Lazy Dayzzz – Aria Row Photography

So, my friend Mariasha texted me last week on Thursday and said, “Hey, I’m taking this photography class and I need practice. Can I take pictures of you?”

“Oh, well if you insist…”

Mariasha came to my house, styled my hair and did my makeup, and helped me pose just perfectly for the photos.

Only hours later, she sent me these:

 

 

There are SO many things I love about this shoot. 1) That it took place in my own home – lazy dayzzz, right? 2) Mariasha is not only a photographer, but a cosmetologist as well and knows how to emphasize/bring out your strengths 3) she has GREAT style, fashion-wise and photography-wise 4) she’s fun to be around and easy to chat with 5) knows how to make you look and feel truly beautiful. Seriously. She is so talented.

Vision, creativity, natural instinct, and when it comes to making someone look and feel beautiful. “You make me feel like a natural woman…” No?

Thanks so much for making my Saturday a little more exciting than just our regular trip to Costco (although that is pretty tough to top).

If you’re in the Davis county/Utah Valley area and need a photographer, be sure to look Mariasha up! Click here to view her website.

 

By-the way, I took my two-year-old to a little gym where I will *hopefully* be registering her for gymnastics soon. She wasn’t too happy about not being able to slide down the slide or jump on the mats just yet and whacked me over the head in front of a couple of pitying mothers.

We are also considering purchasing a pet to help keep Chelsea occupied/entertained while I have some productive time (I blame you, Dougals!) Andrew wants a cat, I want a dog. Well, to be honest, I really don’t want either, but I think a dog would be more fun, loving, useful, etc. etc. Your thoughts?

^^she even got this guy to take a picture with me. she is good.^^

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UNSKILLED AND UNAWARE

Have you ever heard of someone being unskilled and unaware? I learned about it briefly in my Education Psychology class in college. It's why you always see people try out for American Idol and then are shocked when the judges tell them they sound like a dying cat.
Andrew and I had a special moment together the other night while driving home from his grandmother's house. With all the stresses that pop up somehow magically once you get married and the added on responsibilities when you have a child together, our conversations have changed from the frivolous, care-free conversations of star-struck lovers whose only stresses are school, and when they get to see each other next, to more serious conversations, like what we are having for dinner. I turned to Andrew in the car and told him that I wanted to have a conversation like we used to. I wanted to talk about the stars, about our favorite fruits, music, movies, anything but whether or not the kid pooped today. Of course, he obliged.
The conversation turned to my own unskilled and unaware period of my life. I told him about the photos I was flipping through when I came across the few that were proof-positive of it.
I have never struggled with self-image. I've always felt I was beautiful and was always confident in that. Of course, I had flaws in my appearance, but none of them really seemed to matter so much that I broke down and cried. I can honestly say that I have never had a day where I just felt down-right ugly. But looking at these photos, I don't know why I haven't.
My skin was dotted with imperfections (the details are probably TMI), my hair was lousily done, and the photo was just, well... very unattractive. As I looked at this photo, I simply wanted to cry. How had I allowed myself to become so unkempt? How did I even think I was beautiful at that period of time? How am I sitting there, smiling like a fool, at a camera that shows no mercy?
All of these questions boggled my mind, but the one at the forefront was the one that I asked Andrew. How did you still love me during that time?
His answer was both obvious and profound. Obviously, he loved me for more than my looks. He saw past the acne and bad hair day into the person that I really was. At that time, Andrew loved me for a lot of things. He loved our conversations, that I was easy to talk to, that I made him want to be a better person, that I worked hard, and that I had passion in everything I did. Now, although the love has changed, it has only grown to include that I was a good mother, that I take care of the house and make him dinner, and that I am willing to do hard things for our family.
It was at this point that my eyes started to tear up. Andrew doesn't wear his feelings on his sleeves, so when precious moments like these come, I know that they really mean something. I knew that Andrew wasn't just saying these things to make me feel better. He was being truthful and sincere. He loved the woman that I was, and he genuinely thought, and still thinks I'm beautiful.
Maybe in a few years I'll look back on the photos I put here on the blog and wonder, "How did I ever think I was beautiful," but I don't think so, because Andrew reminded me of something. Being beautiful is more than your skin, teeth, or hairstyle. Being beautiful is treating others with kindness, doing your duty, caring about others, providing service, and sacrificing for others. I am so grateful for this man who reminds me of the important things.

video c/o Dylan Bitton

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SIDE BRAID SOCK BUN

Okay, I am REALLY excited about today's post because it's my first hair-style post since my Bodacious Braidhawk post, and let's be honest... iPhones were not meant for hair-style posts.

So this hair-style has quickly become one of my favorites. Why? Well, to tell you the truth, it's because I can do it when my hair is too greasy to be worn down and still look put-together.

You will need:

• Hair tie
• Sock
• Bobby Pins
• Hair spray

Step 1: Start by selecting a portion of hair at the front of your head. I just started with my bangs. Separate your hair into three pieces to begin the inside-out braid (dutch braid, upside-down braid, etc.). The way this is done is by taking one outside piece and wrapping it underneath the middle piece instead of on top. Continue with the next outside piece, wrapping it under the new middle piece. Begin pulling new pieces of hair into the braid to create a French-Dutch braid.

Step 2: Continue the braid down the side of your head and along the bottom until you reach the side. Pull the braid and the rest of your hair into a ponytail.

Step 3: Did you know that the sock bun is called a sock bun because you actually use a sock? Use a dark-colored sock if you have dark hair, or a light-colored sock if you have light hair. Cut off the toe and roll the sock into a circle.

Step 4: Pull the end of your pony-tail through the sock and wrap the hair under. Hold it in place, then roll the sock with the hair under.

Step 5: Pull hair from the bottom loop that you just made up to the top on both sides and use bobby pins to pin in place.

Step 6: Spray the front of your hair and the sock bun, plus any stray pieces with your favorite hairspray. I use Pantene hairspray, but I don't use a lot.

Once you've sprayed and pinned any stray pieces, that's all there is to it! The perfect way to make three or four-day-old hair look new!

Have a great weekend and let me know if you try this out. Take a pic, post it on Instagram, and tag @chevronandlacebysue I'll be sure to stop by!

-Sue

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LOVE IT

First off, I'd like to announce that I am currently writing this post while my daughter is happily distracting herself (and listening to Michael Jackson). YES! Let me tell you, it is so satisfying that my daughter has now gotten to a point where she can be happy playing by herself for more than 5 or 10 minutes. Not that I don't like to play with my daughter, but hey! A mom's gotta have some time to do her own thing, too!
I was watching a TV show yesterday and observing the characters go through their struggles and overcome them and I thought to myself, "You know, when I first saw this show, I really didn't think 'so-and-so' was very pretty, but now that I've kind of gotten to know her, I can see certain physical traits in her that really are beautiful." As I pondered over this revelation, it came to me that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.
That being said, try and see the beauty within as I share with you my version of fashion through the years. I'll spare you (and myself) the close up images.

I'll begin with 5th grade because that's when I kind of started caring about my fashion.

2000

Remember the choker necklaces?

2003

Slicked back pony tail and over-sized uniform. I think the person who measured me thought my chest would grow a lot more than it actually did...

2003

Three-barreled on top and flipped out on bottom. Part in the middle.

2004

Trying to get a little volume in my hair with a pony tail and a part.

2004

Remember those clunker shoes?

2006

What the? Side ponytail?! Yes. That was a phase.

2008

So was the super-tight shirts with store logo plastered on the front.

Oh! And anyone notice the lace tee showing just below the edge of the shirt? Remember that?

2008

And, of course, we can't forget the puffy vests!

Looking back at these photos, of course we all can have a good laugh, none laughing harder than myself, but here's what I've learned. Fashion changes so much over time, whether it's super-tight shirts, baggy pants, puffy vests, or all of them together. I think of how silly I look to myself now and wonder what I'll think of myself in 10 more years, but that's not really what's important, is it? For me, the purpose of fashion is to make us feel good about ourselves and help build our confidence. I know that I feel much more confident (and have a much better attitude) when I'm wearing something that I think makes me look good. Fashion is what we decide it is, and in the end, it's all just an opinion. Let people judge if they want. Who died and made them the queen of all that is fashion? It's your life, it's your body, and it's your style. Live it. Wear it. Love it.

-Sue

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BEACH HAIR TUTORIAL

I grew up listening to the Beach Boys. "Surfin' Safari" and "Surfin' USA" were well-known melodies in my house, of course none of us could really remember any of the words during the chorus of the latter because we were too busy singing, "Inside, outside USA." When I was sixteen, I always dreamed of meeting a California boy, marrying him and spending the rest of my life on the beach. Then, when I got to college and had grown out of childish dreams... It came true, except for the "spending life on the beach" thing. But a girl can try, right?

So, everyone knows that the basic must-have in order to become a beach babe is the hair. Of course I turned to Pinterest, and here's the result!

Visit my "Beauty" board on Pinterest to find the DIY recipe for Sea spray. It makes your hair smell really good and isn't as nasty feeling as I thought it would be. It was really simple and relatively fast. Just shower, DO NOT even TOUCH your hair with a towel, spray liberally all over with the spray, and scrunch your hair with a t-shirt (the fibers of a towel make your hair frizzy, while a t-shirt does not). Wait five minutes (or so) and repeat. Then, either let it air dry, or use a diffuser (I used a diffuser). Lastly, DO NOT flip your hair up if you're bending over to blow dry. Twist your hair/head around until you're standing up straight. Use a curling iron on any less-than ideal pieces, wrapping the hair around the iron.

If my method doesn't work for you, there are a million more ideas on Pinterest! Just check out my "Beauty" board for more tips and tutorials!

Don't forget about the giveaway! And did I mention that I'm having a Mother's Day sale? 15% off all items in shop! Only two days left! Just use the coupon code, MOMSROCK at checkout. See you Monday!

-Sue

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Nostalgia

Remember on Friday how I posted about some finds on Pinterest? Do you remember the one of the outfit I said I would re-create if I had the funds? Well, turns out I already had most of the outfit and I had a few bucks to spare... At the local thrift store! Love my thrift finds! The funniest thing happened, though... The moment I put on that jean jacket, I started feeling this nostalgia... For the 90s! I was born in 1990 so I felt right at home in my jean jacket. This is my new favorite outfit. Fo sho. So here's my re-creation.

Jean Jacket - thrift store

Eggs in nest necklace - homemade

Shirt - homemade

Belt - thrift store

Pants - Urban Outfitters

Boots - amazon find

I am SO excited about the spring coming. It's kinda like fall, but better. Looking forward to the light, airy fabrics and COLOR! What are you looking forward to this spring?

*Photography talent courtesy of Mariasha Rowland.

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Risks...

Just before the first snow fell in my hometown, I was over at a friends house helping her clean up her yard a bit. During our conversation about family, friends, the past, the future, etc., Jill told me something that has really inspired me. "If you don't try, then you might regret it. Don't live with regret." My dad has always told me something similar. "If you don't try out, you're guaranteed not to make it!" And a wonderful friend up at college said to me, "Life is all about the risks. If you don't take any risks, you're not going to go anywhere."
It seems like sometimes I forget their advice. I'm grateful that I haven't always forgotten because as a result of my college peer's advice, I decided to date my husband a little longer when I was considering breaking up with him. As a result of my father's advice, I participated in many activities that brought me so much joy, especially dancing on the World Dance team at BYU-I.
Jill's advice has remained un-practiced since she gave it a few months ago... Until now.
I've decided to try something new. I'm going to open up an Etsy shop and this time, I'm going to make it stick! I've been a little apprehensive about it since it has not done well in the past, but I'm really excited about what I have to show you and I think you will be, too!

I've been knitting since I was eight, believe it or not! Most of my family got into it, actually and at one time we all had our own matching slippers, and let me tell you... Those slippers plus some nice, long wood floor? Amazing. Anyway, it's been my favorite past-time for General Conference ever since (when the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints broadcast via television and radio direction and guidance from God).
At this time, I'm not selling slippers, but here's what I do have, and I think you're going to LOVE it!

Bow Scarf:

I can make this scarf in any color you like and any size, whether you want it for yourself or for a little one. It'll keep whoever it is wrapped around nice and toasty warm while making them just about the cutest button anyone has ever seen!

Bow Beanie:

Why stop there? I am loving this bow beanie! Keeps your head warm and draws attention to your face and the eyes in-particular!

Laptop Sleeve:

This is the reason I've been a little absent from the blog this week. This laptop sleeve is really nifty when it comes to protecting your laptop from scratches! Not to mention its colorful design. Not particularly fond of the multiple colors?

Try the sideways heart! Other colors/designs available upon request.

To come (maybe):

iPhone, iPod, iPad, etc. sleeves. Protect anything scratchable!
Heart patches on the elbows? Yesh pleash!
Baby booties
Matching children and adult skirts. Single skirts available as well.

So what do you think? Which one is your favorite? Also, I'd really love some comments on whether or not to even try selling the heart patches, baby booties, and matching skirts. Would you buy any of those?
Need further enticement? Check back on Monday!

Hmmm... Should I tell them that I enjoy blogging in the middle of a sidewalk? Naw!

In case you're wondering...

Jacket: Old from Maurices and one of the best purchases I've ever made.

Shirt: Target on sale for $8.00 (approx.)

Belt: Cheap belt from pants that I bought at Target

Pants: Plato's Closet via H&M $10.00 (approx.)

Shoes: Ross $10.00 (approx.)

Smile: Mommy and Daddy (Dad says it's worth a million bucks!)

This is what blogging in Heaven must look like...

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