Last week I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to photograph Kenny Rogers' home here in Atlanta. Glennis Beacham listed it last week, and Rod Collins and I shot the home. I have been a major country music fan for as long as I can remember (as I described here), so this was a dream come true for me. I got to meet Kenny and his wife Wanda when we arrived, and I couldn't say a word I was so starstruck. I could not believe I was sitting across the table from him! My dad took my brother and me to New York one year to see his Christmas show, and I remember it being so magical. Kenny Rogers also played a special part in our engagement weekend, which you can read about here.
The house itself was stunning, but I was so distracted by all the memorabilia it was hard to concentrate on taking photos! My favorite thing in the house was the signed sheet music by everyone who sang "We Are The World." Anyone who went to elementary school at Westminster knows every word to that song!
I also learned that Kenny is a fantastic photographer himself. The house is filled with portraits he took as well as photographs of him with friends throughout his career. When I saw the portrait he took of Dolly Parton I almost fell over. You know she is my favorite artist in the history of the world. As you look through the following photos, I'd love you the hum "Islands in the Stream," because I did the entire time I was there ;).
Read MoreHi everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Father's Day. I got to spend time will my dad and my brother and Jimmy. We went to brunch, took Oliver to the pool, and finished the day at Nuevo Laredo (for the second week in a row). It was a very relaxing and peaceful day. It was much needed after the craziness of last week. I feel like I owe an apology to everyone for not writing. I was facing an already crazy week, and then we had a funeral in our family, so it just knocked my blog posts too far down the line. I have some good posts lined up for you this week though. :)
Read MoreThis past weekend I took my sister (AKA @puppiesandbrunch) on a birthday/graduation trip to theWizarding World of Harry Potter via the Four Seasons Orlando. In one of the videos you will see in this post, my sister says it is the "best day of my (her) life and the third best day of Blayne's life - only because she's married and has a child." I concur. The magic of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was overwhelming. I may or may not have cried when we walked into Hogwarts. I'm totally OK with you judging me for that. Not only do I love reading and love the stories and the movies, but spending 10 years talking about Harry Potter with my sister bonded us in such a special way. There is nobody in the world I would rather have gone on this trip with, and I will remember it forever.
When we felt we had "managed our mischief" at the Wizarding World, we headed back to the Four Seasons Orlando for an afternoon of cocktails, chips and guac, a trip around the lazy river, and bonding time in the spa hot tub. At the end of the day I called room service and said, "all we want in the world is to lay in bed, watch a movie, eat pizza and have a beer. Is there any way you could make that happen?" An hour later we opened the door to find all that plus popcorn. Once again, I was overwhelmed with the level of service Four Seasons offers. It's as if they know what you want before you even ask. They presented Kate with a Harry Potter birthday cake when we checked in, and everywhere we went we felt special. I asked for permission to drink a beer in the lazy river, and they not only encouraged it, but brought us beers in special cups within minutes. They arranged our umbrellas at the pool and gave us a full tour of the spa. I will never go to Orlando again without staying at this hotel. I could not give it a higher recommendation. And without further ado... our trip.
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