DIY Milestone Pics!

If you're like me, you LOVE taking pictures of your kids for any little reason! 

Birthdays, holidays, monthly, cute outfit days... you name it, I probably have a picture for it! 

One thing I've spent a considerable amount of money on is professional quality photographs for the special moments. Which is crazy because I learned a long time ago that your iPhone can produce those photos with the right knowledge. So, after many Pinterest searches, DIY shoots on my phone and being burned out on paying people to do something I think I'm pretty good at, my husband broke down and got me a Canon rebel t5i for Christmas so I can be our little family's photographer!

Keileb turned 6 months yesterday which was perfect because this was his first Valentine's Day. So, I took to Pinterest. Got some photo inspiration. Looked around my house to see what I had to pull it off. And wahlah! Cute baby pics! 

So how do you this? 

Keep reading and I'll tell you what you need/how! 

What you'll need:

A great camera (the higher the megapixels the better) 

I actually used my canon t5i but your iPhone will work perfect. 

4 iPhone apps = moreBeaute2, PhotoGrid, Giggly & Camera+

A baby blanket (I'd stick with black or white)

Red pants 

Red lipstick

What you do:

Go to a room in your home near a big window with considerable amount of sunlight. 

(NEVER rely on your cameras flash for quality photos. Natural light is where it's at!)

An hour before sun down is best to eliminate harsh shadows & gives the best lighting for picture taking. 

Lay the baby blanket out. 

Try not to allow wrinkles. Clearly i didn't care too much about that in the above pic haha

Dress your baby in red pants

Dress your lips in red lipstick 

Kiss that baby like crazy! 

Keileb and I got pretty carried away during this step 

Then start snapping. 

Hold your camera steady & take pics from different angles. Close ups are key 

Then open up your apps and get to editing until you're happy with the photo!

I used a different app for each picture (some pics I used multiple apps)

P.S . I use photogrid to watermark my pics. Watermark your photos on the internet. People are crazy!

And there you have it, DIY milestone photos!

This was a first/"bday" shoot in one so I saved time and money!

This whole process didn't even take an hour and with mommy being the photographer, baby was so comfortable and happy! 

If you try it or this post inspired you to try something similar, tag me on Instagram! Share with me on Facebook and/or comment below! I'd love to see your pics! 

Click the black social media icons on my page to get to my profiles. 

I hope this helped and I hope you guys love Keileb's adorable face! Wish him a Happy 6 Months!

Ciao! XoXo

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU!

Okay, so before I get verbally stoned... I know, I'm late! lol but hey! 19 days into the New Year is better than 6 months into it right? And let's get the shade out the way now. "Who writes a New Year post AFTER New Year's Day?" ME! That's who! haha! Now, we can begin!

Happy New Year beautiful people! 

I've been spending the first few weeks of the year goal setting (i'm not big on resolutions), getting inspired and soaking up as much knowledge as I can in efforts to really boost my businesses in 2016! But, this post is not about ME, it's about YOU! YES, YOU! 

This year, bring YOU back! As a woman of God, Wife and Mother (in that order) I often get frustrated about ME. I feel in pleasing every one else, I'm losing ME! Being all three of these women shouldn't make me feel lost, it should make me feel like a better version of myself! So, in 2016, reclaim you! Love the woman you have become/are becoming. Embrace your struggles, responsibilities and triumphs! Those make you who you are! You don't have to change who you are because of a New Year just strive to be better than the last! It's all about growth and I know you can do it! No matter the size of your goals or the size of the life changes you want to make, any change is a big one! Do not let life, society, the internet, or even your peers make you feel like your time is up and you're a lost cause! As long as you are alive and well, there is still time for you!

Be determined in 2016! Have motivation! Determination and motivation will be the gas that drives inspiration! If you have a goal, seek to achieve it! If you love something, do it! People will always have something to say and always want to share their opinion but it's your life! God has given us all talents and when we have faith and utilize our talents for good, blessings will come! Being a Christian, a wife or a mom does not make you any less of who you are. It adds to your resume of life skills. Women, we wear many hats, let's embrace and love them all in 2016!

Ciao! XoXo

P.s. if you love my posts, get interactive! I want to hear from you! What do you like? What don't you like? What touches you? How did a post make you feel? Give me topics! Ask me questions! This isn't a one way street here! Let's be social!

Fall Favorites: My top 10 fall necessities for 2015!

The fall transition has arrived! yay! the only bummer, SoCal Fall is like a notch below summer. It's still freakin' warm all the time! ugh! Luckily, this fall's trends are wearable no matter where you live! yay!

So, for this post I've rounded up my top 10 fall favorites! As I collect them, I will do outfit of the day posts! So, stay tuned for that!  

1. Bomber Jackets 

 This is a super trendy and stylish layering piece that can bring some edge to your look!

2. Carli Bybel/ bh cosmetics eyeshadow and highlight pallete

I have been dabbling more and more with make up and beauty and I fell in LOVE with this pallate! 

AND it's super affordable! only 12.50! Here's the bummer, because Carli Bybel is so loved and well followed, (over a million followers on IG!) this pallete sold out in hours and is now on back order! 

3. Draped Open-front Cardigans

I am IN LOVE with these! I want one in every neutral color! So simple and chic! Can be easily worn with a bodycon dress, skirt and tank, or jeans and a tee! So versatile!

4. Sleeveless Vests 

I love the color of the one pictured! These are another amazing layering piece! This will quickly add style to your look! 

5. Graphic Tees

Graphic tees have always been a favorite of mine. So easy. Dress it up with a statement necklace and some pumps and you have a quick, stylish outfit!

6. Parklane Jewelry Velocity Ring

The ring speaks for itself! Stylish rings are IN right now! Don't forget the mani!

7. Over the Knee boots

Boots are a fall stable. It's officially fall when you're breaking the boots out! And who doesn't love a good over the knee boot? come on. 

8. Parklane Jewelry Turn it Up Necklace

Layering necklaces is so in! I'm loving this trend! So young and hip! 

9. Parklane Jewelry Velocity Bracelet

Because what's a great ring without the matching bracelet? 

10. Parklane Jewelry Virtue Ring

This ring is one of my favorites! You can wear it as one or you can split it into 3 different rings to add more style to your fingers!

Hope you enjoyed my fall favorites list! I can't wait to style looks for you all to see!

ciao!

*images pictured are google images not my own

*Parklane jewelry items can be purchased directly through me. contact me for info

My experience with a c-section...

As I'm quickly approaching that time again, (38 weeks today hence my lack of blog posts) I wanted to share a bit of my birthing experience because I've noticed a trend in the way people view Cesarean deliveries!

Now let me first say this, PEOPLE! A CESAREAN ISN'T ALWAYS A BAD THING! STOP MAKING A PREGNANT WOMAN FEEL BAD IF SHE TELLS YOU THAT'S HER METHOD OF DELIVERY! 

I know in some cultures they believe you aren't a "real woman" if you do not have a baby natural and without any medication. That's old school and a crock of you know what. Cesarean deliveries are JUST as common as natural deliveries and they aren't always because of a "problem." Every woman is different. Every woman's body can endure different things. Every pregnancy is different! What was easy for one, may have been almost impossible to another. Which is why i say STOP! Stop trying to force natural birth on a woman, Stop gasping and shrieking when a woman tells you her method of delivery, Stop turning your nose up, Stop thinking a cesarean somehow equates to a problem or an inferior way to deliver. 

With that out the way, here's my story:

With my pregnancy with my daughter, I had been told since about 36-37 weeks that I would delivery by way of a cesarean. Reason being? My birth canal was small and I wasn't dilating, although she was in position and ready! (I know, a lot of people say "doctor's just want more money so they tell you that" if that's the way you think about your doctor, you already have a problem. Call me naive but I've haven't encountered a doctor who was not worried about my well being) 

So, about 2 days before my due date, I started having contractions and went into labor and was admitted to the hospital on my due date. Now, I CHOSE to deliver at a hospital that did not have my records and that my doctor did not deliver at and of course it was a Saturday. So, because I was in active labor, this hospital asked if I wanted to try natural and since I had been made to feel that having a c-section was a problem, I said "yes, i will try BUT DO NOT HESITATE to give me a c-section as my doctor has already made a c-section appointment for this Monday." So, i got my epidural and i felt great! I was talking and laughing through labor like there wasn't an earthquake striking my body every 3 minutes! By 8-9 centimeters dilated, my cervix had swollen up and my daughter's heart rate dropped and mine shot up, which resulted in an "emergency c-section." 

Fast forward to this pregnancy:

Being that all this took place a little  over a year ago (16 months to be exact), I am scheduled for another c-section because my pregnancies are so close together and if i try and go natural, I run the risk of bursting my incision. Am i worried? No! I actually prefer to deliver by way of a c-section because I've healed great from my last one and I'd hate to ruin a good thing trying to go natural just because "it's the norm."

I write this as a post of possible inspiration. I hope to inspire women to not be scared of a cesarean. Like I said, every woman's body is different and that includes during pregnancy. You and your doctor know what you can handle and do not do anything YOU aren't comfortable with! I also hopes this inspires people to drop the idea of c-sections being abnormal or only because of a problem. If you have an acquaintance, friend, or loved one who is going to deliver by way of c-section, be supportive! It's not  always a bad thing! It's child birth! It's not meant to be pretty! Natural deliveries sure aren't pretty! And just because you may have had children natural, doesn't mean that's another woman's path. 

Life throws us all curve balls and in my experience, going natural was actually detrimental to my child and I, so my doctor was right and wasn't just trying to get more money. And come on, with as many women that get pregnant daily, do you really think a doctor is hurting for c-section money? It's not like pregnancy is going extinct any time soon lol 

Images found on google

My challenge to mommies!!

Hey lovelies! 

So I posted this picture on Instagram and Facebook, and the inspiration I got for a blog post was a little deeper than "style." 

Being that this blog is super new, I'm sure you all don't know that I am 33 weeks along in my second pregnancy. That's about 8 months! So I'm pretty close to meeting our next little addition to our growing family! Super exciting! 

But this also means, I get very little "me time." 

Anywho, back to the inspiration. When I took this picture I was on my way to my best friend's birthday dinner and it made me stop and think how important it is to get dolled up and have some girl time! I have been so wrapped up in my growing family, building my businesses, launching my blog and everything baby and toddler related that I often forget to have ME time! NO BUENO! 

We can't forget about ourselves ladies!

The importance in taking some "me time" is crucial! Especially when you have a family depending on you to hold everything together. Taking some time to yourself can refresh you, de-stress you, rejuvenate you and give you some time to miss your loved ones so that life isn't just going through the motions and being taken for granted. You are the lifeline of your family! Take care of you so that you can take care of them with energy and even more love! 

So, once a week, take some time to yourself! Get your nails done, get a massage, enjoy happy hour, have a girls night, visit Barnes and Noble and enjoy a good read and a coffee, host/attend a jewelry party (wink wink). Whatever you love and you haven't done in awhile or before, DO IT! 

Get out! Get Dressed! Get that "me time" you deserve!