Lowcountry bridal shoot!

An antebellum plantation, oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, a river and marshland - the perfect setting for Lowcountry bridal portraits! It was a fun shoot in late spring! My mother-in-law and sister-in-law came to help with lighting, dress holding, touch-ups, positioning, etc. The weather was comfortable, but the mosquitos were not being nice that day.

Erin taking pictures, Suzy holding reflector, and adjusting my gown.

Suzy, who is an amazing artist, knows how to do framing! Here she is hard at work, along with the finished portrait!

Funny storylooking back, but not at the time... Elizabeth and I were getting ready in the bridal room at the plantation. She opens the garmet bag to help me with my dress, and we realize my dog Jackey... PEED ON MY DRESS! There was a huge round yellow spot on the train, about the size of a large pizza. YUCK! I was freaking out, about to hyperventilate. Everyone assured me nothing would show in the pictures and that the dry cleaner would get it out. Thanks to Patrick at Coastal Carolina Cleaners in Mt. Pleasant, the dress was perfect for my big day!

The little culprit who marked mommy's dress!

Date: April 28, 2010
Location: Boone Hall Plantation
Photographer: Erin Foushee, www.erinsagephotography.com
Makeup: Andrew Petersen, www.andrewcpetersen.com
Hair: Christine Nacarri, Tabula Rasa Salon
Dress/Veil: Jean's Bridal
Earrings: Heathcliff's, Columbia
Flowers: The Bird's Nest, Ladson









Lots of Love! NJ

Welcome to the family, Sammy Johnson

So here he is! Sammy Johnson is a tan poodle my parents got from the SPCA. Basically my mom fell asleep in the car, and my dad and little sister decided to drive to the shelter to find a new family member without my mom knowing, and then they picked out this little guy. He was rescued from a puppy mill in Bamberg. HE HAS NO TEETH. Yeah, my mom says he only eats soft food. He also shares a name with this guy... Sammy Behanian!! It must be Sammy time guys!Jackey, my little girl, was quite excited to meet her brother. Can't you tell? (Even though Sammy wanted nothing to do with her.)


On top of that I cooked this Alton Brown Pad Thai for my parents. Then Ashley Rae and Frank Guy came over and ate some too! Frank is "that guy" who did my wedding video. You can check out a clip here on his facebook fan page, then click Like. It's awesome!

Lots of Love! NJ

Today Was A Hoot[ie]!

Probably the longest work day in a long time: I met and interviewed the band Hootie and the Blowfish about their annual charity event "Homegrown Roundup" and "Homegrown Concert." I wrote seven 45 second - 1:15 second stories and five teases. I edited all the video. I reported seven live shots from the concert at Family Circle Cup Stadium (two of the reports were for our sister station in Columbia! My family in the Midlands says they watched!)

Hootie lead singer Darius Rucker talks about the annual Homegrown roundup/concert event.

I'm interviewing Rucker and guitarist Mark Bryan!

Wall of Fame!

The school bus Hootie fans filled with school supplies.

Hey Sarah Yaxis and I found each other!

I am reporting live, standing on a box to make me taller. HA!

Always fixing my hair.

Joe Girard and I, booted from our seats and now pretty much behind the stage! yikes!

The guys of Hootie and the Blowfish take the stage.

How sweet! Cliff loves Laura! and Laura... apparently loves Hootie!

A crowd of 7,800 fans strong! Sold out show.

Lots of Love! NJ

Hootie Whooooooo!??

If you're from Charleston, shame on you if you'd have to ask Hootie who? Even though they rarely perform together these days, they are possibly the most famous and successful band to come from the area! Today is the annual Hootie and the Blowfish "Homegrown Concert" at Family Circle Cup on Daniel Island. My friends DJ Joe Girard, Trista, and I have been on a quest for tickets! No we still don't have them. :( (But if I do get them I'll be joining you Laura and Cliff!)

Great news though! I'm covering the Homegrown Roundup: Back to School Basics for the news today! It's happening at Burke High School at 11am - 3pm and kids will be getting haircuts, dental exams, eye exams, backpacks, shoes, t-shirts, uniforms and basic school supplies. Then my friends, I report live from the concert at Family Circle Cup Stadium! This definitely calls for a hooooootie hoooooo!!!

Oh yea and here are some pics of me, WSAV Lowcountry reporter Holly Bounds, and Hootie band members. We met them back in 2006. Don't forget to tune in to Live 5 News this evening and check back with The NJ Report for the full story!

Lots of Love! NJ

Vote For Radio DJ Brooke Ryan

If you don't know why, check this out! My friend Brooke Ryan, radio DJ of 95sx Charleston, is a semi-finalist to be a co-host of ABC's hit show "Live with Regis and Kelly!" Here's why you should VOTE BROOKE! (you can vote on Reg and Kel's Facebook page, just click Like and comment away on why Brooke's the bomb diggity!)

Dear Regis and Kelly,

More than just a DJ, Brooke is Charleston's own social darling! She's the star of the "Two Girls and A Guy" morning show, voted "Best Morning Show." She also holds the title "Best Radio DJ" in town as voted by the readers of Charleston City Paper. We met as we are both in the media and social media scene (Follow @it's brookeryan and @njreports in #CHS on Twitter), and thanks to Charleston's best makeup artist, Andrew C. Petersen.

Here are some reasons to VOTE BROOKE:

#1: She makes an impact on the community. Here's the owner of O'Brion's Pub in Mount Pleasant, as he presents her with a key to the pub and dubbing her "Ambassador of Awesomeness!"

#2: She's so funny! Her message to listeners of 95sx reaches out to young and old.

#3: What a thoughtful friend! Here's the lovely message she left me to brighten my work day!

#4: Oh, does she know her pop culture! Just take a look at her blog... and OMG it's pink, like mine!

#5: She has the community's support. You don't have to take my word for it, just listen...

Help this California girl turned CAROLINA GIRL get on National TV! This link is totes (totally of course) hilarious! As seen on this clip by John Stewart, it's quite apparent that South Carolina needs SOMETHING to make it look good, and yeah Brooke Ryan, you do look good!

VOTE AWAY online world -- tweeps, facebookers, diggers, linkers, bloggowers and followers!

TWEET #brooketvquest

Thank you Regis and Kelly. Much Love!

Watch Out For Hook Hazards

As promised from my previous blog I now have the video to my sweeps piece "Hook Hazards," which aired on Live 5 News at 11pm on July 28th. It's about a potential danger to kids at department stores. Dozens of injuries have been reported nationwide. Some of these pictures may be slightly disturbing to some people. Thanks to our CBS affiliate WBBM Chicago for the footage.



Thanks for reading! NJ