XMAS . + . FAMILY = MEMORIES

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year!! I love getting together with all my cousins and little cousins to just eat . drink . and catch up!

The one thing about christmas that is so special to me is that magical feeling in the air. Even if some family members do not get along there is something about this time of the year that everyone gets along!

In my family it has become tradition that on christmas eve all the aunts. uncles . cousins . and grandparents get together at my Mom's. Every year since I can remember SANTA COMES and passes out presents. It is tradition that everyone and I mean EVERYONE gets there photo with santa!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and if you don't celebrate I hope you had an amazing holiday!

Happy New Year to all!

Some photos from CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY!


MY COUSIN BRENDA'S KIDS-MY 2ND COUSINS!

OLIVIA - SHE HAS A BIRTHDAY CLOSE TO MINE DECEMBER 15TH!


SOPHIA - WILL BE 1 NEXT MONTH!


ALL OF BRENDA'S GIRLS FROM AGES 4-1 YEAR!


SANTA CAME!

ROB WITH SANTA


ME - NIKKI - WITH SANTA!


THE 2 MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE TO ME BESIDES ROB AND MY PARENTS


PAPA


AND NANA!



PLEAE TAKE NOTE I WILL BE OUT OF THE OFFICE UNTIL JAN 2, 2008!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

START TO SOMETHING NEW

So this AM I met my new fitness buddy Carla for a run. Carla has been running in preparation for 5k's. So since I am trying to lose more weight and I am suppose to be doing more cardio I figured I will start joining Carla on her runs. Now if you know me I can tend to be a procrastinator. So last night when I got the text to go I was like okay. Then the Am came and I was like hmmmm...but Rob was like you have to go. So I put my sneakers on and met up with Carla, Mike, Renee, Kim and Christine.

All I have to say is I am glad I went on the 3 mile run .......I wanted to stop many times but having Carla by my side made me push myself even more.

THANKS CARLA FOR PUSHING ME AND I WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW!



PHOTO BY CARLA AFTER THE WET RUN

HAPPY 30TH TO ME!!!!!!!

Thats right yesterday was my my BIG 30!!!!!

but see i did not get to let you know yesterday for a reason see story below!!!




....... I am sure you really want to know what my big surprise was........

okay engough suspens Rob took me to VEGAS!!!!!!!!!!

Thats right and if you know me at all I LOVE VEGAS!!!!!! So it was awesome but listen to this story.......

Friday Am 6am to be exact plae delayed.......now not getting to vegas until 6pm maybe.......nikki talks to man customer service guy and get on a plane to chicago w/Rob in.....FIRST CLASS!!!!!!! The upgrade fairy was on my side.......in vegas by 2pm YEAH!!!!! But coming home Sunday was a hole other story.

Sunday 1pm leave Veags on time .......get to DC Dulles at 8pm plane delayed till 10:30pm....at 10:30 pm the attendants notify us plane not leaving until 2am!!!! Get home at 4:45am and pickup my Mom at 6:30am to head to NYC for the best Chrsitmas Show ever!! Spent day with Mom and family once got home and went to bed by 10pm.


Boy was I ever tired but I am back !!! and Sad to Not be in Vegas.

So in all it was a wonderful 30th!

30. + . ROB = A BIG SURPRISE!!!!!!

THATS RIGHT ITS ONLY ABOUT 3.5 DAYS TILL MY 30TH BIRTHDAY!!!! (WHICH IS MONDAY)

SOOOOOOO......I AM IN SUSPENSE CAUSE MONDAY NIGHT ROB CAME HOME AND SAID "PACK YOUR BAGS WE ARE LEAVING 6AM FRIDAY TO CATCH A PLANE!"

THATS RIGHT HE IS TAKING ME AWAY FOR MY 30TH!!!! I CAN'T WAIT WHAT A SURPRISE!

SO WE LEAVE 6AM FRIDAY IF THE SNOW LETS US AND RETURN SUNDAY NIGHT....THEN MONDAY MORNING MY MOM AND I ARE GOING TO NYC TO SEE THE RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL XMAS SHOW! I CANT WAIT FOR I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS SHOW SINCE I WAS LIKE 10! SO I HAVE ALOT IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS GOING ON!


BY THE WAY LIKE MY LITTLE CARTOON???? IT KINDA IS ME!

HAPPY 30TH TO JULES!!!!!!

I want to give my good friend Jules a big HAPPY 30th today!!!!!!!


I met Julie back in 1997 at CCSU. We were suite mates and at the time our boyfriends were friends. Julie is a hairdresser and own her own salon Beautique in Rocky Hill. I can remember in college her cutting my hair in the bathroom while I was making some type of frozen drink with the blender!


Well JULES................how does it feel to be 30!!!!!!!!


Here is a photo of Jules and her family I just took last weekend!

How cute are her kiddies????

WEIGHT LOSS UPDATE

WELL I GOT WEIGHTED IN ON WEDNESDAY AND THE RESULTS...............





I LOST 4 LBS......I AM CURRENTLY 145 YEAH!!!!!!!!!!

I ALSO LOST 2 INCHES FROM THE ABDOMEN AREA....THE AREA I AM TRYING TO TONE UP AND LOSE!!!!

I KNOW 4 LBS IS NOT ALOT BUT IT IS A START AND TRYING TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU EAT IS HARD. I AM SO USE TO JUST GRABBING SOMETHING QUICK AND RUNNING OUT THE DOOR. NOW I ACTUALLY HAVE TO PLAN OUT MY MEALS AND PACK A COOLER IF I AM OUT ON A SHOOT WITH MEAL BARS AND SNACKS...BUT IT IS A GOOD CHANGE!

NEXT GOAL IS 6-8 LBS BY JAN 6TH.....I AM GOING TO PICKUP EXTRA CARDIO AT THE GYM AND WATCH EVEN MORE WHAT I EAT!

I HAVE BEEN READING CARLA AND STEVE'S BLOGS ABOUT THEIR RUNNING GOALS AND I AM HOPEING TO STRIVE FOR A RUNNING GOAL NEXT SPRING IN ORDER TO GIVE ME SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO....BUT I STILL HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT RUNNING GOAL....IF THEY CAN SO CAN I RIGHT?????

SEX . + . A CITY = FINALLY A MOVIE!!!!!

So I was reading Scarlett Lillian's blog and saw this trailer below and I got so excited!!!!!!!!!!

I am a huge Sex and the City fan!!!! Sometimes when me and Christine go to the city we pretend we are Carrie and Samantha Ha! One of my favorite resturants to go to that was in the show in NYC is Cafeteria! by the way the best coconut martinis ever!!!

Christine pegged me as Samantha and I did not believe it until I took the test! Look below

You Are Most Like Samantha!

For you, dating is the ultimate sport You're into guys with power, looks, or a lot of money. You rather have a great two weeks than a great forever. But even you fall victim to love from time to time. :-) Romantic prediction: You'll find love in the next few months... But you'll be the last one to realize it.

Which Sex and the City Vixen Are You?

Well taken fromScarlett's Blog here is the trailer!!!!!!!


I just had to share with all!

By the way who are you most like???? Carrie- Samantha- Miranda-or Charloette

2 PHOTOGS . + . STEVE = LOTS OF IDEAS!

So I have been slacking in the blogging once again. This time of the year seems to become so hectic I forget about this blog....so now I have a whole slew of stuff to post!!!!!

I want to start with Kari!

About a month ago Kari asked me to do photos of her then boyfriend for hoilday cards and what not. I was so flattered that another photographer would ask me for such a favor!!! Well since then Karri is now engaged......but these are not her engagement photos for Paul and Krystal have the pleasure of doing her wedding....and I am bummed that I cannot do it..:(


So........this Sunday I meet K + S at the Essex trains ..of course on the coldest day and some snow falling too! We ended up having so much fun just snooping around the train yard and seeing what we can find. i have to laugh though Kari said it best being a photographer you sometimes do not relaize that it can be awkward in front of the lens. So Kari take this as a leason for when our clients say I don't know what to do!


Below are a few of my favs!

TURKEY . + . ENGLAND = THANKSGIVING IN THE UK!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!




IT IS ABOUT 1PM IN ENGLAND AND I AM GETTING READY TO STUFF MY TURKEY AND HAVE THANKSGIVING DINNER FOR ABOUT 7PM!

IT HAS BECOME A TRADITION THAT ON THANKSGIVING I COOK A BIG DINNER AND WE ALL SIT DOWN AND CELEBRATE THE AMERICAN HOLIDAY. IT IS SO NICE THAT THE BRITS CELEBRATE THIS DAY WITH US....KIND OF IRONIC SINCE WE BROKE AWAY FROM THEM ON JULY 4TH HA!

THIS YEAR IT IS EVEN MORE EXCITING BECAUSE OUR DINNER HAS GROWN AND I NOW WILL BE COOKING FOR ABOUT 7 OF US! I CANT WAIT TO SHOW YOU MY TURKEY!

HAVE A GREAT TURKEY DAY!

CARLA . + . STEVE = GOOD LUCK IN RUN!

I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A BIG GOOD LUCK TO STEVE AND CARLA ON THEIR 5K RUN TODAY!





CARLA CALLED OUT STEVE TO RUN A 5K TODAY AND ALL THE MONEY THEY GET WILL BE DONATED TO THE PORTRAIT HOUSE!

WHAT A GREAT CAUSE!

BEST OF LUCK YOU 2!

PUB . + . BEER = 10 POUNDS WON!

So vacation here is more of relaxing and hanging out. No site seeing.

So Tuesday night we decided in the rain to go out for a pub crawl. We started up at the Spread Eagle...how funny is that name for a pub? Well once we got there they had quiz night and we ended up staying. Okay so.......The point of the story is at the end of the night you buy raffle tickets to try and win the british pounds by playing a game of high low. Well my numbers came up and I told Rob to go play. Well guess what Rob Won 10 POUNDS!

Here is Sherman and Gaz upset at Rob for winning the pounds!

GYM . + . TRAINER = WEIGHT LOSS?

Well about a month ago I looked at myself in the mirror and realized that one thing I have neglected all summer is me!!! Yeah I took vacations and did some amazing things but I have forgotten about my health. So in September when I went to the doc for a checkup he was like uhhhh Nikki......you need to take care of yourself better.

So in a mission with my best friend Lonzy we joined a gym ( a new one for me) and started to take pilates. Dedicating at least 2 days a week! But that just was not enough for me so...... I hired a TRAINER!!! I have set a goal to lose at least 25 pounds...most people are saying where am I gonna lose it but believe me I can. My first weight in will be on December 5th with a goal of 5 lbs!

I cannot believe how hard this is not only is my trainer Merle is kicking my ass and I am sore every day but....I have to learn all over again how to eat right and not eat like crap. The hardest thing for me is the food...see with weddings on weekends and being late in studio you tend to eat whatever is around but now I have to think about it and paln ahead!

So being here in England is not helping with all the beer! So I have been running or walking every day since we have landed to try and not gain a pound. I got on the scale but not to sure if it is reading the same as mine from home but it says I am down 8 lbs.! Well see really on Dec 5th what I have lost.

Anyhow below is a pic of what my goal is to look like..........

WE MADE IT = ENGLAND!!!

So after a long cramped flight and a quick stop in Amsterdam we (Rob and I) made it to good ole Manchester, England. We are actually staying outside of Manchester in this little tonw called Kersley which is by Bolton.

Last night was our first night out and I already feel like I am back home again! We hit up the good ole Barracuda and then to Reflex ......which is one of my favorites for it is an 80's bar....all 80's!!!! One thing that amazes me is that here in England ...well at least in Bolton they love the Hoff!! The have all these photos of him and last night at the bar they had underware of him!!!

Hey by the way get a load of what the UK people love hearing from the Hoff its his own music video!!!!......



Well below is a photo of the group....Rob went to Uni with all of these guys!!



By the way all photos of England are on my PS Camera not professional

PHOTO . + . BOOTH = FUN 11.03.07

Well I am winding down and trying to get as much editing done before I leave tomorrow afternoon for ENGLAND!!!!

But i have to post something about my 110307 wedding!

So I am going to post the photo booth!

This is the first time Missy and I have attempted it and it seemed as if it was a big hit!

With out any futher waiting the Photo Booth!!!


Wait a quick pic of Missy (my new awesome photographer!!), Tim (the video guy) and me......(left to right)!


P.S. THERE IS A SURPRISE SHOT AT THE END!

B . + . M = Downtown Fun!

When I first met B and M I was so excited that they booked with me. Not only did their wedding sound like it was going to be a blast but.....they have a wedding right around VALENTINES DAY!

I love to do winter weddings!!!!!!!

They are so romantic with the chill air in and the candles lit....maybe a warm toasty fire????? What even makes this wedding coming up more special is .....maybe there will be SNOW!!!!! SNOWY PICS YEAH!!!

Anyhow M had called me to set a time to meet for a shoot and both him and B chose downtown Hartford. I have not been there lately for an emgagement shoot so it was exciting to be back. One reason it is so important to the two of them is the first time they realized their friendship would be more was at the Pigs Eye Pub! So this shot ment alot to both of them!

Well guys I had a blast and I can't wait till the wedding day!





LOVE the colors in this one and their expressions!!!

Another two that are favorites!


A detail

This one is so funny to me......I LOVE shooting at the new Civic Center!!!!

M . + . A = LAUGHTER

One of my favorite things to do is the "getting to know you" sessions....aka engagement photo shoot.

Alot of clients question why I like to do them and include it in ALMOST ALL my wedding packages. Well other than the initial consult I will probably not see you until the wedding day. By doing this shoot I not only get to know you better but learn how you photograph as individuals and together as a couple. It also puts you more at ease on the wedding day.

See my point here is this session was a perfect example of why I do the shoots!

I have not spoken to or seen Michele and Ashley since the initial consult. Michele called and was like "hey can we setup the shoot"!

So we decide to meet in New Haven on the most perfect warm day....it was just an odd October day.

I had such a blast not only did I find out more about the two of them and what they like to do but I realized the 2 are sooooo funny! we were laughing the entire time. I also learned that these two laughing is the true them and reflects so much in the photos.

So next time you think the engagement or getting to know you session is not important think about it again.....plus it is so much fun!

Check out how much fum M. + . A are having!!!



LOVE this one!!!



We found this chair outside very random and this one is a fav!

RED SOX FANS AHHHH!!!

J + C = I HAVE A SISTER IN-LAW!

So in between clients today I managed to edit my brothers wedding photos of the ones I got.

I cannot believe it that my little brother is married!

it is very odd.....its kinda like when you were little and would dream about your wedding day (if you are a girl). You always know that the day is coming and then it arrives. My Brothers wedding was like a dream.....I knew it iwas happening but is it really real?

Anyway I am very excited that my brother has found the one person he wants to be with FOREVER! Now I have a new sister and to me this means alot. I have no sisters...the closet to a sister I have is my Best Friend Lonzy. SO now I have 2 sisters.

Well enough gossiping about this below are a bunch of photos I took through out the day but I cannot wait to see Kari's photos of the day. Especially the ones she took of the 2 of them in City Hall in Hartford!

Beware there are many!!!

At The Salon


The dress

The Shoes love this shot I used her mother table cloth! wait till she sees this shot ha!

I LOVE this moment of the first time her dad saw her!

The Flowers

Isn't she BEAUTIFUL!


Candace and Me-......MY NEW SISTER!


This one a Groomsmen caught of us with my camera

The Boys!


The Happy Couple

The First Dance


Mom and jon


Me, Mom (in red) and Aunt Helen

My Dad (in the tux) and His Brothers