Marvelous Monday :: Chocolate

Women love chocolate. Fact. 

That statement didn't apply to me until 2 months ago. Then the lightbulb switched on an BAM...I'm addicted! I want chocolate all day every day. Why is this happening? I have no idea. Google tells me I'm craving chocolate because I'm fatigued & depressed. Fatigued — definitely. Depressed — not so much. My waistline may not be loving this new evolution of my taste-buds but uuuggghhh it's SO Good!

[Photo Credit :: Topped with Cinnamon]

My Kinda Chocolate (You should know in case you plan to give me some ;)

I would say that milk and white have the yummiest instant taste but they grow quite sickly after a couple bites. Dark chocolate has more endurance.

I'm really a wholesome homemade kinda girl. — I'm not satisfied by the delicate little bite-sized pieces of fancy French-artisan swirly chocolate glazed with honey, sprinkled with shaved almonds and topped with a cherry. And I can't seem to enjoy the hefty overly processed almost plastic "chocolate" that comes with hot pink sprinkles and colourful wrappers from gas stations or supermarkets. 

If you want to win me over, I'm talking some good old chocolate bricks wrapped in brown paper with twine. Brownies that ooze with warm goodness as they are pulled fresh out of the oven. Maybe throw in a walnut. Secret-recipe truffles dusted with powered sugar made by a Glaswegian friend. Chocolate filled with so much down-to-earth love it almost feels healthy (even better if it's vegan) — that's the good stuff.

[Photo Credit :: Topped with Cinnamon]

So, if you're in the mood for some baking (or let's face it...eating) this week, here's some inspiration for you!!!

Mocha Mousse :: http://frugalfeeding.com/2012/09/15/mocha-mousse/

Caramel Brownies :: http://mysanfranciscokitchen.com/caramel-brownies/

Look at that caramel!! UGH! Yum!

Chocolate Streusel Bars :: http://rikkisnyder.com/blog/13546511/chocolate-streusel-bars

2 Minute Chocolate Raspberry Cake :: http://www.seasaltwithfood.com/2012/09/2-minutes-chocolate-raspberry-cake.html

In a Teacup — ahhh! Love it :D

Ahhh allow yourself to enjoy something yummy today! :)

Storybook Album Tour :: 12" x 12" Folio Album w/ Cotton Cover

At the moment I'm designing all of my client's albums with SWAT Album Designer (from KISS Wedding Books) and I'm having them produced by Folio Albums, an album production company in Yorkshire, England (I say London in this video...please forgive :P). In my (current) beautiful little wedding collection, every client receives a storybook album. Obviously, clients can customise their albums by adding more pages, changing the cover material or asking for a different size BUT so far, every single one of my clients has taken my advice when I encourage them to go for my favourite:

Custom Designed (Eco-Friendly) 12" x 12" Cotton-Covered Storybook Album 

These albums are handmade. The cover is sturdy and has such a satisfyingly thick feel to it :) The images are printed on archival paper with a matte finish and the paper is oh so thick and lovely to touch. The whole thing is build with eco-friendliness in mind & practice :) Woohoo!

Let me take you on a wee tour....

And for a closer look you'll want to scroll down and check out my still images of this beautiful album. It's funny how I turn pictures into an album and then I turn my album back into pictures :P

The album is delivered in a durable canvas cover inside of a beautiful recycled box .

Check out that gorgeous blue cover! It's so pretty!

Nice and thick...perfect for the coffee table!

Oh how I love these thick, textured cotton covers! It gives them that wonderful wholesome feel.

I like to try and help a guy out...I put the date on the front just so the groom has a way to remember his anniversary.... ;)

Clean black endpages make me happy. 

Nothing like seeing my images printed and displayed as artwork!!

One of my favourite images ever. I love being able to hold it in my lap (for a moment before I have to hand it over to Celeste & Neil). 

I still can't get over how much I love seeing my images printed BIG and looking so real. I forget they're real sometimes because they live in my virtual computer world 99% of the time. 

Endless possibilities for image layouts!

Another one of my favourite images ever! I loved shooting these guys on the streets of Glasgow. After courageously skipping in kilts in front of strangers and restaurants, they definitely deserved a front & center position in this album!

So...Ta-da! And there you have it! A beautiful album for a beautiful couple of a beautiful wedding! 

(Check Out Celeste & Neil's Wedding Blog Post!) 

I hope YOU have a be-you-tiful day too!

St. Salvator's Chapel Wedding :: Louise & Mike

"Is it Revlon?" 

"No, I think it's that car company. You know the one...it's something like...Renew or Renau?"

"Renault! That's the one!"

Louise's bridesmaid's were ready to go; eating warm croissants, wrapped in comfy hotel bathrobes, hair combed back into elegant chignons and now they were passing the morning playing logo-guessing-games on their iPad. The girls had been awake for hours; hair in curlers and make-up brushes lined up at the ready. Meanwhile in the cottage across the garden, Mike (our handsome groom) and his men were  also having a busy morning...sleeping in. 

That's how Louise & Mike's wedding day began — relaxed in the Craigsanquhar Hotel lodges hidden away in the Scottish countryside in the Kingdom of Fife. September, one of Scotland's most beautiful months, was perfect. The fields were green and the wind was breezing in through the double doors, fluttering the fabric of Louise's wedding dress. 

Louise collects charms and Mike had given her this wedding cake charm the night before at their rehearsal. :D

I'll admit I was ever so slightly jealous of these oh so comfy-looking sweatpants that the bridesmaids were wearing that morning. hehe

Louise..did I mention that your dress is GORGEOUS!?

When I walked into the men's lodge they were all in a manly flurry of confusion....HOW DO YOU TIE A CRAVAT?! As I gave Mike a big hug, a groomsmen with a laptop zipped passed me — he was watching a Youtube "How to Tie a Cravat" Video — ha!  Thankfully, mom came to the rescue :P

Oh Sallies Chapel... St. Salvator's Chapel is the official chapel for the University of St. Andrews. Getting married in the chapel is a special privilege reserved for couples who have links to the university. Like many couples (Miggy & Me included — yay!) St. Andrews is a very special place for Louise & Mike. Our little town is a bubble of match-making magic!

To read more about Louise & Mike's love story you can check out their engagement session blog post HERE!

This is such a stunning church! I LOVE all the stained-glass windows — so full of stories. I only visited the chapel a few times whilst I was a student and it never looked so beautiful as it did on the day of Louise & Mike's wedding.  It almost felt like the air was glowing with sunshine.

Oh Louise.....you are beautiful.

Before the ceremony, Louise and her bridesmaids (including her sister Catherine) shared a special moment of prayer outside the chapel. It was so beautiful to see the girls in their little huddle of whispers as passersby stared in through the gates from the street.

Something I love about Mike is his smile. He has so much positive energy. He always seems to light up when he sees you. I was so happy to see him celebrating with his best friends. Mike said that this day was the best day of his life — I could tell :)

Cheese! :P

Something about Louise & Mike's wedding day story just lends itself to being told in Black & White. Their day was also so full of candid-goodness. Everywhere I looked I found funny faces, hugs & kisses and laughter. I think that was just because everyone was so happy.

I had fun with the big group shot! I improvised something I'd never even heard of before...I was so nervous it wasn't going to work! I had EVERYONE get into one MASSIVE LONG LINE! I had to sprint to the other side of the grass to fit everyone into the shot and thankfully when the picture is big (or you zoom in) you can actually make out the faces! Yippeee — success! :D

I love this shot — I can't really tell what Mike is doing but considering that we were in St. Andrews the wind was probably whacking the veil into his face and he was trying to tame it :P

Like I said....wind. :P

Louise & Mike met at the University Ballroom Dancing Society and they've been dancing together ever since. I was so excited to see their first dance. They kept their dance simple and I'm glad because this made it easier to see their smiling faces at they gazed into each other's eyes. They are so happy together and their happiness is contagious. 

Congratulations you two! I'm so happy that I was able to photograph your beautiful wedding and it's super cool that we got to celebrate in our beloved little town of St. Andrews! I can't wait to see you someday in Washington, Colorado or somewhere in between! Lots of love, Chamonix

To see more images from Louise & Mike's wedding, check out this slideshow!