A Wife's Gift

This lovely creature will take your breath away as she calls in Pretty Muse to create a present for her husband.
Here's the MUST WATCH video:  http://animoto.com/play/fn0pBfbDeSza9g8OJkuCwA

She wanted to surprise her husband with a special photo shoot --- some thing for his eyes only. So, with the help of HMUA, Kristina Caruso, and lots of fun styling we made some magic. We took the bed outside to the lake and placed each flower just so. We put up the mambossa, we got out the hand stitched linens we pulled out items with love built right into them.  

And this shoot with Donna Devlin came to life with such sweet passion. She was the icing on the cake and took this shoot to a whole nother level.

Donna has a very unique and beautiful trait.  She's every woman and she's ALL woman. Full blooded, passionate and loving, vivacious, funny and infectious and full of vitality and spirited she's got what all women aspire to be.

You HAVE GOT to watch the video. More than a few of us shed a tear on this one.  Why?  I'm not sure, because it's about love?  Because there's a hopeless romantic in all of us?  Because at this time of year we think of beautiful love.  Requited love. Love actualized to the fullest.  This makes me feel that way.  Donna you took our breath away.

I won't spoil your surprise, so my lips are sealed, at least for now.  :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here's the MUSE WATCH video:  http://animoto.com/play/fn0pBfbDeSza9g8OJkuCwA

CREDITS:
Model:  Donna Devlin
HMUA:  Donna Devlin and Kristina Caruso
Styling:  LJ Masty
Photography:  Pretty Muse


Keywords:  linifotto, pretty muse, pretty muse photography, beauty and the beach photography, beauty & the beach photography, photography, Stuart, Stuart, Florida, treasure coast, martin county, florida, martin county florida, jensen beach, psl, port saint lucie, tradition, hutchinson island, beach, WPB, West Palm Beach, palm beach county, tiger beach, preshoot, inspiration, muse worthy, fun portraiture, portraiture, women in photography, new ideas for women in portraiture, branding, promotional photography, new kind of photography business, new models treasure coast, promotional video, muses, linifotto, pretty muse, prettymuse, pretty muse photography, take the bed outside, donna devlin, kristina caruso, valentine's day, requited love, husband and wife

The Coffee Bar Blue Door Invitation

There's a new establishment in town that simply can't be missed.


From the moment you pass this place on 38 Osceloa be careful because you'll be mightily distracted to see what caught the corner of your eye.  This adorable little store front will hook you quicker than you can say Blue Door and you'll find yourself circling the block to take another look.  I knew I was going back there for my next meet and greet even before I'd ever been inside.


And just two days later my husband and I stepped inside this enchanted coffee bar and everything swirled from the smell of full bodied coffee to the old Moroccan doors that hung on the walls to the cool umbrellas with brass fobs that begged to be touched, stroked or held for a vibe.  It's exotic in a contemporary setting.

This little jewel is as loaded with intrigue, whimsy and more understated charm than one can appreciate at first glance.  I wouldn't call myself a style watcher, but I sure recognize it when I see it and this place will practically slip you an-under-the-table invitation to a secret door the moment you sit down.

I find myself almost flushed and patting my hair down. This place is so distractingly inviting that the imagination has a hard time sitting still.  It's 8:00 AM and I'm thinking about tents in deserts and massive tassels dangling from camel saddles.  Why?  There was nothing I recall seeing that was anything remotely close to a camel or a tent, or was there?  Ok, so I'm a little colorful by nature, but I bet you'll be considering your passport and the life of an expatriate when you visit this place just like I am.  One can choose to sit and be enveloped by the place, or as in my case, run around and examine, touch and envy the sum total of all this coolness.   This place makes Pier 1 look as exotic as 7-11.  

The Blue Door isn't a step into a foreign land.  It's a polite mix of cultures.  You can choose to be transported or remain safely seated and enjoy the ambiance of something sparkling and magical without knowing just how they pulled it together.  Either way, you'll find yourself under the spell and looking for the next opportunity to sit here again.

Ok, fine.  So this is a lot of conjecture and pretty notions, we'll see how much is demystified once I'm properly introduced to this place by the owners.  Hah, let's just hope they let us back in after I've made a spectacle of myself getting vibes off doors and swooning over pendant lamps. Either way I think it's the best newest thing I've visited in a long time!

Good new!  I'm very excited to report that there will indeed be a follow up post!  It appears I got my secret, under-the-table-invitation after all!  See what happens when we let your imagination run wild?  

Links:

The Coffee Bar Blue Door  

38 Osceola Street, Stuart, Florida 34994

http://www.coffeebarbluedoor.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coffee-bar-Blue-Door/146122815459665

Keywords:  linifotto, pretty muse, pretty muse photography, beauty and the beach photography, beauty & the beach photography, photography, Stuart, Stuart, Florida, treasure coast, martin county, florida, martin county florida, jensen beach, psl, port saint lucie, tradition, hutchinson island, beach, WPB, West Palm Beach, palm beach county, tiger beach, preshoot, inspiration, muse worthy, fun portraiture, portraiture, women in photography, new ideas for women in portraiture, branding, promotional photography, new kind of photography business, new models treasure coast, promotional video, muses, linifotto, pretty muse, prettymuse, pretty muse photography, blue door coffee bar, hess & heathcock, attorneys and counselors at law, william hess, kathy heathcock, coffee bar blue door, downtown stuart, osceola  street.

Interview with Think Haute Pink Blogger Tia Ashton

While I sat at the Blue Door Coffee Bar in downtown Stuart waiting for my interview with Tia Ashton, that Cover Girl jingle kept annoyingly rolling around in my head, 'Easy Breeze, Cover Girl'.  But when Stuart's newest blogger breezed right into the seat next to me sporting a side ponytail and a ton of turquoise jewelry' it all clicked, of course I'd subconsciously hum that jingle. It rang a cord of truth. Well, you'll have to add 4 parts edgy and 2 parts cooler but she had a fresh pulled together look that make people want to stare.

What's the first thing you notice about Tia?  These huge blue eyes.  Wide open with apparent vulnerability she was instantly disarming and endearing in the same moment.  And just like that the savant stylist I've imagined her to be got right down to it and pointed out that my Bvlgari eyeglasses were on her list of must have's and that she sprained a few brain cells deciding which designer glasses to get. Ok, so now I really liked her!

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a Gucci bag wink at me before it got tucked on it's own chair. But more on her handbag and what's in it later. (Yes, I did what you think I did. I peeked!)

As the apparent best (and only) blogger in Stuart, Florida I was keen on Tia having met her at our mutual and beloved Mojitoes Nail Bar.  I wanted to welcome her properly and recognize her for becoming a new local blogger but better than that, she's a stylist which made her even more interesting to me.  The kind of stylist that works with photographers.  The kind of person who can whip up a hairdo, makeup, pull a look and style a setting.  That, my friends, is a lot of styling and anybody who can do that is somebody who gets my undivided attention pretty fast!!!

I've creeped all over her pictures on Facebook and have seen first hand what she's capable of doing, so we have been playing email tag with a vague notion we'd do a shoot together someday. After today, it's pretty clear we are going to whip up something worthy of both our imaginations.

Then I decided to test her sportsmanship.  'Would you open your purse and show us what's inside', I asked?  And sure enough she laughed, opened the snap and presto, there-ya-go. She told me she visits a blog that's about this very idea, what's in your bag.  Hmmmmm, let's see I spy a VW car key in there....what else do I see?

About the shoes.... For of you who don't know about these listen up!  Stephan Bonnano and family opened a shoe store that makes custom sandals, specifically tailor made for your feet.  This has become somewhat of a tradition to come here and have a pair made.  There is quite the legacy attached as other ardent fans of the Bonnano sandals are Oprah Winfrey and, wait for it, Jackie O!  They even put your name into the leather further personalizing your special purchase.  See link below for more details.  Anyways, Tia's gorgeous metallic sandals completed her flawless look.  She definitely knows how to pull a look together.

I asked her about how her sense of style got started and she told me she was one of those pageant babies and then again in her teens, so she learned how to drop a pair of eyelashes on in her sleep.  She learned much of her sense of style being a beauty queen.  Her mother is a photographer so she's broken in from both sides of the beauty angle and very talented!  She loves writing (and is good at it), she's funny and has an unusual repertoire of talents that she'll be putting to good use on her new blog.  Do you know, she got over 800 page views on her first day due to her popularity on Pinterest!  Now that's something.

The Questions:

What blogs do you read?
Well Miss Tia, loves the blog world and had a whole slew of blogs she loves; Atlantic-Pacific, Glitz Glam Budget, Judith March, Look Linger Love, Pawleys Island Posh, Positively Splendid, Pretty Muse (of course!) The Vault Files, Glitter Guide, Design Darling, Matchbook and Sugar Belle.

What magazines do you subscribe to?  That got a huge eye roll and she rattled off a list of magazines I love too including; Vogue, Allure, Lucky, Nylon, Southern Living and Country Living.

Favorite Apps:
Magisto - video editing (Oh sooo getting this one!)
Post - makes cool e-stationary
Tori Burk - Designer

Latest MP3 Download?  Miranda Lambert (yes, she's a country music girl and on her way to Orlando to see Miranda this week thank you very much.)

Favorite Movie of all time?  Dirty Dancing

Last book she read?  Eat, Pray, Love

Fav fashion designers?  Shoshanna, Nanette LePore, Tory Burch

Favorite color?  Uh, that would be pink.  Surprised?

If you could be on a reality show which one would it be?  Host of Top Chef

What are the newest colors for home decor?  Greys & yellows

Favorite curse word?  Fuck. (No apologies and she gave us of examples of how she uses it, properly.)

The thing she hates the most.  Worry.

The thing she loves the most.  Shoes. (See how life balances out?)

Then I asked her to draw her childhood bedroom that her and her Mom designed.  Yes, she had a window seat with sheers that draped down the sides. Oh that's just not fair Tia!  And of course every little girl's standard 4 poster bed and vanity. The drawing is adorable and you could tell by how lovingly she drew it that it meant the world to her (and still does especially since she won't let Mom redo the room just yet.  Thanks Mom.)

Oh, and the shoes?  I asked her about how many she has....can you guess?  (whispering 200!)  Which begs to ask, uhhhh closet?  She promptly informed me that her shoes have their own bedroom. I couldn't help but imagine 200 tiny little beds. Neatly aligned. All proudly displaying her shoes. I get it Tia, I get it.

I enjoyed our little interview, we discussed an upcoming collaboration for a styled shoot. Clarification.  An indulgently styled shoot.  So, Tia and I will team up for something fun and exciting - we couldn't talk fast enough.  ;)

For just an hour of chit chat we covered a LOT of ground.  But the most important thing about Tia, despite being a self-confessed loud and sassy girl, is she's quite intriguing.  She's bright, with a wide variety of interests, she's clearly her own person, she's funny, somebody you want to get to know the minute you meet her, and above all things?  Well dressed.

Thank you Tia for the interview, we enjoyed it very much. I look forward to watching your blog grow and I can't wait for the first How-To on crafts.  On anything. anything.  Ok!?!!!


Mashup of cool tips and links for all kinds of resources from both of our favorite stuff.

Links:  During our interview we quickly swapped fav websites, boutiques and other cool shtuff, here's the list!


1.  Blue Door Coffee Bar:  This new swanky downtown coffee shop (it's way more than that) is not only the coolest new establishment in town it's the friendliest.  William Hess, one of the owners was kind enough to let us conduct our interview on the premises with cameras, which we very much appreciate.  I hope to do a review with lots and lots of pictures of the Blue Door in the near future.  They have cobbled together an amazing space filled with all kinds of treats for the eyes, ears and nose and mouth.  Be sure to visit them at 38 Osceola Street downtown Stuart.  Or here on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coffee-bar-Blue-Door/146122815459665


2.  Tia Ashton's blog: Tia will be posting regularly to her blog with tips on all kinds of things, from how to alter a second hand find into a vintage classic to makeup videos, how to posts on refinishing furniture and crafting, shoes, cooking, bows, monograms, all things pink and she'll share how she's able to keep an enviable closet of treasures without needing a limit free credit card. www.ThinkHautePink.com


3.  Tia's Pinterest link:  Tia has a large list of followers on Pinterest - check it out! http://pinterest.com/search/?q=think+haute+pink
Get your own Pinterest account:  Pinterest - www.pinterest.com


4.  Stephen Bonanno Shoes!  Those handmade gorgegous sandals she's wearing?  Next time you are downtown you've GOT to visit this place, besides don't you want your own custom and handmade shoes? Of course you do! Stephen Bonanno Sandals - https://www.stephenbonanno.com/


5.  Bali Alterations - Local alterations expert that Tia raved endlessly about.  She says Bali can take anything and whip it up into something gorgeous to wear.  They are very cheap and great quality. I will definitely be calling on this merchant!  Downtown Stuart. 420 Colorado Street, Stuart.  772-233-0101


6.  Matilda's: Another downtown boutique that is a MUST!  www.facebook.com/pages/Matildas-Exquisite.../118326088222309


7.  Mojitoes Nail Bar - We featured a review of this new fashionable nail bar earlier in 2011 and both highly recommend it, especially try the February chocolate, champagne and strawberry pedicure.  Downtown Stuart:  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001592487946


8.  TKB Makeup - Pigments! Love makeup but can't afford all those pots of pigment from MAC?  How is $1.50 a tablespoon?  Yep, this is the real deal. You'll be a changed woman, I promise!  TKB Trading:  (makeup pigments - MAC dups) http://www.tkbtrading.com/ If someone is interested in hearing more on this I'd be happy to do a post on it, but their website has all kinds of videos and how-tos.  I would rank my TKB haul as a highlight of 2011.  Seriously ladies!


9.  Blogger?  For bloggers who need to keep track of their traffic, this free service is priceless!
StatCounter:  www.statcounter.com


Post Script....darn I forgot to inspect her Pandora bracelet and I just knew the gold shoe would be one of her charms.  ;)

Keywords:  linifotto, pretty muse, pretty muse photography, beauty and the beach photography, beauty & the beach photography, photography, Stuart, Stuart, Florida, treasure coast, martin county, florida, martin county florida, jensen beach, psl, port saint lucie, tradition, hutchinson island, beach, WPB, West Palm Beach, palm beach county, tiger beach, preshoot, inspiration, muse worthy, fun portraiture, portraiture, women in photography, new ideas for women in portraiture, branding, promotional photography, new kind of photography business, new models treasure coast, promotional video, muses, linifotto, pretty muse, prettymuse, pretty muse photography, shoes, think haute pink, haute think pink, tia ashton, tia victoria ashton, styling, pulling looks, 10 questions, favorite apps, blue door coffee bar, hess & heathcock, stephen bonanno, bonanno sandals, whats in your bag, pinterest, 

Another Chapter with Karissa

Video of this shoot - link at the bottom in red:

What do we love about shooting Karissa?

She's ALWAYS game for another modeling experiment.

She's about as sport for the task as one could hope for.  She never complains, even when cold and wet.  But I'm getting way ahead of myself.

She met us for a sunrise shoot in what started as a bright shiny morning that turned into, well.... I'll fill you in later.  First though,

She was a good sport about putting on whatever I pulled out of the Mary Poppins bag.  So we played dress up, dress down, dress every-which-way-around.

And then, right about here a *quasi rogue wave came crashing in and well, let's just say it had it's way with her.  Little did I know, this was the driest we'd all be, because within mere minutes (and while looking east, not west) a major angry cloud came barreling in.  We took one look and yelled, 'It's too late!  Grab the gear and run for the car!  Now!'   And what a sight we were. Tsk tsk.

Well, let's just say I had nothing on me that wasn't 300% wet except for my God-loving equipment.  The inside of my car is still drenched from the madness that prevailed once we got to the car.  Yes, 'madness, I say'.  But I'm most grateful our gear is in great shape. (Yes, I'm glad the rest of us survived, but a girl has her toys...yes and the husband and the model, but it's the gear guys!)

Note to self, keep checking the sky, no matter how bright and cheerful it looks to the east because the west could have been deadly.


* For those who notice small footnote references, yes, I like the word 'quasi', for those who are keeping count I've said it at least 3 times this year.

Video Link: http://animoto.com/play/8xeKo0Sd3VxWJo8gXeyV0w

Credits:
Photography:
Keywords: Petals, petalled shoot, petalled two, karissa ferguson, linifotto, pretty muse, pretty muse photography, beauty and the beach photography, beauty & the beach photography, photography, Stuart, Stuart, Florida, treasure coast, martin county, florida, martin county florida, jensen beach, psl, port saint lucie, tradition, hutchinson island, beach, WPB, West Palm Beach, palm beach county, tiger beach, preshoot, inspiration, muse worthy, fun portraiture, portraiture, women in photography, new ideas for women in portraiture, branding, promotional photography, new kind of photography business, new models treasure coast, promotional video, muses, linifotto, pretty muse, prettymuse, pretty muse photography, storm, house of refuge, dress-up, drenched, beach, wet gear.