First Day of Summer 2013

Well, Summer is finally here!! Although it's already felt like summer considering it's be scorching hot here in Maryland. (And my room has no A.C....imagine that one!) So it's time once again to busy out those bikinis, those fruity drink recipes you've pinned on Pinterest and hit the water!

However I did none of that on my first day of summer, I did have boat loads of fun! First Madalyn and I went to the Avenue and walked around. I love window shopping this time of year, saves you money too! Then we went into (my favorite store) Barnes and Noble. We grabbed a grande Strawberries and creme frappachino and a pizza stuffed pretzel from Starbucks. If you haven't tried their pretzels...DO SO!! They're so yummy and only 2-3 dollars. 

The main reason we spend our random (free) days at Barnes and Noble is because Madalyn loves playing with their train table and their Lego table. So why not sit and enjoy and little downtime while she plays. Nothing like relaxing on the first day of summer! 

Then I decided to treat my little dewdrop to a first day of summer movie. We went to go see Monsters U! And it was seriously the cutest movie ever. But everyone knew Disney was going to pull through for us there. And the monsters inc movie finally came out after all these years! My inner child was extremely happy. 

Sorry for the pictures of the pictures on my camera but my memory card decided it didn't want to dock to my MacBook right now...silly technology. 

And last but not least, I share with you a little preview of the Vintage Maternity shoot that I did for a client. It was the cutest, most retro adorable photo shoot I've ever done! Ill definitely make a post when I'm done editing the pictures. 

What did you guys do on your first day of summer? 

Working from Home.

Yawwwwwn.

Starting your own business can be a very rewarding, yet very tiring!! I'm talking about, early mornings, late nights, running back and forth to the post office, to home, to the studio, to the store, to online shops. {i'm telling you…it never ends}

But that doesn't mean that a home business doesn't have it's perks. ;)

A nice cup of joe helps me get motivated in the morning to sit down and actually start working on my business. I also go to Pandora and listen to my favorite country station. Plus! I get the luxury of staying in comfy t-shirts and shorts all morning. Digging my Code Name Kids Next Door shirt I found at Goodwill? 

So since I've been working all morning, I decided I'll give you a little peek of what I do on a daily basis for my business. 

My little iPhone 5 sitting on one of my sketch books that I like to draw my designs in. There's a little preview on a "Congrats on Twins" card I'm making (you're welcome). And my GWTW phone wallpaper…I'm a tad obsessed with the classics. 

I got a few boxes at Michael's since they were on sale ($2!) to put my cards, packaging supplies, stamps and other necessities for my business. I'm still getting everything organized and it's certain place. Since I'm not fully moved out of my current living situation, it's hard having everything everywhere. Hopefully in the next month I'll have my own little station set up (where no little hands will be allowed to wander!)

I'm the type of girl that LOVES lists. I make lists for literally everything. So I bought a separate notebook (Michaels for 50 cents!) to keep track of every card that a customer buys, when they bought it, and when I've shipped them out. Just to make sure that I keep everything organized. Again, once my little business station is set up, I'll probably have a better filing system. But this for right now gets the job done and well! 

Since the desk I'm sitting at is currently full {with a desktop computer, sketchbooks, printer, coffee, mac and cheese, sharpies, ect.} I was forced to set up my laptop and little box of supplies on the bed next to me. But hey! Space is space! Aren't Derek's cowboy sheets cute? haha.

Last but certainly not least, what's working from home without the little one constantly getting in your face? She kept asking me to take a picture of her truck. What can I say? My little girl has a thing for boy toys. And I couldn't help but include this in my blogpost. Look at those delicate little hands!

There you have it!

This is a morning in the life of derae art! And how unorganized, messy, and coffee ridden it is! Haha, kidding {not really though}. 

FIRST SALE CELEBRATION!!

GOOD AFTERNOON!! 

You guys!! It's happened, it's already happened!!!

Only one day, ONE DAY, after opening my Etsy shop I already received not only one, but TWO sales!! I can not tell you how over the top, freaking excited I am right now. With all the card competition out there, it really baffled me that people would purchase my cards (and this fast too). It only gives me hope that I can get this business to bloom and give you guys funny and cute handmade personal cards. 

And I was really surprised at the card that was sold! It was ordered by both customers. 

My "DILF" Father's day card!! It's sure to make your baby daddy have a little chuckle this Father's day. ;)

If you'd like to purchase it, click here.

Feel free to check out all the other cards I have on there! There are cards for Father's day, Birthdays, Anniversary's, Weddings, Congratulations and cards to simply say I love you.

New designs are in the works, so I'll keep you updated on whats new to come. :D

Let me know what you think about these cards or if there's anything in particular you'd like to see.

Thanks for sticking with me guys. So much love coming your way, xo. 

Jeep Jam 2013

Morning Dolls!

So I know I've been MIA (and for good reason), and I've read on here that you should never apologize for missing a few blog posts, because loyal readers will always come back to you. But I still feel bad.

The reason I've been missing is because I'm currently working on a new project/business that I will be sharing with you guys in the next day or so! I've been working night and day on designs, marketing, and other fun stuff to go along with this brand and business that I'm creating. So hopefully you guys will like it.

Anyway, back to what this post is really for: ADAM'S JEEP JAM 2013!! wooooooo!

So I just bought my own 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport. And to give you guys a little background information, I've been in LOVE with Jeeps since I was a kid (thanks to my uncle, haha).

And even though it was boiling hot outside, we went and enjoyed the festivities. Here are a few iPhone photos from the Jeep Jam. :D

Derek and I trying to cool down in the shade. OH, and my new (expensive) Jeep hat. ;D

Madalyn going down the bouncy slide! It's one of her favorite things in the world!

My friend Rob doing the flex ramp test. His was pretty damn good for his Cherokee.

Madalyn and her new friend Ashley. 

Photo Booth pictures. <3 

So now I'm sunburned and that's that. Probably didn't help that right after I went back into the sun to go swimming. But hey! I cooled off and that's whats important. 

Keep an eye out for my upcoming post about my secret business! 

Vote for Madalyn Rae & get a free beauty goodie!

BONJOUR DOLLS!

I just got home from Vacation and got some tutorials and beauty posts on the way for you. But while I'm getting all of those goodies together, I'm here to ask all of you lovely followers for a HUGE favor.

I recently entered my daughter into a contest so that she could win a $25,000 college fund. Would you all do me a favor and vote for her? And as an extra, share the link around? If you don't want to share it, that's fine. But could you at least vote for her?

All the people who vote, please comment below with your name & email address, and I will mail you a beauty goodie!!

This is a huge opportunity for her, and I want her to win. (Mommy pride coming out, ya'll.)

Click here to vote!! 

Madalyn's Lookbook

Bonjour Dolls!

So I've noticed something that I do a lot more for my two year old daughter, than I do for myself…and that's buying her clothes. It hit me when I spent a $100 on a pair of yellow Hunter boots and an adorable little Mini Boden skirt. (pictured below)

So I decided why not put a little Lookbook together for the clothes she wears!! I know that I look to other children for clothing tips when it comes to styling her. And since I'm a photographer, I tend to take pictures of her constantly! (I tend to do it a little too much, actually)

But let's look through some of her looks, shall we?

 What she's wearing: 

Jacket: Shirred-Collar Twill from Oldnavy

Shirt: Her father's Army portrait- Custom Made

Pants: Coral Leggings- Oldnavy 

Boots: Target 

What she's wearing:

Jacket: Winter White Sunday Rose Coat from Addie&Ella

Shorts: Dark Navy Dita from Jottum

Tights: Target 

Glasses: Ray-Ban Junior CrewCuts from JCrew

What she's wearing:

Shirt: Bow tank in stripe from CrewCuts by JCrew

Overalls: Gapkids 

What she's wearing:

Jacket: Aqua Rose Ruffle Jacket by Stella and Stevie

Pants: Coral jeans from Oldnavy

Boots: Target 

What she's wearing:

Hat: Knit hat from H&M

Sweater: Reindeer from Oldnavy

Leggings: H&M

Boots: Waterproof premium from Timberland 

As you all can probably see, I have one stylish chick on my hands!! We're always looking for new styles and new clothes to try on her. (Or I am anyway, hehe) I have a personal problem with dressing her better than I dress myself! That's what you sacrifice when you become a parent. Sigh.

What outfit did you like the best?

Perks of being a Wallflower~

Not to brag or anything but, I'm pretty sure I have the most beautiful two year old in the world! (That's mommy talk right there) M is definitely a little ham! She poses and smiles (mostly cheesin') for almost all the pictures I take of her. She is definitely a little model in training, and my favorite one at that!

Just look at these gorgeous shots I took of her at the Liriodendron House:

It's the simplicity of the photography that makes it for me. 

The truth is, as photographers, we're "Wallflowers". We sit and observe, and manage to take great shots and distinct moments. And the perks of that is capturing a great image, and keeping it as a memory to look back on. Without this, we would forget how we looked and felt in the moment being captured.

I'll be posting a beauty post soon, along with a few new key products I have purchased. So keep on the lookout for that.

P.S. I linked my photography facebook on the top right hand side, if you'd PLEASE like it, it would mean so much to me.

P.S.S. Follow me everywhere, and I'll do the same for you. ;)