The Book of Conner {ialsolovechocolate}

The Book of Conner

Today is (our son) Conner's 16th birthday! (16!?!?)

Since his twelfth birthday we have had a personal book/letter theme going.

This year's book is a synonym book and we would be thrilled to add your writings to it!

Here's the idea- think of a word that describes Conner, or a word (character quality) that Conner could aspire to be like. Then type up a message to Conner about him & that word. I will print your message and add it to the book in the page that contains that word.

Messages can be left in the comments, private messaged or sent to kimwineyphotography@gmail.com.

Thanks so much for making Cman's birthday even more special and for touching his life in a personal way! 

13 Letters About One Thing. {ialsolovechocolate}

Long before Cman's 13th birthday, a like-minded cousin told me about a scrapbook that she had seen, in her Creative Memories circles.

The book was a birthday present, made for a boy, that contained personal letters to him, written from the nine men whom he respected most.  (The number of letters corresponded with the age of the boy.)

How much did I love this idea?! 

Sometimes, my kiddo seems to listens to the words that come forth from my chocolate scented mouth.  But how much MORE wisdom could he gain, with a book of letters, from the 13 men whom he respected most??

Now to get the list from him!

Thankfully, a few months before his birthday, we began taking some interesting walks together.  Somehow or other, they became- "Ask me anything" walks.  I was given permission to ask anything that I wanted to (???) which gave me the perfect opportunity to ask "Who are the 13 men you respect the most...?"

It took him a little while, but by the end of the walk, he had finalized his list and named the 13+ WOMEN whom he respected most, as well!

Yessssss.

I contacted the men on the list and asked if they would be willing to contribute to the book.  

I left the topics and format open ended, but suggested that they write encouraging, inspiring, words of wisdom, that Cman would be reading, for years to come.

100% of the men said "yes".  

The variety of letters was fantastic.

Some wrote advice and special Bible verses.

Some were vulnerable and wrote of their difficult pasts.

One wrote a poem.

And many made the letters personal, commenting on Cman's  strengths and weaknesses.

It was a beautiful collaboration.

Cman is now approaching 14.

Any guesses what he'll be getting?

2nd Birthday Bakeshoppe Shoot!

A "client" since she was in her mama's belly, I consider this little cutie to be pretty special.  So, when her mom and I decided to do her baking themed photoshoot in our kitchen, it was a pleasure to go the extra mile and spruce the place up, a bit!  *See future post for before & after shots of the kitchen. 

A little paint and a new backsplash weren't quite enough though.  No!  This shoot needed some collaboration from a few more lovely ladies.

Firsts, Janine, (aka the mommy) is co-owner (along with Nicole Emiliani) of the event planning and design company, "Cole Nine Design".  While getting over the flu, she managed to put together the cupcake-liner-banner,  the cupcake-liner number "2", the recipe box, and embellished the chef's hat with a cupcake-liner-flower.   Oh and did I mention that Janine is pregnant, too?  That's one impressive mama!

Next, we enlisted the help of Danielle, from Lemon Daisy Boutique, who created a custom made apron and bloomers for the birthday girl.  So cute!!

And last but certainly not least, we asked Millie, from Outside the Cake Box to join in the fun and create some specialty cupcakes and mini cakes.  If only you could taste them!!!!  Wowza!!!!!!

Enjoy the vintage inspired goodness!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Sweet Natalie!!!! 


*Special thanks to Aunt Laura for the vintage mixer loan, to Amber, for the rolling pins, and especially to my husband, Fred, who worked non-stop for 3 days, to whip our kitchen into shape!