Written by Candace on February 25, 2014 | 3 Comments

Date Idea:
Three Course Meal

Vitaliy completely outdid himself this year for Valentine’s Day. I love the way he loves. It’s in the way he leads, it’s the way he serves.

It’s always quiet, behind the scenes. With attention to detail. And full of heart. This kind of love, his kind of love, challenges and changes me. With every small act, when I have eyes to see and the heart to receive, I take note. I want to learn to love the way he does. Sacrifice.

My valentine’s gift, though true and done in love, took me 10 minutes at the most to complete. He loved it and it made him smile. His Valentine’s gift to me was meant to span the hours. It was meant to be enjoyed and savored. He served and he entertained. And I sat there, tempted to compare my gift to his and feel unworthy, but that ruins someone’s gift. So, instead, I sat. I enjoyed. And my heart took note.

I thought I’d share it here in case anyone would like to incorporate it into a date idea for yourself.

Recipe: Three Course Meal Date Idea, with a dollop of romance

Set the tone. The first thing Vitaliy did was assure me that all I needed to do was sit back and relax. He put a record on the turn table, poured me some wine, and I proceeded to do just that. Vitaliy prepared the first course while I relaxed on the couch, worked on my powersheets, and chatted with him in the process.

The First Course. Vitaliy started the meal off with a Balsamic Strawberry & Goat Cheese Crostini. We ate slow, savoring every bite. I could tell a lot of love had gone into this meal and I didn’t want to rush anything. We talked. We laughed. New memories were made over good food.

The dollop of romance. In between the first and second course, Vitaliy threw in a little surprise that made my heart soar and my throat tighten. He turned down the music, grabbed his iPad, and pulled up an email from 2004. He proceeded to read me email exchanges from the start of our friendship, the letters that that watered and caused our love to bloom. It was the smallest and sweetest gesture that had a lasting impact. I never want to forget this moment. We laughed. I almost cried. And we celebrated the sweet memories of how we came to be Candace + Vitaliy.

The Second Course. As if the night could get any better or more delicious, Vitaliy served me Salmon with Charred Corn, Jalapeños, Bacon and Lime. This dish convinced me that we started the wrong kind of business. Now, I’m not sure if I should be helping him run a photography business or if we should be starting our own restaurant with him as the head chef. I’m not kidding you, it was that good.

The Third Course. So that he could spend equal amounts of time cuddling with me on the couch as he spent cooking, Vitaliy prepared the dessert ahead of time. And in order to help me continue working towards some health goals of mine, he made it simple and sweet without needing to have any regrets after indulging. We ended the night with Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas that have the texture of bon-bons after sitting out for a few minutes. The evening spanned 3 – 4 hours and it came to an end dreaming about building a cabin in the woods. We scanned this website for inspiration, toasted to the future, all while relishing the past.

I hope someone uses this idea for an evening full of indulgence, love and laughter. Enjoy whoever you are! Cheers!

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Written by Candace on February 24, 2014 | 2 Comments

Lab Event 2014

I did an interview recently for Delighted Magazine and was asked the following question. What do you love most about being part of the wedding industry?

This was the start of my answer.

As a photographer, it’s very easy to feel isolated. It’s just the two of us each day. We don’t have other employees, no company parties. But when the wedding day rolls around, you are part of a team of professionals all working together to create the best memories for a couple on their wedding day.

Clearly, when I did this interview I had forgotten about The Lab Event – better than any company party ever. Last night we had the pleasure of celebrating with fellow wedding industry peers. We toasted to creativity, hard work, and running our own businesses. We swapped stories and laughed together. And we ended the evening on the dance floor – the one place none of us fully get to enjoy on a wedding day.

The highlights from the night:

1. Collaborating with an incredible team of vendors to create a clean and beautiful White Wedding. It was our first time working with each of them, but I hope it won’t be our last. They are sweet, talented, and inspiring! Event Designer: Downey Street Events; Floral Designer: Sharla Flock Designs; Paper Designer: Lilikoi Design + Letterpress; Dessert Designer: A Spoon Full Of Sugar Cakes.

2. Getting silly in the Tomfoolery Photobooth. Thanks Jared and Edyta!

3. Having fun and good conversation with Going Lovely and Jihan Cerda.

4. Enjoying the deliciously delightful pairings from Paula LeDuc and the beautiful design and architecture of the Ferry Building.

5. Walking the room with Vitaliy and getting inspired by all of the creativity and talent of all the featured vendors. Each vignette was unique just like every bride and groom we get to serve.

6. Getting to chat with old friends, make new ones, and talk to some sweet and newly engaged brides.

7. Ending the night on the dance floor with our team! It can’t be all work and no play.

Thanks are in order for Erin from Bustle Designs, Allison from Engaged and Inspired, and Yasmin from Floral Theory for putting together another spectacular event! We are so looking forward to the upcoming wedding season.

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Written by Candace on February 20, 2014 | 7 Comments

The Office

Towards the end of 2012, Vitaliy and I decided it was time to take the jump. I was going to quit my full-time, insurance providing, corporate job of 7 years.

We had a bit saved up, but our main focus was lowering our monthly expenses. Rent in the bay area is very expensive so we knew the answer was to downsize. But we had no idea just how small we’d end up going. Our life trajectory has appeared to be the opposite of the American dream. While everyone is searching for bigger space, our homes have gone from a 4 bedroom townhouse, to a 2 bedroom condo, to a two room in-law unit. We now live and work in a 350 sq foot space.

Everyone we knew was concerned for us. They were especially concerned for our marriage. Where will you go if you need some space during a fight? To the kitchen, I guess, is how I answered. We had no idea how we were going to make such a small space work, but we were determined. We just celebrated our two year anniversary in this space and we are looking for ways to stay here as long as we can. We love it!

Not only has it enabled us to do what we love, but making this sacrifice has also taught us an invaluable lesson. We really don’t need that much to be happy. In fact, it’s incredibly freeing to live with less. Every time we give away or sell more of our stuff I feel another weight lifted off my shoulders. Are there days when I dream of a bigger home? Of course! (The incredible window light we get and the sweet family we rent from definitely help make this space all the more special.) But for now, I’m going to enjoy this home, continue doing what I love, and learn in the process.

Here’s a little peak at our homemade office space. Vitaliy built that desk himself! You can sometimes find us working here or at a coffee shop. But most often, I’m curling up on the loveseat (not pictured) working and dreaming away.

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