Wednesday, March 28, 2012

PICTURE TAKING

I have a friend who takes her family at least once a month to get their family picture taken. I'm always amused at the lengths she goes through to make sure everyone is matchy-matchy. Now I understand coordinating as well as the next person, but when the father and sons wear the same shirt and mother and daughters wear the same outfit...hmmm.. in my opinion is going a bit overboard. My husband and I haven't taken many staged pictures during the course of our marriage; perhaps a snap shot here and there but not the sit down and pose kind of portraits.

Recently I started taking notice of picture "specials" sent through the mail. $9.95 doesn't sound like a big deal to me especially since there usually isn't a sitting fee involved. Now you only get to choose one pose per special for that price (remember this). So I made an appointment and the process was relatively painless, if you don't consider the photography studio had far more business than the number of employees could handle. There were two actual rooms to take pictures in. There were four employees. Now in my mind I'm thinking two of the four employees should be taking pictures full time and the other two should help the customers pick out which pose they wanted to purchase. But this was not the case. All of the employers served as photographers, salespeople, receptionist, and cashier. I'm sure they also had other behind the scenes duties.

So imagine having a 6:00 p.m. appointment (I purposely asked for the latest appointment available) and not getting out of the building until shortly after 8:00 p.m. Imagine sitting with babies crying because they were out way past dinner and bedtime. Imagine the Lego table in the waiting room to occupy older children being used as a basketball court and Lego pieces being thrown all over the place. And no mother speaking up to tell the little heathens to sit down somewhere and be quiet.

When it was finally our turn to be serviced by the photographer, we went in proud as peacocks in our matchy-matchy outfits. You would've thought we were getting ready to walk down the aisle or something equally important. Oh the models we became striking poses like pictures were being taken for a fashion spread in a magazine. Rather quickly however, we went back to the role of impatient customers as we were sent back out to the crowded waiting room to wait to pick out the pose we wanted to purchase.

As different ones were being checked out with their pictures in hand..I started hearing totals like $230.00, $320.00, $350.00 and even $445.00! What the heck!! What happened to the $9.95? Those customers had purchased several poses; one with the mother and father, one with the mother and daughters one with the father and sons, one with the mother and sons, one with the father and daughters. One of the little ones holding a basketball, etc, etc, etc. You get the point. Who do they give all of those pictures to? We ordered our one pose paid our $9.95 plus tax and went home. Yes, they tried to get us to buy a calendar, a mug, this that and the other. Who needs all of those pictures? We sent out several pictures to family members (how presumptious of us to think someone wanted our picture on their mantel) and we still have tons of pictures left.

But guess who is going back this weekend to suffer through the same horrible experience...yup! Me! Me! Me! Sunday morning at 9:00 (the earliest appointment we could get). I'll be sure to let you know if it gets any better. I'm leaving now to find matchy matchy outfits..but I'm only going to buy the one pose for $9.95!

Have a good emerald green day!

Monday, March 26, 2012

MINT GREEN

I think I'm falling in love with the mint greens I'm seeing this season. It feels like such a fresh and happy color. You just can't be sad, depressed or down in the dumps when you see it.
Speaking of this season...my husband and I have decided to get the Schwinn bicycles we bought in 1991 (and have never used!) and get out in this gorgeous weather. When I thought about our bikes, I ran across a picture of a mint green one. Who wouldn't be tempted to ride everyday if they were riding on this baby!!! Heck I may even paint my brown bike a prettier brighter color to make riding more interesting. How will you do mint green for Spring?


pic provided by lulus.com






pic provided by pinmarklet on pinterest.com




Sunday, March 18, 2012

PREMIERE OF STYLED BY JUNE

You may have seen fashion stylist June Ambrose's work on Jay-Z, Naomi Campbell, Missy Elliott, Kelly Ripa, Mariah Carey, Sean Combs and Mary J. Blige just to name a few. You may have seen the fashionista herself in magazines, at grand openings, at parties, or sitting on the front row at New York Fashion Week (or any other fashion week for that matter). We can all watch June work on  her reality show "Styled By June" premiering Monday, March 19, 2012 on VH1. Can you imagine what it would be like to have a fashion stylist as your mother? To grow up around the fashion industry and attending fashion weeks on the lap of your mother as a youngster sounds heavenly. I love fashion so of course I want to watch the show to see how she styles celebrities so effortlessly, but I also will be watching to see if her adorable daughter, Summer Chamblin will be on the show!
Speaking of styling effortlessly..you can purchase Effortless Style written by June Ambrose on amazon.com and other online outlets

June Ambrose with celebrity client Jay-Z
pic provided by fashionbombdaily.com

June and Summer
pic provided by zimbio.com

June Ambrose with little fashionista Summer Chamblin (her daughter)
pic provided by ekiuwajmagazine.com

June and Summer
pic provided by thetruthabout celebrities.blogspot.com





Friday, March 16, 2012

REAL PEOPLE WEAR GREEN!

Karesse Small wearing green in real life!
Looking good Karesse!
pic provided by Karesse Small


GREEN FURNITURE

There is so much green furniture in my home right now I should be afraid to look at anything else in the same color! But since I'm in the market for a new desk for my office...hint, hint to my husband! This one would be perfect. I saw it on pinterest.com but I could probably find an old desk and paint it myself. If I do I will be sure to post pictures.

pinterest.com


GREEN JEWELRY

I don't talk much about jewelry but I saw two bracelets on etsy.com (I forget who was selling them) and fell in love with both of them. I would love it if my husband bought either on or both as a Mother's Day gifts for me!
etsy.com

etsy.com