Thoughts for Japan

It's quite difficult to process such an array of thoughts after a disaster as immense and destructive as the earthquake and tsunami (and more) in Japan. It is almost unfathomable, the things that they have had to endure in the past couple weeks.

At our house, we actually had two exchange students from Japan when the disaster occurred. Thankfully, their families were okay and they were able to make contact quickly. One of my prior exchange students, however, informed me that she had to stay in a shelter overnight and that her family had no electricity or running water. She wished to take supplies to them, but the trains were not running. It sort-of made this "hit home" more with me, knowing that these dear girls were going to return home to quite a different Japan (they were from Tokyo).

I'm sure if you want to donate something, you know you can go to various groups, such as the American Red Cross. I post only so you know where to go if you couldn't think of anything. Whether or not you wish to donate or help in some other fashion is none of my business. And in what way I choose to help does not need to be broadcast around the world either. But there are a lot of people I know who have been doing what they can to help, and this has inspired me.

I guess my only reason for posting is that these things affect us all. Ultimately, when it's across the world, it may only affect us for a relatively short time (sad, but true), but it helps to "talk" it out. I don't have television in my house (I know...I'm weird right? lol), but I have seen the news online and have seen some video clips of the devastation and it is just unbelievable. Whether they believe in my God or not, I'm praying for the people of Japan...and hoping that they get all the help they need to rebuild their country.

Secret Garden - Part III

Ready for MORE??? I am! Now remember, these posts are currently showing my photography...you will notice a difference when I showcase Rita's! Trust me! =) I just couldn't wait to get her stuff...I HAD to share our fun!

Wearing Flower Girl Wreaths

Wearing a Flower Girl Wreath

Wearing Flower Girl Wreath

Modeling Custom Sash

Wearing Flower Girl Wreath & Custom Sash

Wearing Flower Girl Wreath

I love those sparkly eyes.

LOVE-ly! =)

Secret Garden - Part II

Here goes...more loveliness from our shoot.

MY Secret Garden

Here it is...post 1 of what I call, "My Secret Garden." It's mine, because we shot this at my house, with my kids (okay, and one extra really cute one, but I'm sure my kids would be happy to adopt her as our own too!). I've always loved tea parties, the thought of a secret place of beauty (like a garden). I mean, really, is there a girl who doesn't love that movie? So, I got my wonderful friend, Rita (Clifton Photography) to help capture our Garden Tea Party and Kacee Geoffroy to loan us her talents as a hair stylist (although she mainly is a Make-Up Artist). She also loaned us her sweet & adorable daughter, Capri. Here's a sneak peak of our enchanting shoot (these are my pics)...with Rita's photography to come in a soon-to-be-featured post. **BRIDES** Stay tuned in the coming weeks for a giveaway from Bows-n-Berries!!!

These are just a SMALL bit of the magic... =) Check back soon for much more lovliness...and a closer look at My "Secret" Garden...

Vintage Rita

Not too long ago, my amazing friend Rita asked me for a few vintage style hair pieces to use in a shoot she was coordinating at Motte's Farm. A friend of hers started a new business for hair and make up styling and Rita wanted to showcase her work. Here are some of my fave shots of the day. Credits below...all photography here is by Rita Clifton.

Hair by: Colee Martinez

Makeup by: Raquel Victoria
Flowers by: Lasting Memories 

Hair Pieces: Bows-n-Berries

Models: Natalie Brewster / Christina Gabrielle Rix
Location: Motte’s Farm
Shoot Inspired: Clifton Photography
Photographers: Alicia Salcedo, Harmony Loves, Kelli Benson, Christina Sanchez, and Rita Clifton. 

SoCal Photog Shootout Dec. 2010

Here are a few shots from the most recent SoCal Photog Shootout, a photography group for all levels of photography. The theme was "Winter Wonderland" and it looks like everyone had a GOOD time! I am loving Kristen's crazy lashes!!! I only made one piece for this shoot, and you can see it Kristen Macchio below. I would like to thank all who made the shoot possible, including Hanssie and Matt for running this amazing group, Michelle Cunningham for styling this shoot, Diego Ortega for all his fun hair creations, and Ashley Gannon and Candace Magoski for their wonderful and FUN make-up! You can find all these people on facebook! The group too! I left the photographers' watermarks on the photos here, so you can see who shot each photo!

DeLeon St. Lucia Wedding...Scrumptious!

Oh man, this was a GORGEOUS wedding for which I was so privileged to design! The bride, Heidi, found me through a local boutique store where my hairpieces were selling like hotcakes (until they, sadly, closed last year). She was so fun to work with, and very creative on her own! I don't even know how she had time to plan a destination wedding; she only happened to be the chief resident of plastic surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center. HELLO! And her husband-to-be was not only beginning a new job, but he was also part of a local band, called "the Nine," previously known as "The John DeLeon Band." I'm still trying to find time to see them play! I later found out that the groom is the cousin of my brother's wife's brother. (And if you can get all that you deserve a prize of some sort! LOL.) So we're practically related! Ha! Without further ado, here are some of the wedding pictures taken by the wonderful Kelly Mulhern.

And a few of my pics...close-ups of a few pieces...