You time {Delaware Lifestyle Portrait Photographer}

24 hours in a day. In that 24 hours, most people have to sleep, eat, work, drive to and from work, run errands, clean if they choose, socialize, go to school, do homework, take care of your kid or kids, and the list goes on.  The saying "Not enough hours in the day" really does ring true. Most days, I absolutely feel like I need a clone so that I can get my to-do list, which is typically a mile long done.  It seems like it never ends.  One of the things that I found that helps immensely is me time.  It may be hard to take some time for yourself, especially when you have 1,001 things going on, but it is important to do so.  Oh, and when you have kids and other people to take care of, caring for yourself usually gets put on the back burner. But you can't take care of others if you aren't well taken care of. So it's super important to make time for yourself, even if it's little things.  Want to know some of the things I do?

1)Take a shower.  Now, this should be part of your routine to begin with. My my shower is my sanctuary. I lock the door, light candles, play music and sing to my hearts content. Those 20-30 minutes (my normal showers are about 5-10 minutes, but when I splurge I spend longer), are just what I need to refresh myself.  I typically feel more refreshed and energized when I take a shower during the day, especially early in the morning. It gets me ready to take on the day. If I take a shower at night, then I want to go straight to bed.  I know for some, especially with kids, getting alone time in the bathroom is hard enough, but try it. Especially then the kids are napping or when they are in school.

2)Driving.  It doesn't matter what time it is, but night time is the best. Get on an empty road and drive. Sing your heart out while you are driving. Have your own dance party in the car while at a red light. Get crazy!  And then drive back home.

3)Dine out.  If you have a s.o., especially if you have kids. It is super, super important to take some time off and enjoy time together. Before you were parents, you were lovers. Don't forget that.  While parenting is a huge job, the two of you need to be happy and maintain that love with each other.

4)Read. Find 10 minutes. Even if you have to lock yourself in the bathroom and read a couple of a pages of a book you live. Allow yourself to escape. Nevermind the little fingers reaching underneath the door to get your attention. Reading is your escape!

So, those are the typical four things that I do when I am feeling stressed and need some me time. Or, I just take a nap if the opportunity presents itself! Pin It

Lace covered mason jars! {Delaware Lifestyle Portrait & Fashion Photographer}

I love mason jars! I know they are a passing fad now for weddings and such, but I will never stop loving them. I have jars all over my house! I use them for juicing, storage, and I have even painted a couple and have for decoration.  You know another thing I love? Lace!  So guess where I am about to go now....lace covered mason jars!

So recently, I was researching Downton Abbey inspired wedding dresses, because if we ever do our vow renewal, that is what I want it to be like.  And through various clicking, I found this blog entry about lace covered mason jars:

http://www.lovewedbliss.com/wedding-diy/diy-wedding-projects/how-to-make-lace-mason-jars/

Take a look at how pretty they are!

(All images are from the blog linked above)

Aren't they just gorgeous! Obviously you don't have to use them for weddings. They make great home decor.  If I had the clean, organized, well decorated house of my dreams, there would be mason jars in pretty much every room!

Also, if you ever need a project to do on a rainy day, this is it! I'm sure kids will love it.  You can take it an extra step and mod podge the inside, put glitter inside and cover the whole inside, and then put the lace on the outside. So that hint of color can peek through. http://www.lilyshop.com/how-make-glitter-mason-jars

Have fun!

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Postpartum bodies and loving yourself {Delaware Lifestyle Portrait and Family Photographer}

Besides my resolution to blog more in January, another one of my resolutions is to love myself and my body more, and to help women love their bodies also. A lot of women, especially mothers start to dislike their bodies after having a baby. The phrase "having  baby ruined my body" runs rampant most of the time.  But the one thing we must realize is that while having  baby has definitely not ruined our body, it has changed our body.  It grew life inside of it, and birthed an amazing child.

I wanted to share a bit from an article that a friend posted that moved me to tears.  You can find the full article here: http://blackheartsandbliss.com/post/72866172943/on-the-postpartum-body

"When I got pregnant for the first time I was 18, fresh out of cheerleading, doing Yoga daily and in the best shape of my life. Though I gained a mere 15 pounds during my pregnancy, my body stretched and pulled in ways it has never truly recovered from and I struggled a lot with the way it looked and felt after Samara was born.

It was partially my circumstances too, my ex husband regarded me with words of criticism despite walking out of the hospital in the same size 0 jeans I’d walked in wearing. I heard my mother complain my entire life about her body and the ways carrying four full term girls had changed it. In fact - I’d never heard a single positive thing about postpartum bodies that I could readily recall.

My self esteem dipped into the negatives, I was bitter in every sense. I had this beautiful daughter and now my body was fucked up. The trade off was a worthy one, but that didn’t make it suck any less."

Mother or not, love your body. It's the only one that way have.

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Quick and easy mittens! {Delaware Lifestyle, Home, and Fashion Photographer}

When I came across this project, I squealed at my computer. Yes, squealed.  I thought this mittens were absolutely adorable. And they look so easy to make.  Take a look!

(image from DIY Garden & Crafts on Facebook)

Again, these look super easy to make. Once you have two (clean) pairs of socks, a contrasting fabric/color for the heart or any shape you want, some needle and thread, you are done!  I think thick, wool socks would work the best for these mittens.  

The best part, is that you don't even necessarily need a sewing machine. This project can be completely hand sewn using a simple back stitch.

I plan on making myself and Charlotte a pair pretty soon. First though? I have to find socks!

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Home: Slow Cooker Melted Chocolate {Delaware Lifestyle, Fashion & Home Photographer}

I am sticking to what I said. Blogging everyday. Well right now, I am catching up on 4 days of not blogging, so this should have been posted on 1/2.  But I am here!

Like I said, my goal this year is to turn my blog into a place that not only features photography, but a place my clients can enjoy. Cooking, crafting, family, and just lifestyle topics in general.  I am a photographer, but photography is not my life. If I can connect with my clients even more than I do now, that makes our photography sessions together even better.  So with that said, who likes chocolate?

I do!

I found this Slow Cooker Melted Chocolate idea over on a blog called TheYummy Life.  The link is here: http://www.theyummylife.com/Slow_Cooker_Melted_Chocolate

(images are from TheYummyLife.com)

I have had a slow cooker since last Christmas. I'm talking Christmas 2012.  After making it clear to everyone in the house that 2012 would be the year of the slow cooker, and I have actively cooked with it...ONCE.  It has been used a total of three times though. Two of those other times being my sister and then my friend cooking.  So my poor crock pot needs love. And I love chocolate, see where I am going here...

They suggest putting different types of chocolate into glass jars, placing in the crockpot with a bit of water to melt, and bam! Instead chocolate dipping party!  You can put fruits, pretzels, crackers, and whatever food item you dream of on a skewer and get to work!

Just think how easy the prep time for this is! And what's even better? THE CLEAN UP IS BASICALLY 0! Leftover chocolate can go in the fridge to be reheated later (be careful reheating glass).  And jars that have been completed used can be placed in the dishwasher or washed by hand.  No washing different pots for different chocolates.

I am thinking of having a little lunch get together for the sole purpose of having chocolate covered EVERYTHING there. And if I do, there will be pictures.

Enjoy!

Please feel free to share with family and friends!

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