What's coming up...

on my photography blog.

two gorgeous couple shoots!

them...

annd them.......

See what I mean? G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S

you don't want to miss this!

Also, go check out Adeline & Atsuko's Graduation shoot on my blog.

Sneak Peek.

A windy, but fabulous photo shoot with these girls. Graduation is just around the corner!

Prego Update

can I just say that this pregnancy has FLOWN BY?!!

I can't believe that I am 35 weeks already.

It has been a relatively easy pregnancy. With almost NO morning sickness.

Hallelujah!

I have just been super tired ALL the time.

I feel like this baby has sucked all of my energy right out of me.

Some days are better than others. I can wake up, clean, run errands...but other days, I feel like doing nothing else but stay in bed all day. I mostly feel bad for Noa, because I don't get the chance to let him play outside very often. He is such a good boy. He has his moments...but most days he just plays really well by himself. He gives me hugs and kisses randomly all the time. :) And pokes/strokes my growing belly saying "baby!" I can't wait for him to have a playmate.

Now, for the long awaited "belly picture"...

At 35 weeks.

{excuse my crazy hair.}

Chad tells me I am carrying a lot higher this time. And I feel WIDER. eek!

....so maybe it's a girl...HAHA 

For comparison...this is me at 34/35 weeks with Noa.

What do you think???

I think I look about the same...I know its kinda hard to tell with the different angles of the pictures.

Photo Post

Finally got this adorable couple's engagement photos up on the photography blog!

Check it out :D

Good Day.

We had a good family day at the beach.

I love good family days...especially at the beach...and with this guy.

especially when he does this.

I love sand-in-the-face-and-EVERYwhere family beach days.

Period.

3.22.2011

 

3.22.2011

 

...marks the day...

 

that I was sealed to this stud-muffin for time and all eternity, 3 years ago.

AND

 

also the day that I have had this cutie in my life for 19 months + 1 day

I am so blessed to have both of them in my life. And I am beyond thankful that I get to spend the rest of my life and forever with them both. Especially thankful for my Hubby. My best friend. My everything.

Happy 3-year Anniversary!

Thanks for the best 3 years of my life!

I love you!

xoxo

Elastic Waist Skirt.

My latest sewing project is this beauty.

An elastic waist skirt.

It has a thick elastic band around the waist...super comfy. stretchy. perfect for my growing belly...AND for all you skinnies out there wanting a cute comfy skirt!

{One day I will master the art of sewing in a straight line ^^}

And one of the best features of this skirt...

Deep pockets!

On both sides.

I may put some pics of my [preggo] self modeling the skirt LATER, but for now, this is all you get.

Oh, and fabulous Christal modeling her mustard yellow creation...

 {photo taken by ME}

just LOVE LoVE LOVE it!

To make your own, use this tutorial from Freshly Picked!
And have fun!!

Two birds with One stone.

Just the other day I was able to go on a photo shoot with Christal, for this beautiful girl.

Tessa was so wonderful to work with. We didn't have to pose her or couch her at all.

She just worked it!

Both of them were so nice to let me sneak a mini photo shoot for Noa at the end of the day.

{The one I've been meaning to do for the past month or so...}

Photos from both of these shoots are up on my photography blog, so go take a look.

And be sure to leave them some love ;)

DIY: Jewelry Display

If you need a cute/decorative way to organize your drawer full of earrings this is the perfect solution!

Materials you need to make your own:

a cute frame {just the frame} - you can go vintage, modern, simple - personalize it!

window screen {available at your local hardware store}

and hot glue

Cut the screen to the exact size of your frame.

glue it down to the insides using hot glue [careful not to burn yourself] 

display your jewelry! and admire...

That's it!

Any ideas for cluttered necklaces and bracelets?
I was thinking the same kind of frame with hooks....or maybe a necklace tree....
thoughts??

A little Sneak...

of this pretty girl, and her fabulous photo session from yesterday

 

Can't wait to share more!!!

Clone of a Cinnabon. Check.

Christal and I made these last week on her day off.

Another item checked off my To-Bake list.

These were heavenly. Period.

No bread machine? No bread flour? No problem!!

We altered the recipe just a tad and they still came out perfect.

Clone of a Cinnabon  

{recipe, minus bread machine/bread flour}

For original recipe and instructions, go HERE

1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup butter, melted
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons yeast

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1/3 cup butter, softened

3 ounces of cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk. Mix in the sugar, melted butter, salt, and eggs. Add flour and mix well.
2. Knead the dough into a ball, but don't over work it! Put in a bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
3. Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 16x21 inch rectangle. {we put plastic wrap on the counter to prevent the dough from sticking in the humidity. and it worked like a charm!} 
5. Spread softened butter over dough and sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly. 
6. Roll up dough and cut into 12 equal pieces. About 1.5-2 inches wide.
7. Place rolls in lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish, about 1-2 inches apart. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled in size. Preheat oven to 400 F.
8. Combine cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and salt in a small bowl. Mix well.
9. BAKE rolls in preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Spread with frosting.
   And ENJOY!

They were seriously the best cinnamon rolls I have had in a LONG time!

You have got to try this recipe!!

Toddler Boy Neck Tie

I always wanted a girl because I thought that I could only craft/sew things for little girls - headbands, dresses, accessories, and ruffly goodness...But I have come to live with the fact that I will soon be a mother of not just one, but TWO boys...and that even though there are a larger variety of girly crafts, if I get a little creative, I can make equally cute and adorable things for boys too!

Starting with TIES...the one thing that boys, and men alike, can use to put a little character and creative spin on their outfits. I looked everywhere for cute {non-clip-on} ties for infants and toddlers...with no success, I decided to make my own! One that looks like a real tied necktie and not one that Noa can easily rip off as soon as you put it on...

After much searching, I came across this fabulous tutorial on how to make one. It seriously took me less than an hour each to make!!! The only change I made was - I just adjusted the size to a smaller toddler size, probably 18mo. instead of the 3T...

and voila!

Cute, right?? I am SO happy with the way they turned out!

here are more pictures of the the sewing process and the finished product...

The tutorial from Sewing in No Mans Land is fantastic and I just followed it step-by-step

first, find fun/funky fabric you want to use.

I had this from when I made my apron a few years ago that I still LOVE.

I followed the advice and made a pattern, because I know that I will be making many more of these in the future (it's all crinckly because a little monkey got to it first)

...my measurements were 18in x 16in (on the long sides) and 3 in x 7 in (shorter sides)...very approximate.

Ironing is critical! not only does it make it easier to sew, it allows for a much cleaner finish!

And to finish - tie, straighten, and admire!

It looks like it has actually been tied and has the "folded" look on the back side, just like a grown-up tie!

I made the neck adjustable/expandable with velcro, so Noa has a little growing room.

And of course, I have the perfect boy to model the new ties!!

Go ahead and make your own!!! Again, the tutorial can be found here.

I'm thinking a bow-tie next....any thoughts?? 

{PS Noa's 18 month shoot is coming up soon! - Im thinking the yellow tie with a fun plaid shirt}

Just in case you didn't see...

...on my other blog or on my facebook page, I just updated my photography blog with my latest shoot... go check it out HERE!

Apple of my eye

He had his first "whole" apple....

He bit right in

I'm so blessed to have such a good boy as my son.

{PS I didn't edit/alter any of these photos except to add the watermark....they were all taken with my birthday present from the fabulous Husband. LOVE everything about the lens!}