Hello faithful readers!

Where have I been you ask? So many things are happening at work and I have been especially focused these past few weeks. Many changes for our portrait photography business, cobblestone rue and literally our storefront studio that should have happened a couple of years ago. We are excited for all the positive changes, and with all of it comes a shift in priorities and focus. But I am giddy to be blogging again especially this post!

A little history: We launched our portrait brand, cobblestone rue on Christmas Eve, 2007. Yes back then we worked even during the holidays :( Then we announced it to the public on January, 2008. So much has changed, but one brand that has remained constant and still continues to be a source of inspiration for us is kate spade. Our brand colors were (and still are) white and “kate spade green”. I was hooked on this company when I bought my first pair of kate spade sunglasses in 2005 and it came in a hot pink case. I loved their preppy, playful, and sophisticated style and everything that they did made me smile. I loved everything from their customer service to their packaging, and I knew that I wanted to incorporate what they did to our business because I believe in what their business stands for. It was perfect when cobblestone rue was born.

They have launched a campaign, “live colorfully” celebrating every month of this year a different color. In March the color was yellow, this month it is their signature green! So timely for all that we are doing for our brand!

They launched a promo video today on Twitter and of course it is PERFECTLY ADORABLE. They partnered with Adeline Adeline which is a great pairing. Remember my “dreaming of bicycles” post? Well the search is over! Everything else in the video is pretty much fantastic: the music, colors, location, style…the DOG!!!

Well done kate spade, I am a fan for life.

***Oh and one other thing. I have been nominated for Top 25 Party Planning Moms at Circle of Moms! It would mean so much if you vote for me it only takes a second and the best part is that you don’t have to sign up or register! Here is the link: http://www.circleofmoms.com/blogger/cobblestone-rue#_You can vote every day until April 11, just click on the gold thumbs up! Maybe I can throw a party and you are all invited when I make it! I just need to make it in the top 25, crossing fingers and toes! Thanks!

Its that time of the year again. It’s hard to believe its the 6th year of our annual holiday tradition of “feet” Christmas cards. It has become quite the tradition.

What started as a 10 minute, simple portrait session, has now turned into a full blown different-destination-each-time-pick-your-clothes-six-months-early-highly-anticipated-published-in-a-photo-magazine-photo-session.

Can we say stress?! Well, to date we have survived each year and although it takes much planning, it has been so worth it.

Things worth noting:

1) It has been SO fun to see our kids grow through the series. We started when Gray was just 6 months old. She is now 5-and-a-half and Campbell turns 2 in January. Tears!

2) The photo destinations! We used to live in Orlando, then we moved to Chattanooga. I am from Charleston, SC, and Asheville, NC, was a random choice. Hmmm, where should we go next?

3) Our photographers! Long time friend, Paul who lives in FL. And wedding clients turned friends, Brandy and Sticky, who we also photograph their session. Both have been so patient with us and lots of fun!

4) Our change in style. Someone told us they noticed the change especially in Garrett’s shoes. Hehehe.

For years people have asked what and where do we buy Gray’s clothes for the session (part of the inspiration for the out & about series on this blog) as well as many of our portrait clients ask where to shop and what to wear for clothes for THEIR holiday family photos. So, in addition to reminiscing over our 6 year card tradition, I will also mention some of the clothes info.

out & about family!

2005 in Winter Park, FL (Photo by Paul Martin)

Graycen’s coat and pants: Gap Kids

Garrett’s jeans: Gap

Garrett’s shoes: Kohl’s

Joy’s pants and shoes: Banana Republic

2006 in Winter Park, FL (Photo by Paul Martin)

Gray’s coat, jeans, and shoes: Gap Kids

Garrett’s shirt: English Laundry

Garrett’s jeans: Diesel

Garrett’s shoes: we can’t remember!?!?!?

Joy’s top: Modern Grace Boutique (College Park in Orlando, FL)

Joy’s jeans: Diesel

Joy’s sandals: Marie-France Boutique (Thornton Park in Orlando, FL)

2007 in Winter Park, FL (Photo by Paul Martin)

(Note: Just came back from visiting Europe: Paris, Aberdeen, and Lake Como, Milan. We had to go shopping!)

Gray’s hat and dress: Bonpoint (Paris, France)

Gray’s shoes and leggings: H&M Kids (Aberdeen, Scotland)

Garrett’s shirt and jeans: Zara

Garrett’s shoes: Bagatt (Milan, Italy)

Joy’s dress: Zara

Joy’s shoes: Bagatt (Milan, Italy)

2008 in Chattanooga, TN (Photo by Brandy and Sticky Rammel)

Gray’s shirt, shorts, tights: Zara Kids

Gray’s shoes: Gap Kids

Garrett’s shirt: 7 Diamonds

Garrett’s jeans: Guess

Garrett’s shoes: Steve Madden

Joy’s maternity dress: due maternity (Buckhead in Atlanta)

Joy’s shoes: Michael Kors from Nordstrom’s

2009 in Charleston, SC (Photo by Brandy and Stick Rammel)

Gray’s dress: bebe children’s boutique (Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL)

Gray’s headband: crewcuts

Gray’s shoes: Gap Kids

Campbell’s dress and sweater: Gap Kids

Campbell’s tights: crewcuts

Campbell’s hair clip and shoes: Pediped shoes, WiggleWorm children’s boutique (Chattanooga, TN)

Garrett’s sweater and blazer: Banana Republic

Garrett’s jeans: Guess

Garrett’s shoes: Robert Wayne

Joy’s dress: Anthropologie

Joy’s sweater: Express

Joy’s shoes: Aldo

Stay tuned for our 2010 photos in Asheville, NC!

A friend recently posted on Facebook, wondering about the length of time and planning required for a holiday portrait session. Garrett responded after a few fun comments so I wanted to include it here below:

You should start in the summer sometime. This is assuming that you update your wardrobe on a somewhat regular basis. Don’t go out specifically looking for holiday picture outfits, or you will be angry and frustrated. Months in advance, keeping in mind the ages/sizes of your children, when the right outfit jumps out at you get it and don’t look back.

You may have to invest more money than you wish. But you will look back on these pictures for your entire life, and when children are young, they change and grow and develop every year. In a portrait, often the subject’s personality is revealed in their outfit as much as it is in their face. In our family (my current immediate family) the holiday picture is a standard by which we look back upon. Of course I realize my perspective is different.

Once you have identified that “it” outfit for whomever is the lucky person, you can begin looking for outfits for the rest of the family that compliment. As a photographer my suggestion is to compliment, not match. People often make this much harder than it really is. If you want the children to stand out, put them in something that will stand out against what the parents are wearing.

Last year I found a great knit dress for Gray when I was working in Orlando. We dressed the rest of us around it and everything came together quite easily. This year was a little bit harder. We had a great dress for Gray from France that we got several months back, but we weren’t  sure if it was the right one for the holiday picture. A few weeks ago in Orlando I found a really chic little dress for Campbell and it compliments Gray’s dress perfectly. It also provides good contrast, so they should photograph well together. Joy and I were a bit harder to outfit, but it’s more about the kids anyway. Of course it’s important to pay attention to shoes and accessories, as they can make a huge difference in making the scene look “finished.”

If you’re struggling try reading magazines. Sad to say, I read Vogue, Elle, and Marie Claire on a regular basis. Hey, it’s part of my job…kind of. Vogue Bambini and Milk are also great kids fashion mags. When you look at their editorial shoots you’ll see how easy it really is to coordinate subjects. The obvious constraint is budget, which we all have to consider. It’s easy to go overboard….don’t!

Final suggestion, hire a good, patient photographer who “gets it.”   ;-)

And don’t forget the fabulous giveaway (which ends TONIGHT at midnight ET) from Envelopments here on the blog. All you have to do is comment and you get a chance to win 3 beautiful sets of notecards! Details HERE.

This past weekend, my friend Amanda and I went to Atlanta for some much needed girl time. It was wonderful to go to the spa, fun shopping, deep conversations, and eat great food.  We thank our husbands for supporting us and having patience while they watch our kids.

While I was away, Garrett decided to take our girls to a polo match at a farm near Chattanooga. And dressed them up for the occasion…

Gray, (5)

Hat: Zara Kids

Scarf: Bonpoint

Shirt: Zara Kids

Bubble Shorts: Zara Kids

These days she is a future: storyteller

Campbell (20 months)

Long sleeve shirt: crewcuts of J. Crew

Shorts: Target

Shoes: Pediped

These days she is a future: just like her sister Gray

*****Would you like to submit an Out & About? We are now looking for Fall and Winter submissions. Click HERE for details.