{weekend} lovelies

 

 

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

 

Inspiring Family Documentary // Wildflowers Photography Blog

I can’t say enough about this inspirational family! I am completely reeled into their sweet life on the road!  A couple of weeks ago I shared with you their blog and journey as a family of six {view lovelies here}…. Since then, I’ve kept up with their travels through Joy’s blog and candid Instagram feed. Her photographs take my breath away. They truly tell a story. Here is a short video of their beautiful family and plan for the year ahead….

 

 

Modern Bohemian Loft Design // Home Adore

Hello, Gorgeous!! This is my kind of design! A modern, boho feel! I’m infatuated with the light walls, bright pops of color, and eye-catching art pieces! 

 

 

[Read more…]

Orange County Charity Book Project

 

Ladera Ranch portrait photographer Paul F. Gero has launched the 6th Annual Kids of Orange County Charity book project!

This project has been widely popular and the charity benefactor is CHOC {Children’s Hospital of Orange County}! So far the project has raised nearly $50,000 for CHOC by the 100% donation of the session fee. 

Paul and his wife Nicki organize the project — Nicki handles the marketing and scheduling of the project, while Paul handles the session planning, actual portrait sessions, image production and viewing presentations. Over the course of the last six years, Paul has photographed hundreds of children, including Nicole’s children, Mason and Madeline.

Here are a few images that Paul took from Mason’s first session in 2008, for the original Kids Book project…

 

Paul again photographed Nicole’s family late in 2009 when Madeline joined the family… [Read more…]

{weekend} lovelies

We are finishing off our very first baby week with this edition of

{weekend} lovelies!

Dreaming of a time when you will become pregnant…

learning that you are expecting…

being in the midst of pregnancy…

birthing your baby…

and holding, feeding, cuddling & kissing your newborn

{for the very first time}

are some of the most amazing, memorable & joyous times

in our lives as women!

We hope you enjoyed our baby week

and that you find the following information & links helpful!

Have a …..lovely….. weekend!

xo

 

{Healthy Pregnancy Snacks // FitPregnancy}

From homemade granola bars to ice pops & veggie dips…

there’s lots of healthful variety here!

 

{Sleep Tips During Pregnancy // Dr. Oz for FitPregnancy}

Any woman who has experienced pregnancy

knows that there are almost always sleep issues involved…

especially in the final months when your tummy is big and your bladder seems small!

Supposedly it’s nature’s way of preparing you for the sleepless nights ahead once your baby is born.

Here are some tips from Dr. Oz on getting some much needed zzz’s!

 

 

{Printable Birth Plan // The Bump}

A great tool to stimulate conversation with your significant other

and to gather your own thoughts in regards to your wishes for the birthing process.

This is important to complete and then review with your doctor or midwife.

Note: this is pretty detailed, so all of these options may not be offered to you.

 

 

{A Simple Mantra // The Keep Calm-o-Matic}

 Or… perhaps you’d rather keep things simple,

forget the comprehensive birth plan… and go with the flow?

This is pretty much how I handled my fourth delivery…

no drugs, no midwife….

just Husby, a couple nurses, my way too handsome doctor, and a hockey game in the background…

unforgettable…

 

{Shrink, Tighten, Control // Belly Bandit}

Looking for a post-partum compression wrap?

I whole-heartedly recommend the one made of Bamboo!

It is their softest material & is comfortable while still being supportive.

Make sure you read their sizing tips before purchasing!

 

 

 {Timeline for the Breastfed Baby // The Alpha Parent}

This is my favorite link of the week!

A thorough timeline that every breastfeeding new mom should read & bookmark!

 

 

 

{DIY Modern Nursing Shawl // The Coterie Blog}

This darling shawl appears to be super easy to make

{this would also make a great gift}!

You need 1 yard of knit fabric, and it only requires you to sew one line!

It’s cute and functional!

It even covers your back, unlike most that you purchase!

 

 

 

{After Baby Workouts // Knocked-up Fitness}

Our friend, Erica Ziel, of Knocked-up Fitness recently released her new AFTER BABY Workouts!

You can also go on her site to view her YouTube fitness videos!

See our post of her Pilates-Infused Fitness for expectant mamas {here}!

 

 

 

{Postpartum Intimacy // Giving Birth with Confidence}

Experts from FitPregnancy give the real scoop on what’s really going on

“down there”

and answer questions about intimacy after baby!

 

 

{Tips for Photographing Your Baby // Click it up a Notch}

10 really helpful tips for photographing your baby!

These pointers are realistic and easy enough to do

for the average mom or dad behind the camera!

 

 

{Additional Reading Material we Recommend}

Difference Between Baby Blues & Depression

Helping Your Older Kids Adjust to the New Baby

Baby Milestones >> 10 Basic Developmental Skills & Timeline

 

{weekend} lovelies

It’s that time again!

Here are our {loveliest} picks from the web this week!

We thought we would focus on kids this time around

{because they’re just so cute}!

Hope it brings you lots of smiles,

some ideas &

maybe even a little design inspiration!

Enjoy your weekend!

xo,

s & n

 

{Musical Inspiration // Vazquez Sounds “Rolling in the Deep”}

 

{A Thoughtful List // 40 Ways to Love Your Child}

 

{A Backyard Bungalow // Apartment Therapy}

 

{Shared Spaces // Better Homes & Gardens}

 

{Kids Style we Love // Nordstrom}

 

{Lunchbox Ideas // Family Fresh Cooking}

 

{Tips on Photographing Your Own Kids // Click it up a Notch}

 

{Do-it-Yourself // Felt Crowns by Hello Bee}

 

{Dreams for your Child // Harper Grace Designs on Etsy}

 

{A Sweet Treat // Glacier S’more by Betty Crocker}

 

{Countdown to Valentine’s Day // Craft Ideas by Babble}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Olloclip…

A couple of weeks before Christmas, I decided to make some homemade biscotti.

I’ve always loved the twice-baked cookie, so I thought I’d give it a whirl!

Let’s just say…. it didn’t work out so well!

They were dry, bland, and they completely crumbled when I tried to cut them

{thinking it’s best to stick with my favorite Trader Joe’s biscotti instead}!

I was snapping some photos of the baking process

{in hopes to share with our readers – – had they turned out to be delicious}

when my hand got hooked on the strap of my camera causing it to fall

straight onto my unforgiving tile floor…

shattering the lens {tears}!

Of course, it was my good camera… as luck would have it, right?!

So, I’ve been out of a camera for a few weeks now,

but I did get a small replacement from my Husby for Christmas this year

{to tie me over until I get my new lens}.

It has turned out to be my favorite accessory for my iphone…

so great, in fact, that I felt the need to share it with you all!

It’s called the

olloclip

It works on iphone 4, 4s and the iphone 5

{make sure to purchase the right one for your phone}. 

Basically, it is a lens that fits effortlessly over your phone.

It has three lenses: the fisheye, the wide-angle, and the macro.

Have a peek at this short video to see how it all works:

 

 

While at a terrific park that Nicole had suggested to me {Dinosaur Park in Laguna Hills},

I was able to try out all three lenses.

Here are what the photos looked like using the fisheye:

{love their shadows over the bridge…}

 {mr. amazing…. coming out of a tunnel}

 {one of the only photos I captured of all four that day… that Seth (seen jumping) doesn’t like to be photographed!}

 {can’t get enough of this little man…. can you tell??}

{an unsolicited sweet moment of three of them…. like I said, Seth is camera shy! he actually prefers to be behind the camera taking the pictures!}

Here are a few shots using the wide-angle lens {while using the hipstamatic app}:

Perhaps the coolest lens in my opinion… the macro {pretty amazing for capturing the details}:

{petals of a rose…}

{a single leaf…}

 {my favorite… the inside of a rose}

***************************************************

I completely recommend the olloclip to anyone who has an iphone 4/5.

It has been really fun to you so far!

If you already have one, or happen to purchase one in the future…

we would love to hear what you think about it and even see your photos!

Happy Clicking!