Hannah Morrison

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To My Dad



June 19, 2016

 

A father has the ability to set the tone of his entire home. It is his role to show the girls he loves most what self-worth is, what love is, what respect is, what hard work is, and what it means to love a man who loves them lavishly first.

If you’re around me for any bit of time, you will quickly catch on that I have a major mushy button for my daddy. The mention of a daddy, and Todd Cheves is immediately on my mind accompanied with “awww” and a couple crazy stories about him. My dad is one handsome man. Momma tells me not to tell him that anymore or his head will grow, but I can’t help but say it. 😉 He was a football star, a baseball star, a hardworking cowboy, a college athlete, an Aggie, and one of the most funny people I know. He is tall and in the summertime, his neck turns red, revealing his Cherokee genes.

He is the hardest worker I know. For over 20 years, Daddy would leave for work at 5:30 in the morning and get home after 5. I always knew when he was home just by listening because of how he would walk in through the door. Daddy is a man of routine, so he would open the door, put his coat in the coat closet, jingle his change, placing it along with his keys and chapstick in his side table before doing anything else. Daddy always knows where every item he owns is, because he places them in the same spot every single day. Honestly, I think you could blind fold him for a day but he would still know where to find what he needs. When we were kids, you could pretty much guarantee that daddy was outside when he wasn’t at work. Dressed in his working Wranglers, not his “nice” Wranglers, with cowboy boots and his white cowboy hat that didn’t quite protect his neck. He was either trimming trees, mowing the lawn, fixing something, building something, or tending to one of the animals. He would take me fishing, he would play soccer, and he at least tried to play baseball with us- but that one never really worked out in his favor. He played in a softball league when we were little, and we would cheer for him in the stands with Blow Pops in our mouths. He could punt a ball so high it would disappear for a brief moment, lingering at the top, before coming back down. He built a tree house and a tire swing, and he taught me how to ride a bike. Daddy was ‘coach’ at one point or another for every single one of us, which blows my mind knowing now how long and hard he worked. He would come home through the door, change out of his slacks and tie, and put on his soccer coach clothes. I don’t understand how he did it. He also never missed a single performance of any kind. He was at everything no matter what. 

Bless both my momma and daddy’s hearts, because I was a VERY curious child and needed an explanation for everything. I needed to know what a song meant, I needed to know why certain things worked the way they did, I needed to understand every process. I also had a distinct Disney-like cartoon voice, something my daddy says is one of his favorite things about me as a kid. I would follow my dad around outside, cartoon voice and all, asking him questions as he would continue to do whatever it was he was doing. He would always have a calm and cool answer for me, explaining to me whatever it is I needed to know. He had a quick response for lyrics of songs that went over my head but insisted I needed to understand. He also let me put on talent shows and sing songs I made up on the spot for as long as people would let me go. Daddy knew everything and he made me feel pretty + safe always.

I have a lot of funny stories about dad, but one of my favorite stories about him that I tell often is when he chased the goats on a Saturday morning in his underwear. We were just all rolling out of bed, making our way slowly to the breakfast nook to eat together. (I loved Saturday morning at our house, because we always had biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs, which is daddy’s favorite.) We had goats on our ranch, and those stupid things always would climb up on my dad’s car. There were many times he would have to run out there to scare them off, and then pop the dents they left back up. This time was the final straw, though. He hated those goats. He looked out, saw the goats on his car, and darted out the door. He chased those goats off the car and across the yard- all in his underwear. We knew we couldn’t be laughing when he came back inside, so we got out our giggles waited for his valiant return to the kitchen for his biscuits and gravy.

Of all these things, my favorite thing about my dad is that, though I saw he was a hard worker around the house, he never brought home the office. I couldn’t tell you what he did other than sometimes hearing the phrase “briefing the general” but that’s because when daddy was home, he was daddy. He wasn’t Weapons Systems Manager. He valued his home, his wife, and his children. He drew up my momma’s dream home, and created a beautiful space for us to all live. He loved us enough to make home a safe place free of worry about what was happening at work. I really appreciate this core piece to our home growing up. Both of my parents did this so well, and it’s something I will absolutely carry with me when we have kids. Daddy is also unashamedly a crier. Put a good commercial in front of him or the Star Spangled Banner, it doesn’t matter, he will have a good tear in his eye. I am so grateful for a dad who had emotion and showed it. I am grateful for a daddy who held me in the kitchen and let me get mascara on his nice shirt when I couldn’t handle mean girls at school anymore. I am grateful for a daddy who is my favorite dance partner to just make something happen with. When the music is on, we are out there. Three step, two step, swing.

I could say so much more, but I will end it with simply this: Todd Cheves, you are one of a kind. You are the greatest dad there ever was, and I can’t believe I get to have you. You are the reason I had such high standards for a spouse, and didn’t date a whole lot. I didn’t need anyone or anything to fill a gap. You always filled the space. You taught me what it means to follow God. You have always led me well. I have never once been left wondering if you love me or if I have made you proud. I can’t wait to see what life looks like in the next 10 years, and I can’t wait to see you be a grandpa.

I love Father’s Day. I love that having a good daddy is a tangible example of God’s love. I also know I am lucky, and that not everybody has a daddy like mine. To those of you who didn’t have a great dad or perhaps it’s a first Father’s Day without him, I hurt with you. I am sorry. I truly can’t imagine, but know that their are men in this world who want to love you and love you well. Kind men who want to sacrifice for you and want to take care of you, fight for you. Above all else is the love of God who has the most perfect love of a father that no earthly daddy can ever live up to. He is the ultimate father.

I am so thank for you, daddy. Happy Father’s Day.

xo- Han

CATEGORIES ~ Family 1 Comment

A Staycation for Two at Four Seasons Dallas



June 12, 2016

 

Note, our stay at Four Seasons Dallas was not and this post is not in any way sponsored. This is me sharing about my vacation, something we saved up a long time for and spent our own money on, just because we had such a great experience and think you should know about it. **

This past weekend, Paul and I went on our first resort vacation ever. Which I can now say was the first of MANY. I have to admit, though our honeymoon two years ago to NYC was incredible, it wasn’t luxurious. It was an adventure and I wouldn’t trade it for anything, but this… oh my gosh. Our stay at Four Seasons was by far my favorite hotel experience ever. I jumped on fluffy beds, ran around our private villa in a white robe like superman, and ate food delivered to me in bed just because I could. I read Shauna Niequist on my private back porch, played board games on our bed, and was given the best service I have ever received from any hotel or restaurant of any kind. Paul and I both had never been to anything like this, resort or all inclusive-type place, and believe me when I say we didn’t take one single second for granted. I think I gasped and said “thank you Jesus” every other sentence. We can’t say enough how satisfied with our choice of Four Seasons Dallas we feel. It was the perfect spot to kick off my birthday week and celebrate Paul’s graduation at such a wonderfully ran resort. To the staff and leadership of Four Seasons, BRAVO. There is a reason you are continuously voted a top world-wide business and rated by Fortune a top 100 business to work for. You can certainly see in your staff that they are well-taken care of.

I was a little nervous about a resort stay, because I didn’t fully know what to expect. I didn’t really understand how you can be entertained for an extended amount of time within the gates of one place. WELL, I will tell you.

What To Do at Four Seasons Dallas:

First off, the pool. We spent HOURS out by their Agave pool + bar. The kindest wait staff will approach you regularly, making sure you have everything you want. Their food, though pricey for poolside, was so good. This is no fast food french fries and burger. They also were so helpful with both Paul’s and my food allergies- preparing food specially for us. Their drink selection, particularly their margarita, was both tasty and extensive as well. You could spend your entire vacation here, and it’s worth the stay.

The Well & Being Spa- oh my lanta. I could have spent hours in this spa if I didn’t have a husband waiting on me. The spa feels like stepping into another world. It’s luxurious, peaceful, and exactly what you would hope for a spa to be. Full with a sitting room by a peaceful water fountain, a whirlpool, as well as saunas… it has everything. The staff was incredibly sweet, one noting that Paul and I carry “happy vibes”, which I was very thankful to hear. My masseuse was incredibly talented. I somehow got the most requested masseuse on staff, I definitely didn’t mind, for my custom massage. For a custom massage, you tell your masseuse what parts of your body hurt or you want focused on, and she will spend the next 55 minutes working on those spots. I said my headaches, hip flexers and knees from years of dance are what bother me the most. She maneuvered and replaced my limbs + joints to their proper placement. She knew that I sleep on my right side from simply looking at how my clavicle laid, showing this spot a lot of attention to relieve tension and stress from my right side. She added life back into my very tight hip flexers, and she realigned my left leg. (I can now do a full squat without any pain in my hips… after just one session! *Insert praise hands here*) All the while, though it might sound the opposite, this all felt spectacular! I left feeling so at peace and as if I gained ten years of life back. The massage was both corrective and luxurious. I would LOVE to go back for a facial and manicure/pedicure!

LAW Restaurant- this is the on-site sit down restaurant at Four Seasons Dallas. Guilty: We went both nights for dinner, and were not disappointed. We were quite fond of our sweet waiter, too. He was so great! (Everyone at Four Seasons truly seems to love their job, and that makes such a difference in your experience.) LAW’s food is not only bomb, but they have one of the most extensive wine lists in Dallas. As you can imagine, I was quite stoked about this fact. The restaurant looks out over Agave Pool with the beautiful award winning golf course, host of the Byron Nelson, just behind it. It is picturesque and you definitely forget you’re actually just outside of Dallas.

I highly suggest the lamb chops and roasted cauliflower with a glass of their Malbec for dinner.  For an appetizer, don’t ask questions, get the bacon. GAME CHANGER.

The Sports Club is as impressive as the rest of the resort. The workout facilities, tennis and racquet ball courts are available to hotel guests, and you can reserve spots in private classes alongside Club Members. I took an Anti Gravity Yoga class with Meg, and I believe I found yet another workout I am obsessed with. Meg was fun, a good teacher, and also made me feel very safe whilst dangling upside down from a piece of fabric. THAT takes some serious talent, you know? I unfortunately forgot my own tennis shoes and socks, so I didn’t spend as much time in the Sports Club as I had hoped, but even still, it was so great.

The Golf Course, you can either pay to play the entire course or you can hit at the driving range. We didn’t golf this time, but we did take a romantic stroll along the golf course at sunset, and it didn’t disappoint. It truly is breathtaking. We had about a two minute romantic sit at hole 16 until a straggling group of golfers came over the hill to our romantic hole. We had to run half in fear we would be in trouble for sitting on the course and half in fear of being hit by flying golf balls. It was awesome.

Room service, I already mentioned getting to eat in bed, but, y’all, order breakfast in bed and coffee for two, and don’t forget to order the flourless chocolate cake with raspberries for take-out from LAW. There is just something more special about eating chocolate cake at 10 PM in bed. (SO.GOOD.)

Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway like us or a family vacay, Four Seasons is such a great choice. There are options for everybody! (There is a whole family and kid’s section that, obviously, we didn’t go to. BUT, we did walk by their pool and it looks so fun!) They have a movie night at the pool on Fridays during the summer, so we walked by to check it out briefly.

Come ready to relax and unplug. Because the staff is so incredible, you seriously don’t have to worry about a single thing. Come ready to indulge in good food, get spoiled, and be sure to have plenty of cash on hand to tip. 😉

We are BIG believers in date nights and getaways. We get just as much as anyone that money can be tight, but prioritize both of these things. If you are a Dallas-local like us and/or can’t get away for a week from work, this is SUCH a great option for you. Likewise, you can EASILY spend a week here.

See you again very soon, I am sure, Four Seasons!

xo- Han

Shop My Looks From the Weekend:

 

CATEGORIES ~ Marriage, Travel 1 Comment

Spring + Summer Travels With Sole Society



April 6, 2016

View More: http://cottonwoodroadphotography.pass.us/thecakebyhannah

 

I have been in search for the perfect weekender bag for months as my Vera Bradly bag from college is starting to wear out after years of use. With the summer months fast approaching and spring in full swing, my travel bug has bit me and the need for a good getaway bag has been more relevant than ever before.

I have been searching non-stop and asking all over for people’s favorite vacations spots. (Email me if you have any good suggestions!) I have been intrigued by Napa or Portland (in general, somewhere Northwest), as well as by Connecticut or Maine, and then I definitely have a bug for traveling somewhere tropical. (I have never been on a tropical getaway before!) I stumbled across a new Four Seasons Resort in Hawaii set to open this summer, and I am dying to get over there! (+ you’re welcome for sharing…ha.)

No matter where we end up traveling to this summer, depending on what our schedules allow for, I am going to have this awesome travel bag from Sole Society with me. I carried it around my whole shoot day with Hannah (Cottonwood Road Photography), stuffed full with three pairs of heels, a make-up bag, shorts, and a variety of other items, and it all fit perfectly. It’s the ideal size for a weekend getaway or for a carry-on bag for a flight- plus, the color is GORGEOUS.

Shop my whole look below! I am a sucker for simple, so although I love being “glammed up”- today’s outfit is 100% my favorite kind of outfit. If you haven’t signed up for Liketoknow.it, what are you waiting for? It’s the answer to all your “Where did you get that?” questions, and it’s such a helpful tool. It takes two minutes to sign up here (if even), and you will get emails sent to your inbox with direct links to every item I tag on my Instagram when you see a “liketoknow.it” link on my photo.

Love y’all so much.

xoxo- Han

All photos by Cottonwood Road Photography for The Cake by Hannah

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Wedding Vendor Series: The Dress, Hair and Makeup



February 29, 2016

If you read my anniversary post (here), then you saw some of our photos from a styled photo shoot at The White Sparrow Barn. I was so thrilled to work with some extremely talented women from in and around Dallas to put together this whole entire shoot, and I am so stoked to start sharing each vendor with you.

Brides- if you are planning your wedding in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area, be sure to keep up with this series as I feature every type of vendor you could possibly need: The gown, the venue, the flowers, the cake, the photographer, the furniture rentals… EVERYTHING.

Today, I will be highlighting my incredible gown and hair + makeup.

Watters Gown

I wore a Watters gown on my actual wedding two years ago and I still have women email me asking where I got it. Unfortunately, I just found out my gown, The Norma, went into retirement last month. But, what I love about Watters gowns the most is what lured me into buying the Norma in the first place, and that is the simple fact that they are unique and original looking. Additionally, they are locally designed and extremely well crafted- they are worth your money. You can find Watters in bridal boutiques, as well as on BHLDN– Anthropologie’s wedding website. Their headquarters is in the Addison/Farmer’s Branch area.

Watters uses a silk chiffon on their gowns that is unique to their brand; there is truly nothing out there like it. I went into my very first gown appointment knowing I wanted to try on The Norma. I put it on first, and was shocked at how light it was while still being so full on the bottom with a corset style top (that’s the beauty of their silk chiffon!). Every gown following Norma just didn’t compare to how COMFY she was (and, frankly, felt cheap in comparison). They all sounded like an elephant walking or were a workout to have on. The number one important thing about your gown is feeling comfortable and light or you will be miserable on your wedding day. 

If you are a boho bride, Watters is DEFINITELY for you. Yet, if you are a classic bride, Watters has beautiful options for you, too. I was a boho bride meets ballerina, and my gown, The Norma, was literally everything I had ever dreamed of. It embodied every piece of my personality I was looking to express through my gown.

The gown featured in this photo shoot is their Kai gown. Crafted with the same silk chiffon I had on my original wedding gown, I felt right at home in it. The bodice has beautiful detailing of mesh and lace that definitely channelled the boho in me, while the back was delicate and felt like the ballerina side of me. The Kai is the perfect gown for truly any venue setting. It would work perfectly for a backyard or barn wedding just as much as it would for a chapel wedding with a long veil.

Hair + Makeup

You have all heard me brag about her and I have sent multiple friends her way, but Kristy Rankin is the bomb at all things hair and makeup. Literally, just last week, someone stopped me to ask who does my hair color because it’s the best blonde they have ever seen. Who notices that?! Y’all, she is the best.

Kristy did my makeup for my actual wedding two years ago, and I wouldn’t have it any other way than to get her talent for this shoot. Kristy can literally do anything that you come to her with. I am a more natural makeup kind of girl, so for my real wedding day makeup, I dawned a natural colored lip and blush palette. But she is bomb at sultry, too. She even encouraged me to a darker eye than I would usually do for this shoot specifically and I loved it!

Follow Kristy on Instagram here to see her gorgeous face and cute family. Her son’s name is Gryffin- I mean does it get any cuter? And, if you have any hair or makeup needs, she is your lady.

Follow along over the next week for the rest of the incredible women I got to work with for this shoot! I am going to try my very best to practice self control and not overwhelm you all with the amount of incredible photos Cottonwood Road Photography got from this shoot, but… I can make no promises. Y’all, this lady is the best. I will obviously be highlighting her throughout this whole series with every photo shown, but more on her is also coming.

Love y’all!!!! Happy Monday.

xoxo- Han

 

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The Look of Love with BareMinerals



February 12, 2016

Love is in the air!

I absolutely love Valentines Day. I enjoy baking cookies for friends, passing out gifts, and sending cards in the mail to people I love. Plus, when half your closet is blush pink, Valentines Day just seems to fit. Not to mention, I got married Valentines Day weekend (we are about to celebrate two years on Monday!), so basically… we are big fans of the holiday in my household.

The Cake by Hannah- BareMinerals

This year, Valentines Day is on a Sunday, which means you have all day to celebrate! What could be better than a Sunday morning Galentines Day brunch? Whether you host it at your house or rent out a special room in a favorite restaurant, this is the perfect way to celebrate the day of love! Celebrate your friends, make them feel special and tell them how much they mean to you. A Valentines Day themed brunch is the perfect opportunity to wear something pink and spunky, and to rock a bright, romantic look. (Save sultry for that hot date later!) I love a good pinky pallet for a pretty daytime look, and today I have one entirely from BareMinerals for you to recreate.

Here is what you see + the steps for application:

  • Skin: Complexion Rescue, Correcting Concealer
  • Eyes: 5 in 1 BB Blushing Pink, Frolic Eyecolor, Lash Dom Mascara
  • Cheeks: READY The Faux Pas
  • Lips: Jazzed Lipliner, Never Say Never Lipstick, Hypnotist Lipgloss

If you are usually just a mascara and dewy skin kind of girl on a daily basis (that’s me!), then this look is perfect for you.  Because although more product than you would usually grab for, it’s still a nude/blush pallet. It won’t overwhelm you and I promise it’s easy to execute. As for these bright lips, take it from me- all it takes is giving lipstick one try and you won’t be able to walk out of the house without it before too long! I love a good lip color now thanks to Moxie!

(If this hot pink is still too much for you, give the color ‘Be Free’ by BareMinerals Moxie a try with the Hypnotist Lipgloss on top. It’s the same effect, just lighter! I actually wear this combo for my day to day look 99% of the time now!) 

You can purchase the entire Look of Love here! ****BONUS: Today (February 12th ONLY) you get a free mini Ready Luminizer and Double Ended Precision Eye + Cheek Brush with the purchase of just two items from ‘The Look of Love x The Cake by Hannah Collection’.

The Skirt:

I am so excited to rock this hot pink lip along with this tulle skirt by Space 46 for a date with my hubby on Valentines Day as we ring in two years of marriage on the 15th. This skirt is the perfect Valentines Day look or, bridesmaids outfit, or rehearsal dinner skirt… whatever special events you have coming up, this is a great choice! (I wore it to a backyard wedding last weekend!)

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The Hair+ Nails

To achieve my beachy waves (I like to call it my mermaid hair), I use my 1.5″ barrel Sultra Bombshell Curling Rod. My mani is done by Bellacures, and it is by far the best experience at a nail salon I have ever had. They are masters of the dip manicure, and I don’t know if I can do anything different ever again because I loved it so much! If you’re in the Dallas area, stop by their salon at Preston Center!

Happy Valentines Day, pretty girls. Listen to me when I say this: You are beautiful. If you are single, rock it. Don’t let this holiday get you down, rather take it by the reins and make it fun with your best gals! Valentines Day isn’t JUST for romance, it’s for celebrating the people you love.

As for me and Paul, we actually make Valentines Day a 3 or 4 day long extravaganza since it is such a special time for us. Tonight we kickoff our favorite weekend of the year with dinner at our favorite restaurant in McKinney!

BareMinerals says it well: Be Original, Be Natural, Be Good. 

Love y’all!

xoxo- Han

***All photos for this post and The Cake by Hannah by Cottonwood Road Photography**

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CATEGORIES ~ Fashion 1 Comment

Hey, I am Hannah!

Hey,  I am Hannah!
I am Hannah Morrison. Mommy of two boys with a daughter on the way, and an angel girl in heaven. I believe joy is found in your own home under your own roof, and I am just here to help you find it. Marriage, motherhood, fashion, and faith are what I am all about and I am so glad you're here!

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