Clean Up on Aisle Four....

friday favorites

2012-01-27T10:01:00.000-08:00

my hubby on a swing at the park..

not going to kid here.

i get nauseous on a swing..

but at least i can sit on one a take photos ah-hem.. right?..

really? nauseous on a swing?

{such a dork!}

this little corner of our house..

it is a perfect combination of us.

we could be a young family in their 30's or a couple in their 70's..

records, books and cocktails...

making fresh smoothies at home..

starting with rinsing beautiful strawberries in an adorable green colander..

i love watching the girls sleep..

they are so precious..

beautiful hikes and when the light is dreamy..

and i have found the perfect hair ties..

here is my big messy bun that is my usual fancy hair-do and these hair ties add the perfect bit of fancy to my do..

it's the small things that make me happy..

AND.

there will be a great giveaway here on monday!
yes. 3 readers will win a set..
thanks to marlo and her fabulousness..

so see you then..
you have to check these out.. they are amazing!

happy friday!!

love notes..

2012-01-26T16:24:00.000-08:00

makena writes these notes to us..

sometimes they are wrapped in a bag with tissue..

sometimes they are sitting at my desk in the perfect place..

sometimes they are sitting unfinished on her art table..

i love these notes with all my heart..

i am madly in love with that little girl..

eye candy..

2012-01-24T09:57:00.000-08:00

it's like little pieces of candy.. all different flavors, colors and sizes..

i love candy.

wanderlust... greece.

2012-01-23T10:40:00.000-08:00

i came across these photos this weekend and realized, all i have are actual photos, no negatives, no digital files, just a gorgeous piece of paper and ink nostalgia..

so i scanned them and am putting them right here on the little blog for safe keeping..

santorini greece my top 3 favorite spot traveled to..

it is a magical place.

people gather to watch the famous sunset and it is the dreamiest place in the world..

stay tuned..

i scanned a few more beautiful travel photos..

coming to a blog near you..

{ps-these were all taken with a point and shoot 11 years ago}

me again.. cliff jumping.

mother nature.

2012-01-20T13:07:00.000-08:00

isn't she stunning?

happy friday!

photo credit: gethin thomas

STYLE ME PRETTY.

2012-01-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

my photography as well as the amazing gorgeousness and creativity of many, many others is featured on the wonderful style me pretty today for adrianna and jerome's gorgeous wedding..

i am so honored.

so.

soooo honored.

see it here.

{and do you see my fancy new ad button on the right over there?}
yes. "seen on style me pretty" ------->

i am so over the moon with pride.

my 15 minutes...

wanderlust.

2012-01-17T12:44:00.000-08:00

i suddenly got the camping bug a few weeks back. i can remember camping when i was little and most people you talk to about camping, have great memories of their childhood and camping.

before we decided to have kids the one thing i really thought about was i wanted to be young-ish when we started because i wanted to travel and be full of zest for an adventure when the kids are old enough. i suddenly feel. we are there.

i have traveled a lot, i have lived in europe and i have been all over the world.

i LOVE to travel.

jetting off to the south of france or flying to lake como..

are not happenin'.. {yet}

so...

we bought a vintage {pretty word for older} pop-up camper and we are embracing the camping adventure..

i am so excited..

{first of all to make her pretty.. re-upholstering the couches pronto}

but more so..

the places we will go..

i am not the "be scared of bears and not showering for days brave camper mrs."..

but.

we have a looong stretch of coastline to discover and lots of fun to be had.

scrabble. hiking. campfires. smores. surfing. a clothesline full of beach towels and bathing suits. and pictures galore.

i'll take it anyday.

marilyn

2012-01-16T16:15:00.000-08:00

i just ordered this photo on canvas for my home.

i just think it is fabulous.
so random.
but you know when you see something and you just REALLY love it?
this photo was on of those things.

you love what you love and why ask why?

right?

and they're off..

2012-01-13T13:31:00.000-08:00

happy friday lovelies..
have a fabulous weekend.

hummus.. sort of?

2012-01-12T14:07:00.000-08:00

so we made hummus.. well it's not really "hummus".. there is no tahini in it..but it tasted delish, we gobbled it up and it was E.A.S.Y...

my ears perk up when i hear easy..

here are my ingredients..

a can of garbanzo beans..

a tsp-ish of garlic..

4 tsp-ish of sundried tomatoes..

olive oil swirled and swirled until it made the food processor go around..

and a bit of water..

she thought it needed a TINY bit of salt..

so we added some..

{she is very calculated and always thinking.. i love it}

one at a time..

they are quite patient..

{sometimes}

then this one decided to take all the seeds out of a red pepper i sliced up earlier..

and decided to plant it in the backyard..

{she loses interest quickly and always has great ideas.. i love it}..

yum.

green.

2012-01-11T08:57:00.000-08:00

these plants make me happy.

they are next to my sink and i feel like they are jewelry in my kitchen.

i do not have a green thumb.

i mean.

at. all.

they sit there.. when the soil looks really dry i run some water over them.

they seem to be as happy as can be.

do you know what is even better about these plants?

they are proven by NASA to filter the toxins out of your home..

yup.

it is a proven fact.

having these plants is kinda like having your cake.. and eating it too..

they are BEAUTIFUL and they provide a cleaner environment.
i have a big fortis plant in a white pot in my living room too..

you can get one of these or many other selections over here at green your air.

you have heard me talk about green your air before.

maryam is fabulous in many, many ways.

i love her.

and her amazing company..

you can check her out here

and.

until january 22nd..

all of you lucky readers can get 25% off by entering FAWNC25 at checkout..

yippy skippy!

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organize.

2012-01-09T11:25:00.000-08:00

i bought one of these organizers for my jewelry and i just wanted to tell you allllll about it.. it makes me very happy and it is SO simple.

my dresser is less crazy, i can find what i am looking for and i am wearing pieces i forgot i had!

it's the little things that give me great, great pleasure..

i got mine here.

photo credit. glamourai

different but the same.

2012-01-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

they are both so different..

but so much the same.

you can even just tell by these photos..

they are sisters and i hope they are always close..

they bicker like crazy or love like crazy..

they stick up for each other.

they fall asleep giggling together..

{they choose to share a room although they can be separate}

one is a good eater. one is not..

one likes soccer.. one likes barbies..

one wears red ballet flats.. one wears converse..

both have blonde hair..

one has hazel eyes.. one has blue..

one has lost 8 teeth.. one THINKS she has a wiggly one..

one loves math..both love to color..

one loves pink.. one loves BLUE and pink..

both love spongebob.

both love legos..

..
these girls stole my heart like i never thought possible.
a mother's love is a pretty fabulous thing.

37 families...

2012-01-02T17:44:00.000-08:00

in 2011..
i shot 37 families, 4 weddings, 2 websites and 1 event.

wheww...
i felt a bit crazy at times..
my business goal this year is not to work more..

but to work smarter..

my personal goal is to spend less..

and travel more..

stop, look around and smell those roses..

they are pretty sweet..

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happy new years eve..

2011-12-31T11:17:00.000-08:00

i hope your 2012 is filled with bIg swirls of sweetness..

twas' the night before christmas..

2011-12-31T11:14:00.000-08:00

this photo was taken in the pitch black.. no flash.. just the light of the fire..
the girls were SO excited about santa..
it was the best christmas to date..
hands down.

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from the bottom of my cheesy, corny heart..

2011-12-23T17:02:00.000-08:00

i am sitting in my living room, my newly painted red toes plopped up on a pillow drying and a cup of green tea cooling next to me as i surf the web. WHY is it so quiet and peaceful? hubby took the girls to get my christmas gift! i have the house allll to myself.. i am doing some blog surfing because i never get that luxury anymore.. there is always an email to answer.. a photo to edit or a blog post to get to..maybe a house to clean?{i said mayyyybe} so.. i decide to plug in my website. you see.. i never see my website.. i work, i shoot, i edit, i blog..and repeat.. but i never cruise my site like a client would. so i just did. i sat blowing on my steaming tea and watched my whole front page of photos flashing.. i have to tell you i got a bit emotional.. {maybe teary?} ahh-hem.... looking at all the gorgeous, amazing, supportive, kind, nice, WONDERFUL, fun, happy, people that make up my portfolio is so surreal.. the moments i've had with them are fabulous..i mean i really can not believe this incredible year i have had.. all the support that i have had for something i am so passionate about.. i get goosebumps when i edit.. i talk about light like the biggest dork on the planet.. and the fact that others too get excited is so amazing. i am writing with my heart wide open and hoping to not sound braggy or like i think i am so cool.. {because we all know i am SO not, i mean really.. i am not}.. i feel SO blessed.. i feel SO gracious to all of YOU that really, really make me SO happy! i really can not imagine topping this great year.. but i already have some amazing things on the books and i look forward to the exciting things to come.. i have to admit, every time i get "new client inquiry in my inbox, i still get a tinge of nervousness.. and when i go to meet a bride for the first time i feel a bit nauseous and clammy.. the love and confidence people have in me and my work is so unbelievable at times.. i love to think about how this time next year, i will be a better photographer and will have learned that much more. my only business plan is to lead with my heart... and with that.. from the bottom of my cheesy and corny heart.. thank you friends for all your love, confidence and support.. i am giving you all an enormous virtual hug..

love,
fawn

photo credit {the glow}

fairy gardens..

2011-12-23T08:24:00.000-08:00

these are fairy gardens.. the girls spend hours making them and they are sprinkled all over our yard..

if you were a fairy wouldn't you come and stay?

there is nothing like a childs imagination.

i love it.

my favorite gifts to give {or receive}

2011-12-21T11:06:00.000-08:00

perfume.

jo malone in orange blossom

smells delicious..

a candle.

anthropologie capri blue candle in volcano scent..

seriously..

the best scent ever..

and the jar is beautiful..

a book.

i have been wanting this book for awhile..

i think kelly wearstler is so amazing..

i really want a great collection of coffee table books..

a book is a great gift..

something sparkly.

for my love of anything gold and sparkly..

this kate spade ipone case is perfection..

the only thing that would make it TOTALLY perfect..

is if it was gold STRIPES..

i really adore the dots though..

i think when you buy something personal, whether it is a candle or a book..
it says you are important and i know you..
that is my favorite gift to give.
and.
receive.

remember the cherry bomb?

2011-12-19T16:36:00.000-08:00

do you remember as a little girl {or boy}

the monkey bars..

the twirls that you would wait so patiently in line at recess to get a quick turn on?

we recently put a pull up bar in the doorway of our guest room for the girls..

it is..

seriously.

my favorite thing at the moment in my house.

the girls twirl.. flip.. swing.. repeat.

for hours.

it was a gift to myself really..

it is $20 at sports authority.

go buy one.

thank me later..

:)

{there is usually a pile of blankets below them but i removed them for the aesthetics of the photo}

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oh. christmas. tree.

2011-12-15T08:37:00.000-08:00

why can't it be up ALL year?

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this face..

2011-12-14T15:13:00.000-08:00

i grabbed my camera because she was sitting all by her lonesome just admiring the house.. as content as can be..

as soon as i started snapping..

she gave me this look..

such a stinker..

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love.

2011-12-14T12:25:00.000-08:00

we recently moved our lovely headboard to the guest room..

{sniff sniff}..

we had a gigantic king bed.. so cozy and lonely in the guest room and all because the LOVE i have for my headboard.. we have been sleeping in a queen..

{how adorable is my hubby to understand my craziness}

so, i finally decided to make the move and i have to tell you..

it is amazing..

a king really is SO much bigger than a queen..

so operation bedroom begins..

i am very inspired by this watercolor..

hmmmm...

tis' the season for making....

2011-12-13T14:03:00.000-08:00

heart shaped eggs for breakfast..

a gingerbread house..

cookies in a jar..

{for all my neighbors, teachers and mail lady}

recipe:

1 3/4 c all purpose flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 c choc chips

3/4 c packed brown sugar

1/2 c granulated sugar

combine flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Place mixture in a 1 qt jar and layer other ingredients as listed.

attach a tag that reads:

just add 3/4 c butter, an egg,3/4 tsp of vanilla and bake for 9 minutes at 375 degrees

chocolate milk with lots of whip cream..

everything just seems special in a mason jar..

i even drink my wine out of one!

what sort of things are you treating yourself or others to?

i'd love to hear.

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rainbows and sequins.

2011-12-07T12:39:00.000-08:00

can a picture get any cuter?

can't wait to see their christmas card...

so many beautiful families this year.. i am speechless and totally in awe of this wonderful gig..

let's just say..

i pinch myself a lot..

one year later..

2011-12-01T20:28:00.000-08:00

my lovely anne and danny..

i shot their engagement photos..

their wedding celebration photos..

and now these first christmas card photos..

it hit me this year as i had the amazing honor of repeat clients..

{sequins and candy is a bit over one year old}..

that i get to see so many wonderful families grow..

my dear friends {because all my clients i consider my friends, whether they want to be or not}..

being a photog has so many more happy moments than i ever expected..

i sound so cheesy, i know but i gotta tell ya.. i love this gig for so many reasons..

and ahh-hemm..

it makes my heart SING when i get this beautiful sun flare STRAIGHT out of camera..

i fought long and hard to learn this and i think it is magical...

anne and danny of course are pretty darn magical themselves though..
gotta tell ya.

pretty in pink..

2011-11-29T10:05:00.000-08:00

i love the dreamy light of this shoot..it makes me so happy..

daddy..

2011-11-21T14:55:00.000-08:00

he is a pro at the rainbow pedicure..

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emotion through photos..

2011-11-18T09:32:00.000-08:00

more than anything.. i love when a photo is emotional.. i am feeling emotional lately about my girls.. they are growing so big and it is kinda scary that they are all mine, little sponges that are absorbing knowledge from me.. from us.. i see myself in both of them and i sometimes love it, and sometimes do not. this time in my life is going so quickly and i find it so hard to run so fast at times..

i find inspiration everywhere for my work and when i see photos like these few..

it makes me hungry to take a photo and overly ecstatic to be a mom to my beautiful daughters...

photo credits.. the glow. sequinsandcandy. pinterest. jaimelackey

bar carts.

2011-11-15T16:44:00.000-08:00

lately..

i am loving the idea of bar carts..

i don't know if it is the chilly weather, the holidays approaching, maybe it is the show we are obsessed with mad men or maybe i am just that sophisticated..

{we all know that last one is so NOT true}

here are some of my favorites..

this one doesn't really have that much going on and i think the simplicity of it so fabulous..

this one is full of choices.. it would be so tough to decide.. but that is not a bad thing..

this one is just beautiful..

all the bright labels, the gorgeous cobalt blue glasses, the vintage and modern mix to this one wins my vote..

and i love that it is so feminine with those stunning PINK roses..

MY bar cart would def have roses {or peonies}..

i love the quirky chic-ness of this one..

the fun elk shot glasses, cool 50's housewife napkins and the fab watch dog..

this was a client who's wedding i photographed and their apartment and style was total eye candy..

i love these glasses..

and these glasses..

and stemless is always a winner in my book..

champagne cocktails are among my favorites..

how are amazing these labels?

and the name?

i think a mix of vintage with modern is the way to go..

this vintage bar set sitting on this tray..

what do you think?

do you have a bar cart?

or.

would you come over for a cocktail if i had one?

photo credits.. sequins and candy, apartment therapy, this is glamorous, elle decor

{Luluka} my latest obsession

2011-11-08T12:43:00.000-08:00

tiny sideways heart $28

gold arrow necklace $28

sideways cross $45

i am obsessed with pretty, delicate gold jewelry..

i wear 2 necklaces at once and i love changing them up..

i came across this etsy shop, luluka and LOVED the chic designs she offers..

all the pieces are handmade by her and are just so beautiful..

i just received my arrow necklace and haven't taken it off..

these are fabulous gifts for you or a friend..

probably you.

but it is never too early to start christmas shopping.

Holiday Sessions

2011-11-07T13:20:00.001-08:00

PS- I just added Dec 3rd and 4th to my schedule for Holiday Photo sessions.. You can see the details HERE..

gracias, danke, merci, thank you... :)

lately.. i can't say no to sparkle.

2011-11-07T09:07:00.000-08:00

i have seen a few versions of fabulous glitter boots in magazines and on blogs..

i loooove them

i saw this photo and the search began.. only to find..

these here are $890

and these here are $590

so as stubborn as i am..

i bought a pair of tan suede booties and decided to "make them myself"..

insert eye roll here..

well.

i love love love loved the "pretty suede with perfect wood heel go with anything in my closet looking boot".. i almost don't take the plunge...

i have had the glitter and goodies for a couple weeks..

but.

finally..

i went for it..

and i am in love.

here is step by step..

i can't stop staring at them...

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a rainy friday

2011-11-04T10:41:00.000-07:00

one of my favorite photos for this friday..

how adorable would this be for a christmas card?

i am loving black and white photos lately..

this one is just not nearly as adorable in color..

so today it is rainy and a good day for making some soup..

we are not going to dance class today because c didn't want to wear her clean tutu's..

she apparently only likes and will wear the 2 that are dirty..

not.worth.the.battle.

*sigh*

on that note.. this is my to do list..

i framed a leftover piece of my headboard fabric and am using it as a white board..

i love it.

the girls do too as you can see from their doodles..

so as for my to do list..

i am blogging now, there is a load of laundry in and i have actually already showered..

not too shabby...

i have sold a few pies and THANK YOU to everyone who donated!! it is a great cause and it is not too late to buy a pie.. the pies are donated by local bakeries.. it is so nice to work with such giving people..

i am honored to be a part of this..

the link to buy is that bright orange ad over here --------->

1 pie is 6 meals donated to a family in need..

how adorable and beautiful is this photo?

it is date night tonight for me and hubby..

maybe i will do a cat eye and messy up do?

hmm.

probably not..

i am not to savvy with the liquid eyeliner {let's be real}

but i do really love this look..

happy friday..

photo credits #2 101cookbooks

#5 this is glamorous

Before and After

2011-11-02T20:21:00.000-07:00

i thought it would be fun to show you a before and after photo.. i do not do a lot in post processing but i do some tweaking with curves and levels and i warm up the skin a bit usually in photoshop..

this is an adorable shot.. she is looking down and giggling which i love and the color and clarity is great..

how about that bird poop on the vase?

i didn't even notice it i was so into her..

isn't she ADORABLE?

so here is after.

brighter, warmer and no bird poop..
what do you think?
and how about this shot of her??

she was such a BURST of fun..
her and big brother!!
i love my job!!

some halloween favs.

2011-11-02T11:17:00.000-07:00

can you tell they LOVED their costumes?

this is my fav piece of art ever.. a hippo unicorn? how creative is that?

i am in love with this white pumpkin.. the girls call it the cinderella pumpkin..

this pumpkin ale from trader joe's is SO good..

little c decorated a pumpkin with glitter, feathers, paint, stickers and beads..

our spooky pumpkins...

the girls got a ton of candy and i have actually eaten a reeses peanut butter cup for breakfast every morning..

someone has to make sure the girls don't eat it all?

right?

a family outing for some julian apples.

2011-10-31T09:26:00.000-07:00

apple picking has been on my list of things to do for a few years now. seems like the tiny window of opportunity is gone the second after i actually think about it.. this year we made it.. we drove some windy roads and oooohhed and awwed at the cows, horses, camels {yes. a camel farm is up there } and some goats along the way..it is gorgeous up in julian.. we ate a yummy lunch, cruised the tiny towns shops, peeked in the windows of the apple pie bakeries, i enjoyed some sangria at the winery located 5 steps from the orchards entrance {it was delicious}..

and of course.

picked some apples.

happy friday!

2011-10-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

what a great week.. it is totally feeling like fall... crisp, breezy and a bit sunny.. i noticed yellow leaves on a tree, it's getting dark earlier and earlier.. and i have started baking a bit more..

yes. definitely signs of fall.

i have also been making these roasted veggie tacos a couple times a week..

there are so many yummy veggies right now so you can use whatever you want..
it will be just as delish..

i did butternut squash because it is my ABSOLUTE favorite..
we are bff's..
broccoli, red pepper, purple cauliflower and onion..
chop up all delicious bursts of color..

i was so excited when i found purple cauliflower isn't is so pretty?

i tossed in olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper..

375 degrees for 45ish minutes..

i scooped the veggies on a warmed tortilla and topped it with sour cream, avocado and some hot sauce..

so good and so healthy.

and?

{the best part}

so easy!!

ps- another version i have been wanting to make and it is waaay fancier than mine, is juli's.. check it out here

happy friday my friends!

Nate Berkus?

2011-10-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

so you all have seen my headboard, right..

i blogged about it here, here and here..

you were sick of hearing about it i talked about it so much..

if there was a fire.. you would see be trying to shove this mamma jamma out the door...

well..

i am so honored to say..

you can see it right HERE too..

yes, the nate berkus website has my little DIY featured..

o.m.g.

i about peed my pants when i saw it..

seriously.

a small request

2011-10-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

my little second grader..

my little.. beautiful.. little girl..

my reading real books about fairies and wearing cool boots little girl..

my independent.. energetic.. can't possibly be in enough places at once little girl..

my sweet.. sweet.. ask a million questions little girl..

my follow all the rules and make sure everyone else {including me} are doing the same..

can you please stop growing up?

love, mom

weekend.

2011-10-24T18:34:00.000-07:00

my anchovy creative {isn't that the best name ever?} stamp was hand delivered by the sweet anne herself this weekend and i began stamping and water coloring right away..

i really like the idea of a handmade card..

it is so personal..

just like a photo.
i was inspired by some invitations she did for a wedding..
yes. she water colored wedding invites..
she is awesome.

i have started packaging my hex bracelets like this.. it makes the gift giving part of it easy.. that is if you are gifting them?

hubby was sick and so i.. in between photo shoots.. played pet shop in the garage/playroom, grocery shopped, did laundry and made {stuff}..

it was a creative and productive kind of weekend..
i love this photo hubby shot.. he is so sneaky..

inspiration can get the best of me.

2011-10-21T15:27:00.000-07:00

my new office wall..

it was the hardest thing i have ever done..

i cried..

i sweated..

i whined more than i would like to admit..

then.

i cried again..

i painted over the ENTIRE wall..

yes.

but being the stubborn girl that i am..

i went for it again..

thanks GOODNESS third time is NOT a charm..

second time is..

happy friday friends!

YUBZ is fabulous!

2011-10-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

so i have to share my new toy with you.

geeky mom is going to speak for a minute {or 2}..

this is the coolest headset that plugs into your phone..

yes. my iphone, your iphone, blackberry, droid... and more..

it reduces radiation by 96% which is huge considering our little ones chat on our phones so much too.. and it is seriously SO much more comfy while sitting on the couch blabbing away..
if i leaned this against my shoulder while driving and talking would it still be considered hands free?
{hmm?}
but anyway.. i think sometimes old school IS way cooler..

my girls LOVE it and i do not have to be concerned about my iphone slipping out of their little hands and shattering before my eyes....
it is lightweight and really clear and loud enough to actually hear well..

honestly..

little c does not know what a REAL telephone looks like..

we were doing flashcards a few months ago and we came to a "T" with a picture of a telephone on it and she stopped and says "what is that?"

i realized, she has never seen a real phone let alone the old school "retro" phone as the cool kids call it these days..

i am planning on snatching these up as gifts for christmas for anyone i can think of ..

it is a PERFECT gift for that white elephant party.

$49 bucks and you can get it right here..
it comes in tons of colors, even a bling bling gold..

400 posts, nyc and mad men

2011-10-18T08:56:00.000-07:00

chin chin..
this is my 400th post!!

this photo is from our trip to nyc..
we ordered manhattan's as our first cocktail in manhattan..
i miss nyc so much i am going back in february..

{yippee!!}

hubby and i just jumped on the mad men train and LOVE. LOVE

LOVING it..

why i wait so long to give something a try is beyond me?

i could of been watching this fabulousness all along??

i am so lame. so lame.

anyway..

thank you for sticking around for 400 posts and listening to me blabbering about my silly everyday..

i really, really love blogging and i really love that you are here.

a chair do-over..

2011-10-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

these u.g.l.y. chairs i bought off craigslist for $40..

there were 3 more for a total of 6.

yes. that is less than $7 a chair..

good bones. i knew they had potential.

i sprayed them with a high gloss white paint..

i bought some amazing fabric from spoonflower..

they have great modern and fresh prints..

i do not have a fancy technique or secret to tell you about reupholstering but to pull the fabric tight and the more staples the better..

i bought a staple gun for $20 at home depot and it is the best money ever spent..

seriously.

you need one.

the corners could be tricky but just fold them like when you're wrapping a gift and remember staple staple and then.. staple once more..

nice and smooth..

try to line up your print..

i did say {try}..

there she is..

i can not tell you how much a print does for a space..

i love print and have tried to "keep it simple" with solid accents..

then i always go back to a print and feel that everything is just right again..

so my advice..

go for print..

...

hex bracelet update

2011-10-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

so as you may know..

i have been selling these hex bracelets..

i had a client buy one off my wrist and have been selling them ever since..

they are fabulous gifts..

for you.. or a friend..

i hooked up with a company and got a great deal on a large quantity of hex nuts so my pricing is now a bit lower at $20 for a single strand and $30 for 2 strands {as shown in photo}..

i am also offering a free shipping discount to all you lovely readers..

so stock up ladies {and boy?}..

i have a paypal button on the left sidebar all set up for you..

i am all about ease and simplicity..

{i'm trying anyway}

so enjoy..

and thank you..

mucho.

xx-

blogging when she was 2..

2011-10-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

there are some hilarious stories of little c when she was 2 years old.. she is still a firey little girlhere and there..but there are not as many {now} funny stories to blog about.. posts like this are why i am so happy i decided to start blogging.. looking back as i cry of laughter, sweet moments and just the everyday are priceless.. i remember starting this blog and telling a "friend" and she in turn asked me if i thought starting a blog was self indulgent? i remember saying no {and being insulted}.. but i didn't realize how much i meant it..

until years later...

here is {c} at 2 years old..

i wrote this in june of 2009.

this princess crown makes her sing... as soon as it is set on top of her head..

she sings...

she dances...

and NOW she will not take her princess shoes of her feet...

i mean even for bed..

she wears them to bed..

i bow out gracefully.. often.

she is now obsessed with the toilet wand.. no i am not speaking of a magical princess wand named "toilet"..

i am talking about the actual toilet wand.. the one you use to clean the toilet.

yup.

she also loves to take a cup from the bath, fill it with toilet water and dump it back to the bathtub..

YUMMY!

do you know what this means??

umm.. i have to clean my child, tub, toilet and floor immediatley.. lovely right?!

she is obsessed with pirates booty to the point we play tug o' war with the huge costco size bag and she usually wins hands down..

nummmmmyyyyy.. bitey and milkkkkkkkkkkk are her favorite words..

she does not like shopping carts, and has learned to squat while buckled in just to let me know she does not have to sit even if i do say so.. she will squat, thank you very much..

she loves to STAB at the pin pad while i am checking out...

loves to open candy, hand sanitizer, mascara.. whatever she can get her hands on from that "impulse buy" shelf..

obsessed with how many wipes she can whip out of the container in the fastest speed possible before i hear her and coming racing down the hall..

she does not like her diaper when it gets too wet. she rips it off and throws it wherever her little heart desires...then pees, slips on the pee and is mad. (potty training hint.. i know, i know)

she thinks her little potty is a step stool to the towel rack where she HANGS like a monkey...

smarty pants gingerly places her head down on the HARD wood floor before throwing a tantrum..

she likes to bring me rolly polly's from the garden and throw them at my feet..

she eats shredded cheese like a puppy and says "dawwwwgeeeee"

she is 2...

ohhh yes she is..

and

WE LOVE HER DEARLY....

(insert sigh of exhaustion here)

omg!

2011-10-11T12:54:00.000-07:00

is this NOT? the cutest family...

doing what you love.

2011-10-06T09:59:00.000-07:00

i couldn't believe when i scrolled through my twitter stream.. {through my iphone}

rip steve jobs?

my heart sunk.

this amazing man was the definition of "going for it".. "don't look back".. "taking a risk"..

i mean just LOOK at what he created..

i blog and edit from an imac.. i communicate in many ways with everyone i know and, will get to know on an iphone.. i have all my music on an ipod.. and i am currently obsessing about an ipad..

steve jobs changed the world..
i am aching for his family...
rest in peace steve jobs.

our work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle - steve jobs

currently loving..

2011-10-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

skinny jeans and flats are my staple..

rosebud is the best best best..

kelly wearstler and her blog..

she is so dang cool..

i love delicate gold jewelry and have been obsessed with this ring for ages..

elbow patches are my latest obsession..

all things jose villa looks at..

he is amazing..

snakeskin anything..

chevron..

images via everythingfab, cupofjoe, kellywearstler, josevilla

just a photo

2011-10-04T12:36:00.000-07:00

i snapped these photos today of the girls.. we were shuffling out the door and one was in the garage putting on her shoes.. and i just felt like stopping to taking a photo..

i feel like it's been awhile since i have...

it's been a bit loco in mi casa but. i am learning to juggle pretty well..

{i think?}

well, i am trying to actually be present when the girls are home..

not being on the computer..

reading a book with them..

the simple things..

so for no reason at all.. i took a photo..

not all dolled up.. not with a mess on their face.. no big story to tell..

just them.. on their way to school..

One Pie is 6 meals served to a neighbor in need..

2011-10-03T09:58:00.000-07:00

client deliveries ready to go at mama's kitchen..

I am so excited to be a part of this amazing fundraiser with Mama's Kitchen.. Mama's Kitchen is an organization that delivers meals to the homes of San Diegians affected by AIDS or cancer, every day of the year, free of charge. This is a volunteer driven, non-profit organization. Mama's Kitchen also feeds the children of these clients and they are right now as I type, supplying meals for 75 children. This fundraiser is simply buy a $20 pie {or 2} and it in turn, you will be providing 6 meals per pie. Choose from Apple, Pumpkin or Pecan. All pies will be delivered to your local Wells Fargo that you select upon checkout the DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING. They make it soo easy and it is such a great cause. I will be selling pies along with many other fine ladies of the fabulous sdmomfia. I had the pleasure of touring their facilities last week, learning about their great organization and how EASY it is for us to help.

we met with mama's kitchen, took notes, asked a lot of questions and they served us one of their home cooked meals..

here is a fellow sdmomfia gal tweeting as we ate, noted and asked..

we are great multi, multitaskers...

mama's kitchen has all donated food in a large pantry for clients to choose from..

here is the large kitchen where all the action happens..

this is what buying 1 pie provides for a client..
6 meals..
talk about stretching that dollar bill..

so..to buy your pie and give the gift of nourishment.. click HERE or click my ad on the right ------>
enter your info, {fawn christiansen} as your seller and where you'd like it delivered..
here is MY contribution..
after you buy your pie..
mosey on back over here to this post and let me know you bought your pie by leaving a comment..
if you bought 2, enter twice..
i will be random.org picking a buyer on Thanksgiving to win a MINI Photo shoot
with Sequins and Candy Photography
{that's me}
leaving you plenty of time to get your Christmas Cards done..

Let's Buy some Pies!

sparkle..

2011-10-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

for my oldest.. 7 years young now..

i have been searching and searching to find that twinkle..

that sparkle..

some sort of love for something fun..

we have tried dance, golf, tennis, art..

none were fabulously fun for her..

last year we played soccer, she even played on the all star team..

i mean, she was good..

{of course.. right ahh-hemm}..

but she didn't have sparkle..

i mean like... I LOVE SOCCER and am going to SCORE!!

do you know what i am talking about?

well, this year..

this year she has a sparkle..

it is amazing to watch..

something that she loves..

something she is SO happy doing..

she takes her soccer ball in the backyard and dribbles on her own..

she is ready for her games on time and i don't have to bark..

she is truly excited and happy when she is playing..

it is a pretty fabulous thing..

finding that sparkle..

starting line up.. how cute are they?

she is on the far right..

i brought out the big daddy camera last week like a huge nerd to shoot a few photos and little one scored..

glad i did and this photo is priceless..

i am a huge braggy mom right now and i am sorry..

we can change the subject and talk about how my clean laundry is piled so high and not put away my daughters fish through it to find clean underwear?

or.

how i just unloaded my dishwasher to fill it right back up with a sink full of dirty dishes and run it again..

life has been so crazy around here lately..

sunkissed engagement session..

2011-09-27T19:21:00.000-07:00

these two are fun, spunky and madly in love..

we have been planning this session in this spot for quite some time..

the sun peeking out was the BIG question..

it's been cloudy for weeks..

but.

turns out, these two are lucky in love AND sunshine..

they giggled, swung, kissed and cuddled..

i chased, climbed and snapped away..

it was a perfect sun kissed evening set and i am honored to capture their sweet love...

Holiday Photo Sessions!!!

2011-09-20T12:35:00.000-07:00

{please visit my website @ www.sequinsandcandy.com}

1 hour
25 edited images
no prints
$300

*desk and wall portraits can be purchased separately
please see www.sequinsandcandy.com for pricing

please visit my website @ www.sequinsandcandy.com

{location and dates}

November 5th Balboa Park

BOOKED!

November 12th 

4:00pm BOOKED 

  
November 13th

 3:50 pm Booked!

November 19th 

     3:30pm Booked   

     4:00pm Booked! 

November 20th

 4:00pm Booked

  
November 25th

 4:00pm Booked

November 26th

        3:10pm Booked!

        3:50pm BOOKED!

November 27th

4:00pm Booked!  

        
Dec 3
4:00pm Booked

Dec 4th
4:00pm Booked

{sessions are for families of up to 5, each additional person is $20}

 {how to book}

------->

 you can book your session by making a $50 non-refundable deposit through my paypal button that is located on the right side of my blog..{you do NOT need a paypal account to make a payment}.   

I will mark {booked} next to the date once deposit is received.

...

ps- i will be offering my clients a sequins and candy discount through tiny prints as well! woot woot!

xoxo!

a peek at the fabulous A+J wedding

2011-09-18T13:09:00.000-07:00

{adrianna, you are stunning}

{jerome and his sweet vows}

{pronounce you.. husband and wife}

{you may kiss the bride}

2500 miles away in nyc

2011-09-14T18:58:00.000-07:00

this trip was quite an emotional trip..

i won a photography contest through lee jeans and hubby and i were off to new york one week later..

from 2500 miles away it is easy to say no big deal.. i can fly on the 10th year anniversary of 9/11..

from 2500 miles away you can say it will be a nice vacation for hubby and i, we deserve it.

5am we started our journey to the big apple on separate flights..

yes.

separate..

i am a bit dramatic, yes.. it's true. i just thought.. why not?

i got my copy of the september issue and my book club read water for elephants and started my journey..

we arrived safe and sound, took a cab to the hotel, sat at the bar and ordered

"2 manhattans"

we were in new york city on our 9 year anniversary!

the city is so fabulous..

we walked everywhere.. and then, we walked everywhere again..

we ate amazing food, there were bursts of color everywhere..

there was so much energy and excitement at every turn...

being in the streets you'd never know it was the 10th anniversary of 9/11 until you hoped in a cab and saw car bomb threats on the little tv's attached to the seats..

you'd never know until you saw the security guards at the train station with machine guns..

you'd never know until you saw 4 cop cars pulling over a van and searching it as the driver says it was the 3rd time today..

all weekend i went in and out of the reality of the devastation of 9/11..

this is a reality that a new yorker lives everyday..

we walked the 9/11 memorial while helicopters flew overhead just after having a peaceful brunch at pastis then walked over the frantically busy brooklyn bridge..

we walked through bergdorff as louboutins flew through the air as women frantically handed over their credit cards..

we ate a hot dog in central park as we nestled each other in the quiet..

we people watched..
and people watched..

we listened to a man on 5th ave frantic on the phone trying to track down a GOLD chanel for his wife just like the one his mom has..

we talked and talked with each other as being parents is so hard to do at times..

we had cocktails on a rooftop bar overlooking the city and the gorgeous empire state building where it really sank in that we were actually really there..
i realized that i am more in love with my husband than ever..

2500 miles away..

when we came home to our clean, quiet house with my sweet girls fast asleep..

i snuck in their room and just hugged them for awhile..

i woke up my oldest to tell her we were home and she looked up and me and says

"look at that little face" as she squeezed my cheek and dozed off..

i had an amazing time and am so honored and happy that i was able to experience every new york second that i did..

and i am extremely happy to be home..

in our home with our girls and my husband..

2500 miles away.

until next time nyc..

10 yrs later.. i had the honor of snapping this photo from below..

2011-09-13T20:02:00.000-07:00

i had to share this photo right away.

i remember looking up and just stopping as i watched these workers from below..

if a picture has ever spoken a thousand words..

it is this one...

back from glorious new york city

2011-09-12T13:36:00.000-07:00

i have SO. many. photos.

we had such an amazing time..

it was quite an emotional trip..

there is so much eye candy and excitement in that fabulous city...

all beautiful landmarks are stunning..

new york is for sure the classiest girl i know..

being there for the 10 yr anniversary of 9/11 was very intense..

a blackout in san diego had me on pins and needles..

missing my daughter scoring her FIRST soccer goal was a bit sad..

winning the trip and leading up to it was a whirlwind..

and being in a great city with the love of my life on our 9 year anniversary was an absolute dream..

i am now unpacked.

i am now home.

i cried and hugged my girls for 20 minutes while they were fast asleep when we got home..

i finally got a great nights sleep

and all the dust has settled.
i am so excited to document all these ups and downs because it was an amazing experience and i feel like one lucky girl to of been in new york city!!!

it was spectacular..

9 year anniversary in new york..

2011-09-08T05:27:00.000-07:00

new york here we come..

don't worry, i am taking a ton of photos..

i am so excited i can't sit still..

see you monday

xoxo

rainbow crayons.

2011-09-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

there is nothing like a fresh box of gorgeous crayons..
with school starting we organized and got all the art supplies in order..
so you know all the little crayon knubs left over?
here is a great way to bring new life back to them..

stick them in a muffin tin WITH cupcake liners..

bake them at 300 degrees for approx 6 minutes..
and let cool.
peel off the liners and voila'

rainbow crayons!

the girls LOVED making these..

i did too..

pinch me. pinch me again.. harder.

2011-09-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

ok so..

one day a ~~little~~ lady is sitting on her computer editing, blogging, facebooking or tweeting away..

an email pops up inviting this lady to participate in a photo contest for lee jeans...

grand prize winner wins trip for 2 to new york during fashion week and your photo will be used for advertising purposes...

basically a contest to participate in representing her life..

the email said really nice stuff about her photography, cute children and would i she be interested?

she sat wide eyed and with chin hitting the keyboard..

what?

she immediatley forwarded the email to her hubby..

"is it spam? it this real?" she titled the forwarded email.

in the meantime, she grabbed a big bowl of chocolate ice cream and re-read the email..

hubby got back right away and said no, it's legit. i have heard of that pr company.

huh?

so this stunned lady still sitting at her computer, emails lee jeans back saying she would be honored and what are the next steps..

they sent her product that she requested and her mind started working..

what is her life everyday?

basically..

"life in lee" was the contest title.

her life.

hmm?

so with the AMAZING support of her fabulous friend and neighbor who modeled the jeans

{1 month after having twins i might add}

this photoshoot was put together in stunned lady's house..
all amongst kids running in and out and the neighborly "hi how is it going check in's"..

a week or so went by and she submitted the photo and forgot about it..

what are the odds really?

do people really win these things?

she was just honored to of been asked to participate..

fast forward out of the blue..
and the lady gets a phone call from a foreign area code and lets it go to voicemail..

then she gets an email on her way out the door titled on behalf of lee..

basically...

fawn

won!!!!!!

i am the lucky lady!!

the mr. and i are headed to new york next week!!!!!
during fashion week!

so crazy!

so here is my photo that won..

ha! i can't believe i won!

so do you get it? trying to be glamorous, juggling a girl girl and a sporty girl and all their glory.., baking amongst a mess, skinnies {always} and sequins of course ..
:)

all i can say is yum.

2011-09-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

I came across this recipe on a blog i follow, hollywood housewife. when i saw this recipe she posted, i put the ingredients on my shopping list and headed briskly out the door.. i could tell i would want to lick the plate after this meal and thought my {picky-ish} hubby would love it too.. i am so NOT creative these days with dinner. life is so crazy and i do not have time but i love to sit as a family to eat.. so quick healthy meals are like gold.. this dinner was a hit and it is going to be a staple in mi casa for sure.. so here goes the recipe...

1 lb ground pork

1 lb linguine

4 green onions

2 tbs soy sauce

1 clove of garlic

1 tbs red pepper flakes

1 jar of panda express mandarin sauce

3 tbs peanut butter {i liked the chunky for texture}

boil your linguine per package directions {8min i think?}

drain and set aside.

meanwhile.

start by browning the pork and green onion..

i added the soy sauce, red pepper and garlic here..

once 3/4 of the way cooked, add the mandarin sauce and finish cooking..

then simmer on low..

mix your peanut butter with some hot water until you get this consistancy..

i just kept adding bit by bit..

once mixture is just right, add it to your drained, cooked linguine..

now dump your pork mixture right on top of your peanut butter noodles and sprinkle with some left over scallions..

voila'..

easy and plate lickin' good...

photo shoot with some foodies

2011-08-31T20:04:00.000-07:00

so i LOVE cookbooks.. i love food photography, i love the bright colors of a farmers market and i love a bowl of lemons sitting on my kitchen table.. so this photo shoot was a dream.. i had the pleasure of taking photos for juli novotry who is the founder of kookie karma and puremamas. she contacted me to do some product shots and some photos of her in her kitchen for both of her businesses.. we broke out t a rainbow of organic produce.. i shot her chopping up beets {my fav}, saw first hand how they package all these goodies, i got to do some tasting {yum}, and of course we did head shots too! how could you not? aren't they gorgeous?! you can find kookie karma in whole foods, at seaside market and jimbo's to name a few or order from their website. their kale chips are pretty amazing {fyi}.. look for her photo taken by {me!} up pretty soon in whole foods under local vendors. so feast your eyes on this amazing duo and their gorgeous photo shoot!! thanks juli and tim for trusting me with this fabulous shoot. i was honored to be a part of it!

and the winner is..

2011-08-31T09:29:00.000-07:00

#17.. stefanie!

i used random.org to pick the sequence of numbers to figure out the winner totally fair and square.. i wish everybody could win. i felt such love this week!!! so.. what if i offer 20% off if all of you who want to buy one for the rest of the week! i already set up the buy it now button!! this is just a tiny way to thank everyone who commented, followed and tweeted!!! thank you thank you thank you!

Random Sequence Generator via www.random.org

Here is your sequence:

17
13
28
22
32
15
20
3
30
4
27
10
2
31
16
12
25
1
18
11
34
7
14
23
29
9
19
6
8
33
5
21
24
26

Timestamp: 2011-08-31 16:06:44 UTC

ice cream social.

2011-08-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

we hosted a back to school ice cream social at our house last night for our neighborhood...

i got some balloons, a couple tubs of ice cream, bowls and spoons..

everyone brought their fav topping and it was an easy and fun celebration..

i am learning that easy equals fun {for me}..

the kids played tag, rode bikes, got dirty {dirtier than usual}, gobbled their bowls of deliciousness and screamed with delight until just before sunset..

chocolate, strawberry, vanilla and of course good friends...

will do that to ya'..

it was indeed delightful.

{ps-dont forget to enter my giveaway below}

Let's CELEBRATE with a giveaway!!

2011-08-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

i am so happy you have joined me over here. this is my daily blog that i have kept for just shy of 3 years.

it is everything ME... my girls, hubby, fashion, photography, cooking, rants, raves, bragging {a little}.. and so on..

when i started my photography business i kept another blog for all that was photography..

but now.

now that I have an official
webs ite www.sequinsandcandy.com ...

i will be blogging EVERYTHING right here..

all of it.

so as a celebration of all things SIMPLE and as a thank you to all of YOU for supporting, joining, reading, and just being plain RAD..

i am giving away one of my hex bracelets.

these bracelets are fab.

i LOVE LOVE mine.
i get stopped on the street celebrity style {just kidding}

but i really did have a bride buy one off my wrist a week ago and her bridesmaids have been buying them from me since..

but today..

you can enter to WIN one!!!

here is what you gotta do..
for each step you do.. enter again so you can enter up to 4x or as little as 1x but please leave a comment!!
and..with me not having a baaa-zillion readers, your odds are pretty good here..
that is the best kinda giveaway.
:)

here are the details.
sign up to follow me by email over on my side bar ----->
or

LIKE my sequins and candy photography page on facebook by going here

FOLLOW me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway by going here

but always

leave a comment below...
for each step you do, you qualify for another entry!!

i will be picking a winner wednesday august 31st!!

this is for a 2 strand hex bracelet in brass and twine!

good luck!!

woot woot! my first official giveaway!!

a day at the races

2011-08-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

i went to the del mar races and it was SO fun! i was a high roller and won $24 on one race and i have NO idea how.

this picture with the horses, palm trees and flags sums up the mood if the day. it was amazing!

when you here the buu bumm bumm bumm bumm bumm bumm bumm bumm bumm bumm bumm dah..

it is pretty fabulous.

here is some of the sdmomfia gang..

i am the giant.

Hex Bracelet

2011-08-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

So I am now selling my hex bracelets. I will make them to order so give me about a week to ship. I had a bride buy mine off my wrist the other day and have had a lot of love for them. I LOVE mine and already replaced the one I sold. :)) There is a Paypal button on the right side bar of this blog..so I am now open for business. They are brass and twine, tie like a friendship bracelet and are so hardware chic!

25 things

2011-08-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

A blog hop!!

I have to join in the fun! 25 things I think YOU may NOT know about me..

Join in the fun over on Christine or on Beth's Blog..

1. I love the smell of fresh cut grass

2. I feel guilty every time I sit at the computer when my kids are home

3. I wore roller skates last Halloween for 5 hours and did not fall once.

4. I used to surf a lot

5. I lived in europe for 8 months

6. I crashed a Motorcycle in Thailand

7.The ONLY food I can NOT stand is Cilantro

8. I had a Mullet in Junior High {do you feel sorry for me already?}

9. I love to drink a Vodka Gimlet

10. I am determined to learn to make fantastic Sangria

11. I constantly rearrange my house

12. I loved my Ethics class in College

13. I order fish every time I go out to eat because NOBODY in my house likes it

11. I use my crock pot all the time

12. My first car was a 1977 Toyota Celica with blinds on the back window

13. I was a manager at Nordstrom at 20 yrs old

15. I interviewed for a job at 976 Coffee Shop in PB and didn't get the job

16. I love a can of spray paint and what it can do to a piece of furniture

17. I have been an extra on Dharma and Greg and I had a featured part on that cop show with Laura Flynn Boyle and David Duchovny something? The name escapes me right now???

18. Our first daughter is named after the beach we were married at in Hawaii

19. My Husband proposed to me at the Getty museum

20. I am still in complete shock about the fact I am a professional photographer WITH a website.

21. I just called my husband to ask him something people may not know about me because I am feeling stumped right now and he is no help

22. I scored 3 goals in one Soccer game in High school

23. My middle name is the initial D. {no name, just a letter..}

24. I ran the La Jolla half Marathon

25. I ran it FASTER than my husband

having my cake..

2011-08-15T23:27:00.000-07:00

red velvet and white cake layers with homemade whip cream and strawberries..

{yes. all boxed cake and i went BIG on making the whip cream because i am fancy like that}

she is pretty and she is simple.

my kind of baking.

5 minutes..

2011-08-09T09:48:00.000-07:00

it is so amazing what anyone can do when they really want to..

little one here has not shown anyyyyy interest in riding her bike..

training wheels or not...

she LOVES her plasma car and the razor and could care less about a bike...

one day she randomly decides to give it a try and 5 minutes of hubby working with her..

she just takes off..

i am in the kitchen making my gourmet meal in a cute apron in my immaculate house.

{haha.. TOTALLY kidding}..

i am pretty sure i was microwaving some dinos amongst toys, laundry and chaos..

so i heard yippees, squeals and woo-hoos.. so i went running outside only to see her beaming with such pride..

lesson here.

you really can do anything you put your mind to.

maybe i will be a gourmet cook in a cute apron one day.

{ahh-hem.. not likely}

9.

2011-08-03T21:20:00.000-07:00

damian and i will be 9 years married next month.

CRAZY!

life is nuts.. but SO good.

our little family we have created together is pretty awesome.

we just moved into a great new home and i am very happy...

and i just launched sequins and candy THE WEBSITE..

that is 2 major tasks that have had me a bit looney mc looner-sone lately..

{like that?}

i am feeling footloose and fancy free now..

makena took this photo of us tonight

{kneeling on a towel and veeeery carefully she clicked once i had it all set up..}

love that.

palm springs

2011-07-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

we were on a family vacation for 3 days in sunny palm springs.

we went swimming at night..
we went on water slides and lazy rivers all day long....
we slept in..
we stayed up late..

we ate yummy food and enjoyed having nowhere to be..
nowhere.
but in the water.

favorites

2011-07-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

so as moms, we are crazy busy and do not have a lot of time to pamper..

i think i have got it down pretty good on how to get out of the house quickly without looking like i should still be in bed.

this is my everyday routine.

kinda boring for some but for me it is quick. easy and does the trick

{Clarasonic}

i think good skin is the key to looking fresh.

my clarisonic is first the thing i do {after brushing my teeth of course} every morning.

it is magic. total magic.

love..

it is my 1 minute facial..

your face literally shines after you use it..

i love it and would grab it in a fire..

{Dry Shampoo}

i have always envied the ladies who wash their hair every other day..

"ohh my hair is best dirty"

really? because i look like a dirt ball who is living under a bridge if i do not wash it everyday..

but then i tried dry shampoo..

i spray it on, let it sit and brush it out.

voila' second day hair is good and MAYBE a bit better if i am running a curling iron through it for some soft waves.

{let's not get crazy here.. that is VERY rare}

{Nars}

third on my list is NARS orgasm blush and laguna bronzer duo..

can you say magnificent? it gives me a glow and a bit of flush to my skin..

sheer...natural.. sun kissed..

NARS. NARS. NARS.

{Lip Gloss}

any kind really. just a bit of sparkle to you lips makes you feel so pretty...

sometimes i am in the mood for peachy.. sometimes pink.

i love me a new lip gloss!

this one is MAC ample pink.

it is always in my bag. a great gloss with any and everything.

{Nail Polish}

when my nails are painted i just feel put together..

it is hard to explain..

i stare at my nails a lot when they are painted..

they just make me happy..

a $10 manicure is a great investment!

this is essie nail polish which i love and it lasts for a long time and they have amazing colors.

{Earrings}

this is so easy! throw on a pair of fabulous earrings.. you would be surprised at how great you will feel!

i have a ton {too many}.. but throw on a pair and i am not kidding, you are totally put together..

jeans. tee shirt. sandals..

even the most basic outfit with a good pair of earrings makes you mommy chic- alicious

read all about it..

2011-07-20T14:45:00.000-07:00

the sheraton right here in carlsbad has an amazing spa that can pamper like nobody's business.. a day of relaxation goes so very far in my world of crazy.. the fabulous spa invited a group of us sdmomfia

ladies and our little princesses to a day of r&r..

it was any mamas wish come true.

i had the amazing opportunity to write a review for the la costa life blog and you can follow me over there to..

"read all about it!!"

stop

2011-07-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

last night i had a photo shoot at the beach and as the sun was setting i had one of those moments of ahhh.. i love it here in san diego..

just one of those moments of exhaling and taking it all in..

my life is pretty crazy and non stop..

but last night.

i actually stopped.

i listened to the crashing of the waves, watched the seagulls gliding above, gazed at the paddleboard surfers on the horizon, smiled at the giant orange sun dipping into the vast ocean..

it is just heavenly..

i. love. the. ocean.

all it takes is a moment to stop and breathe.

i did and it was great.

thank you ocean.

{image via tumblr}

chloe and company

2011-07-18T11:09:00.000-07:00

this is chloe and her pals.

she LOVES these girls..

they play and play and play.

jordan on the left..

lily on the right.

chloe is spunky girl with a fabulous imagination..
i love the things she comes up with and how passionate she is..
if she is mad or happy..
it is 150%.

she loves to color, loves to dress up, play barbies, do anyones hair, nails or make-up, LOVES to swim, dance and sing..

you know any kind of girly stuff..
she doesn't like anything "boyish"

i am so happy she has these best girlfriends..
they are the same as her in every single way..

this pic is from our camping trip to julian..

{iphone photo}

7

2011-07-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

my little makena.

she turned 7 on friday.

you know how people ask you if you feel any older when you have a birthday?

well, i asked makena and she said yes.

and i have to say..

i couldn't agree more.

she is for sure older.

she is acting bigger.

smarter.

and braver.

sassier. {ahh-hem}

and maybe even prettier if that is possible.

this is her last day of being 6 on her bike.

we surprised makena on her birthday morning with the gift of piercing her ears..
followed by a pizza pool party with the neighbors..

and who was the luckiest girl really on this day?

little chloe.

makena's response was only if chloe can too and she had to go first..

same at the dentist and pretty much anywhere makena feels a bit scared.

chloe of course leaped to the sky with a YES!! she climbed in that chair at the store so fast, crossed her legs and she didn't wince a bit..

makena was up next and she DID wince..

but NOT a tear..

happy birthday my sweet 7 year old..

you make me so proud to say you are mine and i explode with love for you..

flustered

2011-07-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

it has been a whirl wind of just STUFF.

i am so blessed and excited that sequins and candy is keeping me busy.

BUT.

i am having a hard time balancing my everyday.

i have had the amazing opportunity to shoot a couple weddings with a fellow local photog and it has given me great, great experience for my 2 weddings quickly approaching..
i am sooo happy about these..SO happy...

BUT.

if you could see my house?

my laundry?

my floors?

the toys, barbies and food i find everywhere.

oh. my. goodness.

my house is a disaster.

i am so thankful for my wonderful supportive husband.

he is the calm in my craze.

thank goodeness he doesn't expect dinner on the table and slippers at the door when he comes home..

it's more like why is the tv on and nobody is anywhere to be found..

oh. they are up the street and is anybody going to eat this string cheese and apple i just found on the couch?

ahhhh-camping we will go!

2011-07-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

so we went camping..girls trip..

it was me and 3 other moms..

BUT.

it was 12 kids.

yes. 12 kids..

there was a lot of action..

the girls rode bikes, skipped rocks, saw horses, camels, cows and sheep on the ride up..
they all had dirty dirty.. i mean
..fiiillltttthhhyy feet..
the kids were in heaven..
i have to say, one of my very favorites things was sleeping in our tent in between them..
aren't kids so darn adorable when they sleep?
so peaceful and sweet..
{i mean, not that they aren't all the time.. ahh-hem}
so..
chloe curled up next to me and we chit chatted before she fell fast asleep.. meanwhile makena was in the next tent over.. reading a book with a friend by flashlight before she eventually made her way over to us..
camping is quite the process..
it's not my favorite thing to do..
which i realized on this trip..
{i felt like quite the princess when i caught myself washing my feet before our car ride home}
but it is for the girls..
and we will do it again and again because
the smiles and memories are worth it all..

and here are some iphone photos..

Guest Post!

2011-07-08T10:02:00.000-07:00

I had the honor of writing a guest post for a fabulous website San Diego Deals and Steals about hiking the gorgeous Torrey Pines State Reserve.. I included these photos which were from last year-ish and I can not believe how little the girls look..

sniff sniff.. sniff

it is sooo cliche to say but..

they DO grow up sooo fast!!

go grab your little ones and savor these moments..

sigh..

the {savvy} tooth fairy

2011-07-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

so makena lost her first BIG tooth.

you know the mamma jamma's up top..

i am not good with the wiggly tooth drama..

i get woozy when she wiggles it..

she lost it at a birthday party in the bouncer..

they whole party was searching high and low for this little gem worth some money..

so what is the going rate for a tooth these days?

my daughter's friend got a gift basket..

another friend got $20..

our tooth fairy brought her $10..

she is a savvy tooth fairy i guess?

i mean HOW can the little tooth fairy CARRY a basket?

it's a big mystery to me...

day 30 {my striped closet}

2011-07-05T16:26:00.000-07:00

TAHHH-DAH!!!

30 days of photos!!

It was SO hard!

Thanks to the lovely Maryam for giving me that last push with a request to see a photo of my closet..

stripes and all..

i have an obsession with stripes.. and sequins.. and candy..

hence..

sequins and candy photography..

I feel so free..

I can start blabbing about all things simple around here again..

there has been some fun stuff goin' on!!!

yippee!

day 28 {cookbooks} and day 29 {juggling}

2011-07-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

day 29 {juggling}

makena's friend asks me "fawn, do you juggle?"

me- "i can juggle like 2 lemons at a time.. wanna see?"

her friend in the sweetest.. most sincere voice- "that is pretty good for your age fawn!!!"

me- plain speechless.

day 28 {books}

i LOVE cookbooks..
the more photos the better..
go figure :)

newest to my bunch is gwyneth paltrow's cookbook..

it is faaaaabulous.

day 27 {her fav tee}

2011-07-02T09:12:00.000-07:00

day 26 {heavenly}

2011-07-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

day 25 {red)

2011-06-30T18:57:00.000-07:00

Breakfast Popsicles

2011-06-29T16:09:00.000-07:00

So.. I am so excited about this website SDMOMfia.com..
it is a group of amazing san diego bloggers that blog about everything and anything you'd ever want to learn or know..

seriously..
it's an amazing corner of this big ol' world wide web we spend so much time exploring and surfing..

i now have the honor of contibuting to this fabulous website here and there and so you will see some my posts on here linking you to there..
are you ok with that?
i hope you are because i sure am!
so i just posted about my breakfast popsicles..
you have seen em' before..
so really..i am now in 3 places at once..

wheww!
love.

day 24 {tomatoes}

2011-06-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

these are going in the oven at 200 degrees for 5 hours..

they are sprinkled with sea salt and drizzled with olive oil..

day 23 {my cozy bed}

2011-06-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

well hello summer.

hello 10 kids in my house at any given time..

hello dirty feet.

hello bathing suits and towels hung anywhere we can find a spot.

hello late night neighborhood parties.

hello double ear infection {in both ears}.

hello vocal chord surgery for damian.

{voice rest for 5 days}

hello second shooting my first wedding..
hello my eyebrows are in serious need of waxing..

hello tired mama...

i have been trying to do this 30 day photo challenge and am sooo close..

i am not giving up..
i NEVER give up..

i have just had a lot on my plate this last week..

so here is a fitting photo for my photo challenge..

day 23 {my cozy bed}

day 21 {paper} and day 22 {hippy chow}

2011-06-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

day 22 {hippy chow}

that is what we call it.. we ate it in hawaii years ago and has been a staple ever since..

brown rice..onion, carrot, zucchini, bell pepper sauteed with teriyaki sauce and a fried egg on top..

so good.

{paper}

a dear friend of mine is expecting her 3rd little boy..

i made her about 25 of these paper airplanes out of new york city maps..

her and her hubby lived there before starting a family years ago...

i thought they were cute for baby jude and meaningful for the couple...

day 20 {a plant}

2011-06-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

i love succulents..

every color..size and shape..

day 19 {sun flare}

2011-06-21T12:09:00.000-07:00

when i was first learning the ins and outs of my camera and obsessing over all things photography..

i made it a priority to learn sun flare..

when that sun sneaks in the photo and blows it out a bit and gives it that hazy soft effect..

it is my FAVORITE capture..

it is a bit tricky but when you nail it..

it makes a beautiful photo..

here is my new favorite pal..

lola.

and her sun flare.

i love her.

more of this shoot here

day 18 {sisters} and a quote..

2011-06-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

i didn't write this

and.

i do not play by all these rules

{i am guilty of being a short order cook

that makes a couple different dinners each night for one..

shame, shame shame on me}

but i love it and want to share it..

...

My curfew was the street lights.

My mom called my name, not my cell…

I played outside with friends, not online.

If I didn’t eat what my mom cooked then I didn’t eat.

Sanitizer didn’t exist, but you COULD get your mouth washed out with soap.

I rode a bike without a helmet, getting dirty was OK, and neighbors gave a damn as much as your parents did.

Pass this on if you drank water from a garden hose & survived.

and because i can NEVER write a post without a picture..

{my girls}

day 18 {sisters}

day 17 {favorite feature} happy father's day

2011-06-18T22:25:00.000-07:00

day 17 {favorite feature}

i love his hands because they feel so perfect in mine.

i love his hands because they have high fived me when things are awesome.. they have wiped tears from my face when they are not..

i love his hands because they slipped that ring on my finger when he asked me to marry him..

i love his hands because they drive him to work everyday where he works SO hard to provide a pretty swell life for us girls..

i love his hands because they have dialed my phone number many times..
even while i left for europe years ago and stayed for 6 months longer than i expected..

and still today.. just to say hi..

i love his hands because they color beautiful pictures with our daughters..

i love his hands because they are good at tennis, golf, basketball and even pouring a cocktail..

i love his hands because nothing feels better than when he simply places them on my knee while driving..

i love his hands because they are his.

happy father's day and thank you for asking me nearly 9 years ago..

30 days of photos..

2011-06-04T10:19:00.000-07:00

So I am starting 30 days straight of photos... Starting with a self portrait no make-up! Yikes! That was actually pretty hard.. I will snap a photo a day and post it.. if you have a great idea for me, email me or leave a comment and I would love to include it in the challenge..I am so excited and would LOVE for you to snap along!

day 16 {turquoise}

day 15 {laundry}

day 14 {backyard fun}

day 13 {breakfast}
yogurt, strawberry puree and oj popsicle

day 12 {under the freeway}
surfing madonna encinitas, california

day 11 {water}

day 10 {ponytail}

day 9 {a flower}

day 8 {post-it}

day 7 {clouds}

Day 6 {can't live without}

day 5 {top drawer}
vintage teacups

Day 4 {farm}

day 3 {bunting}

Day 2 {dinner}

Day 1 {self portrait, no make-up}

a fabulous lady wearing many hats.

2011-06-03T16:24:00.000-07:00

so this lovely lady is maryam..

she wears many hats and they all look quite fabulous on her..

not only is she GORGEOUS but she is one of the sweetest people i have ever met..

i had the pleasure of doing her family portraits you see right there.. up top..

you can see more photos here..

she started this amazing company green you air..

they offer gorgeous plants that purify your air and look fantastic..

you have seen one in my room..

isn't it beautiful?

there is a giveaway going on with her plants..

here is THAT link..

it is another fabulous blog.. pepper design that i am addicted to as well.

it is a horrible addiction..

blogs..

yikes! it is bad..

this is a good one though..

well.. there is more i want to share with you..

and you are going to LOVE this one too!

she started a style blog for nursing moms and Francescas Collections is offering her readers and pals 30% off through the month..

yes!

30%..

i wanted to share those two goodies with you..

well.. 3 including fabulous maryam..

or 4 with pepper design blog being another one!!!

ha!

enjoy and good luck!!

polka dots

2011-06-02T20:45:00.000-07:00

this one.

my baby.

my first born.

she is turning into her own little person.

i have been letting the leash get a tiny bit longer.

and i am not happy about it.

at.all.

she is very independent by nature.

always has been.

she wants to pierce her ears.

she is in a talent show tomorrow..
talent show?
I remember MY first talent show..

she loves to read.
loves to swim..
loves to negotiate EVERYTHING..
wants more than anything to be OUT of a booster seat..

she wants to be a teacher when she grows up.

*sigh*

she is too cute.
honestly..

Hello June & a Give away!

2011-06-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

So.

I have had this tiny corner of the world wide web for a couple of years now.

i started it to blog about my girls and our life and plan on making a big fat book out of it..

to eventually gift to my girls of their childhood..

just a picture or 2 a week and a little ramble about it..

this is where my LOVE for photography started..

i began to really love taking photos and blogging..

some family and friends read my blog and commented here and there..

my grandma is my biggest fan of my blog..

she made me promise to always keep it going.. as it is her way of keeping up with us..

fast forward a couple years..

i started photography as a side project..

and sequins and candy was born..

i am still in shock everyday that my little photo biz has been so welcomed and loved..

it is a dream come true..

{not to sound too cheesy mc cheeser pants..}

all you girls.. and guy?

keep coming back to read my silly rants, raves, bragging, fashion obsessions and recipes..

i want to thank you thank you thank you..

i have started to dabble in advertising on the ol' clean up on aisle four..

and i did a little face lift in honor of june!!

and for all of you..

a giveaway too!!

see these gorgeous mini latte bowls?

they are from anthropologie and they are perfect little condiment/ice cream/latte treats carrier ever...

just leave a comment here..

and

"like" my facebook photog page..
and follow me right here..
wheeww..
kinda sounds like a lot to ask..

i will draw a winner friday..

don't be shy..
your odds are pretty good considering there are not 50 bagillion {nice number} entries!!

if anything else.. you could win the bowls and never come back..

i won't tell!!