The LifeBeats Project Story Search Soiree

in the Spring i hosted a Story Search through my podcast The LifeBeats Project

in conjunction with Diana Putnam Photography's series Rose Colored Lenses

asking my listeners to submit stories of people who inspire them

or to share their own inspirational story

it is part of my mission to be able to share how extraordinary people are with you

i had 20 nominees submit stories

and how could i only share 2 of them with you

reading through each one of their stories was so uplifting and inspiring 

that i decided i would honor them all

welcome to the first Story Search Soiree

at my beautiful new home

keeping it simple was my goal

in order to focus on why we were gathering

people

and their stories

our simply beautiful decorations

felt ball garlands, floral buntings, wooden flatware, and sunburst napkins

were there to add sunshine and feminine fun

provided by the darling party and paper store My Paper Crush

dedicated to having all the pretty things in one place

you have a chance to win a $50 gift card to their darling shop

by simply following the steps shown on my Instagram post of the soiree

giveaway will end Thurs Sept 22 so hurry and enter

our guests were provided with some gifts as little physical reminders of how truly amazing they are

notebooks and pen by My Paper Crush

my favorite heartbeat necklace by Sweet Lemon Boutique

perfect for my brand and a special gift to my interviewed guests

beautifully burned wood leather wrap 'be brave' bracelet by Sweet Saltwater Designs

seven of us gathered together

some arriving after our photos

to share in a delicious meal made by my loving mother who knows how much cooking stresses me out

she used fresh vegetables from our garden as part of her main shrimp pasta dish

strawberry shortcake my favorite for dessert

i am glad we got the women behind the lens out in front

to know Diana is to love her

she has a heart of gold and a magical talent

the darling Ashley Lundgreen of Visage Artistry

when i envisioned this dinner

i imagined it to be for the purpose of coming together in meaning conversations and to share our stories

three of the attendees shared their stories through video

together we watched them and were able to discuss together the underlying stories

each of us shared a piece of our story

and we talked into the dark of the evening

creating connection and learning from one another

it couldn't have gone any more perfectly

here are the videos for you to witness the beauty of each of these stories

the passionate Carissa of Family History Modernized

i am so excited to share with you this coming week on my podcast The LifeBeats Project

about the new social media campaign i will be launching soon

to help give everyone who wants to share their story an opportunity to do so

to share that #lifebeatsforme

the incredible Tami Schlappi, one of our selections to interview on the podcast

hear her full podcast episode here

"Trusting in God and His plan even in times of great loss and when you plan doesn't align with His"

just where we are: family photos by Heal Courageously

the moments turn into minutes

the minutes into hours

hours into days

days, weeks, months, years

it has been years since we have had our family photo professionally taken

and so when Michelle from the incredible organization Heal Courageously offered her free service 

of taking our family photo

i was elated

Heal Courageously is a non-profit organization which provides a free service to those dealing with life threatening illness 
patients, care givers and survivors 

in which photographers volunteer their time to capture life just where they are 

in what Michelle calls “the night side of life” 

this time of life that shapes us the most  

she gives them the opportunity to to reflect back on those things that cannot be taken by illness  

to hear more about Michelle, her story, and why she founded this organization

be sure to check out my LifeBeats Project podcast with her here

"learning connection while being broken open: how cancer gave me my voice"

i am sure you have all experienced the stress that comes with getting ready for and taking family pictures  

this experience was nothing like that  

it was freeing 

it was freeing to know that some one was coming to our home for the purpose of capturing us just as we are  

no wardrobes were purchased 

no predetermined poses 

just us  

we had not had our family photographed professionally in over five years 

and so much has changed  

Michelle and her photographer Emily came to our home and were there to serve  

their presence was calming and warm  

we captured Mike in his wheelchair 

with his garden

with each of our children  

we captured him and i together 

and us as an entire family in our home 

and on our back porch  

emotions were there on the surface as I watched my little family 

and cherished where we are 

and that we could capture this time in our life together

here are just a few of the many photos captured

that will forever freeze this time in our life

in our home

our beautiful home

16 moves in the making

where we can thrive as a family

and provide the clinical material for each of us to grow into our potential

i can't wait to watch

Paparazzi Ready Altitude Summit Mini Party

alright friends I am going to tell you a little story about how dreams come true

and then I will give you a tour of my dream

are you ready?

from a small idea came a life changing event

i was elated to have my party idea chosen by the top blogging conference Altitude Summit

to create on a full scale

a free ticket to this prestigious conference as payment

and a sponsorship from Maurice's for the party

with two rockin teammates by my side 

Emily of Modest Goddess and Cami of Worthington Ave

we brought my vision to life

we worked hard for over two months and had the help of an army of people

the party title: Paparazzi Ready

the idea: guests enter our room at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah on a red carpet treated like a leading lady, with a Old Hollywood Glamor style backstage vanity for a vintage hair and makeup look to be pampered to get ready for her time in the limelight.

we were pampered by Rent the Runway who lent us these fabulous dresses for our special night

head over to Emily's post and Cami's post to learn more about their incredible service and how you can wear designer dresses on a budget

now let me take you on a tour

but first lets help set the mood with some Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Glenn Miller

click here for my Sinatra Spotify Playlist

MAKING A GRAND ENTRANCE

Attendees entered the VIP entrance on the red carpet, illuminated by My Cinema Lightbox, and lined with gold ropes and standards.

our gorgeous welcome sign written by the Renaissance woman Melissa Esplin of Calligraphy.org

lets see some of our fun Alt friends strut their stuff down the red carpet

Dayle of Number 4 Design Studio

Becca + Tiffany of Pop and Banter

Check out more red carpet and party photos taken by the incredible Diana of Diana Putnam Photography by clicking here.   See if you were captured walking down the runway or getting glammed up at the party.  Photos may only be used if they credit Diana.

OLD HOLLYWOOD STYLE DECOR

The grandeur of the hotel lent itself perfectly to our styling.   We accented it with white chaise sofas, a jewelry clad portrait of Marilyn Monroe from The Painted Earth, standing mirrors, recovered bistro chairs, and can we talk about these vanities?!

These vanities were the foundation piece of my vision.  I knew exactly what I wanted them to look like and as all of our effort came together, they shined and owned that room.

We raided every craft store in a 45 minute radius to get clearance Christmas ornaments.  The dedicated Cami frosted each globe...twice!  My gracious and mastermind in-laws conceived the design so that they would hold up and not fall over on someone during the party.  Crucial!

Life-saving friends drilled, hot glued, attached Christmas lights, and assembled these beautiful beasts in the room.  Emily and I had quite the adventure in the freight elevators getting them upstairs.

Aren't they just perfect?!

Marilyn gave her nod of approval for the party.  Thank you to Planted Earth Antique Store for lending us this iconic lady adorned with vintage jewels. 

VINTAGE HAIR AND MAKE-UP LOOKS 

One set of five vanities housed 5 hairdressers and the other side 5 make-up artists.  Each attendee was able to choose from various vintage hair and make-up selections featured on these beautifully printed 'menus' from Pro Digital Prints  

They then sat in an antique bistro chair and had their hair styled by one of four stylists from H2 BlowDry Bar or Brittany from Tanglz Hair and Makeup

After hair they made their way over to the second set of vanities to get their make up down by one of our five fabulous makeup artists using makeup and supplies graciously provided by Sephora.  They are the reason we were able to provide our attendees with so much.  They even offered up their lead makeup artist to assist.  These girls worked hard all evening to make everyone look glamorous. 

Pretty dreamy right?

Devan: instagram @devanmakeupartist 

Jesika: @jessikaluzmakeup

Alex: @alexcrabtreehairandmakeup / website

Natasha: @toshifire

THE PAPARAZZI SWARM

This had to be my very favorite part of the evening.  Throughout the night the hostesses and I, along with some of our friends, dressed up as vintage paparazzi made possible by trench coats and fedoras provided by Hale Centre Theatre Costume Rentals.  We hid and then swarmed unsuspecting 'celebrities' as they entered the party on the read carpet!

We swarmed, screamed, laughed, and interviewed them with questions about their latest role or break-up.  We took 'photos' with my vintage camera collection.   The costumes were the perfect touch and the stars were so surprised.  Some ready to take their turn in the limelight.

Here is a fun video of our Paparazzi Swarm captured by one of our friends 

Jacquelinne of The Baby Cubby

A video posted by Briana Johnson | Podcast& Blog (@lifebeatsproject) on Jan 24, 2016 at 11:21am PST

THE GLAMOUR PHOTO BOOTH

Melissa of SaltyBooth and Cami & Emily's Dad worked their lighting magic to get the iconic Hollywood glamour shot in front of our gold sequin backdrop.  Maeberry Vintage lent these luxurious vintage furs for the attendees to truly step into the role of leading lady.  

Attendees were ready for their album cover or to accept their Academy Award.  Aren't these absolutely epic?

our fabulous make-up artists in full force

Flip through below to see some more fabulous Salty Booth photos!  We were so grateful to Lindsey of La Pionera for helping with the booth.  Check out her incredible artisan handbags here.

A video posted by Cami Hall (@worthington_ave) on Jan 24, 2016 at 2:02pm PST    

A video posted by Cami Hall (@worthington_ave) on Jan 28, 2016 at 3:05pm PST

This party was a party of glamour and pampering.  We hope everyone that attended felt like a star and the leading lady of their lives!  I know I had an absolute blast creating it alongside my amazing teammates.  They truly made it the best experience possible.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped us make this party possible.  And a huge thank you to the Altitude Summit for this opportunity.  As you can see below in the credits that this party was showered with help.  Take a minute and check out our contributors and friends' pages to see them shine!