I love the part of doing Boudoir sessions when the session is over. No, not because the session is actually over but because the girls leave on such a natural high! So excited that they did the session, and are always feeling so beautiful! I love it! Making someone feel that beautiful then puts me on a natural high!!! Paying it Forward is what life is allll about!
I find love when I look within..
I create love all around me,
I see the signs of love
everywhere I look..
Awwwhhh you are so lovely. You really do love love don't you?
(02.15.10)
Elements emerged from this love. Candice learned how to make chocolates via Don. Their dreams of creating a business together that featured unprocessed, good wholesome, delicious foods was always talked about. While I talked with Don, he really stressed how people want to make cooking and creating harder than it needs to be. During this time he was working on the menu for Sunday's Valentine's Day feast and the aroma's in Elements swept me away!
Don Croitor has many years of experience in 4 and 5 star hotels. His expertise is well remembered at the Delta Obsessions where he was pastry chef for 10 years. You may have also tasted these delicious works of art at the Farmers market where Candice and her children Alisha & Thomas have sold them while looking for the perfect location for Elements. They found the location they were looking for on Victoria Row last July and have been loving it since that time.
The family all works at the Bistro where "Passion and a Love affair with Life are the crucial ingredients to whipping up a dish of happiness"
Now everyone knows me and how I love meeting people who are passionate about life and about what they do. When I asked Don what he thought of a "friend" telling me that I should step away from photography and stay with the federal government behind a desk, he told me the following. "If you aren't passionate about what you do, and love it, then find something you are passionate about"
The big Love Holiday is on the way this weekend - Valentine's Day. I decided to celebrate LOVE by giving away some chocolate love. I will be giving away 5 - $5 Gift Certificates to Elements in Charlottetown, so you will go and try the deliciousness yourself. To win all you have to do is comment on any of my blog posts and 5 random people will be chosen. One comment = One Entry. Feel free to enter as many time as you wish, on as many blog entries as you want! This contest will be open until Saturday at midnight.
Please do me a favor and buy a cookie when you are there!
****UPDATE****
Winners are as follows! Enjoy!
Jonathan M. Lane
Paula Hansen
Kerry Anne MacDougall - Insight Marketing
Wendy Chappell - The Whole Way
Geri Carragher - CJ Graphix
Rachel, I do NOT know how there are no posts yet! Ummm hello people look at those amazing looking cookies. I might have to stop in and try one of these on my way to U-fit tonight! Again, you always find the perfect touch to your pictures Rachel, no matter what your subject is! Happy Valentines Day!
(02.10.10)Yummy!! I didn't know this place existed! I must check it out! And btw, your "friend" is crazy. Step away from your passion?? Naw, that is not something I would recommend.
(02.10.10)Hello Rachel! Lovely write-up and photos of Chocolate Elements. Timely as well, since I had heard about the bistro recently and had the intention on taking my girlfriend there to see what it was all about in the near future.
(02.10.10)I agree with Don.....follow your heart !!! I will definitely be checking out the choclate...looks delishhhhhhhhh!!!
(02.10.10)Enjoyed your write up on Elements. The pictures were great .The cookies look yummy!!!
(02.10.10)wow, I can almost taste those yummy treats right through the screen..maybe I shouldnt be licking the screen though...great post and beautiful pics!
Can't wait to try one now that I am back on PEI! Delicious!
(02.10.10)No word of lie... I just looked up the website for the hours of operation and I will be leaving my cozy little home in Stratford before 9:30 tonight to get one of those cookies.... thanks. lol. (I see a problem here since our conversation about an hour ago confirmed that while I would do this for a cookie.. i would not do this for exercise... eeeekkkk)
(02.10.10)Drooling....seriously drooling. I want one of those cookies!
(02.10.10)Yummy! Happy Valentines Day!
(02.10.10)YUM!!! I need this right now!! So tempting and delicious and amazing! I hate when I drool in public!
(02.10.10)The whole place sounds very yummy! You better stay with your passion, who else is going to capture what you do best!
(02.10.10)Wow, that place looks fantastic. Many of my friends have told me to check it out but I have not got around to it yet. I think I am going to have to put the "Cookie" on my todo list for then near future.
(02.11.10)what a great idea and those cookies look delicious.
(02.11.10)best hot chocolate i've ever had, from elements.
(02.11.10)i love chocolate.
(02.11.10)i love cookies, too.
(02.11.10)I absolutely love this restaurant! My friends and I usually dine here at least once a week - always a nice & calming experience. The chocolate cookies are most definately hit, and may I add, they (as well as several dishes on the menu), are gluten free! It's great to see a restaurant that offers both entrees & desserts that are gluten free!
(02.11.10)I've been to Elements this summer and love love loved it.
A great post, with wonderful pictures!!
I must admit I have never heard of this place...but let me tell you...I WANT A COOKIE!!! I am definately going to have to add this place on my list of "must go to's"....Keep up the great work Rachel!
(02.11.10)I love this Chocolate Love , your photos make everyone want to visit this wonderful place .
(02.12.10)Rachel thanks for this information!!! The pictures look sooooo yummy. My friends are taking me out for supper for my #? birthday in March and we plan on going here for dessert. I cannot wait to try it out!!!!!
(02.12.10)mmmmm this place look delish, love the pics too!
(02.12.10)great pics, mmmm chocolate
(02.12.10)yumm, the picture of those chocolate cookies, makes me want one of them so bad!
(02.13.10)Yummmmyyyy Cookies one or two wouldn't hurt a girl, Love the sweet Blog....haha Oh Love you too Rachel!! XO
(02.13.10)Hadn't heard about "Elements" until I read your blog...am definitely going to check it out...the cookies look yummy!!
(02.13.10)Thank you so much for the lovely pictures and words, Rachel. You are truly gifted. Candi
I definitely find it a source of inspiration for me as well, with all the fun ideas, that they have, I can become even more pumped up about your special day and my part in it!
Warning: If you click the link below you may spend hours on this blog.
100 Layer Cake Blog
Today their is an article that is really useful about how to help the bride and groom can relax during the meal..Sarah Tips to "Unwind & Eat". This article gives 5 tips by their guest writer that may help the wedding meal go smoothly!
P.S. I love LOVE
ohhhh great site! Wonder if Mr. Roach wants to get married all over again?!
Thanks this site is awesome!
(02.08.10)Wow, great site. Really informative spot. Now if I could just find a groom.
(02.09.10)love. love your wedding pictures you do. where were you when i was looking ? i'd do it all over again just to have your ideas.. i have sat and looked at ' all' your pictures for hrs.. simply gorgeous!!
(02.11.10)
People have been asking me a lot what do I want to do? where do I see myself in the next 5 years. Once the New Year & the holidays have passed, people seem to stop reevaluating their lives. New Years resolutions are a thing of the past.
In five years I see my self doing much of the same, loving what I do. I would like to include much more travel into the mix, well I sure don't think that surprises anyone! I really do love being a part of my friends special days capturing their special moments. I had a "friend" recently tell me that I need to back away from photography because I was always busy and that is not making me have a very fun life. I don't know if she noticed or not that I have been the happiest I have been in a very long time since I started admitting to myself that photography was where I needed to be! Photography is fun for me, and for a lot of people this is something they can not comprehend. Imagine doing something you actually love for a living.
Again, what would your three wishes be?
Whoever told you to not follow your dreams is not a real friend. I for one am really glad that you decided to follow them. Not a lot of people have the guts to do so. You ROCK!
(02.05.10)Cute Pics.....she is stunning!! Umm my 3 wishes oh ya, I have them all in my lil head of mine....and they will come true!!
(02.05.10)Rachel this rocks. Good for you for following your dreams, it is something to be commended! YOU ROCK! :)
(02.06.10)One word.... DREAMPLEX!
(02.07.10)It is so great that you know what you are meant to be doing, a lot of us have no clue. As always your photos amaze me.
(02.07.10)
HOT HOT HOT
(02.15.10)OMG Rachel these are gorgeous, I love everyone one of them!
(02.15.10)Wow, she is beautiful and the photos are great too, I especially can't help but notice her eyes. Fabulous!
(02.15.10)Is there anyway I could look like this? These are stunning!
(02.15.10)These look incredible, they are so natural and relaxed looking. You truly are an amazing photographer. Well done!
(02.15.10)I am SO getting this done!!! Can't wait! :) I am pretty sure my husband to be will FLIP!
(02.15.10)She looks like a supermodel. Rachel these pictures belong in a magazine. Gorgeous!
(02.15.10)Absolutely gorgeous photos and model!! Love the location and that crystal chandelier!!
(02.16.10)Great Job Rachel....What a fun looking shoot!
(02.17.10)