Janum's Marie Antoinette

Eeps!!  Majd, the great designer behind Janum, has just released this unique and darling new 'Marie Antoinette' dress!  I'm in love!!  The embroidery stitching on the belly of the shirt (not technical terms I'm sure) is so detailed and beautiful- I love it!! And the attached bubble skirt and coordinating belt (removable belt) top it off perfectly.  The ruffled leggings are sold separately and are also available in her shop.  I'm loving this newest design!  And that's not all!  She's working on more great designs that will be added to her shop soon.  I can't wait to be a part of it!  Check out her Facebook page for the latest 'happenings', promotions, Facebook specials and other Janum information.

{childhood friend}

I was so excited when I reconnected with one of my best childhood friends, Noelle, on Facebook.  We met in the 3rd grade and then I moved away after 6th grade.  Her twin sister, Holly, and I tried to keep in touch (since we were all friends) after I moved but I have to admit - I wasn't the best at keeping in touch via snail mail.  Years passed but the memories and time spent together never withered.  We did so much together:  took many trips to their parent's log cabin in the Mountains, stayed up all night giggling, eating junk food and crank calling random people out of the phone book (bad kids, I know) at the many sleep-overs we had, hot summer days swimming at the local pool, 4th of July's spent on the waterfront, and the list of memories continues.   So when we reconnected on Facebook all the memories came rushing back - I was in touch with one of my favorite childhood friends!!  Noelle lives in California now near Napa - a place we need to visit soon :)  She mentioned a while ago wanting to come out to have me photograph her beautiful girls but I didn't know how serious she was.  Then she did it!  She and her husband booked a stay in Scottsdale on a weekend I had an opening!  I was thrilled!!  I got to meet her beautiful girls!!  And I got to play with them and have her family over for dinner after our session!! Our kids got along as if they'd known each other forever - it was perfect!!  We didn't want the night to end.  So we agreed that we needed to make trips to see each other more.  And we will :)  Here's a peek my our session with Noelle and Michael's beautiful girls!

{Spun Candy's Mad Hatter's = Swoon!}

I've been friend for Melissa on-line for a while and was so excited when she recently expanded her talents from a thriving photography business to the brilliant creation of her  'Spun Candy' shop.  In such a short time she has listed  and sold an impressive array of children's accessories, scarves and Mad Hatter's.  They're irresistible I have to warn you!  So when she contacted me about photographing one of her Mad Hatter's - the 'Fancy Nancy' I was giddy and my mind started working excited for the shoot!!  Below is a sample of  images from the Mad Hatter - Fancy Nancy shoot.  Check out her Facebook page for the newest listings (some before they're posted in her shop), news, promotions and special offers.

{Game with the Major Leagues}

This was a busy weekend.  So much to do but thankfully all fun and work (yes work - but work is fun for me).  On Saturday morning the kids rose early - just as the sun was popping up.  They were so excited to leave for 'Little League Day' at the big Stadium with the Diamondbacks.  Brielle just gets excited whenever Tyler's excited so she was giddy for the day to begin too.  Ty & Brielle spent the morning making signs to hold at the game - it was a good way to pass the time since they were beyond excited!

When we got the stadium you could feel the excitement in the air.  Kids everywhere wore their teams uniforms excited to walk the field and high five kids and adults in the crowd and to greet some of the mascots and players.  While we were waiting to see Tyler enter the field with some of his teammates Brielle and I stood close near a crowd trying to catch fly-balls (home-runs) from the players during their batting practice.  The fans were electric with energy and anxious to catch the next fly ball that came near.  Brielle and I just stood watching, waiting and enjoying all the action around us.  A ball was headed several feet away not quite making it to the crowd - the fans were going crazy trying to reach and scramble for the ball that was really out of reach for all of them.  But one of the Chicago Cubs players ran for the ball waved it up to the roaring crowd and sweetly handed the ball to Brielle.  Brielle just looked at me not knowing what to do so I said 'Oh Brielle, he's giving you the ball.'  We thanked him as he walked away.  Brielle was sooooo excited she kissed the ball.  I'll never forget it.  We tucked it in my bag.  More balls were headed our way.  And one of the fans caught a ball with a loud smack - perfect placement in his glove.  A moment later, I get a tap on my shoulder asking me and Brielle if we want the ball.  The gentlemen who caught it wanted to give it to us.  How sweet is that?!  I didn't want to be greedy since the fans were going crazy trying to get balls, so I declined saying, we had one and that he should keep it since he caught it.   Of course I could've given it to Tyler but I knew Brielle would offer hers to her brother since she knew he wanted one. So fun!

Above is a picture of the ball given to Brielle, Tyler giving the fans high fives and  Ty with his team mates walking away.  What a great day at the ballgame!!

{beautiful} Scottsdale Family Photographer

I love my job.  I love that I get to meet amazing and wonderful families.  I love that I get a peek into their lives and I get to capture sweet moments shared.  I love families like this - families that are real, that are genuine, so natural and loving together.  The playing and interaction we do during a session tells so much about each family.  And my gosh this family was so connected and loving.  I feel so lucky to be able to capture that closeness, fun connection for them!  How many people can say that about their job...capturing and witness that special bond?  It's awesome.  And this beautiful family was up for anything too - so we were able to photograph some fun, artsy images for mom & dad :)  I LOVE that!!

Little Emerson...she melted me.  When I arrived to their house Emerson was pretty adamant that she didn't want her picture taken. She was so sweet about it but was firm in her decision.  Within 20 minutes she was dressed, her hair was done and she seemed excited about the session.  She and I became buddies and before I knew it, she was hopping in pictures that I was taking of her mom and dad.  No longer did she want to be my assistant, she wanted to be in the pictures.   And the camera loved her.  Here's a little look into our time together.  :)

{Sweet Violet Jane - Vintage Girl Crowns}

Meghann is at it again.  Yes, she's busy with both her photography business and her awesome shop ' Sweet Violet Jane' creating amazing crowns.  Last time I photographed something for boys.  This time it's all about the girls.  If you want a vintage look,  she's got it.  If you want a playful and colorful look, she's got that too.  She adds new looks to her shop all the time so be on the look out. As always, I'm so impressed with her talent and my kids love the results of her talent- including them in every day play.  Dress-up is just not complete without a crown. :)  For new items, promotions and special discounts check out her Facebook page

{Eggs}

It's almost Easter!!  I'm not really ready yet, I feel like there's so much left to do and not enough hours in the day to get all the festive crafts and fun Easter-y things done.  I did however hard-boil 2 dozen eggs today in preparation for decorating.   I really like eating hard-boiled eggs but I've always found them painful to peel.  Well, I finally found out why not too long ago.  I was boiling them wrong.  I know, sounds silly - how can you boil eggs incorrectly??  Have I mentioned that I'm not much of a cook?  I'm an eat to survive kind of person.  Anyway, I found out that you have to start with cool/cold eggs, and place them in cold water prior to boiling so the inside temp of the egg and the water are the same.  Put that cold pot of water and eggs on the stove until it boils.  Once it's boiled, put the lid on the eggs and let them sit for 12 to 15 minutes in that hot water but off the burner.  Empty the water out of the pot once it's sat for the appropriate amount of time and replace with cold water, even ice.  You want the eggs to cool quickly so the membrane of the egg loosens from the shell, making them easier to peel when it comes time to do so.  Yay, easy- peasy.  :)  Here's a link I liked that gave more detailed instructions.

So we decorated eggs today with friends - very fun.  It's not Easter without decorated Easter Eggs.  Oh and just a note:  Personally I think the PAAS eggs dying kits (sold everywhere) really seem to only be good for the dye - the Tattoo kit by PAAS didn't work at all.. and when the kids tried the eggs cracked. :(  Save your money and do it the old fashioned way.  Martha Stewart has a great article about it.  We may try these again on Friday.

Happy Egg Decorating and if I don't post again before Easter, Happy Easter too.  :)   Thanks for popping by my blog.

{Something for BOYS! - Sweet Violet Jane}

When Meghann from Sweet Violet Jane contacted me about working together I was giddy!  Are you kidding?!  Her crowns are amazing!!  If you don't know about her work...you're missing out.  She is genius!  This boy's crown reminds me of 'Where the Wild Things Are'  - one of my favorite books as a child.  I loved how it looked on Tyler too.  He got so into our shoot that we stayed for a while after and played on the dirt mounts and threw rocks.  This crown is reversible too - one side is striped and the other is polk-a-dotted.  I love the colors Meghann chose - perfect.  Meghann's popularity is growing huge and she's coming out with more styles (more to come on my blog), so check out her Facebook page for news, updates and promotions.  Thank you for working with me Meghann :)

And a fun brightly edited image :)

{Nuxiemade adorables!!}

As most of you know, I've been working with Nuxiemade for several years now and I just love our partnership/friendship.   She started out making adorable crocheted  hats but has expanded her talents to clothing and I'm smitten with them.  I don't think you can find any look-alikes anywhere.  They're fun, light, and most pieces incorporate her beautiful crocheting.  I keep asking her to make more and more and more since they are just adorable and I think others would think they are just as amazing.  And she has made more!  YAY!  Here's some cute pieces that are part of her Spring & Summer lines. The first dress is her 'Spring Street Peasant Dress' (it's a personal favorite of mine) and she's wearing it with one of her new hair accessories that should be listed soon.  The second design shown is her 'Rose Apron Top' - the colors have me excited for summer.  Check out her fanpage on Facebook where she posts promotions, new styles and the latest Nuxiemade news.  And....drumroll please.... she has a new website!  Check it out!!  Thanks Melissa, for being so amazing and partnering with me to photograph your beautiful creations. :)

{Ingrid B. Designs – Spring & Summer Styles}

Ahhh...Ingrid B. Designs.  Her detail amazes me more and more  every time I work with her.  I love her vision and creativity. She has some super cute Spring & Summer styles in her shop right now that are unique yet practical and fun.  She's a busy lady with her successful shop so some items may have a 3 week production time (that's what happens when you're clothing is in high demand).  Most items are available in sizes 18 month through size 6. SOME larger sizes (i.e., size 8 or 10) may be available, inquire if you have any questions.  She has loads of goodies in her shop right now and she's on facebook where she posts promotions, contests, and give-away's.   Thanks for looking :)