I have always been fascinated by photography. I have spent countless hours studying photographs of people, while considering the angles, the lighting, and the editing the photographer used. I love the fact that photography has the amazing ability to transport us to a different time, or place with one single shot.
It was not until I started blogging that I decided to take photography more seriously. With camera in hand, I started experimenting with photographs of my apartment, of friends, and family. It was after experimenting in this way that I realized my passion for photography. I have no formal training or background in this field, but I realize that passion can open your eyes to the impossible, so not only did I invest in the proper equipment I also spent the necessary time to learn everything I could to enhance the skill it takes to be proficient with this passion.
I enjoy, and appreciate the opportunity to photograph bloggers, couples, influencers who make an impact in their profession, families, and also lifestyle type setting. I take an individual approach to each person I photograph. I make every effort to embrace and highlight the focus of what they are trying to convey to their audience with each session.
I look forward to working together and capturing the potential magnificence of your moments through my eyes and the lens of my camera.
I have been a long fan of Barrington Gifts totes. I first saw one on the arm of my friend Molly and then on the arm of my friend Debby. After seeing them readily used and put to good use, I had to have one! I chose the St. Anne bag because I loved that you get to customize the coloring and pattern. I ended up choosing the blue and grey stripes – which I thought were extremely classic! I plan to use this bag over and over again be it travel or running errands around Dallas. Since the bag can hold just about anything and you guys have e-mailed me about make-up suggestions, I thought I would kill two birds with one stone! So, what is in my Barrington bag? Details below!
I have quite an obsessive personality especially when it comes to beauty. I mean, who doesn’t? Skin is so important. It is the first thing people see when they meet you, it can tell a lot about you, and it will age with you (hopefully gracefully). Skin wasn’t always important to me. I grew up receiving compliments on how beautiful my skin was. And if you are receiving complements on something, you don’t change your routine, which at that time was non-existent. Terrible, terrible me. The older I get the more I realize that beautiful, even-toned skin is now speckled with dryness and sun spots. I should have been preserving my skin and instead I was abusing it. My mother was so right. Take care of your skin when you are young and you will thank yourself when you are older. I should have listened! As bad as I think my skin is I still can’t say that I am a beauty whore. I don’t stalk beauty products weekly and I don’t get overly excited when a new product comes on the line. So how am I beauty obsessed? When I find a product I love, I am ride or die for it. It takes me years to find them but when I do, they are my beauty homies. I have been using all of these religiously for the past week and last night I had the greatest validation! My husband looked at me in the mirror right as I finished my routine and said, “wow, your skin looks amazing.” Most of these products are new to on my list so I am excited to introduce them to you!
This toner is absolutely a dream. My skin leans more towards dry so finding a toner that doesn’t completely dehydrate it has been tough. And, I don’t want a toner just to hydrate, I want a toner to clean my skin so beautifully that my skin has a glow after using it. I know this sounds like a lot to ask for one tiny product but my standards are high and settling is not an option. Remember when I said it has taken me years to find the right products – I was referring to this toner. After more than a decade of searching for an incredible toner, I found it! I actually received this Sothys Paris Soothing Lotion in my Oui Please box this month. I really believe it has transformed my skin. It feels really soft and leaves my skin feeling hydrated. I think most people are scared of toners because they think they are for acne prone skin or oily skin types but I think you have been misinformed. Dry skin can have a toner too and one that completely helps your skin be the best it can be. Sothys has an entire range of products I am dying to try. Now that I know my skin reacts incredibly well to their products I can only imagine what my future skin will look like!
I first heard of this beauty balm from an old high school friend. She was kind enough to let me try this balm and introduce me to this brand. Neal’s Yard Remedies is a London based brand which but just entered the US. Their philosophy is to create a market which is more natural, holistic way of health, beauty, and well-being. I loved what they stood for so was excited to try one of their products. I must admit, I am always a bit nervous of balms that say they can be used as multi-purpose. I know that shouldn’t deter me but I am one of those “black and white” type of people. I need a beauty product to say it cleans, tones, or moisturizes. Not all three. That really throws me for a loop. However, when I received this Wild Rose Beauty Balm that can be used to clean, refine, or as a moisturizer I was intrigued. I can honestly say I have tried this balm for each of the intended purposes and am 100% sold. I love it as a moisturizer for my lips, which get really dry in the winter. But I have found it to be a really beneficial facial cleaner. It is an extremely gentle exfoliate which feels good on dry, winter skin. Once you wipe this away, your skin literally feels new. I have been using it before holiday parties and I love the way my make-up applies to my skin. It creates such a moisturized and evenly-toned base!
So funny thing about these Olay Cleansing Cloths, I bought them at London’s Heathrow airport a few weeks ago and didn’t realize they aren’t sold like this in the U.S. When my sister looked at them a few days ago she remarked how she had not seen this set yet and I brushed it off as if she hadn’t been to the store lately. Little did I know she made a completely valid point. I have linked to the similar U.S. version but am sorry I can’t find these anywhere in the U.S. However, you can not go wrong with Olay cleansing cloths. I have been a HUGE fan of these for the past few months. I think they remove make-up so much better than cream and water. They feel amazing on your skin and I find myself using them in the middle of the day as a pick-me-up for those afternoon drags. I love wiping them around my neck and face. They make you feel clean, rejuvenated and your skin literally glows when you are done! I also really like Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleansing pads.
This is a product I just started using in the past few days. My husband has been a long fan of La Roche-Posay as they were first produced in the E.U. Since coming to the U.S. a few years ago they have certainly made a splash. I am a new fan of theirs but am quickly falling in love with their products. I use this cleaner with my Olay Facial Scrub brush for those days I need a deeper exfoliation. The title is Ultra-Fine Scrub and let me tell you, it is! I love how small the beads are as I don’t feel like I am using sandpaper against my skin and totally wreaking havoc on my skin. They also make this scrub for sensitive skin which I like buying because I think it is more gentle and leaves your skin feeling more renewed and less overwhelmed.
Lustro is also a brand I was just introduced to. Not only did their packaging instantly stick out to me but also their approach of “safe skincare.” As Gregg, the founder, was applying sunscreen and skincare to her children and herself she had no idea the amount of toxic ingredients which were found in these products. She was completely shocked when learning the lack of regulation the FDA puts forth toward the beauty industry . Companies are allowed to use known toxins—ingredients that have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, hormone disruption—without telling us. Upon hearing this she started Beautycounter, a company devoted to progress. I have ordered a few more of their products after receiving a sample of the 2 face oil. If you are scared of face oils – don’t be! They re-balance your skin while helping it hydrate. Beautycounter has an oil for all skin types so be sure to check out the one that is right for you! This oil has changed the way my skin stays mouisturized without caking on or making me break out. I highly recommend you take a look at these oils and the many other brilliant and safe products Beautycounter produces. Your future self with thank you!
I first bought this mask as something fun to do on a girls night. The price was extremely affordable so in my mind, it probably didn’t work. However, it has now been a year and I am still obsessed with it. Don’t let the price of $6 deter you from believing in this mask. The cucumber feels amazing on your skin and once you peel it off an instant glow. You think I am lying? Try it for yourself. I have used it for a year and made a few of my friends try it with me. What did they do? Ran to the drugstore and bought one for themselves. I don’t know what exactly makes this mask work so much better than others but it does! It is the one product that I know no matter what time of year I can rely on it. I can’t say anything else about it other than you must try it for yourself!
A few years ago my mom was diagnosed with a life threatening illness. It was my freshman year of college and it stopped us all in our tracks. For a while she thought it was the flu but after multiple rounds of tests she found out it was not. My entire life my parents have been there for everything. My mother sacrificed a professional career (which was going extremely well) to raise us children. She wanted to be there for us and show us what true love from a mother meant. And she did! For all of the 18 years I lived with my parents, I have never felt so loved (until I got married). My family is my pack and I often times take on the mother lion role – if you mess with them, beware! No, but seriously they are my entire world so finding out one of them was sick, especially my superwoman, was debilitating. You may wonder why I am telling you all of this. “What a sad depressing story.” Well, fear not! It has a happy ending.
My mother, aka superwoman, was diagnosed with a disease that takes many of the lives it inhabits. My mother is an anomaly! Through intense dedication to medicine, diet, and exercise a woman who couldn’t even get out of bed for nine months just got back the best test results yet – remission! I won’t bore you with the details of what she did to get to this point but she placed a heavy emphasis on diet and exercise (or as much as she could). If I could count the number of times I heard, “Take care of your body now or it will catch up with you in later years,” I would be a rich woman! I heard her, but I didn’t hear her. If that makes sense? I was listening but not taking it to heart. I saw her getting better but I couldn’t make that necessary lifestyle change that it would take. But now that I heard the words “remission” I can see how important it is.
The last few weeks have got me thinking about how badly I do want to be in good health for my future! I don’t want to look back and say, “I wish I would have…” So, for the past few weeks I have been taking classes at Preston Hollow Pure Barre. I can’t say they have been easy but they have been extremely rewarding. Britta, the owner, has really been encouraging and even when I miss a few days, she helps me pick right back up where I left off. The entire environment has been super friendly and a place I look forward to going to time and time again. Not only do I feel stronger but I feel better about myself – that I am actually taking action for a better future! I know that sounds cheesy but it is true. I can’t say that I won’t enjoy a good meal or two but I am taking baby steps toward the right direction! I am finally listening to my mother and her words are coming through loud and clear!
I am really honored to take on the role as ambassador for Preston Hollow Pure Barre! So, if you have any questions at all please please feel free to e-mail me! I would love to see you in a class!
Also, tonight at 6:45pm you can attend a class for $20 and all proceeds will go to the Red Cross!
