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Day 2: Reframing the Season ~Picture the Holidays~

 Every year we try to get a better and deeper understanding for the true meaning of Christmas and each year it becomes more and more important to teach our children.

Baby Bella ~San Antonio Newborn Photographer~

Baby Bella has the coolest parents. At the time of her mother's maternity shoot, they had not yet choosen a name for this sweet little girl. They had it narrowed down, but had not picked the final name yet. They had the coolest way of picking her name! They put their two choices into enevelopes. Each envelope was paired up with a lit candle. They let the candles burn down to see which candle would last the longest and chose the name from the candle that lasted. How cool is that??? It's thoughtful, symbolic, original....one of those things I wish I had thought of!!!!

Bella is going to have one fantastic life with these wonderful parents. I'm so honored that I get to be a very tiny part of it:)

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Have You Seen Her????

Over a year ago, my husband left for deployment and with him went my mojo. Having to handle the 3 kids, school, house, 2 floods in the house, car trouble, lawn work, etc by myself has a way of burying ones mojo deep deep down underneath all of the 'must do's' and worries that have occupied my days and nights. He should be home sometime soon and I am starting to see bits of my mojo bubble up and make a small appearance here and there. Have you seen her?

    In the last year I have put myself on the back burner: creativity, photography, exercise, running, guitar, my businesses, even my appearance and doctors appointments have all taken a back seat. I decided, that since I am seeing hints of my old self returning, that I would try a little 30 day challenge. I found this cute little 30 day challenge and it has been sitting in my Pinterest file for quite awhile. I decided today was a good day to start. Day 1 is self portrait so I decided to combine my two loves of photography and running to create mine.

Please feel free to join me. You can leave a link to your blog, flickr, FB to your picture. I'd love to see what you come up with! I'll be back tomorrow, still seeking my mojo.

"Rock" Stars

It was a beautiful day (sunny, high of 70...sigh) so my dad decided to take out my very first bed and hang it between 2 trees. My very first bed happened to be a hammock. My parents set it up near their bed and attached a bit of rope. Each time I cried, my mom would pull the rope and rock me. Between the tight snuggle of the hammock and the rocking, I was a great little sleeper.

This hammock is the very same hammock that I slept in. I can't believe how long it has held up...it's pretty old for a hammock and still in perfect condition. The kids played and relaxed in it for hours.

They are all so great about taking photos for me...then this happens:

Bloom

“People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong...Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?” Thich Nhat Hanh quotes

New to Me

I have always loved nice things and I feel that my kids are now at the age where I can have nice things...and by nice, I mean old. Here are a few things I picked up this week. I can't wat to get them cleaned up and in my house. I'll take pictures of everything once it's in place. Keep scrolling down to the end because the best purchase is the last photo.

Here are a couple of pretty aprons I found. Now that I see them on here, I think I should have gotten detail shots.

I have always wanted one of these. Got this especially for my husband who loves to bake.

I love old linens, tea towels, tablecloths, bedspreads, fabric, and old glass...

Of course, I love love love old Mason Jars. Can't you see these in the middle of my table with flowers and fresh herbs hanging out together? And look at those lids! Love!

Okay! Now, my favorite purchase of the day!

Ready???

 

Here

 

it

 

is!!!!!

"I'm lost in love and I don't know much....." can't wait to stick this baby on the turntable and hear the snap, crackle, pop with the music. I told you it was good;)

 

My Camera Collection

Oh how I love my old camera collection! My parents are awesome at keeping an eye out for me and finding these treasures!

This one is a movie camera!!!!!

This one was made between 1926-1934:

I just like this old flashbulb holder and love that it's still in it's box.

I can't wait to get these on display in my new office!!!

On the Deck

I love our lazy summer nights just hanging out on the back deck doing NOTHING!

Yellow and a Change

Today is a yellow day for Team Up Thursday.  Love Amy's little cactus flower with it's little visitor:

This is my yellow quilt I have had my eye on.  I am redecorating our bedroom, redecorating my office, redecorating my business (more on that later).  So tired of all the browns and tans that came with my house. Ugh.  I need bright, light, HAPPY!  So for my room, I have wanted this King Sized yellow quilt.  Then, this week I got a flyer from Kohls that showed the quilt being marked down from $129 to $39.  That same day I got a Kohls giftcard for $10 in the mail.  I think the fates were speaking to me.  5 minutes later, I loaded up the kids and we were on our way to get my brand new quilt.  Happy Happy Happy.

Speaking of redecorating, I am making huge changes to my business.  Soon, this blog will be no more and you can find me hanging out at Stephanie Smith Outloud.  The blog site is not totally done and I'm not completely ready to launch, but I just couldn't wait any longer.  Hope you stop by and visit, add me to your Twitter feed and "like" me on Facebook.

Design ~Team Up Thursday~

I think it's fun that Amy and I both picked colorful and unique items to shoot this week.  We never discuss what we are shooting...we just do and then surprise each other.  Amy's is on top.