Only 24, grew up in South Carolina and is all around pretty much awesome. His songs are words to live by. Here are a few of my favorites off his new album. Enjoy.

If I had an alarm clock, this is what it would play.

I was recently introduced to this wonderful website, ElizabethSt.com and was very pleased when they asked if they could include me in their Mother’s Day gift guide. If you haven’t visited, please do. They are worth the click. Thank you ElizabethSt. and Rosie Pope!

Over Easter weekend I photographed this beautiful intimate birthday party in the Hamptons. Natasha celebrated turning 7 while playing with puppies and hunting for Easter eggs. Mom is the owner of my favorite kids clubs in the city, Citibabes, so throwing the perfect kids party comes naturally.

To quote Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex & The City II, “I’ve been cheating on fashion with furniture.” Since we’ve purchased our house my focus has been on home decor, causing serious neglect to my wardrobe. I was starting to feel like I was in a rut and looking a little drab. Luckily I knew just the person who could help get me back on track, my dear friend Blake Lane who has recently started a wardrobe consulting business. Blake has an amazing sense of style, is extremely organized, is in great shape (she also teaches Pilates) and has an awesome sense of humor. Just the kind of person you need to help you create a new you. She is very motivating to say the least. This is the same lady who helped me shed the 60 pounds I gained while pregnant with Ty. I’m a big fan.

STEP 1: Establish Wardrobe Goals

Before digging into my closet, we talked about how my wardrobe needs to function for me. I need clothes that are stylish and comfortable, since when I shoot I need to not only look good, but must also be able to move around comfortably, chase little ones, sit on the ground, etc. When I’m not shooting, I’m a mom that mostly works from home so again – stylish but comfortable. We go out with friends on the weekends so I also wanted a few items that are fun for nights out, and that will also lend themselves to meetings with clients, since I have quite a few of those as well. Our goal was to create a timeless, stylish yet realistic for work wardrobe with a few key higher-end items, all within my budget of course.

STEP 2: Closet Audit/Initial Consultation

Blake shows up ready to rock and roll. She dove right into my closet sifting through each and every item. I tried on nearly everything in my closet and we decided whether it would stay or go. After having several good laughs, and tossing most items to the donation pile, we discussed the new outfits I could create with what we were keeping. I was shocked by how simple, yet effective her suggestions were. She paired items together that hadn’t occurred to me before. I loved it.

Before

During

After

STEP 3: Suggestions and Shopping

Once we were done with the purge Blake emailed me a list of suggested items I could invest in, to be purchased at my convenience. She told me to remember, shopping is not a shopping spree, it’s a journey. Wise words. My list of summer suggestions:

• Jeans – 2 pairs including Current Elliot boyfriend jeans and J.Brand skinny jeans
• Shoes – white Converse sneakers, brown leather sandals (I purchased these), nice flats (I’m eyeing Chanels)
• Colorful t-shirts and fitted button downs
• Boyfriend cardigan
• Skirt from J. Crew, perfect for shooting events or for a night out
• Summer dress
• Monrow sweatpants
• A big bold print scarf

Things I learned… Converse go with nearly everything, less is more and my nearly 15 year old jean jacket is still cool. From the moment Blake left my house, with 5 giant garbage bags in tow, I’ve felt like a new person. I really had no idea what a difference this was going to make through all aspects of my life. To feel good about yourself and to have confidence in your style is the best gift you can give yourself. I think we take this for granted, at least I did. This was one of the most therapeutic things I have done in awhile and to top it off, I went and got a new haircut. Check out my hairstylist in the background. Hilarious. His name is Daren at Tommy Guns in NYC. Tell him I sent you ; ).

Blake’s Pricing:

Closet Audit/Initial Consultation (2 – 3 hours) – $500.00, including Salvation Army drop off and list of suggested items to purchase

Personal Shopping for a variety of lifestyle needs including re-entering the workforce, weight loss/gain styling, plus size and petites styling, bridal shopping, prom shopping, vacation shopping and seasonal dressing – $150.00/hour

This would make a wonderful Mother’s Day gift to yourself or for your own mom!

Email Blake at blakeglane@yahoo.com or call 917.821.7467.

I am holding my spring mini shoots in New York City and Westchester in May. Click on the link below to read my latest newsletter with all the details.

Saturday, May 5th – New York City

9 – 12pm – downtown NYC, meeting on the corner of Jane and Washington

1 – 4pm – Central Park, meeting at the 79th and 5th street entrance

Thursday, May 10th – Westchester

9 – 12  and 2 – 5 – Gedney Park in Chappaqua

If interested, please call to book your spot!

Mom decided to celebrate her 40th birthday with a family photo shoot. Such a good idea! They live in Philly but dad works in NYC. We decided to meet one day downtown while the girls were on spring break so dad could join us from work. Could these little ladies be any cuter? I loved everything about their outfits.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Is this thing on?

I know, it’s been awhile. I’m not sure where the last two weeks have gone but I think I needed a break. It wasn’t even really intentional, it just kind-of happened, and before I knew it, two weeks had passed. For those of you who blog, you know how time consuming it is. I don’t have alot of time to blog during the day so it’s become a night time activity, and for the past several years I’ve spent many of my nights blogging. Lately, I’ve spent my nights watching TV, reading, cooking, browsing magazines, drinking wine, wasting time on Pinterest or you name it, doing anything but blogging, and it’s been really nice.

I’m torn. I love to blog, I love to read blogs, I love to look at blogs, but lately I feel like the blog world is causing me more harm than good. Not only does blogging take time away from my personal time and family, but blog surfing can be detrimental too. Sometimes the more I look at other people’s photography the worse off I am, BUT, then sometimes, it’s the other way around. Don’t get me wrong, I love to blog-stalk, surf, comment, etc., but the more I do, the more I think… god, I should be doing that, or I should be shooting like that, how did she get so many followers or why do I care about how to make a hex bracelet or jeez… why am I not as successful as he/she is? It’s a very thin line. A thin line of being inspired and left wondering if I’m as good as the next person. Do you agree?

So I’ve taken a break from my own blog, and from others. It came at the perfect time since my boys were on spring break. On our agenda? Afternoons at the MOMA, meeting up with Bren for dinner, banana bread, homemade margaritas, EASTER, a trip to the Hamptons, grilled shrimp salads, afternoons at the park and well, just being with each other. We didn’t pack any bags. We didn’t board a plane. We stayed local and spent time with each other. And it was awesome.

And then there were four. Ariyan was the smiliest 6 week old I’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing. So sweet.

I photographed this beautiful family during the fall of last year. They have since, become a family of four. As soon as I met them I could feel their excitement for their newest member to arrive. His photos will be posted tomorrow!

I have to admit, I’m a little embarrassed to share this post but what the hell. It’s spring and we have spent the last few weekends spring cleaning, so why not show you some of my progress. Or as my husband would call it, when I go all “Howard Hughes” on him. Hence the reason I’ve been absent here. I’ve also been sick with the stomach bug, a cold and pink eye (awesome!) so I’m cleansing (Blueprint) this week to get myself back on track. To be honest, I have really enjoyed my nights of freedom, which is when I typically blog. I needed a little break from blogging but this warm weather is motivating me to post, so here goes.

My boys recently acquired quite a few of husband’s old toys, some of which were legos. Before they started to take over our house I did a little research, headed to the Container Store where I purchased the medium 7 drawer Elfa system, and spent a morning color coding legos. Good times.

I know I have a little OCD thing going on, but I can’t help it, I like to organize.