Saturday

Summertime

Summertime...and the livin' is easy. Ahhhh, that it were so. Actually, we're really looking forward to summer. Our firstborn is done school, we're taking off to Saskatchewan to visit family and do some family sessions in the great outdoors, and then we're planning lots of BBQ's, some beach days and some family outings as well as some work in the yard. And of course, we continue to build Eve Studios into a thriving studio where more and more women can celebrate their beauty just the way they are.

In other news, Rodney just spent a busy couple of days preparing for and teaching at the first ever Manitoba Photographic Artist's Exposition at the Forks. His two seminars (Glamour/Art Nude Photography and Child Portraiture) were some of the first to sell out. It's still going on...workshops, galleries and things. It also happens to be National Aboriginal Day with celebrations there and on Selkirk Avenue. We might try to take a little of that in if the kids wake up in time.

And then it's off to our homeland. So, it'll be a little quiet here, but we'll be back soon. Enjoy the long week-end. It's coming soon!

Thursday

Shopping Fun in the Exchange

Just wanted to pass this information on to our clients. Check out their website for more info. They are on Albert Street.

Starting June 9th at Candie & Dolls you will receive

10% off your first item!
20% off the second!
30% off the third item!

This is our best sale of the season and will get you well on the way for a new summer wardrobe! If only getting the weather to cooperate was as much fun!!! New collections are still arriving and this promo is for a limited time so don't miss out!

Fine Print: Does not include Yummie Tummie tanks or Spanx.

Exchange District Block Party

This weekend make sure to be in the Exchange District for one BIG PARTY!
Starting Friday, June 13th to Sunday June 15th our area will be buzzing with live d.j's, outdoor concerts, wake demos and so much more cool stuff.

The big highlight in our opinion is the outdoor fashion show at 5pm in the Exchange District Park.

Candie & Dolls will be open until 8pm on Friday and Saturday plus 12-5 on Sunday.

Get more details at rockinthedistrict.com.

Wednesday

The Bra Whisperers

If you've been following the show "How to Look Good Naked" on "W", you'll be quite familiar with the host's favorite name for those who help women get properly fitted for undergarments: "Bra Whisperer".

I visited one of Winnipeg's own, having recently finished breastfeeding our last child. I figured now was the perfect time to find out my actual size and get something new to replace my ugly worn-out nursing bras.

I learned:
- when buying a bra, it should be snug on the first hook to allow for a bit of stretching out with wear
- buying too large a band for your chest size results in the straps falling down, which usually results in making the straps tighter, which usually pulls up too much in the back (or front) and makes us crazy!
- when a bra is good quality materials and make, the snugness of the bra is not uncomfortable
- a good bra can totally transform your shape
- bras like to be washed by hand fairly often and hung to dry and will reward you by keeping their shape and comfort for a long time (I knew this, but didn't necessarily abide by this, especially in the last five years...now I'll have to get in the habit of bra-washing before bed!)
- I have entirely too good of taste in bras and I had to go home to think about it, but I'm convinced I will go back and spend the money
- lay-away is a wonderful thing (25% down and monthly payments until it is purchased and you can finally take that beautiful, French bra home)
- I am a 32 B
- I don't think I want to go back to pulling bras off the racks and going in and out of department store dressing rooms

Tuesday

Update on challenge

Alright, I'm not the most disciplined person I know, but I have actually done fairly well on this Better Body challenge of mine. I must say it feels kind of good now to look in the mirror and say "Wow you are a sexy man" to myself, who knows within a week or two Sonya might even be saying that to me without prompting!!! Thanks Carly for the inspiration.

It is summer and the time has come to focus on the outside of our building again. The new grass is slowly coming up and is very patchy, but I'm getting the itching to paint so I am turning my gaze to the outside entry door. Now my question for you, what color do I paint it, I'm torn. Red is punchy and vibrant, lime green is our logo color and has some character and lastly black or white are also options. What do you think????? We are so interested in your opinion that the person with the best response (not just color, but why we should choose that) will receive a gift.

That's it for now, I hope all is well.

Rodney

Friday

The 30 day challenge???

I was inspired and challenged by a client yesterday, her name is Carly and she recently took a 30 day yoga challenge. Carly came in for a session and not only was she beautiful, she was also an amazing person and I was inspired when hearing her story so i too think that I should try to do a 30 day challenge of my own. In all fairness I have been getting slightly healthier by taking the bike to work and around town as much as possible, but I think if I could build up my core muscles a bit and just tune my body up that would be good; I do realize that I won't have as good a body as Carly has, but I'm going to do what I can to become more healthy.

I should clarify, I won't be doing yoga for 30 days but will be doing a workout daily for 30 days, please ask me how it's going and keep me accountable.

Speaking of new beginnings, last week we finally planted new grass seeds here at the studio after bringing in 10 yards of topsoil and 6 yards of limestone. With the help of Jacob my 6 year old son we have done a lot of work here at the studio and are proud of the way it is looking, thanks to our clients for your patience as we have been working on the yard and trying to improve the property here.

Now, stop reading and go outside and enjoy a few mins of beautiful fresh air.

Rodney

Wednesday

Dating other people

Well it's official so I thought I would let our little world in on it, Sonya and I have started dating other people. This weekend was our first go at it and I must say, it was AWESOME!!! Friday was my date night and my date looked like a million bucks, Rachel (my 3 year old princess) was dressed to kill and she helped me pick out the clothes that she wanted me to wear (you need to look handsome daddy). Sunday night was Sonya's turn and Jacob (our 5 year old prince charming) was dressed in a button up shirt and his nicest jeans, he even allowed me to put a little cologne on him. We both went to the same show, the performance put on by the Senior professional program of the School of Contemporary Dancers; what an amazing show, my kids were in awe and want to go again next weekend. It was really quite an amazing experience to go out with the kids one on one, it was special for both Sonya and I but all the more for the kids.

I guess if I have to date someone other than my babe, my princess is the next best option, thanks sweetie.

Rodney

With a Smile

I know I just blogged yesterday, but I was out this morning on Academy Road and I was just so impressed with the two businesses I stopped in at, that I have to say something. I've been to both before and I so I wasn't surprised, but wow!

First was Bernard Callebaut. Such personable service (and of course yummy chocolates). So into my kids (that's always a plus). Just a lovely experience. Did you know that they have their own delectable chocolate in bulk forms to take home with you for baking? I picked up a bag of their semi-sweet chocolate chips. So good for little pick-me-ups. And no artificial flavors.

Then was Tiber River. I was so so warmly greeted and helped by Carly. Their store is so beautiful and fresh. And today I actually got a chance to smell some of their products. What a treat! I finally settled on to their "Perfect Pear" lotion for the studio and their Cucumber Wasabi hand wash. I wish I would've had more time...

Now, when you come to the studio, you can sample what I brought back (sorry, no chocolates). I know you'll want to head over to Academy Road once you have...

Tuesday

We have a Winner!

And the winner of the "Get Your Feet Wet" draw for a free pedicure from Tiber River Naturals is...Janice!

Congratulations. The gift certificate will be waiting for you Thursday at the studio.

Monday

Pin-Ups or Art Nudes?

Take our poll and tell us what you think...

In Saturday's Free Press, reporter Carolin Vesely did a superb little piece showcasing a photographer in the city who has a specialty creating "pin-up" style portraits. Hair, make-up, costume, props and even computer graphics combine to create the scene, the look and even the personna. Kind of intriguing.

Some of the quotes I found especially notable were: "Latschislaw (the photographer) says he wasn't interested in doing nudes. 'I want to do pictures that women can show their mothers.' "

And of a pin-up model in Toronto, "You won't find any nude pictures of me anywhere. Not that there's anything wrong with that, in the right context, she adds. When you consider that the female body is the most beautiful thing that was ever created, to cover it up and say it's dirty, to me, that's wrong."

At Eve Studios, we focus on who our clients are and bring that out in the portraits rather than create a certain look. We try to keep our settings simple and clean in order to bring emphasis to the subject...We aren't looking for sexy as much as empowered, confident and free to be who you are (which does include allure, passion, mystery, drama...) Ironically, it seems when a person has all that they usually hide behind stripped away, a new honesty emerges. And the resulting imagery seems to be purer and truer.

But enough about us...what do you think? Check out the article. Check out our work. What do you see? How do you feel when you see the images? Do you see yourself in them? What would you choose? And for fun, take our little poll and we'll see what women are thinking.

Friday

Happy Mother's Day

As mothers, we give give give. There is always another diaper to change, a meal to make, a child to comfort, schoolwork to help with (and the list goes on). The list changes somewhat as children grow up, but the list never goes away...

Rodney and I want to take a moment to say to all our clients who are mothers: "You're doing a very important job and we honour you for all you do every single day. Don't give up! Take a break and soak in the attention. Happy Mother's Day!"