Unexpected Adventure

Sometimes I have one of those days where its harder to get things done.

My mind wanders, I'm not as effective, I forget why I walked into the room.

And then, sometimes one of those days turns into one of those weeks.

Like this week.

As hard as I tried, everything I did seemed to take 3 times longer than it should have.

I used to get down on myself when I had days like these.

But after two years of motherhood, I've learned that this is just part of the territory.

Not only with motherhood, but with life.

Sometimes life takes longer, sometimes we're not at out best, sometimes we only write two blog posts in a week, and sometimes we don't brush our hair.

And you know what?

I think that's okay.

_____________________

This long week ended with a day trip to Huntington Beach to get our family photos taken by Kristen Duke Photography.   I hadn't been to Huntington since I was a kid, and I had no idea how much fun it would be. 

That's the lovely Kristen, in her super duper cute outfit with a necklace I nearly ripped off her neck {but I didn't think that would make a good impression so I just took a picture instead}. 

Can I just tell you that I was fairly confident about this outfit going into the shoot. I loved how the ruffles flowed. I loved how I could still breath in it. I loved that it required minimal adjustments to be picture ready after wresting with a toddler. And I loved that it was a mere $12 at Gap's super sale.  But then I took a look at these few pics that the hubs snapped after our shoot with Kristen, and I started second guessing my outfit selection.  To answer your questions/thoughts/emails in advance, NO I am not hiding a pregnant belly under this dress--the glorious, overflowing ruffles only make it appear as such.  Oh well, right. Live and learn.  I'm sure Kristen's mad photography skills will help take the focus off my extreme "ruffleness" and lack of obvious waistline. Note to self: sometimes tighter clothes actually make you look skinnier, and sometimes looser clothing just makes you look...well..rufflely.

As we headed back to our car we noticed a farmers market just getting started.  So we loaded up on some of our favorite things for the drive home. Chips and salsa, kettle corn, fresh strawberry lemonade, banana bread, and raspberries.  Mmm, mmm good. It was an unexpected bonus to our already fun adventure.  Future trip to Huntington Beach is already in the works.

What did you do this weekend?

Any activities that I must add to my summer list?

How to Get Kids to Smile For Pictures: Photography Tips

Tips for Getting Kids to Smile for Pictures
by: Kristen Duke Photography
{we love her}

Hello friends! Ashley asked me to do a post on some photography basics, so I thought I'd share something that would help the momma's out there trying to get their kids to just LOOK AT THEM for a picture. I know a lot of you can feel my pain when you get blank stares or grumpy frowns or just plain ignoring your requests. As a momma myself, I have to have a LOT of tricks up my sleeve to get my own kids to smile at the camera (no, they aren't used to it and happyily comply, I have to work for it). Right now in my family, I am dealing with my hardest client ages--the 2 year old and the 10 year old boy--Neither want to do what you ask when it comes to picture taking! Luckily my 6 year old daughter loves the camera!

My dad said if you want people to remember something you are teaching, give them a set of three points and it will stick better (Did you notice that with my e-book?) So I've got 3 tricks for the young ones and 3 tips for the older kids.

3 tricks for getting young kids to smile:

1. One word phrases

"Cheese" is SO overdone...the kids are tired of it and by now they've heard it so much that they move their lips in a straight line and show some teeth but their eyes are totally annoyed and rarely even make eye contact. Change up those one word phrases you have them say. Some of my favorites for kids or groups: "Yee--haw" or "happy" or "Hooray!" or "pizza." Throw out any words for them to repeat. It can be anything from their favorite treat to their favorite cartoon character to their favorite toy. Have them repeat what makes them happy and they will think happy thoughts.

2. Sing a song

We want to get the children to a place that brings happiness in order to capture happiness. As the momma (or aunt or grandma), you know their favorite song, start singing it! If they don't sing along, they will surely smile as they hear it. Twinkle Twinkle or Old McDonald or Wheels on the Bus are standard favorites, but I often ask kids (if I don't know them well) what shows they like to watch and I am finding myself singing about Dora or Elmo or even Barney. Singing the words wrong can actually be pretty funny as well. The little ones will correct you. One time, I kept singing it wrong even after correcting, and I got a grumpy face. I think I just took that one too far;)

3. Have a bag of tricks

First, I pull out a little yellow hair scrunchy that has been converted to a duck. It wraps around my lens and I tell the young kids to look right at the duck and quack. I try to wait until I am desperate when I pull out a ball or a rattle to get their attention. I do this because often the little ones want to hold it and my plan could backfire. I throw the ball up in the air, or put it right by the camera and say I am going to throw it at them. The anticipatory smile is all worth it. I have a silver bell ornament from Christmas that I like to bring out because in the event that the young child wants to hold the ball, it isn't too ugly to stay in his hand for the pic. A stick or book can "bonk" the photographer on the head or leg and you can actually yell "OWW" and that brings on the laughs as well. This requires an extra person doing the "bonking." This shot below what my head getting "bonked" by my reflector as I pretended to get hurt.

3 tricks for getting older kids to smile:

1. Have a conversation

Show interest and have a chat about life. Ask about school, friends, sports, skateboarding, vacations, birthday wish list, their favorite show, etc. By asking questions and getting them to talk, they forget about the grumpiness that surely presented itself when you pulled out the camera.

2. Have some music at the ready

Teens love their music and it usually puts them in a good mood. Whether you ask them to bring their ipod, or tune the car radio to their favorite station, you are sure to get a happy face. You may even get to capture a dance move. Seriously, I love those kinds of candid shots!

3. Ask about their girl/boy friend.

They may not have one, but the idea of this brings a "no way" or a big smile as they think of that person they are crushing on. Whether they try to deny it, or paint you a picture of all of their loves' exquisite details, you will get a smile.

If you have some suggestions on getting kids to smile, please share! I can always use new ideas...especially for my own kids!

P.S. Ashley mentioned my Say NO! to Auto e-book and workshops on here last week. I want to mention that I had a location change for my July 23rd California workshop. It was going to be in San Diego, but it is now in Huntington Beach. So if that is closer to you, please let me know if you'd like to attend! If you aren't close to there or my Texas locations, look up my skype mentoring info for some one on one Q&A!

Oh, and if I haven't given you enough links to pass the time, com

e on over to my facebook page and become a fan because each Friday (today!), I have a Facebook Freebie where I give away full resolution files of landscape images I have taken. Print as you please.

Have a great Friday!

Say No to Auto {and a giveaway}

Since Baby W's birth, I have taken a gazillion pictures.

Like, take whatever large number you are thinking of

and multiply that by 100--and that's how many I have taken, just this month.

Currently, I take a lot of decent pictures on accident.

But I want to be able to take an incredible picture on purpose.

And that's where Kristen Duke comes in.

Kristen, a professional photographer who will knock your socks off, has written an incredible E-Book that will give us simple and easy to apply tips to help us all take our cameras off Auto.

And if you have been reading my blog for the past few weeks,

then you know this is on my life list of things to accomplish.

This e-book is the perfect QUICK, simple, and AFFORDABLE guide to getting your camera off auto by the end of the weekend.

And today, Kristen Duke Photography is

Giving Away

E-Books to TWO lucky Winners

For more information on all the goodness in this E-book, click here.

Here's the other thing I'm thinking.

Kristen also teaches photography workshops all over the country,

and she is going to be in San Diego on July 23rd...I'm thinking that would be a fun time for a bunch of us to meet up, learn about our cameras from a pro, and get to see each other in real life. What do y'all think?

For more information on her workshops {including skype meetings}, click here.

In other exciting news,

when Kristen comes out to Cali, she is going to photograph my little family!

Eeeekkkk! Yeah, I'm a bit excited! I have spent a ridiculous amount of time looking at her portfolio on facebook, and woah, she has major skills.  And I'm not talking about nunchucking skills.  Like total mad photography skills of a rock star.

A face like this deserves to have awesome professional quality pictures taken {that's coming from a smitten Momma}. Had I of known how to use my camera, I could have made his blue eyes sparkle in this pic.

If you purchase your E-Book now but end up winning later, Kristen will totally reimburse you, because she's awesome like that.

Here's how you enter to WIN:

{leave a separate comment for each entry}

1. Like Kristen Duke Photography on Facebook and leave a comment on her wall that you stopped by from LMM.

2. Visit the Kristen Duke Photography blog, and leave a comment that you stopped by from LMM.

3. Blog, Facebook, and/or Tweet about this giveaway and leave a link.

{up to 3 entries}

4. Follow Little Miss Momma

5. Like Little Miss Momma on facebook and say hi on my wall.

The winners will be announced on May 27th.

Eye SPY: Shoes and Jewelry Edition

Eye SPY: Shoes and Jewelry Edition

{get caught up here}

This weeks theme has me pretty excited.

It just so happens that shoes and jewelry are my two favorite things

{second to my sons laugh and my husbands dimples--oh, and when my mom comes to visit}.

But before we dive into my accessory collection,

I want to assure everyone that if you were worried after reading my last post, don't be.  

I am OK!

In fact, I am great.

I am happy.

My secret is only a small part of who I am--my battle to overcome.

And as so many of you pointed out in the comments section,

we all have battles.

Overcoming them and working through them is what makes us stronger.

And I am getting stronger everyday, largely thanks to your support.

And if revealing my secret in some small way helps anyone else out there,

then my burden has become a blessing--and that's a burden worth carrying.

Now, onto the fun stuff.

SHOES

Let's start with my "pumps" as my Momma calls them.

From the top left to right.

1. Bakers

2. Forever 21

3. Forever 21

4. Bakers

5. Bakers

6. Bakers

And now, my wedges: 

From the top left to right.

1. Aerosoles

2. Coach {via Nordstroms Rack}

3. Macy's

4. Coach {via Nordstroms Rack}

5. Macy's

6. same as #3

And, my flats:

1. Aerosoles

2. Old Navy

3. Target

My everyday tennies, all Converse:

I think I have an addiction to boots.

Is there a name for that?

Forever 21

Both from Famous Footwear online.

Ugg's from Nordstroms.

Now for the Bling {jewelry}

Left holder: Marshall's

Right Holder: Pottery Barn Kids

From left to right.

1. American Eagle

2. Love Stitched

3. Forever 21

4. American Eagle

5. Forever 21

From left to right.

1. Starfish Jewelry

2. Designs By Tami

3. Starfish Jewelry

4. Jessica N Designs

1. Watch, Target

2. Button Necklace tutorial here

3. Lace Flower Bib Necklace tutorial here

Both necklaces from Lisa Leonard Designs.

1. Headband: Just.Lovely.Things

2. Pearl Bracelet: Lee La La

3. Earrings: Forever 21

1. Large Teal Earrings: Forever 21

2. Cabochon Earrings: Love Stitched

3. Mum Ring: Little Miss Momma Shop

4. Tiffany's Silver Charm Bracelet

All from Forever 21

My wedding ring.

My everyday ring.

And there you have it!

Boy, that was fun!

I can't wait to drool over all your goodies.

Link up below girlies!

As always, please link back to this post so others can join the party.

Eye SPY: Around the Home

Eye SPY: Around the Home

This week's theme--anything you feel inspired to take pictures of around your home. To get the caught up on the I SPY series, click here.

And now,

Welcome to the nooks and crannies of my home.

I Spy the first thing you'll see when you walk into my home--a friendly reminder of my latest neurosis, no shoes inside.

{Stamped est. sign tutorial, hook shelf by Old and New Again}

I Spy our very first family portraits hanging over our couch.

{portraits by Brittany Davis}

I Spy baby-proofing on every door and cupboard.

I Spy lots of hidden treasures shoved under my TV stand by Baby W.

I Spy a framed picture of the "newlywed days". 

The days of tan skin, no stretch marks and lots of date nights.

I Spy my favorite artwork.

{Family Rules sign by BOP, picture frame by Bed Bath & Beyond, Baby W painting by Modern Bird Studios, Cutlery Wall Art tutorial here}

I Spy leaves cut from old book pages.

I Spy a glimpse of my gray and blue bathroom.

{Sign by BOP, Anthro knock off ruffle shower curtain made by my grandma}

I Spy a sorry excuse for a pantry.  Sad, I know.

Are you craving Lucky Charms now?

I Spy the wall where I tested paint colors for our master bedroom...2.5 years ago.

I Spy a toddler playing, and the teeny tiny workspace where I write most of my posts.

I Spy a baby who wants his Daddy to feel better.

I Spy a baby who doesn't understand what NO means.

I Spy the world's fastest clapping baby--who is clearly very pleased with his disobedience.

I Spy the highlight of my day--a surprise brownie pop package in the mail, from a dear friend of whom I have never met face to face.

I Spy the power of a heart-felt note, and the thoughtfulness of true friendship.

{a special thanks to Britt and the surprise package she sent us this week too, it was oh-so-yummy}

I Spy a hubby determined to get out of the house, one way or another.

I Spy my forever, resting on our front lawn.

I Spy a home,

where love lives.

Please link up your posts below.

And pretty please include a link to LMM in your post so other can learn about our party.