The second half of the day as promised!  The B.O.B. played host to a silent auction, raffle and three part fashion show benefitting the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital!  Not only did it feature the hair and makeup creations by Design 1 and wardrobe by b.-VAIN Couture II (Kirk Johnson currently designing for Patti LaBelle), but it also included a show from Lil’ Sprouts with the talented kids who used to be patients at the hospital!  Leigh’s, located in Breton Village Mall also played an important role showcasing their latest designs… I’m pretty sure I NEED the black leather jacket.  A group of women behind me thought they needed most of pieces showcased.  Then they mentioned they needed new husbands or the same husbands with better jobs.  I couldn’t help but laugh!!  Certainly an incredible cause and an extraordinary event… I was so honored to be a part of it.  Be sure to give love to our first class talent and our local businesses!!  Not to mention all the people who have made Medical Hill the wonder that it has become!!

Introducing Lil’ Sprouts!  How handsome is this little man!!

How fantastic is this? Sweet little peanut.

Introducing Leigh’s!

And finally, Design 1!

My FAVORITE photos ever!!!

Kirk Johnson w/one of the models

Next up… a couple of lovely Christmas parties and a ton of weddings to keep you warm through the winter!!

One of the greatest salon and day spas in Grand Rapids, Design 1,  just hosted a fabulous evening of fashion, music, silent auction, and runway show to benefit the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital slated to open in just a few weeks!  To watch a short video about this event, please check out this great interview with the sweet Lisa Perdue!  I was so honored when Lisa sent me an email to ask if I was willing to be a part of this incredible evening!  Of course, one of my favorite parts of any event is the getting ready stage — luckily they entertained my request to photograph hair and makeup with the models earlier in the day.  :)  Not only that, but I was given the opportunity to do head shots for the models and for Design 1’s portfolio.  In short, a fantastic afternoon!  Part two will be the actual event held later that evening.  Be sure to stay tuned to that next post… some of my favorite photos EVER!

A glimpse of the talented staff at Design 1 and a small handful of the models…

I was invited to document an incredibly intimate ceremony called a Blessingaway held for Marissa the day before her wedding celebration in September. Not really knowing what to expect of this Native American ceremony, I was greeted with a cup of the most amazing tea from Light of Day, served by Angela Macke who grew most of it and made the blend by hand.  Normally I’m not into tea but I have to admit, this was wonderful.

The other surprising element was that there were no feathers, leather skins or drums.  When I hear “Native American ceremony,” my mind goes instantly to my grandpa who used to hunt for arrowheads and would bring us to pow-wows, complete with beating drums, bonfires, and full-feathered dancing.  This ceremony, however, was about honoring the bride and giving her support and encouragement as she starts this new chapter in life.  The most significant women in her life were in attendance – her mother, grandmother, great aunts, aunts, cousins, new family members, along with her closest friends.  They were asked to bring a small token that represented a memory as well as a story, prayer, poem, or blessing to share with the bride.

It.  Was.  Beautiful.

After Angela did her presentation on the teas served, the women began telling the most touching stories.  With each story, I learned who Marissa was and how she loved.  I watched how she interacted with her new son and daughter who were clearly smitten with their new mom.  There were tears over the stories of very real pain and stories of inexplicable joy; laughter trumpeted the childhood stories of how she would taunt her sister and grown-up stories of venturing to new cities.  She lived life fully and deliberately.  I was truly blessed to have witnessed such a precious time.

Meet Marissa (left)

The tokens were hung from a wreath in the middle of the room

Meet her two gorgeous new kiddos. I'm smitten.

Stay tuned for part two, the wedding celebration!