.GATSBY.

Oh my goodness.  I've been soooooo looking forward to this movie coming out.  I'm not one of those people that rushes to a theatre to see the latest movie.  In fact, I'm one that really wants to wait till it comes out on DVD, so that I can watch it on my own comfy couch, snuggling my hubs.  But this was an exception to my "rule"... and it was SOOO worth it.  It definitely ranks as one of the "TOP 3" most beautiful movies I've ever watched, and the details... WOW.  I'm contemplating dragging hubs to the theatre to watch it with me again.  {i saw it with a friend, so J hasn't seen it yet}.  The colors, the costumes, the JEWELRY.  WOW.  Being that it's set in the 1920's, of course it makes total sense that Tiffany & Co. would be the official jeweler for the movie~ ***be still my heart***  Here's some scenes from the movie... i'm still on inspiration overload, and soooo badly hope that one of our seniors wants to do a fine art session inspired by this movie...

This lovely headband, made by Tiffany & Co,  can be yours for the low, low price of $200,000  ;)

This is my next Tiffany & Co purchase:  it's from their Jazz Age Glamour "line"

Well, I guess that's all for today.  I've got so much to do for MJS today, I need to get a move on...  The kids get out of school for the summer next Wednesday, I think I'm even more excited than they are...  I'm so ready.  We will be having a few adjustments this summer, big ones.  I'll go more into that later, but until then, please still be praying for us.  Love you all.

 P.S.~ If any of you are as obsessed with Tiffany & Co, like I am, this is a must read.  I've read it about 4 or 5 times now.  It's written by a woman who was one of two girls that were the first to be hired on at Tiffany & Co {on the sales floor}.  AMAZING.  

What's in my Bag?!

Well, J is on a fly fishing trip, and it's late.  Im tired, but I cant sleep--- so I thought it would be fun to give you a glimpse into the bag that carries my life. Plus, I was a little curious as to what was in there myself, since I hadn't cleaned it out in a while. ;). I gave my bag the nickname "carpetbag" {as in Mary Poppins}, since it doesn't look that all that HUGE from the outside, but man, I sure pack a LOT in it, and always seem to have room for more.

Okay, so here's all the contents laid out~

My COACH pill box.  I've had this for YEARS, and it still looks brand new.  It's really a contact case, but I don't wear contacts, and when I saw it, I thought it would be perfect for different medicines I want handy.  {Advil & Cranberry pills are a must for me to have on hand}.

Next is my cosmetic bag.  The one that was just in my "favorites" post...  it's a gorgeous rose gold, and like I said before, it holds a LOT.

Okay, I've been debating on whether or not to list out everything I carry in my cosmetic bag, I think I should, so if you're not interested in knowing, go ahead and keep scrolling... ;)

From the TOP LEFT: 
1. a pretty hair band~ always a necessity 
2. Christian Dior lip balm {also featured in my favorites in my last post 
3.  Marc Jacobs "Daisy"  roller ball perfume.  I have used this perfume for about two years, and have the full size, but I like having this one for on-the-go touch ups.  
4.  Boscia green tea blotting papers.  I have oily skin, so I can't leave home without these. 
5.  Mac lip pencil in "Oak" 
6.  NYX glossy brown eyeliner 
7.  Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in "medium plus"  I use this for touchups only.  I really like it, it's buildable, and doesn't cake up on my existing make up.
8.  Mac lipstick in "HUE" 
9.  Mac lipstick in "PLINK" 
10.  Chanel rouge coco shine lipstick in #41"canotier" 
11.  Dior addict lipstick in #253 
12.  Dior addict lipstick in #178 
13.  Chanel lipgloss in #159 
14.  Chanel lipgloss in #87 
15.  Mac pro longwear lipglass in "BOUNDLESSLY BEIGE" 
16.  Mac cremesheen glass in "PAPER LANTERN" 
17.  Tarte amazonian clay 12 hour blush in "EXPOSED" {this is my ALL TIME favorite blush~ LOVE} 
18.  blush brush for on the go~ from bare minerals 
19.  Dior addict gloss in #553 
20.  Dior ultra gloss reflect in #257 
21.  Dior addict gloss in #343 
22.  Dior addict gloss in #013 
23.  NYX mega shine lip gloss in "SALSA" 
24.  NYX ultra shine lip gloss in "BABY ROSE" 
25.  Chanel rouge allure lip gloss in #56 "IMAGINAIRE"

PHEW.  DONE.  if you're familiar with any or all of these, you'll notice that they are all pretty much nudes or pinky-peach colors.  I'm not a fan of bright lips, they have to be done well, and worn correctly, or else they look all wrong.  Plus, I usually do a smokey eye, or tons of eyeliner, so my lips need to be "quiet"  pretty, but "quiet"... ;) 

My ipad.  I love this little guy.  I bought the Calvin Klein case for it at Marshalls, I think?  Or TJ Maxx... one of the two.

If i'm not carrying my NOOK around with me, I've got a book stashed in my bag.  Today, it's Gatsby.  I know, I know, I could just get all my books on my ipad, but I love my NOOK.  I like the "e-ink"...

My wallet.  Seriously need a new one~ I bought this one at Saks in St. Louis YEARS ago~  I'm planning on getting a new LV one... ;)

Seriously LOVE this lotion~ it's the only thing that works on my dry, itchy skin.  It's really hard to find around here, but you who live in bigger cities shouldn't have a problem locating it. 

Last, but certainly not least, anti-bacterial gel... who doesn't have one of these in their purse?!   I switched mine out to the "mango paradise" since I'm sooo ready for summer.

 

Well, that's it.  Everything I carry around.  It's heavy, but I figure it's like an extra work out for my arms, right?!?!

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}