Represent!

This is a symbol of my homwtown... I love this picture for some reason!

Riverside Raincross

Logo design...

Graphic design has always interested me... I see things (I like to think) in a different way... I started making baby shower cards, birthday invites, and announcements for fun, about 5 years ago with a small, very basic scrapbooking type of program. Later, I moved on to Photoshop- and while I still LOVVVVE me a good PS session, I have moved on to designing in a program called Illustrator. Have you heard of this super rad, super powerful, a little intimidating program?? I have just barely gotten my brain to wrap around what it can do, but I do realize that its the tip of the iceberg, so to speak- and am excited at the possibilities that it holds.


Oh, and btw, if you hear about a logomakers anon forum, club, support group... let me know?

Here are a few of my recent favorites, and links to some awesome mama run businesses...

My favorite friend I have never met... I have know Stephanie over at Studio J for about 5 years now... One day we will meet in person, but she's a mini me on the other side of the country.  She rocks my socks! Fan her, she's sure to rock your socks, too.

Have you seen this mama's work? Her pictures often leave me with a smile on my face, and the feeling of wanting to see more.  I am lucky to call Anne-Michelle my friend... She's a constant source of inspiration and goodness to me!!

Tweens are fun...

Had a super fun tween shoot last week.  A beautiful super star in the making.  Miss N wants to be an actress, model & singer.  Working with Kevin Kidder on this shoot, we were able to capture a pretty dynamic range of images.  Here are are my favorites.

Love the attitude... I know some only like the smile pictures, but I am a fan of fab attitude...!

Not sure why I love this one SO much, but I def. do.  Have you ever noticed I like to steal moments, so to speak?? She def wasn't turned on for this shot, but I love it regardless.

Some images are born to be black and white.

Loved this one, too.  I wonder what she was thinking, her expression is priceless.

My most favorite capture of the day... I love her eyes here, and the post processing makes this picture pop.

Thank you Miss N and mama S for a fun day in downtown... Thanks Kevin for asking me along on this shoot, and as always for being a constant source of inspiration. 

On a personal note...

So if you know me at all, you would know that recently I lost 45 pounds... Sometime after Christmas and before New Years, I got sick of complaining, and decided it was the time for action... I had a little money left over from Holiday photo shoots, and thought that I should reward myself.  I went to Kmart (yea, its kind of ghetto, but EXTREMELY close) and bought the Wii Fit Plus.  Best.Best.Best $100.00 I have ever (well maybe not ever, ever, but close) spent. 

I started working out with the Wii Fit everyday.  My goal was to burn 500 extra calories a day.  I did really good.... Skateboarding arena is my favorite.  Bet I could totally beat you, too!! In addition to the Wii Fit exercises, I was also coaching and managing my two son's baseball teams, and eating right.  Its amazing what you give your body, you get from your body...

45 pounds is a lot of weight to lose- and to be honest when I started I didn't realize I had that much to lose.  I thought 20 pounds would totally makeover my body... For the first time since my driver's license was issued, my weight is a lie... but for the UNDER reason.  I had always had a little extra weight after my first daughter, and I always lied on my DL weight.  Don't you? LOL! Well, currently, my weight is listed at 150- and I know I was about 170-175 when it was issued.  At that time, I still thought 150 was a good weight... ha! Pull me over now... (no, really, don't).

Wii Fit is a good starting point for anyone wanting to do something about their body.  The key is really what they say... staying active and eating right.  I don't know if I eat right, so to speak, but I do try to be aware of what I am eating, and when.  Its working for me... I still eat sweets, I still drink soda, and eat carbs.  I don't deny myself, I just try to balance it...

After the Wii Fit lost its shine, I went and got the Wii Active... Highly reccommend it too! Its a WHOLE new set of activities, and 30 day challenges... It can really get your heart rate up, and help to burn more calories.... Over the summer, I stopped working out as much, but I still maintained my weight.... While I am happy with my current weight- I am not super happy with my current body.... Think Nat Geo cover... think me... Yea, lots of extra.... fluffytypesaggyskinandstuff.  What's next in the transformation?

KETTLEBELLS! I tried the P90x- and let me tell you... THAT ISN'T FOR WIMPS (...or me).  Wooo... super hard work outs on that program.  I haven't given up on completing a cycle- but instead, decided to try KettleBells.  Have you heard of these? Wow, the workouts are only 20 minutes, but super challenging and I can definitely FEEL the burn.  Today was the second of the workouts.  Glad I did it...:) I might be inspired to take a before/after pic...Oh, but that is scary! No one should have to view that... If I did- I will def. equip the picture with a warning.

Have a great day, all two of you! :P

The bliss of Ever....

I have shopped at the same Stater Brothers since I moved to Riverside... Now its familiar, I know most of the employees.  About two years ago, there was a beautiful girl working there.  I don't know if you are like me in a sense, or maybe this is just a me thing... but I knew that she was rad.  Her name was Ashley... We got to know each other a tiny bit, would spend time together on her breaks, and I began to realize what a truly phenomenal woman she was... then, as fate would have it, she moved to Arizona.  Staters hasn't been the same since.... During her stay in Arizona, we kept in touch via Facebook (you know that place I live sometimes?) and she's since moved back home! Yay!! And double yay, she's beautifully pregnant with her fifth baby, and her only girl, Ever.  I was so happy to be able to take picutures of her, her man, and her adorable baby (belly), Ever. 

There is nothing more romantic and sweet, then the love in a daddy's eyes.  You can tell this man lives and breathes for his family, and I am sure as most men aren't, he isn't perfect- but I know he and Ashley are very much in love with each other, with their sons, and with their daughter.  I was shocked at how his eyes were translated in this picture.

He was such a good sport... Here is a triptych (Thanks CoffeeShop Blog) of a sweet series.... I had the idea to do this three set when I was taking these, and I think they came out just like I saw it in my head... Ash was just silly when it came to picking out the right color lipstick for her hubs... Lipstick applied, kiss(hollllld)kiss, and voila.  Ever's first kiss.

Again, another silly fun pose for these love birds... He's measuring her tummy, and she was just laughing, literally out loud. These are the shots I love to capture... She couldn't help it, and the emotion is just so real and true.  It comes together for a special image.

I have done photo's similar to this in other maternity sessions, but this composition has got to be one of my favorites.  Its Ever's 4D ultra sound, and her kicking back in the belly  behind. 

I told you she was beautiful... I love this image, and black and white was def the way to go.  I told her to bring her hubs guitar.  I loveLOVElove how the shape of the guitar mimics the shape of her belly! Her hubs is a great guitar player, and Ever is sure to get lots of lullabies.  Ash, you are one rockin' mama!

One of the last images of the day, love the capture.

And last, but not least, my most favorite (I think) of the series... Its just a simply beautiful shot. 

Thank you Ashley, Nate & Ever for a super fun maternity session.  I can't wait to meet your daughter.