People Spreading Sunshine

MY MOM

This is an illustration from my mom's new book, A Child's Garden Of Promises. Isn't it CUTE? As kids, we didn't have coloring books, because she would just bust out her own pictures for us to color in. They were so much better because the pictures would be about us, and our life. I can still remember watching a dog, or a cat, or my Barbie materialize under her pencil. It was magical. And if you know my mom, so is she. She turns ordinary life into a celebration, every day.

When we were little, she also wrote a series of four other children's books, called The King's Alphabet. But the publisher had someone else illustrate them. This is the first one that she both wrote and illustrated. She put a ton of effort and love into every detail. And I'm really happy and proud of her. If you want a really cute kid's book, and to also support someone who is following her dreams, go here.   

SHELLY

She worked her little arse off on Sunday helping me at the Brighton shoot. We ended up photographing 15 families at The Rose Emporium, raising $2000 for Brighton. We also got to meet SO MANY wonderful families. I know that sounds so canned, like something you just say. But I mean it. EVERY family was particularly SWEET and easy-going, and just a complete JOY to work with. So THANK YOU to all of you who came out for a session. You all helped to support a great cause. I also want to thank DD who roasted in the sun with us ALL DAY. She and Shelly brought treats and toys and were not above screaming and singing, and acting like total goofballs to get babies to smile. AND thank you to Kallie, who works for Brighton. She checked people in all day and made sure everything ran smoothly. You all totally rock. And MAJOR kudos to Shelly, who has now raised over $20,000 for Brighton! WOOT!

In our sweaty glory. Look closely, can you see my Superhero accessory?

One of the sweet families of the day. I will post more soon. I mean as soon as I edit through a billion photos. I mean later. Much later.

\

KRYSTYN

Lots of people talk about kindness, and it sometimes feels abstract. Then sometimes people do things like build websites for the sole purpose of spreading HOPE, and LOVE, and HAPPINESS. Some people send love notes to cities. I like those people. And I like her. So go see what she's doing, and  be a part of the Hope Revolution.

Three examples of people using what they got, to GIVE. I love it.

2 spots

Hi everyone! I will be back later, but wanted to put in a quick note to say that there are 2 new spots open now, for the next Hot Mama shoot on March 15th. Call or email me if you want to come. $349 includes hairstyling, makeup artistry, appetizers, drinks, an album, and a CD of all your images. It's an awesome deal, and a great way to treat yourself...like a spa day, but with something to keep forever.

Pretty Beauty Birthday

So our good friend DD Cobbalisiousness turned 34. What better way to celebrate than to throw her a Quinceanera...Um, I mean Treinta y cuatro-anera...80's style. Or something like that. She thought we were going out to dinner to celebrate, so she spent Friday shopping for a new outfit and getting her hair done. Only to be ambushed by Katy and Shelly at the store with a blindfold, and turned into The Most Mucho Bueno Muy Muy Bonita Princesa En El Todo Mundo.

The other star of the night: her Pretty Beauty Pumps with nude stockings...equally glorious from every angle.

Can you believe we found all of these dresses for only $5 each?! Mine was originally $10, but I got it for half price because of a stain on the hem. Total STEAL. :) The best part was what the mirror read in the dressing room, "Goodwill Looks Good On You". Truer words were never spoken.

Me, DD, Shelly, Katy

I didn't work at Glamour Shots for nothin'.

Poor Katy, 9 months pregnant and can't get off the bottle. It almost even put her into labor.  Heehee.  :)

I think DD had lots of fun.

Kissing Cristina.

Kissing DeAnna and Tara.

Kissing Katy.

Kissing her mom.

And kissing el burro.  :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHIC DIONISIA!!!

Hi Friday.

Meet my friends Cristina and Brian...

They are the Baby/Mommy power couple I was telling you about. Brian owns and operates Babyvision Ultrasound. Have you heard about it? It's where you get to see your baby in 3D before it's born! I don't know about you, but the highlight of my pregnancies were the sonograms. And this is the best kind, because you can really SEE your baby. Plus there's less room for mistaking its' sex, which is a plus for skeptics like me, who HAD to know what I was having, and then doubted it the whole time.

Cristina is also Dr. Cristina Salmon, and she does it all. Basically, after you have your baby, you know how you feel funky for a few months? She will ask you a million questions, and run lots of tests to make sure you're all balanced hormonally etc. Then she helps to put you back together again. And this applies to everyone (not just moms). I've known lots of people personally, who have gone to her for everything from insomnia, to depression and they  swear by it. And there is so much more too. So if you have questions, give them a call. They know their stuff, they are also cool peeps.

And their sweet daughter Eva is pretty adorable too. She was also the star of our Valentine's postcard , remember?

Cute fam. I wish you could see the whole house. They should also open an interior decorating business.

Thanks for a fun shoot you guys!

In other random bits: THANK YOU to everyone who emailed about being a Senior Ambassador for Relish! It was SO FUN reading what you all wrote and I wish I could pick everyone! I promise I will announce the winners at the beginning of next week.

Also, (I can't believe I haven't put my Shutter Sisters button up yet), but if you haven't visited, come over and play. The site is mucho caliente already. And my newest favorite feature is The Daily Click. YOU GUYS send in photos, and a new one gets chosen every day. The entries are AMAZING. I check it religiously now.

AND, I WON BROWNIES!!! Yep, I'm just writing to brag. Sam (my friend that I met in Tampa) held a contest asking married couples what their secrets to staying together are. I figured since we're going on 14 years, I could enter, and ended up winning! WOOT for brownies from Maine! If you want to read what I wrote go visit here. Sam is an amazing photographer, AND a professional writer. She's been winning all kinds of awards lately, but really my favorite thing about her is how QUICK she is. And she has no filter (in a funny good way, not scary 'oh no what are they going to say next' way). Thank you Samalisciousness!!!

And have a fun weekend everybody!

EX, OH.

Did everyone have a nice day? I hope you all overdosed on chocolates and kisses. And I hope your honeys wrote nice things to you in happy heart-laced cards that made you cry...and maybe even blush a little. It's been another FULL day, so I don't have time to post the session I mentioned yesterday. But I couldn't let the day pass without at least saying hello. Here is one of the sweet shots from last Saturday's Chic Mama/Nursery Couture shoot.

Today was a good day. It started with Jason walking in the door with balloons and stuffed animals for the kids. And bunches of Us Weekly's and chocolates for me. This man has truly found the keys to my heart. Then I gave myself the best Valentine's gift of all. It included a lot of ADMITTING, and then OUTSOURCING, and then DANCING. And then wondering why it took me so long. WOOT for loving yourself on Valentine's day!! And thank you for the sweet comments and quotes yesterday. I always debate about posting stuff like that. Because blogs can be a somewhat hazardous blend of business and personal. It's hard to know where to draw lines. Especially when you're a generally open person.

So, if you didn't get enough of a sugar-love rush today, here are a few sweet links to check out.

Love Thursday over at Shutter Sisters will melt you. Then Krystyn (whom I adore) emailed this link out. Which is a part of the inspiration for Love Notes To A City. If you haven't read about kindness is unexpected places yet, you need to. It's such a sweet idea. And I want to do it. Does anyone want to come with me???

AND, ya'll my mom has a blog now. Go visit her! She and I are different mainly because I'm always swimming around in my head. And she's always in her heart. That makes her fit perfectly into days like today. Sometimes I try  to be like her, which makes me do things like this. Maybe someday those kinds of things will come naturally to me. Until then. HAPPY HAPPY Valentine's Day.

Feel the Love around you.

xo