{sorry ladies, this one’s all mine!}

Many people ask me if I have decals on my mixer…I actualyl picked this design and Nicole Dinardo painted it to match my kitchen!  It’s a one of a kind, but guess what…Nick saw that this design was super popular, so she made a simple solution and started making Decals for those of you that want  your mixer to look fabulous like this, without getting a custom paint job! Behold, Custom Kitchen Couture!!

I get to do a lot of the photography for  this business, and am one of their biggest fans, so I’d like to Give Away a Premier Damask Decal Set to dress up your own KA Mixer {from Custom Kitchen Couture by Un Amore}!!

There are 3 ways you can enter to WIN this giveaway for a total of THREE entries:

1. Leave a Comment here on this BLOG saying something that will make me smile

2. Leave a Comment at our Heather Lynn Photographie Facebook Fanpage {just mention this giveaway!}

3. Leave a Comment on Custom Kitchen Couture’s Facebook Fanpage {and remember to mention this giveaway!}

KitchenAid Mixer shown is NOT included, you can WIN the DECALS and apply then to your own mixer!!! Up to 3 entries per account/ip address. Winner will be announced February1st on this BLOG, so check back to see if you’ve won!!

Comment Contest Ends January 31st!!

READY…..GO!!!!!

I recently had the brilliant idea to have a Baking themed birthday party for my 12-year-old. My blossoming young tween wanted a baking-ice-skating-painting-dance-slumber party…so we compromised and I let her have a few friends over the night before to participate in the preparations for her Baking Slumber Party!! Part of the “party” was in the experience of making all of the cake-pops and cookies the night before, together.

The girls had a blast {and I almost had a nervous breakdown with all that was going on at once, at volume 12, until 2 am…} We had lots and lots of help from my fabulous mixer {custom painted by the amazing Un Amore Designs} and I think the girls just liked having turns using it {I know it inspires ME to bake!!}. Bright and early in the morning, before the party, the girls made decorations with cupcake liners, and party favors with Cookies in a Jar. We even had time to mold edible PhotoBooth Props {lips and mustaches on a stick!}. My favorite touch!

I provided ideas and inspiration, and everything was homemade by the girls except the aprons! I really wanted to make those myself, but I am no wonder-woman…so I hired the wonder-woman at Rockin Bobbin to make my over-the-top adorable aprons and hat flowers {just got the chef hats at Micheals!} My youngest girls even got to dress up and be a part of the party! They all had the best time I could have ever imagined!! It was totally worth the hours spent on Pinterest and sleepless night with a house-full of aspiring Bakerellas

So, I have always been a crafty momma. I like making gifts and pretty things.  I used to scrap-book with my girlfriends, and set up scenes to photograph just for a page, and spend hours creating the perfect homemade birthday invitations…ok, I still do that, but I have totally been consumed with working and going, going going, that I had to remind myself that I’m not just a photographer. I’m a mom, an artist, I like to dress up, dance, I like to cook, I like to create crafts and plan parties!!! So, with a little help from my new BFF Pinterest, I have been categorizing those ideas and actually doing them!! This Fall season, I have taken back my inner house-mom and I got crafty, I dressed up for Holloween, I find new things to do every day! Take a look at some of my Pinterest Inspired craftiness! If you aren’t already a Pinterester, you may not be addicted yet…that’s ok, you will be soon, and you can Follow my Pins HERE!!

I really had a great time dressing up with my girls this Holloween! My favorite was my little Audrey Hepburn in her tutu from Bee Bops and Lollipops {I didn’t have to buy a thing for our costumes since I already had the tutu!}. I had a lot of fun as Rosie the Riveter too:) {my other girls went as I love Lucy and I Dream of Genie}.

After trick-or treating, we made roasted pumpkin-seeds…3 Kinds! Cinnamon, Salted Caramel, and Traditional Sea Salt!

We also totally had to try recycling old crayons into new fun-shaped rainbow crayons! All three of my kids loved this!!

We also made these decorations for the door! This ribbon wreath and pumpkin ideas can also be found on Pinterest! I am inspired every time I sign in, but I always find a way to put my own little creative twist on things Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

This month, Keith and I got to go to our favorite photographers convention in Las Vegas. We really just needed to refresh and renew our creative MOXY along with our motivation for the business! I thought Keith would be benefiting most from this trip, being newer to the game. But I was wrong!  I learned so much about myself and the new tools out there to help me stay on the right track! Here are a few of my favorite lessons learned in Vegas:

#1 I really need time away and time off with my husband. Working alongside my man is a blessing, oh yes, we get to spend a lot of time together. But even though we get to shoot together, edit together, raise our children together…we can sort of forget to take time off and just BE together!! Between our intensive seminars, we found creative inspiration and learned ways to work better together with a little priceless US time.

#2 We both learned to take risks. Try new things, learn new tricks. Do something that stretches you and pushes you to new levels. Keith has been my assistant photographer and editor for a few years now, and has been trying new things with video and montage clips! We are having a lot of fun with these!!

#3 Remember why you do everything. Is it worth it? I always want my answer to be yes. I love my job and the life I live as a photographer. But when it comes down to it, everything I do is for my family. It’s for my three daughters and the love of my life. I work hard so I can enjoy a wonderful life with my family. The past couple of years have been overwhelming as the business has been blessed, but I’m learning to value my time just as I value your memories!!

#4 It’s OK to be sexy! While learning techniques on posing in Vegas all day, I was also getting dressed for dinner and dancing at night! I got to get dressed up and remember how fun it was to be sexy again!! As a working woman & busy mom, I can forget when I spend my third consecutive day in sweats and a ponytail editing in the office. One of the nights in Vegas, Nigel Barker {of America’s Next Top Model} taught us a few fashion photography tricks and hosted a fashion show. I learned about ways to get your models or brides to feel a little sexier, too!! Because that’s what we all want, right? To feel HOT in our photos!!?? Well, I want to give that to you and remind you to keep it spicy!!

#5 What happens in Vegas, shouldn’t always stay in Vegas. This year I am taking home  a partner on fire for photography, some much needed inspiration, and a renewed sense of vision. I want to give my best to all my clients, to my entire family and my fabulous friends. I am returning home with stronger passion, greater balance and broader perspective. Everything else, can stay in Vegas…