• About
  • Visit Gray Star Design
  • Minted Collection
  • Design Services
  • Contact

The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: lauren elle photography

Team of Experts

12 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Advice & Inspiration, Featured Artists

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

art, brytni dawson, craig webb, design, DJ, dj ello, events, experts, gray star design, heather mondello, hernan faraci, jen lombardo, joseph mondello, lauren elle photography, makeup, massage therapist, massages, weddings, what productions

If you haven’t checked out my team of experts yet, you should. I am so lucky to know such a talented group of individuals, for sure. If you are looking for a photographer in the NY/Nj area and beyond, you’ve found her. Need a makeup artist for an event? Look no further. Having a party and need a dj? I know the guy to call. The creative arts are pretty much covered as well. Plus, I cna recommend a skilled massage therapist that will   regenerate your body like no other.

Team of Experts

Let me introduce some pretty rad people you seriously should know and would love to work with. These, my friends, are my team of experts.

Team of Experts

Team of Experts

Team of Experts

Team of Experts

Team of Experts

Team of Experts

Team of Experts

Wedding Day Face Off

10 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Bridal Party, The Bride & Groom, Weddings

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

gray star photography, Jay Lim Photography, Jennifer Lombardo, lauren elle photography, makeup, natural, Siousca Photography, Suzanne Moderski-Iannielo, Victoria Elizabeth Makeup, wedding, wedding makeup

Wedding Day Face Off

Lets face it, everyone wants to look their best on their wedding day. Some want to get all done up and others rather look natural and more like themselves. There are so many options and looks you can choose from. It all depends on what you want and what your theme is.

Make sure you pick someone who knows what you want and is good at what they do. Regardless of taste, you shouldn’t look like you have it caked on. I was very lucky to have my friend Jennifer Lombardo do my makeup for my wedding. She is seriously awesome at what she does and I thank her for making me look gorgeous. She just got back from fashion week a few weeks ago, how exciting! I always say, a bride should look like a flawless version of herself. That is exactly what Jen did. She made me look flawless and it lasted all day.

Personally, I don’t feel you should be covered in makeup. Less is always more. But thats me. I know when you have a certain theme its hard to be natural, especially if you’re going glam or have decided to go with a certain time period. However, your true beauty should shine through and with tons of makeup thats hard. If you choose someone who is excellent at the craft then you should be fine. Have fun and be comfortable, thats the most important thing.

Here are some inspirational face off’s for your big day along with a few people I know that seriously looked gorgeous on their wedding day. Enjoy!

The first image below was my inspiration I sent to Jen. She did such a great job!

Wedding Day Face Off
Photo Credit: Fashion Studio Magazine

Wedding Day Face Off
Photo Credit: Eyeshaddow Lipstick

Wedding Day Face Off
Photo Credit: (right) False Eyelashes Info

Wedding Day Face Off
Photo Credit: Weddings by Lily

Wedding Day Face Off
Photo Credit: (left) Bella Beach Wedding (right) All Women Stalk

Wedding Day Face Off
Photo Credit: Lady Art Looks

Wedding Day Face Off
Photo Credit: Kerry Harvey: Pro Makeup Ireland

Wedding Day Face Off
Photo Credit: You A Photography

Wedding Day Face Off
Photo Credit: Mag Rouge – Issue 0004

I am thrilled to feature some of the most beautiful women I know. Here they are looking stunning on their wedding day. I included myself because Jen did such an amazing job at keeping me natural and flawless.

Wedding Day Face Off
Diana Nicholson – Photo Credit: Jay Lim Photography & Victoria Elizabeth Makeup

Wedding Day Face Off
Yours Truly – Photo Credit: Lauren Elle Photography & Jen Lombardo Makeup

Wedding Day Face Off
Jennifer Lombardo – Photo Credit: Gray Star Photography & Jen Lombardo Makeup

Wedding Day Face Off
Lizzy Spohr Russinko – Photo Credit: Siousca Photography & Suzanne Moderski-Iannielo

Wedding Day Face Off
Maureen Frye – Photo Credit: Gray Star Photography

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve

20 Monday Aug 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Historic Places, The Bride & Groom

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

bellmore, bride and groom, bridge, earth, engagement, engagement shoot, fall, forest, garden, historic, history, lauren elle photography, long island, love, marraige, meroke preserve, nature, new york, photography, plants, rustic, seasons, stream, trees, woodland, woods

If you feel the need to escape and you live in the Long Island area, then I have got the place for you. I must say I was very surprised by the size of this secret hiding place and suggest that you explore it yourself. The Meroke Preserve, located on the corner of Orange Street and Farmers Avenue, is a wonderful and exciting place to visit. My experience the first time I was there was serene, delightful and inspiring.

Being part of the 3,300 acres of preserves that Nassau County manages, the 25-acre Meroke Preserve is maintained so we may enjoy the natural spaces of Long Island. It’s these areas that really give our communities a sense of organic environment. We should appreciate them because they are the Earth’s gifts to us. Taking care of these preserves is important to keep our history alive. Plus, they are great places for us to take our children so that they see the beauty in their surroundings and learn how vital it is to appreciate nature.

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

When you enter the preserve you will be greeted by a sign that says Faith Laursen Meroke Preserve. If you don’t already know, Faith was a former publisher of the Freeport/Baldwin Leader as well the owner of Merrick Life with her husband. From what I read, she was an intelligent caring woman who loved nature and felt it was important to appreciate life. For this reason, the Meroke Preserve was named in her honor. Although she is not here today, the light inside her will continue to shine and give life to all the trees and plants that call Meroke home.

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

There were certain trees that held so much character it amazed me. The detailed cuts and aged growths really made me feel like I was not in Kansas anymore.

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

As you start your walk through the preserve the trails effortlessly lead you while the trees welcome you quietly. Hearing the birds chirping and the leaves rattle were music to my ears. It was a gorgeous day and the sun lit up the area so brilliantly I was practically seeing through a lens the whole time. It was really hard not to capture all the beauty I was able to witness. Although it was the time for the trees to be quite sparse their was an interesting amount of foliage. Browns, greens and oranges surrounded me creating an autumn rainbow that would soon turn to spring.

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

In the middle of my walk I came to a small bridge. As I continued over the bridge I could see a lot of brush up ahead. Eventually the path turned to hectic for me to go on so I turned back. With the stream to my left I walked to the edge and admired the swampy area, the overgrown roots protruding the earth ever so slightly and the moss green as ever. There is so much about nature that is captivating and as I continued on my journey that is proven over and over again.

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

The time I had spent at the Meroke Preserve felt like a brief moment in history and I am the lucky one to go back in time. I wound up visiting the preserve once again after that to show my husband, then fiance, the area. I thought it would be an amazing place to have our engagement shoot since it was a natural environment and I had such a magical experience the first time I was there.

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor

Well, once Dan witnessed the awesomeness of this place he agreed and we set it all up with our photographer, Lauren Elle. I can happily say the preserve didn’t let me down. Our experience during the shoot was personal, serene and fun. We were so happy with how the photos came out as well. They clearly show the beauty of the surroundings as well as both our happiness with being engaged. Being surrounded by the Earth felt perfect and we couldn’t ask for anything more.

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Photo by Lauren Elle Photography

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Photo by Lauren Elle Photography

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Photo by Lauren Elle Photography

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Photo by Lauren Elle Photography

Historic Series: The Meroke Preserve - Photo by Lauren Elle Photography

It’s interesting to think that nowadays you can experience a place that has been standing over 100 years. With a bit of the past surrounding you its not hard to let go of any issues or daily struggles you may be dealing with. Breathe in the cool air, feel the sun peaking through the trees and thank Mother Nature for providing yet another beautiful place where you can relax and set your soul free. A new view of the past will always brighten your future.

color in films sound in color art inpsired palettes
art and design the home events and parties weddings real weddings color inspiration film-reviews historic places news and updatesminted






minted.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives



martha

Magnolia Rouge

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.29.10 PM

Etsy

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.18.10 PM

logo

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.42.13 PM

P&PBlogHeader

wedding chicks


ruffled

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.47.49 PM

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.16.32 PM


lauren-elle-photography

jenlombardo

logo_website

site-logo1

kelly_dekenipp_logo

homelogo

Website Powered by WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • The Design Inspirationalist
    • Join 1,385 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • The Design Inspirationalist
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...