Bidness!

I have been in the planning stages of this since April, but have failed to mention it on the blog. I guess because, like I mentioned in my last post, I was afraid it was boring. In early April I made the decision that I wanted to open my own photography business.

I sent out a Facebook message to all of my nearby friends and family offering them free sessions and discounted prints to build my portfolio. I was pretty happy with the response and my portfolio looks nice. I still have a few holes, but I should have them filled within the next couple months. 

I am officially "launching" the business on July 1st. I have been working almost every night on my marketing calendar and materials. I'm working on my senior rep program and two mini sessions for the fall. My website is a constantly evolving work in progress: www.elliesmithphotography.com.

Blogging for Myself

This picture isn't relevant, but this post needed a picture!

I have come to the conclusion that the reason I don't blog much is because I think I'm boring. I think I feel like if I'm going to write something, it has to be interesting to make it worth writing. And that sucks. Truth is, my life is boring. I mean, it's awesome and I love it. To me, it's great...but to anyone else I'm sure my day to day is boring. 

I need to write for me. I need to blog for myself. And so that is what I intend to do, boring day to day and all. 

Custom Pony DIY

Amelia is CRAZY about My Little Pony. OBSESSED! This is the most obsessed she has been with anything her entire life. Problem is, I also love My Little Pony, so I'm vicariously collecting My Little Pony toys through her. There are so many new toys coming out as the Friendship is Magic series grows in popularity, but there are still some special ponies that Amelia loves that aren't out yet. I decided we just had to have DJ PON3 so I custom made one by repainting an existing mini figure.

  

I used acrylic paint and applied two top coats of Mod Podge. Amelia was super excited and I love how it turned out. Problem now is that she expects me make her tons of custom ponies!

Last Day of School-ebration!

To celebrate the first day of summer (and the last day of school!) Amelia and I decided to hang some crepe paper over the front door before we left to pick Oliver up from school. When we got home we unlocked the door and let Oliver burst through!

Not one to be left out, Amelia busted through the rest of it!

I asked Oliver to show me his face of how excited he was for summer, but he told me he wasn't excited because he missed Ms. Mattingly (his teacher this past year) already. Melt my heart!

Summer To Do List

Tomorrow is the last day of school for Oliver. I can't believe my two biggest littles are going to be a third grader and a kindergartner. Bananas! Since Oliver's Dad lives out of state and isn't able to see Oliver every other weekend, Oliver spends half of his summer break in Indiana. While this really stinks and we miss him like crazy, I still try to make the entire summer fun for Amelia. I've been compiling my summer to do list of fun things we can do together that will keep Amelia (and Violet!) entertained and keep me from losing my mind. I've included links where applicable.

1. Make a Fort

2. Make Microwave S'mores

3. Make a Bird Feeder

4. Homemade Play-Doh

5. Nature Scavenger Hunt

6. Glow Stick Jar Lantern

7. Macaroni Necklaces

8. Go to a Matinee

9. Summer Reading Program at the Library

10. Put-Put Golf

11. Make a Socktopus

12. Go to the Fair

13. Ride the Horse Drawn Carriage
14. Buy a Sprinkler and Play
15. Make Soap Clouds and Homemade Soap
16. Vacation Bible School
17. A Sleepover with Friends
18. Glow Sticks in the Bath

Tuesday Tunes

I am completely in love with this tune! I could listen to and sing it all day! Enjoy!

Violet is One!!!!

My sweet baby V turned one on May 5th. It's bittersweet since we aren't having anymore kiddies, but I'm so proud of what a beautiful little toddler she's growing into. She has 4 teeth, walks like a champ and has already started saying more and more words. She likes to imitate everything we do, give kisses (we call them candy kisses), and loves going to the park and swinging. She says, "weeeeeeeeeeeee," when she swings and it's just precious. I could gloat forever about this wee one! We had a rainbow themed party for her and it was a hit! It was a total labor of love, but worth all the effort!

The Rainbow table!

Violet's highchair complete with rainbow bunting!

Cake time!

Om nom nom!

Cakey face!

This was my first layer cake ever so I was suuuuper proud!

Opening presents with Daddy and Millie

Happy Mother's Day!

I have been so busy this weekend with two family photo sessions and then some whirlwind editing to get the images to my clients quickly so I am just pooped! It's been raining all day so it has just been one of those lazy Sundays. I did manage to wrangle up with kids for a few shots with their Mama!

Macy's Heart of Haiti

 This Mother's Day, I'm working with Clever Girls in support of Macy's Heart of Haiti to shine a light on the "trade, not aid" program, which provides sustainable income to Haitian artisans struggling to rebuild their lives and support their families after the 2010 earthquake.

My Mom with Violet and my niece, Madeline

I was provided with two handcrafted necklaces made by Haitian artisans and chose to give one to my Mama for Mother’s Day. My Mom has always been one of my best friends in the world. She is always there for me and now that I’m older I love always being there for her when she needs me, as well. We share a special bond that has been concreted by my becoming a mother myself.

It’s so tough living in a different state than my Mom. Thankfully we have cell phones, Skype and Facebook to keep us connected across the miles. I was planning to give my Mom her necklace when she came to Violet’s 1^st birthday party yesterday, but she was unable to attend to attend due to health reasons, so I’m dropping it in the mail tomorrow. I hope she loves it as much as I love her.

What is Macy’s Heart of Haiti? Heart of Haiti is a “Trade, Not Aid” initiative launched by artist and social entrepreneur, Willa Shalit, The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and Macy’s. Already, Heart of Haiti has led to employment of 750 artists in Haiti, providing financial benefits for an estimated 8,500 people in the country.

Each item is a one-of-a-kind design and handmade by a Haitian master artisan from raw materials such as recycled oil drums, wrought iron, papier-mâché and stone. The collection features more than 40 home decor items including quilts, metalwork, ceramics, jewelry and paintings and is made almost entirely from recycled and sustainable items such as old cement bags, cardboard, oil drums and local gommier wood.  

Heart of Haiti products are available online at Macy’s.com.

Rainbow Inspo!

Violet's 1st birthday party is this Saturday and I am super excited! To get myself into a bright, cheery mood I decided to hunt down some rainbow inspo!