Tory Burch and Hunter Navy

Tory Burch and Hunter Navy by mseptien featuring Tory Burch

Tory Burch wool sweater / Tory Burch crew neck sweater / Tory Burch stretch jeans / Tory Burch tote bag / Hunter Mens Navy Original Tall Wellington, $110

Botox, for migraines update

A couple weeks ago I posted a blog entry about my experience with migraines and all the medications I have tried.  I had posted about getting the botox treatment which my insurance covered for me, since I had proved along with my doctors that I had gone thru all the other options available and none worked or I had awful side effects.  I have to say that so far the Botox has changed my life.  I was uncomfortable for a few days and didn't notice much of a change in how I was feeling because I was sore from the injections.  I did not experience any bruising only tenderness in the injection areas and some slight neck and shoulder discomfort.

After that subsided I felt amazing, after years of constant migraines and fear of triggering another one, I finally had no tension in my head daily, and migraines have been slim to none.  I have only had one bad migraine and one tension headache but I took some Immitrex at the onset of the pain and it was gone within an hour or so.  The migraine I got was a rough one but only lasted a few hours and was gone.  I have been going to the gym regularly again and usually this would lead to a migraine by mid day if I went in the morning, but have not had any from working out.  It feels great and I have the added benefit of no wrinkles on my forehead or between my eye brows.  I have tried to replicate the facial expressions I made in my before photos to show the wrinkles I had when I would look up or squint my eyes but I can't really get them to look similar at all.   I will be posting photos later in the week, next week of before and after it is a remarkable and pleasant change.  I never had wrinkles that were obvious or lines, I only had them when I made faces or crinkled my eyebrows inward.  Now I have a smooth forehead with no fine lines or crazy wrinkles or creases when I make faces.

I have to say this is an amazing treatment and so far, knock on wood, I haven't had any bad side effects that I had read about.  I will continue to post more about this because from what I read the results and effects get better with every treatment.  I am so happy that my husband's co worker told him about this treatment and how well it worked for him because as of today it has changed my life.  I would spend days every week with awful head pain and migraines, some that would leave me laid up in the dark, with no noise and unable to eat cause I felt so sick to my stomach, I felt like I was losing time with my kids and pursuing activities or working on my cakes and photography due to this situation but now I can say every day I wake up feeling refreshed and not stressed about triggering a migraine, no tension in my head first thing in the morning.  I also have gotten more active and go to the gym right after I drop my girls at school, come home shower, get dressed and have the most productive days ever.  I am happier and all around feel great.

Stay tuned for photos of before and after, If you are curious if it changes your appearance or helps cosmetically also, just to note I did not do this for cosmetic reasons at all.  I had no lines or wrinkles that bothered me at the stage in my life but I do know that some people who have migraines do wonder if it will improve their appearance also, and I believe it does and would if you had a lot of lines above your eye area.  I had no dropping of eye brows or any weird looking stuff happen and my forehead does not look plastic or like it doesn't move, just doesn't wrinkle up or look anything like it did before.   Honestly if it wasn't for my before and after photos I would not haven even noticed cause again I was never paying to much attention to that area cause it never bothered me before.  I also will keep posting about how the migraines go, so far one in almost a month is awesome when I had 3-4 sometimes more a week. The regular headaches have even gone away=).

In fashion news a few months back I posted about some cute tee shirts I found on etsy and was looking for the same seller to make another purchase because I loved my tee shirt so much. I found these super cute tees and pretty sure they are also by the same person I posted from last time, have to go back and check it out. Love these super cute tees, I am obsessed with graphic tee shirts and tank tops. This seller is listed as My Pebby Forevee, she hand cuts, and screen prints all of her cute tees. Here are a few I took some screen shots of. Be sure to check out My Pebby Forevee on Etsy next time you are looking for a cute tee.  

Have a great weekend and a Happy Thanksgiving

Update from 2015: so amazing to go back through my old posts and find a brand that I was into that long ago. Since then Pebby Forevee has grown so much and I actually found her on Instagram last year. I have since ordered several more tees from her. She is no longer on Etsy she has a website you can go to at www.mypebbyforevee.com. She still hand makes all her tee shirts and has so many amazing and cute style tees. I am obsessed with the off the shoulder cut tees and just ordered my first muscle tank. Love to see this because I am always being called a copycat by someone I don't even know that I just found out about myself in September of this year when this person left a rude comment on a featured photo I had on Instagram, then I was told by a couple friends on IG she tells everyone I copy her and buy the same stuff she buys. This is just more proof I was into this brand before I ever knew who she was. Insane and honestly it is such a shame because I can honestly say she has a lot of the same clothes I have and would probably like me if she got over the idea I was copying her lol. I don't have time to copy people. I see a lot of cute stuff people I follow post and sure I have gone and bought the same stuff as some of the people on my IG feed but not to copy them or anyone. I just like the style. This one girl though, I have never copied her. Now that I know she thinks I do copy her I try not to buy stuff the same stuff or shop at the same online shops as her. Hard because a lot of the online shops sell the same stuff. It happens but people do have the same or similar tastes and then there are a lot of the same styles being sold all over online. I am sure a lot of people own the same stuff as me and her. Really is sad. Anyways I don't do the drama stuff enough about that.  Be sure to check out this amazing brand, if you are reading this old post she still sells tee shirts and they are just as cute and some are even cooler. Thank you again for reading. Xoxo ✌️❤️

Crave Photography 85mm Lens Giveaway

Crave photography is having an amazing contest.  I would love to win and wanted to share the link for those who are also photographers and would also love to win.  Good luck to all and fingers crossed.  I have been entering tons of giveaways and hoping I get lucky, would love to win a contest with the holidays coming.  Make sure to check out Crave photography on FB and Twitter also, great site.

cravephotography.com lens giveaway contest

Crave Photography Lens Giveaway

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Premiere Fashion Finds

Monday night we saw the return of the Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills and the finale of the Miami Housewives.  I have a lot of items I picked I loved but going to start with the premiere of the Beverly Hills housewives and three of my favorite dresses worn to Kyle's cocktail party for the Beverly Hills chamber of commerce.  I was asked to join the Plantation chamber of commerce a few years ago when I was catering some desserts for a grand opening for a hair salon, but I live in Pembroke Pines so I did not join.  It is a great way to promote your business and network with other business owners.

Kyle wore a gorgeous yellow and black dress

Bravo tv photo

ShopStyle.com Robert Rodriquez

$595 on sale now at Shopstyle.com for $109.20

Then her sister Kim Richard's was wearing a dress by their sister Kathy Hilton

Sorry for small photo.

NewYorkdress.com Kathy Hilton

$495

Then my personal favorite was worn by Yolanda, the gorgeous Victoria Beckham dress was sold out everywhere I searched but I love Ebay for everyone who knows me and found it on sale for $50.  I ordered one for me.  Hurry cause it won't last long.

Bravotv.com

Yolanda Foster

VictoriaBeckhamZipbackBlueDresseBay

$50

I also loved the other ladies dresses but these were my favorite of them all.  More to come from the episode, than Miami and Atlanta

Happy shopping

Migraine mission and botox injections

I have been suffering with migraines and chronic headaches most of my life but the passed six years it has been severe.  Shortly after the birth of my second child in Sept of 2007 I started having severe neck pain, shoulder pain, lower back pain, mood swings and depression, than the migraines became more frequent and some would last for 4-5 days.  Yes that long.  They were awful, I would get nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sounds, and everything seemed to trigger them.  I went to several neurologists and doctors.  I was diagnosed with a lot of different things over the years from, myo facial syndrome, fibromyalgia, arthritis, depression, insomnia, doctors wanted to do a spinal tap to test for ms, chronic pain, chronic migraines and muscle spasms.

This started my horrible journey through medications.  I don't believe in taking prescription medication really and have always been one to try natural remedies first but after many tests, mri and ct scans I had to eventually try these medications to see if some helped, cause I was suffering deeply.  I tried acupuncture, massage therapy, electro therapy, traction, chiropractor, chinese medicine and even injections to the muscles.  Then started the awful medications.  I was first put on Ibuprofen 800 mgs, this did nothing, than tried different anti depressants that claimed to help with depression and migraines, I was on amitriptyline, lexapro, cymbalta, lyrica, effexor, and every one made me feel worse, either more depressed, or I had severe side effects, from brain zaps, mental fog, memory loss, weight gain, and more.  The doctor tried adding wellbutrin and abilify to the medications to increase my lose of energy and motivation that did nothing but give me added anxiety, which I already had for years.

Next up was Topamax, worse drug ever for me.  I tried it for the first time when I was going to the chiropractor for massages and adjustments about 4 years ago, I lost a ton of weight.  I started out still over weight from baby #2 weighing around 180 and got down to 115 pounds in a few months.  My hair was falling out and food tasted weird, even soda tasted flat.  I remember throwing out two two liters of Coke thinking I had a bad batch then got cans and they tasted the same, so I googled this and found out this was a side effect from the medication.  I ended up weaning off it and then started trying beta blockers, and other meds for migraines from anti convulsants that are off label prescribed to prevent migraines.  I took Buspirone, Clomipramine, Lamictal, Doxepin, Flunarizine, Immitrex and than pain meds like Tramadol, Taradol, Ultracet, and percocet.  Nothing helped or I had awful side effects from them all.  I got so discouraged that for awhile I just suffered but that made me feel more depressed cause I would spend 3-5 days a week unable to do much, than weight gain from the meds, hair loss and other side effects made me feel horrible.

Last year I joined the kick boxing gym to lose weight that I had gained back over the few years of trying meds after losing all the weight from the topamax, and lost 40 lbs but around the holidays last year my doctor told me maybe it was hormonal and that birth control could help.  I started in Dec and by Feb I had such bad migraines I was missing the gym a lot and had discovered the birth control made it worse so the hormonal issues were ruled out.  I decided I was going to finally try to get something done about this.  I went back to my neurologist several times over the summer and we tried immitrex again, tramadol and toradol shots with muscle relaxers and other injections.  Finally a couple months ago my doctor suggested I try Topamax one more time.  I started out on 25mgs, and than increased to 50 and so on.  The goal was to get me to 100 mgs in a month and than try to see how it went and ride out the side effects for a month after that.  I started to see side effects after two days, first the taste, than no appetite, skin got dry, hair started to fall out, but worse part was the mental stuff.  I got very irritable, I have a good temper pretty much only when someone really messes with me or my kids do I get angry but I was getting mad and snapping over the smallest things, I would cry over anything and everything, than I started noticing that my judgement was off, mental stuff started happening like forgetting, confusion, waking up and not knowing where I was or what I was suppose to do, driving and forgetting where I was going.  I even noticed that I would comment on posts on FB and IG that would start out simple and turn into long responses cause I was easily distracted and than would lose my train of thought.

It was awful, I was a member of a forum for other moms into photography in my area and some rude, and totally out of place lady commented to me about how did I find time to post these lengthy comments that made no sense!?  Sorry lady I when you have a migraine, two kids talking to you and the medication makes you forget stuff that can happen, not everyone is so perfect lol.  She even had the nerve to say to me that she could barely find time to shower between photography and being a mom, but I had several businesses, blog and posted long posts on my IG and FB.  I am sorry I can multi task and have always been someone who is very driven, when I set my mind to something I do it and I have two kids, shower daily and have time to do many things.  Maybe she needs to learn to be less rude and realize that not everyone is the same lol.  Sorry that got to me so bad especially cause it was a forum for moms to meet other moms who loved photography, I do believe now that there was more behind that attack on me cause I had issues with a not so sane person who I had to hire a lawyer and take to court, file a court order for protection against and later realized she was part of this forum, but because I have her blocked didn't even cross my mind, anyways getting off topic cause it did upset me at the time but I took the high road and just unjoined the group cause at my age and having two kids I don't need to deal with drama, bs and negative people who really have no reason to be rude or treat people so unfair.

Then my family started pointing out to me that I was not myself.  That I was starting things and not finishing them, I would talk and forget what I was saying mid sentence, I was over sensitive, letting small things like the stupid forum crap bother me, crying over stupid things or nothing, getting angry so easy, going on crazy shopping trips where I bought stuff I didn't need, like 8 loaves of french bread lol. It isn't funny really it is scary.  One day I was driving and stopped at a light after dropping my girls at school, when the light turned green I was confused, where was I?  Where was I going?  I couldn't remember, realized I was dressed to go somewhere but since I couldn't remember headed toward home, than I get a call and realized I had a dentist appointment and that was where I was heading.  I got scared and called my doctor right away, he told me to wean off right away.  I than googled the medication and was horrified to read the stories.  Than my doctor told me to google lawsuits against the makers of topamax and was even more horrified.  I could not believe I was taking this poison.  Worse part though was that it got rid of the migraines and headaches, than it had a added benefit of weigh loss, I had gained some weight since spring break when I had gotten down to 130 lbs from kick boxing and gone up to almost 170 lbs.  I was down to 156 in a couple weeks of topamax and I am sure I lost more before I weaned off but a lot of it came back when I weaned off.

I joined weight watchers and the gym so weight is coming off and happy to say I have lost 20 lbs in almost two months, with another 10-15 to go so that is good and I love the gym keeps me motivated, gives me energy and the weight watchers is great.  I have noticed not just the weight on the scale but my body has changed a lot.  I also sleep better.  Now back to the migraines, sorry still have the rambling and side effects from topamax, doctor said that will subside over the next couple months.  When I returned to the doctor I had no more options for medication so he suggested botox.  I had never heard of it really except for a guy who works with my husband who suffered from migraines also told him about it and how well it worked for him, but he also told him it was costly and had to be done every three months.  I have been one who knows a lot of people who use botox for wrinkles and never thought really about doing it myself cause I just turned 36 and for my age I don't think I have many wrinkles and didn't want to start something that I would have to maintain that is so costly.  I told my doctor I was open to try anything but could not afford 600-1200 every three months.  He told me that with my history the insurance should cover it so we started the process of getting it approved thru the insurance and set up my appointment with the doctor that specializes in Botox for migraines at my hospital I go to for all my appointments.

My first appointment was a day away and I had received no calls from the doctor so I assumed it was approved cause when I set up the appointment the lady told me they would call me if the insurance refused the claim for it, other wise I wouldn't get any call and would go to the appointment.  I googled about it to see what people said and was shocked the little info I could find, but also that most that I came across was positive.  This is rare cause when I have previously searched medications and treatments in the passed I would have to stop reading cause I would read so many bad stories.  Seemed no one ever had anything good to write lol.  The night before I got a call late and the office told me the insurance had denied my first claim.  I was super down, the day of the appointment, which they canceled and moved to a week later, I received a letter from the insurance saying it was denied cause I had not tried at least two to three treatments or medications with no results or bad adverse effects.  I was so mad!  I had tried so many treatments and medications that I called them instantly and started to argue with them.  My doctor than submitted a new claim and added more medications, went into more detail about the severity of my migraines and the awful side effects and experiences I had with medications.

This week was my new appointment date, today to be exact.  I was nervous and every phone call I was afraid it would be the lady calling me to cancel and tell me I was denied, sure enough yesterday morning at 9 am she called and told me the insurance denied my second request from the doctor and that the doctor who does the treatment was booked till after the holidays.  I was so depressed and upset.  I was looking forward to trying this method and had read so many things that sounded amazing and positive, I was thinking this could be the answer.  I hung up with her and called my insurance company, which had me on hold for almost an hour and a half, to tell me that they needed to have the doctor call them and then they would have a peer to peer conversation with him and make a final decision for the year and if it was denied I could not reapply till after the new year.  I than had to call the doctors office and be shuffled around from appointment desk, to the coordinator for the office, to the nurse.  I explained the situation and she told me the doctor was at lunch but that after lunch he had a full day of appointments, he is an amazing neurologist and he takes a lot of time with each patient so most days he is running behind, but that is why I love him cause he cares, he has tried so many things for me and spent so much time with me at every appointment.  She told me he probably would not have time to call till after 4 or 5 and that I should not expect them to approve it in time for me to keep my appointment this morning.  I was so upset and basically gave up, I did tell my husband that if the doctor actually got my message that I knew he would make a point of calling and getting it approved.  He knows the pain and struggle I have been thru my last visit I was in tears over the suffering and horrible experience with Topamax.  I believed in my heart he would come thru but also I was worried they wouldn't give him the message before the end of the day and than that the insurance would think I wanted it for cosmetic reasons and deny it.

I had nose surgery and my tonsils removed years ago, the insurance company refused to cover the nose surgery saying it was cosmetic, I had a deviated septum and couldn't breath out one side, yes after they did approve it and I had the procedure the doctor did fix my nose.  I had a hump and than broke it when I was younger so it was crooked, that is what caused the deviated septum and in the end I got the breathing fixed and a little tweeked nose job for $100 out of pocket for my copay.  I have learned that you will be surprised what with some hassle of going back and forth with the insurance you can get them to cover and try to take advantage of it, it is our right all the money that is spent to have insurance.  Anyways, I got a call yesterday at 3 as I was picking my kids up from school that the insurance approved the procedure and today was the day!  I was so happy=).  The amazing, caring doctor saw my message when he returned from lunch and took time out of his schedule to call and fight with the insurance to prove I needed to try this and he felt it was medically necessary.  Made my day.

I was so nervous last night and had no idea what to expect.  I had googled like I mentioned before but found only a few sites and forums that talked about botox for migraines.  Some were old and when it was in the study and trial stages, so I didn't pay mind much to those but a few were recent and most positive.  I read that you get anywhere from 30-45 shots in the face, head, neck and shoulders.  I was very scared cause I hate needles and to the face or head ouch.  I had cortizone injections in my neck and shoulders before and it hurt awful.  I am desperate for relief though and after reading stories where people were brought to tears of joy over the relief with no side effects I felt super excited too.  I also read that some ladies had experienced reduced lines and wrinkles on their forehead and between their eyes as a added benefit, again I do not have lines or wrinkles at my age, but I do have these two lines between my eyes when I squint that I hate, and this could reduce those.  Every woman out their would be lying if they told you that free botox that could reduce some fine lines wouldn't excite them.

My husband took off the morning from work, he had a meeting and decided to go with my cause he knows I hate needles and with my anxiety I would have been a wreck alone, also I wasn't sure if it would make me feel weird after so wanted someone to drive me.  The doctor told me when I got there that you can drive after the treatment though no problem.  They had the nurse ask me a series of questions about the type of migraines, frequency, length and symptoms that I would get with them.  I had a migraine going in today that I had since Friday.  It did let up a little on Sunday but I was pmsing Monday and stressed with the insurance issue so it was back and pretty bad.  I showed the doctor the areas that the stress and pain start before the migraines and than where it hurts when I have them.  I usually start out with shoulder and neck tension, that ends up starting the headache, the back of my neck at the base of my skull on each side will ache and then my temples, and forehead around my eyes hurt.  I get nausea but take anti nausea medication so I don't end up throwing up, sensitivity to light, sound and temperatures also.  I see small white dots and sometimes my vision gets blurry.

He made a lot of notes and than went to get the nurse, she came in with 5 vials and showed me the small needle that they use, it is similar to the needle they use for the newer flu vaccines that is thin and very short.  Than he went over with me the injection areas.  It would start with two injections between my eyebrows, than six across my forehead where the last set of lines are when I crinkled my forehead, then four below it, several on the sides of my head above my ears in the temple area, than four to five on each side of the back of my head at the base of the neck where I get the pain when it starts, then a bunch down my neck and some across the top of the shoulders and base of the neck in the shoulder area.  All together my first treatment I received 31 shots.  It is usually 30-45 shots depending on areas and they adjust as you go.  The treatment is to be done every 3 months cause the effects wear off in that time.  He told me that you won't see anything or feel any difference for 3-10 days.  Also he told me I would be sore and some people complain of flu like symptoms for several days.  He also told me if I didn't have a migraine or headache I would later today.

I laid back on the bed and he did the first shot, he said he wanted to do the two between the eyebrows first to see how I handled it and also he said that way if I didn't think I could handle it I would have the two that take away the wrinkles and fine lines when you squint or make a mad face.  He was very quick and the first two didn't hurt really at all.  It was a quick pinch than when he put the botox into the muscle it was some pressure.  The forehead hurt worse cause he said the skin is tighter and he couldn't squeeze the area or move the skin off the bone much, the worse ones were the side of my head in my hairline above the ear, it made a crunch sound when needle went it and was the most painful sensitive area but it was so quick and really wasn't too bad, not as bad as the migraines are.  He then went to the back of the head and down the neck, shoulder area.  It was over before I knew it and really was nothing like I expected.  I had people tell me and had read that you will bruise, have swelling, discomfort and need to use ice or compresses after.  He told me no ice unless it was swollen or looking bruised when I got home.

I was amazed at how quick it was over and how painless it was, I am afraid of needles and usually black out when having blood drawn or iv done, but this was pretty easy and not too bad at all, if I can do it as big of a chicken as I am you can too trust me.  I have 14 tattoos and some are large but to me that is different lol.  It hurts but it isn't a single needle going into my body.  Either way it was way different than I had imagined and he was so fast and moved right a long it was over before I knew it.  I had some slight bumps on my forehead but by the time I walked to the car they were gone.  All I see now is a few small red dots in some of the shot areas, but nothing noticeable really.  I am achy tonight but not in pain, I had a headache when I went but after the shots it seemed to let up, I think that was from the pain of the shots, it seemed to take the pain away from the migraine and to the areas where the shots were given.  I had some slight burning and tingling in the spots of the injections on the ride home and then felt tired.  I came home a sat upright for awhile cause I had read not to bend over or look down, the doctor told me that it was okay to do all that but I still wanted to be extra cautious.

Around one this afternoon, my appointment was at 9 am, I started to get a bad headache, as soon as I felt it coming I took a immitex and laid down, it went away.  It is now almost 10 pm and I am sore.  I took a long warm shower and have been taking it easy most of the day other than picking my kids up from school and practice.  My neck and shoulders are achy and my head hurts but I don't have a headache.  I took photos of my face and neck last night, then this am, then after the procedure and will take some in 3 days to see if anything changes.  Also tomorrow I will post how I am feeling.  I read some people get stiff neck, or feel like they can't move their neck the same, than the doctor said I could get flu like symptoms, so I will update.  I wanted to post this to help other people who are looking into, have been thru or are going to get this procedure done.  I know I like to google things before I try or buy something new to read reviews or just to find out what is done.  If you have any questions please feel free to comment below.  I am here to let you know anything I can or help inform you of the treatment I received.

If you suffer from migraines and have tried medications or other treatments, I do recommend you speak to your doctor or neurologist about this.  My doctor told me the only time I should have headaches is around my menstrual cycle and they should be easier to treat with motrin, advil or immitrex.  Again this was my first treatment and just had it done this am.  He said that most patients see and feel the best results after two to three treatments because they will tweek the areas of injection and how much every visit till they find the right one for each person.  I go to my neurologist in 6 weeks for a follow up to see how it is working and my next botox appointment is in 3 months.

Will post more tomorrow, I have a pretty slow day and only plan to edit some photos I took for my daughter's school that I need to hand in to the yearbook committee than I have a post planned on diet and exercise along with some of my measurements and weight loss from my journal.  I also plan to do a write up on General Hospital happenings and Real Housewives of Miami, and the return of Housewives of Beverly Hills fashion also.  I will try to squeeze in a update on the botox and than in 3-4 days I will post before and after photos also.

Hope everyone has a great week, and hope this works for me cause it is my last resort.  Thanks for reading and hope this helped inform you more on the treatment, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Featured photos

Have a few new photos that were featured last week and the week before, you can check them out on my photography Facebook page and my blog, link is at the top of this page.  Going to post the photos below also.  Hope everyone had a Happy and safe Halloween, now time to get ready for Thanksgiving and my oldest daughter's 14 birthday.  Where does the time go.  Been super busy the passed couple weeks with school for my girls, volunteering and with some other stuff.  Lots of new photos and blog posts coming soon.  Promise.  Have a wonderful weekend and looking forward to the FSU vs UM game tomorrow night, GO NOLES!!

Have a Dliteful Weekend all,

Super_Gorgeous_Kids feature on IG

RSA_Rural feature, bottom left corner black and white photo of my girls=).

Also won a wooden camera tape dispenser and film tape from Clickin Mom's store on IG a couple weeks ago, I love it!  It came last week and I love it in my office/studio.  Thank you to Monica from the CM store on IG.  Make sure to follow them, they have amazing photography gifts and items.

Sorry I haven't posted

It has been a really hectic couple of weeks, been working a lot on my photography, trying to shoot every day and learn as much as possible, signed up for a workshop on natural light photography and really working hard to get the hang of LightRoom.

I have been working hard to shed the weight I gained over the summer, lost almost 20 pounds in the passed two months with eating healty, joined weight watchers.com and now joining the gym, today is my first day and I am up early and ready to go.  Will be writing a post later with a Ipsy bag review for October, and some tips for losing weight.  I managed to lose 15 lbs in 2 weeks and since joining weight watchers last week friday I lost another 6 lbs.  Only 10 more to go and I am back to my skinny size=).  I also will have some new photos and some Real Housewives fashion stuff too.  With NJ over haven't had much that stood out to me.  Below is a photo I took at the pumpkin patch, haven't had time to edit them just uploaded them and one I blurred the edges.  Got to run to get my little one ready for class pictures today and then off to the gym.

Have a wonderful week and happy clicking,

Also followed The CM store on Instagram and won a camera tape dispenser and tape, can't wait for it to come cause I have been redoing my office/studio, which was all baking and party planning stuff, now it is going to be canvas prints of my favorite landscape photos, beach pics and pictures of my girls.  Got some amazing photo wall ideas, for lay outs of my prints off pinterest and will be posting.  Also going to share my pinterest Halloween diy crafts later, I made a diy chalkboard pumpkin to countdown the days till Halloween and a planter with witch legs popping out, posting photos later.

Photo mini session giveaway

I am having a photo mini session giveaway along with many specials and promotions this month.  As I am waiting for all my business papers to be done and working on website, packaging and more, I am now busy trying to build my FB page, portfolio and client list.  I would love to get up to 60 likes on my FB page and am going to giveaway a mini photo shoot with 12 edited photos on cd with release form to one lucky FB fan who is #60 to like my FB page.  Also have specials and promotions for those who are looking for great prices on shoots.  Please be sure to visit my facebook page and like it.  Also if you can please share the link on your own FB page and ask you facebook friends and family to also visit and like my page.

I have some Halloween Diy projects and crafts to post today and tomorrow, then some fashion stuff from the Real Housewives of NJ, and Miami from this week.  My daughter has been sick so it has been a hectic week and been busy decorating and making Halloween crafts all week.  Thank you for your support and can't wait to see who wins the contest..

Melissa Septien Photography Facebook

Tamra Barney Judge from Tamra's OC wedding Arden B strapless maxi tie dye dress

Tamra wore a gorgeous tie dye maxi dress by Arden B on the episode when they have the party with family to celebrate the wedding.  I have looked all over the internet and finally found the dress for sale on EBay.  The bids start at $99.99 or you can buy it now for $129.99.  Click the Ebay link below to go direct to seller.

Ebay.com Arden B Dress

It is a gorgeous dress and I have been considering bidding on it myself.  It took me a few days to find it but I was excited when I did.  Hope this helps you out, it is sold out by Arden B and I could not find something close to it.  There are some fabulous dresses by Sky and other designers but this one was a hard one to find something like it.  

Alexia Echevarria's Red and White striped strapless mid length dress from Real Housewives of Miami

On Monday night's episode there was that awkward moment when Lea had the ladies of the Real Housewives of Miami sing happy birthday to her son, very odd moment, but I must say all the ladies looked amazing.  Out of them all Ms. Alexia looked stunning, she always dresses amazing.  I loved the strapless red and white dress she wore and have been doing a lot of research on this dress.  I know I have seen it before and that is because Khloe Khardashian also wore it awhile back, I had flipped thru some magazines I have and there it was.  It is by Robert Rodriguez and it is sold out online in the red with white everywhere.  I have looked on many sites that sell his clothing and can only find the black with white available.

Alexia in the dress by Robert Rodriguez from Bravotv.com

Robert Rodriquez dress sold out online

Robert Rodriquez Black and White dress

Size 6 only $269.99

Piperlime

I did however find this dress in red and sand, also available in black and pink stripes too, from BeBe.com.  Bebe always has cute stuff and a lot of the ladies wear their clothes so I looked there while googling.  It isn't red and white, more of a cream color but very close in look.

BeBe.com

Hope this helped out some of you other Real Housewives fashion fans, Have more fashion finds by the ladies of the Real Housewives coming up, playing catch up.  If you have any fashion or accessories you see on one of the ladies, please feel free to comment below and I will do my best to find the designer and something similar for less=).

Melissa Gorga Black studded dress from real Housewives of NJ

Playing catch up on some of the fashion on Real Housewives, been super busy with business and just now getting a chance to write posts for all my fashion likes and comparable finds.  On Real Housewives of NJ Melissa Gorga wore a gorgeous and sexy black studded dress to the Milania hair care party.  It is made by Roberto Cavalli and is sold out online.  I did lots of searching and found a similar dress by Venus.  It is pretty close to the original.  This is a pretty hot dress and Melissa wore it great.  If I looked like her I would wear this for sure.   Check out the photos and links below.  I have had this and a bunch of other finds on my lap top so trying to get around to posting all of them.  Also if you have something you saw please let me know and I will do my best to find it or something close to it.  Just leave me a comment below.

Melissa Gorga in the dress, photo from Bravo google search

Roberto Cavalli dress sold out online

Venus dress

Venus

Tamra Judge Pink Peplum Dress

On the episode of Tamra's OC Wedding she had on a cute pink peplum dress, these peplum dresses and tops are so popular with the ladies.  I have done a few previous posts on tops and dresses worn by the ladies of the Real Housewives and posted some less expensive, super cute comparable tops from retailers like Forever 21, JCPenney, Target and even Walmart so make sure to check around.  I try to post comparable items always but some times I have so many cute things I am searching, I can't find the time to look up everything.

This cute peplum dress I am thinking is from BeBe.  Tamra had a similar one for sale on her EBay store but as of now she has no items listed for sale.  Below is the photo of the dress in pink, it is also available in red and white or black, can't remember.  Also some of the colors are on sale.  Make sure to check out the link below.  Also posting the same black dress in peplum from JCPenney cause it is super cute and for $34.99 can't beat the price.

$104.99-129.00

BeBe

$34.99

JCPenney

Melissa Gorga Peplum Leather dress from Real Housewives of New Jersey

On Sunday's episode Melissa Gorga wore a navy leather peplum dress, I searched around and I did manage to find the same dress at ShopStyle.com and they have it for $101.99.

$101.99 Lovers & Friends Luxe Dress Navy Blue

ShopStyle.com

I also found the same dress made by the same designer at Shop Ambience.com in Royal blue.

                                                      

$116.40

Shop Ambience, Dress

Then below is a dress similar in style but in black from JCPenney.com that is super cute and fun for less.

$34.99

JCPenney

I think the comparable dress is super cute and for the price you can't go wrong.

Found my new car

Been looking for a car for awhile now. I posted a few times different cars I liked and been searching for over six months on and off. I had a Lexus GX but the interior was a light tan and brown, loved it when we bought it but having two kids the light interior was rough. I was thinking I was ready for something smaller. I have owned cars and years ago when my youngest was little we got a Ford Expedition, since then I have become a truck and suv girl.

Back five years ago almost we decided to get a bigger car, I had purchased a mini van when I had my second daughter and that lasted six months almost but wasn't for me. I just didn't like the feel and drive of it. It was nice to have power doors when you carry a babyseat and stroller plus diaper bag but it just wasnt for me and was soon a huge regret. We decided to eat the money we put down and get the Lexus SUV. I loved it but as my girls have gotten older I started thinking maybe I wanted a smaller or sportier suv.

I love luxury vehicles and have always loved Audis so thought maybe a Audi or even a Mercedes. I test drove two models of the Audi the smaller and larger version suv, then two of the Mercedes the smaller and middle size ones. I have to say the Mercedes were a bit of a let down. The interior felt kind of cheap and reminded me of a Ford or Chevy, then they drive rough. Nothing really nice about them, but I had to try them out. The Audis are amazing, but the larger one still felt small. I was really almost about to buy the smaller Q5 sport edition which had all the bells and whistles but I felt like it was going to be to cramped.

When looking for a car my color wish list was a silver, black or preferably white exterior, I think white cars looks so classy, but I had to have dark interior. Today the last car I test drove was a Lexus GX in white with black interior. I fell in love. I was still going back and forth between the Audi and the Lexus cause I really did want something smaller and better on gas but hubby wouldn't give me his input he kept saying it is your car, your choice. I finally decided that the Lexus rides so much smoother it's like floating on a cloud plus we had the Lexus before for five years and it held its value plus never gave us any problems. Also it has the third row seats and now they automatically fold down at the touch of a button into the floor which my older model didn't do, you had to fold then up which took up half the back storage space or remove completely which isn't easy for a small girl like me alone to do. I feel it was meant to be, we got an amazing trade in on our old Lexus and can't believe how much value it held over the years, didn't have to put anything extra down, and it's white with black interior.

Already have my smoky mountain sticker on the back window and my owl on the visor:). Ordering a new FSU license plate frame for the back because I allow hubby to put his Dallas cowboys plate on the front. I am so happy and feel so blessed. I have such an amazing hubby who takes great care of me and our girls. I am beyond thankful for everything God has blessed us with and feel this really was meant to be. Bellow are a couple shots of my new ride, it isn't brand new we refuse to buy new cause the depreciation and then I can't handle having a perfect new car and worrying about dents or damage. We always buy one or two years old and broken in. That way it holds it's value and we always have a great trade in for the future. I hope this car lasts us many years and keeps us safe thru all our daily travels.

Enjoy,

Tamra Judge from Real Housewives of OC

On Tamra's OC wedding there are a lot of cute outfits and clothing to go over. My first is this Forever 21 pink ombre cross top with chain detail on sleeves. Love it:). She has it for sale on her EBay store now. Picture below is from her eBay listing and bravo. Will have more items and the link for her eBay store in next posts. Also up got bid is her aqua and white tie dye blouse from interview segments. More posts to come.

Julep Maven Sept 2013 classic with a twist box

My julep box came this month, skipped last month and then thought I had canceled it but guess not. Need to go online and cancel because I am less then impressed lately with their items and products.

First off this month there was a Bare face cleansing oil and it leaked all over my box, everything is greasy and nasty. Plus not sure about using oil on my face. Have to read about it more but as soon as I opened it I could see the oil all over the box and paper inside so was less then happy:(.

I also got one packet of polish remover pads and two nail polishes. The two polishes I have look like ones k already have by Julep. My box has Florence and Padma. Considering this is the most expensive monthly box I get I have been not impressed by the colors or quality of the few colors I got in the spring summer time. Most didn't dry nice and would clump when applying second coat:(.

Sticking to Ipsy and Birchbox

Melissa Gorga's Sequin Romper

On the Real Housewives of NJ tonight Melissa Gorga wore a cute strapless, short romper that was black with silver sequins. I am starting to google now and haven't found the exact. I have seen a couple cute ones that are comparable at Fredrick's of Hollywood and French Connection. Have some photos of a couple need to do a little more research the photo below was from Dillard's website by French Connection, which Melissa has worn a couple sequin dresses by in the past. Still hunting and if anyone else finds out who makes it or some similar ones please let me know:).  Thank you to readers who let me know where the romper was purchased,  it was available thru Shop Ambience but is sold out, I will post a photo below.

More to come.....

Romper made by Sheri Bodell

Photo from Wanelo.com

Mini Photo session special

Having a special for the month of September on a 30 minute photo shoot with 12 edited photos on CD, with photo release form. Up to four people and on location, can be beach, park, home, any location you can think of. Also have many other specials posted on my Facebook page. Go to www.facebook.com/MelissaSeptienPhotography for more specials or contact me direct to talk more about your session and I can give you best price along with package options.

Thank you and have a great weekend,

Tamra's OC wedding premiere, Z Galleries bedding

Last night on the premiere of the new limited series spin off from Real Housewives of OC, Tamra's OC wedding saw her amazing bedding when they were packing for their bachelor parties in Vegas:).

I own the same curtains as the bedding and ordered the shams but in aqua. Considered the gray and white like she has, cause my Z Gallerie bed is Bella gray, plus I have striped gray and white euro shams and white with gray trim bedding currently but recently got the Hampton striped aqua duvet on sale so went with the aqua and may order the gray set as a back up. It is reversible so you can change up the look and looks amazing with the Hampton striped bedding they now have on sale, check my previous posts I think I showed photos of both;).

Go to www.zgallerie.com and it's called the Montecito bedding. Photo below from Z Gallerie website.

Happy shopping:).

Bedding from Z Gallerie

Finally purchased a new duvet cover for my bed, awhile ago I ordered some gray and white striped euro shams from Pottery Barn, then saw Z Gallerie put the Hampton striped bedding on sale so went and got the king duvet in aqua then ordering the Montecito aqua shams, that are reversible.  Anxious to see how the set all looks together with my decorative pillows.  I have the same pattern as the sham curtains but in dark gray and white, trying to do something that is matching but looks good together.  I also got some new place mats for my dinning room, planning to paint it a aqua or turquoise blue with white and bronze accents, a beach cottage kind of look.  Photos coming soon.

www.zgallerie.com

Hampton striped bedding

New placemats for dinning room table, I got the front one in white and blue.

Great sales and amazing new items in stock, Love Z Gallerie