All Things Pascoa

Portuguese lesson of the day: Páscoa (Easter)

After a busy Saturday morning of packing and oil changes, we went to an Easter party that good friends of ours hosted. They are just the best at putting these things together and we all get some much needed quality time with each other. Like, the women complaining about the husbands not changing the toilet paper and the men complaining about our nagging. The cirle of life.

Getting Hygge With It

OK, so that is definitely NOT how you pronounce "hygge", but I'm a sucker for a good pun. 

Apparently there is a trend, a way of life really, called Hygge. It's Danish, its cozy, and it's how I pretty much live my life (move over, Athleisure). Comfy clothes, warm beverages, books, wine. I mean?? I'm not any kind of Scandinavian, but I can get behind this life for sure.

I wanted to simplify the holidays this year. Its been a long, long year for us guys. A lot of struggle out there. I needed home, I needed comfort. Lets all wrap ourselves up in love this year, keep it simple, back to basics, enjoy each other. 

My Hygge Holiday Mini Session is just for that. Stripping away the glitz and glam, the materialistic, and the commercialism. 

And of course I had to price it to reflect what I'm preaching.. No, I'm not exactly rolling in the cookie dough with this session. Instead I want to genuinely spend time with friends, family, new and old, share some cocoa, slow it down and catch up-- at this very unapologetic time of year. 

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and hope to see you soon! 

A Graveyard Smash

Every year my aunt throws a big Halloween Party on her little farm. Although most of the kids are a decade older than Penny, she still has a blast. This year was extra special because family from Scotland were visiting.

Spooky Penny

 Model: Penelope Rose

Date: October 16, 2017, 10 am

Location: Holmdel Park

Weather: Chilly & Overcast

Mood: Spooky

There's Nothing Basic About This

I'm dreaming of sweater weather!

So we may have jumped the gun on the Pumpkin Spiced Latte's guys, its 90 degrees out. But one thing we can never be to early for is booking holiday portrait sessions. The leaves will be turning in no time, and everyones favorite foliage won't stick around long! Before you know it you're elbow deep in a turkey and on your 2nd 3rd slice of pumpkin pie and have completely forgotten about holiday cards! 

I plan on shooting through December 3rd. Once we've lost our leaves, I'm recommending winter beach sessions (think: wrapped in warm fuzzy blankets on the sand). 

But let's put our flip flops away first. 

Hope to see you and your family soon!

Easter Mini Session - Ethan, and the Saraiva Kids

My favorite park if not place in the world is Holmdel park. Last spring I visited for the first time in ages. I then made a promise to myself that I would return seasonally for photo sessions as it really is one of the most beautifully landscaped park in the area. Woods, gardens, ponds, fields and even a farm. Something for everyone there, really. 

I was hoping for the pink blossoms and duck filled ponds for this mini session, but with an unexpected cold front and being that it's only still March, it was quite different. 

The bright side to it is the children I had to work with were really happy and easy going. 

Ethan is this doll faced two year old who is super funny and smart. He made animal noises and chased bubbles. His adoration for his parents helped too. I just love his little face!

Then I had my darling niece and nephews. Brayden is getting SO big so quick. I love that my sister and brother in law let me do this for them. Jake and Kaylen are excellent models, and do such a good job with their little brother. 

With summer ahead there is so many opportunities for more scenic photos. What mini sessions would you be interested in seeing next? 

Xo,

Melissa

First New Year

Happy New Year to all of you.

I want to start our New Year with this lovely post about my daughter, Penelope.

See, it was her first ever new year eve, and she just missed it by an hour. But what she missed out on she made up for with several wake up calls throughout the morning. When asking Penelope if she enjoyed her first NYE, she simply states, "WOW" and "YAY". I think we can assume she had a blast.

She probably won't be seeing any ball drops for a few years, but that's no excuse to not make a big deal. In less than one week Penny will be a year old, so all of those little "firsts" will be no more. All that means to mom is more adventures!

I'm not making any resolutions. I'm making revolutions, reservations, and absolutions. Please welcome yourself to a new start, make good decisions, spend time with people who hold you dear, eat good cheese and drink good wine, and most of all, love.

Hello, 2016. It's me. 😉