the winter 2012 issue…this wedding was truly special…i was/am so honored to have captured the nuptials of two wonderful & loving men…may they enjoy many beautiful married years together…

here is the list of the amazing team of talented & creative people
that came together &  helped make their day not only
beautiful but also full of meaning & substance…..
_________________________

Location: FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN FARMHOUSE
Event Design & Production: Lisa Vorce of OH, HOW CHARMING!
Event Design and Flowers: MINDY RICE FLORAL DESIGN
Catering: NEW WEST CATERING
Stationery: TINY PINE PRESS & PAPEL PAPER & PRESS
Calligraphy: ANNE JONES
Cake: SWEET & SAUCY SHOP
Lighting: BELLA VISTA DESIGN
Photography: ELIZABETH MESSINA
Cinematography: JOE SIMON FILMS
Ceremony & Cocktail Music: BOLERO SOUL
Reception Music: MICHAEL ANTONIA of FLASHDANCE
Rentals: CLASSIC PARTY RENTALS
Specialty Decor: BARKER DECOR SERVICE

_________________________

this is what the sky looked like the day JOSE & JOEL got married

(today you will find sneak peaks of this wedding on)

GREEN WEDDING SHOES & 100 LAYER CAKE & STYLE ME PRETTY

christmas came early this year
thank you MARTHA STEWART WEDDINGS

love is beautiful…xoxo

IMAGINE

“Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace

You, you may say
I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one
I hope some day you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world

You, you may say
I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one
I hope some day you’ll join us
And the world will live as one”

-NEW MEXICO-

LIFE ON LOCATION-as a photographer i am often on the road
i thought i’d be fun to start sharing some of my personal experiences….i’ll let you know about
the hotels i visit, sweet spots to eat & any other little details that might help you on your travels

it may come as a surprise to some, but NEW MEXICO is a second home to me…i grew up between CALIFORNIA & NEW MEXICO, my father still lives there & over the years i have been lucky enough to find some wonderful little gems, places to see & things to eat…so here is my insiders guide…

1st up…you must eat at THE SHED in SANTA FE….

now, usually i am a green chili kinda girl but on my last visit i ordered the chicken enchiladas with red chili…(they are known for their red chili) & let me just say it was pure deliciousness & spice…check out the MENU…(i also highly recommend the posole & green chili stew)…truth be told, you can’t go wrong…between the good food, mellow atmosphere & fabulous location, it is the perfect pitstop with a mix of travelers & locals alike…after lunch i recommend taking a stroll through SANTA FE…

2nd…look up…the light in NEW MEXICO is incandessent….
so beautiful & abundant & ever changing…a dream for a photographer…

3rd the sweetest ALPACA FARM called VICTORY RANCH….ever nestled in the hills outside of SANTA FE….ALPACAS are the sweetest softest creatures….after feeding & petting them for a while you can go to their gift shop & get yourself an ALPACA hat or sweater or some other cozy souvenier

4th the amazing EL SANTUARIO DE CHIMAYO

….this lovely church is one of my favorite places ever….

one of the most magical places i’ve been to…in the back of the chapel is
a little room with a small hole filled with dirt in the middle…this is sacred dirt
& people come from all over to take a little bit of it & say a prayer….there are many
crutches & noted that line the wall from all of the miracles that have taken place…

CHIMAYO is definitely worth a visist

the NEW MEXICO dessert mountain landscape is stunning….
fyi…much of TRUE GRIT was filmed in MORRA, filled beautiful
lush landscape just about 2 hours outside of SANTA FE….

& 5th…take a little walk through the ZOO in ALBUQUERQUE
(aka life on location meets life as a mother)

truth be told i am really not a big fan of zoo’s…in general they make
me sad & i have visions of setting the animals free…but as a mother of three
i find my children learn so much from a trip to the zoo…the ALBUQUERQUE
ZOO touches my heart because i remember going there as a little girl…there
are lovely grass areas you can sit in the afternoon sun & my children love
to feed the ducks…it is a literal feeding frenzy…

although new mexico is mostly dessert, there is
so much beautiful natural beauty everywhere…

simply put NEW MEXICO is a gem…well worth a road trip

please take a minute & let me know some of your favorite new mexico sweet spots
_______________________________

xoxo….elizabeth

“You’re not the man who gave me everything
I’ve ever wanted

You’re not the man
Who stepped inside my life
And haunted every, every day

You’re not the man
Who said he’d never leave
Couldn’t breathe
And could not sleep without me

That was someone who you left behind
A long time ago

You’re not the man
Who would bleed for me
Never shed a tear
You’re not the one
Said he’d always be near

You’re not the man
Who threw me a lifeline
And you’re not the man
I am so proud to call mine

And you’re not the one
Who said he’d never leave
The one who made me believe in me
That was someone who could do no wrong
But you lost him

You’re not the man
Who would bleed for me
But never shed a tear
You’re not the one
Who said he’d always, always, always be here
Said he’d always, always be near

But don’t get me wrong
Although it seems sad
It’s not all bad
You see
I’m not the little girl I used to be

You’re not the man
Not the one
Who said he’d always, always, always be near

He was everything you see
He made me believe in me
Said he’d always, always, always be here”

SADE

_________________________

keep up with all the KISSES…xoxo

a little more sweetness....

so many people i know are expecting right now….
it brings up such feelings of longing for me…now let
me be clear, i have a full house & i am oh so happy….
although my mind is clear that 3 is plenty…i do miss the
sweet lilt of a newborn in my arms….to all of you blessed
with a bun in the oven, i am thinking of you…& if you
come around me, can i please hold your baby??