DIY – Baking

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

On a Tuesday night a couple weeks back – my phone started ringing with an “unknown number” in the caller id. My dear friend Lindsey‘s sister, Hailey introduced herself, and in her sweet southern-Texas accent asked me if I would be interested in helping with the baby shower, and if you know me, you know how I answered this- “OF COURSE!” I had never made a cake with Fondant before, and knew that this was my time to experiment! Now, it’s not perfect, and it’s debatably “pretty”, but I had fun and felt quite accomplished at the end of this 5 hour baking fest! :) Now…enough of me…enjoy the pictures!

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1. Mix 16 oz of marshmallows (the GOOD brand! it makes a difference), 2-5 tablespoons of water, 2 lbs powdered sugar (a whole C & H bag!), and 1/2 c. crisco, and set in the fridge for at least an hour. Take the dough out and let set for 5-10 minutes, and then “sugar” your counter with a thick layer of powdered sugar, cover your palms in crisco, and start kneading that dough! (This is the time to mix in your food coloring as well – you will want to use a gel food coloring because of the thickness of the dough.) Roll it into a large circle and use a pizza cutter to trim the edges after you lay it over the cake (I used a round cake, and doubled the layers).

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2. Roll the dough out again and cut out shapes – circles, stripes, etc., and decorate! :) for more details…visit this great Fondant Website! Cut it up and enjoy!

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And, as always, have a back up plan (i.e. – banana nut and blueburry mini muffins!)

Go do something new today – don’t be scared!

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Love,

Whit

Seniors, Families, Couples, Babies :)

Sunday, March 21st, 2010

To all my new and wonderful friends from the past year – THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I can’t believe that about a year ago, I bought my first SLR, started taking pictures, and haven’t stopped clicking since :) I have enjoyed every smile, every sunrise, every sweet kiss shared with a spouse, every delicate detail of your wedding day and all of the FUN we have had together during this time!

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As is typical with sunshine-y weather, I get antsy :) I want to be outside, exploring the countryside, finding a blossoming little tulip amidst a ray of other flowers about to bloom. I want to go walking around the park and ride my bike along the trails! My “antsy-ness” often spurs creativity as well, so here’s my response to my antsy-ness – I want to take your picture AGAIN!

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For the remainder of March, and all of April, I’m hoping you will come alongside me, again, and allow me to capture your LOVE in your life – your spouse, your child, your sweet and loving dog, or even your flower bed :) For all returning clients, I’m going to offer a 15% discount on your photo shoot, plus an additional 15% off if you refer a friend, and they book a photoshoot with me! It’s a win-win situation! If you tell a friend about simply beautiful photography, and they book, you get 30% off your next photo shoot! What a deal! So email me, call me, you can even text me, and tell me your creative idea for your next photo shoot! Want to get all your kids dressed up in formal attire and take pictures downtown, or put on your best white tea and jeans and run through konza prairie together? I’m up for it!

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Can’t wait to hear from you, talk to you, and work with you AGAIN! Without you, Simply Beautiful Photography would be non-existent. Thank you for trusting in me, believing in me, loving me, and most importantly – thank you for letting me capture your love – it makes my heart so happy :)

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Love,

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Whit


Twenty Two!!

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Whew…I’m 22 today and still alive! Just praising God for the last year – another year of new friendships (and a relationship :) ), world travel, visiting New York, starting a business and so much more! Thank you! Thank you for being a part of the last year with me and I’m excited to continue to grow in my photography skills and grow as a woman of the Lord! Love you all!

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and for your viewing pleasure…pictures from an amazingly surprising MIDNIGHT birthday bash!

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Last night my WONDERFUL friends came over to my house at MIDNIGHT, sang happy birthday to me and brought me cupcakes! Michael, (the incredible boyfriend :) ) made strawberry cupcakes infused with vanilla pudding and put vanilla pudding on top with FRESH strawberries! And they were in princess muffin cups! :)

Also, my wonderful roommates bought this beautiful bouquet for me! Infused with lilies, chrysanthemums, spider mums, daisies and a big tropical leaf! :)

Thank you so much to all my beautiful friends for this great surprise birthday party! :) Can’t wait to see what the twenty second year of my life brings! :)

Love,

Whit

Summer Weddings

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Good morning bloggy readers :)

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Are you getting married this summer or know someone that is? Keep reading, get excited, then pass it on to your friends or family that are getting married in the next 3-6 months :)

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Well, here’s the deal :) I love weddings. In case you didn’t know this about me, I am a romantic, to the core :) I love weddings – the symbolism, the covenant, the joy, the smiles, the tears…yes, I am the always the one sitting in the pew crying (okay, okay, confession – weeping) when the doors open and the bride comes down and her groom sees her and his face lights up, and they both cry. I’m crying too. It gets me every time. I can’t help it :) It’s so darn beautiful!

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In honor of my love of all things wedding – summer, love, flowers, warm weather, and sunshine, I am offering a SPECIAL! As you can see, in the “Investment” section at the top of the blog, my wedding packages begin at $1250 and up (depending al-a-carte). I know for many people (especially college students), that can be at the peak of their budget, and sometimes out of budget reach. So, here’s what I would like to do – if you are getting married THIS SUMMER (May – September), and have not yet booked a photographer, call me or email me ASAP! If you book before April 1st (for any and all weddings during those months) you will receive 15% off your total wedding package. If you refer me to a friend, and they book, you get an additional 15% off! So, the short end of the long story is:  if you book before April 1st (15% off), and refer me to a friend who books me (15% off), you get 30% off your wedding package!!

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Also, with all weddings out of the country (including Alaska and Hawaii), all you have to do is pay for my travel and 3 nights in a hotel, and the wedding is FREE! :) (Email me for more details!)

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So, stop reading it with your jaw dropped in utter excitement, and EMAIL me already! Pass it on to a friend!! :)

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Love you all and can’t wait to hear from you!!

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Whitney  Sue :)

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And because no post is exciting unless it has pictures…I have posted a few of the ridiculous pictures my wonderful friend Amber took for me this weekend! Enjoy :) This is me, who I am, through and through – full of facial expressions! :)

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(I think in this first one I was laughing at a little kid in a field…or something like that. Who knows…it’s really hard to tell! Enjoy! :) )

Exciting News!!

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Well, bloggy readers … here comes the most exciting news for my semester -

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I HAVE A JOB!!

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I am officially employed for after graduation as a Program Coordinator for the K-State Research and Extension Sedgwick County Office! I will be working full time in Wichita starting May 24! I spent some time today before my interview driving around the surrounding neighborhoods to check out the area and the building is located in a wonderful part of NW Wichita, right next to Sedgwick county park and zoo! It’s beautiful :) (see map below!)

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement through my time at K-State! I’m very excited to be taking this next step in my career path and towards my future!

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“Ta”-town, here I come! :)

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And, also a map, for your viewing purposes :) To see where my office is located – intersection of 21st and ridge! Check it out :)

No worries, you will be updated throughout the semester and upcoming months as to how things are going and the progress of answered prayers!

Whoo Hoo!!

Love you all,

Whitney :)

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