April's Grand Finale

It's Friday!!!
I've made it through this week of t.v. appearances, events and being the hostess with the most-ess.  Thank you to everyone who has supported me this week by inviting me to be a part of these opportunities (Susan at The Left Bank), coming out to visit me while I appeared at these festivities (April in Paris and FORM guests) and my team of lovelies at FORM.  Success was blooming all around like the floral arrangements at FORM (professional pics to come).

In the midst of all this, I even found the time to finish a painting!

Look, even Bella loves it!

I thought it was about time to introduce the wonderful photographer that provided me with the perfect images to make this painting possible.  What a treat to hear from Amy Carroll and introduce you to more of her gorgeous work (including a pic of Kelly and Matt with their bouquet).  I hope you enjoy her as much as I did!

1.  How long have you been in business?

 I have been in business almost 7 years now.

2.  Toot your own horn....what’s your specialty?

 My speciality is shooting weddings. It's what started my love of photography and what I love to shoot. 

3.  Who or what are your favorite subjects to photograph....your dream photo session?

 People in love...whether its couples or a family...that is what keeps me going and keeps my love for photography alive.  My dream photo session?  It would definitely be set in Europe. I am obsessed with the architecture and feel and beautiful settings.

4.  Craziest thing you’ve captured on camera?

 Craziest thing I've captured on camera...wow, good question! I'm going to need to think about this one ;)

5.  What do you like about working in the wedding industry?

 Despite doing this for 7 years, I am still over the moon excited about working with a bride and groom for their wedding and hearing the details...the dress, the flowers, the aesthetics.  I like being part of a day that has so much meaning and is likely one of the biggest days they will remember.  Being able to capture their day and creating a legacy they can share with their children and grandchildren....well, that's not to be taken lightly.

6.  When you are not working, what are you up to?

 When I'm not working I am spending time with those that I love. I am blessed with an amazing family and the sweetest friends.  I also long to have time where I can sit outside and soak up the world around me. I walk through the woods, often with my camera, or sit by the lake and soak in the beauty and quietness of being away from my computer.

7.  What is one thing that’s on your bucket list?

  I'm not sure I have one defining thing that is on my bucket list....but I do want to travel as much as I can while I am here on this Earth.  Traveling and seeing other cultures and the way people live is really fascinating to me. I recently returned from a trip to Israel and was fascinated by the terrain and lifestyles people live. I want to see each continent and the countries in them.

8.  Anything new and exciting coming up that we should know about? (either professionally or personally)

 I'm currently working on a whole new rebranding for my business. I realize that where I'm at now as to when I started has been an awesome journey and I want my brand to reflect the love and passion I have for what I do.  I am doing a fair amount of traveling coming up this year and next and hope to go to Africa in the next year or so to photograph some dear friends who are doing so amazing things there.  Fingers crossed!  

The above images were provided by:

Amy Carroll Photography, LLC
Website : : www.acarrollphotography.com
The Blog Fabulous : : www.acarrollphotography.net

Thank you again to....well, everyone.  Have a fabulous weekend!!!

FORM: Art + Floral

Here's my last stitch effort to get you to come out to FORM tonight!!!  I can't wait to enjoy an evening of art, food and music with everyone!

April in Paris + TV appearance!

It's that time again!  Set your vcr's (ok, dvr's) for 7:30am, WCIU-TV ("The U", channel 26 in Chicago) tomorrow morning!  I will be making my 2nd life-time tv appearance with Reenie Rose to promote the April in Paris event I will be participating in tomorrow evening at The Left Bank.  A new painting has begun and will be making its debut live on "You & Me in the Morning".  Check out the show and then stop by to visit me at the event later on.  We can talk about me being a Chicago news show celebrity.  I know, I know....not quite yet.

Don't Worry, I'm Still Painting

With all the events and activities I have been posting about, you've probably begun to wonder if I'm still a practicing painter.  Whatever happened to that pretty purple painting I was so diligently working on?  Well, I've got news for you....I've continued to work on it.

Won't be long before this one is finished!!!

1 Year Ago.....and Today's Hunger Games

Do you remember what happened a year ago today?  Well, the weather was definitely a little bit warmer, but something else was a brewing.....Reenie Rose's media debut.  April 10, 2011, which happened to land on a Sunday, featured Reenie Rose on the tv show 190 North!

If you missed it then, no worries....I recorded it on my vcr for you (wink).




My how my hair has changed.

Fast forward to today and you'll see me featured in a blog post on Elizabeth Anne Designs!  Last month I joined forces with a fabulous team of people to bring a Hunger Games inspired wedding shoot to life.  Today I am able to show you a few extra images from the shoot that feature one of my paintings....with a twist.

Can you see the lines through the painting?

The painting was printed out into place cards for our faux wedding!  When all of the cards were removed...

Voila!  I wrote/drew this wording and design on a board with a chalkboard marker.  I love this idea of having a "painting" revel something sentimental.

It's amazing how far I've come in a year....being on tv to working with blockbuster movies!  Ok, slight exaggeration, but it's still early in the year.

The following vendors contributed to this shoot:

Wedding Planner - Naturally Yours Events \ Photographer - Anthony Barlich Photography \ Bridal Gown, black - Mignonette Bridal \ Bridal Gown, red - Lovey by Isha \ Florist - Pistil and Vine \ Pastries - The Bleeding Heart Bakery \ Cakes - Lutz Cafe \ Cheese Wheel Cake - Marion Street Cheese Market \ Platters - Dinner Party Shop\ Stationery - Julie Hanan Design \ Painting - Reenie Rose \ Makeup Artist - Makeup Your Beauty \ Hair Stylist - Debbie Petrielli \ Jewelry – Available at Mignonette Bridal \ Mensware – Humble Collective, available at Mignonette Bridal \ Models – Jamie Henderson of Lily’s Talent Agency and Eli Kurtz \ Pallet tables - The Home Depot \ Venue – Forest Preserve

Spring is Here!

Today I will be at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum painting my latest work of art during the Spring Bridal Bash.  With the sun currently shining, it is bound to be a lovely event full of good food, decor and me in action.
I'm well into Kelly and Matt's painting now, but I'm only going to give you a hint here.

To see the rest of this fine project, you'll have to come stop by the event today or follow me on Twitter.  Yes, I said Twitter.  I tend to dabble here and there on the site.  You can find me under the name Reenie_Rose and watch me just tweet tweet away like a spring bird.

April Event: Spring Bridal Bash

Happy April!!!  There's no fooling anyone...this is going to be a busy month.  As you sit with your calendar this fine day and look ahead to the week, let's give you something fun to do.

This Thursday I will be painting at the Spring Bridal Bash hosted at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum here in Chicago.  You saw the image for Kelly and Matt's painting.  Come to the event and see the painting in progress!
Even more exciting news...you can come for free!!!  Just enter "BLUSHINGBRIDE" when you rsvp for you and a friend to come enjoy this delightful event.  Nothing says "Spring" like this event and it's location!  I hope to see you there!

Lots more events to come this month...keep your calendars at the ready!