Alyse French | Fine Art Portrait Photographer | Houston, TX »

Oh, Internet! This Tuesday is finding me lost for words… (Imagine that!!) Maybe it’s because there’s just too much to say! Or maybe it’s because I stayed up past 2AM last night doing absolutely nothing THAT important. Now I’m left waiting for that Green Machine to kick in with all sorts of natural energy. ;)

This past weekend will go down in history as one of the best weekends I’ve ever lived. It started early when Dylan sent me on a Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt of insanely romantic proportions. (My Instagram BLEW UP that day.) Friday was spent getting glammed up for our very own portrait session(!!!) Kat, the girl behind Mustard Seed Photography AND my H-town bestie, gave us such an amazing gift through these photos. We will be sure to blog them once we see them all!! Hair, makeup, a little shopping, our session, and dinner with Kat’s family rounded out an incredible day. Saturday was all about Zoës Kitchen, West Elm, Starbucks, wine and catching up on our shows. And Sunday was just plain restful. I want to repeat the WHOLE THING this coming weekend!!

Okay, here’s the deal. I’m on the hunt for pretty prints! Now that we’ll soon have more pictures to hang around the house, we’re looking to supplement with other pieces of art… That said, how about a favorite-print-shop round up?? I’ll start first. :) I LOVE me some Lara Casey, Emily Ley, and Oh My Deer. I’m definitely into word-art. But I’m also looking for pretty watercolor/pastel/etc. type pieces. Do YOU have any favorite resources for us?

Song of the Week: Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself) by Ne-Yo Glee’s Jake Puckerman. I won’t even pretend to be cool after saying that… But what can I do?! I’ve loved this song since the moment I heard it on the radio. And TELL me this version isn’t the incredible-est!! (Incredible-est IS hyphenated, right??) ;)

I’ll have more wedding-picture-goodies to share with you late next week, but for now, it’s time for another Insta-collage. You might say I’m obsessed with documenting this life. I might say I agree…

Happy Tuesday!!

One good thing about skipping a Tidbit Tuesday is all the fun stuff that piles up just waiting to be blogged about! We had such amazing fun with my parents when they were in town last week. A quick recap… We enjoyed a celebratory birthday dinner at the most INCREDIBLE restaurant in Houston!! Listen up. If you haven’t been to Masraff’s in the Galleria, you MUST. We saw Les Mis (for a second time)! We took Sully to the dog park where he did his business right in front of a group of adoring women. (They quickly decided he was gross.) We drank lots of wine. And my parents got to meet a lot of our wonderful friends! I couldn’t have asked for a better visit. :)

Dylan’s started calling me his “self-improvement girl.” I kinda’ love it! I’ve kept the house clean for THIRTEEN days straight. And I don’t see an end in sight! I’ve also been working from my office instead of the couch (doing wonders for my productivity). I’m drinking more water. Eating real meals. And making the bed every morning!! I still have a long way to go where other goals are concerned, but it feels so GOOD to make progress!! (Speaking of goals! This month’s 1 For Me // 1 For You is veeery dear to me. So let this tidbit serve as your reminder to enter!)

Calling all people who watched the Superbowl for the commercials (because watching it for the food is a given)!! What were your favorites?? My top two were the Budweiser Clydesdales and the “God Made a Farmer” ads. The first made me cry like a baby. The second left me grateful to have grown up in a farming town. And grateful to see an example of still photography holding its own with a little audio mixed in. Photojournalists, UNITE!

Song of the Week: What I Do For U by Ra Ra Riot. While I don’t entirely appreciate the misspelling of “You,” my disappointment pales in light of the amazingness of this song. It’s my brand new jam. I’ve even perfected multiple dance moves that fit it perfectly. You’ll want to too after giving it a listen HERE on Spotify.

This past weekend’s wedding was another one that left me feeling thankful. I can’t wait to share it with you all – hopefully later this week!! Until then, here’s a small sneak peak at the beauteousness of Jenny and Judson…

Happy Tuesday!!

Yesterday I hugged five strangers. FIVE. Two of them went completely out of their way to help me load a 30″x77″ mirror into my not-so-large car. The three others were people I met regarding a future wedding. There are just some things that completely fire me up. Good people with good hearts, and random acts of kindness are two of them.

This whole finish-beautifying-the-house-one-room-at-a-time-no-exceptions thing is really working well! I am ALMOST done with our master bedroom. Never, in 2.5 years of marriage, have I taken the time to make our room the relaxing sanctuary I’ve always dreamed of. But as y’all know, I’m all about DOING things in 2013. Thus far, I’ve reupholstered our bed (that staple gun made me sore for a week!), painted our room, and accessorized like mad. Just one more portrait session (of us with our Sully-boy!!) and we can put up all sorts of pretty prints. I seriously CANNOT wait to share pictures with you guys. Soon, soon!! Next up is the master bath!

I’ve been on a cooking kick these past two weeks… And if I was brave enough to check, I’m positive the scale would prove it. Anyhow! I’ve absolutely fallen in love with my crock pot. Real Simple’s slow-cooker creamy chicken and mushroom potpie is AMAZING and a total hit where the husband’s taste buds are concerned. So was their slow-cooker beef stew. The chicken, spinach and noodle casserole was fabulous. As were the grilled shrimp tacos. AND the blueberry cobbler? Don’t get me started. Please make them all! You’ll thank me. :)

Song of the Week: Donal Ogue by Barnaby Bright. Oh good grief. Becky Bliss’s voice does me IN. This song is one of my favorite sounds in the whole world. I could listen to it over and over on repeat as I drift off to sleep. If you’re having one of those days where you’re going, going, going and simply need to REST, give it a listen.

Next week I’m back to blogging weddings! Until then, here’s a peak at Lauren and Hunter’s incredible day…

Happy Tuesday!!