Pieces of Me: Booz and Bangs

Last week I began a new photography class called Radiate.  This is the second class I have taken with Beryl Young.  She is a phenomenal photography teacher!  If you haven't checked out her website, she can be found at http://www.berylaynyoung.com.  Beryl Young sends out regular emails with great tips, so make sure you sign up for her Momtographer Tips and Tricks Guide.

Our first week of Radiate begins with Pieces of Me. We have been given several questions to consider.  Everyone has a story to tell, and here is a little bit of my story.

Growing up, my mother was the most important person to me.  She is still one of THE most important people in my life and that will never change.  My mother and I moved away from my biological father when I was five years old.  I guess that means I am from a broken home.  Moving away was one of the best things we could have done.  My father was an alcoholic, among other things. Even after we left he did not try to know me or be involved in my life until sometime in my high school years.  And those few moments when he tried to be a father were short lived.

I don't drink. I don't have a problem if other's drink, but I just don't feel that it is my way of life.  I am glad for that. I do believe that alcoholism is hereditary, and I would hate to have to fight that ugly battle or damage in any way all that I have become.

I don't have many memories of my father, but I do remember cutting off ALL my bangs.  I was about 4 1/2 at the time, my mother was working, and my father was passed out on the couch.  My mom thought I looked just lovely until she realized what I had done.  The only picture we have with my very own haircut is my Kindergarten class photo.

There was a male figure in my life, but not a father figure. The only person I had to confide in, the only person I had to look out for me was my mother.  She is the ONE that has helped mold me into the person I am today.  I am thankful for having such a great mother.

Curls for a Cure - Ouidad Supports Breast Cancer Awareness

Ouidad Supports Breast Cancer Awareness

365 Days a Year

Ouidad has donated over $443,781 to Breast Cancer Awareness

Ouidad, a renowned hair stylist, salon owner, global educator, curl expert, mother, and industry icon is a breast cancer survivor.  She was diagnosed at the same age as her mother, who lost the battle against the disease.  Ouidad realized that she was in a unique position to apply both personal experience and passion to a remarkable cause and took action against this aggressive killer.  While she commends other brands for debuting limited edition, pastel pink products to raise funds for this important cause, Ouidad has chosen to pursue a higher level of involvement by supporting breast cancer awareness 365 days a year.

Fortunate enough to make a full recovery, Ouidad started a crusade against breast cancer, vowing to make a difference in the lives of other women.  She founded Curls for a Cure in 2005 to raise funds year round for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  Curls for a Cure is a donation program on Ouidad.com that welcomes visitors to make a donation of their choosing toward Breast Cancer research.  Taking her commitment a step further, Ouidad matches any amount donated, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000!

With her own difficult hair loss experience, Ouidad is able to comfort troubled clients in an entirely personal way, and is truly honored to provide support both financially and emotionally.  Below are a few helpful tips from Ouidad on how to look good and feel good during this difficult time.

• Skin will have a yellow tint from chemotherapy – use a bronzer with a pink tint to balance skin color
• Hair tends to lose pigmentation, often growing in gray and curly; wait at least six months post chemotherapy for color to prevent damage of new growth
• Visually prepare for hair loss by cutting hair shorter to minimize the drastic effect of losing hair
• With new hair growth, do deep treatments every two weeks to feed and strengthen hair; frequent deep conditioning is necessary to replenish nutrients, allowing each strand to regain its internal weight and body

the Bobbi + Katie Collection

Have you heard the latest news in the beauty industry? Katie Holmes and Bobbi Brown recently joined together to create a capsule collection designed for modern on-the-go women like themselves.   Katie Holmes is the FIRST EVER celebrity face to work with Bobbi Brown. 

"Form meets function in the creative duo’s new palette for eyes, cheeks and lips. Combined with a brush set and cosmetic case perfectly sized for your purse, it’s everything you need for beauty on-the-go. "

The color palette includes 8 eye shadows, 2 pot rouges, and a mini eye pencil.  The color collection was inspired by Katie's favorite journal and her classic fashion design sensibility.  The color palette retails for $68.

The mini makeup brush kit includes a face blender brush, eye shadow brush, eye sweep brush, and an eye liner brush in a small brown cosmetic bag.  The makeup brush kit retails for $65.  

Both items are perfectly sized to fit in your purse, giving you everything you need it the most.

These are Limited Edition, so make sure to pick yours up quickly.

The Bobbi + Katie Collection is available at all Bobbi Brown Cosmetic counters and online at BobbiBrown.com.

Photographing Your Town Challenge

Last night I finally sat down to to read the latest Click magazine, and found a great article about how to photograph a city.  Although the article highlighted a few key ideas, it really got me thinking.  We live in a nice small town in Northern Virginia, about an hour from either Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, MD.  Our small town would make a great starting point for capturing and photographing our town and sharing it with all of you! There are  several neighboring towns and cities that have so much to explore and share as well.

So in the future I look forward to visiting these towns and sharing with you all the things that make them special.

What is your town/city known for? What attracts people to visit? Are there tourist destinations, or locals  area's that might intrigue others?  I would like to have you share the sights, smells, tastes, and people in your region. Be sure to comment and leave a link to your posts!

If you haven't visited the Clickin' Mom's website, be sure to pop over and check out the many free resources, online classes, and store.  They are also the creators of Click Magazine, a photography magazine published every couple months.  The magazine is available for download through iTunes or you can order print copies.  The magazine has many great resources of information and inspiration.

Day 1: The Little Mermaid Photo A Day Challenge {RED}

Yesterday I stumbled upon a one week challenge being hosted by Fat Mum Slim.  Fat Mum Slim has a monthly photo a day challenge that can be found on Facebook with almost 10,000 followers or on Instagram (#fmsphotoaday). I was drawn to the Little Mermaid Photo A Day Challenge for several reasons.  Disney princesses! Who doesn't love them? If you didn't know, The Little Mermaid movie is coming out on DVD and Blue Ray on September 11th!

Prizes!  There are 5 chances to win! Check out Fat Mum Slim's website for details.

The biggest reason motivating me to participate in this challenge would be my little Emma.  She is a girly-girl who LOVES to pose for the camera, which is a great thing for me since I enjoy photography.  And, a short photography challenge! Yay! The photography challenges are a great way to find inspiration, and to share with other's.

Each day I will share my photo with you here on the blog, as well as Instagram (www.instagram.com/onestylishmomma).

Day #1 is {RED}.

Week in Review - Kindergarten and Soccer

Last Tuesday was our first day of school.  I think we were the last county in our region to start back, and I can honestly say that I like that summer break doesn't end until after Labor Day. I hear there is talk of it possibly changing in the years to come, which is really unfortunate for the children.

Here are a few photo's I was able to grab before Emma headed off on her first day of Kindergarten.  Since she is baby #4, and the last to start school, Momma was a hot mess that day!  It didn't really hit me until I found myself looking out the door every minute watching for the bus to come up the hill.  Once it dawned on me what I was doing, the tears started rolling.  If I had the patience to home school, I would probably be tempted to keep her home.

Saturday marked the start of our fall soccer season, and Emma's first "official" soccer game.  I think she will be following in her brother's footsteps. She seems to have more of an interest in soccer than cheerleading, which seems odd considering how she is such a girly-girl.  Mommy and Daddy don't mind though.  We encourage our children to participate in team sports, but prefer to let them decide which sport they enjoy more.

Products We Love: Ouidad Color Sense Collection

After years and years of having my hair highlighted, I decided to try something new.  My natural hair color is a darker brown, so I thought the Ombre' look would be a great way to darken my hair up while still keeping some blonde.  One of my biggest concerns is prolonging the life of the dark hair color.  Often times we get our hair colored and a few weeks later the nice color we started with has faded to something totally different.  My other concern was that the blonde portion tends to look more dried out and frizzy.

I am happy to share Ouidad hair care products with you!  Ouidad has an excellent hair care system that helps to preserve your hair color, allowing your color to last longer before fading.  Now, I am sure your thinking the same thing I thought, isn't Ouidad for curly hair? Let me tell you, my hair is as straight as it gets and this line works amazing!  Of course, Ouidad will still work wonders on curly hair.

Here are before and after pictures (sorry about the lighting). You can see a difference just from using the products one time.  The Color Sense Collection removes product build up that can leave your hair looking dull and lackluster, brightens, and smoothes.  The frizziness on the ends look much smoother and softer, blending together much more naturally than they had in the Before picture.

To properly use these products, allow the conditioner to set for about 3 minutes before rinsing.  Once a week, follow up with the Shine Boosting Color Extender.  Allow the Extender to set for about 10 minutes before rinsing, then style as usual.

Color Preserving Shampoo

• Key Benefits
• Gently removes mineral deposits and product buildup that can strip color
• Provides a shield against fading from UV exposure and styling
• Hair is instantly hydrated, healthy and vibrant
• Sulfate free
• Ingredient Benefits
• Proprietary Color Lock Complex, including Beta Carotene and Lycopene, contains broad spectrum, plant based sun filters which help affix color to the hair fibers and shield against fading due to UV exposure and styling
• Weightless layer of antioxidants protects against dehydration for healthy looking, radiant curls
• Directions
• Gently massage through wet hair
• Never bunch or scrub hair while shampooing as this weakens hair, leading to frizz
• Rinse thoroughly and follow with Color Sense™ Color Preserving Conditioner
• Price
• $20 for 8.5 fl. oz.

Color Preserving Conditioner

• Key Benefits
• Protective Color Lock complex affixes color to hair fibers and provides a shield against fading from UV exposure and styling
• Nourishes and replenishes hydration to help keep hair healthy looking and soft
• Sulfate free and silicone free
• Ingredient Benefits
• Lycopene - provides natural UV protection in addition to fighting free radical damage and preserving healthy hair cells
• Beta Carotene – a component of Vitamin A that improves hair health by activating cell renewal that keeps scalp healthy and enables the growth of thicker, fuller hair 
• A blend of Apricot Oil and Honey replenish moisture and strengthen hair, both are rich in antioxidants to protect hair color from free radical and environmental damage
• Directions
• Apply in sections.  Comb through clean, wet hair using a wide tooth comb, starting at the ends of hair and working toward the scalp
• Leave in hair for 3 minutes, then rinse
• Price
• $22 for 8.5 fl. oz.

Shine Boosting Color Extender

• Key Benefits
• Instantly creates a high gloss finish that lasts for days
• Extends life of hair color
• Protects from UV and styling damage
• Sulfate-free and silicone free
• Ingredient Benefits
• Proprietary blend of Crambe Abyssinica and Apricot Seed Oils protects and extends the life of color while creating a lightweight, high gloss finish
• Color Lock Complex, composed of broad spectrum, plant based sun filters, seals in color and shield from damaging UV exposure
• Directions
• Apply to wet hair, distributing evenly from roots to ends
• Leave on for 10 minutes
• Rinse completely and style as usual
• Use once per week for optimal color preservation and shine
• Price
• $26 for 5 fl. oz.

Ouidad products can be purchased online at www.ouidad.com, Ouidad Flagship stores, and local Ulta beauty stores.

Back-to-School Photo Shoot Ideas

Over the Labor Day weekend, Emma and I went on our FIRST EVER photo-shoot. When I say first ever, it was my first official time preparing and taking pictures for the sole purpose of shooting her Kindergarten pictures, and Emma's first time actually going to a location just so I could take her pictures.  

Although some of the images are blurry, I think we had a great time and I was able to find out where my strength's and weaknesses are.  There will definitely be more practice before I would feel comfortable shooting for anyone outside of the family.

Here are a few things I considered before we headed out.

Weather and Timing: Outside photo's always look great, so we had to choose the day with the best weather.  It's also wise to plan your shoot in the morning or evening hours when the sun is not at it's brightest.  Fortunately we were in a shady area for most of the pictures so I had to work with the dappled sun coming through.

Inspiration: There is so much inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram to really get the ideas going.  If your planning on doing any photo shoot's in the near future, take a look at these three great sites to help spark your creativity.  Consider the season, area's around you and what they have to offer, what do you want to capture or portray in your images, and how many subjects will be in the photo's?  This can help narrow down your list of idea's.  Jot down of the different poses you would like to achieve.

Rhonna Designs App:  Many people are using chalk board signs to show the school grade, date, and even school name.  Since I didn't think of this until last minute I used the Rhonna Designs App on my iPhone to create an image.  There are probably many different Apps you can use, or even PicMonkey if you prefer to create something on the computer.  Once I had perfected the image, I emailed it to myself and was able to pull it up on the iPad.  Save to your camera roll. Pull up the image and wait a second for the screen display to disappear so you only have your image.  ** I still have to figure out how to remove the glare from the screen, and change out the iPad screen protector so that there aren't bubbles on the screen. 

Photo Props:  Thinking back, I would have liked to have taken the image below of Emma on the quilt her Grandma made for her when she was born.  She probably would have preferred it too, over the itchy grass!  Consider if you have something sentimental or maybe an heirloom item that might work well in the pictures.  This is also a great idea if you are planning on sending any pictures to family members that may have given you the items.

It's not too late to get out and take those back to school pictures.  Just make sure that you plan ahead so that you have your ideas together and the little one's don't get distracted, and make sure you pack all of your necessary photo prop's.  

Weekend In Rewind

Wow! It's amazing how quickly the weekends come and go.  Football, family time, birthday preparations and shopping, birthday celebration, re-cooperation, and family bike riding. I think that about sums up my weekend!

Saturday morning started out bright and early. . . 5 a.m. to be exact.  Of course, it wouldn't have to be so early if I didn't require the morning cup of joe.   It was also the first day of cheerleading for Football Fest and team photo's.  Cheerleading is very new to us, we are pretty much the typical "soccer family". The boys haven't ever played Football, which is probably because Mommy never let them. Yes, it's my fault. But now that I am seeing the boys play and learning about the safety measures the Coaches and Football League takes, I am not sure that I would mind it as much if they decided to give it a go.

Ryan's 9th birthday followed cheerleading. It's kind of crazy how 9 years ago while I was in labor with Ryan all of my high-school classmates were celebrating the 10 year reunion.  Am I showing my age now. . . Ha ha!  

We couldn't have asked for any better of a day. The weather was cool in the morning and pleasant in the afternoon, more like a September afternoon than August.  There were lots of family and friends there to celebrate with us, including the Editors of Cupcake Mag, Chic Style Modern, and The Bunch and Beyond.  They are such lovely ladies!

We skipped cake and went for cupcakes this year.  Our favorite so far are the Glorious Treats Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes.  Originally we were going to whip up a batch of Billy's Bakery cupcakes, but Glorious Treats seem to have better reviews.  If you decide to make this recipe, my only recommendation would be to fill the cupcake liners 1/2 full instead of 2/3.  Our first batch overflowed, and looked more like they had Mickey Mouse ears.  Due to time, we opted for Betty Crocker's icing but used a decorator's bag and tip to frost them.  The American Buttercream Frosting looks delish, so we might have to whip up a batch for the Labor Day weekend.

Mom Mom had the little one's full of laughter running around the yard.  I wonder how long they could have ran around, laughing all the while.

Meet Grayson, Cupcake Mag's littlest.  Isn't he just a doll? I think I had him stuck to my hip most of the day.  Grayson is such a happy baby, full of smiles and drool.  Momma and Daddy are supposed to be going on a little vacation soon, and I just can't wait to have him for the weekend!

Meet Nicholas, my oldest. Apparently once you hit high school, you are no longer interested in being photographed. Is this what my pictures of Nicholas are going to look like for the next 4 years? I certainly hope not!

Meet Madison, daughter to the Editor of Chic Style Modern, learning how to ride a skate board.  Madison excels in athletics (I think she must get it from her Mommy) and took right off on the skate board.

On another note, I must skip off on my merry way. Till next time friends...

Back to School: Shoe Shopping Tips

Have you completed your back to school shopping? 

Did you remember those shoes, backpacks, and socks? If not, we have some great tips from Famous Footwear that will make it much easier for you to choose just the right styles for those trendsetters!

September Photo-A-Day Challenge

Get ready to jump on board with the launch of a brand new photo-a-day community.  Stacey (Author of The Bunch and Beyond) and Stacy are excited to launch our first EVER photo-a-day on Instagram.  We are still working out all the final rules and details, but wanted to get the word out to all of our followers.  

Below is the word a day for the month of September.  We look forward to motivating and inspiring many people to get out and shoot.  It doesn't matter what type of camera you have, or the amount of experience.  

We simply ask that you be creative, and be considerate to others when sharing your pictures.  We do not want any nudity, profanity, or anything that might be offensive to others.

Simply add your picture to Instagram, and include #iswirlphotoaday.

I will be posting the monthly list to the website a few days before each month, but there is also a new page added above for quick reference.

Freezer Meal Series ~ Spaghetti Sauce

I have always wanted to grow my own herbs and vegetables in hopes of making my own spaghetti sauce and salsa's. Every year I plant a garden filled with different types of tomatos, peppers, onions, and a variety of herbs but never enough for more than a salad with dinner.

This year I was certain we had nailed it.  We dug a larger bed for the garden, mixed in manure from a local farm instead of the dirt you can get from the hardware stores, did a soil test kit, and added peat moss to the manure.  The summer has been mild, and we have had our fair share of rain so the plants have required minimal watering. Everything seemed to be in line for a great harvest, but for some reason we have ended up with cucumbers and a few tomato's.

So... we weren't able to harvest enough vegetables to use in our spaghetti sauce.  I searched the internet to find a recipe that looked like something we would enjoy. Ree Drummond of The Pioneer Woman shares her recipe, and goes into detail on each step.  The tomatoes she uses are canned, so we didn't have to buy a bunch of tomatoes and prepare them for the sauce.  I really like that she notes which ingredients are optional, and which ingredients can be changed out with something else.

Anyone that knows me, knows I do not like lots of vegetables in my sauce.  The hubbie was SHOCKED to see me chopping away at the onions and green peppers.  I even threw in a can of diced tomatoes, since I know he loves them.

The Pampered Chef Food Chopper and Mix 'N Chop made cooking so much easier. I originally began chopping the onions up, but my eyes were watering terribly. The Food Chopper worked like a charm!  The Mix 'N Chopl worked great to really crumble up the beef. Perfect for cooking up 5 lbs at one time!

Once the sauce was done, using a big ladle, I scooped about 4-5 spoons into each bag. This made a total of 5 bags, and a nice amount for one box of pasta.  Since the bags can slide around easily, I set them in a cake pan in the freezer. Once they are frozen I will just remove them from the pan.  If you have room on the door, that would be another way to keep hold of them.

One other suggestion too, add a description and the date to each bag. This will help you out greatly, especially if you plan to make and freeze other recipes.

We used the sauce for dinner at my brother's birthday celebration.  Everyone LOVED the sauce, from the littlest to the adults.  This will now be my "Go-To" recipe for all my spaghetti sauce.

New York City Day Trip

Some of our neighbors said we were completely crazy to take a "whirl-wind trip" to New York City, but there were so many things we still wanted to do that we couldn't pass up the chance. My Mother decided to come along with us since she hadn't ever been to the city.  I was so excited to take her with us, it was hard to sleep the night before!

Our first stop was Central Park. There is a great App (Best Parking) you can download that provides parking garage prices and a map to show you where each garage is located in the vicinity. Some parking garages require you to download a coupon at least 30 minutes prior to arrival in order to use it. Not a bad option if you plan ahead. I will note that not all prices are correct. The first garage we stopped at wanted to charge $50 for a couple hours. We located the next closest garage and were able to park for $27. A little shopping around can definitely pay off!

Our day began pretty eventful. On the way to the park, we found this (see pic below) pretty water fountain, just across the street from The Plaza. The kids started walking around the fountain, climbing up the stairs on the back.

Little E decided to walk around the fountain and up the front side. As I am sure you can tell by the picture below, she walked right into the water. She must have been thinking she could walk on water! Hehe... Fortunately it was a nice day outside, so she dried off pretty quickly.  And yes, she is wearing HOT pink lipstick. My little fashionista.

I think it's wonderful that there is such a beautiful park in the middle of such a busy city where people can escape from all the hustle and bustle. In just the short distance we traveled through Central Park, we were able to see a carnival, take a ride on the historic Carousel, catch a ball game, and enjoy many historic landmarks.

Ball Game

Dairy Visitor Center

The Dairy Visitor Center has been used for many reasons over the years. It was once used as a place people could go to get milk and snacks, and now it is one of the five visitor's centers.

Playmates Arch

Strawberry Fields

Strawberry Fields is a memorial for John Lennon.  My Mom has always been a Beatles fan, so I knew we just couldn't miss the chance to stop by and pay our respects.  This was one of the busier landmarks we visited.

Fun at the Mall and Literary Walk

The Mall and Literary Walk

Hopefully next time we visit Central Park we will be able to see more that it has to offer, and possibly visit the Zoo.

NurturMe Yum-A-Roos Organic Dried Fruit and Veggie Toddler Snacks

NurturMe, the first and only family of certified-organic, dried fruit and veggie meals, announced today the introduction of Yum-A-Roo’s, a new line of bite-sized organic dried fruit and veggie snacks for toddlers.  

Big nutrition designed for little hands, NurturMe’s new Yum-a-Roo’s organic dry toddler snacks are made from bite-sized pieces of fruits and veggies that easily dissolve in the mouth. Tasty and good for little ones ages 1 year and older, Yum-a-Roo’s are extra nutritious since they contain veggies, in addition to fruit, and are dried – a NurturMe process that preserves the nutrients, freshness and flavor. Kiddos love the taste, and parents love that there’s 1.5 servings of fruits and/or veggies in every pouch. Yum-a-Roo’s are available in four flavors Tropical Twist (Banana, Mango and Pineapple), Caribbean Crop (Pea, Banana and Pineapple), Happy Harvest (Peas, Sweet Corn and Apple) and Bountiful Bites (Banana, Apple and Broccoli).   Suggested retail is $2.99 per each .75 oz. resealable pouch. 

NurturMe Yum-A-Roos snack line is certified organic, gluten-free, non-GMO and kosher and contains no added sugar, salt or preservatives.  Yum-a-Roo’s come in small, re-sealable pouches that are perfect for lunchboxes, picnics, road trips, playgrounds, airplanes and of course, zoos!

In conjunction with the launch of Yum-A-Roos, NurturMe has created a free iPad and iPhone App starring “Roo” their adorable Kangaroo character.  The fun and educational new App teaches tots about their favorite fruits and veggies.  The Yum-A-Roo App can be downloaded here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yum-a-roo/id656498831.

In addition to the new Yum-A-Roos toddler snack line NurturMe recently announced the expansion of their award-winning line of organic dried baby food – including the introduction of a 100% quinoa rice cereal alternative and a new line of blended NurturMeals organic dry meal pouches that combine delicious and nutrient-rich fruit and veggie flavors. The first “stage-free” food for little ones, NurturMe’s new convenient and healthy organic dry meal pouches and fruit and veggie snacks make it even easier for busy parents to ensure their children are getting maximum nutrition with every bite – from infants to toddlers, and everywhere in between.  All NurturMe products are made in the USA from specially selected organic super fruits and veggies that are lovingly harvested and quick-dried in order to preserve freshness, flavor, phytochemicals and other nutrients.

NurturMe products are available for purchase nationwide online, as well as in select Whole Foods, Kroger family and Babies R Us stores across the country. Please visit nurturme.com for pricing and where to buy in your neighborhood.

About NurturMe

A revolution in feeding little ones, NurturMe is the first and only family of certified-organic, dried fruit and veggie meals and snacks created for children 4 months to 4 years. The first “stage-free” food for little ones, NurturMe’s line of organic dry NurturMeal pouches and Yum-a-Roo’s dried fruit and veggie snacks were designed to meet every yummy need, from infants to toddlers, and everywhere in between. NurturMeals and Yum-a-Roo’s are certified organic, gluten-free*, non-GMO and kosher, with no added preservatives, sugars or salts – only the good stuff. All NurturMe products are made from specially selected super fruits and veggies that are lovingly harvested and quick-dried in order to preserve freshness, flavor and nutrients.

Please visit nurturme.com for pricing and where to buy in your neighborhood. Visit us on Facebook at Facebook.com/nurturme and on Twitter atTwitter.com/nurturme for news of special promotions, new product introductions and more.

*Excludes the NurturMeals “Sweet Potatoes, Oatmeal and Bananas” flavor.