Throwback Thursday | Keep Me Hanging On

3 Oct

Remember this? Nothing brings back the 80s more than this song, other than some NKOTB. But ya know, I heard this song the other day and it took me back to being a little girl and riding around with my mom, who by the way has an impeccable taste in music.

Music is awesome. Period.

UNT-
SS

Throwback Thursday | Thuggish Ruggish Bone

9 Sep

So I’m a day late, but I have a lot coming up and I meant to post this last night. That didn’t work out. Better late than never.

“We’re not against rap, we’re not against rappers…..but we are against those thugs.”

LOL! I’ve always been kinda “hood” but I remember when Bone Thugs came out, I really thought they were the best thing since sliced bread. Hit after hit. Seriously, it didn’t get any better. Enjoy this. It brings back memories.

UNT-

SS

Monday Free-for-all | Count your blessings

5 Sep

I call this the calm before the storm. Next week could possibly be my busiest week of life. I have a wedding Saturday, an event Sunday, two days of editing, then 15 sessions between Wednesday and Saturday, and traveling on Sunday. Shew. Busy busy week. So…..let’s get rested this week. Right?

I am doing a little catch up on my “blessings” from yesterday.

I am blessed because:

– I just moved into my dream home. A house that I plan to live in a for a long time. We literally live in the Boondocks.

– I have healthy children. I have come across many blogs lately of parents that have either 1. lost a child or 2. have children who are suffering or live with a disease. I don’t know where they find the strength to make it through a day. Wait. I do know. 🙂

On that note, I have to say how blessed I am to have Gabriel. We celebrated his 2nd birthday this past weekend. I can’t say that I feel completely like I deserve to have him in my life after the year I had last year, but nonetheless…I am thankful that Heavenly Father has entrusted Zed and me with raising him. He’s a HANDFUL (I don’t say that lightly) but he’s my baby.

I just came across this “pin” on Pinterest. I’ve never read a quote that hit me so hard as this one did.

– I am thankful for friends that come to your rescue when you are ready to throw in the towel. It’s even better when they have (or had) no idea that they were needed so terribly bad. I am blessed to have amazing friends in my life.

And thank you Mumford & Sons for such wise words, always.

Until next time.

SS

InstaFriday | iPhone dump {Instagram}

2 Sep

I had to go back a couple weeks to get my Instagram photos (the best phone app for pictures ever)…I’ve slacked a little this week. I did take quite a bit of pictures with my Canon, though. You can head on over to my photography website to see more of my work. 🙂

Throwback Thursday | We Need A Resolution

1 Sep

Aaliyah was one of my favorite music artists growing up. She was beautiful, talented, and could dance too! I just loved her style. She could be sexy, and tomboyish all at the same time. I often listen to her songs and think about high school and all my cheerleading glory. Timbaland….oh Timbaland. I wish he would continue to do things. I have to say, he was one of the best producers, as far as putting out a beat that was hot for dancers and hip hop alone. Some of my all time favorite hip hop songs were from Timbaland’s beats. Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliott, and remember Timbaland and Magoo together?

Ear candy…..

School bus drivers, box tops, Gabe, and pictures.

31 Aug

Who?

School bus drivers. Do we really think about how important they are? I was thinking about them a couple days ago when Gavin hopped on the bus from our house. We are trusting them to care for our children, without our supervision…someone we do not know. They take on such a HUGE responsibility driving that gigantor bus…with who knows how many kids. I know one thing: I could never do it.

Do we give them enough credit? I bet they get paid peanuts too. I truly appreciate all the bus drivers out there. And for helping in that SMALL way…taking a load off me, by taking my child to school for me. That is MY responsibility…making sure my child is at school each day. So, I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

What?

While we are on the topic of school, do you collect Box Tops for your school? You really should! It’s a great program that donates $.10 to your school that participates. Most school do participate in this program, but if not, you can be a coordinator. They look like this: (pulled from the Internet)

And here is my stash that I need to actually send with Gavin tomorrow.

When?

This week, my baby turns 2. I can not believe how fast time goes by. I know we say this all the time…but its crazy true. Happy 2nd birthday (Saturday) to my baby…Gabriel.

(complete with nacho cheese on his face…LOVE)

Where?

Where do you go when you need advice/a get-away/vent/etc/etc? Is it a person, place, thing, activity? I’m curious to see how others get away mentally. I know that my camera brings me a calm that I’ve never experienced before. I’m pushing myself to try new things and create new projects. It keeps me busy. I’ve always believe in the saying, “An idle mind is the devil’s playground.” It is so true. The great thing, is I can take my camera anywhere.

Why?

Why take pictures? Why is everyone a photographer these days? Why is it so important to document life? WHY WHY WHY??? LOL. Well, I think our memory only lasts so long. I love the fact that so many people are embracing the art of photography. There is no rule saying who can be what. If you want to be superwoman…then be it. If you want to be a rockstar…do it. If you want to take pictures for a living…make that money honey. I feel that if I’m gonna have a fairytale life/story like “The Notebook”. I may as well go along with it. My “notebook” is my photos. If my memory ever fails me, I can look back on those images and remember. Thats why.

Until next time,

SS

Tutorial Tuesday | Clothespin Picture Frame

30 Aug

I found this idea on Pinterest (no! really??). I love the old vintage look and the ease of switching out photos.
I picked up this frame from Hobby Lobby a while back as a prop to a photo session. Their frames were on sale so I got it for a pretty good deal. This was very simple to make and didn’t take long at all…given I had a 2 year old trying to work a drill and grabbing screws the entire time. 🙂

You need:

1. A drill

2. Screws

3. Wire, or some sort of cord or string will work too. I used this dark wire from Lowe’s.

4. Craft paint to give the clothespins a worn/distressed look.

5. Wire cutter

6. Clothespins

7. Frame

8. Of course, PICTURES! Which ironically, aren’t pictured. LOL!

Put 6 screws into your frame. You can make your own version. Maybe just 4 (2 rows) for bigger pictures? Just an idea. Wrap your wire around the screws and secure.

Make a hanger for your frame. You can also just put hooks on the back, but I like the hanger. 🙂

Paint your clothespins and let dry. You don’t want to ruin your prints!

Now hang your pictures! Viola! You are all done! Simple right? I love simplicity! And I love when it involves simple DIY.

Until next time,

SS

Be inspired

29 Aug

There is nothing better in life, than being inspired. Inspiration gives you motivation. Thus, preventing procrastination. Don’t get me wrong…I can sit on Pinterest for hours on end and be inspired to the point where I am taking notes. Yet, I still have TONS of things just waiting to get made. 🙂

On the other hand, inspiration is positive. We could all use a little more positivity in our lives. Right? So this is what I am here to do. Give an extra boost. Make you smile. Spark that creative side of your mind where you break out of that normal everyday boring routine…and do something FUN. Do it for YOU. If you have a dream of doing something, becoming something…what is stopping you?

On this site, I want to give you ideas that I come across in my daily browsing. I am also here to give mothers the sigh of relief that comes with parenting. You know, when you come across another “mom” and you say, “Shew! I’m glad I’m not the only one!” And if you roll your eyes at those women who seem like they have taken one too many happy pills and never have a bad moment in their house….well, you are in the right place. I roll my eyes daily. 🙂

Each day of the week will be something different.

Sunday – What am I grateful for this week?

Monday – Manic Monday, I need a “free-for-all” sometimes.

Tuesday – Tutorial Tuesday, what will I make today?

Wednesday – the Who, What, When, Where, and Why?

Thursday – Throwback Thursday, reminiscing is good for the soul.

Friday – InstaFriday, my week in review.

Saturday – the Morgan & Shayna project. (More of this later)

**Topics subject to change (I’ve been known to change my mind a time or two)**

**I may miss a day or two, but I’m human, and I do have a life (I think)**

Life is hard. And parenting is even harder, IMHO. But we should have moments along the way that make it all come together and worth every minute. I have always been a HUGE advocate of what I call, “ME TIME.” It’s just absolutely necessary for sanity.

I basically need to keep a journal of the things I’d like to jot down, and never do. I can’t put all my personal thoughts and pictures on my business blogsite, so this is another reason why I’m starting this new project. I hope you can find something while you are here to help with your sanity (believe me, I need this more than anybody). Even if it’s a laugh.

Until next time,

SS

PS- I am open to ideas for posts, interviews, and DIY tutorials. Just hit me up! 🙂