By now you know one of my favorite people is Ricki of la Ricki events.  Not because of what she does, which is definitely most beautiful, but because of who she is.  Her heart, her calmness, her soul just radiates with all that is good.  I was so happy to have her by my side on my big wedding day. She will also be planning my backyard Phoenix reception!

She has the key to my home, she leaves me cute gifts, and her family bought a home close to mine so I’m even more excited to have her as a neighbor!

A glimpse into Ricki’s soul – Mr. Wonderful and I are registered at Pottery Barn and Macy’s and I’ve moved out “wedding date” to our reception date and have added items.  I often get stumped. I know I look like I have everything together don’t I? Riiiight.  Ricki logged into our registry and told me everything to add.  I did every single thing. You know why?  Because Ricki has everything together and knows I need a gravy boat.  Is that even what it’s called?  She looks past the pretty things and goes for the pretty and practical.

She started tearing up during our shoot out of no where in downtown Phoenix.

“Ah, I’m starting to cry, I’m all hormonal,” she said as she blinked her eyes really fast.
“Are you OK?” I asked.
“Yes, I’m just grateful.”

No more as grateful as I am for having you in my life.  I can’t wait to meet baby Michael.  You and me Ricki, we share the same heartbeat. I love you so.

Makeup and hair: Mariana Marie

Diana Elizabeth realizes there are only a few more good temperature months in the year.  She is not shooting after the month of May and not before the month of September.  It will soon be time to escape to Northern California!

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One of my favorite families stopped by the house for a quick Christmas photo.  Owen just loved to smile on cue.

Don’t judge me for my lack of winter grass. This is my first winter season as a home owner with no HOA to do it for me. Apparently there’s a difference between winter and summer grass and I found out a little too late. The front was lagging so I instructed my gardner to concentrate on one area at at time.  So, the front looks decent.  Kind of.

The “look for your pockets” is the best thing to tell kids to do.  Try it.  You’ll see.  Instant GAP model!

I’m also glad I can finally use this bench I bought from Rust & Roses.

Diana Elizabeth still loves it when Owen says her name.  He actually says it right now, which is great but also a little sad.  She always loved “Dinah-nah” a lot.

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Because y’all know I just love my Buckeye families!

This gorgeous girl is graduating from ASU next month. I jokingly told her I’d change her red top to a brighter red and her flowers to blue, you know, to UA’s colors.

Anderson is 9 months old!

Diana Elizabeth says the cotton is ready for some pickin’ in Buckeye!

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Whatever you celebrate, I hope it’s a very happy, merry, wonderful one.

Warmest wishes to the families and couples who stepped in front of my lens for my holiday mini sessions held at JAM and styled by la Ricki.  You are all so beautiful.

The adorable props and tree decorated by la Ricki herself.  I got to take home the decorations, lucky me.  She spoils me.

Location: JAM / Props and decor: la Ricki

Diana Elizabeth was happy to meet new families and catch up with old friends during holiday session time. It’s the most wonderful time, of the year!

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I know what you’re thinking because I thought the same thing.  The girl is gorgeous.  And you sorta can’t take your eyes off her because she’s so pretty and close to flawless.  I’ll tell you something else, she’s as sweet and genuine as can be, and she loves God with all her heart and soul.

Meet Ashley, a girl who has a passion for God’s Truth, promises, purity in relationships, and the Lord has put it on her heart to share all of these things with young ladies everywhere, starting with her blog, Verse 14.  She has set an incredible example in her own life and taken the trials and triumphs she’s endured at a young age to quickly learn and share it with others in hopes that they too know that their hope and worth is in the God and his Truth.

Ashley and I used to got to the same church together which is how we met, and through a sweet email she reached out to me and we met for coffee.  We talked.  I shared how I overcame brokenness, heartache, and what I had to do to move on.  I shared how quickly God can heal a heart when you cling to His truth and when you really know that you understand God’s character and His love.  We talked about her dreams, her goals, her passions and how to take what you are passionate about, and turn it into something you do every single day.  And so, I’m very proud to introduce all of you to Ashley.  A girl who has been blessed with a beautiful face but also an incredible heart and kindness that can only be from above.  I hope you will follow her blog, read her stories, and pass along the link to others who can be uplifted by her messages.

A little Q&A session with Ashley of Verse 14.

Why was Verse 14 created?
Verse 14 was inspired from personal life experiences.  Psalm 139:14 was not just a spoken truth, but a revolutionizing statement from my Creator. Over the course of my life it has transformed my mind, heart, and ways of  surviving through a pop derived culture!  I would be selfish not to share!

What event in your life do you think changed you?
Event(s)might be a better way of asking that question. It might be cliche to say “A devastating break-up changed me.” Or cliche that I had no job and prospect of employment.
My bank account read $0. After traveling around the world, I came back home to live with my parents and was forced to start from ground zero. But is it cliche, if all of those events happened within the same month? Cliche or not, I lived it, and it forced me to seek outside myself!

What do you hope to accomplish with verse 14?
Verse 14 is a life goal for me. It is a message given to me by the Lord and I will spend the rest of my life sharing it with others.  Lord willing, I desire to teach this message in school settings, conferences, retreats, camps, anyplace willing to let me speak!  Over time, I would love to publish a book and produce a study guide based on all the research I have accumulated over the years.  As for now, I am enjoying the hands on experience, as I share life with many incredible young ladies!

What is your message?
Established Truth can only be found in the One whom created you.  To seek answers from anything other than your Creator is to reap self destruction.  What lies have you believed?

What advice would you give to those younger than you?
Never limit yourself.  Limitations are the lies that hold you back from discovering your magnificence.

Who is your inspiration?
“God has to absolutely mark our lives with His glory. He’s come to take us this far. So far it has to be God.”  -Beth Moore
Outside of Jesus, and Bible Characters, Beth Moore!  I aspire to live wholly devoted to my Maker, as she demonstrates through her studies and teachings.  Her love for God is captivating and contagious.  She is a woman who will look back on her life and say “by God’s grace. I have come ‘THIS FAR.’” If I can one day look back on my life and say “All on account of God, I have come SO far!”…and the ruckus I construed proves my statement to be true, I will have successfully lived out my purpose and Verse 14!

Diana Elizabeth says, of course these images were shot in her lovely backyard.  In just a few months, backyard reception time (1 of 2 this spring).  Yay!

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One of my best friends is Martha Stewart.  Well, sorta like her.

She has her own blog called The Stocked Pantry, the acronyms are TSP like teaspoon!  Cute, right?

She’s a little shy.  Which is sort of ridiculous since if you search her in my blog, you can easily find photos of her (so, do that).  Michelle is Mrs. M on her blog.  She shares her amazing cooking tips and it’s almost semi-annoying how good she is at everything she does that if she wasn’t one of my best friends, I might be ridiculously envious of her.  Cooking is her passion, and she’s also a graphic designer!   I subscribe to her blog posts so her recipes come in my inbox when she updates her blog, I like it that way. I also suppose that I should learn since I’ll be a Mrs. very soon.

Enjoy a little Q&A session with Mrs. M.  Then don’t forget to wander over to her fabulous blog that is starting to get more hits than my own, and subscribe to her amazing recipes!

How long have you been cooking?
Since I was a little girl cooking has been apart of my life. There are many great cooks in my family so I had a lot of practice but most of my cooking began with my grandma. I remember being in her kitchen with a huge apron tied around my waist, she always encouraged my help. As she would prepare the food I watched and learned. She made everything from scratch so I had a good teacher.

What made you decide to start a blog?
I love to cook food, talk about food and help others be creative in their cooking. What better way to express all three than to start a blog I can have for myself and share with others.

Where do you find your recipes?
Most of my recipes originate while I flip through cookbooks, food magazines and cooking channels. I see a yummy dish or recipe and I build on the idea. I love to be creative in my cooking and try new things.

Name a few staples one should have in their pantry – be easy for the gals who don’t normally cook!
Buy ingredients that can be interchangeable with different dishes. Here are some examples: extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, cans of diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, cans of beans (black beans are super rich in protein), whole grain pastas, brown rice*, whole wheat bread*, flour*, baking powder*, baking soda*, sugar*, honey, peanut butter, jelly … not to mention the staples in your frig/freezer and spice rack! You should always have milk*, eggs*, butter*, lemon juice*, grated cheese* in your frig. Your freezer should have at least one protein in it and a few bags of your favorite veggies and fruits, maybe even some flour tortillas! As for your spice rack, salt, pepper, garlic, dried onion, parsley, basil. From there you can grow, become creative in your cooking and always have a healthy meal.

* Freezable foods that will last much longer if you don’t use them often.

Do you think anyone can be a good cook?
Cooking is like any other skill we have to work at and practice. While some things come easier to some than others, I think that if your heart is in something you will be able to succeed. With that said, if you are determined and you continually practice and learn from your mistakes I think you can become a good cook.

Share your favorite recipe.
This is a hard question for me to answer; I don’t tend to have favorites. I wouldn’t say these are my all-time favorites but this week, as the leaves fall and there is a chill in the air, I enjoyed my Acorn Squash Soup and my Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake!

Diana Elizabeth is sometimes forced to be put to work in the kitchen when she is with Michelle.  Michelle just throws an apron on Diana and commands her to make homemade pie crust, ice cupcakes, or something of the like.  But, she gets to eat it afterwards so she’s really not complaining.

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Best of luck to the gorgeous girls that stepped in front of my lens that are competing for the title of Miss Arizona Teen USA and Miss Arizona USA November 19 and 20 at Mesa Arts Center!

The Miss Universe Organization is just as important to me as the Miss America Organization because I have also participated in the system having competed as Miss Metropolitan USA and Miss Phoenix USA several years ago and met some of the most incredible women that became my closest friends!

Thank you to Crowning Concepts for collaborating with me on Headshot Day!  Brenna Heater was Miss Arizona USA 2006 and placed Top 15 at Miss USA!  She now coaches contestants who compete in pageants in all systems.

Makeup and hair by Crowning Concepts.

Diana Elizabeth knows that pageants have shaped her tremendously.  Poise, speaking skills, self confidence and self discipline.  And, you can win scholarship money depending on the pageant, score!

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Brenna Heater, one of my close friends (I was a bridesmaid in her wedding), was Miss Arizona USA 2006 and placed top 15 at Miss USA.  She’s a working model and actress with the FORD/RBA Agency and a busy pageant consultant, coaching girls who are often the winners of several pageant systems.  She is currently on the Miss Utah USA and Miss Arizona USA prep team and is now offering makeup services!

I shot Brenna in my backyard to shoot for her FORD comp card.  When our girlfriends get together, we often share beauty tips.  It’s sort of like a gab fest of the latest and greatest goodies out there, we love sharing! So I thought I’d ask Brenna a few questions to share with you all, whether you’re interested in a few beauty tips, or even entering a pageant!

If a girl wants to get info modeling where does she begin?
Success in modeling has a lot to do with genetics: are you tall (5’8″ – 6′)? Are you naturally thin? Do you have good bone structure? I’ve never been a huge believer in modeling classes–either you have what it take or you don’t. Of course, once you’re with an agency there are seminars and runway technique coaches that will certainly help. Avoid modeling agencies that are attached to a specific modeling or acting school or insist you spend x amount of money on photos with their photographer. Those are red flags and the first sign that the agency is a scam. Also look out for agencies whose websites have “Be a Star” plastered all over the home page. Scam. Look for agencies that are licensed through the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). The best agencies will be tough to get into-because they’re the best. They only accept the best talent. But don’t give up if you’re not accepted the first time you submit. Get practice in front of the camera, learn the best angles and poses for your face and body, and submit again in 4 to 6 months.

What are your best beauty secrets?

1. Wear sunscreen SPF 30 or higher on your face, neck, chest, arms, and hands every day. Even when it’s cloudy and/or cold outside.The sun will age you faster than you know it! And stay out of tanning beds–that one’s a doozy.
2. Drink lots of water! We need 64 ounces of water a day. Water will naturally keep you energized (no more caffeine!), alert, and clears your skin from breakouts!
3. Don’t smoke cigarettes, abuse alcohol, or use drugs. Not only will they harm your body and mind they also deteriorate the condition of your skin, nails, teeth, and hair.

What are your favorite beauty products?

• Fake Bake self- tanning products. I said stay out of the sun, didn’t I? But everyone looks better with a tan, don’t they? They sure do! So use Fake Bake.
• Palladio Rice Paper Oil Absorbing Sheets. I use these throughout the day and night to absorb excess oil from my face. They also leave behind a little rice powder to minimize shine so you don’t have to put more makeup on which in turn leads to oiliness. Genius!
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. This is a makeup staple. I use it everyday and always use it on my makeup clients. It holds the shadow in place all day long with no creasing, fading, or smudging. I have the Original color and just started using the Sin shade. It’s a gorgeous pink-champagne color with a hint of shimmer.
• Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder. Great for all skin types and shades. A lightweight, translucent loose powder helps to minimize shine, smooth pores, and lessen the appearance of wrinkles.

For those who don’t know anything about pageants, what are some systems women can enter depending on their stage in life?
The biggest pageant systems are Miss USA and Miss America (yes, they’re different pageants, with different winners, and different competitions). Miss USA is for single ladies 18 to 26 while Miss America is for ladies 17 to 24. Miss America requires a performing talent while Miss USA is solely a beauty pageant. These pageants both have fantastic teen divisions: Miss Teen USA and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, respectively. There are also many pageants available to married ladies: Mrs. America and Mrs. United States are the two largest Mrs. pageants in the US.

For more information visit www.crowningconcepts.com.

Diana Elizabeth’s favorite products include: NYC Brow Kit, Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, and Lancome Bienfait UV SPF 50+.

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I love Buckeye girls.  I do.  They’re from the country, and they’re sweet as can be.  Kat is actually an original California girl like myself, but when she married Gary after meeting him while at college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (also where my little brother attended), she became a Buckeye girl.  We headed to where else?  The family Buckeye dairy farm where Gary helps manage.

Kat was my realtor and helped me find my perfect home that you haven’t stopped hearing about since I closed.  Or rather, since I started.  It was because of Kat I started the real search because she read my blog and I had casually mentioned it, she set up my own personal MLS and the obsession began.  Kat, thank you for not disowning me as a friend when we searched the handfuls of property and made fun of them, but also thanks for reminding me that the perfect one would pop up when timing was right.  Your friendship is so special to me and I couldn’t be happier for you and Gary for your little one. I cannot wait to meet her.  I’m sure she’ll be just as photogenic as you and Gary *smile*

The little one already has her own private plane.  Lucky girl.

Diana Elizabeth wonders if she’s a country girl for loving the country look so much.  But she doesn’t listen to country music.  So, maybe not quite just yet.

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This little guy Eli turned one last week!  Look at his adorable outfit and kicks!

Diana Elizabeth really uses this orange ladder.  The orange matches her gardening hat from Anthro and her fruit picker.  You’ll see.

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