Two months married, today.  And, in 10 days, you finally get to see my wedding photos by Mr. Ryan Ray. (Photo above by him.)

Don’t hate me when I tell you that I have had them for a few weeks now.  The reason why the Internet hasn’t seen anything is due to Ryan Ray and myself being polite and not sharing the photos until a really big popular awesome blog debuts them February 13.  So, if you want to mark your calendars, be sure to check back here on that date.  Then, it’ll be post after post with my wedding details.

I filled about 15+ frames in the house of our wedding and engagement photos.  I feel like Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey when they were married and their home was filled with photos of themselves.  Guess that’s what newlyweds do.   The house looks like a Ryan Ray art gallery, seriously.  But, how can we help it when every shot he took could be in a magazine?  Team Ryan!  Keep your lovely peepers open in 10 days.

Diana Elizabeth is going to wear those bright yellow pumps tomorrow with her BHLDN dress.

My good friend Ricki Uster of la Ricki who did my wedding is also doing my reception.  The theme is citrus since we have two grapefruit trees and they are in ripe season.  Yes, you will see photos of that after the wedding debuts.  I can’t post that before the actual wedding, duh.  That’s like posting baby photos and then posting maternity photos after.  You can’t do that.

If you’re still reading this, God bless you.

See that chalkboard sign above?  Yeah, I totally made that easel, hinges and all, and that script font.  I should pimp out my services to places like Trader Joe’s, or chalkboard menu restaurants.  I would like to credit my high school days on the dance team when we made signs for the football games and rallys.  I wrote that freehanded only looking at a font on paper and just copied it.  I.know. I am not only a wedding photographer, I am also a chalkboard artist.

New chairs for the two new tables our handyman Dennis built us. If you want his info, leave a comment and I’ll email you.  He’s awesome.  Anyway, these white steel tabouret staking chairs are from Overstock.com and can be found here.  Ricki and I are splitting a set so I can have a set of six.  Time to entertain outdoors!

It’s 73 degrees here in Phoenix.  And sunny.  Just thought I’d rub that awesomeness in.  Only because I can for like three more months before I start sweating like a pig.  Then, I shall retreat to Nor Cal!

Diana Elizabeth was asked to write a letter to her 20-year-old self for the 20-Somethings Blog.  Can you imagine what you’d write to yourself?  Here’s her letter.

So if you’d like a session in the cool climates of New Mexico (Albuquerque or Santa Fe) at any time, chances are, we can find a date to connect whether it’s now or through summer.  I’m not pushing it, only saying.

There’s only so much green chili you can eat before you want to take some photos, right?

Diana Elizabeth loves the coffee at Flying Star Cafe/Satellite Coffee. Yum yum!

• When asked to write a review for a friend’s business, you do it because you know it will help.
• Comments on people’s blog posts instead of being a silent reader.
• Visits other’s blog posts and comments back on theirs every once in a while.
• Sends thank you cards for every and any reason at all.
• If you can, stay after a party has ended to help clean up.
• Gives credit to every one involved in your success or project.
• Markets for other businesses because you believe in them and you want to see them succeed.
• Forgives and forgets, because you know you aren’t perfect either.
• Doesn’t keep secrets when it comes to technique, business ideas, or contacts.
• Keeps secrets when asked to.
• Stops counting.
• Overlooks what people don’t or didn’t do, and highlight what other’s did do.
• Continually gives because you want to, not because you expect anything in return.
• Returns every single email and inquiry given to you, even if you can’t really help them or give them a job.
• Realizes you can’t be everything to every one, but you can still be pretty amazing.
• Tells people how much you appreciate them.

These are the things I hope to be this year.

Diana Elizabeth is getting the house ready for this weekend’s backyard reception!  Guess who’s designing it?  La Ricki of course!

He is my “honey” and I am his “sweetie” and sometimes, “sweetie pie.”  It’s adorable.  I know, you can throw up now.

Found this little treat by my desk one day after shopping around town – the less fun kind, the grocery kind.  I love that the color pink reminds him of me.  He once told me he was surprised how healthy I am consider how much sugar I eat.

Speaking of pink, the sweet color is adorning all the stores now for Valentine’s Day.  Have you seen the previews for The Vow? I begged Mr. Wonderful to take me when it comes out February 10.  He has no choice after all the football watching I’ve endured.  This will be our first Valentine’s Day together in history.  I have already paid a visit to Brooks Brothers, of course.

Diana Elizabeth has always loved Valentine’s Day, even when she was single.  Pink makes everything beautiful.

Creating the Image begins today, my online workshop presented by Creative Groove which is geared towards beginner DSLR owners and up and coming professional photographers who need to brush up on the camera logistics and understanding how to find light, work manual mode correctly, and post processing and organization.  Newbies will learn more than they signed up for, but it might fuel a passion you never knew existed.  And who knows, you might find yourself shooting your first wedding sooner than you thought.  Or babies, we can start small. *wink*

Hope to see you in class.  I look forward to seeing the 20 of you on our Facebook group page – I can’t wait to meet you all.

It’s not too late to sign up – $160 for 4 weeks every Wednesday starting at 5 pm PST, which is 6 pm for those in Arizona.   Classes are 1 hour and include a LIVE video feed and chat room and slide show presentation.  You’ll also have worksheets to help you understand settings better.  This is my third time teaching, fourth class online (I teach a marketing workshop for those who want to take the next step).  Also a recorded playback for your busy bees who need to watch on your own time.

There will be more announcements regarding workshops soon.  This year, I plan to really dive into teaching.  I hope you’ll be along for the ride. xx

“I have to thank you for this class! I have been doing photography forever and took a couple classes in college 10 years ago. I learned manual mode back then but just didn’t understand it enough to use it. You have made it so easy for me to pick it back up and NOW I can honestly say, I won’t go back to auto! I have seen the changes to my pictures already! I just wanted to let you know how much your class helped!” – Tammy

“Your class has taken my photography skills and confidence to a higher level, which is priceless! I could confidently shoot in manual mode after the fist class and am even more passionate about photography than I was before. Thank you for a fun, informative, and beautifully organized class. Thank your for generously sharing your knowledge and experience. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone who wants to capture better images!” – Yolanda

Diana Elizabeth will have to tell the Mr. to not watch TV while she’s trying to teach, or to take his Blackberry conversations to his own office. Or maybe, she’ll have to coax him to wave hello to every one.

I’m not only learning how to cook, I’m also learning how to garden.  Since the weather is getting warmer here in Phoenix, I’m starting to wander outdoors more.  The grapefruit tree is ripening just in time for our backyard reception, one of two.  The theme of our reception, also designed by la Ricki is citrus. We have so many great ideas!

I’ve also started planting herbs, and suddenly I want chickens after seeing Instagram posts from my friend Joy Prouty, and seeing my friend Caroline of Boho Farm and Home’s blog.  Of course this also means that I need to first see if I can with permits and my city limits, then how to care.  Guess I’ll be hanging out at Caroline’s a lot soon!  There is so much I want to learn, and with no kids on the horizon (You know you’ve been all pestering me, no kids for 3-5 years!), I can still do all the fun Holly homemaker stuff!

Row 1: My gardening tools are suddenly growing, I want to plant more! / Picking some grapefruit to gift to Ricki for her new house a few blocks down the street / One of two new tables built by our handyman Dennis with IKEA table legs.  Only $10 per leg, and he stained the wood, amazing!  Each table will seat 8, we can’t wait to entertain outdoors (inspiration and how-to steps found here) / Row 2: Cookies for the Mr. given to us by Miss Ashley Z. I love her so much and her friendship is such a gift to me / Organizing Ricki’s storage room on her move in day.  She has the cutest things, I sorta wanted to take a shopping bag out and leave her some cash.  Good news is we have this philosophy of, whatever I have is yours and you can borrow it anytime.  We share everything / Lazy Sunday of football watching and blogging.  To the left through the double doors is my office.  I know I still owe house pictures. Coming soon. Yes, that is the custom Pottery Barn sectional that finally arrived. / Row 3: Town & Country is mine and the Mr.’s favorite magazine.  Have you ever flipped through? It’s so sophisticated and I love the photography. / Spacing out herbs for the raised herb bed.  Realized I had to go to the store and get more. / Rocking the preppy look before a lunch date with Amy of Page & Mason Invitations.

I know all I’ve blogged about lately is being married.  December and January are off seasons for me, and everything picks back up in February, and then the ball is rolling!

Don’t forget to sign up for my online workshop, Creating the Image that begins this Wednesday.  $160, 4 weeks, 1 hour each week, LIVE video and chat.  5 pm PST which is 6 pm for you Arizonians here.  I love teaching so I can’t wait to meet you all in class!

Diana Elizabeth loves that she hasn’t burned anything lately.  Mr. Wonderful did say that he likes some things burnt.  Perfect.

Yes, it’s only been a month and a half as a Mrs. but let me tell you things I wish I knew before and immediately after I became a Mrs.  I had to figure this stuff out on my own, where was the advice my married friends?  Good thing I took notes for y’all who are getting hitched soon!

So here I am to help you have a smooth transition, and avoid a bad drivers license photo.

• When you apply for your marriage license, request to get TWO copies of your certified marriage license.  You’ll need it to send in for passport, etc.  If you only have one, you’ll freak out like I am over sending it to get your new passport just in case you need it.
• When you change your name on your drivers license, guess what, you have to take a new photo.  So don’t go in unshowered and with a baseball cap on to hide your dirty hair just because you think hey, it’s the DMV so you don’t have to get dressed up. Cause, you will have to get a new photo honey, with your new signature.
• Speaking of a new signature, practice your new last name like you did in jr. high with your crush’s last name – only it’s real life now and it’s your future last name before you have to sign it on your new drivers license.  I didn’t do that and so with my new last name there were so many different ways to do an S, then what about the double F’s? Now I can’t stand looking at my license as I’ve decided to change it…again.  I’m so indecisive. You cannot pressure creativity!
• If you want to add the Mr. to the title of your car (if you own it outright), then he needs to be present at the DMV with you.  Good luck convincing him to go.
• Go to HitchSwitch.com and for $39 buy their packet that fills everything out for you to change your name.  You’ll be so glad you did! They are my friends over there and wonderful! I did it and it was such a time saver!

Things no one ever told you about once you get married:

• You sorta assume the role for the grocery shopping and meals.  You’ll probably have to make sure your husband eats lunch, and doesn’t eat like he used to when he was single.  So, grab an iPad ladies and learn how to cook! And ask his mom for his favorite dishes and try to master them!
• You’ll also be the one who will be in charge of the sheets being washed because you’ll probably want them washed way more often than he’s used to.  Guys are simple, girls are OCD with cleanliness.  It’s OK, they’ll let you be.
• You are in charge of getting all appropriate addresses for his side of the family and adding them to your typical yearly Christmas card list – thank goodness as an organized woman you can easily add this, right?
• Birthdays too.
• You’ll learn how he likes everything folded, including his socks.  Or if he likes them laid on top of each other so no stretchy sock tops.
• You’ll be your Mr.’s personal shopper.  This includes buying his undies and clothes.  He is your Ken doll. Yesssss!
• You’ll want everything monogrammed with your new initials or new last name.  Or even better, couple monogram.

Diana Elizabeth is absolutely obsessed with her Mr. Wonderful.  More often than not she’ll look at him and think, THANK GOD.  He is so faithful.

Do you have Google Analytics installed on your website or blog? If not, you should.  As a former marketing expert, knowing those stats are so important so you can cater to your readers, or know how to market yourself.  Get on it, friend!

Knowing that a lot of people were looking at “weddings” and “personal” categories I knew I had to get into weddings and blog more about my random life as a woman.  My favorite part is seeing what people Google to land on my website.  You can also see what device they use to read your blog – iPad, iPhone, and all those other devices.

Well, whatever you are searching, if you somehow landed on this page due to a Google search, hello nice to meet you, glad you are here!

“Diane Elizabeth”

As Destiny’s Child would say, “Say my name, say my name!”  Dian-UH.  AAAAAAA.  Not Diane.  And not Elizabeth.  We are not good friends if you call me Diane. My feelings are hurt.  It was Princess Diana not Princess Diane, right?  Very good.

“Diana Jung Engagement”

Jung is my maiden name.  Now don’t start trying to break into my future children’s bank accounts because now you’ll know their passwords of their mother’s maiden name.  But anyone who searches under my full name and not my photography name most likely means – You’re an ex.  Creepers, cut it out.

“Diana Elizabeth husband Benjamin”

Was this the second search my exes did to find out more about Mr. Wonderful?

“Her sweaty socks”

WHAT! I must go back into my blog now and see how on Earth you landed on my blog…

“Smell of Anthropologie”

It’s marvelous isn’t it? I think it’s all the goodness of beautiful things that creates that smell.  Or this candle.

“‘Amy Gallagher’s hair”

Amy, apparently some one has hair envy.

“Diana Elizabeth Wedding Planner”

Well the fabulous la Ricki of course!  Photos to come soon!

“Diana Elizabeth Classes”

Welcome!  Please sign up – 9 more days.  And if you’re an ex boyfriend who keeps stalking me, sign up so I can take your money and you can watch me on LIVE video feed.  Next class starts January 25 on Wednesdays for four weeks.  $160.

Marketing Momentum is yet to be determined.

A LIVE in person photography workshop is in the works.  For now, I am planning on fall.

Diana Elizabeth apologizes for the seemingly self-absorbed post.  However, the bright side is all name searches land on the correct blog, right?

So Mr. Wonderful bought me an 8 GB iPad for Christmas, setting the bar super high for Christmas now.  Good job, honey!  He said he figured he’d buy me something that could in return make me money – as in, showcase my work via iPad.  However, with all that techy space, I downloaded a few aps including the Cooking Light ap for $3.

Oh. My. Gosh.  First, I want to import every recipe I know in my iPad as it is propped up and illuminated for me to read.  I have cooked meals.  Make that, successfully cooked meals.   Just earlier this week Benjamin prayed and said, “Thank you Lord for my beautiful wife cooking our first real meal.”  Um, excuse me,  I cooked a real meal before.  I mean, I totally caramelized the sauce by accident and nearly smoked myself out of the kitchen and had to serve our pork with no sauce, but come on.  ”You know what I mean, I love all of your meals, but this is like a hard meal you cooked,” the Mr. said.

It’s true.  I’ve made him breakfast and lunch.  They have been more about independent ingredients compiled together.  Like a sandwich.  I’m getting really good with this cooking thing.  I even google, “How to vertically slice an onion” and “What is sausage casing?”to make sure I’m doing it right.

Like I said, he didn’t marry me for my cooking skills.  When we were engaged I realized I would one day have to cook a Thanksgiving meal, turkey and all.  He told me no way, AJ’s Fine Foods.  He tells me he’ll be mad if I’m slaving away in the kitchen for more than 30 minutes, surely there has got to be something microwavable from Trader Joe’s.  Gosh, I love him.  Which makes me want to make “real meals” more often.

Diana Elizabeth has Apple fever.  iMac, iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.  Yessss!