When I started thinking about this post and leading up to writing it, the only thing that came to mind each and every time was the Sound of Music's Favorite Things..it's only natural I'm sure.  And because I like juicy, hyperdescriptive words, I went with Fantabulous Faves.  Fantabulous is waaay better than favorite...dontcha think? So off we go with the inaugural Fantabulous Faves!


#1: Flowers from the hubby. 

Fresh flowers from my significant other are bound to put a smile on my face every time; especially when it's been a particularly rough day.

#2: Dog Shows!


I am by no means bashful about my love of animals.  I've pretty much had at least one animal in my house since I was born and any chance I can get to be around a multitude of animals is heaven for me.  I have big plans for a mini farm someday.  What happy little home isn't complete without a goat named Stanley?

There was a regional dog show in town recently and off I went to fall all over the Yorkies and the Great Danes.  While this was a smaller show, not all 157 breeds recognized by the AKC were there (thank you quick internet research!) but there were definitely enough to keep me occupied.

#3: IKEA


IKEA.  Need I say more?  I was first introduced to this mecca of home decorating back in college and have been an avid devotee ever since.  However, Colorado has been a little behind the times on having an IKEA in its presence...although come Fall 2011, I will be stimulating the economy a little bit more when Denver has its very own IKEA come to town!  The hubs and I visited the Pittsburgh IKEA this weekend and it did not disappoint, as usual.  If only I had an extra ten grand in the bank account...

#4: Colorado Colors


Fall is my favorite season by far.  And the fall in Colorado is even better.  I get a big smile just thinking about it.  The crisp, gotta wear a jacket and maybe some light gloves kinda mornings, the sun warming you just enough to ward off any chills.  And then there's the random fiercely golden patches of leaves dotted among the pine trees to let you know that hey, better get your snow brush out and ready!  Colorado doesn't have the rainbow of leaves when summer bids adieu with their only natural color-changing deciduous tree being the Aspen but they're awesome in their own right.  While they're normally a vibrant golden color, they can range in hue from a pale buttery yellow to a screeching orange.  Add to that the fluttering noise the leaves make in the breeze.  Ahh, fall you're not too far off and I've missed you!


#6: my absolutely favorite place on earth
It's no secret that Colorado has some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.  The mountains where I grew up never cease to make me pause and soak it all in.   They're part of my upbringing and my persona and I just can't get enough of them.  There's many a photo of a teeny little Mandy trying her hand at fishing.  (Gotta get all those scanned to a disc now that I think about it...they're priceless!)  But out of all the beautiful gems this state has to offer, my favorite has to be Ptarmigan Lake.  It's a glacier lake sitting in a little bowl at the top of the world at an elevation of 12,147 feet above sea level...it's high.  There are 2 ways to get up to it: a 3 mile hiking trail leading up the north side of the trail......and a 4 wheel drive "road" leading up to the south side of the lake.  And road is very loosely defined.  It's sharp switchbacks, drop-offs that make your heart pound, and some definite scrambling around huge boulders and shaley ledges.  But after you get to the top and walk the short distance OVER the top of the mountain, this view is beyond worth it.


Here's the view looking back at the way I came...


Can't wait til next summer when I can get back up there!


 And lastly, #6: The Fin-meister


This dog gives me such joy in life.  I have never met a dog with such a personality...it's like there's a little 5 year old mischievious kid inside.  And like any child, sometimes I want to strangle her but when she plunks her head down on your lap and looks up at you with those woeful eyes, how can you resist!

Now that you've got the ring on your finger and a venue chosen, it's time to do the next most important step...choosing your photographer! Although to be honest, when I became engaged, I booked our photographer first since that was THE most important thing for me :). For me, it was the most important part of the wedding, aside from the ceremony, as it was the one tangible thing from that day we'd have for the rest of our lives. It was also important because, um duh, I'm a photographer and photos were way more important than any appetizer or centerpiece would ever be. For some people, having photos from their wedding are like having an extra set of sheets for your bed; they're not necessary but sure they're nice to have. For me, the photos were the be-all and end-all. So for you bride-to-be's who do feel that photos are quite important to your big day, let's read on together.

Choosing your photographer should take some time and not be a close-your-eyes-and-land-your-finger-on-some-photog-with-a-yellow-pages-ad situation. Yes, this happens. As does the, well they've won awards so they must be good. Now I'm not knocking the award-winning photographers out there at all as some of my idols are award winning but I have seen some award winners whose work does absolutely nothing for me. You should book a photographer because you like their work and if they've won awards, bonus points. To me, I want to be moved by someone's work. If I can look at a photo and feel the emotion of the moment, then to me they are a good photographer. What I strive for in my work is to capture the moments, to not be overly posed, to showcase a couple's love for each other in it's truest and raw form. The last thing I want is to recreate the dreaded prom pose. You know the one: turn toward each other, put your hand all stiff and corpse-like on his chest, now tilt your head a little, okay a little more. You get the idea. Photos should be natural!

You should feel a connection with your photographer. I'm not talking a "you're so awesome and I love you so let's date!" No, you should feel at ease and comfortable with your photographer. The conversation should flow freely and if you're lucky, you'd want to hang out with them outside of work. When you are relaxed around your photographer, I guarantee your photos are going to show that; your love for your significant other will show through in those pictures.

You should also like the style in which your photographer shoots. If you like candid photos with a journalistic feel to them and your photographer does a lot of posed, black-and-white photo with a colored bouquet shots, you are not going to be a happy bride. You cannot make a photographer shoot the way you want if that isn't their style; you're only setting yourself up for disappointment and possibly a photographer that won't want to work with you in the future. Be honest with yourself in what style of photographs you want. For the sake of your happiness, don't choose a photographer whose style you detest but is affordable, thinking "well I don't really like how they did this shot and that shot but maybe ours will be better and gosh, he/she is in our budget." No no no, you will again be a disappointed bride.

Your photographer is a very important part of your wedding day. After the dress is hung up, the thank you cards sent and the anniversary cake is eaten, your photos are the one thing you can turn to time and time again...make it count!