My niece will be 6 months old tomorrow, so it seemed like a good time to do a few photos of her. This girl is just ridiculously cute and has served as a great little sneak peek as to what life may be like for me in another 3 months.
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Earlier this week I got home from a little trip to Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo, Patzcuaro and Morelia in Mexico. Kevin’s parents have a condo in Ixtapa, and this was our fourth trip down there. I spent a lot of time reading on the beach, but here is a mish mash of photos from the trip.
I first met Elena at a shoot I did last year and have been consistently impressed with her work. I also got to work with her at one of my favorite weddings last year. I can also attest that she is just an all around wonderful person. We have had a few “dog dates” together and I will be sharing some photos from a shoot I recently did with her over on my “dog blog” in the next few days. So, if you are looking for a chill person to spend your morning with on your wedding day while you get your hair done look no further. Elena is your lady!
Why the name Conscious Hair by Elena?
I feel like I am really aware of my surroundings. I chose the word conscious because to me it means aware or mindful of. It is a big part of who I am. I am aware of the world around me. I am environmentally conscious.
What is your process when meeting new clients?
My interaction with new clients usually begins with an email. The conversation generally starts with my bride sharing her vision for her wedding. We share images and discuss different possibilities for the look she would like to achieve for herself and her party.
We next will meet for a consultation usually a few months before the bride’s big day. This is where we will formally meet, share ideas, look at inspirational images, and the bride will share her storyboard. We try a number of different looks giving her an opportunity to make a decision on a style that makes her feel beautiful.
How far in advance should couples start meeting with hair and makeup artists?
Most brides book 6 to 12 months ahead and it seems to be enough time. As I get busier, they may have to book earlier
I had my first 2014 inquiry today!
I had my first 2014 inquiry today!Do you have a favorite makeup artist you like to team up with?
Melanie Baird. We met at a wedding in 2011 and have worked together many times since. She is fun, super easy going and so professional. She is always beautifully put together, calm and prepared. We laugh every time we work together. She makes everyone laugh. She is super talented and lovely to be around.
How do you stay inspired?
I feel fortunate because I am inspired in so many ways. I am inspired by the shapes and colours found in nature. I follow fashion and hair blogs. I love magazines. I love The Sartorialist, I love watching youtube vids of Aveda stylists at NY Fashion week. And I do enjoy Pinterest. I feel inspired by the people I work and surround myself with.
Where would you like to be in five years?
I would like to be here, in Victoria, maybe Hawaii or Indonesia for part of my winter.
I would love for my summers to be just as they are now, with more weekday weddings. I would love to be more involved with the fashion community. I would love to style hair for Eco Fashion Week in Vancouver and travel for education and sweet styling gigs in big cities.
And here are a few shots of her in action at a shoot we recently teamed up for (you will be able to see some photos from the shoot soon over at Chasing Charlie – which hopefully explains the dogs running around in these behind the scenes photos.
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Mark and Beki are taking the plunge in August. I love, love, love backyard weddings so I am particularly excited for their upcoming nuptials. We headed up to Sidney for their engagement shoot as that was where they met. Fun times!
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I LOVE these photos! This is one fun couple and you can’t help but feel the energy when you look at the fun they had with each other and the guests at their wedding. Beautiful!
If I were to get married all over again you can bet your butt I would be in Trish’s shop, White Peony, about an hour after I was engaged. But alas her shop has only been open about 6 months and I have been happily married for over 2 years, so I had to make do with a dress from J. Crew (a dress that I LOVE to this day and still hangs in my closet). Trish’s shop is located downtown on Government and I am always happy for the excuse to pop in there and say hi on my way to my studio. If you are looking for an amazing experience purchasing a wedding dress head on down and say hello, or better yet give a call and schedule an appointment.
Here is Trish:
Why the name White Peony?
I love all flowers, though I must say I have a soft spot for the peony. Could there be a more gorgeous flower? A little while back I kept a blog, titled A Peony Princess. And while that burst of blog writing slowed down when I began to work on opening my shop, the name kept coming to mind as I tossed around potential boutique names. In the end, to me The White Peony felt pretty and feminine, things that I hoped for my shop to be.
What sets your store apart from the others in town?
The difference lies simply in the design of our shop. We are a smaller, more intimately-run boutique, featuring just one dressing room, with only one bride trying on gowns during our appointments. I wanted to create a boutique-style bridal experience, where brides were welcome to relax and linger while shopping for their dream dress.
How do you pick which dresses to carry?
For the initial purchasing, I flew to New York with a girlfriend to attend New York Bridal Market, where each gown was hand-selected for the shop. After months of research, I knew what designers I wanted to carry, and from there, I choose the dresses that were most loved. We will be attending New York Bridal Market again this fall to pick up new collections, and already I have my eye on a few great designers. And as a lover of all things pretty, I cannot help but try on new dresses when they arrives at The White Peony. Some days my sister and I will close the shop, and continue to play a bit of dress-up. There really is something special about a wedding dress!
How far in advance does a bride need to order her dress?
An often asked question! Keeping in mind our designers lead time, we recommend no later than 6 months before the wedding date, allowing enough time for production, shipping, and any alterations that may be needed. If we have a bride who doesn’t have that time on her side, we can look at the option of rush fees, or even buying off the rack.
Where would you like White Peony to be in five years?
I don’t typically ask myself questions of this nature! I have always lived in the moment. Though if pressed, I would say that I hope for my little shop to be well-known, and considered the place to go in Victoria for all things lovely in bridal. Okay, I suppose when I look ahead that far, I smile. ♥
Trish was sweet enough to invite me to come see her in action with a bride to be, earlier this month. I had a great time being a fly on the wall watching this lovely lady, and her family, ooh and ahh over dresses.
Give Trish some love on her Facebook page.
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Meredith - she is sooo beautiful! I can’t wait to meet her in June! Great pictures of course too.