A few of my favorite things in April

I thought I would share a few things I've been loving lately, and a few things I'm planning on getting that I know will be instant "favorites"! So, here we go!

MY FAVORITES:

 First up, I have used La Mer lip balm for YEARS. Like, seriously, YEARS... And I didn't mind paying the $50 for it, {don't judge} ;) because I couldn't find anything that came close to doing what it did for my lips.

Lately I've been hearing more and more girls talking about Dior's lip balm, and how they can't live without it. I ignored it at first, until I saw one of my absolute favorite makeup gurus talking about how it's one of her "holy grail" beauty products. Fast forward through me going to Dior, trying it & buying it, and it's now one of my most favorite things. I keep it in my purse, and use it all the time. My La Mer is still on my nightstand, and I use it every night, {but that's only till I finish that pot, then I'm totally replacing it with Diors!}. Dior lip balm is JUST AS GOOD as La Mer, for a fraction of the price! You can buy the Dior balm for $27!

Next up is my iPad. J got it for me for Christmas this past year, and I rarely put it down. {it's actually what I'm using to write this blog}. I got the cutest gold and white chevron cover for it, and it slips easily in my purse! I love that it syncs with both my Mac and my iPhone, and I won't even begin to tell you how much I use this baby for work!!!

 

My third favorite, is the most colorful, lovely book from Kate Spade! It's such an inspiration to look through, and helped inspire some of the sets for Milla Janes latest addition to our senior line! {more on THAT later, but I will say that it is the MOST exciting thing Milla Jane has ever done, and I can't wait to share it with you!}!!! This coffee table book is complete eye candy, and just the cover alone makes me happy, happy, happy! ;)

The Marc Jacobs metallic clutch for Target.  I got the *rose gold* one for Christmas from my kids {aka: I had seen it, been wanting it, was doing last minute shopping, knew the kids hadn't gotten me anything yet, and used that as an excuse to purchase it}.  Prissy did wrap it, and I didn't open it till Christmas, so that counts as a "gift" in my book. ;)  I know it's supposed to be a clutch, but I use it for my makeup bag in my purse.  I love how slouchy it is, and it holds a LOT.  *being the lipgloss junkie that I am, I can tell you that it holds a TON.  They aren't selling these at Target anymore {it was part of the Neiman Marcus collection}, but you can find them on Ebay!  The rose gold is GORGEOUS, as are the other colors, but I'm obsessed with rose gold at the moment.  They are all leather, and extremely well made.  I look to be using this for years.  LOVE it.

The Tiffany & Co Bean Necklace.  I purchased this last year.  Milla Jane had started changing a lot in the direction that we were going, and with all the excitement, I wanted something that represented that.  The bean is for "new beginnings" and that's what Milla Jane was doing!  We were starting to plan out the *new* Milla Jane!  I wear this necklace with everything.  i love the daintiness and simplicity of it.

The new Michael Buble album.  it just came out, and it's one I have been listening to over and over again.  It's happy music. ;)

I'll stop here for my favorites... there are quite a few more that I was wanting to share, but this post is getting long, and I know the ones I have in mind, will make it on my next "favorites" list!




Now for the things I'm looking forward to loving!!!

I can't WAIT to see this movie.  The colors/costumes/sets, etc.,  in the trailers are GORGEOUS.  It's total eye candy. 

Yeah.  Pretty much think I'm getting this for mothers day.  It is an amazing scent, and I've wanted it ever since I smelled a sample of it in a magazine.  LOVE.

Last but not least, this huge sand dollar from Pottery Barn.  It will fit perfectly in my house, and I just adore it.  PB gift cards are burning a hole in my wallet, so I'm going to put them to good use with this and some other fun stuff! :)

Well, that's it for my list of favorites this week.  Happy Sunday, lovlies! <3 br="">

 

Milla Jane Studios New Video

Most of you may not know that almost 2 years ago, I took on a partner for Milla Jane Studios {formerly photography}.  My business was growing so quick, I couldn't keep up with all of it, and try to grow Milla Jane the way I wanted.  I knew that if I still wanted to keep my role as a "housewife", and spend minimal hours operating Milla Jane, that I would have to partner up.  But partnering with someone isn't easy.  It's darn near impossible.  You have to find someone with the right personality, that compliments yours, and who's strengths make up for your weaknesses, AND someone that you trust as much as your own spouse.   I never thought I would find someone.  And to be entirely honest, I wasn't looking.  Then came Lori.  Lori and I met through a mutual friend, and fromthe first day I met her, I knew she was a kindred spirit.  She asked if I would be interested in photographing her daughters high school volleyball team seniors.  The final picture needed to be 5ft x 6ft long... I had NEVER done anything like that before, and had no idea where to have it printed that big, but I was sure I could figure it out. ;)  {i'm a "jump in with both feet & learn how to swim" kinda girl}.  The session was so much fun, and ran really smoothly as Lori was helping me pose and direct the girls.  We worked well together, talked about our love of photography, and our friendship naturally progressed.  The pictures came out fantastic, and Lori asked me to do her daughters senior pictures.  We worked together again~ I did her family pictures, we became better friends...do you see where this is headed?  Ultimately, Lori is the perfect business partner for me.  She is a trusted friend, her strengths are my weaknesses, she's a workhorse, and she wants Milla Jane to succeed just as much as I do.  Since I've partnered with her, Milla Jane has soared.  And we keep growing.  We are so excited to see what 2013 brings for us, we've got big dreams, and HUGE projects in the works!  And in case you missed the video of Milla Jane, take a peek! :)

i am the mother of a teenager...say WHAT?!?!?!

April 1, 2013.
I became the mother of a teenager.
My first born, dramatic, sunshine-filled little girl turned 13.

 Not gonna lie~ it creeped up on me. I knew it was coming, but once denial set in, i lived in my blissful little bubble, refusing to see just how quickly it was arriving. It's been a couple weeks, and she just *seems* older. Her humor is a little more grown up, she's wearing make up, and she is starting to become the adult we've been working so hard for her to be. She's still so sweet, innocent and naive. I hope she stays that way for a looong while. Once again, denial is setting in, and I'm retreating to my blissful little bubble. ;)

{sushi for prissy's birthday dinner}