Houston Children Photographer - {Kyle}

This weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting one of the most photogenic kids ever - and his adorable mom! Kyle is almost nine years old and his personality is just as sweet as his photos! Thanks to Cheryl for letting me spend the afernoon with you and your son! I hope you love your sneak peek!

Houston Baby Photographer - {James: 6 Months Old}

It's been a few months since I've seen this sweet little boy! He has grown so much since my last session when he was ten weeks old! Baby James is just getting cuter with age (if that is even possible) and he is FULL of personality! Thanks to Elizabeth & Jim for the chance to share in your joy for the day!!! Here is a sneak peek at his photos!

Houston Child Photographer {Micayla's Third Birthday}

Sweet little Micayla was so much fun to work with! She completely relished the role of "model for the day!" She had so many fun expressions and her laughter was completely contageous! A huge thanks to Jennifer for allowing me to share the day with you and your precious daughter! I hope you love her photos!

Houston Child Photographer - {Cameron's Third Birthday}

My daughter turned three... eight months ago.
I am so far behind on doing her third birthday photos!
I take tons of snapshots all the time - but I am not so great at organizing a "real" photo shoot for her. On top of that, she is not the most willing participant when it comes to modeling for MOM!
It was such a beautiful day today - so my husband and I took Cam out to a nature center and snapped some shots. We are going to another park this evening to finish the shoot! Here are a few of our faves from this morning!
We love you, Cameron!!!!!



A special thanks to all of the creative talent behind Cam's outfits!
Jackie made the crocheted hat and they are available at TotzHatz.
Jennifer made the 3rd birthday party hat and they are available at Sweet 'n Sassy Baby.
Sharon made the twirly zebra skirt and they are available at Pinkie Twink.
Dina made the tutu and they are available at Little Fortune Cookie.
Jill (thats me) made the 3'rd birthday shirts and they are available at Zingo Tots.

Houston Newborn Photographer - {Sofie: Two Weeks Old}

I had the most amazing time photographing this little two week old wonder!
Sofie is such a sweet little girl!
Thanks to Larissa for letting me share the day with you and your sweetie!

Katy Child Photographer - {Abby + Wyatt}

I had the best time photographing two absolutely adorable children tonight! They were so much fun and I loved their energy!
Here is a sneak preview of their session!
A huge thanks to Brandi for allowing me to spend time with your little ones & to Grammy Sharon for helping out!

Houston Headshot Photographer - {Cris}

I love meeting creative & artistic people. ESPECIALLY when those creative people use their talents to help others in need. I was recently contacted by a children's author, Cris, who needed headshots for her website. I had the pleasure of meeting her, and several members of her family, on Tuesday. Cris is a beautiful person with a bright future ahead of her! I can't wait to read her new book which is set to release soon! I look forward to sharing more with you about her project in the near future!

Houston Child Photographer - {Layla: 3 Years Old}

Girls just wanna have fun!
And Layla was no exception!
This sweet little munchkin grabbed my heart the second I saw her climb out of her mom's car! Look at how adorable she is!
This was my FOURTH scheduled shoot with Layla.
The three previous shoots were rained out.
Yes.
All three!
Shoot four was, sadly, no different! As soon as Layla's mom pulled up to meet me - rain began pouring all around!
We all decided to be brave and I shot a handful of photos under an awning in about three feet of space!
I know moms love to see their kiddos smiling in pictures - but sometimes, my favorite photos are the pouty shots. Little Layla has the pout perfected... and it is just too cute. (You'd pout too if you were all dressed up for your third birthday shoot and it started pouring!)
Layla soon warmed up - with water splashing all around her - and enjoyed her birthday cake and photo shoot!
Looks like we will be meeting again for a fifth try at this shoot in September! Can't wait to see you guys again!
{Tutu & headband by BuggyBooCreations
Birthday Shirt by Zingo Tots
Delicious Cake from The Cake Fairy}

Houston Baby Photographer - {James: Ten Weeks Old}

A friend of mine recently had the most adorable baby boy.
Little James has the sweetest disposition. He was ten weeks old at the time of this session - extremely alert and laid back.
A huge thanks to Mom & Dad for allowing me to share time with your growing family! I am looking forward to working with you all again when James is older!!!

Blue October {Houston Concert at House of Blues}

Lead singer, Justin Furstenfeld, and drummer Jeremy Furstenfeld, are from Houston!  They attended HSPVA (High School for Performing & Visual Arts).  This weekend, they were at the House of Blues!  My awesome husband surprised my son & I with tickets to see them!
YAY!!!!

My son started listening to Blue October a few years ago and I found myself singing along every time he blasted their cd in the car.  The band is great.  I'm sure the majority of you are familiar with Blue October - but just in case, this is their most popular & most-played song on the radio.  I will admit that many of their songs are quite dark - dealing with broken relationships, depression, etc...

My husband surprised me this weekend by presenting me with tickets to see Blue October at the House of Blues in Houston.   We took our son to the show on Saturday and had a great time.  I was surprised to hear so many HAPPY & upbeat songs.  Usually I dont like going to concerts and hearing all the new stuff that I dont know...but this was a completely different experience!

Over the weekend, I spent some time researching the band and learned that the lead singer, Justin Furstenfeld now has a three year old daughter, Blue, who is greatly influencing his new music.  I love this! My favorite song was called Blue Skies however, Jump Rope was a close second.  Another thing I learned is that Furstenfeld has suffered from Bi-Polar Disorder most of his life and severe depression.  He said he would like to get information out there and put a face to depression, so to speak, so that others will not feel so alone.  You can see that interview here.

Bottom line is... Blue October is a great band with meaningful messages.

They put on a great performance.

I am purchasing their new cd this week!

I highly suggest you check them out!

Here are a few snapshots I was able to take with my phone!

Oh how I wish I had my camera with me!

Houston Product Photographer - {PinkieTwink}

I've written about Sharon before.

Sharon ROCKS.
She is the owner/designer/artist of Pinkie Twink on Etsy.

Sharon has been making dresses and skirts for Cameron over the past year and I just can't get enough of her cute, cute, cute creations!
I recently asked her if she would make a pair of shorts out of lemon fabric - you see, we are planning a lemonade stand and you have to LOOK the part! 
Sharon agreed to make the shorts...but then sent me a photo of a new dress she designed.
I fell in love.
"Forget the shorts!" I said....  I want a lemonade DRESS!

And here it is!
Sharon will be listing this dress in her shop soon - as well as others!
Be sure to check out her shop!

Houston Product Photographer - {The Cake Fairy}

You remember when I wrote about The Cake Fairy a few weeks ago?
She has so many delicious and decadent cakes to chose from!

I am so excited because I will be sampling another one of her cakes on Friday!
It's my birthday gift to myself!
SoOoOoOoO excited!

The Cake Fairy is not only completely talented...she is also super sweet!
When she discovered our daughter was allergic to nuts and soy (which means she was not able to eat any of the cakes we purchased for our son's bday party) she did the most amazing thing!
She made CamCam a cake of her own! 
And, boy, did she love it!
Thanks, Suzanne!!!!!

For those of you interested in ordering a smaller cake like this, The Cake Fairy is your gal! 
These are called Lover's Cakes!  They are great for sharing with the one you love and they come packaged in cute little red boxes!!  You can find Suzanne's contact info & cake flavors by clicking the two links above!

{Head on over to Zingo Tots to read Health Tip Wednesday!}

Pure Decadence

I had several emails from you asking for more information on the Cake Fairy cakes!  I asked Suzanne for more details about her flavors just for you guys!
I am fighting the urge to order one of every flavor!!!!!
Check this out....

1. Classic German Chocolate Cake - chocolate cake, chocolate icing, with pecan/caramel/coconut topping and filling.
2. Classic Black Forrest Cake - chocolate cake with chocolate icing, crumb coated sides and raspberry filling and topping.
3. Almond/Blackberry -Yellow Cake layers with fresh blackberries in between the layers covered with white almond butter cream frosting and dusted with toasted almonds.
4. Lemon/Coconut -Yellow Cake with tart/sweet lemon zest butter cream topped with coconut or without.
5. Yellow Cake with chocolate frosting and dusted with toasted almonds.
6.  Chocolate Cake with chocolate frosting and dusted toasted almonds.
7.  Peach/Butter Cream -Yellow Cake with fresh peach slices sweetened with raspberry jam between the layers, covered with fresh peach butter cream and toasted almonds.  (This cake is seasonal and will start up again when peaches come back!!)
8.  Strawberry/Butter Cream Yellow Cake with fresh strawberries between the layers covered with fresh strawberry butter cream and toasted almonds.
9.  Blackberry/Butter Cream - Yellow Cake with fresh blackberries between the layers covered with fresh blackberry butter cream and toasted almonds.
10.  Red Velvet Cake - rich red velvet cake with old fashioned cream cheese icing trimmed with crushed pecans and red raspberries.
11.  Carrot Cake - a decadent cake full of pineapple, raisins, craisins, walnuts and of course - carrots!!!  It is covered with cream cheese icing and dusted on the sides with crushed walnuts and topped with nuts and red raspberries.
12.  Chocolate Overload - This cake has chocolate everywhere its possible to put it.  It had mini chips in the dark chocolate batter, it is filled with deep chocolate fudge and iced with dark chocolate fudge.  The sides are coated with crushed chocolate and it is trimmed on the top with chocolate drops, pecans and red raspberries.

13.  Vanilla Coconut - Yellow cake filled with coconut custard cream and covered with vanilla butter cream and covered in coconut.  Garnished with berries.

14.  Heath Chocolate - for all those toffee/Heath bar lovers.  Rich chocolate cake coated with dark chocolate butter cream and coated with heath bar bits and garnished with crushed Heath bars.

If you are ready to place your order with the amazing Cake Fairy, send her an email at cakefairy2009@gmail.com and tell her Jill sent you!

The Cake Fairy

My husband loves chocolate.
If desserts are served, and they are not chocolate, he will pass.
My palate is a little less particular...as I love sugar regardless the flavor.

Lately, he has been talking about The Cake Fairy.
A woman working in his office kindly makes cakes and leaves them in break rooms with notes saying, "Enjoy this cake - From The Cake Fairy!"
He has been enjoying all kinds of Cake Fairy cakes - even NON-chocolate cakes.

Our son celebrated his 14th birthday on Saturday.
As soon as party planning began, my husband INSISTED the cakes be made by The Cake Fairy.

All I can say is.... "Oh My Goodness!"
Words can not express the awesomeness of these cakes!

My son requested a vanilla coconut cake.
My husband added a German Chocolate to the order...just because.

Let me first say, these cakes are BEAUTIFUL.
I have never seen anything quite like them.
That coconut beauty {oh yeah...my fave flavor ever} is SO heavy that I decided to weigh it!
14.8 lbs
Yes...FOURTEEN pounds and eight ounces!
It is loaded with fresh berries and smells like Heaven.
It was absolutely fantastic!

The German Chocolate weighed in at 5 lbs.
We just cut into it.
I am speechless.
Deeee-licious.


I love The Cake Fairy.
I can not wait until my birthday next month!
My husband says he sampled a fabulous strawberry cake last week.
Strawberry...not chocolate!
I'm requesting that one for my special day!

If you live in Houston and need a cake ... I highly recommend The Cake Fairy!
She even ships if you don't live in Houston!
You can contact Suzanne via email - cakefairy2009@gmail.com - for a current list of flavors and prices.

Yum!

Etsy Artist Features - YourFriendAmy, TotzHatz, and SimplyBasicDesigns

I love Etsy.
I look to Etsy anytime I need something.
Gifts.
Clothes.
Jewelry.
Candles.
Soap.
Hats.
Stickers.
Business cards.

Now that I've started my photography business, I am happy to report that I am still going to Etsy for my business needs!
First, I needed a watermark / logo for my photos I post online.
I posted an alchemy request and found my girl within a few hours.
YourFriendAmy sent a proof after reading my request.  It was obvious she put time and true effort into the proof.  It was exactly what I wanted - and she even used my blog colors.  I saw it and instantly loved it.  No revisions needed.  Talk about an artist with the ability to read minds!  YourFriendAmy offers Etsy shop sets, banners, collage sheets, invitations & announcements.  If you are looking for a way to spruce up your shop, I highly recommend visiting her shop!  Thanks Amy!!!

Next up....Jackie with TotzHatz.
I have featured her time and again because I love her work!
She creates ADORABLE hats for babies and children, as well as funky little flower clips.
My current favorite photo of my daughter is the one above.
She is sporting a TotzHatz visor hat AND a flower clip.
I purchased those items separately but at the last minute, clipped the flower on the hat.
I loved the look.
Jackie offers hats with flowers, hats with detachable flower clips, and the clips alone which work great in hair or on hats!
Here are a few of my current favorite items from her shop!


Last, but certainly not least, is SimplyBasicDesigns.
I found this awesome cradled egg prop and had to grab it.
I received it 2 days after I paid!  Talk about speedy delivery.

The shop owner also gave me all kinds of advice and tips for props to use with newborns.
So sweet.
She has so many cute items in her shop!  Egg props, cocoons, wraps, and more.
The babies I've photographed were too big for the egg ... but I was still able to incorporate it into one photo and love LOVE love the texture it added to the picture.  You can see it lining the bowl under Baby Sawyer's head.

So...there you have it!
Three of my new fave Etsy sellers!
Show them some love.
Visit their shops.
Tell them Jill sent you!