Many people will hear the words "Make-Up Artist" and automatically assume we will pack on your foundation so you can't move your face, or cover your eyelids with an intense shade of hot pink or electric blue...this is only the case if our client asks for it of course!
You may have used the question, "Why hire a make-up artist when all they will do is make me look like a clown, or worse yet, a whore?" I just want to personally vouch for myself... I will never make you over to the point where you do not recognize the person staring back at you in the mirror. My style and approach has always been to enhance the beauty you already portray. I will spend a good majority of a session perfecting your skin tone and covering any small imperfections such as redness or dark circles. I aim to bring out your best qualities. If you love your eyes I will take care to make them appear bigger, brighter and that much more beautiful. If you love your lips I will help you pick a color of lipstick and/or gloss that best suits the look you are trying to achieve.
A good thing to remember about make-up is that it isn't permanent!
Start out on the light side and increase the intensity to your liking. It is always easier to add then take away. That being said, you are still able to "wash off" anything you don't like and start over.
I will never get used to the feeling of finishing a clients make-up, asking them to take a look in the mirror, watch them walk to a bathroom to find a mirror and hear a happy/surprised comment shouted back to me such as "oh my god, I love it!" or "wow, I look hot!". Little does my client know, that is exactly what I am aiming for and it makes me smile from ear to ear. The most important thing I can do as a make-up artist is make my client feel their absolute best. Not by caking on their foundation, eye shadow and lipstick. If you look through photos of my work you can see right away that it is on the natural side. Less is more method. I am fully capable of giving you and intense smokey eye, or a deep red lip with high gloss for a dramatic pop but will not do any of this unless asked to do so. In a lot of cases a client will say "I trust you", or "do whatever you want" (to clarify I am talking about doing their make-up, not to be taken in a Fifty Shades of Grey sort of way) Blushes. Many return clients will say these things and that just tells me that they know my style, and like my work. Success!
So if you ever hesitate to hire a make-up artist on the assumption that we will transform you into an 80's nightmare...you have to know we won't...unless it is Halloween!
Check out my website to view photos of my work. See for yourself.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
If I Knew Then What I Know Now, Skin and Hair Care
If I only knew then what I know now...
Who has said this to themselves at one point or another?
I know I have many times. In this case I am referring to make-up and beauty. Born in the 80's I was submerged immediately into the light blue eye shadow from lash line to eyebrow, the crimped hair, high socks with tights, scrunchies and of course the mullet. Oh, the mullet. Spending my early school years in the 90's I then became accustomed to the "bushy" eyebrows, the matte dark brown lipstick, the white eyeliner and the mullet (still?!). My high school years played out through the early millennium. Where you can find a little bit of everything... from the jean jackets, neon colors, tights, bright make-up, neutral make-up...we seem to have brought back all of our favorites from the past. Good thing? No, great thing!
Getting a little more into depth, I personally wish I had of known much more about proper skin care and hair care way back when. Our parents always tell us to take care of our skin, because it is the only skin we get. Most damage that occurs in our younger years is hard to correct once we are older. My shout out must go to the teens...please, please, please wear sunscreen, remember to wash your face in the evening before bed if you wear make-up. When applying eye shadow or eyeliner do not tug at your eyelid. MOISTURIZE your entire body including your face, stay away from washing your hair every single day, treat yourself to a face mask or hair mask once a month. Brush your teeth and go to the dentist regularly (to maintain a bright white smile). Avoid tanning if at all possible (if you wish for a glow, get a spray tan or rub on tan). Taking care of your skin and hair early on will make aging that much easier! Coming from someone who never cared enough to do a majority of these things, I wish I could yell at my past self. Small and simple steps make all the difference.
If you are older and just getting into face and hair care now, it isn't too late, Better now then never.
I have always had issues with acne in my teen years which has left me with enlarged pores and excess oily skin. Not knowing when I was younger how to "really" deal with it, I went on birth control and Proactiv which helped clear the acne but the damage had already been done. If I could write a letter to me (yes, this is a line from a Brad Paisley song) it would say,
Dear Caitlin (ages 14-17),
Yes, you have acne on your forehead. Yes, you have acne on your back. This isn't the end of the world. Your hormones will level out and this mess WILL clear up. In the meantime, make sure you never, ever try to POP any of those pimples. Or squeeze the blackheads on your nose (sorry for the graphic details). Do not over wash your hair because it is slightly oily...this will only make it more greasy, simply find the best way to pull it back for an extra day. This will help with the oil, and won't strip your hair of natural oils that it needs to stay sleek and shiny. ALWAYS wash your face before bed, no matter how tired you get! Use a gentle exfoliating wash followed by a moisturizer. Using a moisturizer will hold off those fine lines for a couple years (hurray!!). Don't limit the moisturizer to your face, lube up those elbows, knees and neck...these areas show age first FYI. In the end, don't over analyze yourself from day to day. You find a great man so no need to spend all your time infront of a mirror trying to look good for those "guys".
Sincerely,
Caitlin (age 26/27)
ps. As much as you hated skinny jeans when they first came out, you love them now! :)
Who has said this to themselves at one point or another?
I know I have many times. In this case I am referring to make-up and beauty. Born in the 80's I was submerged immediately into the light blue eye shadow from lash line to eyebrow, the crimped hair, high socks with tights, scrunchies and of course the mullet. Oh, the mullet. Spending my early school years in the 90's I then became accustomed to the "bushy" eyebrows, the matte dark brown lipstick, the white eyeliner and the mullet (still?!). My high school years played out through the early millennium. Where you can find a little bit of everything... from the jean jackets, neon colors, tights, bright make-up, neutral make-up...we seem to have brought back all of our favorites from the past. Good thing? No, great thing!
Getting a little more into depth, I personally wish I had of known much more about proper skin care and hair care way back when. Our parents always tell us to take care of our skin, because it is the only skin we get. Most damage that occurs in our younger years is hard to correct once we are older. My shout out must go to the teens...please, please, please wear sunscreen, remember to wash your face in the evening before bed if you wear make-up. When applying eye shadow or eyeliner do not tug at your eyelid. MOISTURIZE your entire body including your face, stay away from washing your hair every single day, treat yourself to a face mask or hair mask once a month. Brush your teeth and go to the dentist regularly (to maintain a bright white smile). Avoid tanning if at all possible (if you wish for a glow, get a spray tan or rub on tan). Taking care of your skin and hair early on will make aging that much easier! Coming from someone who never cared enough to do a majority of these things, I wish I could yell at my past self. Small and simple steps make all the difference.
If you are older and just getting into face and hair care now, it isn't too late, Better now then never.
I have always had issues with acne in my teen years which has left me with enlarged pores and excess oily skin. Not knowing when I was younger how to "really" deal with it, I went on birth control and Proactiv which helped clear the acne but the damage had already been done. If I could write a letter to me (yes, this is a line from a Brad Paisley song) it would say,
Dear Caitlin (ages 14-17),
Yes, you have acne on your forehead. Yes, you have acne on your back. This isn't the end of the world. Your hormones will level out and this mess WILL clear up. In the meantime, make sure you never, ever try to POP any of those pimples. Or squeeze the blackheads on your nose (sorry for the graphic details). Do not over wash your hair because it is slightly oily...this will only make it more greasy, simply find the best way to pull it back for an extra day. This will help with the oil, and won't strip your hair of natural oils that it needs to stay sleek and shiny. ALWAYS wash your face before bed, no matter how tired you get! Use a gentle exfoliating wash followed by a moisturizer. Using a moisturizer will hold off those fine lines for a couple years (hurray!!). Don't limit the moisturizer to your face, lube up those elbows, knees and neck...these areas show age first FYI. In the end, don't over analyze yourself from day to day. You find a great man so no need to spend all your time infront of a mirror trying to look good for those "guys".
Sincerely,
Caitlin (age 26/27)
ps. As much as you hated skinny jeans when they first came out, you love them now! :)
Friday, March 29, 2013
Fingers, Sponge or a Foundation Brush?
The best way you could apply you foundation is...
Whichever way you find works best for you and your very own skin type. Simple as that.
We will start with the pro's and con's of using your finger tips to apply your foundation. You are able to achieve great placement of product, a nice overall coverage and the satisfaction of not wasting money on a sponge or having to clean a brush once finished. High five for that...but oh wait sorry, I have foundation all over my hands now and should probably clean that up first. Fingertips do not normally have the same characteristics as a make-up sponge would therefore not allowing the fabulous blended effect we all crave. No one wants to look as if they are wearing make-up, we would love for everyone to assume our skin is flawless when we roll out of bed in the morning. This is not usually the case for most...and if you are one of these people *cough* I hate you! :)
Moving onto the make-up sponge.
Shown above is the classic "triangle" sponge, which can be purchased in latex or non-latex ($5-$10 per package). I prefer non-latex as many people suffer from a latex allergy and it is better to be safe then sorry. These are a one time use a sponge, so no washing required, yet are not very "green" for our planet.
Here is a photo of the Beauty Blender ($26-$33, found at Sephora). A larger, more contoured sponged made to make your life easier. This sponge is washable and can be reused many times (money saver). With having a pointed end you are able to get into the creases of your face, next to your nose, under your eyes. Adding a small amount of water to the sponge prior to foundation application it will allow you to create a sheer and natural look but still covering any imperfections.
My new found love. This is called a gourd sponge. I came across this beauty at Shoppers Drug Mart ($5). It has a pointed tip just like the Beauty Blender but also a contoured centre for easy holding. This sponge is also washable and can be reused. (BIG money saver). Also, feel free to add a bit of water to this sponge prior to application, it works well and I highly recommend trying it out. It is a step up from your little fingertips and won't break the bank!!
The cherry on top, the foundation brushes!
When finally finding your perfect foundation for your skin type, and skin color, all you want is the right brush to go with it. Investing in at least one foundation brush will be worth it. All brushes are washable with either a make-up brush disinfecting wash or if it is only used for personal use you can clean it every few days with a little baby shampoo (allow to air dry overnight). This will keep your brush working great for a long time.
Here is a photo of a Lise Watier foundation brush (my favorite $26). Foundation brushes can range from $20-$60 depending on the brand. With the combination of your foundation and a brush you have the ability to create a perfect canvas to apply the rest of your make-up. Using a brush in a more of a circular motion rather then straight lines will blend your foundation the best. Play around with different strokes, trying to avoid making lines on your face. Finishing with either your fingertips or a sponge of your choice, blend your foundation into your hairline, onto the edge of your ears and down your neck.
Have fun trying new ways to apply your make-up. There is no wrong or right way!
Whichever way you find works best for you and your very own skin type. Simple as that.
We will start with the pro's and con's of using your finger tips to apply your foundation. You are able to achieve great placement of product, a nice overall coverage and the satisfaction of not wasting money on a sponge or having to clean a brush once finished. High five for that...but oh wait sorry, I have foundation all over my hands now and should probably clean that up first. Fingertips do not normally have the same characteristics as a make-up sponge would therefore not allowing the fabulous blended effect we all crave. No one wants to look as if they are wearing make-up, we would love for everyone to assume our skin is flawless when we roll out of bed in the morning. This is not usually the case for most...and if you are one of these people *cough* I hate you! :)
Moving onto the make-up sponge.
The cherry on top, the foundation brushes!
When finally finding your perfect foundation for your skin type, and skin color, all you want is the right brush to go with it. Investing in at least one foundation brush will be worth it. All brushes are washable with either a make-up brush disinfecting wash or if it is only used for personal use you can clean it every few days with a little baby shampoo (allow to air dry overnight). This will keep your brush working great for a long time.
Have fun trying new ways to apply your make-up. There is no wrong or right way!
Monday, March 11, 2013
My New Loves...
As a make-up artist I always want to try new products. If my wallet was unlimited I would have it all, everything new on the market and all my favorites to this day. Oh, one can dream.
I did however come across a few new items that have immediately made it into my FAVORITE list:
1. Urban Decay transparent eyeshadow primer, this has been no doubt the best primer for eyeshadow I have ever come across. Many used in the past cause creasing or do not allow shadows to blend properly. Not this primer...it goes on smooth, it is transparent so it works well with any skin tone, it doesn't cause any creasing and helps your shadow colors remain bold and last all day. Bonus!
2. Buxom plumping lipgloss, it has a minty smell and when applied on your lips instantly feels refreshing and has a plumping ingredient for that little bee stung look. I know I like the tingling feeling of a plumping gloss, it isn't everyone's cup o' tea but if you have never tried it yourself, it is a must. Beautiful colors for every occasion too.
3. Stila Bronzer, a non-cakey, non-"rolled in the dirt" look. Creates a beautiful, natural bronze for women that don't like to bake in a tube to get some color. Applied to the tops of your cheekbones, across your forehead and over the bridge of your nose is best to acheive a sun-kissed look (these areas are where the sun would naturally "kiss" your face...hence the term).
Along with these fabulous new items I have the classic list of favorites as well:
1. MakeUp Forever HD Foundation, great coverage and it doesn't look thick or unnatural. A sure thing for photoshoots or Brides. With an easy pump-style top, you will never pour out too much product.
2. MAC Lipglass in clear, this lip"glass" creates the most beautiful shiney lip. It does however have a sticky base so kissing is out of the question while wearing it, but it is bound to turn heads. It instantly gives your lips the look of glass and when applied over your favorite lipstick color it completes the look.
3. CoverFX face primer, more specifically the skin brightening primer. If you are like me with larger pores that are difficult to cover or fine lines around your eyes, mouth or on your forehead this primer is great. Goes on smooth and hides all the imperfections to start your make-up application right, which is key to a flawless complexion.
4. Nars blush, to this day I swear by the colors of blush this brand carries. Personal favorites are Orgasm(peachy), Super Orgasm(peach with illuminator) and Deep Throat(peachy/pink with illuminator...yes, I know, interesting choice of names but I kid you not they are beautiful colors and look so good on!
Try out some new products and give your look a kick start!!
Happy Pampering.
I did however come across a few new items that have immediately made it into my FAVORITE list:
1. Urban Decay transparent eyeshadow primer, this has been no doubt the best primer for eyeshadow I have ever come across. Many used in the past cause creasing or do not allow shadows to blend properly. Not this primer...it goes on smooth, it is transparent so it works well with any skin tone, it doesn't cause any creasing and helps your shadow colors remain bold and last all day. Bonus!
2. Buxom plumping lipgloss, it has a minty smell and when applied on your lips instantly feels refreshing and has a plumping ingredient for that little bee stung look. I know I like the tingling feeling of a plumping gloss, it isn't everyone's cup o' tea but if you have never tried it yourself, it is a must. Beautiful colors for every occasion too.
3. Stila Bronzer, a non-cakey, non-"rolled in the dirt" look. Creates a beautiful, natural bronze for women that don't like to bake in a tube to get some color. Applied to the tops of your cheekbones, across your forehead and over the bridge of your nose is best to acheive a sun-kissed look (these areas are where the sun would naturally "kiss" your face...hence the term).
Along with these fabulous new items I have the classic list of favorites as well:
1. MakeUp Forever HD Foundation, great coverage and it doesn't look thick or unnatural. A sure thing for photoshoots or Brides. With an easy pump-style top, you will never pour out too much product.
3. CoverFX face primer, more specifically the skin brightening primer. If you are like me with larger pores that are difficult to cover or fine lines around your eyes, mouth or on your forehead this primer is great. Goes on smooth and hides all the imperfections to start your make-up application right, which is key to a flawless complexion.
4. Nars blush, to this day I swear by the colors of blush this brand carries. Personal favorites are Orgasm(peachy), Super Orgasm(peach with illuminator) and Deep Throat(peachy/pink with illuminator...yes, I know, interesting choice of names but I kid you not they are beautiful colors and look so good on!
Try out some new products and give your look a kick start!!
Happy Pampering.
Friday, February 1, 2013
A Hard Day...Is Over
One of the sweetest, most caring, and genuine people I have ever known...and those are only a few of her great qualities.
Lauren, my beautiful cousin, has overcome a traumatic event in her life. Our lives.
January 10, 2012... a day that I wish never existed. This day is hard for me to look back on, but also makes me grateful of how it all turned out. I remember it as if it were yesterday (honestly). I happen to be putting my son to bed, reading him a book, changing him into his pj's etc. I am not one to carry my cell phone at all times like some (yet, I do now) but I came back downstairs after saying "good night" to a bunch of missed calls and messages from my cousin Megan. One missed call would have been nothing to worry about, but three, that makes your heart stop beating for a second. To have my husband come to me saying he had also missed a call from my cousin Megan I knew something awful, terrible, horrible had happened.
As I call her back and I hope and pray that she is just urgently needing the answer to a question, I soon get the news that no one ever wants to hear. She explains to me that my cousin, has been in a car accident, "She was making a left turn and...(she pauses to catch her breath)...she was
t-boned by a truck. She is in emergency at Royal Columbian Hospital and we are all here (our family)". As I try not to cry out into the phone I ask her in a demanding voice "is she ok?" Her response hit me like a ton of bricks..."she is in a coma". I told her I was heading to the hospital right away.
My husband had seen how upset I was during the phone call and had terror in his eyes waiting to hear what was going on. I told him I was heading to Royal Columbian and of course he said he was coming too. We quickly woke up our son and packed him in the car. Calling my husbands parents on the drive there to meet us at emergency so they could take our three year old for us, which they did.
We arrive and of course there is no parking anywhere...my husband told me to get out of the car and go inside, he would figure out parking. I walk inside the emergency doors and have no idea where to go or what to do. As I look around the room I notice a family member who is waiving me over. She waived me into the "family waiting room". If you don't know what this is, it is a small room filled with chairs that a family can use to have privacy while waiting news of their loved ones in trauma.
I hate this room.
I hug and cry with my family members and all I can think of is "where is she? I want to see her".
They allow us to go into the trauma room two at a time. My cousin Megan and I decide to go in together. Tubes, monitors, blankets...this is all I can picture now. I touched her hand and made sure to tell her she was going to be ok. Megan and I hugged each other tightly and cried. You never want to see anyone in this state.
From there she was transfered to intensive care, where she stayed for ten days in a semi-induced coma state. We were able to visit her, but again only two at a time and for a short period. For the first week I spent everyday sitting in the intensive care waiting room with other family members, I couldn't go to work thinking that she was there and I wasn't. I went for myself, and I went to support my aunt, uncle and other cousin. If I missed a day and couldn't visit I felt lost. Felt as if I missed something, missed her.
She was scheduled for surgery on her neck. Along with a brain bleed she had broken two vertabrae in between the base of her head and her shoulders which required her to have a metal plate screwed to her spine in order to fix her. A surgery that would be done through the front of her neck as they were too cautious to flip her over and possibly causing more damage. After a successful surgery I got a message that she was awake! I happened to be working because her surgery was delayed many times before. As soon as I heard this news I headed straight to the hospital. Like a giddy school girl I had butterflies in my stomach when I was told I was allowed to go into the intensive care unit to see her. My husband and I quickly phoned into the room to ask if we could come in (something you have to do everytime you want to see a person in intensive care) we washed our hands and went down the hall to her room. I felt myself feeling heavy as I walked, a feeling of relief but also incredibly uncertain to what I might find once we arrived in her room. We walk in and I see she isn't wearing her glasses but she is sitting up, no tubes. I go in closer to her and say in a loud tone "Hi Lauren, it's Caitlin". She smiled ear to ear.
I smiled back.
All I wanted to do was scream and cry and yell out how extremely happy I was!
After talking to her for a bit (she was unable to talk from having tubes down her throat for so long and considering her surgery consisted of going through her neck it would have been painful) we walked back out into the waiting room. Everyone there looked as us to see how we felt. I explained that she had smiled at me the minute I walked in, which I then found out that I got the first smile. Me. I got the first smile, the smile that I had been waiting to see since the accident. Heart melts.
That day started her day to recovery. From being transfered to other parts of the hospital, learning to talk again, learning to walk again. She never once forgot who we were. Thinking she worked at a tree farm, or being pregnant (she wasn`t, I was) or fighting her uncle for a cookie, these were all things that we can look back on now and laugh.
I clearly remember a day we visited her with our son once she had been relocated into a new room in Royal Columbian. Looking better and better everyday. She was required to wear a neck brace since she was healing from surgery, this brace I believe was worn for three months or more. Which is nothing compared to the option of having a halo that the doctors had talked about in the earlier days. This particular visit I had come knowing that she had started to walk on her own and I had yet to see it myself. After visiting for a little she needed to go to the bathroom...something that we take for granted in our daily lives considering we have the ability to get up and go whenever is necessary, something that she was unable to do for quite awhile at the beginning of her recovery...with a swing of her legs off the edge of her hospital bed she planted both feet on the ground and stood up. She turned and made small but strong steps toward the bathroom, not requiring any help at all. The minute she made it into the bathroom and closed the door I burst into tears. Not wanting her to see me cry I quickly stepped out of the room to contain myself. I had never been so happy! On this same visit she was able to feed herself lunch again, another thing that she was unable to do at first. Watching her do these little tasks showed just how determined she is. In a group of only 3-5% whom recover to her state from a brain injury like hers, makes me truly believe in miracles.
This last year has been her battle... she is winning.
Beating the odds. Proving just how brave and strong she is everyday.
A faint purple scar on her neck is one of the only things that show she was ever in a traumatic accident. That faint purple scar is as fabulous as life itself.
I am thankful everyday that we got to keep her.
Watching her do all the things she is so talented at again. Drawing, photography. We spent an afternoon together today. I cut her hair, styled it and put some make-up on her (not that she needs much) and was able to take some photos of her.
Little things like this I cherish. Today, tomorrow and always.
Love you!
A photo of Lauren's "Welcome Home" Party!
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A photo I took of Lauren Feb.1, 2013
Lauren, my beautiful cousin, has overcome a traumatic event in her life. Our lives.
January 10, 2012... a day that I wish never existed. This day is hard for me to look back on, but also makes me grateful of how it all turned out. I remember it as if it were yesterday (honestly). I happen to be putting my son to bed, reading him a book, changing him into his pj's etc. I am not one to carry my cell phone at all times like some (yet, I do now) but I came back downstairs after saying "good night" to a bunch of missed calls and messages from my cousin Megan. One missed call would have been nothing to worry about, but three, that makes your heart stop beating for a second. To have my husband come to me saying he had also missed a call from my cousin Megan I knew something awful, terrible, horrible had happened.
As I call her back and I hope and pray that she is just urgently needing the answer to a question, I soon get the news that no one ever wants to hear. She explains to me that my cousin, has been in a car accident, "She was making a left turn and...(she pauses to catch her breath)...she was
t-boned by a truck. She is in emergency at Royal Columbian Hospital and we are all here (our family)". As I try not to cry out into the phone I ask her in a demanding voice "is she ok?" Her response hit me like a ton of bricks..."she is in a coma". I told her I was heading to the hospital right away.
My husband had seen how upset I was during the phone call and had terror in his eyes waiting to hear what was going on. I told him I was heading to Royal Columbian and of course he said he was coming too. We quickly woke up our son and packed him in the car. Calling my husbands parents on the drive there to meet us at emergency so they could take our three year old for us, which they did.
We arrive and of course there is no parking anywhere...my husband told me to get out of the car and go inside, he would figure out parking. I walk inside the emergency doors and have no idea where to go or what to do. As I look around the room I notice a family member who is waiving me over. She waived me into the "family waiting room". If you don't know what this is, it is a small room filled with chairs that a family can use to have privacy while waiting news of their loved ones in trauma.
I hate this room.
I hug and cry with my family members and all I can think of is "where is she? I want to see her".
They allow us to go into the trauma room two at a time. My cousin Megan and I decide to go in together. Tubes, monitors, blankets...this is all I can picture now. I touched her hand and made sure to tell her she was going to be ok. Megan and I hugged each other tightly and cried. You never want to see anyone in this state.
From there she was transfered to intensive care, where she stayed for ten days in a semi-induced coma state. We were able to visit her, but again only two at a time and for a short period. For the first week I spent everyday sitting in the intensive care waiting room with other family members, I couldn't go to work thinking that she was there and I wasn't. I went for myself, and I went to support my aunt, uncle and other cousin. If I missed a day and couldn't visit I felt lost. Felt as if I missed something, missed her.
She was scheduled for surgery on her neck. Along with a brain bleed she had broken two vertabrae in between the base of her head and her shoulders which required her to have a metal plate screwed to her spine in order to fix her. A surgery that would be done through the front of her neck as they were too cautious to flip her over and possibly causing more damage. After a successful surgery I got a message that she was awake! I happened to be working because her surgery was delayed many times before. As soon as I heard this news I headed straight to the hospital. Like a giddy school girl I had butterflies in my stomach when I was told I was allowed to go into the intensive care unit to see her. My husband and I quickly phoned into the room to ask if we could come in (something you have to do everytime you want to see a person in intensive care) we washed our hands and went down the hall to her room. I felt myself feeling heavy as I walked, a feeling of relief but also incredibly uncertain to what I might find once we arrived in her room. We walk in and I see she isn't wearing her glasses but she is sitting up, no tubes. I go in closer to her and say in a loud tone "Hi Lauren, it's Caitlin". She smiled ear to ear.
I smiled back.
All I wanted to do was scream and cry and yell out how extremely happy I was!
After talking to her for a bit (she was unable to talk from having tubes down her throat for so long and considering her surgery consisted of going through her neck it would have been painful) we walked back out into the waiting room. Everyone there looked as us to see how we felt. I explained that she had smiled at me the minute I walked in, which I then found out that I got the first smile. Me. I got the first smile, the smile that I had been waiting to see since the accident. Heart melts.
That day started her day to recovery. From being transfered to other parts of the hospital, learning to talk again, learning to walk again. She never once forgot who we were. Thinking she worked at a tree farm, or being pregnant (she wasn`t, I was) or fighting her uncle for a cookie, these were all things that we can look back on now and laugh.
I clearly remember a day we visited her with our son once she had been relocated into a new room in Royal Columbian. Looking better and better everyday. She was required to wear a neck brace since she was healing from surgery, this brace I believe was worn for three months or more. Which is nothing compared to the option of having a halo that the doctors had talked about in the earlier days. This particular visit I had come knowing that she had started to walk on her own and I had yet to see it myself. After visiting for a little she needed to go to the bathroom...something that we take for granted in our daily lives considering we have the ability to get up and go whenever is necessary, something that she was unable to do for quite awhile at the beginning of her recovery...with a swing of her legs off the edge of her hospital bed she planted both feet on the ground and stood up. She turned and made small but strong steps toward the bathroom, not requiring any help at all. The minute she made it into the bathroom and closed the door I burst into tears. Not wanting her to see me cry I quickly stepped out of the room to contain myself. I had never been so happy! On this same visit she was able to feed herself lunch again, another thing that she was unable to do at first. Watching her do these little tasks showed just how determined she is. In a group of only 3-5% whom recover to her state from a brain injury like hers, makes me truly believe in miracles.
This last year has been her battle... she is winning.
Beating the odds. Proving just how brave and strong she is everyday.
A faint purple scar on her neck is one of the only things that show she was ever in a traumatic accident. That faint purple scar is as fabulous as life itself.
I am thankful everyday that we got to keep her.
Watching her do all the things she is so talented at again. Drawing, photography. We spent an afternoon together today. I cut her hair, styled it and put some make-up on her (not that she needs much) and was able to take some photos of her.
Little things like this I cherish. Today, tomorrow and always.
Love you!
Monday, January 28, 2013
A Little Rain Won't Hurt
We survived!
Yesterday at the very fun, very busy, very wet and very cold photoshoot all of the models did great! Braving the rain and wind the girls all had smiles on their faces. Country music blarring from an iphone while the girls danced around under a gazebo to keep themselves warm and in high spirits. All of them looking gorgeous, with curls and lashes, lipstick and blush. Each of them owning their specific look to a tee!
We were lucky to have some beautiful Stella & Dot Jewelry care of Brittany, an independent stylist for Stella & Dot. (To view her facebook page click on her name). Colorful chunky necklaces, yellow golds, coral colored stone drop earrings...the Spring line is amazing and if you love necklaces, bracelets and earrings you don't want to miss out! The pieces that each model wore enhanced their beauty and added the perfect touch to each photograph.
Normally I ask a good friend of mine Hayley to take the photos for my portfolio, but this time I thought that she needed to step out from behind the camera and take a seat infront of it for once!
(To view her photography website click on her name). I took the role of photographer this time around, along with my cousin Lauren, another very talented photographer! With having two photographers and four models we were able to get a huge variety of different shots and I have to say I am extremely happy with them. Now, my photos are nothing compared to both Hayley and Lauren but I was happy to take the photos and enjoy being behind the camera as well. Taking photography classes in high school helped a tad, but I do need more practice!
I would like to sincerely thank all the ladies that were able to help me out by either modelling, taking photos or holding umbrellas (wink). You all amaze me and it means alot!
Here is a shot I took from the photoshoot... you would never know that Candice is standing in the rain and getting soaked as each picture is taken. Loving the angelic look of the white shirt and jewelry along with her blonde hair and blue eyes and the contrast of the green moss on the tree...creating a shot that I am proud of!
View either my website or Facebook Page to see many more portfolio photos!
Yesterday at the very fun, very busy, very wet and very cold photoshoot all of the models did great! Braving the rain and wind the girls all had smiles on their faces. Country music blarring from an iphone while the girls danced around under a gazebo to keep themselves warm and in high spirits. All of them looking gorgeous, with curls and lashes, lipstick and blush. Each of them owning their specific look to a tee!
We were lucky to have some beautiful Stella & Dot Jewelry care of Brittany, an independent stylist for Stella & Dot. (To view her facebook page click on her name). Colorful chunky necklaces, yellow golds, coral colored stone drop earrings...the Spring line is amazing and if you love necklaces, bracelets and earrings you don't want to miss out! The pieces that each model wore enhanced their beauty and added the perfect touch to each photograph.
Normally I ask a good friend of mine Hayley to take the photos for my portfolio, but this time I thought that she needed to step out from behind the camera and take a seat infront of it for once!
(To view her photography website click on her name). I took the role of photographer this time around, along with my cousin Lauren, another very talented photographer! With having two photographers and four models we were able to get a huge variety of different shots and I have to say I am extremely happy with them. Now, my photos are nothing compared to both Hayley and Lauren but I was happy to take the photos and enjoy being behind the camera as well. Taking photography classes in high school helped a tad, but I do need more practice!
I would like to sincerely thank all the ladies that were able to help me out by either modelling, taking photos or holding umbrellas (wink). You all amaze me and it means alot!
Here is a shot I took from the photoshoot... you would never know that Candice is standing in the rain and getting soaked as each picture is taken. Loving the angelic look of the white shirt and jewelry along with her blonde hair and blue eyes and the contrast of the green moss on the tree...creating a shot that I am proud of!
View either my website or Facebook Page to see many more portfolio photos!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Helpful Friends
I have some great people in my life. Always willing to help out. Lending themselves as models for me to expand my portfolio. Something I enjoy doing often and wish I could do every weekend... this couldn't happen though or I would never have time to work with clients.
I am lucky enough to have friends that are in fields that make expanding my portfolio that much easier. Hayley Rae is a wonderful photographer and has taken photos of my husband and I "trashing" my wedding dress, maternity and family photos. What is even more wonderful, she has also been kind enough to have taken some portfolio photographs for me as well. They turned out fantastic! She is amazing at what she does and I highly recommend her for your own event. Check out her website for further information and to view her most recent work.
Having gorgeous girlfriends also makes it easy to create beautiful portfolio pictures. They have shown to be relaxed and confident infront of the camera and above all else, they have fun! I have repeat offenders because they enjoyed themselves so much. How can I say no? I am just thankful I have seen so much interest in modelling for me.
I have an upcoming portfolio photoshoot this weekend and can't wait! Four models, my cousin Lauren will be taking the photos for me (another fabulous photographer, up and coming), Stella & Dot jewellry (care of one of the models....who is a Stella & Dot Independent Stylist) and a friend whom I will call my "assistant" for the day!
Thank you in advance ladies, I really appreciate all your help.
Stay tuned for new photos next week!!
(Here is a photo from the last photoshoot. Photos care of Hayley Rae Photography.)
I am lucky enough to have friends that are in fields that make expanding my portfolio that much easier. Hayley Rae is a wonderful photographer and has taken photos of my husband and I "trashing" my wedding dress, maternity and family photos. What is even more wonderful, she has also been kind enough to have taken some portfolio photographs for me as well. They turned out fantastic! She is amazing at what she does and I highly recommend her for your own event. Check out her website for further information and to view her most recent work.
Having gorgeous girlfriends also makes it easy to create beautiful portfolio pictures. They have shown to be relaxed and confident infront of the camera and above all else, they have fun! I have repeat offenders because they enjoyed themselves so much. How can I say no? I am just thankful I have seen so much interest in modelling for me.
I have an upcoming portfolio photoshoot this weekend and can't wait! Four models, my cousin Lauren will be taking the photos for me (another fabulous photographer, up and coming), Stella & Dot jewellry (care of one of the models....who is a Stella & Dot Independent Stylist) and a friend whom I will call my "assistant" for the day!
Thank you in advance ladies, I really appreciate all your help.
Stay tuned for new photos next week!!
(Here is a photo from the last photoshoot. Photos care of Hayley Rae Photography.)
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