Busy is a Good Thing

When it comes to writing blog posts here, sometimes I wonder what is appropriate to write about, and what isn’t, and that feels all sorts of strange. I know I am writing this blog post on behalf of the company, and thus is should still be company related, or at least travel related, pertinent to both myself and Matt. But sometimes that feels weird. Sometimes I want to just write openly and honestly about my thoughts and feelings here, like a diary, like a personal blog may contain. Censoring myself, or holding back rather, sometimes leaves me feeling like I don’t really want to write anything at all. But then, my friend Nikita, posts a lovely blog post every now and again and brings back the urge and desire to just get something out there, something written. And I like that. I like that about her. And the way she ends up motivating me, from afar, considering she has been working and travelling through the Czech Republic and surrounding areas for….. the better part of 2014. Her stories, her emails, her words, motivate me to explore, and be happy with the adventure I’m currently on as well. Feel free to read some of her amazing blog posts.

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I think what’s most important here is that, even when things feel overwhelming, that I am not alone. That other people around me can be feeling a similar way, and it’s just that we don’t always talk about it. We don’t always blog about it. We don’t always let others in on the secrets, secrets of uncertainty, secrets of second-guessing, secrets of doubt…. We always keep up our façade of life is great. Life is grand. Especially when you’re doing something like “living the dream” and doing “something I could never do”. But it’s really not always sandy beaches and sunny skies. And no, I don’t just mean that sometimes it’s only 26c and overcast, I truly mean sometimes the sun is shining and all you want to do is go explore cenotes and ruins and the reality is, that’s not always possible. There is still work to be done. And there is still a need for relaxing. And sometimes you don’t necessarily want to go venture out in the sun and do those things. Sometimes money just isn’t there to fund such adventures. And I think it’s important to realize that, in the grand scheme of it all, that’s okay. We make it work to the best of our abilities, and that’s really all that I can expect of myself, and of us.

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We have been hard at work getting some perogies made for a few people who have requested some handmade delights. So, that has been an experimentation and challenge attempting to make them taste similar to how they would taste back home. In our past life in Winnipeg, we spent many a nights watching movies and pinching perogies for friends, family and co-workers interested in trying our traditional recipe of potato & cheese, as well as some of the gourmet ones we were offering, such as pesto, red pepper & provolone, Asiago & artichoke, and feta & spinach, to name a few. Since some ingredients are harder to come across here in Playa del Carmen, we are figuring out alternatives that still work as gourmet flavours. So far, so good, with a slight change to the feta accompaniment, with spinach being replaced by jalapeños, with Asiago cheese being replaced first with Bel Paese cheese but will likely be replaced with Parmesan at a later date, for more flavour. And then, of course, some other varieties that we’re still trying out. Here’s hoping our new friends like this interesting take on a traditional Ukrainian/Polish dish.

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And it should go without saying, that we have been busy preparing for a slew of upcoming weddings in first few months of the new year, as well as working hard on final touches for Susan and Mike’s wedding at Now Sapphire in November. We have been posting teasers here and there for the last month, which seems to be going over really well with the fans on Facebook and Twitter, but it also seems as good a time as any to be getting some of these teasers out for those of you who stumble upon our page from Google searches, or for the friends and family of ours who like to check in on our adventures in Mexico via the website rather than social media. So here’s a wee glimpse into some of the work we’ve posted so far, and anticipate the narrowed down final selection in the gallery early 2015. I’m sure between now and then, there should still be another blog post or two, sort of reliving the madness from the past 6 months of moving, and the 6 months leading up to the move. A lot seems to have happened this year, and when I start reflecting, I start feeling like I need more time to properly reflect. That seems like it would be better left revisited after we do our Christmas celebrating, and are just relaxing watching one of the many Christmas films we are downloading to enjoy through the Holidays, while we are away from family and friends from a distant past. So be warned, a reflective post will happen. And you have Nikita’s motivation to thank for that.

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Free Couple’s Session with Jasmin & Matt

To celebrate Matt’s upcoming 27th birthday (December 6th), as well as the upcoming Holiday season, we are offering a complimentary couple’s session! And thus, we are on the lookout for an adventurous, down-to-earth couple travelling to Playa del Carmen, and the surrounding areas that make up the Mayan Riviera, interested in the opportunity to have a photography session with us.

We are looking for a couple that is willing to get a little sandy and wet, a couple who isn’t afraid to spend the afternoon having fun frolicking in the water, strolling down the sand, and soaking up the sun while being the stars in some beautiful shots. These photos will be available to you once all edits are complete, as a souvenir of the spectacular time you had visiting Mexico so close to the Holidays.

If you fit this description, and are travelling to the Riviera Maya this December, please send us a message from our contact form or send us an email directly to [email protected] for further information.

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Happy American Thanksgiving!

There has been so much going on with our lives currently, it’s almost unreal! I feel like the month of November only just started, but somehow I find myself sitting in front of the computer, looking at the bottom of my screen and thinking “when did it become the 27th of November”? I guess that’s simply what happens when you have, let’s say, a bit of a forced vacation from home, by means of a friend visiting from Montreal, Darwin, and deciding to enjoy some of the more touristy things that Playa del Carmen, and the Mayan Riviera in general, have to offer. That is not to say that work did not still happen, and that is not to say that were weren’t still busy finding a happy balance between work and play, but it does mean that November has become a blur of fun times with a friend we had not seen since June.

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It was lovely having the chance to just kick back some days for breakfast, or night where we would head upstairs to our rooftop terrace, with homemade sangria in hand, LED flickering votive candles in jars, a deck of playing cards just ready for action. Many laughs were shared, and we had an opportunity to catch up on the lives of our friends back home, or home #2 rather (Montreal) from a source other than Facebook, Twitter, or any other varying form of social media. We’ve had a chance to see familiar Winnipeg faces twice this year, back in July upon our return home, as well as again in September when we photographed Paula and Scott Vandersteen’s offbeat wedding, but since selling most of our belongings, packing a Uhaul attachment to our 2003 Cavalier, and bidding the French province adieu, we had not had the pleasure of Montreal companionship. Seems like a lifetime ago, but I guess when you move twice in two weeks, and the final move being in a foreign country, it really does throw your mind for a loop. Expect more blog posts covering the sights, sounds, and tastes of these Darwin Escapades in the near future, although unfortunately today is not the day, because today is already busy enough as it is.

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Why the backburner of tales of adventures and wonder, you may ask? Because today is American Thanksgiving! And although we are may be Canadian, we are always interested in potlucks, friend gatherings, and Holiday celebrations!  And, we have been fortunate enough to meet a lovely American couple visiting Playa del Carmen for the months of October and November, who were wanting to prepare a turkey and weren’t sure if there was much point to the whole ordeal. Needless to say, with some encouragement and some promises of shared food and fun, the decision was unanimous that a Thanksgiving dinner did indeed have to take place, and it would be an AmeriCanadian celebration. The same night we met Michelle and Jeff, we also meet two fabulous Canadian couples as well, Jeremy & Brittany, and Jennifer & Glen. And, of course, the more the merrier when it comes to a celebrating a Holiday which has a focus on being thankful. We may all be far away from family and familiar friends, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your own nest in a new tree. Isn’t that why the term “Friendsgiving” came about anyway?

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And so, with that, I leave you with a short video of Sushi in the kitchen trying desperately to help me prepare a new recipe, No-Bake Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites! Since most households are without an oven here, challenges when it comes to baking are plenty! Thankfully, as much as I love baking, and consuming baked goods, I try to avoid it at all costs because, well, my waistline could use the avoidance, but I missed having pumpkin pie for Canadian Thanksgiving, and thought I would give something new a try. Something healthy, but something pumpkin themed. A proper wrap up of the night’s festivities will be blogged about in the near future, complete with more photos of the deliciousness we all will consume, and obviously a yay or nay to my attempt at a new recipe. Happy Thanksgiving everyone, remember to tell someone you care that you love them, and express your gratitude and appreciation for all the things you have to be thankful for this year, and in your life.

IMPORTANT! Contact form technical issue

Just a quick update. Unfortunately we just found out that our contact form hasn’t been sending messages to our email account so if you’ve attempted to message us and we haven’t responded this would be the reason.

If you’ve sent us a message and we haven’t responded please take a moment to email us directly at [email protected] or [email protected]

We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Shari & Catherine’s Wedding Today

And just like that, October came and went. Startlingly fast, but pleasant nonetheless, having had the opportunity to ring in the new month back home, however briefly and spend the rest learning the ins and outs of October weather in Playa del Carmen. There were definitely several days of rain, some where the rain was so constant that leaving the house was merely something we discussed and never actually accomplished. But through some miraculously good luck, we managed to avoid rain for our Thanksgiving Beach Day celebration, my 30th birthday and all its shenanigans, and the last few days to enjoy a night in town Saturday, and to be able to enjoy our Monday matinee at the theaters yesterday.

But, most importantly, the weather has cooperated wonderfully since the arrival of the couple we are photographing today! We are very excited to be sharing in the love, happiness and fun of a marriage union between Shari and Catherine, a French-Canadian couple from New Brunswick and Quebec, respectively, who met and currently reside in Alberta. When you live away from home, and thus family and life friends, and you decide you want to tie the knot, it only made sense to this couple that with most people travelling for a wedding, why not embrace a wedding on the beach, and have everyone packing their bags and heading South for more time in the heat and sun before the Canadian winter months settle in.

We have eagerly been anticipating this wedding, and are looking forward to the day ahead. We have two wedding dresses, two bouquets, two veils, plus clean and crisp RCMP and a Canadian Forces Military Police officer uniforms to be working with! We are ready for a spectacular day, with a sweet and madly in love couple, who have decided after 4 years of partnership, to say “I do”. And with that, it is time to triple check the equipment bags, and run through the flow of the day one more time, because it never hurts to try and be over prepared. We all know wedding days mean hidden curve balls ahead.

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Birthday Surprises & So Much More!

This may be news to some readers who don’t know me as well as friends and family, but mid-October means not only Thanksgiving (yes, us Canadians do it a little early, and a little differently, up North from our American neighbours), but also, my birthday! And this year, that meant a whopping 30 years old! Or is that 30 years young? Or am I at the neutral birthday zone of 30 years of age? I guess it’s whatever you make it right? Is the glass half full or half empty, you be the judge! And for further reading, Glass Half Empty, Half Full.
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So that’s what this week has consisted of! Celebrating Thanksgiving together with a bit of Mexican flare, drinking beers with lime wedges on the beach at sunset, enjoying hearing the waves crashing up on the shoreline, and watching clouds dance around the setting sun. Needless to say, it was a pretty relaxing, non-traditional Thanksgiving celebration, especially considering our main at home meal of the day was homemade beet borscht. This was followed by a random visit to city center to see some friends we had not seen since arriving back from each of our respective vacations, considering they were travelling to visit family just before we did. It was great to see some familiar faces, and catch up a bit, and spend the rest of the night wandering the darkened Sunday streets of Playa del Carmen, stopping for street Tamales and pizza at various points along the way. Matt and I are no strangers to doing things a bit differently, having been away from family for 4 years while in Montreal, and relying on Friendsgiving when not working the weekend, to properly give thanks for all we have. So this year, it was reduced to mostly just the two of us, but that comes with moving kilometers away from all the friends and family you know.
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And although my birthday, being the 15th of October, never seems to properly quite match up with that glorious Monday off holiday, it would seem I’m always a few days off, or a week. That’s just how things unfold. This year, for a refreshing change, having a birthday fall on a Wednesday, didn’t mean any days were scheduled off from work to be able to truly enjoy it in all its glory. I am fortunate to have a sweetheart for a partner, who wanted nothing more than to see me smile while ringing in my 30th year on Earth. The day was full of surprises, and for anyone that gets to know me, I *really* like surprises. Like, a whole lot. So needless to say, I was tickled pink not knowing what awaited me for the day. We woke up early, watched tv from the bed, drank some cinnamon yerba mate, had a nap and just lazed around for the better part of the morning. Before I knew it, it was time to start getting showered and packed for our adventure, knowing I was getting ready after surprise #1, so I needed my things with me.
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Then swoosh, out the door we went, walked to the edge of our street and hailed a cab. Taking taxis is fairly inexpensive in the Mayan Riviera, though public transportation is even cheaper, so that’s all relative. But it sure is nice taking a cab everywhere you want to go! And before you know it, we’re pulling up to a small building and a wonderfully sweet guy by the name of Diego, steps out to greet us and fill me in on the fact that Surprise #1 is a 2 hour massage. I have never had a massage before. Ever. Not one that is by a qualified massage therapist, and Matt thought it wise to finally change that aspect of my life. And it was glorious! It was everything one should expect and hope for with a massage. This was followed by a beer with our friends Carlos and Malin then out for Surprise #2, a fancy dinner at a cute place called El Muelle, where we split multiple appetizers and enjoyed entrées to ourselves, alongside a lovely bottle of wine. The evening there was topped off with a dessert brought out with a candle for my birthday and everything.
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Desserts didn’t stop there as we made our way to Ah Cacao for some Espresso shots poured over decadent dark chocolate chunks, before parting ways to continue on with touring around town, stopping in for drinks at one bar before winding up at our final dancing destination, Surprise #3 known as La Santanera. The bar was fun, surprisingly busier for a Wednesday night than I would have thought, which was great. We enjoyed sitting in fancy couches enjoying beers, as well as making our way to the dance floor on occasion to ring in my birthday in true Jasmin & Matt style, always getting in on the fun. And, when the night felt like it just couldn’t go on any further, a cab was waved down and away we went back home to wind down for the night. And what a night it was! What a day it was! So much so that I just wanted to share all those exciting little details with the rest of the world. So, there you have it. That has been our exciting week of celebrations.
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It should go without saying, that plenty more has happened over the last few weeks, as noted from the recent additions to our home in the photos above. There have been some pretty big purchases made for the condo, such as a brand new sofa/futon from WalMart. It is lime green and fluffy and comfy and looks awesome now that it has been assembled. Two bar stools have been added to our kitchen, which means eating dinner at the semi-island portion of the counter can now be a thing. Meals and coffee breaks can also be enjoyed up on the rooftop too, since a round patio table with 4 chairs has been delivered from The HomeDepot. All in all, we are thrilled to have the place slowly coming together. Purchased a 1000 piece puzzle to assemble and then glue and hang on the wall afterwards too. We tried our hands at making a pot of homemade vegetarian Beet Borscht twice. We worked on editing photos, and trying our hands at new lighting techniques. All in all, it has still been a relatively busy few weeks since returning home. Still always on our toes. Still never enough hours in the day.

On that note, here’s some more of the teasers that have steadily been piling up from Paula and Scott’s autumn wedding in Winnipeg. Edits are nearly complete so a full proper photo update is not fair away.
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Goodbye Summer, hello Autumn!

It’s hard to believe that somehow it’s already October and we were in Winnipeg for nearly the entire month of September, but I guess that’s where the old saying of “time flies when you’re having fun.”

Winnipeg’s time was well spent with family and friends, though we still managed to miss some familiar faces and that is a shame. Some we were fortunate enough to see our first time round in July, others I suppose will just have to wait until our return visit.

We ate lots of food and shared many a laugh. Major thanks to everyone for having us over, meeting up for food or drinks or both, for picking us up when we had no vehicle to use, and being understanding when we’d show up a bit late having traveled by bicycle.

The weather fluctuated a lot while back home, chilly moments with warnings of overnight frost meant we wore finger gloves and scarves and multiple layers biking home from a friend’s annual mixer complete with outdoor bonfire and lots of vibrant conversation. And then other days that were as hot as the hottest summer days, with clear blue skies and a sweltering sun. Case in point? Paula and Scott’s wedding day, September 26th though definitely no real complaints there. Why not enjoy a few extra hot days before the onset of half a year of snow and frostbite warnings.

And on that note, the photos are being narrowed down, the editing process has begun and the results are pretty great. Paula’s unique red wedding gown with white sash and veil accents looked lovely amidst the colour changing leaves, and the always dapper Scott looked smashing in his 3 piece suit with red tie and vest accents to match. Purple flowers for the bouquet and boutonnière was the perfect touch! We are looking forward to getting some more teasers out in the near future, but this shot sizzles too much not to share right away! So, enjoy the first of many to come, and again, cheers to the lovely newlyweds!

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Today: Paula & Scott’s Autumn Winnipeg Canada Wedding

The day has finally come, today we will be spending the day with our long time friends Paula & Scott to photograph their wedding in our hometown of Winnipeg. We have been looking forward to this for a long time, since witnessing, and photographing, the surprise engagement July 2013 at Patricia Beach in Manitoba. The weather has been hitting Summer temperatures all week, the leaves are all in the midst of changing to their Autumn colours, and there hasn’t been a better weekend in September than this one. A wedding tonight and Winnipeg’s Nuit Blanche tomorrow night, means life probably doesn’t get better than this. And, on that note, I’ll make sure to keep this short and sweet so we can get back to getting our items packed and our faces ready for what is sure to be a spectacular day!

This is going to be so much fun!

The Long Awaited Jennifer & Lee Teaser

So, with September being here already, comes our trip to Winnipeg to photograph our friends’ wedding, Paula and Scott! It should be a solid time, with some people near and dear to our hearts. This also means a much needed, and deserved, break from the constant heat and humidity we battle daily living in Playa del Carmen. Our days, every day, average about 34c, feels like 46c with the humidity, which seems to always be at 90% or higher. So, knowing these autumn temperatures happening back home currently has us both a little giddy to wear jeans, or leggings, and cardigans, t-shirts and hoodies.

Also, we are just finishing up the absolute final culling down from the wedding celebration of Jennifer and Lee James. For now, we will share a much needed teaser on our site! There’s minor detailed adjustments in the works for the website, and that will be a continual process until we leave 4 days from now. The days have completely flown by us, and it’s hard to imagine that we have lived in our recent Paradise for nearly 2 months now, and excited for many more month to come too!

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It will be nice to reacquaint ourselves with family and friends we only recently left behind, but still weigh heavy in our hearts with thoughts and memories with everyone. This is the second visit to Winnipeg in one year, and am pleased to say that both visits had weddings to attend. As simply guests at a friend’s recent July wedding, and now as photographers and guests for Scott and Paula. It’s also going to be really exciting working with the couple again, considering how easygoing they were with their engagement session last summer .

And now, it’s Friday evening and a much needed visit to the beach is in order. It has been another long and productive week, so frolicking in waves and feeling sand between our toes seems the perfect way to welcome the evening.

End of Summer Sale!!!

It’s hard to believe that September is already here, and I guess that means summer is drawing to an unfortunate close. It’s strange how, essentially, the 4 seasons are all meant to be on a 3 month rotation based on the Winter Solstice and Summer Solstice (which are approximately December 22nd and June 21st), when we have the shortest day of the year, and the longest day of the year, respectively. And then, we have Spring and Autumn Equinox, which bring us days and nights of equal length, and typically happen March 20th and September 22nd. Unfortunately, with the way most schooling is structured, we tend to perceive Summer has the months without school, and thus only truly consider July and August our “Summer months”. For those of you interested in reading a bit more about how the positioning of the Sun and the Earth result in these seasonal changes, feel free to enjoy, and share, the knowledge from reading further: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Season

And with that, what I’m really just trying to get at here is, Summer isn’t over just yet, so don’t despair! Kids may have gone back to school but that’s doesn’t mean we have to mourn for the end of our Summer days just yet! And, to ring in the end of the season, and the welcoming of my personal favourite, Autumn, Jasmin & Matt Wedding Photography is offering a discount for those last minute 2014 destination weddings being booked. If you are inquiring for a wedding occurring on, or before, December 31st, 2014 we have a 10% discount credited to the package of your choice! Just fill out our Contact Form or send us an email [email protected] to let us know of your 2014 wedding date and for further package information!

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Mexican Sunset from our rooftop

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