Oh February, the month of love with chocolates, flowers and kisses. Total confusion from the girl who loves romantic comedies, I used to HATE Valentine’s Day. Literally the thought of professing your love for someone one day was nauseating. Most of my Valentine’s Day would be Sex in the City style were I would watch horror and thriller movies all day. Don’t get me wrong, I used to have the boyfriends (WAY back in the day) who would do the cheesy surprises and of course I would do something for them. I just didn’t understand why everyone made it such a big deal. Not to mention my birthday is three days after V-Day! Personally, I used to say just go all out on my birthday and at times feel like I was setting myself up for disappointment. In all, I just didn’t care for the month of February. UNTIL…. I started to learn the values of myself.

Knowing your self-worth is a HUGE lesson women should learn. We are in this constant state of lowering standards because we become so judgmental of what over women have. It is this constant battle field women play in their minds time and time again. We become competitors with each other as we analyze each others bodies, hair, nails, purses, homes, cars and personal things. We reflect each other from what is on the surface versus what is within. (Cliché, I KNOW!)

Has anyone ever felt good about judging others? Please respond or take sometime to reflect this question.

My answer… NO.

I have never felt good about being so judgmental. IN FACT, there have been a few times when I would compare my life to someone else. It would make me stop appreciating my blessings because I was jealous of what other people were doing or having. It made me feel too insecure. THEN, I got a good slap in the face (figuratively). I had this thought. What if women stopped seeing other as competitors? What if we stopped being so judgey of what others have/look like and gave a few moments to appreciate them? WHAT IF?! So in hindsight, I put my “madness” to the test. Let me tell you, it was a 100% way more positive. Taking a moment to compliment someone, helping a fellow sister out with their business, buying a Starbucks coffee for the person behind you or just telling someone you were praying for them had a HUGE impact. When I stopped feeling like everyone was a constant threat, I felt like I was learning who I was… again. I started to value my creativity, being a wife, my home, family and being just plain happy. Of course, I will always admire people like Rachel Hollis and Reese Witherspoon BUT it is not a constant void I am needing to fulfill. I can value all the sweet, little things in my life without having to compare others.

So fast forward to February of 2019, OFD was super freakin’ busy as we started to work with some new collaborations. Not to mention, it was also the end of engagement season AND we ended the month with a wedding! All I can say is power of prayer, does some amazing things my friends! When planning for February, I wanted to showcase work with a color scheme of reds and pinks. We not only had one styled shoot BUT we had TWO.

FIRST UP… A BLUSH TEAPARTY!

Photographer Credit: @onelovetexas⠀⠀⠀
Hair/ Makeup: @blushbarbeauty ⠀
Videographer: @jrowfilms ⠀⠀
Florist: @brighteyedblooms ⠀⠀⠀
Bakery: @ruthihutsoncakes ⠀⠀⠀
Bridal Gowns: @gownsofgrace ⠀⠀⠀
Rentals: @5starrental ⠀⠀⠀
Tablescape Rentals: @royaleventrentalsdfwVenue: @sunnypaigefrisco
Models: @makeupbyspeshal @schylarrene⠀⠀⠀

For this shoot, we wanted to capture the beauty pink tends to reflect. Not just pink but BLUSH. With the amazing hair and makeup team from Blush Bar Beauty, OFD collaborated to come up with the concept to reflect personalities of each businesses. There is elegance and a timeless look being reflected in the photos Christina MacMeeken tends to compose. I wanted to show a reflection of women who are having a good time while being elegantly dressed. A tea party being decorated with glitter, bubbly and cake. Just a few of my favorite things…

SIDE NOTE: How about the new website ya’ll?!? I am not a technology nerd, in fact I am the least tech savvy person on the face of this earth. BUT… I am pretty proud of the new facelift for OFD. Even though I felt like I got my a** kicked, the hard work has paid off.

2nd Style Shoot, 24k Love

Are you starting to see a trend of love here? When Jennifer Wax and I collaborated we wanted to use the various tones of dark reds and pinks. The vision was to have more of a romantic setting. We also wanted it to be more light and airy with an emphasis of modern. With the models, we wanted a couple who would wear their hearts on their sleeves.

FUN FACT: Do you recognize a certain person in the photos? Justin (the male model) is our videographer! For the shoot, I had such a hard time finding a couple who could take the photos during the weekday. Luckily, Justin and his wife Jamie have more of a flexible schedule so I had the privilege of having him be in front of the camera. I am so happy to say that the love shown in the photos is how their marriage is, absolutely beautiful!

A special thank you to the vendors who collaborated in the shoot. Please check out their Instagram with handles below:

Photographers: @jlglamour_photography & @monilynnimages ⠀⠀⠀⠀
Bakery: @ruthihutsoncakes ⠀⠀⠀⠀
Florist: @brighteyedblooms ⠀⠀⠀⠀
HMUA: @phoenixbeautyteam ⠀⠀⠀⠀
Rentals: @5starrental ⠀⠀⠀⠀
Tablescape Rentals: @royaleventrentalsdfw
Stationary: @wordsmadesemple ⠀⠀⠀
Tuxedo: @mistertuxedodallas ⠀⠀⠀⠀
Wedding Gown: @terrycostabridal ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Venue: @lumenroombryanstreet⠀⠀⠀⠀
Models: @jamieromeyn @jrowfilms⠀⠀⠀

The Howerton Wedding

Boy oh boy! I could not contain my excitement for Byron and Desirae’s Wedding. When they hired me back in June, I didn’t realize how much of a personal relationship would be built. I mean you can’t help but love people who love the same wine as you right?! Desirae and I became close compadres as we narrowed down the timeline and the aesthetic of the big day. Candles was crucial as it needed to be EVERYWHERE! Flowers needed to be beautiful with the use of anemone, peonies and roses. Simplicity can be used in an elegant fashion. From the pictures, I believe the bride’s vision was captured.

 

 

A very loving shout out to the vendors. Everyone really worked together to make this event amazing for the happy couple. Below is the Instagram handles to check them out!

Photography Credits: @hannahwayphoto
Venue: @stonecrestvenue
Florist: @hollyvilesdesign

HMUA: @teasetopleasehairandmakeup

DJ: @soundmastersdj

Bakery: @ruthcakeartist

Catering:@hutchins_bbq

Bartenders & Service Staff: @hdliquidcater

Videographer: @juliancastorena

Love was in the air this Valentine’s Day! For the first time, I was able to love myself and my work. I have so much love for my husband Shawn who spoils me rotten #gucci and makes quality time for us. I have felt so loved with all the amazing support. BUT YA’LL… More love is soon to come! We have spring event season coming right around the corner AND more collaborations to come. I can’t wait to share the information with you soon!

Love you bushels,

ONE FAT DOVE