{tid-bits of randomness}

Warning:  Hodge Podge Post ;o)  Little tid-bits of randomness

It's been quite a busy summer, and it's still the beginning. :) We've had more pool days that non pool days, lots of bbq's and many nights of lit tiki torches and campfire s'mores in the backyard.   I'm starting to love summers in AZ even though that's when the mercury rises and the heat sizzles off the pavement.  To kick off our summer Brielle ended this years dance with her first recital.  It was adorable!!  I don't know if I've mentioned this before but Brielle is super shy (a word we try not to use around her) in front of a crowd and being the center of attention.  So I was worried she would just stand up on stage and her shyness would take over like it did the first 2 months of dance.  (But she insisted on staying in dance even though she wasn't participating - so I let her.  Her dance teacher and I were thrilled the day she actually  participated!).  Anyway, I was the stage mom so that means I had to help the girls backstage, which also meant I couldn't see the performance (only from the side).  So I did the next best thing.  I told Jeff to take pics of Brielle using my big-ole long lens.  He was able to capture some moments for me.  But I forgot to tell him the best settings for this kind of tricky light - oops.  But he got a few pictures and I was giddy to have anything at all.  :)  She's now so excited about dance that she wants to do it again next year.  :) {below, Rapunzel dance the reason for the crazy hair piece}

This week I had an interview with Becky, on her Blog.  Here's the link to my interview :) When Becky asked to interview me I was flattered.  She had interviewed Sheye Rosemeyer, who I adore.  So I was beyond flattered that she wanted to interview lil'ole me.  Becky does her homework, she knew so much about me so the questions were really pertinent and fun to answer.  Thank you again Becky for asking me to be a part of your blog.  :)  Oh and she chose all the images to be shown on her blog - some I had forgotten about.  I love the variety she picked out.  Below is one image - little B....just being little B.  :)  And the ones of Tyler....he's growing so fast.  I love seeing him through my camera.

And lastly - I've become addicted to crackle nail polish. Totally random, I know.   Have you tried it?  I got mine at Sephora.. And they have so many colors of the crackle to choose from.  I think I'm going to try silver or gold next time.  A little more subtle.  But it's so fun!  Oh but if you do try it, make sure you put a shiny top coat on after the crackle.  The crackle is very matte and can look contagious if you don't ;o)  Have fun!

{Miss Ruby Sue and her sweet summer styles}

Eeeps!!  Look at this adorable hair piece by Lori, talented designer behind 'Miss Ruby Sue'!!  When she contacted me about working together I wasn't sure what she'd have in store - since she has so many amazing things in her shop.  When I saw this hairpiece my jaw dropped.  It was so pretty and colorful yet had a vintage flair AND it's YELLOW!  I love yellow!  So I carefully placed it in my staging area (aka my office lol) thinking about what what kind of shoot I wanted to do for it.  Isn't it darling??!  I haven't seen anything like it - I love it!!  It comes with a neck strap but I opted to used bobby pins and tuck the strap in the hat, it's a great option to have.  I just love how it looks!  It's called A Wink & A Flounce.    She also has some super cute styles for the 4th of July - 4th with a Flair is pictured below.  It's a darling crown that ties in the back.   I paired it with the cute 'Miss Ruby Sue' t-shirt she sent.  We are now set for the fourth of July!!  I can't wait - it's one of my favorite celebrations.  I'm still trying to figure out what our plans are that weekend but I want it to be festive and fun.  I can't wait!!  :)

Thank you Lori for sharing your talent with me!!  Check out Miss Ruby Sue's shop and her Facebook page.  She's listing new items all the time and she previews many of them on Facebook :)

{Fun Fall & Winter Styles - Kait Emerson Designs}

I can't tell you how much it means to me to work with such amazing and talented designers.  I've been working with the amazing Feanna, of Kait Emerson Designs of over 3 years now and her work always grabs me.  She's a special person in my book and I'm thankful to have this business relationship and friendship.   When I saw what she has lined up for Fall and Winter 2011 I was smitten.  The outfits speak for themselves.  Check out her on-line boutique.  You can also find her clothing at select boutiques in the Huntington Beach Area of California.  And she's on Facebook, where she reveals her latest styles, special offers, and KE news.

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.

{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

{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. :)