saturday stroll in fells point

Every once in a while, a Saturday comes along that's truly magical. It's (usually) not some big event or concert or trip or dinner out. And you never know when they're coming because they aren't planned or structured. Those rare Saturdays when you wake up and when your husband asks "so what's on tap for today," you can honestly reply... nothing.

We had one of those Saturdays last weekend and found ourselves in Fells Point. No plan. Just enjoying the neighborhood and some much-needed Heather-Pat-Bug time. With some many places to be during the holidays, our free time in Fells felt like a bit like vacation.

{Note to self: perhaps we need a bit more unscheduled time in our life. Just saying.}

Best part? I got to play with my new photo lens and capture a bit of our 'nothing.' Enjoy.

wishing you a holiday full of sparkles: courtesy of laura black photography & mlc designs

If you're anything like me, I agonize over finding just the right holiday card. Coupled with that search is the trek for the perfect (and I do mean -- perrrrfeccttt) photos out of my seemingly endless collection of Bug images.

Laura Black Photography and mlc designs put me out of my self-imposed misery. {Merry Christmas to me!}

You may or may not be aware of the free photo sessions Wee Chic Boutique and Laura Black co-sponsor a few times a year {become a Wee Chic fan on Facebook to be kept in the know}. Each free -- yes, free-- session gets you 20 minutes with the fabulous Laura Black inside Wee Chic's store and/or in the Green Spring Station courtyard, plus one free 8 X 10. The images are always incredible and Laura is a real pro when it comes to capturing cuties.

rhinestone cowgirl birthday party

What a weekend! We threw a little rhinestone cowgirl shindig for the Bug -- and her great grandmother -- to celebrate their birthdays at our family farm Saturday evening. Tutus and ten gallon hats were highly encouraged.

The best part about family parties is that it's 100% ok to make it a potluck. All of my family members pitched in with the food. From my brother's pulled pork, to Grandma's potato salad, to my friend's macaroni salad -- it was truly a family affair. Did you see the awesome pony cake my uncle made? The kids LOVED it. We also had homemade mac 'n cheese and applesauce on the menu for the mini-me crowd.

Of course, everyone was wearing their cowgirl finest. The Bug had on her newest tutu (which I picked up from Wee Chic), a white cowgirl hat, and a hot pink tee I embellished with a rhinestone horseshoe iron-on from JoAnn Fabrics.

The farm was turned into a sea of pink, purple, ponies and sparkles. We gave the tables a layered look with cut purple fabric remnants over white vinyl cloths. Festive and -- more importantly -- practical. Spills wiped right up and I wasn't worried about stains.

The centerpieces were uber simple. Potted sunflowers from Wegman's wrapped in pink paper with purple ribbon. I threw in some play-sized ponies and painted purle barns for good measure. They kept pint sizer fingers busy while the adults could eat!

Each little attendee got to take home a handcrafted stick pony. Don't look too close - - I'm not that crafty! But when I saw these adorable monsters on Babyccino Kids, I knew I had to take a crack at it. They were definitely a hit.

To keep everyone active, the girls decorated pink foam cowgirl hats with felt shapes, foam creations and glitter. Sparkles were uber important. Pre-dinner everyone had a chance to swim in the pool, too. As one guest remarked: It's like summer camp! Crafts, swimming and ...

Pony rides. The real star of the show was Mr. Chips, who gave each attendee under 4 a 'real cowgirl' ride. Even he wore purple!

The Bug had a blast! Many many thanks to all the friends and family who celebrated with us.

For other party ideas, check out the Bug's Rainbow Ladybug Birthday last year!

the Bug is TWO?!?!?

Can you believe it? The little inspiration for (cool) progeny isn't such a 'little' thing anymore. Happy 2nd Birthday to the Bug!

{{ps: the toy that caused this complete and total delight-filled squeal? The Happyland Farm Market from aMuse Toys. We'll be sharing a complete Bug-tested gift guide soon!}}

Mommy & Me: Photoshoot with Lil Blu Dragonfly

My security blanket is made of hard plastic and refraction lenses.

In other words, I hate having my photo taken. So I'm always behind the SLR camera. I don't really know what I'm doing and require a lot of natural light so I don't get tripped up in f-stops. But I'm far more comfortable fidgeting with buttons than fidgeting with my smile.

Consequently, while I have thousands of photos of the Bug, there are almost none of the two of us together.

The kid is going to be 2. It was time to remedy that.

Enter Jennie Sjursen of Lil Blu Dragonfly Photography. Jennie did a beautiful job capturing my entire extended family last fall, and was willing to jump in with two feet for a lil "mommy and me" afternoon. It was really Mommy and Me plus Jennie. The Bug kept trying to 'serve her tea' as she was snapping away!

There was jumping on the bed, lots of tickling and flying...


And how could we forget singing the "Wheels on the Bus?"

If you're a mamarazzi like me, you probably jump through hoops to get your kids to smile at the lens. For this particular shoot, we were just trying to keep the Bug in the same general vicinity -- a bit of a challenge. Jennie came to our home, had lots of great ideas, drank 72 cups of 'pretend tea,' and even pretended to eat a licked goldfish. That's class in my mommy book.

Need a little mommy and me photo action of your own? Jennie is giving (cool) progeny readers 10% off their sitting fee AND 15% off of a customized print package (that's so customized you build the package yourself!). Just mention (cool) progeny when you call her to book!

I think one of these shots would look perfect on Pat's desk at work... Whaddya think? Father's Day present conundrum solved?

first haircut: salon 36 kids

Many thanks to Julie at Salon 36 Kids for the Bug's fabulous new 'do.' Not only was Julie incredibly patient with the Bug (who was visibly nervous when we first arrived and wouldn't let go of my leg), she did a GREAT job. The Bug was even able to pick out her own DVD to watch during the haircut {{surprise! It was The Best of Elmo}}. By the time we got to the 'blow out,' the Bug had relinquished her grip on my hand and relaxed. The Pikesville area kid-catering salon is worth a drive for the friendly service, endless patience and fabulous cut. Cuts start at $22.

Need a kid friendly stylist? (cool) progeny reader Melissa Yuknar suggested Drew's Barber Shop on Harford Road, and reader Heather Sands suggested Floyd's 99 Barbershop on Boston Street.

Where do you take your kids?

(cool) tip: Be sure to check out Salon 36 Kids on Facebook!

weekend inspiration: sidewalk chalk & bubbles

It's a sidewalk chalk and bubbles kind of a day, no? Enjoy!

We've been blogged! Family Photoshoot with Lil Blu Dragonfly

Received an email this morning that our November family photoshoot with Jennie Sjursen of Lil Blu Dragonfly Photography was BLOGGED today! Drop by Jennie's slice of the internet for images from the extended family shot (yes - 22 people) and images of my grandparent's farm in Baltimore County. The images are simply stunning.

Jennie was a pure delight. Professional, but with a sense of humor that put everyone at ease. Not to mention that she effortlessly each curve ball and idiosyncratic thing we threw at her in stride. She visited the farm once to chat with us about the project, and then a few times before the group shoot to catch all that fall has to offer on the property. We compiled all of the images into a photobook for my grandparents as a Christmas gift from the entire family. {{And, of course, Pat and I used our individual family photo as a gift for grandparents and great grandparents. }}

A really fun - - and memorable - - project. Thanks, Jennie!

learning to throw snowballs

Today's simple pleasure is brought to you by Mother Nature. While Charm City may have escaped the blizzard last week, we had plenty of the white stuff in the Windy City. You won't find pictures of me throwing snow. Yes, I was the stereotypical lunatic in the pajama pants and UGGS running around my in-law's front yard snapping away. In all those instances when I thought 'gee - it's a shame there isn't a single picture of me because I took them all' (Christmas, for instance), this is one time I am thankful I was behind the lens...

Consequently, the Bug is an equal opportunity snowball thrower. EVERYONE is fair game, including her grandmother.

More Holiday Card Photo Tips from the Pros

Do you know Laura Black from Laura Black Photography? This mommy to three (an adorable preschooler and twins on the way!) takes amazing photographs of children all over the Charm City area. She also does frequent free (yes, we said free) mini-sessions at Wee Chic - A Baby Boutique. We joined Laura for her last Wee Chic mini-session of 2010 and LOVE how she captured the Bug! The photo on the left is a Bug shot that Laura shared on her blog a few weeks ago...

Laura was kind enough to share some tips for capturing your kiddos this holiday season for the famous annual family holiday card. Budding shutterbugs, enjoy! Want more tips? Check out tips from some of Baltimore's other favorite photographers.

Thoughts from the pro...

Plan for the best time of day for your kids. The most difficult part of getting a good holiday picture is cooperation, picking a time of day where you think you have the most chance of success always makes things easier. If you have a variety of ages in your house go by the youngest ones schedule since the older ones are more likely to be reasoned with or bribed.

Start with your favorite look or location. The best shots are usually the ones you take in the first part of any session. The longer you are taking pictures the less interested most kids become especially as a group. If the holiday outfits are you favorite or the fireplace in the living room has the best view, start there, then go on to other options once you have what you wanted. Also keep in mind if you have already chosen a card whether the images you need are horizontal or vertical.

Take some picture of the space you want to use before including the kids. Even the most basic of digital cameras now have dozens of setting on them where you can press one button and choose a special setting for portraits, indoor light, or wide angle etc. Take a couple of shots of the couch with a teddy bear on it or a blanket under the tree and see exactly what settings work best for you. That way you are ready when the kids are there and can shoot away.

Thanks for sharing, Laura!

(cool) tip: Wanna get in on the next freebie mini-session at Wee Chic? Like Wee Chic on Facebook to get the inside scoop!

Holiday Photo Craze: How to Nab the Perfect Shot

The holidays are knocking at our door. And you know what that means...

Photo Ops. Lots and lots of photo ops.

But how do you nab the perfect don't-you-wish-your-kids-were-THIS-cute photo? We asked some of Charm City's favorite lifestyle and family photographers to share some of their trade secrets. They happily obliged!

Jennie Sjursen from Lil Blu Dragonfly Photography knows that kids don't always cooperate. What's a parent to do when trying to nab a favorite photo for the annual holiday card? Here's what Jennie shared:

• Let your child be exactly who they are in that moment in time. I met a woman who's daughter for one year went through a phase of wearing her winter coat backwards. She decided not to fight it and go with it. Her daughter is now a college student and one of her favorite images of her daughter is of her bundled up in her backwards winter jacket and all smiles.
• Bargain and Bargain hard! There are times I am really working for a shot and a child is pulling every face they know and just won't cooperate. I make them a deal, if they let me get what I want (and I show them the back of the camera so they can see what I'm doing) then the next few shots they can be doing what ever they want. Those images are just for them. With the younger kids I usually get a lot of rolled back eyes, tongues hanging out and hands as horns on the head. I almost always include one or two of them in the final take. Usually they're funny and in years down the road you'll appreciate them as "remember them when.."
• Think about framing, both near and far. Start with your overall framing - how you see the image in your head. Does it include the door frame and two stairs? Then step in and take close ups - of your child's face or maybe even just their shoes - go for details. Finally step back, way back, and get an overall shot of the larger scene, maybe including the whole house and have your kids be a small part of the over all scene. In one of those three scenarios there is an image that showcases your child/family perfectly!

We all know that the holidays are a great time (and maybe one of the only times) your entire family is together. So how do you capture the 'real' moment - -and not end up with a stack of cheesy 'are you really taking my picture?" wooden soldier-type shots? John Waire of John Waire Photography gave us some fabulous tips! You can also find some inspiration on his photography blog.

• Get in there! Be a part of the action and take shots that are at the level of your subjects. If you're shooting kids, you should be on the floor! This relaxes your subject and creates a more interactive/fun environment.
• Be patient. Moments are special and truly define an event. They're often not scripted...so take your time and allow things to unfold
• The candid vs. formal debate? I'm a true believer that interactive moments/expressions are much more memorable than a 'everyone look here' shot. Let the good times roll and snap away. If there's a group that you absolutely want, put them in the same location and encourage some dialog and interaction
• Keep it simple. The old adage 'less is more' goes a long way with composition. Worry less about the background and more about your subjects
• Don't forget to keep your camera close! There's a lot going on around the holidays, so be prepared and have your camera with you as much as possible so you don't miss those moments!
• And last but not least… HAVE FUN!

Need more inspiration? We've got more tips from local photo-snapping fav Laura Black coming soon!

But in the meantime, what are your favorite shutterbug tips?

Photo from Gadgets Blog.

Let's start thinking holidays... and holiday cards from Shutterfly

Halloween is like a gateway drug for the holidays. Once you're knee-deep in jack-o-lanterns, and candy corn, you're just a step a way from cookie baking, wreaths and wrapping paper.

One of my favorite things about the holidays? The cards. In my tech-driven, virtual world, there is something simply wonderful about getting snail mail. Especially the photo cards or ones where someone took the time to write a note.

I come by my card obsession honestly. It's coded in my DNA. My father religiously agonizes over the note that goes in each of the 150 specially selected cards he sends each year - - and it's not your standard, typed 'this is how wonderful our family is' letter or, conversely, the occasional diatribe on everything that went wrong during the year. It's handwritten. It's personal. Usually with a bit of humor that only those who know my Dad can understand.

Rather than getting bogged down in word choice, I nitpick over the perfect photos, color and layout. Thankfully, Shutterfly has already done the hard work for me. I just need to choose one of their gorgeous designs!

Because our friends and family come from a myriad of backgrounds and faiths, I usually elect to send a more generic holiday photo card design rather than a Christmas photo card. Last year I couldn't get my act together in timely manner and sent out a new years card -- in January. I later learned that Martha (yeah, that Martha) said new years cards were the hot new trend for 2009. Who knew my procrastination would make me trendy?

With hundreds of designs, selecting a photo card layout from Shutterfly could seem overwhelming, but I'm a girl that likes a lot of options. My favorite 2010 designs? I love the simplicity of the starlight joy christmas card (although your need a KILLER photo to pull it off). The bright and cheery colors of the spot the Snowflake card would brighten any recipient's day! The sentiment in the love and laughter new years card is definitely my favorite. It's perfect with the more modern layout, too.

How about you? Which Shutterfly designs are you loving?

Do you want 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly? Click here to go to Shutterfly for information on how you can get 50 free cards this holiday season, and make sure to select Clever 1000 as the referral source.

This post is part of a series sponsored by Shutterfly. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

(cool) design: I've got these great photos...

Hi. My name is Heather. And I'm a photoholic.

First step is admitting it, right?

My husband brought a Nikon D40 SLR into our marriage two years ago. I use it exponentially more than he does at this point in our lives. I don't exactly know what I'm doing, but the camera seems to compensate for that.

The photos are gorgeous. Not as gorgeous as they'd be if I had a clue how to set my F-Stops. But beautiful nonetheless. Of course, it helps when you have a great subject -- like the Bug.

I've accumulated thousands of pictures. Some leave something to be desired. Others are simply magical. And those bits of magic are collecting dust on my iMac's hard drive. I'm guessing you probably have some of those favorite photos taking up space on your hard drive, too. Occupational hazard of parenting in the digital age.

So today's post is a collection of things you might want to consider doing with those fabulous photos. Wouldn't you rather have them proudly displayed on your wall or taking up real estate on your desk, anyway? (Let's face it. A photo of your adorable cutie would look a lot better than that stack of to-dos...).

Modern Bird Studios: Your Life In Art

This Washington DC-based company takes your photo and creates a hand-painted, one-of-a-kind original modern art piece. I had the privilege of seeing one of these gorgeous works of art on the wall of fellow-blogger Jill Smokler's (AKA ScaryMommy) house. Simply stunning. Pricing is based on the number of colors you'd like used and the size of the final product, and range from $165 to $665. Follow Modern Bird on Twitter to keep up with the crazy antics of the fabulous husband and wife team (Gregg and Megan) that run the studio, and to be notified of current giveaways. Check out the Modern Bird Blog to read about design inspirations and weekly interviews with bloggers.

Geezees Photo and Word Canvas Art

Have a favorite quote? Does your child have a favorite story, song or poem? Match it with one of your fab photos and send it to Stephanie at Geezees Custom Canvas Art to have a custom canvas created for you! Prices are based on size of the canvas, and range from $125 - $300. Be sure to head over to Stephanie's blog to see what she's currently working on or musing about!

Blow 'em Up

I {{heart}} Kodak for photo printing. I just request that iPhoto send my photos to print, my .me account is charged and they show up 7-10 days later. And waiting is worth it! There is such a difference in quality between photos I have sent out for printing and those I cybersend to my local Walgreens for printing. Regardless of the quality or where I send them, I inevitably end up with a stack of photos stuffed in a drawer. But I am inspired by this display idea from Janna Beecher's photoblog (which originally came from Domino Magazine)! Simple natural Ikea-like frames and 5X7 or 4X6 images displayed symmetrically makes a beautiful statement! Double bonus? If they are all lined up like this, no worries about having to painstakingly plot out your multi-photo wall display.

The Coffee Table Book

There are lots of options for creating a coffee table photobook. iPhoto has pre-designed layouts, Snapfish or Mixbook are other options. But did you know Charm City has it's very own photobook layout available through Jostens? Personalize the cityscapes with family photos and you have a charming, unique keepsake. Pricing depends on the number of pages in your book - - so be prepared to spend at least $35... More like $50 if you're me...

Nursery Wall Art

I admit it. I'm an Etsy addict. Isn't this Pear Tree Wall Art with photos just too adorable? Created by Karen Yi at Almost Sunday Designs, this little number would liven up any child's room! It's whimsicality sings. And at $38, this is a steal! (Anyone headed to visit a new baby? Perfect gift.)

Shadow Box

Now, I've seen lots of different ways shadow boxes have been used to preserve memories and keepsakes, but this glass pebble collage from le papier jolie is too (cool). Made of up 35 photos, this is sure to be conversation starter - - and memory catcher. $50 and 35 digital photos gets you one!

Family Tree

I found this photo family tree wall art on the Jack and Izzy blog -- although I believe it originally came from an Etsy site. I love the modern vibe and sleek look, with the black and white photos juxtaposed against the green of the tree. Wouldn't this look fabulous on your family room wall?

How are you displaying your fav photos? Would LOVE to hear your ideas!

Ever wonder what your child is dreaming about?

Ever wonder what your child is dreaming about?

Well, Adele Enerson of Helsinki, Finland, is literally wandering into her daughter's dreams.

Harnessing a camera lens and creativity, Adele muses and photo-blogs about her daughter's daydreams. 42 of them so far. Aptly titled Mila's Daydreams.

On the side bar of her blog, Adele notes "This is my maternity leave hobby. While my baby is taking her nap, I try to imagine her dream and capture it."

Whimsical. Beautiful. Thought-provoking.

I love this. And thought you might, too.

How are you capturing your child's dreams?All photos from Mila's Daydreams.