Follow your instincts!

This picture is of a church in my mother's home town in Ecuador.  It holds a special meaning in my heart not only because of it's beauty but also because it's a reminder of where I come from.  It reminds me of how my parents followed their instincts and built a life for us without ever forgetting where they come from.  I truly value their strength and I hope to pass it on to my daughters as well.


As some of you may know, my previous career was in sales in the fashion industry.  Throughout my six years there, I sold different brands ranging from Levis to Lucky to Juicy Couture.  It was a very nice time in my life. I met a lot of wonderful people and learned a little bit about a lot of different things. However, I always had a nagging feeling that something was missing.  Deep down I always knew I wanted to run my own business.

On a job interview one time, I was asked, "How do you sell something that doesn't sell itself?"  And my instinct was to say, "Why would I ever want to do something like that?"  And today, I am following my instincts and pursuing my dream.  Today, I am delighted that I am in control of providing quality service and quality products so that I never have to answer that question again.  I put my heart and soul into everything I provide my clients not only because it's the right thing to do, but also because my clients also become my friends.

I don't have all the answers by any means but if I try to pay attention to what my heart is telling me at least once in a while, I think I'll be ok!

Happy Thursday!
Jess

Mi hermana y mis sobrinas en Ecuador

Les presento a mi hermana y sus tres hermosas hijas que viven en Cuenca, Ecuador.  El pasado mes de enero tuve el gran placer de visitarlas con mis padres y nos pasamos muy bonito a pesar que fue una visita demasiado corta. 


Fue la primera vez que conocía a mis sobrinas, pero me quedé asombrada por lo encantadoras que son estas lindas señoritas. Es increíble ver cómo el tiempo pasa tan rápido.

Realmente espero que nos podamos ver muy pronto nuevamente.  Les mando muchos besos y abrazos desde Nueva York!

My Mother's Day Present

Yesterday my little 2 year old, Nicole, arrived from school with a special gift that just melted my heart and I absolutely had to share today.

She's been learning to trace her name and some simple shapes, but when i saw this traced note, I understood the amount of time and focus that she must have dedicated to this task.  I was overwhelmed with so much pride.  Until that moment, I had never quite understood why my parents, when we were growing up, always said that they preferred something that we had made or created as a gift rather than something bought.

And then as I was gushing over her little hand print on the second card, I started reading out loud the poem the teachers had helped her glue below it and I just couldn't hold back my tears.  The words just spoke to me, about the brevity of time, how we have to appreciate every moment and how lucky I am to be her mommy.

In case it's difficult to read, the card above says:

"Sometimes you get discouraged because I am so small

And always leave my fingerprints on the furniture and walls

But everyday I'm growing : I'll be grownup some day

And all those tiny handprints will surely fade away

So here's a final handprint just so you can recall

Exactly how my fingers looked when I was very small."

And like me back then, I know that she doesn't understand what this all means to me, but I know the day will come when she will.  I never thought I would be so emotional over something like this, but I am so happy that my little girls have taught me how to love and open up my heart in ways that I could never even imagine!

Have a Happy Friday and a beautiful Mother's Day weekend!

Jess

Wedding Gowns Fit for a Princess

For today's "Tips for Brides" I wanted to share this video on beautiful wedding dresses from TheKnot.com, always a fantastic resource for brides.  With so many beautiful choices out there, it never hurts to have one more look!

In this video, The Knot offers a refreshingly different take on the traditional princess wedding gown.  The designers featured here are Alfred Angelo, Amsale, Kenneth Pool, Christos, St. Pucchi, Ines di Santo, Augusta Jones, Theia, Badgley Mischka, Jim Hjlem, Marchesa, Lazaro, and Reem Acra.

I am in love with these gowns... sophisticated, regal, gorgeous!  Makes me wish my husband and I were getting married all over again!

Happy Thursday!
Jess

Katie + Darin - Engagement Session at High Rock Park

As a photographer and an artist, I love when an engagement session reflects what the couple is all about and in my experience, this has never been more true than with Katie and Darin.

Katie and Darin were brought together by their mutual love for running when they met in the Staten Island Athletic Club.  Not only do they enjoy running, biking and being outdoors, but they also enjoy trail and obstacle races such as the High Rock Challenge, Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, just to name a few.  In fact, they have booked most of their weekends this summer with all different types of races, and when we were discussing ideas for their engagement session, the idea of being in the woods and getting a little dirty almost came naturally.  

And so, the day after they competed in the High Rock Challenge, we hiked back to High Rock Park (part of the Staten Island Greenbelt Conservancy) for their engagement session.  Keep in mind that the previous day they ran this difficult 10K trail race with obstacles in a little over 2 hours.  These two don't have a lazy bone in their body!!  Oh and by the way, they came in 55th out of 635 teams, thank you very much!!  No need to tell you that these two are a force to be reckoned with.

So easy going!! You both made it so much fun to let loose and getting wet and muddy was no problem for you two.

Katie and Darin, you are both such beautiful and positive people and a joy to be around.  I wish you both all the very best!

A great big thank you to Justyna Kszton for a beautiful job on Katie's hair and make-up.

To see more of Katie and Darin's engament session, please CLICK HERE.

Have a fabulous day!