Mother's Day, Father's Day & Workshops Dates!

The funny thing about living in our house is you never know when an impromptu photo shoot may take place.

This is just another Wednesday afternoon at our house.

These cars are on loan from Chad's and his brother Drew's original metal matchbook car collection.

Ky likes carrying them around with him for safe-keeping.

B even let me snap a few of her.  She wasn't as easily distracted by the cars.  She knows all the tricks I have up my sleeve.

 

I wanted to remind you that Mother's & Father's Days are coming up...so if you are looking for that perfect gift...you could give mom a gift certificate for that session she has been wanting to schedule, or you could get some photos done beforehand and give an album to dad.

Or we could do some fun photos in your Easter outfits.  I've always wanted to shoot with some baby chicks, but I don't know where to get any.  Or a bunny?  Is that cliche?

Also, after getting bombarded by emails, I am happy to announce the next date for the "What you didn't know, you didn't know about photography" Workshop. It will be on Wednesday, May 18th from 10am-2pm in Geneva.  It will include lattes & lunch as well as a wealth of knowledge for beginner photographers.  We will talk about what all those different buttons mean on your camera, lighting, composition, do's & don'ts, tips to make your everyday snapshots even better, etc.  Then we will get to put your skills to the test at the end of the day with a live shoot.

If you would like to be a part of the workshop please email me right away to reserve your seat for $129.  I will also be offering two more this year...one in the summer and a final one in the fall.

Thanks so much and have a great day!!  xoxo

Calling all Senior girls!

Grease used to be my favorite movie when I was growing up.  I just loved the part when the "Pink Ladies" walked in to their first day of their senior year and said We're going to Rule the School...

Now is the time to start ordering your high school graduation announcements.  I have some new designs I wanted to share with you all.

Also, if you know a high school Junior or Senior girl, or you are a Junior or Senior girl that loves posing for the camera and would like to be a part of super fun project I am working on with some fabulous Geneva business owners, please shoot me an email at kelly@kellyvanderploegphotography.com.

No modeling experience necessary.  Please email me a little about yourself and show me that you are up for a good time.  No need to be shy!  Let me know you would love to be a part of a styled shoot with some amazing vendors that will dress you as well as do your hair and makeup.

I look forward to hearing from you!

This is the fun part?

Surely the process of selling your home and searching for a new place to call your own can come with its ups and downs.  Who would guess that selling our home would have been the easy part of this process?  Everyone said now that you've sold your house, the fun part will be looking seriously for your new home.  It was fun at first, but I am emotionally spent.

A few weeks ago, we thought we had found the perfect home.  It was an adorable cottage style home, in town, huge corner lot, it had its quirks, but that's what gave it character.  Sure it needed some TLC and some updating, but we could see past all that.  Long story short, it needed way more TLC than we could muster.  This poor house had been neglected for far too long for us to move in with our family and make it livable in a short amount of time.  I'll spare you the dirty details, but if this is any indication, the inspection report was 22 pages long!

So after a week agonizing about what to do...we decided to walk on the deal.  We are looking for a home we can upgrade with some minor remodeling and by adding our own finishing touches.  Not a complete rehab.

Disappointed doesn't describe the loss I felt.

All I want is something my family will fit in that I can make look like this:

Is that too much to ask?

I don't want to infringe on anyone's copyright for any of these photos and want to make it clear that I did not take any of these photos.  These are just some of the images I have come across in my search for home decor inspirations...you should see the pile of all the cut-outs I have from magazines!


**Edited to add:  Since I have been getting such an overwhelming response from this post, I am sharing my usual sources of inspiration with you.  Hope this is helpful!
Blogs I read:

http://tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com/

http://urbanfarmgirlandco.blogspot.com/

http://betterafter.blogspot.com/

http://www.heatherbullard.typepad.com/

These blogs always lead me to other blogs and before I know it, I have spent an hour reading these things.  SO addictive!

Magazines I love:

Flea Market Style

Coastal Living

Big Style for Small Rooms

Renovation Style

Cottage Style

Better Homes & Gardens

Decor

Country French**

Luckily, we love the house we are renting, so we are very comfortable here (until this place sells).  No panic buttons are being hit just yet.

In the meantime, I am still testing my skills in the kitchen.  I want to say a huge thank you to two of my most fabulous brides & grooms, Denise & Jeff, who sent me this adorable apron as a house warming gift.  Rest assured, it is getting good use :)  Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness.

Some more happy news, I got my Kenny Chesney concert tickets yesterday :D  That will keep me happy for a while and give me something to look forward to.

Have a great Wednesday!