So I am sure a new year means a new start for many people. This is a whole host of things for me with new ideas for the business, personal goals and getting fit and healthy. This goal made my shoot today bloody difficult to say the least.

Myself and my good friend Vicks recently signed up to a Bootcamp. I am sure you have all heard of them and most people tend to think it is a case of being shouted at by some ex military guy. I was one of those people that thought this is what it entailed but I thought I would give it a go all the same. I signed up to Double Vision Conditioning Centre in Bedford and have started on my journey of becoming fit and healthy. I have been doing it now for 5 weeks and have to say it has changed my whole outlook on eating and exercise. I was never one to say I enjoyed exercise but this I really do (I am even happy to get up at 5.30am to go to the early session). The guys there offer constant support and encouragement and I have met some lovely people along the way. You are given a nutrition plan to work to and can drop into numerous bootcamps each week. You are given recipe ideas and advice on whats good and not so good for your body. I would recommend it to anybody whether you are slightly unhappy with your figure or if you want to simply fulfill a healthier way of life.

Anyway my point of explaining this is today I did a shoot for the lovely Louise Pott’s who makes the most incredible cakes (and is actually doing our wedding cake), weeeeeeeee! The stamina involved in having to resist the most scrumptious looking cakes was pretty HIGH!!!!!! I am having my weigh in this evening at Bootcamp, hence resisting. Louise is such a creative girl and bought a endless supply of beautiful, feminine looking cakes for me to photograph. We experimented with some of her Gran’s old lace and wrapped lots of lovely ribbon round things. It was a delight to work with Louise and be involved in her new website and journey as a cake maker. Speaking of website’s, once Lou’s is up and running I will be sure to post up a link as need to share the love for the amazing cakes. Good luck with everything Lou and I hope you are pleased with the pics. Below is a small taster of what we shot today!! x

PS Lou thank you so much for the cakes, the hens this weekend will be most pleased (and I plan to indulge to, well a girls gotta have a little cake).

xx

Hi All,

Maybe you are all wondering if I have disappeared off the face of the earth, well i haven’t!! I am still here and hoping to get back into a nice little blogging routine. I feel i should explain to you where I have been over the last few weeks as i know things have been pretty quiet on the blog front. There has been a lot going on away from the business and photography. A very good friend’s Dad recently passed away sending her whole life into a unpredictable turmoil. As I am sure many of you know I have lost my Dad and I felt it was very important at this time to be there for my friend. Working for myself I obviously have the luxury of taking time out when I wish and this is exactly what I have done. The feeling of emptiness inside you when someone close passes is horrible and I think you start to worry about ever feeling normal again. I wanted to make myself available for lots of chats, hugs and be a general support bank that my friend could use whenever she wanted! Its so hard to imagine life without someone and imagine ever moving on but as I have said to my friend, time does heal. It sounds like a cliche but I think the empty vacant feeling does fade and despite always missing someone you create your own little beliefs that get you through! I recently red a lovely interview with Meredith Kercher’s father and he talked about when a spirit is close they show you by leaving a white feather. My friend was so comforted by this as I think its nice to believe in little sentiments that will lift your spirits. We are all thinking of you right now so stay strong my lovely!!

On a brighter note I have been working also on my new website which always seems to zap a lot of my time. I am so excited about getting the finished article out there however have to be patient as I want everything to be just right! Its so hard wading through the archives deciding on what work i should use to showcase myself. I will be putting my tester website up soon and hope you can all take some time out to have a look!

Shooting has also been pretty busy with half term the other week and a few food shoots I have been madly editing. Pre-wedding shoots, bumps and babies have also kept me busy. Once they are all ready I may do one huge post to get all my blogging up to date! In the meantime I thought i would leave you with some FOOF GLORIOUS FOOD. I recently did a shoot for Jo who runs a cupcake company called Curvaceous Cupcakes, mmmmmmm they are so tasty. I also shot for a catering company called Zest, boy did Andy create some stunning looking dishes. It makes me hungry just looking at them.

You may remember a while back me posting about my good friend Alex and her beautiful country inspired hearts, cushions, cupcakes etc. Alex has been beavering away this year and luckily for you her product is available in shops all over the country. Lasso the Moon, From Britain With Love and Not On The High Street are just a few places that stock her gorgeous country treats.

With a new collection all designed it was about time we got round to doing another shoot. CHRISTMAS – yes I know don’t kill me as I know its only July (well almost August) but designers have to think about these things and get there product range sorted well before the date. It felt quite odd finding some Ivy, lighting candles and hanging stockings on the fire place however I think we managed to pull off the Christmas look quite well considering its middle of summer. My house was filled with draft excluders, cushions, tree decorations and little christmas parcels, it looked so bare when Alex had to take it all home!

by alex will unveil her new Autumn/Winter collection at the gift trade fairs later this year but for those of you that would like a sneak peak sooner check out below. Any bow fans will truly love this collection – I certainly do!

Vince is never far away when I’m shooting!!