"There's no combination of words I could put on the back of a postcard... No song I could sing... But I can try for your heart...Our dreams, and they are made out of real things... Like a, shoebox of photographs... With sepiatone loving... Love is the answer, At least for most of the questions in my heart... Like why are we here? And where do we go? And how come it's so hard? It's not always easy and... Sometimes life can be deceiving... I'll tell you one thing its always better when we're together..."
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SATC w/my NYC Girl! (Blog Catch up from June)

“I will never be the woman with the perfect hair, who can wear white and not spill on it.”

Night out with Miss Addie Young!  Addie is my true New York Girl~although she lives here now (yeah)... she was the first person to introduce me to NYC!!

 So, I've always had this special SATC bond with Addie and Aimee~probably because we were all so different and when we're together we never hold back telling each other much of anything.  A lot of times we tell each other things that our "nicer, more polite, kind friends" most likely would never say to each other.  We've known each other way too long not to tell the scary truth. 

A few years ago and I had the pleasure of experiencing the "City"  with Aimee and we stayed with Addie Jo.  It was one of the most scariest times of my life......but we had a blast!!! 
We even ended up on "Carrie's doorsteps"
(perhaps I'll blog about this trip in the future~stay tuned....for an upcoming "Flashback Friday" section of my blog)

So when the first SATC movie came out, I was SO BUMMED that Addie was in New York and Aimee was in Georgia...it just didn't feel right to go with anyone else...so, when SATC 2 rolled around... and Addie had moved back to AZ~a date for sushi, drinks, and the movie were a must~and did we miss our Aimee???? "Absouf***kinglutley"!!!!

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Can I Just Tell You...(Blog Catch Up from June)

...How Much I Love this Family?  The Keegans.....Noah, Andrea, and little Liam.....
Liam if officially a one year old...so a photo shoot was in order!
We've now had the privilege of shooting Andrea's Maternity Session, Liam's Newborn Session, Liam's 6 Month Session...and his one year session ~such a joy to see him grow!!

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Saturday Snapshot of the Starrs (Blog Catch Up from June)

This was just a random Saturday at the Starr Bungalow....and I thought these photos were funny.  Can I tell you again, just how much I LOVE HAVING SATURDAYS OFF?  Knowing me and my hectic lifesytle I'm sure this will be short lived... but I'm not taking one Saturday for granted!

These photos were snapped one morning ( I think I was on my way to Mr. Liam Keegan's 1st Birthday Party)... when Justin was showing me how to use my new G11 Canon Camera... being around all these professional photos all the time makes it hard for me to look at "normal/regular" photos anymore... so I told Justin that I might as well start to learn how to use professional gear.  So, by no means is my G11 considered "professional" but it's a stepping stone for me to start learning.. a surprise gift from my hubby~thank you love.   

Don't I just have the cutest lil family???

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Prom Night (Blog Catch Up from May)

So, we decided it would fun to hit up the WEN (Wedding & Event Networking) Prom....we were a little hesitant to go full force with the prom wear because we knew there were a few other industry events going on that same evening... and we were not sure how many vendors would be dressing up ~so we "semi" dressed up.  We double dated with one of my favorite couples: Matt and Dani Wheeler.....
Here are a few of our "awkward prom photos"...............
I adore this couple, they are not only amazing artists and photographers.....they are also really amazing friends, and we are so happy to have them in our lives.
Dani created the shirts and is also responsible for our awesome prom hair!  And let me tell you... Justin LOVES dressing up in costumes (that would be a TON of sarcasm in my voice)...so I decided not to push the envelope too much and my only requirement was that he sport a tie. 
And the two love birds... all cuddled up... I think they were more excited to be prom dates with each other than with their wives...hmmm...

We actually had so much fun we closed the event down and headed out for dinner Pita Jungle Style.  Industry Networking Nights are the best...I need to start going to more!

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Happy Birthday....(Blog Catch Up from May)

......to My Favorite Girls!!!
The end of May is always a really busy time..... there's many special days to be celebrated!
Mom's Birthday~ this year we had a nice dinner at Bandanas in Casa Grande.... it's kind of a "different" place, well actually Casa Grande is kind of a "different place".  But Bandana's is a restaurant that's within walking distance from my parents home.  It's a historic home that was recently turned into a restaurant, but the wild part is that the home was once lived in by one of dad's closest friends... very random.  
We had a great evening, and the meal was truly superb! (See the super cute photo of my dad and mom...  Is it not just the cutest photo ever!)

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And just a few days later was my sweet Granny's Birthday!  So we spent the afternoon celebrating with her!  We took her out to lunch and just spent the afternoon hanging out.....Granny just LOVED her Fruit Tart Pie... not only yummy but so pretty!
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And a few days later....let's not forgot about my favorite Asian Persian: Miss Aimee Sloan...
Since Aimee moved to Georgia we don't get to celebrate her birthday in person... makes me sad ;(
But... I have a feeling, we may live in the same state again someday~I hope! 
Anyways...Aimee's had an amazing year and has accomplished so many wonderful things... I thought it was only fitting the she get an extra special bday gift this year... from Tiff & Co~the tradition continues!

Happy Birthday to my Favorite Girls!! 

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Celebration of a Beautiful Life....(Blog Catch Up from May)

Another hard blog to write, but important to share...this is the day we held the Celebration of Life for my Mother- In-Law: Barbara Starr.  Although of course, it was a very sad and heartbreaking day....it was also a day of true beauty and joy.  It was really important to us that Barbara was honored for the wonderful person she was and a true celebration of all the amazing things that defined the life she led.  When making the arrangements I kept trying to think to myself....how would Barbara want this to be? what would she like? what would be important to her?  And this was really difficult because Barbara just always wanted everyone else to be happy, comfortable and cared for~she was most happy when her loved ones were happy. 

We held the Celebration at Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, we wanted to choose a place that was intimate, beautiful, and peaceful.  The Memorial Ceremony took place in one room, while the Celebration Reception took place in the room right next door ~filled with large windows that overlooked the Golf Course.  

At the Memorial Ceremony we had a live harpist play some of Barbara's favorite songs as guests entered.... followed by prayers and speeches from Barb's loved ones sharing many beautiful memories, thoughts, experiences and love stories. 

After the speeches we shared a Celebration Montage Tribute complete with photos of Barbara as a little girl, through her teen years into young adulthood, and mommyhood... up until our most recent family photos.  The montage ended with a video clip of Barbara last Christmas telling her kids what "great kids they are".. and how "she has the best kids in the world and she loves them so much".  It was truly such an amazing montage that really captured Barbara's loving spirit and enormous amount of love she gave to her family.  
Following the Memorial Ceremony all the guests were invited outside on the patio overlooking the course to participate in a Butterfly Release in Barbara's Honor (following the Native American Indian Butterfly Legend).... it was quite beautiful....
Afterwards everyone was invited inside to celebrate in some of Barbara's most favorite things:
Spritzers, Jazz, and Burried Treasure Pie
The room was filled with flowers everywhere~all white including orchids and roses. There was actually 59 roses placed all throughout the room symbolizing each beautiful year of Barbara's life....
We also displayed many framed favorite photos of Barbara and her loved ones and included other little special touches that represented so much to us.  A "Sweet Memory" display was set up asking guests to write down their special stories or funny moments they shared with Barb~so that her children could share those stories with her future grandbabies....

The family was so incredibly touched by all the guests who attended that day and it was so wonderful to know and see first hand how many people loved Barb.
Mere words cannot express the heartfelt gratitude we have for those who attended this celebration and the love you showed for Barbara and our family.
We will forever have Barbara in our hearts, we will forever have a guardian angel.

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Early Mother's Day Afternoon (Blog Catch Up from April)

Looking back on this now.... this was a tough day.  I hadn't been that long since Barbara had passed away and life started to get back to "normal" or shall I say the "new normal".  Mother's day was approaching but we knew that we'd be very busy with Barbara's Celebration of Life that upcoming weekend, so we needed to celebrate mothers day with mom and granny the weekend before. 
So, mom came up to Chandler and although we were very exhausted and still feeling very out of it... we decided it was important to go to lunch with Mom and Granny for Mother's Day.  We went to this restuarant called: Brio at the San Tan Mall. 
With both of us wearing hats.. you can certainly tell we're mother and daughter huh?
Chase and Granny....
The "girls"... are very precious to me and Justin both... We Love You, thank you for being you Mom....you always seem to amaze me with your incredibly loving heart.  I hope you enjoyed your mother's day. 

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Most Precious Time Spent (Blog Catch Up from April)

(taken at our wedding in 2006)
Okay, this is going to be another hard blog to write, but I feel it helps to reflect back.  On March 30th, we had learned that Justin's Grandmother: Ruth Conley has passed away at the age of 92. 
She was such an amazing person.  Although I only had the opportunity to meet her twice (once at our Wedding, and once last year when we went out to Ohio to visit) I knew she had quite a "spark" about her. 

After hearing of her passing, we soon realized that we would be flying out to Ohio Easter Weekend, to be with the family and attend her memorial services.  So here we are (below) on Easter Sunday, after the plane ride and hotel check in... having "Easter Dinner" at a sports bar. 
And (although this may sound a little weird considered we were in town for funeral services)... we had such a wonderful time following this dinner!  The boys~ Justin, Shannon, Trevor and the girls ~Barb, Aunt Linda, and Me decided we would hit the hot tub!
(Linda and Barb...the eldest sister and the youngest sister)
(Justin's brothers...Shannon and Trevor)
(Trevor showing Justin some brotherly love)
(Justin really loved his smooch)
(This photo is too funny.... we had no idea Shannon was behind us when this photo was taken)
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Then the following two days were full of activities to honor Justin's Grandmother.  On the last day we attended her memorial service at a church in Westerville.  At the end of the service Justin thought I would be a good idea to take some family photos.
(Barbara and her sisters:  Carol, Barb, Linda, and Sheila)
(The Tompos Family)
(Carol, Tim, and Linda)
(Justin's entire extended Family)
We have to appreciate the very precious time we had together during this weekend....

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Really, we've been married for 4 Years? (Blog Catch Up from April)

I really, really can't believe we've already been married for 4 Years now....It has truly gone by so incredibly fast, and we've had so much fun together. 
Justin always goes well out of his way to put the special touches into celebrating...he's really such a wonderful husband and such a loving person all together~I'm just lucky enough he asked me to be his wife. 
I'm always touched by our family and friends who send cards on our anniversary...it's so wonderful to know that other people we love support and take the time to honor our marriage~it's so kind, and means so much.
And I don't think a year has ever gone by that Justin hasn't brought me flowers~ I just love that about him!

Justin had pre-planned the dinner date... and I had no idea where we were going...all I knew was that it was somewhere we had never been before....

So after a short drive we pull into Cork, a very chic yet low key and romantic little place.  After we were seated and the wine was ordered... I noticed that at the top of our menus in fine print the title read
 " Happy 4 Year Anniversary to Justin and Jennifer Starr"
My eyes of course filled up with tears, as I looked across the table at my super handsome husband....he knows how to get straight to my heart I tell ya. 

The next day we decided just to have a fun lazy day at home.... so after sleeping in, breakfast and playing with the pups... we decided to hit the pool.  But first Justin had to play "Cocktail" in the kitchen for awhile first...
 (I'm sure he's never even seen that movie, but one of my all time favs for sure!)  
He whipped up some of our most favorite pool side drinks of all time.... Hummingbirds.  We were first introduced to them on our Bahamas trip....very very refreshing and oh so good!
My little Tom Cruise in action.....
Let's go to the pool!  I'm guessing Olive thought she was coming too..... too bad she lost her goggles and judging by this photo I must have lost my hair brush.... fun times....

Here's to another fun year!

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Happy Birthday Dear Andrea.....(Blog Catch Up from April)

I'll never forget the day I called my friend Andrea and said...."So, I'm thinking of throwing you a huge birthday party, complete with lots of fun guests, hors d'oeuvres, dinner, full bar, cake, gorgeous decor and live entertainment...what do you think"??  A few moments of silence later she's says "umm, okay, I guess.....?"  I then asked "So, you wouldn't mind I went ahead and got married that same night huh?".....That's right I was a total thunder stealer...I got married on April Fools Day...same day as Andrea's Birthday.... so I'm always happy when we can coordinate celebrating around both occasions...
This year we along with Melissa and Heather were able to celebrate with Andrea at the oh so famous and yummy...Olive Garden in downtown, Scottsdale. 

P.S. I did make everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to Andrea at our wedding...
 
I love you Freshman Roomie...you're very special to me:)
Thanks for allowing me to share in your special day. 

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Easter Inspired...(Blog Catch Up from March)


I don't really follow Martha like some do (mainly because she's just so complicated...and tends to lack all emotion in her designs) but once in awhile I'll see something "Martha Style" that I'm just totally drawn too..

I saw these little Easter Designs in a Living Magazine and thought they were so stinkin cute...I decided we had to create them.  So one Saturday afternoon (before Easter) I had Mom and Granny over for lunch and told them after lunch I had a surprise for them.....So I'm sure they were probably thinking that meant dessert...but oh no...once I started pulling out easter grass, baby chicks, endless candy, and jelly jars... they knew they were in for quite a ride.  The three of us had a blast...although mom of course, had to make it a competion ;)


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Olive Starr Shares her Birthday.....(Blog Catch Up from March)

Not only is March 26th Barb's Birthday..but it's also Miss Olive Starr's Birthday....and our "Dating Anniversary"
One of the big reasons, we decided to adopt Olive into our family was because she shared the same birthday with her Grammie Starr xoxox (Barb always loved this)
Happy First Birthday my little Ollie Dollie... how nice of your daddy to buy you this bone! 
 What a big girl you are!

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Making Little Things, Extra Special (Blog Catch Up from March)

This blog really pulls at my heart strings... I debated not blogging about it, but I think it's just too important of a special time not to celebrate and share (and Justin agrees)....

 This was the night we celebrated Barbara's 59th Birthday. 

This was the last photo of Barbara and I alone ever taken.....
We always try to make a big deal out of birthdays ~and sometimes it's hard because life, work, day to day responsibilities tend to seem more important...but we are so happy and thankful that we were able to make this a special night for Barbara. 
On this particular night we decided that we needed to take Barbara somewhere very special for her birthday.  I had thought of a few ideas...but after discussing them with Justin he keep saying....yeah that's a nice place and all..but I just don't think "it's mom". 
So I kept looking, and finally after a good couple of days going back and fourth on this...Justin finally decided that we would take her to Bobbys in Scottsdale...known for
 jazz, italian cuisine, and wine ~ all of Barbara's favorite things!
We had such a wonderful time (a three hour dinner) , especially the Birthday Girl.. complete with all the works.  Bill, Barbara's partner in crime joined as for dinner too... Bill truly enjoys the dining experience...so hors d'ouvers, salads, main dishes, dessert and wine were always a must. 
I remember so many special things about this night...that I never want to forget....


~as a last minute thought, Justin and I grabbed a vase with fresh flowers to give to Barb
~ me taking extra time picking out my outfit to wear, because Barbara always paid special attention to my wardrobe and accessories..she loved all girly things
~I remember we were so proud because we had arrived somewhat on time, we're always running a little behind, and we were so happy we didn't keep the bday girl waiting too long
~We had even decided to valet our car that night, just to cut down on our arrival time. (finding out later that car had been parked about ten feet away from the door).
~when we walked into the restaurant there was amazing live music playing
~Throughout the meal Barbara quickly would scoop food off of her plate on to our plates and insist that we needed "to try it" (especially her Justin)
~I think she ordered Prime Rib that night, which I was totally impressed by and she told me...
"why not live it up"?
~ I remember taking a trip to ladies room and talking "girl talk"...babies, shoes, diets, etc
~I remember that night that Justin had pre-arranged for the server to bring out a special dessert surprise for his mom
~I remember I tried very hard not to eat any dessert but Barbara was insistent that I try it, and it was amazing.  
~I remember how we hugged goodbye for the second time, or third time...Barbara gave many hugs

It's just unthinkable and almost unbearable, to know that we wont have any more nights like this..but it's such a precious treasure that we were able to experience this wonderful evening. 

Making Little Things, Extra Special, is so Important.....

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