Nataschia and I did quite a bit of touring around the Niagara area yesterday. We talked business a lot and she showed me a lot of the regular shooting areas around Niagara, and some local venues, and venders. One such vendor is Vintage Design Co in the Niagara area. Vintage Design is owned and operated by Jennifer Elliotson. Jennifer is amazing and was a pleasure to have met. When we entered the work area it smelled divine! Of course on a Friday things were in full motion, with many weddings to work towards covering this weekend.
Vintage Design has been published in many well know wedding magazines such as Wedding Bells, Niagara Weddings & WedLuxe. Their work really speaks for itself with attention to detail and with a love for what they do. Having a passion for your career really makes a difference in the quality of work that many of us adhere to.
The shop (Gusto Patisserie) is owned by Adnan & Pinar Paputcu. They moved here in April of 2009 with their two sons from Istanbul, Turkey. The couple noticed that their were few restaurants in the area for the type of foods that they missed from back home. They thought about opening a business. Pinar knew what she wanted in a business, fresh quality ingredients, clean surroundings & kitchen and a comfortable place to relax and sit. They looked around Charlottetown for places to rent and decided to renovate a building from top to bottom, and after 2 months they were ready to open.
I for one am glad they did. Oh my goodness, you have to try it all out. Between 3 girls, we must have tried one of everything they had to offer. The menu changes throughout the day and their is always something new to try! The prices are awesome, the food is awesome & surroundings awesome! So I guess I will sum it up by saying that Gusto's is awesome!!!!
Oh yum! What a quaint little spot. I will remember this on my next visit.
(03.22.10)Awesome job on capturing the atmostphere there Rachel!! This place is definitely worth checking out!! I can't wait for the next time i go there!!
(03.22.10)mmmmmmmm MMMM Yummy! Can't wait to try this spot.
(03.22.10)You find the sweetest spots. Can't wait to try this one.
(03.23.10)I am not sure what that strawberry delight is, but I want it. I may need to go there today.
(03.23.10)So nice of you to highlight little shops in your area, these photos really sell the spot. Hope they do well in business.
(03.23.10)Way to capture a Wonderful little Spot, can you take me there someday Rach? Yummmmmy
(03.23.10)Gusto is awesome !!!!!!!!
(06.29.10)
Heather Wilson, a friend of mine put it in the Universe. She said she was going to write a book about her life according to her, and how people should take control of their lives. Of course, I was intrigued and very interested in hearing more! Within 5 months of meeting her, her first book arrived to her house. That's right. She told me within 5 months ago, that she was going to write a book and has now happened.
Just like many of you, Heather has two kids, and a cat. For over ten years, she chose to stay in an unhealthy marriage that did not allow her to follow her dreams or be who she was meant to be. After constantly living on the verge of being homeless, taking her kids to the food bank, and living on her husband's paycheck to paycheck mentality, she literally woke up one morning and decided to take charge of her life.
When she made the choice to get a divorce, she was a stay-at-home Mom with no job or savings; she was living with her parents; she was physically overweight and unhealthy; and she had totally lost her sense of self and confidence. She felt stuck and frustrated. She had no idea how she would change her life, but she knew she had to.
Within two years of that day, she bought her own house and crossed the finish line at the Honolulu Marathon. Since then, she has also overcome many obstacles including: losing over 50lbs, being the sole provider for a household, creating a work/life balance as a single mother, and acquiring the self confidence to follow her dream of helping others succeed.
Using her hard learned life experiences, along with lots of research, Heather figured out a process that enabled her to succeed beyond her wildest dreams. She continues to help individuals realize their true potential and live the lives of their dreams through coaching and speaking at events worldwide.
I am excited for Heather and love that she put her ideas and beliefs in herself into the Universe and was open to receiving the rewards. Every time I chat with her or photograph her, I leave feeling pumped about life! This is amazing!
Heather will be at Indigo today signing books from 1-3!! Go their and buy one, and get her to sign it! You can also check out Heather's Lady in Red Website for more information on Heather or to buy her book.
Oh & P.S. That photo on the front cover of the book, yep, it's mine!
These last two photos I had to include. Heather's cat really wanted to be in on the photo shoot. The cats name is Aura, and she had an awesome "aura" about her! Aura climbed up around my neck and was so cute! I thought we better include Aura in our photos as she is proud of Heather as we all are!
Congrats Heather!!! Love the photos with the books on the floor!
(02.27.10)Wow, what a accomplishment! :)
(02.27.10)This is an extremely inspiring story! Heather you are an inspiration!
(02.27.10)WOW, I want that BOOK!!! Great pics Rachel..Congrats Heather..oh one more thing "Aura" your soooooo cute.
(02.27.10)That is a great accomplishment, you should be very proud of yourself! Congratulations!
(02.27.10)
Pam and I had a lot of things in common because she also works in the wedding industry. Pam owns the company Elegant Touch Cakes which operates in Prince Edward Island.
The Elegant Touch brings you hand-made custom wedding cake designs to add to your already elegant day. Pam has 15 years experience as a cake designer and decorator.
Whether you have a design idea in mind already, a cake photo to work from or you choose from one of our on hand examples; their free one on one consultations will help you find the perfect design for your special cake. Including free of charge cake and icing testing. Working within your budget, cake delivery and cake rentals, Elegant Touch Cakes do everything, nothing is out of their reach.
Check out some of Pam's work on her Facebook Group for Elegant Touch Cakes, check out the Elegant Touch Website or email Pam to set up an appointment.
Beautiful! :)
(02.22.10)Wow she is gorgeous. Well done!
(02.22.10)Can't wait to see mine!
(02.22.10)She is beautiful and her eyes are stunning!
(02.22.10)You Rock!
(02.22.10)Rachel you are an inspiration, these are hot!
(02.22.10)Your pictures are very pretty. I would like to do this.
(02.22.10)I have just looked at Pams cakes, they look devine!! She is gorgeous. Beautiful job, Rachel.
(02.22.10)
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
OH Wow, Beautiful arrangements!
(06.12.10)Gorgeous! I love them.
(06.12.10)I can almost smell them, I love those Peonies!!
(06.12.10)Gorgeous! Jennifer is the best of the best. You're not so bad yourself, Ms. Peters. Beautiful flowers and photos. LOVE the grapes in the flowers..
(06.12.10)