a day in the life of a mompreneur.

February 26, 2016

My monthly Boss Lady features are less about promoting products and services, and more about showing women that they really can have it all. A lucrative business and the flexibility every mom needs. Although I do feel pretty lucky that I get to try amazing products, I don’t want you to feel like I am trying to sell you anything. I’m just letting you know what’s out there in the world of work-from-home and work-for-yourself businesses so that you might feel confident enough to take your own leap, whatever that may be.

February’s Boss Lady is Katie Becker. I had never met her before she contacted me about taking some lifestyle photos of her working from home with her two daughters (it was completely my idea to feature her on the blog). I felt right at home the second I walked in the door. Katie’s positive attitude, likeability, and contagious laugh made it pretty obvious why she is so successful as a network marketing leader for Isagenix.

Katie runs her business from home with her two-year-old and four-year-old. As you can see by the photos (especially the one of her two-year-old refusing to share her protein bar with me), Isagenix products are kid approved. I always thought that Isagenix sold only protein powder, but when looking through the catalog, I was overwhelmed by all of the products they offer. Katie helped by sending me and Mary Kay Senior Sales Director, Kristen Dispenza (who did her makeup) home with “swag bags.” SO many samples that I’ve been spending the last few days testing out. My favorites? Well, the grape Replenish powder in my water bottle was pretty amazing. The IsaDelights are seriously delightful. And the IsaLean Bar kept me full from breakfast to lunch. All opinions are my own.

Learn more about Katie by visiting her website.

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xoxo.

February 14, 2016

I know that Valentine’s Day is an acquired taste. Some think it’s a Hallmark holiday and try not to pay it much attention. Me? I embrace a day that reminds me to go out of my way to let my hubby, friends, and family members know how much I love them. Because life is busy, and sometimes I forget. My hubby and I began dating long distance, so I usually spent my Valentine’s Day evenings going on dates with my single girlfriends. I would always bring a box of chocolates and a valentine for our waiter or waitress, and valentines for the bartenders (some of my favorite memories, Cathy & Anna!). But once my hubby and I got engaged and moved in together, I started expecting some romance. Well. That first year, nothing happened. NOTHING. Not a card, not a Reese’s heart, nada. So I decided to take Valentine’s Day into my own hands, and now I surprise HIM. He’s fun to surprise because he’s adorable and loves to have his picture taken.

We began the day with heart-shaped egg muffins. You can find the recipe on Pinterest. I got the pan from Target. Such a fun idea and a healthy breakfast so you can eat a pound of chocolate after.

My hubs did work in his office while he waited for me to set everything up so he could be surprised. We have some major role reversals in our relationship but it works for us. The eggs came out great!

Since he totally bombed 2014’s Valentine’s Day and can no longer be trusted, I ordered my gift from Nordstrom and used his credit card. It’s a glass water bottle so I can use my essential oils in it. I was pretty pleased with myself until I saw in his (homemade) card that he signed us up for weekly fresh flowers from our Co-Op (we get our veggies from there during the summer/fall). UM, what a cute idea! He definitely gets some major points for that one. I totally get that gifts aren’t what’s important, ever, but I appreciate a little something when the time calls for it. And he did good.

(I got him jeans that are not pictured because he just had to have them two weeks ago).

And now we are going to spend the rest of the afternoon getting chocolate drunk. I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with love and whatever makes you happy. XO!

and then there were three.

February 1, 2016

I am constantly reminded how lucky I am to work with such amazing people. I made a bit of an oops with my most recent clients. When searching for a location, I was all, “let’s got to Lamberton Conservatory in Highland Park!” Thinking, it’s the middle of winter, it will be warm, there will be flowers, we can then utilize the park after. Perfect idea, right? I walked into the conservatory and very first sign I saw was NO PROFESSIONAL PHOTO SESSIONS DURING OPEN HOURS. Uh, oops. I just assumed that if I paid my $3 and was aware there would be some people floating around, I could do what I wanted. Wrong. I mean, I still took a few pictures anyways. But it felt super awkward because I was nervous about being reprimanded by the 18-year-old-looking girl who was running the place.

We were all pretty relieved to head back outside, or was that just me? It was super hot in the conservatory and I was ready to start doing my thing. We walked across the street and THIS happened.

This beautiful mommy-to-be wanted to include some nursery décor and baby girl items as props. I am always open to photographing you with any props you’d like to bring along to help make your session as personal as possible.

Snow covered sessions are highly underrated. We live in a tundra, so let’s embrace it shall we? Well, maybe after Mother Nature stops being hilarious with her 50 degree days in the middle of winter.

10 days new.

January 18, 2016

I’m very in the moment with newborn sessions, which is why I love them because they allow me to be more creative and give client’s a unique experience. On the other side, I stress HARD about newborn sessions until I walk into the home and see what I’m working with. The second I walked into this nursery, all the stars aligned, angels sang, and every worry left me. Just LOOK at it. Sigh. Is it strange that my bedroom walls are the same color? Mommy’s got good taste!

I recently purchased my first L lens. I chose the Macro to help capture those close-up newborn details (and it’s nice to have on hand for weddings, which I am getting into this summer). I love being able to close in on baby’s tiny features because they will never be this small again.

I also love getting everyone all snuggly on the big bed. The art of the everyday happens right here.

But my FAVORITE part of this session, even more than the nursery, was big brother. He LOVES his baby sister and it was SO apparent during my visit.

I want to thank this family for inviting me into their home and being SO wonderful throughout the trials of a newborn session. I was able to do my job well because of their easy-going personalities!

what a girl wants.

January 12, 2016

I am so pleased to feature fellow Boss Lady, Julie Lynn of Julie Lynn Makeup Artistry & Skincare in today’s post! She is girl-next-door sweet with the bonus of being able to flawlessly glue on fake eyelashes in seconds (I’ve seen it). Julie may not literally be next door, but she recently opened her own studio in LeRoy, which is close enough. Her space is in the other half of Stella’s Bridal, and, I kid you not, there’s a chandelier in every room. When I walked in for the first time I was very serious when I asked if I could live there.

Julie’s talents do not end with the perfect eyelash application. She is a makeup artist AS WELL AS a licensed Esthetician (YES, she can fix that one crazy eyebrow), AS WELL AS a licensed Cosmetologist, AND certified in organic airbrush tanning. Let’s just add interior designer to her resume for fun, my pictures don’t even do her justice.

Let’s talk about ORGANIC spray tanning for a minute or seven, because it is chemical free, safe for pregnancy, and there’s a chandelier in that room, too. You’ll have to see for yourself because there’s obviously no natural light in her spray tanning space so I’m not sharing any pictures, but it’s modern and gorgeous just like Julie.

When she’s not airbrushing your face, making your skin look flawless, Julie relies on Mary Kay makeup and skincare to do the rest. Julie, and her services are a MUST HAVE for every bride-to-be. A year and a half ago I was a Julie Lynn bride, so I would know.

Just in case you’re still not sold…

If you’re a Boss Lady who’s interested in being featured on my blog, please contact me!

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