happy Mexico

I've felt so much peace and happiness while in Mexico so far.  It has been an incredible trip, and with only one day left, I feel so wonderful and ready to get home to see my baby. It has been good for my heart, for my soul, body, mind and everything else. I have started and finished two novels and a Kinfolk magazine. I have walked down the beach, swam, ate well (eggs, pizza, fries, pizza, nachos, guac, pizza) spend time alone, spent time with Lucas, drank daquires at the bar on a swing, napped, watched the sunrise and so much more. It was exactly what I needed before we start on our new journey next month. 2014 has been a kick ass year already...here's to hoping the awesomeness trend continues. 

xoxo nat

Weekend + Monday adventure

Monday again, ugh the weekends are too short in my opinion. Friday night I met some girlfriends downtown and we had a delicious meal and drinks. I was home super early, nothing crazy :) Saturday we didn't do much, it was a nice relaxing day. Sunday I had an engagement session and was downtown again! The couple got engaged at the National Arts Center during a Nutcracker performance, and we received permission to go back there and take a couple of photos! Due to privacy reasons, I won't be able to share those photos, which is kinda a bummer since they are quite epic and my bride even brought her own pointe shoes!

 

 

 

She found my lollipop, opened the box and started eating it within a matter of moments. She only had a few licks (distraction tactic) and then I took it away. Which, let me tell you, she was not overly happy about. 

Anyways, today my mom, Ellia and I decided to go to Ikea. I needed a few things for the house and my mom did too, so it was perfect. It was above zero today (42F) which is felt like Spring compared to the horrible, awful temperatures we have been experiencing.

 

I cannot wait to re-pot these beauties! Now I am off to dip dye some curtains for the kitchen. Wish me luck, I have NO idea how/if they will turn out. 

xoxo Nat

XOXO

Today was a great mail day!

 I have been following Spearmint Baby Blog for awhile now, and when I came across Shari on Instagram and saw her gorgeous cross blankets in PINK I knew I had to have one for Ellia's big girl room! Shari sent me the blanket from her shop, and it really is more gorgeous in person. If you haven't had a chance to check out this blog, you definitely should! Tons of gorgeous inspiration and pretty little things. The shop has the cutest clothes, accessories and so much more loveliness. Ellia was kind of obsessed with it too, girlfriend has good taste already ;)

 My future assistant right there. 

And hey, I actually took out my big girl camera and took some photos!!

As you can see, chick won't sit still for anyone. Things used to distract her include, but are not limited to, my cell phone, my water bottle my D700 and her new blanket! Also, please take note that everything I own is pink. Literally. 

I am so excited to finish Ellia's room! I am mid painting some furniture and designing her gallery wall! Can't wait to see this blanket in the room!

Thanks again Shari, it's perfect!!

xo Nat

real life happy Monday

Today was one of those real life, happy days. Ellia is finally down to one nap, after a month of transition and hell. She's happy and turning into a big girl before my eyes. She actually sat down and coloured instead of trying to eat the crayons, break them into little pieces and chuck them on floor, or feed them to Piper. She tried to change her baby's diaper and kept giving her kisses. She pushed her around the house in her stroller and shared her pretend cookie with her. She ate like a champ and didn't throw any food on the ground, or purposely pour her water all over her food. She didn't have a tantrum and nose dive starfish style on the floor screaming.  She helped me clean because she is obsessed with helping and the vacuum. She didn't climb on my desk chair and shot put my iMac mouse. We cuddled and she gave me hugs and kisses and said mamamamama 3200 times. She didn't freak out when I tried to change her diaper. She went to bed with not even a peep.

This morning I actually got up, showered and did my hair before Ellia got up. I cleaned and did laundry and answered emails. Three kids came to the door asking to shovel my porch for $1 and I gave them $3.  (it's the little things, right)

Not to mention that I hit 10k followers on Instagram. I have never, ever cared about numbers, that's not why I am on IG. It's about the community, the inspiring and creative people, the wonderful moms and babies, and seeing a part of their lives. I get to experience how others live, what they love, what their home looks like. I have been able to watch bellies grow, babies come into the world, witness those same babies turning one and becoming big brothers or sisters. It's amazing, really. And the fact that so many people are interested in MY life, and my daughter, home, and complete daily craziness is so unreal.

It's days like today that make me feel like maybe I am doing something right with this whole parenting/life thing. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but I am definitely going to cherish today.

            

xoxo nat

#my_365

4 years ago, I started a 365 project on Flickr. Flickr was the cool thing before Instagram came around, and I was an avid Flickrer. I met so many awesome and inspiring photographers and people, I still like to check it out every once and a while for inspiration. I made it to 90/365 days, and at that point, my cake business was booming and I was starting to take photography clients as well, instead of just shooting for myself.

 

My final photo in May 2010

 If you're interested, you can check out my Flickr page here. You may or may not find some racy artsy self portraits though, it was the thing to do before you have a baby. (You've been warned)

Well, I have decided that next time is now, and I am going to give it a go. I am following @my_365 on Instagram this time around, which actually has a subject each day. I am not putting too much pressure on the project and if I miss a day,  that's okay. And if I can't compete it because life gets too crazy, that's okay too. I have been studying photography and shooting since high school, but I received my first camera when I was 6, so photography has always been a part of my life.

Day 1 - #me

Day 2 - #from_where_i_stand

 

Wish you could have seen the sweet ninja moves I had to do to get into the backyard over our deck. Both the gate and the deck door are snowed in/frozen. It was awesome sauce.

Day 3 - #close

I had this super cute photo idea for this one, but Ellia cut her 7th tooth today, so that was a no go :| So another selfie it is.

 

I probably won't be posting all of the photos, we will see :)

xoxo nat