I'm so excited to show you these photos and give you a little tour of our new place...and even more excited to show you it as we begin to get our hands on some paint, brushes and I did just buy a new ceiling rosette for the living room (this apartment bought to you by Pinterest...seriously).

Welcome! Front door into the entry way.

Opens up into the living room - those double doors lead to my office/studio.

My office/studio - going to be perfect with my desk overlooking the street and enough room for a chair, some equipment, even my one light setup for home shoots.

The office/studio is right off the living room and has double doors that lead into the guestroom/den (or Andrew's mancave).

This room is enormous...and in the shape of the state of Utah, except backwards. It'll be perfect for entertaining, maxing and relaxing, or a place for you to come visit for the weekend!

When you come out of the top of the Utah shaped bedroom, you're back at the beginning by the front door.

And the door on the right is going to (hopefully!) be our bedroom (if our bed fits).

It gets lots and lots of sunshine and looks over the Harriet Beatrice Stowe & Mark Twain Historical Homes across the street!

View from the bedroom back into the hallway, second doorway on the right is this nice bathroom. Definitely needs some sprucing (thinking about Martha Stewart's Bakery Box White, little hints of blue and white, to liven the place up!), but I am loving the floor tile pattern...just needs a good scrubbing.

Further down the hall is our dining room, which is much much larger than our dining room now, and includes a beautiful built in. And we got a new dining room table from Craigslist that has a leaf that can seat 10 people...can't wait to see faces of people I love around it for dinner! Also, check out those ceilings!

Walk in pantry off the dining room - say no more. Sold. A little creepy looking, but it's a walk in pantry.Big kitchen (well bigger than the two galley kitchen's I've had in Chicago and our current place).Window opens up to the large sunroom off the backdoor...perfect for early morning reading, a cup of coffee, cozy blanket, and Andrew is putting up bike racks for our new wheels to scoot around town on!

I think this is going to be a good place.

I have been reading the Young House Love & Alaina Kaczmarski's "Live Creating Yourself" blogs to gain home improvement/beautifying tips  - I love that they each show a before and after, and that they also are kind enough to give specific paint colors, tools, and furniture links that I have been using as inspiration. Do you have a favorite home improvement blog?

Part of the reason that I feel so moved to photograph people's lives is that I truly believe photos speak to our souls, and the way they resonate with us constantly changes.Today is the day five years ago that Andrew proposed to me. I'm not one to celebrate the anniversaries of our first date, first kiss, first whatever....but the day he proposed to me is still one of my favorite days in the history of my life thus far.So each year I like to flip through about a collection of 100 pictures a friend took while Andrew was proposing and the little celebration afterwards. These are the 5 that spoke to me the most this year. There are some that I passed over in years passed, and some that I keep coming back to. My heart is so happy for my sweet friend Mabrie who helped Andrew mastermind this engagement plan, and had the foresight to take pictures of the whole thing - without her none of this would even exist.In the shadow of the skyline of the city we both love.His words.The diamond of my engagement ring belonged to my mother in law, and all Sturdy women have 6-prong rings. I love being a part of that history.My ring just looks so new and fresh on my hand as we hugged.This is my favorite picture afterwards when we went downstairs to the office where all my friends were waiting. What photos speak to you in your life? What do they say and why are they special?

I remember the first time I met Ellen - well "met" her! She messaged me on Facebook before we moved out to Connecticut last year. I instantly realized she is a warm, friendly lady who is so in love with her family. So when she asked me to take some pictures for their holiday card - I instantly penciled it in my calendar and was so looking forward to photographing them in their home. Especially the two days before Christmas.What I didn't realize was that the Shea's love their family so much that their Christmas tree is a living display of tokens of their family life together. Kevin & Kelly's baby shoes, the box that held the ring Jim proposed to Ellen with, and handcrafted ornaments with their family Christmas pictures from the past 20-something years makes their Christmas tree like a living scrapbook.I so enjoyed photographing this family - and I know one of these images will be on their Christmas tree next year as well! And see the Shea's page for more photos at  -- thesheas.aliciasturdy.com So, what is your favorite ornament on your tree? Mine is my little Starbucks mug from 2009, my favorite holiday cup design they've had since I've been drinking Starbucks.Email me (hello@aliciasturdy.com), Facebook me (www.facebook.com/helloaliciasturdy) or check out my website (www.aliciasturdy.com) – and don’t forget to LIKE me on Facebook below!

Each year we're together, my family aspires to take a holiday photo. Unfortunately, I think the last time we all had a picture together was 2007 - rides back to college, cats and "I can't find anything to wear!" have been the reason of our demise.This year as we kicked back after a delicious thanksgiving meal (and after eating enough of our Auntie Mary's bread to open a small bakery) I realized we still hadn't taken our christmas card photo! The stars aligned - it was dusk, the sun was setting perfectly on a 55 degree day - and we all we dressed in our thanksgiving best with our hair done...let's do this! It's clear Kaylee knows how to make us laugh (center)Then we had this other great idea to get on my dad's Harley - woo woo! Oh - and of course the cat had to get on.We titled this one "into the night".My middle sister, Melissa, is a great Cosmetologist - go see her sometime! The parents hopped on too! This picture is just perfect.We realized we didn't have a picture with everyone in it - and my dad had already gone inside. This is the face of a man who was inturrupted enjoying a post-thanksgiving meal bowl of my mom's yummy stuffing.Lastly - after we were all inside and people were digging into the leftover we again, realized we didn't have a picture with "all the kids!" After an hour of shooting we had still missed this combination. Though this photo isn't the greatest technically, we hope it says MERRY CHRISTMAS!Want to get in front of my camera? Email me (hello@aliciasturdy.com), Facebook me (www.facebook.com/helloaliciasturdy) or check out my website (www.aliciasturdy.com) – and don’t forget to LIKE me on Facebook or leave a comment below to let me know you’re here!

A while back I threw a party on my blog for my 4 year anniversary to Mr. Andrew and gave away TWO photoshoots - Madeleine's entry rose to the top of the random.com god's list of picks...resulting in a lovely afternoon of hanging with these two #winners that ended with dinner at Bar over none other than Mashed Potato Pizza (yes you heard me!).The first time I talked to Madeleine it was at a Yelp Elite party back in March - and she said to me "Aren't you the girl screaming in your profile picture?" Yes, indeed Madeleine...it was me. Now, her and her husband Anton have become some of our favorite new buddies we've made here in Connecticut. And as luck would have it - just as we were wishing we knew more people who lived in New Haven so we could get to know another great city just down the road from us - they moved there this fall!Enjoy the photos guys - I hope they helped you capture your love of your city and all that is New Haven.Want to get in front of my camera? Email me (hello@aliciasturdy.com), Facebook me (www.facebook.com/helloaliciasturdy) or check out my website (www.aliciasturdy.com) - and don't forget to LIKE me on Facebook or leave a comment below to let me know you're here!

Can you believe that next week is Thanksgiving?! (sorry to ensue any panic!)We originally were planning on driving to my parents house. To Upper Michigan. And yes, it's 20 hours one way. After about a minute of looking at the map online I was immediately panicking. So I quickly did some scurrying around online looking for flights (I know I know - THE WEEK BEFORE!). I thankfully - as it always seems to go - was able to figure out some kind of great deal for flights and are flying out next Saturday using all our points, flying out of Newark, AND a bonus - we have a layover in Minneapolis and get to see my in-laws (happy dance!).I say all that to say this - I know that travel is a huge reality for a lot of people around the holidays - and it's most likely the time that everyone is actually together and the last thing everyone is wanting to do is get all ready to take a holiday photo. I understand, we live 1000+ miles away from our families so this is my reality! We typically don't even send out holiday cards until later on because after we get everyone together, take the picture, choose the photo, order the cards - it's usually around new years when they arrive and I'm thinking "what's the point?" And by then I've also received everyone elses wonderfully done cards - Pressure! Does anyone else feel this way?!If so, read on! (I know you're already feeling your blood pressure going up and are frantically Googling "Walgreens Holiday Cards" in a separate tab from this window.)Being inspired by my own holiday card dilemmas, I decided to do something special - Home for the Holidays. This holiday package bundles a 30 minute photo session in your home or location of your choice (I'll even come on Christmas Eve!) and 100 premium holiday cards to choose from 6 exclusive designs below - delivered to your house with the envelopes all set to stuff and mail off to your closest 100 friends - for $200!Since I'll be in Escanaba next week (I'm sure you're thinking "What's that?" It's my hometown!) I will take bookings from November 19-23 - and locally in Connecticut through December 31st. Space is limited - so let's chat!I've always dreamed of designing a line of holiday cards - and here they are! Let me tell you about them (because I am just so excited!).Each 5"x7" card is printed on premium matte stock and features a unique matching design on the backside. They come with beautiful matching envelopes and the corners of each card can be cut rounded as well (if that's you're thing!). Once you choose the design, I will ensure that while taking your pictures that we can choose a photo that perfectly lines up with the design of your card so no-one is cut out, or blocked by any elements.Beyond the Home for the Holidays packages - you can purchase these designs from my Etsy shop beginning Saturday, November 17th or just book a Holiday Photoshoot for $99 (same timelines apply for Michigan & East Coast through Dec 31, 2012). So - take a peek below, choose a card and email me to set up a time at hello@aliciasturdy.com. I'm so excited to work with you and help bring joy to your holiday season!Email me at hello@aliciasturdy.com! 'Like' me on Facebook and check out my website!

Back in Illinois we had so many little sweethearts in our lives - so when we moved, we were delighted to befriend these little cuties (and their parents too!).So last Saturday as the state prepped for this monster Frankenstorm to come our way, I popped over to Maggie & Kara's house to play in the leaves and spend a lovely Saturday afternoon together.Pop on over and "Like" me on Facebook & check out more of my work on my website!

Do you ever have those moments where you know you're doing your dream job? Want to know what that feels like?Picture this with me.You're driving one misty Sunday afternoon up to the Coast of Maine - it's one of the first orange, red and yellow leaved weekends of autumn. Upon arrival at a picturesque New England Inn, you're greeted by warm, familiar faces - the best of company. You are fed good-for-your-soul food - Lobster Pot Pie, the most mouthwatering breast of chicken, sweet potato souffle with homemade marshmallow, and to top it off - a perfect apple tart.Friends - this is no dream. This was my reality last weekend as I had the privilege to photograph the North Park University Alumni dinner in Kennebunk, Maine.Shanna Horner O'Hea, Chef & Co-Owner with her husband Brian of the Kennebunk Inn hosted an intimate gathering of 50 of North Park University alumni over lobster pot pie, and updates from our beloved university.The photos speak for themselves, I live in a dream land called New England!Yes, I said Homemade Marshmallow...check. it. out.And in case you're sitting at your computer drooling - brace yourself. Shanna & Brian are brilliant - they posted their Puff Pastry recipe on their website so you can make it at home. And you can buy one of their Lobster Pot Pies and get it shipped to your house.What?You're ordering one now?That's what I thought...

So - my friends are moving.Erikka was my college roommate for two years, and is one of my best friends. Her husband Eric has been the director at a camp in New Hampshire for the past 5 summers. She moved there after they got married 4 years ago, and luckily last year when we moved to the East Coast this put us a mere 2 hours away from them.They're moving in to a new season of life, and with that, moving out of New England. So, we wanted to do a little photo shoot to capture life in their little corner of New Hampshire. There was a lot of romping through fields, pulling over for "the perfect light" and of course a NH covered bridge. The best part? We ended the evening over a giant pizza at the best place in town.We are here at their house again this weekend - the last weekend! We packed the kitchen, ate pringles & teddy grahams. We watched REV (our new favorite excuse for talking in British accents & testing Erikka's Kate Middleton IQ) and now we're sitting on the couch together watching Friends. So, bye bye my friends - we love you, we will miss you, and we will see you real soon.