Mini Cosmetic/Book Haul & Londons Birthday!

Yesterday was my son London's birthday, so naturally, I was running all over town buying last minute presents {since Milla Jane exploded, I haven't been able to get a grip on planning ahead for holiday stuff~ ridiculous, I know, but sadly it's true}...

anywhoo, while I was running around, I needed to make a couple stops for myself.  Ulta was on the list, as well as Sephora and Barnes & Noble.  I needed some random things at Ulta {cotton balls, facial scrub, etc}, but I especially wanted to see about buying the Naked BASICS palette from Urban Decay.  I LOOOVE the 2 NAKED palettes, and pretty much use them every day, but I had yet to try the basics.  They had one left.  I grabbed it. :) 

here are the shades swatched:

1. Venus  2.  Foxy  3.  W.O.S  4.  Naked 2  5.  Faint  6.  Crave

The next thing I wanted to look at was a few items on my running list of "cosmetics to look for" on my phone.  I could've bought so much more, but I limited myself to three new lip products...  all of them ended up being from Dior.

Here's the lipstick:  Dior Addict in 178 Urban

 Here it is swatched:

 Here are the glosses:  The first one is the most gorgeous peachy-pink  it's 343 Spring Ball.  The second one wasn't on my list, but I loved it the minute I saw it.  It's 013 Etoilee  it's a beautiful golden white color.

 Here are all three swatched:  1.  Spring Ball  2.  Etoilee  3.  Urban {lipstick is on the bottom}

 I'm super excited about all of these, and have already used them today.  LOVE. 

I made a short stop at the bookstore because there was a book I was wanting.  I usually buy everything on my NOOK, but there are some books that I know I'm going to want in real book form.

I haven't been the least interested in the Amanda Knox Murder investigation/trial/verdict, etc., until the other night when she was interviewed by Diane Sawyer.  Her personality is, um, seemingly different, and I couldn't quite figure her out.  She has come out with a memoir, and up until the other night, I didn't have the desire to read it.  But she intrigued me, so I wanted to get it.  While I was there, I walked past a copy of "Gatsby"... I for sure want to read it before I see the movie, so I picked up a copy of that as well.  I bought the one with the movie cover.  I usually don't do that, I like real covers, and usually I've read the book long before they come out with a movie, but this cover was so pretty, I didn't mind.

Last but certainly not least, London's birthday.  It's hard to believe that my baby is 12, and he isn't making it any easier by reminding me that in just one short year, he is going to be a teenager... yeah.  Unbelievable.  Here's a pic from dinner last night.  It's amazing when I look at this and see just how *old* my kids look.

Lastly, I want to touch on a subject that I have yet to talk about publicly.  I'm not going into specifics AT ALL, because I want to maintain my familys privacy, but over the past 5 weeks, we have had a life-changing, horrific, seemingly endless crisis hit our family.  For those of you reading this, who know the situation, and have been praying, I love you.  I don't know how I would've made it this far without you.  For those of you who don't know, please pray.  If I know you in real life, get a hold of me, and I will fill you in.

Love you all.

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}

.*FaLL* has come to bath & bodyworks.

Eeeekkk! So, I've been pretty much stalking the Bath & Body Works website for the past couple weeks, waiting for them to come out with the scents for Autumn. I LOVED the summer scents they came out with this year, but thanks to the crazy HOT temps this summer, that made enjoying summer days pretty darn near impossible, and in turn, made me very excited to just get past this season, and move into the next one. A *cooler* one. Pardon the ridiculously dumb pun. ;)

I'm so excited to stock up on the candles & oils. *LOVE* the oils. They are my favorite~ I have them burning in several areas of the house, because they put off so much more scent than the candles {and I use the 3-wick ones}. But that doesn't stop me from buying the candles, and having them burn everywhere. Just makes it feel cozier... ;)

In other news, school starts next week, and I haven't even begun school shopping for the kids, which means I'll be frantically running from store to store over the next few days... and somehow, I'll manage to sneak into Bath & Body Works... you know that whole "one for you, one for me" thing? Yep. So following that rule of shopping. :)

.my date with London.

J and I have always made a point to take our kids out on 1:1 dates. J with lauryn, so she can learn how she should expect to be treated by a boy, and London so that he can learn how he is expected to treat a girl. These "dates" are so special to me. London is such a soft hearted kid. He's eager to please, a lover, not a fighter, and loves to have long talks. Anyway, he planned the "date"... Olive garden then off to see the movie "brave". While at olive garden, a random storm came through, and knocked out the electricity, so we ate in the dark. And, like a typical boy, he thought that was the COOLEST thing. ;). I love my time with him. I love that at 11 years old, he still thinks I'm cool enough to be seen with and hold my hand. He's growing up so fast, and I know the day is quickly approaching that those feelings will change for him, so I'm taking full advantage of it while I can. I can only pray that what he learns on these "dates" will carry over to when he really dates. I pray that his heart always remains soft, and for good judgement in the young ladies he chooses to ask out and court. I pray for his {and lauryns}, future spouses. I'm curious to see the people they choose, the personalities they are attracted to. I can't believe I'm at that point as a mom, where these things are in my thoughts and prayers, although I've been praying for their spouses since I had them, but to know that they are getting to the age where the opposite sex is intriguing, is crazy to wrap my head around. Heck, the thought that I have an 11 & 12 year old has my head spinning. ;)

.priss is growing up.

here lately, every time i look at lauryn i'm shocked by what i see. in my mind, she's my baby girl, so when i see this beautiful, bright young lady looking back at me, it takes me back. when she was a baby, i used to dream about what it would be like for her to be on the brink of being a teenager. it seemed so far away, that it never seemed real. and now it is slapping me in the face. she's 12. TWELVE. she's counting down the days till she turns 13. it makes me cringe. anyway~ i'm going off subject. up until this year, lauryn hasn't gotten a "real" haircut. i've always cut it, and it's always been a long, blunt cut. apparently, that is no longer acceptable. so we made her an appointment.

i have to admit, while the thought of her growing up doesn't exactly make me giddy, her new hair style is adorable on her. even if it does make her look a little bit older. ;) she loves it {says it makes her look at least 13}, and if i'm honest, i love it too.

.Women's rally at church.

Well, since I've got to catch this blog up to date, I may as well tell you that j and I made the difficult decision to leave our church. After 10 years, him serving as a trustee on the board and me on staff, we felt God was leading us elsewhere. I won't go into the whys and how's that lead us to this decision, but it was a very, very difficult one to make. Fast forward three months. We've been going to an amazing church, the kids LOVE it, and are excited to go. They have a ton of activities for everyone. This Friday was one of their 4 women's rally's. The speaker was nancy alcorn--- I love her--- anyway, I've been to jra's women's rally's before, but this was the first time I took lauryn with me. We had so much fun. We went with my partner Lori and her oldest daughter, Alex. I'm so at peace with our decision to leave the only church home we've known for 10 years. And I'm excited to see what God has in store for us at this new church home.

i'm a marathoner???

on our way to chicago!

i can't believe it. i ran my first half marathon. 13.1 miles of nothing but pavement, sweat, grime and the sweetest pair of running shoes i bought just for this race. ;) when i decided that yes, i was crazy enough to enter a half marathon, i knew i wanted to do a big one. not that there aren't decent ones around here, i'm sure they're fine, but, to be honest, i've seen the medals they give, and i really didn't want a big FISH medal for my first race. {no offense bass pro shops}... so, i decided to sign up for the 13.1 marathon in chicago. just a short 8 1/2 hour drive from where i live. no biggie.

i told {quietly mumbled} my desire to a friend of mine, {scared to really tell anyone, because that held me accountable to actually go through with it} she surprisingly jumped on board and said she would do it with me! {i was a tad horrified, the whole "accountability thing" again}, then another friend of ours heard about it, and joined in as well~ it ended up being a 4 day girls trip, full of sight-seeing, shopping, eating {we took that whole "load up on carbs" thing VERY seriously}, and lastly running. 13.1 miles. did i mention that? thirteen point one. that's insanity. anyone who does it is certifiably nuts. and I. LOVED. EVERY. MOMENT. so much so, i'm doing at least one more this fall. i can't believe how much i loved it. i can't believe how much i love the medals. i'm not a collector of anything really, i don't like clutter, but i've decided that i'm going to collect marathon medals. my reasoning is simple. it's impressive to have those medals hanging up in your home, by the door, where anyone who comes in has no choice but to see them, {kidding, kidding, kind of. it's displayed by the back door, so it's only close friends and family that have to see it} , and it makes sure i get off my rump and exercise. ;) here's some pics from our trip:

navy pier. sheri and i were excited to go on the crazy huge ferris wheel... juli, not so much. ;)






we ate at the cafe lux one night. we had never even heard of it, but were shocked at how identical it was to the cheesecake factory... we mentioned that to our waiter, and he told us they were owned by the cheesecake factory.... HUGE portions. great food, but the best part about it was our view for dinner. i *almost* felt like i was in NYC. that was a good feeling. <3 the next day we went into the building that was formerly the sears tower. and we stepped out onto their crazy frightening plexiglass floor... 113 stories up. yeah, it messed with my mind a little.




my bib!!! i was so happy to have all even numbers! oh, see that yellow nail polish? i rocked that color the entire trip and it went with everything!!! i got home, and j took one look at my nails and said it reminded him of baby diarrhea... i guess i won't be wearing THAT anymore...
before the race.



by the end of the race, i was mentally preparing myself for another. this time, i'm going to probably have to settle for a FISH medal~ as gross as that is, but hey, a medal is a medal, right? NO. i can't take a fish medal seriously. ever. but, i'm going to do it. and hubs is doing it with me. {i talked so much smack about me being a "marathoner" that he decided to start training and whip my rear at the race. that's what i get for opening my big mouth. the dude runs like 8 minute miles~ sure, it's only a couple miles he's running right now, but still. he's totally going to blast my time, and then i won't hear the end of it. EVER. so, if you have any tips for this newbie marathoner, send 'em my way. please?!?!

.hello, old friend.

well, once again, i've dropped the ball on my sweet, lovely little blog. there have been so many changes in my life the last two years, that i toyed with the thought of just starting a new blog, and letting this one go. but then i looked back at all my old posts and got all nostalgic and sentimental. ;) when i decided to keep this blog going, the first thing i knew i needed to do was change the name. something that was more fitting to ME, and who i am. when i first started this blog "love,millajane," i didn't have a website for my little photography business, and this was the only way to showcase my pictures. milla jane has grown a *little* bit, and i'm now having my second website designed, a pro photography blog designed, and i have also brought in a partner! milla jane has been such a blessing to me, and it excites me to see how much it's grown~ especially since up until two years ago, it was only a "hobby." now that milla jane has it's own stuff going on, this blog can be all MINE. to talk about my life, my kids, my favorites {books, decorating, make up, running, etc}.

i could go on and on, filling you in on all the details of what's been happening, but i'd rather not put you to sleep on my first post back. ;) instead, for those few of you who miraculously still have me on your feed, thank you. it feels so good to be back, and for good. :) xo