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Coffee Talk Monday #64

It’s that awkward moment when you’re walking hand and hand with your hubby and realize you just exclaimed “I’m not cheating!” while passing busy restaurants with several onlookers. Let me explain :). Joe + I just started the Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover about a month ago. I can’t tell you how much we are LOVING it and the progress we are making in becoming debt free. One of the first things we needed to do was make a budget. A very strict budget. While making our budget we decided that we each would get x amount per month ‘play money’. To make things more interesting, we often poke fun at each other challenging one another to see who can spend less. Yea, we’re dorks. I get it! Anyways, as we were leaving happy hour on Friday Joe jokingly accused me of ‘cheating’ on our budget which I then responded quite loudly with ‘I’m not cheating!!’. We both immediately realized how awkward that could be if taken out of context! Leave it to me to embarrass up in public. :)

I’m embarrassed. I never thought of us as complete nerds. Borderline nerds, sure, but we never wanted to cross the line into ‘complete nerd’ status. We got awfully close to crossing the line during the 6 seasons of LOST (which I still consider the BEST show of all time btw). But a few weeks ago, I’m afraid that line was crossed and we are now officially complete nerds. Are you ready for this? We started watching Battlestar Galactica. And we LOVE it! Oh dear heavens, what is happening to us?!

I have a new BFF: ACV. That’s Apple Cider Vinegar for all of you aren’t as close with ACV as I am ;). A few days ago I got on a clean eating kick and now I am sprinkling ACV anywhere I can. On broccoli. In my water. In quinoa. In Joe’s water (shhhh don’t tell him!). I was worried that I might not like the taste, but now I’m kind of obsessed. A glass of water with 2 tsp of ACV, a dash of cinnamon, squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of stevia. Mmmmm mmm mmm! Guess that must be my Exercise and Wellness degree bringing itself to the surface!

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May 7, 2012 - 3:56 pm

Christina Clark - I LOVE Apple Cider Vinegar too! Smells a little funky but it’s really great stuff. I mix it with my powder face mask and it’s amazing (http://www.amazon.com/Aztec-Secret-Indian-Healing-Clay/dp/B0014P8L9W)!!

I’m going to try the water combo you suggested…sounds interesting! :)

Hugs!
Christina

May 7, 2012 - 8:58 pm

Jen - Christina, I do that too with a clay mask and it’s so much better than plain water – it fizzes and feel so much nicer! Stacy, I’m hip to the ACV. I mainly use it now added to water to clean produce, for soaking grains and beans, in dressing, and as the 2nd half of my dread cleansing. Your drink recipe sounds tempting – never had good results with it in water with honey. Gag. Girls hate it – they say it smells like feet (which it does).
Battlestar Gallactica – YIKES!

Introducing ‘The Little Black Book’

oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh MY GOODNESS!! I can barely contain my excitement…clearly.

This morning as I was working, I suddenly remember (excited gasp) “My LBB sample was supposed to come yesterday.” What followed was:

Jump up out of my chair. Run to the front door. Slight pause as I realize I don’t have shoes on. Quickly run back to grab flip flops. Run back to front door. Pause for a moment as I contemplate whether I will go outside in my unmatching pjs. Did I? Duh! Of course I did.

I went outside to find the cutest little package resting on my patio waiting for me to rip it open.

Ohhhh how I leapt for joy when I finally held the LBB in my hand. It is the CUTEST album I have ever seen. F’reals.

The Little Black Book (LBB) is the newest product to join the Beauty Boudoir family. What is it, you ask? A 4×4 leather bound album; it has all the class and quality of it’s ‘older sister’ but is discrete enough to sneak into your hubby’s briefcase ;).

I can talk about it all day long, but you just HAVE to see this thing. LOVES it :)

Can I just start by saying, how ADORBS is the little fabric case it comes in?

Mmmm mmm mmm, look at that fine, quality leather.

It’s smaller than my iphone. Way. Too. Cute.

Ehhhh and the photo quality is KILLA! I’m so excited about how my images look in this album.

So now you’ve meet the LBB. Don’t you just want to stick it in your pocket and carry it around with you? Oh wait…you probably could!

Want your own LBB? Find out more about Beauty Boudoir sessions at:

www.beautyboudoir.stacykokes.com

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May 4, 2012 - 2:10 pm

kari - OMG!! We have soooooo gotta get together! I was already planning on this as a gift with purchase (as a surprise… you know… overdeliver :)

Our dear friends :: The Maurers

Ever since Joe and I have been married, we’ve found it super important to have great ‘couples’ friends. Now this is easier said than done. There are so many things that have to go right.

The girls have to like hanging out together. The guys have to like hang out together. AND the couples have to like hanging out together as couples. I’m no mathematician but that looks like a lengthy equation! Thankfully for us, all three things went right.

Charity + I met awhile back and we hit it off right away. She was one of the most positive, genuine, sweet girls I had ever met. Our love for photography and faith in the Lord made for an instant connection.

Not long after, she and her husband Andy started attending our church and we thought it would fun to go on a double date.

Our first ‘date’ went great, and we knew that these two were going to be a part of our lives!

Since then they have joined our small group and our relationship has deepened. We love having them as friends :).

I absolutely LOVE photographing my friends; especially when they are as ADORBS as these two. I couldn’t wait to finally get them in front of my camera.

C+A, I hope that these photos bless you two even a fraction of the way that you guys have blessed us :) xo

Before going full time with her photography business, Charity worked at Starbucks so coffee has been a big part of her life. The Brosenbrus Coffee shop was a great place to start our shoot!

After the coffee shop, these two got all dolled up and we headed to the desert. Aren’t they GORGE?!

Sweet, sweet Charity…

Love this shot Joe took. It just looks…COOL, right?!

Charity busted our her camera for a few shots at the end. Yes, I realize I am a big person for being friends with a Nikon user ;) I kid. I kid! You know I love you Charity!

She couldn’t be any cuter!

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April 28, 2012 - 2:58 am

Charity Oxley Maurer - Um. Fantastic. Thank-you! Love them!

May 3, 2012 - 3:01 pm

EmilieCarol - LOOVEE THIS!!!!!

The Castle at Ashley Manor Wedding::Katelyn+Erik

We had such a wonderful time photographing Katelyn+Erik’s wedding at The Castle at Ashley Manor.

You may remember these two gorgeous people from their engagement session.

With beauty such as theres, you can imagine how AMAZING they both looked on their wedding day.

Their short n’ sweet afternoon wedding was filled with all the ‘good stuff’; family. love. commitment.a fun wedding party. romance photos. and of course, cake!

We started the afternoon at The Castle at Ashely Manor for some pre-ceremony fun. After their ceremony and short reception/cocktail hour, we headed over to The Arizona Grand Resort to take some photos of the lovely ‘Mr + Mrs’.

Even among 100+ degree heat, Katelyn looked absolutely STUNNING! (Erik, you looked good too ;))

Congrats to the lovely couple! xo stacy

Helloooo gorgeous!

These guys are cool…obviously ;)

Check out these pretty ladies :)

Prepare to swoon…these two are HOTness!

Seriously Katelyn. seriously…

Mmmm I’m loving this fierce photo taken by my hubby

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April 24, 2012 - 10:20 am

Mishel Powell - OMG!! These pix are amazing! Of course, the subjects make it easy to get such great shots! Katelyn, you are absolutely stunning & you two look so hot together!! I’m glad I made you call him!! LOL!! These pictures brought tears to my eyes…A. cuz they are unbelievable, B. cuz I missed it & C. cuz I’m sooo happy for you two!! I miss you so much & I wish you both all the best life has to offer!! Love you, Mishel

April 24, 2012 - 9:14 pm

Stacy Kokes - This couple sure knows how to WORK it in front of my camera!

April 24, 2012 - 10:09 pm

Ash Marie B - These are great!!

April 24, 2012 - 10:53 pm

Tina Chavez - Beautiful pictures, CONGRATULATIONS!

April 24, 2012 - 10:58 pm

Debra Companion - these are beautiful – can you post more pictures of Katelyn’s family?

April 25, 2012 - 3:31 am

Diana Camacho - gorgeous photographs Stacy! Love this couple! :D

April 25, 2012 - 3:57 am

Lynne Reardon - Amazing!

April 25, 2012 - 8:04 am

Tammy Bogenschutz - Gorgeous couple! Congratulations to you both and may you be blessed with many many years of happiness!

April 25, 2012 - 8:59 am

Wendy - One of the most beautiful wedding moments I have ever seen! Breathtaking!!!!

April 25, 2012 - 2:44 pm

Karen Rodgers - Stunning, just stunning!

April 28, 2012 - 9:19 pm

Rose Dalipe-Cranston - What a beautiful…beautiful day!! Our best wishes..much happy life together. Great pix!!

F a c e b o o k