Mini vacations week begins

Tomorrow am I leave for Orlando, a year ago in Sept my mom fell in Disney world while taking my daughter for her birthday, we have to return to go to court and we are making a mini vacation out of it. Staying at one of our top five hotels in the are, The Wyndham Resort Lake Buena Vista. Also love the Bonnet Creek resort by Wyndham too.

Then I return Thursday evening to leave Saturday for the Florida Keys:). Renting a huge house with a pool on the water with fishing dock and more. We plan to take a day trip down to Key West to visit one of my favorites, the Hemmingway home and historic area.

I am bringing my camera and will have restaurant reviews, hotel review, pool review, and other entertainment for both areas with lots of photos:). Hope everyone has a safe and fun week and a half and I will try to post while away about places and things to do:). Enjoy and relax

Summer thru my lens

Here are some more beach and summer fun photos I wanted to take a moment to share:). Loving my camera and lenses. Been trying out lots of equipment and always have my camera with me everywhere I go. I'm addicted to photography hoping to hear back about some applications and resumes I have submitted for second shooter, photography assistant and photographer positions. Want to get as much experience as I can while I'm working on building my own business.

Hope you enjoy my photos and would love to hear comments:).

Happy clicking,

Pre ordered my Lumu

I posted a blog about the Lumu light meter for photographers that is used on your iPhone and been waiting for them to launch the product. They have preorder now and can't wait to get mine to review on my blog. Always needing a way to detect lighting and this is a great invention and idea. Hope it is as good as it sounds:). Little early birthday present. Loving the 50mm lens and contemplating my next lens along with a flash. Can never have enough equipment. Getting ready to order some lights. Found some great stuff on eBay and Craigslist for backdrops and lighting for my studio/office I'm transforming. Don't want summer to end but looking forward to having the days to set up and work. Applied for a couple photography assistant, and photographer positions so fingers crossed I get a job so I can get more hands on training and learning:). Will update when I get word on jobs. One looks really promising working for a huge company that takes sports photos for schools, optimist clubs and more. Have a great night and let me know if anyone has gotten there Lumu or used one yet:).

Birchbox July 2013 box review

Sorry so late, got my box last week but been very busy and photography has taken a front seat, been busy editing, working on building a business and website, learning more and taking a lot of photos:).

My Birchbox this month was pretty good. I canceled julep for this next month been debating canceling for good since I get Birchbox and Ipsy kind of have enough nail polishes for a lifetime plus like to get the brands I love and the colors I want.

This month I received the following items:

Benefit Cosmetics b.right Moisturizing Collection|Full size $30-40.
Three step system for scoring a radiant, glory, and hydrated complexion in one silky swoop. Apply a nickel-sized amount of the emulsion to clean skin. Follow with facial cream and eye cream. Sounds amazing and will be sampling specially with skin being exposed to more sun with summer and beach.

Curly Hair Solutions by Jonathan Torch, Curl Keeper|Full size retails for $10. A water activated serum that gives you soft ringlets-even when humidity hits. Apple by combing through wet and damp hair, let air-dry. This will be used right away with my daughter ringlets or my curls and will review for you:).

Purminerals, CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40|Full size retails for $38. I know I will use this I have been using all the SPF creams Birchbox has sent me and have to say they all work amazing. My favorite is by oil of olay cause it doesn't clog my pours like regular sunblock and cause more breakouts. This clinically proven anti aging formula moisturizes, brightens and evens skin tone. This time of the year I know even the slightest sun exposure can cause me to get dark spots so something to even the skin is a plus and protect:). You apply a small amount onto face after cleansing.

The Suits Pick:

Dr. Jart, Ceramidin Cream|Full size retails for $48. Birchbox exclusive that repairs skin damage and provides hydration for up to 26 hours, simply apply to fresh cleansed skin. Excited to try this love Dr. Jart products everything I have tried is amazing:).

Beauty Extra:

Birchbox bobby pins|set of six, retails for $5
Birchbox designed these partnered pins to add style to summer hair with minimal effort. Already used these the day I got them a several times since to sweep back small side pieces of hair when going to park or beach, even when taking photos. Love them.

Enjoy the photos and have a Ipsy reveal later. Again sorry so late

Summer beach day fun photos

Today my hubby finally had a day off and we met my cousin along with her family at the beach. Here are a couple photos to share, more coming soon as well as my Birchbox review, some early fall art, home office updates and camera equipment reviews.

Been working on a photography position and sent out resumes along with some other applications excited to hear back. I dream of having my own studio and am doing work for family friends and past event and design clients to build my portfolio. This week have a shoot with two adorable boys on location at a grey scenic park. Excited to show my first photos that aren't landscaping or personal photos from vacation and family:).

Had a terrific weekend and planning an amazing week. God has blessed me and answered so many prayers, had a lot going on that wasn't even necessary and really all bs but I knew it would work out cause I know what's right and a lie. Remember everyone treat others as you want to be treated, do good and good will come your way, karma exists, and always be honest.

Happy clicking all,

Cute summer sundresses from Kohl's

Today I went back to school shopping with my daughters and after picking up uniforms, back to school supplies from their lists at Walmart and some other goodies we swung by Kohl's. We went there to look at shoes for school and some basics like socks and accessories. Of course mama need to treat herself to a little retail therapy also.

Summer is almost over, a month from today the kids will be back in school. Living in Florida it is like summer year round pretty much but I was looking for a couple cute, comfy and practical dresses at a good price. Kohl's always comes through, I find the cutest outfits, accessories and shoes there not to mention at great prices. I got two dresses today and a couple pieces of jewelry. Below you will see photos of some quick accessories I paired with my two new dresses that I already have in my closet.

First up is a super cute blue patterned dress from Elle. It has adjustable straps and a great fit. I love that both dresses have pockets also. Being a mom always on the go my kids are always giving me stuff to hold onto and having pockets for easy quick access is a great feature. I love how flattering this dress is and think it would look great in most body tips. I paired it with a white patent leather Coach purse, some cute white patent leather sandals, my new beaded blue, gold and brown bracelet I found in NC while on vacation along with my new pendant that looks like a camera lens. Hoping to have the pendants to sell very soon for other female photographers. It is a cute pendant and something original I have never seen:).

Second dress is by Sonoma and is a tank dress with amazing brown, orange, and gold accents. I saw this paired with a brown belt on the Kohls.com website so I added my Fossil brown braided leather belt, my Michael Kors orange Hamilton tote and shoes were tough, I have orange Tory Burch flip flops and lots of brown sandals but went with my MK's brown flip flops to match the purse kind of. I also used my Tory Burch patent leather with gold logo accents and a long bronze with pearls Lauren Conrad vintage camera necklace. I have a lot of camera necklaces I have gotten as gifts or for myself since I have gotten into photography more. My first one was in February also from Kohl's and then I got one shortly after from Clickin moms website, my mom got me a Nikon Camera necklace and I have the lens pendant also. I also got a matching pair of earrings by LC to go with the necklace.

Enjoy the photos below and I will try to post links to both dresses and the jewelry. All other items I have had for some time. The newest items would be my Tory Burch bracelet I got in April or May and my MK flip flops in brown I got in June. Tory Burch items I got at the Tory Burch outlet and the flip flops are from Macy's. My MK purse is from Marshall's and my Fossil belt was from Dillard's. White Coach purse is three years old and got from Coach, the white sandals are from a shoe store by my house can't remember the name.

Enjoy my looks and hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

Happy shopping

Fall is around the corner

Today while shopping at Walmart and Joann's I saw all the fall stuff coming out. Grabbed a couple small white pumpkins for some centerpieces and wreaths then a Febreeze fall scented plug in. Been smelling it since I got home and has me in fall mode.

I am cleaning my office/studio and a lot of my craft stuff is left overs from fall/winter wreaths and floral decor. I can't wait to start making wreaths for Halloween and fall. Already laying some out. I can't believe summer will be over in a month and the kids will be back in school. This year my youngest starts kindergarten and I will be pursuing photography full time. Enrolling in a photography course and hoping to have my office organized and half set up as a studio for my photography. Got some great stuff I found on Craigslist and ideas from pinterest for making backdrops and props.

Last year was dealing with a lot of stress and trying to figure out how to grow my business or find my calling. Now it is amazing to see how much j have learned and grown in a year. I am very content and happy. Feeling independent, creative and ready to go after my dreams.

A lot is coming in the next month or two and I am ready for everything:). So grateful for my hubby, family and amazing friends who have been by my side thru thick and thin. In the end happiness and success is the best reward:). I have been blessed to stay home with my youngest only working with my own business and took a year to pursue teaching which wasn't for me, but I am happy I pursued it and learned that I need to have a job I love and am passionate about.

Have a great evening all,

Lifestyle and event photography

I have been addicted to photography since getting my newest camera. At first while I was learning how to use my camera I was big into landscape photos and of course my kids. I'm aspiring to be a lifestyle and event photographer. I am trying to learn and absorb as much as I can. Online has tons of courses you can take and forums to learn from other photographers.

I printed awhile ago my business plan and slowly been checking off stuff. Right now I am learning a lot about lighting, editing and everything needed to have your own business. I have an existing home office we added on awhile ago, I used it for my party planning and crafting along with storage of all my seasonal and holiday decor. During Christmas this year it became a huge mess, storing all my craft stuff from making wreaths and floral pieces, my decor and some unwanted furniture while I was updating our home.

I sold the old stuff and things I didn't need, have tons of bins for storage ad now am working little by little every day to clean, organize and set up my home office. I purchased some discs, and a couple flash drives to remove old photos from my MacBook to make room for uploading new photos and my photoshop, Lightroom and other cool software for photography.

I already have an amazing huge glass top desk I got off Craigslist and two desk chairs, some white cabinets for storage and I have a cute silver old fashioned lamp, desk top organizers and more. I have OCD so I have tons of organization stuff. I got a cute sign that says success is the best revenge to hang over desk along with a cute old mirror I turned it to a message, cork board.

I am excited about transforming my home office. This will give me a desk and work area for editing, printing and working on photos. The room is very long so I have another area that currently has a Murphy bed that looks like a cabinet along with a chair and table for lounging, I plan to turn this area into a mini studio. I want to get backdrops and make a frame for backdrops so I can take photos in my office. Already have some lighting and props I have saved or made, I want to be able to use this space to take photos that I wouldn't be on location for. I think for now it is the perfect size and place.

I'm excited to be able to capture families special moments and capture them in creative ways that they will be able to cherish forever:). I have always wanted to be able to capture engagement, senior, newborn, children, family, and event photographs. Since my first daughter was born and we had her photos done I have always been one who invades the photo studio with my ideas and took over the shoot. Not every photographer liked this but I always had ideas of how I wanted the photos to look. When we did our first family photos I had so many ideas the photographer told me I should consider buying a camera and trying photography myself.

A couple years ago I did some pinup style photos for my hubby as a Valentine's day present and was so impressed by the studio, the way they had everything set up from makeup, wardrobe, and props I decided this was something that I really needed to get into. For now I am excited to just be learning, getting experience and taking amazing photos of my own family. I do hope to one day have an amazing business and be able to share my passion for photography with others.

Below are just a couple photos I took recently. I have had a lot going on since I got home from our vacation in NC and haven't been able to be fully focused on everything but I am not ready to dive in. Hoping to finish the office in the next two weeks before we go away again, then when the kids start school I plan to take several classes learning photography and editing. My goal is to by the holidays have my business up and running fully. For now I am always ready to take photos, I carry my camera with me almost everywhere and am taking my kids on outings to places I can capture amazing memories. I have enlisted my family and friends to be models for me allowing me to photograph their families or events, this way I get lots of practice. I have already had several occasions that have taught me a lot about what I need and what I had not thought of or been prepared for.

I will be posting a lot of photos to my blog that I started that is focused on photography, and I will update here often. This blog is more geared towards fashion, trends, home decor and my baking/crafts or design stuff. I don't want to drift away from that too much so that is why I decided to start the other blog.

Enjoy and hope everyone is having some sunshine where you are, it has been gloomy and raining here all week so far.

Sabra spicy hummus

For all you healthy eaters and dieters I normally am not a fan of hummus but my daughter got this diet plan out of a magazine and shared it with me. Has some amazing recipes, drinks and shakes, smoothies and snacks. I have been working out a lot, back awhile ago I joined a boxing, self defense type of gym and try different things on the side like running, cycling, and yoga.

I have lost twenty pounds since last summer and now want to shed ten more pounds to be back in my skinny jeans for fall. I have a hormonal imbalance which makes me tired, bloated and I retain a lot of water. In the beginning I didn't lose weight right away but I toned up and got in better shape, eventually the weight started to come off but still holding some weight in my arms and thighs. Luckily my stomach has always been flat.

Yoga, boxing, kick boxing and doing the warm ups which have burpees, mountain climbers, push ups, squats and lunges help a lot. But now I am big into healthy eating. One snack we saw was wheat crackers or low far baked pita chips with hummus I was hesitant but I found this amazing hummus. It is spicy and really makes it taste amazing. I'm hooked. I have fresh fruit like oranges, bananas and cantaloupe in the am for breakfast with juice or a smoothie, then a salad with no dressing or light walden farms dressing for lunch, hummus as a snack and protein like chicken, fish or hard boiled eggs with steamed veggies for dinner amazing:). I was up and down with my weight but let me tell you in the passed few months twenty pounds came off and I'm back in a size 6-8. Was in a 12 for awhile then would jump down to a 8-10 then back up. I have kept it off and looking into when my girls start school working out two days a week with a personal trainer.

I considered trying Hcg again but I did that before and lost 15 lbs but was so tired eating that 700-800 calorie a day diet. I can't starve myself never had to cause I have always been thinner but I guess after turning 35 and having two kids it is much harder now.

Check your local grocery store for it, Sabra hummus I get the extra spicy and it is amazing:). Great with wheat thins or low fat pita chips with sea salt. Will post some before and after pics soon.

Sorry for my recent absence

Recently I have been very busy with both my girls home from school, we had vacation, then July 4 BBQ and hubby's birthday. Things have just been hectic, plus my oldest had cheer camp and both girls are playing basketball. I also have been working on learning as much as I can about photography, editing, and working on an event.

I have some stuff to review, along with some other write ups on GH and some fashion watch stuff for some shows and designers. I promise by mid week I will have some free time to update blog and post more stuff.

Also have some great photos to post here and on my photography blog along with some exciting news:). I'm very excited about a lot of new stuff I have going on but while my girls are out of school for the summer, and both will be in school full time starting in August we have one more trip and trying to spend as much quality time with my loves as I can before that all starts. Once school starts I will be diving in full steam with photography. Already have my business plan, working on contracts, getting more knowledge and equipment, cleaning my work space out to have a mini in home studio with everything from backdrops, lighting, props and more.

I'm also baking and working events when they come around to get out there and network some more. Thru networking I have met a lot of amazing people in the passed and this will only help me build up the photography as well. I believe I have found something I love and am passionate about, like decorating and baking but more achievable with my schedule, that I feel is maybe what I have been looking for for awhile. I have put off a lot of things to raise my girls and now that they will both be in school it's time to go after my dreams and build my career. I have found myself over the passed three years and am happy with everything in my life, super excited to share with all of you soon:).

Hope you had a wonderful weekend and hope you and I have a successful blessed week ahead. Good things are coming I can feel it:)

While I have been on hiatus I found this cute etsy shop called Pebby Forevee here are some cute tops I liove ordered one and can't wait to get it. Think I posted a couple awhile back also. Etsy rocks. 

Update: 2015 wow it is cool to find this since I am always accused of copying certain people. I knew I had been wearing these tees for awhile ordered my first tee which was a vneck off etsy and then I have a off the shoulder cut. Didn't even realize they were by the same company but pulled them out and says Pebby Forevee! 

Loving the summer

Spent the weekend at the beach with family. Enjoying every moment of this summer. Will have my regular blogs going this week with Housewife reviews, some trend stuff and working on getting everything together for my storenvy shop. Still have a few items for sale on eBay and sold everything that was in my office so I can start to get it together. This has been a great start to the summer. Posting a few beach pics I snapped with my phone. Excited cause I need a new phone and I am up for an upgrade so should have the new iPhone shortly. Also will have a bunch of photos of fireworks, butterflies, beach and more coming this and to my photography page.

Hope everyone is having a great summer also:). Working on responding to some emails about a couple links for items you have been asking about. Should have them sent out tomorrow or Tuesday. Have a great night and hope y'all have a wonderful week:).

Dlitefully yours

Quote

Posting a quote I saw on FB and had to copy:). Loved it, nothing is going to throw my focus off me pursuing my dreams and goals in life.

Day at the beach

Today enjoying some bonding time with my girls. Spent the first couple days home from our amazing vacation unpacking and dealing with unnecessary drama which I took care of hopefully for good yesterday. Now back to living the good life and enjoying my summer.

Brought my camera to the beach to take pictures and will upload some shots when I get home:). Enjoying playing with the different lenses and tomorrow going to use the tripod to get some great firework shots:). For now have some pictures I took with my iPhone to post.

Will have a julep box review shortly when I get home and a review on some products I used on vacation:). Hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as we are.

Happy summer