Love As Luxury: Ottawa-Based FifteenFiftyOne Photography

Weddings are, by their very nature, a luxurious event. When love abounds, people feel a sense of warmth and comfort that can be as enveloping as the perfect cashmere sweater on a stormy night. Adding to this sense are the beautiful surroundings that often accompany a well-planned wedding. Twinkle lights, fine bone china and sparkling crystal set a perfect backdrop for the true star of the show, an everlasting love. 

My wedding was set for August 10th of this year and was a magical occasion. My A-type personality, along with the help of very skilled Ottawa wedding professionals, were key in order to plan a wedding that spoke to the couple's personalities, he a country boy at heart and me, a pavement centric city dweller. 

Being the highly visual person that I am, and wanting to capture every moment of the best day of my life, I naturally wanted to hire the very best photographer that Ottawa has to offer. When the search began, Nic and I knew that we were looking someone with passion, an artist. After months of pouring over portfolios, we found the most luxurious photographer for our special day.

Introducing Geneviéve Gorgette-Smyth of FifteenFiftyOne photography (www.fifteenfiftyone.ca). After reading her "about me" and checking out her blog (http://www.fifteenfiftyone.ca/blog/), I felt that we were already kindred spirits. Her motto, "Love. Changes. Everything." encapsulates everything I love about this woman, she has the ability to showcase the ways in which love changes not only ourselves, but our very surroundings. With love around, everything feels a little more special. I highly recommend this Ottawa photographer for all of life's special moments. 

More pictures to come...

Anastasia

Some Like It Haute and Life's Little Luxuries

Welcome to Some Like It Haute!

My name is Anastasia and I am an Ottawa native with a confession to make.

Though I sport a newly minted graduate degree from a somewhat grueling master's degree program, I exhibit all of the stereotypical traits of the type of woman all educated women love to hate. 

I am guilty of being somewhat of the stereotypical blonde. I revel in the sight of a "sale" sign plastered across my favourite boutique, feel my heart race as I see the newest lipgloss shades lined up on a marble countertop and have an intense relationship with white chocolate anything. My favourite movies are "Legally Blonde", "The Princess Diaries" and "Bride Wars". You get the picture.

Lord knows I tried to fit in. I used the language, did the research and spent hard earned money on a new, more sophisticated wardrobe that was absolutely necessary (I swear, it was an investment) in order to be taken more seriously. I taught, wrote and presented my little heart out until I could feel all of the creative juices inside of me dry up. In other words, I entered my program sporting a vibrant pink top, and left wearing a whole lot of taupe. I lost myself.

This is a fashion nightmare.

Now that I am free, it is time for change. No more taupe. I have made it my mission this year to take time for myself, to rekindle my passion for the arts and culture.

So my strategy is simple: 

1. Search and locate the best beauty, fashion and home decor products Ottawa has to offer. 

2. Seize items. 

3. Test and review said items.

4. Add in a mix of diy, fitness and food.

5. Sprinkle in some comedy.

6. Create a luxurious life.

Life is about simple pleasures, those little things that make life so sweet, like coloured sprinkles on a cupcake. I want to feel the warmth of soft terry bath towels fresh out of the dryer, enjoy a hot cup on tea on the front porch while reading a great book and try out new recipes. I want to renovate and redecorate my home, be fit and get stylish. 

Life is a cupcake with sprinkles.

So come along with me as I indulge in life's little luxuries while staying true to the blonde, sparkly, rose scented woman that I am. Let's get dressed, primped, fit, styled and inspired!

After all, Some Like It Haute. 

Anastasia